Otto and Elsie Go to Pennsylvania 1946 - Part 4

"Jamestown, N.Y.
8-27-46

Dear Margaret, Jim and My Darlings(1),

We were so glad to hear from you.  "My pen is dry" and I haven't any ink to fill it so please excuse pencil.  Dad has written a letter to you so I will write a short one.  Every one is asleep but us and I don't seem to find time to write or shop so I tho't I would get up early and write a few cards.

I haven't bought a thing but a dress for Grandmother's(2) birthday and Jennie(3) got that for me.  The family were all here for dinner Sat. and Sunday.  I guess we are going out to see Parney(4) one of these days.  I like most of the folks very much, but I will be so glad to be home. Dad has asked about a Nash(5) but not a chance so I guess we will go back by train.

Ross(6) is still out on strike.  He has only worked a short time since they were in Oreg.

I have to iron to-day and Jennie has a big one to do.  We went out for dinner and a nice long ride around the lake last night.  Jennie said it was about a forty mile drive.  We visited Mary Bratt on our way home.

We will go back to the farm in a day or two.  I don't know what we will be doing.  I would like to shop.

I want to see my little girls.  I hope you are well Margie.  I miss you all.

The folks have a beautiful home.  They have made it all over since we were here before.  I want to get a letter off to Mrs. Gerlach(7) to-day.

Every one is well out here.  Grandmother like her pin and had it on her dress Sunday and Bobby(8) liked his little cart.  He sure is busy and keeps them all busy too.

Bye-bye dearies. 
With our love.
Mom"

1 Granddaughters Sandie and Barbara
2 Nellie (Ellen) Carter Upton - Otto's mother - her 83rd birthday was the 26th of August.
3 Jennie Upton - Ross Upton's wife
4 Parney Upton - Otto's brother born April 1888 - father to Helen, Virginia, and Jane
5 Nash - Otto's original Nash was totally in a car fire in Eastern Oregon on the way out to PA.
6 Ross Upton - Otto's brother born Feb 1893 - father to Janet and Rachel 
7 Elsie's seamstress and friend
8 Bobby - Robert and Mildred Upton's young son
     

Otto and Elsie Go to Pennsylvania - 1946 - Part 3

This letter was written by Otto Upton.  He left school early - perhaps as early as the 8th grade.  I have transcribed his letter as written.  If anyone in the family has ever wondered where Barbara's interesting phonetic spelling came from, here is the answer!

Otto and Elsie Upton at Oregon Coast

"Jamestown
Aug 26-46

Dear Margret Jim & Girls

Mother sid I had to wright you a letter so hear it is, if you can read it.  Wel we got back hear just fine.  Thou I shore wish we had are carr, I wonder if are stuff got back there ok.  I shore hope sow, if by any chance it hasn't I wonder if you would call the United Trailway bus line.
Well Mother* seems to be in verry Good Spirits.  She gets tired pretty easy but you can't expect anything different, as she is getting pretty old.  Well Robert** has had real good crops, & has a nice bunch of Holstein cows.  He just finished combining oats.  He hass got some buck what to cut for some other farmers yet.  He has about 12 acres of real nice corn to cut & put in the silo.  They have got Electric now which makes it real nice for them, & have a paved rode run by there place.
S**** is a nice big boy now taller than I am.  We came up to Ross's*** Saturday.  Will stay hear a few days.  They are fine.  Ross has ben out of work for over a month.  They are out on a Strike.  They are no idea when it will be settled, it shoar is the bunk.
Well how is every thing out there.  I hope ok.  We won't be back hear verry long.  The weather is real cool hear.  We thought it would be hot.  I don't know **** much news so will say good by.
from dad"

* Otto's Mother - age 83 - Nellie (Ellen) Carter Upton 1863-1853
** Otto's brother Robert
*** Otto's brother Ross (Hazel in 1900 census)
**** Cannot read these two words - the first may be Bobby - Robert's son 

Kristi - The 1979 to 1984 Version

Here's wishing you the Happiest of Days

and hoping these photos bring back great memories.

