Journey to My Past

19 December 2013 | By: Brenda Leyndyke

The Book of Me: The Military and Me

Do you remember College Fairs in high school? My high school, Harbor Beach Community High School, in Harbor Beach, Michigan had a college fair my junior year. College representatives and Armed Forces recruiters throughout Michigan came to the high school and presented to high school juniors about their school or program. It was an opportunity for students to ask questions and learn more about opportunities after graduation.

One of the recruiters I talked to was from the Air Force. I don't know if I was seriously considering joining the Air Force or if it was my rebellious nature that led me to him. I knew before going to talk to him that 'girls' were not allowed to fly planes in the Air Force at this time, in 1974. So, that is the first question I asked him. The next question was "why not"? I don't remember him answering the question completely, but I remember him saying that some day they might be allowed to. Allowed to, yeah right, was my thought process at the time.

I never joined the Air Force or any service for that matter. Nor, do I remember ever being encouraged to join the service. It was the era of the Vietnam War and most of what I had heard about the war wasn't good. Protesters and draft dodgers had been in the news daily. Anti-war sentiment abounded.

Anti-war sentiment could be felt in my small little town of Harbor Beach because one of its' citizens, Captain Bruce Johnson, was a prisoner of war. His body has never been recovered, but he is assumed dead. I remember my parents talking about him as well as another prisoner of war, Robert Abbott. My dad had coached Robert Abbott when he was coaching in Deckerville, Michigan, Robert's hometown. Robert Abbott was a prisoner of war for over 2000 days, being released in 1973. These two incidents alone would have been enough for my parents to protest my wanting to join the military. They didn't need to as I never seriously considered joining any of the services.

My family has a long history of serving the armed services; voluntarily and by being drafted. My ancestors have served in wars as early as the American Revolution. Here is a table showing my ancestors who served in the United States:

Ancestor	Dates	State Served Under	War Service
Alexander Glover 4^th Great Grandfather	1756-1825	Massachusetts- Captain Seth Murray’s co.	American Revolution
Hopkins Rowley 4^th Great Grandfather	1758-1831	Vermont-Captain Cooley company	American Revolution
Jonathan Rowley 5^th Great Grandfather	1729-1806	Vermont- Member of court to try Tories; representative at Dorset Convention.	American Revolution
Peter Forney 5^th Great Grandfather	1739-1829	Berks Co. Penn. –Capt. John Lesher	American Revolution
Thomas Bowles 5^th Great Grandfather	Abt. 1743-Abt 1787	Frederick Co. Maryland-Member of Committee	American Revolution
William Salisbury II 5^th Great Grandfather	1731-1821	Massachusetts-1779 served as barrack-master and commissary on Castle Island for Colonel Revere’s Corps of Artillery.	American Revolution
Moses Poor 5^th Great Grandfather	1743-1775	New Hampshire-Captain Elisha Woodbury’s Co. Died at Battle of Bunker Hill.	American Revolution
Seth Beal 6^th Great Grandfather	1710-1786	Massachusetts-Private with Samuel Ward’s Co.	American Revolution
Samuel Stillman Glover, Jr 2^ndGreat Grandfather	1836-1904	Michigan-wounded in 1862 in Tennessee on his way to Huntsville.	Civil War-Mechanics and Engineers
Daniel Fenn 3^rd Great Grandfather	abt 1787-1836	Vermont-Private in Sumner’s Regiment for Vermont Militia, under Captain George Fisher co.	War of 1812
Merle Glover Granduncle	1902-1981	Michigan-Lt. Col. Possibly served in some form of government in Guam after WWII. First, joined the Canadian Army during WWI by lying about his age and birthplace. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery.	WWI and WWII
Bruce Glover Father	1925-	2^nd Lt. in US Army European Campaign, Battle of the Bulge	WWII-Army

As I look back on my ancestor's service I am proud of where I came from. My ancestors started serving before the United States became a nation. One, Moses Poor, gave his life in the Battle of Bunker Hill. I have researched my 2nd great grandfather, Samuel S. Glover, Jr. and learned of his heroic Civil War effort to take dispatches to General Buell, getting shot on the way. He survived and was able to come home to his family, unlike so many others. My father, who is still living, has just started to share his memories of his war time in what is now known as The Battle of the Bulge.

