At Work in the Grocery Store

At Work in the Grocery Store

For most of us we spend more time at work than any other activity except sleeping. I spent 37 years as a teacher and then school librarian. I also worked as a substitute teacher for 5 years both before and after being a regular teacher. I was a referee high school hockey, basketball and softball for about 10 years while working at my other jobs. But, before all that I worked four years in a grocery store working my way through college. I wish I kept a journal all those years – so many memories lost.

I worked at Two Guys grocery store in Cherry Hill where I stocked shelves. Mary Matolla, an older lady, and I were the only female stock “boys”. The guys were a variety of young and old. I don’t remember all the names. Jack Cassidy was about my age. He was a typical young guy of that era, long hair, drugs, former college student. He was a pleasant guy to work with. Another one whose name I can’t remember was about the same age and went to the Rochester Institute of Technology. Reds Gilbert(?) worked part time at Two Guys and full time at another grocery store with my mom. He got me the job. John Slane was the assistant manager of the stock bunch. He was a homosexual whose adversity made him a little negative. The guys were so intolerant. He was always nice to me and I counted him a friend. Myrtle Kennedy, Chris and Shirley Dill were some of the cashiers. Myrtle was older and a little tough but nice too. Chris was about my age and like Jack Cassidy was a child of the hippie generation. Shirley was a nice person, basically happy while raising a family and working full time. Later my mom would occasionally see her at bingo. Earl was the produce man who lived in Westville. Minnie Rosencrantz worked in the meat department. I grew up in an Irish Catholic town and unbelievably I didn’t know Minnie was Jewish until after several years she was talking about a holiday. She laughed when I told her I thought she was Italian. Mr. Hanigan was the receiver. Mr. Pratt was the area supervisor. He was a large heavy man who had been an Army officer and ran and treated us like we were his soldiers. Eugene Salzgruber worked in the department store side. I dated him a few times and was on a company bowling team with him. He was a big happy guy. I think he eventually married an older woman with children and died somewhat young.  My job was mainly the “candy aisle”. It ran the entire length of the row, quite long. I’ve never seen that much in any other store. Also, there would be displays on the endcaps. I also stocked other things as needed. The worst was the sugar. The pallet weighed 1 ton or more and you would have pull it out with a manual hand truck that had the forks of a forklift truck. The aisles were wide enough that the pallet could be pulled down it. Occasionally I was puzzled when a customer would call you boy when my hair was to my waist and I wore a pink smock. OK, the guys at that time had long hair. I hated the beginning of the month when food stamps came out and I would have to jump on the register. No scanners in those day and items would be marked like 3 for 59 cents and you would have to figure out how much the one can they bought cost. That way if they bought just one the price would be a penny more. Registers didn’t calculate change.

I worked there for 4 years. At the time I didn’t always think it was the best job but looking back it was a good job. The pay was good. I graduated from college not owing a dime. It was an introduction to the working world and working with a variety of people. Sometimes I think I should have kept that job a little part time one after becoming a teacher. Teaching paid less than being a grocery clerk and would have been a supplement.

#Grocery Store, #Work, #First Job, #52 Ancestors, #52 Ancestors-At Work

My Ancestors Jobs

Earl left officer

My dad, Earl Moore was a policeman. After WWII he worked in a wood working job for a short time before joining the Gloucester City, NJ police department. In those days 2 officers rode in a car. His first partner was Bud Lane. He was a good guy and a good partner. One day they drove into the alley at the department and he went inside. Bud stayed in the car. When my dad came back out Bud had suffered a heart attack and died.
A few years later he became a sergeant. His partner was Steve Farrell. Our families would do things together like going to an amusement park. Then he became Chief of Police about 1961. My dad had a good heart and I think he was respected.

Midge on far rt.

My mom, Millicent "Midge" (Wiedrich) Moore worked many years in grocery stores including ACME markets and Thriftway. Once she was held up with a gun held to her head. Later she worked for Oakwood Uniform in their office. But before all this she worked as a waitress in a diner. She started work at 12 years old after school. The diner was Security on Crescent Blvd. (Rt. 130) in West Collingswood Heights, NJ.