Three adorable cousins

Lexa, Kristi, and Jennifer - July 1979

Lexa, Kristi, Stacie, and Jennifer - Dec 1980

Jennifer, Kristi, and Lexa - 1981

Stacie, Lexa, Kristi, and Jennifer - Dec 1981 

Stacie, Jennifer, Kevin, Kristi, Rob,

Cam, Lexa, Mike, and Beth - May 1982

Kristi, Lexa, and Heather - Oct 1983

  

Kristi and Lexa - Oct 1983

Kristi, Lexa, and Connie - August 1984

Otto and Elsie go to Pennsylvania - 1946 - Part 2

This postcard is a bit of a mystery - Elsie did not date it, but it is postmarked August 21st.  The postmark says "Trans***Erie*****",  so I assume that they are in upper PA headed south to Garland.  And though they do not mention it, the Uptons are travelling by train because their car caught on fire in Eastern Oregon.   

"Dear Family

Our train leaves here at six for Garland.  We got here at 2-40A.M.  We have had a good trip but tired.  We tried to get a room but no luck.  Will be seeing the folks soon.  Will be thinking of you all and will be glad to see you.
Love,
Dad and Mom"

Otto and Elsie Go to Pennsylvania - 1946 - Part 1

Otto and Elsie Upton travelled from Springfield, OR back to Garland, PA in the summer of 1946 to visit Otto's mother and brothers.  They started out in Otto's Nash, but had a car fire, and then had to take the train for the rest of the journey. Elsie wrote all the letters and cards except one.  She appears to enjoy travelling and visiting, but the main theme is that she misses home and her daughters and grandchildren.  

Margaret Upton Waning saved five letters and three postcards dating from August 17th through Sept 13, 1946 which help to document the journey. 

Auto Camp Services in John Day, OR

"John Day Hotel
8-17-46

The Dear Waning Family:

We got here about 5 oclock.  We have had a nice day but it has been very warm.  We have a nice room with bath and a good bed.  I hope we have as good luck the rest of the trip.  Dad is out getting the car ready for the morning.  We had lunch in Prineville about noon. 

I wonder if you got to go home to-day Margaret*.  Take good care of yourself.
I like our part of Oregon so much better than E. Oregon.  Dad just came in and said he had the car ready.  He will wash up and then we will go out for dinner. 

I am going to bed early.  We were 28 miles from Madras and I was so our not to see June and Family**.  Another time maybe we can all go.

We just got back from dinner.  It is beautiful out to-night.  Dad is looking over the road map.

There isn't any news but I tho't you would like to lear from us.

Will get a note to Ellen tomorrow.  I am too tired to write any more tonight.

With love to all.
Dad and Mom.

Will be so glad to be home again."

* Margaret had been in the hospital for four days. 
** June Gantenbein Suckow - Elsie's niece.  
   

Ross and Jennie Upton Letter - July 1944

"6 Arlington Ave.
Jamestown, N.Y.

July 15 - '44

Dear Margaret, Jim, & girls,

Rec'd your announcement card and was glad to hear of your new blessing*.  Congratulations to you both.  I'll bet Barbara likes her new baby sister.  It will be so nice for her and two girls will be nice."

"Our girls are about the same size now and they are great company for one another.  They are planning on going to stay with their Grandma** for a few days.  Mildred*** called yesterday and said the raspberries are ready now so we are going down to-morrow and pick some to can.  The girls are delighted as they love to pick berries.  Janet is just getting over the 9 day measles.  Rachel did not get them as yet but she will probably get them next week.  Mildred's baby**** is fine.  He is real bright for his age.  He was so tiny at first but is gaining now.

We have been terribly busy this spring & summer.  We have been doing some re-modeling and redecorating.  We have the downstairs all finished and it looks real nice.

I'll bet your new home***** is nice.  We are living in hope of seeing you all some day.  We hope to take a trip out there after the war.

I am enclosing a pictue of the girls.  You can show it to the rest.  This was taken Easter Sunday.

Ross and Jennie Upton's daughters

Guess this is all the news for now so will close.

