Thursday, February 17, 2011

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 9

Ira Weaver Memories (part 3 of 3; read part 1 and part 2 for the full memories):

While Yost did a very masterful job of farming, he did not go in for show.  Three horse teams was about his limit. One day Yost was passing a neighbor's farm who had a 4 horse team in the field.  He called to Grandfather, "Gooked net des groose Yoslite?" ("Don''t this look big, Yost?")

Time went on. Aunt Sade passed away. Grandma passed on, and it became evident that a change was necessary.  For a while he rented to children, and then grandchildren, then sold the old homestead and gave a nice sum to each of the children.  I understand that a number of the children offered to open their doors to him..  Mother Weaver offered him the best room in her home.  The northwest room was chosen and evidently grandfather enjoyed himself the remaining days.

Grandfather was never enthusiastic about portraits and almost refused to have his picture taken.  Grandmother, however, had her's taken and all the children shared with each receiving their picture.  One of these pictures was placed in grandfather's room on the stand.  He cherished it so much that he consented to have his taken.  We prize both of them highly.

When Grandfather came to the Weaver's he brought his buggy, low sides, wide seat and faithful Old Ben.  Most people considered Ben to be too fractious for a man the age of Grandfather.  I often wondered how he got the harness on this tall horse, for grandfather was rather short in stature.  Grandfather succeeded in getting the harness placed, including the bridle, all this time Ben was admonished with the familiar 'Ho Ben!' 'Ho Ben!'  Bem was ;ed carefi;;u tp tje biggu wjere 'Ho Ben!' was repeated until he was fastened to the buggy with the last trace and grandfather, having a firm hold on the reins, would step in the buggy, Ben prancing all the time, they were off on high.  We were always apprehensive of grandfather's safety but Ben always brought him home, usually on high.  It was a sad day when grandfather and Ben parted.  Grandfather with a smile, which he carried to the last.  He wore well ke[ppt short whiskers.  Grandmother with her smile and prayer veil which she wore continuously.

The old Homestead could tell a lot of stories of romance.  I know of one which probably does not mean much only to those directly interested.  A girl of sweet sixteen was employed one season, between high school terms, by Clara Schrock Zimmerman, to do house work at $2.00 per week.  At this time, John Zimmerman employed the writer to help on the farm.  It was that occasion that gave rise to appreciate the jolly good times, good dinners and, while the writerprobably wasn't very serious, there was somewhat of a  'girl of my dreams' in his eye and thinking, all unbeknown to Della Sherck (Weaver) I am quite sure.  It was the beginning.  One year later in June the first attempt was made to win her affections.  I offered to see her to church one Sunday evening in June.  Della accepted.  This continued for five years and then the wedding on Ap;ril 15, 1906.  Fifty years later God spared us to celebrate our 50th Anniversary.

The demands of Cousin Clyde Cripe for memories is responsible for all of this story.

(Editor's Notes: Paragraph 2 - I have still not been able to identify who Aunt Sade, if she lived at home until she was 32 did she have issues that should cold not live on her own and if so, what were they?; Mother Weaver was  Della Sherck Weaver, wife of Ira Eugene Weaver

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.
Mary Post Warren
© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

No comments:

Post a Comment