I have many uncles and cousins who have served starting with World War II, through the Vietnam War, and the more recent Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. It is because of their service that I am able to write freely about their service. The freedoms we experience in the United States are because of their efforts to keep us safe and free. Thank you to all who have served.

The Book of Me, Written by You is a new blog prompt series created by Julie Goucher at Anglers Rest blog. Geneabloggers is adding support and encouragement to this 15 month blogging activity. I write freely about the stories that bring my ancestors to life and look forward to exploring my life through writing. I hope you will join me as I journey to my past.

Prompt 11 was Military.

06 November 2013 | By: Brenda Leyndyke

The Book of Me: Unexplained Memories

My husband thinks I have a photographic memory. He may be right. I have always had a good memory and if he asks me where something is in the house I can visualize it on a shelf or in a cabinet. If we go somewhere together, I am better with finding places as I remember landmarks and such. I was a good student in school and I think it was because of my memory. I didn't have any trouble memorizing the different things I had to for school.

Once, my thyroid medicine was prescribed wrong and I was having memory problems. My son, tried to get away with something and I said, I have my memory back, you are not getting away with that. So, for a short period of time, I think my family was happy for my lack of memory.

I started thinking of some of my childhood memories and could not come up with any unexplained ones. Any time I want to know more about my childhood I go to my mom. She is 83 years old and her memory is still very good. She has answered countless questions and helped me piece together my youth.

Prompt 10 was to describe unexplained memories.

The Book of Me: Trick or Treat?

Linda and I, Halloween about 1960

Costumes, candy and fun describe the Halloween of my childhood years. I remember celebrating Halloween as a child by going trick or treating in costumes. I wasn't very creative when it came to thinking up costumes. I remember being a monster, Casper the Ghost, Felix the Cat, a hobo, and a 50's bobby socker.

My sister, Linda, and I would go out house to house and have fun collecting candy. We would get home and pour our goodies out on the living room floor to see what we got. I remember candy corn, wax lips, wax pop bottles, pixie sticks, candy cigarettes, suckers and mary jane candy. We would trade anything we didn't like with each other.

Eventually, I was old enough to go with friends, trick or treating. I remember one year I was walking up the steps to a house and a boy was walking down the steps. He grabbed a handful of candy right out of my candy bag. I was shocked. How rude!

Other Halloween activities were held at school. We would bring our costumes to school and have a parade. This parade would go through the downtown area of my small town, Deckerville, Michigan. The parade was followed by a party with lots of goodies.

It was treats all the way for me. I don't ever remember doing tricks when I was celebrating Halloween.

Prompt 9 was Halloween.

The Book of Me: Love is Timeless

Our Wedding Day

21 March 1981

St. John's Lutheran Church, Palms, Michigan

Although, I have never made a time capsule, the thought of creating one intrigues me. If I were to put together a time capsule, I would do a "Love is Timeless" one. It would be in honor of my love for, and life with, my husband, Kirk. I would like for it to be opened on 21 March 2031, the day of our 50th Wedding Anniversary, in front of family and friends.

The time capsule would be stored in an archival quality box in my closet. It would hold all the treasures of our marriage and life together. Here is a sample of what I would include:

A letter explaining the meaning of the time capsule and how it was created.
The match box from the restaurant where we had our first date, The Windjammer in Lexington, Michigan.
The front page of a newspaper from our wedding date.
Our wedding invitation and wedding pictures.
Receipts, pictures, and post cards from our honeymoon in Toronto, Canada.
Pictures of the homes we lived in throughout our marriage.
Our first mortgage papers, from the home on Maple Street in Deckerville, Michigan.
Mementos that were saved from the birth of our children, Kirsten and Travis.
Other papers, pictures, etc. throughout the years together.
Lastly, I would include a love letter written to my husband.

I want the time capsule to show how important the love of family is. It started with two people falling in love and creating a life together that lasted through the years. I want to show that Love is Timeless.

The eighth prompt is Time Capsule.

