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My Grandfather, the Runaway Boxcar, and a Quiet Act of Courage
My paternal grandfather, Charles Judson “Charlie” Manley (1899-1974) was one of those quiet, unassuming men who never seemed to have a bad word to say about anybody. I remember him as a genuinely good man. Apparently, he was also considerably more of a badass than I ever realized. In 1959, Charlie was 60 years old… Continue reading
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The Handy Family of Tecumseh: It’s Complicated
For the sake of genealogy research I am very fortunate that many of my paternal lines after the mid-1800s resided in Lenawee County, Michigan, the county adjacent to where I live. Logistically, I am easily able to visit the local libraries, historical museums, and cemeteries to gather information and build family stories. Where it gets… Continue reading
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Lottie Packard: Twice Widowed, Mother of Ten, and a Birth Certificate That Raised More Questions Than it Answered
When I first came across Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Packard (1870-1952), she wasn’t my ancestor. She wasn’t even related to me by blood or marriage. In fact, I almost skipped past her entirely. Then I started reading the records. One document lead to another until the outline of an extraordinary life slowly emerged – a young wife,… Continue reading
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Growing Up in Tecumseh: One Woman’s Memories of a Simpler Time Part 3
When I was nine we moved to the fire station and dad became the full-time truck driver and station manager. We lived in a large apartment above the station. Bob and I loved all the activity of living down town. It was a great adventure. Especially for Bob as the train tracks were just outside… Continue reading
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Growing Up in Tecumseh: One Woman’s Memories of a Simpler Time Part 2
Milk was delivered by the milkman (Art Deffler) who put it in the refrigerator if we weren’t home. The door was never locked. We bought our groceries at Andersons down town in Tecumseh. We didn’t have a car so the groceries were delivered by horse and buggy by Ernie Van Vleet. Mother would usually go… Continue reading
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Growing Up in Tecumseh: One Woman’s Memories of a Simpler Time Part 1
Some time ago my paternal Aunt, Marilyn Ruth (Manley) Kilbourn, my father’s sister, emailed me a document she’d written of her childhood memories growing up in Tecumseh, Michigan in the late 1930’s through the 1940’s. I have read the many pages at least half a dozen times and with each reading, I’m transported to a… Continue reading
Tiny Acorns & Mighty Oaks 