Ed on ice wagon

My grandfather, Edward Wiedrich was many things. He was a merchant sailor in WWI and in WWII. He was an iceman when he met my grandmother. Then he worked in the Wierd Plow factory. After work he cleaned up at the bean factory, bringing home the sweepings for his kids to pick out the stray beans. (It was the depression.) After moving to Florida he worked in a boat yard building boats.

Hazel's Doll Hospital

My grandmother, Hazel (Bristol) Wiedrich learned the trade of men's tailoring and haberdashery. After she married and had children she had a doll hospital. There were boxes with various color eyes, things to restring dolls, paints to restore china dolls, different color hair. She would even give dolls hair from the person.

Charles' crew

My paternal grandfather, Charles S. Moore was a waterman. He built wharfs, piers and bridges over water. Much of his
work was done in Camden, NJ but he did work other places. Later he was the foreman. One of the bridges he built was a train bridge either to or from Westville, NJ.




My paternal great grandfather, Charles S. Moore was a cooper and a carpenter. My maternal 2nd great grandfather had a public house (saloon) in Grafton, Dakota Territory in the 1880s and then went to Great Falls, Montana and had a hotel. Most everyone else on my mom's side were farmers.

#Earl Moore, #Policeman, #Millicent Moore, #Millicent Wiedrich, #Waitress, #Edward Weidrich, #Sailor, #Iceman, #Hazel Wiedrich, #Hazel Bristol, #Haberdashery, #Dolls, #Charles S. Moore, #Waterman, #Carpenter, #Cooper

At Work In the Grocery Store

For most of us we spend more time at work than any other activity except sleeping. I spent 37 years as a teacher and then school librarian. I also worked as a substitute teacher for 5 years both before and after being a regular teacher. Before that I worked four years in a grocery store working my way through college. I refereed high school hockey, basketball and softball for about 10 years while working at my other jobs. I wish I kept a journal all those years – so many memories lost.

I worked at Two Guys grocery store in Cherry Hill where I stocked shelves. Mary Matolla, an older lady, and I were the only female stock “boys”. The guys were a variety of young and old. I don’t remember all the names. Jack Cassidy was about my age. He was a typical young guy of that era, long hair, drugs, former college student. He was a pleasant guy to work with. Another one whose name I can’t remember was about the same age and went to the Rochester Institute of Technology. Reds Gilbert(?) worked part time at Two Guys and full time at another grocery was with my mom. He got me the job. John Slane was the assistant manager of the stock bunch. He was a homosexual whose adversity made him a little negative. But he was always nice to me and I counted him a friend. Myrtle Kennedy, Chris and Shirley were some of the cashiers. Myrtle was older and a little tough but nice too. Chris was about my age and like Jack Cassidy was a child of the hippie generation. Shirley was a large lady and a nice person, basically happy. Later my mom would occasionally see her at bingo. Earl was the produce man who lived in Westville. Minnie Rosencrantz worked in the meat department. I grew up in an Irish Catholic town and unbelievably I didn’t know Minnie was Jewish until after several years she was talking about a holiday. Mr. Hanigan was the receiver. Mr. Pratt was the area supervisor. He was a large heavy man who had been an Army officer and ran and treated us like we were his soldiers. Eugene Salzgruber worked in the department store side. I dated him a few times and was on a company bowling team with him. He was a big happy guy. I think he eventually married an older woman with children and died somewhat young.  My job was mainly the “candy aisle”. It ran the entire length of the row, quite long. I’ve never seen that much in any other store. Also, there would be displays on the endcaps. I also stocked other things as needed. The worst was the sugar. The pallet weighed 1 to 2 tons you and would pull it out with a manual hand truck that had the forks of a forklift truck. The aisles were wide enough that the pallet could be pulled down it. Occasionally it was puzzling when a customer would call you boy when my hair was to my waist and I wore a pink smock. OK, the guys at that time had long hair. I hated the beginning of the month when food stamps came out and I would have to jump on the register. No scanners in those day and items would be marked like 3 for 59 cents. That way if they bought just one the price would be a penny more. Registered didn’t calculate change. Sometimes I think I should have continued to work part time after I started teaching since I made less teaching. It wasn’t such a bad job.