15 October 2013 | By: Brenda Leyndyke

The Book of Me: My Grandparents

Grandparents are a lovely part of a family. My grandparents were a part of my family, but from a distance. I never lived near any of my grandparents, but my family would visit my maternal grandparents at least once a year. My paternal grandmother would come visit us. I do not remember ever going to her house. I was fortunate to have three grandparents in my childhood life. My paternal grandfather died seven years before I was born. Let me introduce you to my grandparents:

The Glover's

I have only been able to get to know my paternal grandfather, Harry Glover, through pictures, stories and my research. He was born in Jackson, Michigan on 6 May 1883, to Frank H. Glover and Hattie Lodema Fenn. Harry lived in Jackson, Crystal Lake Township, and Marquette, all in Michigan, during his childhood.

Harry was eighteen years old when he fell trying to catch a train, severing his right leg below the knee. He wore a prosthetic leg the rest of his life.

Harry worked as an electrician, diamond mill machinist, tool and mechanical engineer during his life. He worked for the Chrysler Corporation in Highland Park, Michigan for many years.

Harry married my grandmother, Sarah Lilla Watt, on 23 August 1919, in Marquette, Michigan. This was Harry's second marriage. His first wife, Emma Winkler, died in 1915, just two weeks after the birth of their son, Francis. I don't know the story of Harry and Sarah/Lilla meeting other than she was from Marquette, Michigan.

Harry Glover died 6 Sep 1950 in Detroit, Michigan, seven years before I was born. I have enjoyed getting to know Harry through my research. I have found his vital records, census records, draft registration, burial records, residences and immigration records in my research.

I loved my Grandma Glover Bell, she was a warm, generous woman. I remember her visiting our home many times in the short seven years I knew her. There were a few times we would visit my dad's brother, Francis "Hank" Glover in Ferndale, Michigan and Grandma would be there. Hank was not my grandma's biological mother, but she raised him as her own.

Sarah Lilla Watt, who went by Lilla, was born 23 November 1884 in Marquette, Michigan to David Watt and Katherine McGee. Lilla lived in Marquette until she married my Grandpa, Harry Glover. They were married 23 August 1919 and enjoyed 31 years of marriage. They moved to Cass Avenue, in Detroit, Michigan after their marriage. My father was born in 1925. It was at this time that they moved to Hazel Park, Michigan to raise their children.

Sarah Lilla Watt worked as a stenographer in Marquette before her marriage. She was a housewife and full time mother after that.

Lilla married Ray Bell in 1954, four years after my grandfather's death. Grandma Bell moved to Arizona after her marriage to Ray Bell. They lived in Arizona and Calgary, Alberta.

I remember Grandma Bell would visit our home and she would bring crocheted or knitted gifts. I have a pair of slipper socks she made me when I was a child. She hand knitted afghans and wooden clothes hanger covers. She crocheted hot pads and doilies, many of which I have in my possession. I can remember sitting on the footstool at her feet while she worked. She would let me help her wind her yarn. I remember hugs and feeling loved.

I remember clearly the day she died. My mom told me the news and I remember crying in my closet next to a skirt she had given me for Christmas that year. Grandma Bell died of cancer in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on 31 March 1965, at the age of 80. I was seven at the time.

My grandma lived a good life, but I wish I could have known her longer as all the memories I have of her are good.

The Fredrick's

My grandfather was an old man for as long as I could remember. He was 79 years old when I was born. I was ten when he died. I do not have any pictures of my grandfather with me in them.

Otto August Fredrick was born 1 November 1878, in Manistee, Michigan, to Johann August Fredrick and Louise Fredrike Zastrow. He lived his whole life in Manistee County. He lived in the city of Manistee, Dickson Township-near Brethren, and Brethren, all in Michigan.

Otto August Fredrick married Daisy Ellen Graf on 12 Dec 1917 in Brethren, Michigan. My grandmother had a child and she agreed to marry Otto if he was willing to accept her son as his own. He wasn't always nice to her son and once when she didn't like the way he treated her son, she left and walked to her father's farm, about two to three miles away.

Grandpa Fredricks worked on a Great Lakes freighter and farmer during his life. I never knew him when he lived on the farm or worked as a Laker. I only remember him in his house in Brethren, Michigan.

My family would make a yearly, summer trip to Brethren, Michigan and I would see my grandparents on that trip. We would stay with my Aunt Kate on our visits and my grandparents lived next door to her. It was just a short walk out the back door of my aunt's house to the back door of my grandparent's house. I remember Grandpa Fredricks would sit outside and smoke his pipe at times. Other times he would sit in 'his' chair. I don't remember ever having a conversation with him. Nothing more than a 'hi' or a 'bye'.

