Daily Archives: May 8, 2023

Letter in Grandpa Green’s handwriting

May 8, 2023Family, Thingschetek, grandma green, grandpa green, letterDona

This would normally go on another blog — one dedicated to letters to Mom, but because it is in Grandpa’s handwriting (the first page at least), I’m putting it here. Also I dreamt about him a few nights ago.

I think it was written the first year they lived in Chetek, Wisconsin, leaving Illinois and all their children. Grandpa retired from the Post Office — hence his knowledge of letters going astray. I don’t know what he means about “work” in the third paragraph. I don’t remember giving Grandma a pin — I would have been 13.

Dec 17, 1969

Dear Kids:

Please let us know when you receive the enclosed checks so we don’t keep wondering whether or not it went astray during this heavy mailing period.

It sure is beautiful outside. The ground is covered with snow, and all the pine boughs are hanging heavy with it. We are having no difficulty getting in and out. The county plow has been down and our snow blower works good. It has snowed some each day, except one, since the 6th.

We cut a Christmas tree and we were going to put it up and trim it yesterday. Instead, we went into town and got home early, ready for bed. Sooo, tree is still in the garage in it’s natural state. Maybe if we get it set up today, Mother can trim it tonight while I work.

Guess I better go into the post office and get the mail. A merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year to you all.

(the rest is in Grandma’s handwriting)

There is a lot of things I could say, like missing Christmas with you kids, meaning our family. I’ll write a long letter soon. Thanks for that money. I found it when I picked up the box, to put the pin on, that one which Dona gave me.

Much Love to all,
Mom & Dad

Grandma Patrick’s legal papers

May 8, 2023Family, ThingsGrandma patrick, Grandpa Patrick, jargon, probate paper, sale of farm documentDona

These two files were in an envelope with a return mailing address of Ranstead S. Lehmann, Attorney at Law, 167 Du Page Street, Elgin, Illinois; labeled Final Receipt for Farm.

One is a probate document which I’ll probably put with my genealogy stuff since it gives Grandpa Patrick’s date of death.

The other document is for the sale of the farm. It’s really too hard for me to figure out and I don’t have a scanner large enough to copy the whole thing, but one thing that stands out is how they determine the exact location of the farm and land. Back then I don’t think they had actual addresses for this particular area. In fact, all my Dad had to write on a post card to his sister who still lived on the farm was her name, town, and state. And when his mother wrote to him, the return address on the letter was simply Hampshire, Illinois.

This would be a lot to write on an envelope:

All that part of the following described premises lying Easterly from the Highway known as the St. Charles and Genoa Highway running Northwesterly and Southeasterly through the premises herein described: The southwest quarter of the northeast quarter, the south half of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter, the east 17.36 chains of the south 23.04 chains of the northwest fractional quarter and the north 27.50 chains of the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 30, Township 41 North, Range 7 East of the Third Principal Meridian, in the Township of Plato, Kane County, Illinois (except that part of the above described premises lying westerly of the center line of the Highway; ALSO excepting approximately one acre of land and improvements thereon in the northwest corner of the farm same to be surveyed).

Of course I don’t think I have ever seen a location described in surveyor language, so this is possibly perfectly normal.

Wedding Prep June 1985

May 8, 2023Events, Memories1985, Dean and Dona, family friends, reception, WeddingDona

Dean and I got married at a small church outside Elgin. Then we had a picnic reception in my parents’ back yard. Here are some of the preparations. This must have been the day before the wedding.