#Work, #Grocery stores, #52 Ancestors, #Two Guys store, #Arlene Baker, #Arlene Moore, #52 Ancestors - Work

Tragedy

Tragedy

While visiting Maple Lawn Cemetery in Elba, New York, I noticed three small headstones. This cemetery published a booklet of obituaries for people buried there. I learned the story of these small headstones.

A family had three small children. An epidemic occurred and one of the children died. The parents went to the cemetery to bury their child and when they returned home a second child had died. Then only a short time later a third child died.

I can’t even imagine surviving that loss and remain sane. This was probably not a really rare occurrence one hundred years ago and fortunately today this would be a rare occurrence. The loss of even one child is tragic but to lose more in such a short time had to be unbearable.

This cemetery was so beautifully maintained and to make a booklet with the obituaries is such caring project.

#Loss of child, #52 Ancestors, #52 Ancestors - Tragedy, #Maple Lawn Cemetery, Elba, NY

Weirdly Comical

Weirdly Comical

There were two incidents in my grandmother, Hazel Bristol Wiedrich’s life that relate to the fact she only had one leg. Her leg was amputated when she was a teen after about 19 operations stemming from a bone issue that wouldn’t heal.

Once when on a family outing she was in a car crash. My grandfather was driving a station wagon along a highway in Florida. This was about 1963. In the car besides my grandfather and grandmother were my aunt Yvonne, cousin Patsy and her daughter Cindy and Mrs. Thorp, a family friend from NJ. There were no speed limits or at least they weren’t enforced at that time. My grandfather was going at a high rate of speed when he went off the side of the highway. The car was thrown. My grandmother was thrown from the front passenger seat into the back seat. Everyone had some injuries, some minor and some serious. My grandmother was almost scalped. Of course, head wounds bleed a lot and my grandmother was covered in blood. People stopped to help and when they pulled my grandmother out of the car they all got very upset shouting “She’s lost her leg. Look for it.” My grandmother was somewhat in shock, but she said in her mind she was laughing that people were running around looking for a leg she had lost 40 years before.

Another incident that involved here missing leg was when she had her Gaul bladder out. It was an emergency surgery and the doctor visited her each day following the surgery. They kept you in the hospital for quite a few days at that time. The day before she was to be released she asked the doctor if she could use her crutches. The doctor replied, “I operated on you stomach. Why would you need crutches?” She replied, “If I don’t it’s the first time in almost 40 years. I only have one leg.” The doctor through back the sheets and said, “Oh, my God, you only have one leg.” It took a long time for him to live that one down. It goes to show he only looked at what he was supposed to although this was the same hospital that years later amputated someone’s wrong leg not once but twice.

Thankfully there are sometimes a funny moment during difficult times to help us keep our sanity.

#Hazel Wiedrich, #Wiedrrich, Hazel, #52 Ancestors, #52 Ancestors Comedy, #Amputees

Sisters

Sisters

I’ve never had a sister, so I feel I know little of the topic. My knowledge is from my mom and her sisters. They were four, Yvonne, Bonnalyn, Millicent (my mom) and Constance. The older two were separated by a few years from the younger two. Still they were close but had what I assume to be the normal sisterly rivalries.

I hear of all their adventures in childhood. They roller skated in the second open floor bedroom of their farmhouse. Sounds like they were incorrigible, but this was during the terrible northwestern New York winters. They swam in the Tonawanda Creek at the back of their properties. Well, not my mother so much as she had a fear of the water. When I was young we went to their swimming hole for a swim. The water was freezing. Mom told of how she, Yvonne and Connie took lots belts and belted Bonnie’s bed so that she had to do a lot of unbuckling to get in bed. She was the bookworm and didn’t participate in all their shenanigans. At times they were all together in the same school room as they attended a one-room schoolhouse.

