Grandma Zwaantje and RuthRichland Grove, Illinois, 1907
"Ruth and her Mama. We were having a tumble in the grass. This country life is fine. We have lots of fun. This is the way it looked when we moved here. We soon made a change." (photo back)
Inscription: "Ginga and her Little Smart Darling as Ruth calls herself. Taken July 10, 07 on our church lawn with the beautiful background. It will soon look different sometime this summer."
(Explanation: Sherrard is a city located in Richland Grove Township. Grandma used "Sherrard" and "Richland Grove" interchangeably.)
When my father established a Sunday School in Springfield, Illinois, the priest gave us much trouble. We often found "dog doo" on the steps and sides of our building. When we went to church, my father walked in front of us, flailing the tall grass on either side with a long stick, to protect us from ruffians that might be waiting to jump out at us. (recalled in July, 1976, by Ruth Holtzman Hey to grandson Steve)
Ruth and a Friend, Sherrard, 1907
"8/10/07. Dear Father and all. Are you going to Freeport during camp meeting. Love to all. Ezra." (postcard back)
"J.L. let his beard grow to protect his throat, but it didn't seem to help much after all. About 1908 we had real cold winter weather." (photo back)
Grandma Holtzman told the story of coming home across a field when she heard and saw a "gentleman cow" coming at them. She threw Ruth over the fence and barely made it over herself. (recollection by Janna Hey Dean)