Lots of love to all.
Ross, Jennie & girls

P.S. I seemed to have mis-laid your address so will send it to you ar your Mother & Dad's"     

* New blessing is the birth of Sandra Waning in June.
** Grandma is Nellie (Ellen) Carter Upton (1863-1853), widow of James Monroe Upton. 
     She lived in Garland, Warren Co., PA
*** Mildred is Robert Upton's wife (Otto's youngest brother)
**** Mildred's baby is also named Robert - born April of 1944
***** New home refers to the move from Portland, OR to Moss Street in Eugene, OR. 

Dexter Ranch - 1948-1949

Sandie, Barbara, Net, Billy, and Connie - 1948

Net and Billy Waning - 1949

Dexter Ranch - 1941-1942

Barbara and Janet Waning - abt 1942

The Dexter Ranch - 1941

Margaret, Jim, Janet (Net), Barbara, and Williard (Billy) - 1941

Kalus women and Barbara and Net Waning - Sept 1941

The note on the photo says the Kalus family was about to leave for South America - in 1941 that must have been some adventure!

Dexter Ranch - 1930

Mr Sherwood, Billy Waning, Net Waning, Mrs Sherwood

Billy's Ford - 1930 

Dexter Ranch - 1947

Dorothy Francis and Billy Waning

This photo is dated 1947 and shows Dorothy Francis carrying a couple of pails...of milk maybe?  Dorothy was the daughter of Henrietta (Rhetta) Wallace Francis - a maternal 1st cousin to Janet McAdam Waning. 

Dexter Ranch - 1946

In the summer of 1946 Robert Emmert came up from Los Angeles for an extended visit to the Dexter Ranch.  Robert, born in 1893, was the son of Harry Emert and Mary McAdam - he was Gramp's cousin, but at 19 years older, Gramps closer to Robert's daughter, Beth born in 1919.    

Anyway, in 1946 Robert, with his wife Marjorie, and friends Paul and Bertha Munsey spent several days in Dexter.  These urban southern California folk got into the spirit of things, and helped out with the chores and farm work during their stay. 

Marjorie Emmert in the Corn

Billy Waning on Wagon in front of the barn

Bob Emmert, Paul Munsey, and Billy Waning - July 1946

Newman Hall, Paul Munsey, Billy Waning on Hay, Bob Emmert.

We don't have many photos of Billy Waning's partner Newman Hall,  This is an especially good clear shot.

Bob Emmert and Paul Munsey

Note the clothes the men are wearing - pretty dressed up!

Paul Munsey and Billy Waning

Robert Emmert, Paul Munsey, and Billy Waning

They commemorated their stay with a group photo.

Paul Munsey, Billy Waning, Net Waning, Bertha Munsey, Newman Hall, and Marjory Emmert - Robert Emmert not pictured was the photographer.

Mike's Day

Happiest of Days to you Mike!

Sept 1967

Summer 1968

Halloween 1981

Spring 1986

March 1987

August 2010

A Special Celebration

The Birthday Boy

Yesterday Connie and Jack hosted a very special celebration for their father Bob, to commemorate his 90th birthday.

It was held in one of the lovely new shelters at Lively Park in Springfield.

All of Bob's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren attended...as well as some "shirt-tail" Waning relatives.

Gretchen and Kevin

Jack

Thomas

Gretchen, Liliane, Riley, Stacie, and Jeff

Lexa and Jennifer

Liliane and Atticus

 

Christian

Halle and Mike

Sandie and Barbara

Bill and Connie

Dexter Ranch 1929 or is it 1933?

Jim Waning, Joe Caufield, Billy Waning, Beth Emmert

This photo is dated 1929, but I think based on a couple of other photos it must be from 1933 instead. 

It appears that in 1933 Beth Emmert came up for a vist with her grandparents, Harry and Mary Emert...and Joe Caufield also spent part of the summer in Dexter.

 

Billy, Net, Harry, Mary, Beth, Jim, and Joe

The Cousins

Beth, Joe, and Jim