When they moved to New Jersey a year or so before WWII they lived in a truck that was converted into a trailer. This made for tight quarters. They my grandfather went to sea for a year and sent home no support. My grandmother only had one leg, and this was very hard on her. Yvonne was out of school and worked as a waitress. My mom was 12-yrs-old and worked at the diner with Yvonne after school. They supported the family.

In adulthood they continued to stay close. My family and Bonnie’s lived in southern New Jersey. Connie and Yvonne’s family lived in Florida. But we still would see each regularly. My family and Bonnie’s were together regularly. Thanksgiving was always celebrated together. My cousins went to Delsea Regional HS and my brother and I went to Gloucester City HS. Our schools played football against each other on Thanksgiving, so Bonnie made dinner if it was at Delsea and my mom made dinner if it was at Gloucester. 

They always kept a bond even though there was of course some competition, especially when it came to brag about their children. I loved all the stories, but sisterhood is still a bit of a mystery to me.

#Sisters, #52 Ancestors – Sisters, #52 Ancestors, #Wiedrich sisters

Brothers = David Cicero

Brothers – David Cicero

Not all brothers are biologic. Sometimes God drops a brother into the family because he knows it just completes it. That’s what happened to my family. We got Dave Cicero who could not be a better brother.

Dave became a part of our family when his mother died, and his father could not care for him. He became a foster child to my aunt. Our families were close, so Dave was always there. He was special to my mom and dad. When I was born Dave was a young teenager. I still have the donkey stuffed animal he gave me.

He is smart and worked as an engineer including designing things for the space program. If you’ve ever bought some honey in the little bear container you’ve seen something he designed. If you’re old enough you may remember chocolate syrup in a robot container (I think it may have been called “clanky”) you’ve seen something else he designed.

If he has a flaw it’s staying away from injury. He’s tussled with bikes, army gas masks, 5-ton trucks and big pots, not to mention motorcycles and tires falling off a car. I’m thankful a guardian angel has kept him around for his and our family.

When you’re a child you don’t know the reality of things. It took many years for me to know that my aunt didn’t treasure him as much as my family did. Dave was always being punished for some infraction that was usually the fault of my aunt’s adopted son. She passed up a chance to adopt a better son, but I think her prejudice prevented her from adopting Dave. It pains me to hear him refer to her as Mrs. Ludlum when he was her foster child for 17 years and she never let him call her mom or mother or any other maternal name.

After my aunt died, David lived with us until he got married. He worked for RCA and bought a color TV. His bedroom was upstairs, and my little brother and I weren’t supposed to go in his room. One night the Wizard of Oz was on TV. Dave brought us up to his room to watch his TV. I still remember my amazement when Dorothy opened the door and black and white turned to color.

After he married our families spent holidays together. When his children arrived, I was a babysitter for them. My mom and dad were God parents for their oldest child. When my dad was dying, Dave was by his bedside and when my mom was ill, not only was he for us but his daughter and son-in-law helped navigate the medical maze.

Dave is the most loving, compassionate, totally good person on the planet, and I’m blessed to have him as a brother.

#52 Ancestors Brothers, #52 Ancestors, #Brothers, #Foster children, #Cicero, David, #David Cicero

Easy Genealogy

The Easy Branch of My Family History

I’m always amazed that so many people know so little about their family. There’re probably many reasons. Some just don’t talk about family. Some don’t pay attention until it’s too late. Some have had disasters or death cut off that knowledge. I’ve always been thankful my mom’s family talked and payed attention.