I don't remember having sad feelings when he died and I think it was because I never really knew him. Otto August Fredricks died 5 February 1968 in Onekema, Michigan.

Grandma Fredricks was an entirely different story than Grandpa Fredricks. She was a kind, sweet, easy going and humble woman with a wonderful laugh. The picture to the left is the only picture I have of my grandmother and I.

Daisy Ellen Graf was born 18 October 1892 in Plevna, Indiana to Valentine Graf and Nancy Mast. During her teen years, she moved to Brethren, Michigan.

I only know of one job that my grandmother had before her marriage. She worked in a nearby town at a motel as a housekeeper.

I have many memories of visiting my Grandma Fredricks. She always made you feel welcome and served cookies and milk and sometimes had a bowl of candy on her coffee table. She was a terrific cook. She loved Charlie Pride and Elvis music. I remember walking into her house, after Grandpa died, and she was listening to records. She was a loving, Christian woman. One conversation I remember fondly was when I was in college. She asked if I liked college and I said yes. She told me she was happy I was going to school and hoped I didn't make the same mistakes she made as a young woman. She changed the topic then, but as I looked back on it, I think she was talking about being pregnant. She never mentioned it again and I didn't ask.

I was in college when she died and attended her funeral which was filled with family members. Grandma Fredricks died 26 October 1978 in Manistee, Michigan at the age of 86.

07 October 2013 | By: Brenda Leyndyke

The Book of Me: I Am Not a Writer

I have never considered myself to be a writer, I didn't write in a diary or journal. The only time I tried to keep a journal was when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, Kirsten. I thought it would be a good memento to pass on to her. I thought she would see how much she was wanted and learn more about her mother in the process. I wrote in it throughout my pregnancy and until Kirsten was about 2 years old.

It was a blank journal-like hardcover book with a Gnome theme. I had decorated the nursery with Gnomes and the journal seemed to go with it. I wrote about my feelings, how I was looking forward to being a mother and daily happenings in my life. After Kirsten was born, I wrote about some of the milestones that she achieved: first smile, first tooth, etc.

I plan to pass this journal on to Kirsten some day. I have to find it first. It is stored with some of the other things I saved from her childhood. It is the only journal I ever wrote. I wish I had done the same thing for my son, but as I said I am not a writer.

That is why I am surprised that I started blogging and stayed with it. Currently, I am keeping three blogs going: Journey to the Past, where I write about my family history; Journey to His Past, where I write about my husband's family history and this one. I consider my blogs my journals. I write about past history, but I include stories about my history and events in my children's lives.

I haven't come across any journals in my family history. I would love to find one that one of my ancestors kept. I would love to get to know them from their own writing, but if they were like me they were not a writer!

05 October 2013 | By: Brenda Leyndyke

The Book of Me: A House is not a Home

Writing about my childhood home is going to be difficult as I lived in seven houses during the first 17 years of my childhood. I have written about all seven of these houses at my Journey to the Past blog.

Although, I lived in a variety of houses, it wasn't the structure that made it a home. It was family. I never had the privilege to live near my grandparents, or any extended family for that matter. It was my parents, myself, two sisters and a brother at various times of my childhood. My sister is nine years younger than I am and my brother is eleven years younger. It was like two separate families. I grew up as many others did in the 1950's. I had a stay at home mother, a father who worked, and traditional Christian family values. All of these things together provided me with the tools I needed to leave home and go to college.

I left home number seven in August of 1975, just shy of my eighteenth birthday, to attend Western Michigan University(WMU) in Kalamazoo, Michigan, about 250 miles away. One of the factors of my attending WMU was that I wanted to go to college away from home. I wanted the new adventure that I thought attending college would give me. I have been an independent, some call it stubborn, person most of my life. In fact, I only applied to Western Michigan. I don't know what I would have done had I not been admitted.

As I look back on my childhood, I don't think of one family home. I think of all the other things that makes a house a home. I think of the love of family, the memories that were made and the times spent together, the good and the bad. A house is a structure that provided me with the basic need for shelter, but a home is what developed me into the person I am today.

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