My mom knew of several generations of her family by way of mouth. I liked to listen and so when I began my research I had a lot of information to begin recording. I wish those ancestors had be the type to write about their family and their own life or save letters and things that belonged to those ancestors. My maternal grandmother was a Bristol. While her mother didn’t talk much about her family we knew the names back to my 2^nd great grandparents, where they were from and had a few pictures. Her father’s family was a little more well off and we knew names, places and had pictures back to my 2^nd great grandparents and siblings. We had family stories. Then we discovered there was a Bristol Family Association that published a genealogy and had annual meetings. So, the Bristol line was traced back to the first ancestor who came ashore in the 1640s. This has made this line reveal some valuable stories like being a Puritan who was caught kissing his wife on Sunday, to a Revolutionary War soldier, to living in the Dakota Territory in the early 1880s and then to Great Falls, Montana in the late 1880s.

My paternal grandfather’s family came to America in the 1930s and local papers had stories abut them. My paternal great grandmother lived until 100 yrs. old and I knew her as a child. I knew stories she told but being young I should have asked more questions. Unfortunately, her son-in-law through away family portraits and papers when he moved into the house and my mother’s cousin threw away the little left from that great grandmother when she took over the house, things like letters from my 2^nd great grandmother and the family Bible.

I value all the information I received from those ancestors and wish my grand and great grandparents didn’t live 1000 miles away during the time when travel and long distant phone call were so expensive. But I’m luckier than most having a published genealogy for that one branch of my family. 

#Easy genealogy, #52 Ancestors Easy

The Death of a Famous Person That Shocked Me the Most

When I think of a death of a famous person that was shocking  would be of one in my childhood. There are so many that could be shocking since then, but I think we get desensitized. But that first one was John F. Kennedy. I was in 7^th grade. It was the last period of the day at Gloucester City Jr. Sr. High School. That period was English with Mrs. Dot Sasse. As we passed through the hallway to class some of the teachers were crying especially Mrs. Dougherty who was talking to Mrs. Sasse. After we got in  class either Mr. McNally or Mr. Bracken, I don’t remember which, came on the PA. The announcement was made that President Kennedy had been assassinated and school was being dismissed. This was a Friday so school would be closed for the weekend. School was closed on Monday for the funeral. The nation, including myself were in shock. Myself and all of America was glued to the television to watch the funeral.

The other death that shocked me was the assassination of Robert Kennedy. I always got up early for school and would watch the 6am news. I was anxious to see who won the primary election the night before as I hoped it would be Kennedy. It was shocking to see news coverage of the shooting of Kennedy in the hotel kitchen. I ran downstairs and woke my parents and told them. I don’t remember them getting up as I guess they were immune to these events.

The assassination of Martin Luther King was not shocking as I thought he was always in danger. White people didn’t want society to change. But I guess his death as it affected me was the shock. My school was all white with a few Hispanic students. This was not because of segregation but because as the only public school in my town that was the racial makeup of the town. When we arrived at the start of school there was a dead chicken up on the flagpole. School was canceled for the day because they thought the school may be a target of violence. I don’t remember if school was closed for more than one day. My dad had a lot more work for a while since he was Chief of Police and the town was on edge.

#Death of a famous person that shocked me the most

My Wedding

Recently Bill and I celebrated our 38^th wedding anniversary. Of course, it brought back memories. Currently, we’re going through an extreme heat wave. We married on July 18 and it was a hot day like our current weather. My church didn’t have air-conditioning so the little fans in front of the stained-glass window opening tried to give us a little breeze. Then our ceremony was held up for a half hour because my mother-in-law was late. Eventually though we got through the ceremony and went back to my parent’s house for the reception. It was kind of chancy to have an outdoor reception, but our plan was in case of rain we would borrow a tent from the armory. We had enough of our Army Guard buddies at the wedding we thought there would be help. Things went well except for one incident that I didn’t know about for a year. When our first anniversary approached I asked about the tradition of eating a piece of wedding cake on that date. That’s when I learned that because my parents’ house wasn’t air-conditioned after we cut the cake the top layer slid off onto the floor. Proves there isn’t truth to superstition – Bill and I are still together 38 years later.

#Wedding, #52 Ancestors Wedding, #Moore, Arlene, #Baker, Arlene, #Baker, William

Wiedrich Reunions

My Uncle Chuck and Aunt Ernie Wiedrich had wonderful family reunions. In my childhood I think I only went to one. It was in a park in Batavia, NY. Every year my family went to Batavia to visit my mother’s relatives especially my great grandmother, Sarah Wiedrich. It was a car trip that took about 8 hours. We happened to be there one year when my grandfather’s brother, Chester (Chuck) and his family had their reunion. I don’t remember much since the number of relatives there was overwhelming for a child.

Many years later my mom and I would go to Batavia to visit her childhood friend, Arlene (Cook) Hodgins. By this time my great grandmother, Uncle Chuck and Aunt Ernie were gone. One year we were there in early July and learned  that the Wiedrich reunion was still going on with Chuck’s children. So, we went to a park in Darian to have a reunion with my mom’s cousins. Then for several years we made it a point to go to Batavia when that reunion was going on. My mom really enjoyed seeing her cousins again and I liked getting to know them  too.

My mom passed away in 2012 and I haven’t been back. Some of the cousins have died too and I’m not sure if they still have them. But recently I connected with a daughter of one of Chuck’s daughters through “23 and me”. It was nice to hear from her and have kind of a virtual reunion.

#52 Ancestors Reunion, #Wiedrich reunion, #Family reunions

A Very Patriotic 4th of July

A Very Patriotic 4^th of July

52 Ancestors 2019 – Independent

In 1976 the 4^th of July was a big deal. We were celebrating our country’s 200^th birthday. This was the culmination of months of events marking the start of our nation. For me that day was especially memorable. I didn’t go to a parade, visit an historical landmark, go to a picnic or do any of the thousands of events observed throughout the country. I was in San Antonio Texas.

What was a Jersey girl doing there? Going through or as many know surviving basic training. I had joined the Air Force Reserve. I was 25 and had been a teacher for several years. I left for San Antonio the Monday after school let out on the previous Friday. I flew from Philadelphia to San Antonio. Once there I was met along with other trainees by a sergeant who took us to a room to wait for others and a bus to Lackland AFB. When we got off the bus on base we were taken to a room where additional information was given. I think most of us were feeling a little intimidated. We had to go to a bathroom and give a urine sample to check for drugs. Even though we were not in this reception room that long I made a few friends that would be in my training flight and later in my tech school class.

From there we went to our barracks. These were modern facilities ^nd floor with a “patio” underneath where we would form up into ranks. Another squadron was on the other side of the building. On the first floor between the two “patios” was the mess and the laundry rooms. The barracks was divided into two rooms with half of the 50 or 60 squadron recruits in each. Our bunks were singular. With a locker at the end of the bunk and chair against the wall. The drill sergeants had their own room. Only 1 sergeant stayed at night. Beyond that was the latrine and day room. The first days were tough. Years later I found a letter in a pension file in the US Archives that a 2nd great uncle wrote to his mother. In that first letter after joining the 7^th Cavalry, he asks her can you get me out of this. I think most of the people who join the military think this.

with air conditioning which was really welcomed in the Texas summers. The barracks were on the 2

The 4^th of July came, and we were only a week and a half into training. Basic training is a specific number of days and weekends and holidays don’t count. So, 4^th of July meant I more day added to basic training. We didn’t train that day and spent it in the barracks. But then in the evening we could go down on the “patio” and watch fireworks that were miles away. We were disappointed not to spend our country’s 200^th birthday with a little more excitement. But think of it. We were serving that same country perhaps not as dramatically as those Americans in the Continental Army but what a terrific 4^th of July.

#July 4, 1976, #Air Force basic training, #Arlene Baker, #Arlene Moore, #Bicentennial, #Air Force basic training 1976, #52 Ancestors Independent

I Would Like to Meet…?

I Would Like to Meet…?

I think most of us would have several names of people we would like to meet. I’m one of those. I never knew my paternal grandparents. I look at their pictures and wonder what kind of people they were. Both died by the time my dad was 6-yrs-old. I imagine them as caring and loving. I hope they were.

Along those same lines my paternal grandfather lost his dad about 5-yrs-old. His father served almost the entire Civil War. After the war he was sickly and died in 1874 at the age of 40. What did the war do to him? Did it leave him bitter or depressed? And then there is his wife. She was left a widow with two small children to raise in an era when women lacked the resources to care for their selves let alone children. Only 25-yrs-old she was forced to put her two boys in a children’s home until she married again and could take the boys back. I think I have a tintype picture of her although it’s not identified. See looks so lovely and sweet.

But maybe at the top of my list would be my second great uncle, Andrew ‘A.J.’ Moore. He was at the Battle of Little Big Horn where he was killed on Reno Hill. Just 22 when he joined the 7^th Cavalry he was killed at the age of 22. I’ve read where he was mentioned in a few books about the battle. There are four letters in the National Archives that he wrote to his mother. She had to submit them when she applied for a mother’s pension. As he was a member of my family and a part if an American historical event, I’d like to know more about him and the type of man he grew to be.

But let’s face it. Most of use would like to meet all those ancestors on whose shoulders we stand.

#Ancestors, #Andrew Moore

Unusual Names

Unusual Names

While researching my Bristol line early in my family genealogy quest, I came across my 7^th great grandfather whose name was Eliphalet. I didn’t know what to think of this strange name. It sounded like elephant. It turned out there was four generations of Eliphalets. I should have had more knowledge of the Old Testament. One of David’s sons was named Eliphalet and it’s meaning is “God Delivers Me.” Later I could add names like Benoni, Berkina, Elfern, Huldah and more. In today’s world we name children unusual names too. A classmate was named Zonie. She was born in the Panama Canal Zone. As a teacher I saw many children with unusual names. Some were made up names. Some may have been common 100 years ago but not today. A boy named Lynn may have been ok long ago but in today’s world he better be a fighter. And is a child named “Baby Girl” is going to have a hard time being taken seriously in adulthood. I’d be surprised if she has a chance to be elected President.

#Unusual names, #Names

The Challenge of Military Service

Millions of people have accepted the challenge of military service. The challenge takes many forms. Most have been challenged physically as training often calls them to go beyond anything they’ve tried before. Sometimes it’s loneliness. They’re separated from family and friends and must form new social connections. Sometimes it’s humiliation. In the beginning they’re humbled and brought low so that they can be formed into something new that will fit in with military service. Perhaps they feel they know how to do or accomplish a task but must bow to a higher authority. And then there is loss. It may be physical, mental or even the ultimate sacrifice of life. Most families have those who answered the call of military service including mine.

Some of those ancestors who served are known to me only in name. I don’t know what they thought or achieved. Captain John Mason served in the Pequot Indian War, 1636-7. Abel Bristol served with the NY Militia with his brother Aaron during the Revolutionary War.

My great grandfather Charles McMechen served in the 1^st Maryland Infantry (Union) during the Civil War. I don’t know all that he went through, but it changed his life. He injured his hand at Five Forks and suffered a rupture at Weldon Railroad. After the war he left family and friends and moved to Philadelphia. After a letter to tell them where he went, he never contacted them again. He received a pension in his later years.

My great grandfather Charles S. Moore served in the 4^th New Jersey Infantry (Kearny’s 1^st Brigade) during the Civil War. His brother John served with him. He had bad feet only made worse with marching and eventually was made wagoner because it was difficult for him to keep up. He was the oldest son and when his father died, he had the dilemma of staying with his unit or going home to help his mother save the family home. He decided to go home and help. Then on his trip back to his unit he was arrested for be AWOL. A court martial was convened, and he was docked $10 of his monthly $13 pay for several months. Imagine his distress this caused as he was helping support his mother and six siblings. The war took its toll and he died in 1874 at the age of 34. John later received a pension for his injuries suffered at Cold Harbor.

Charles’ younger brother Andrew enlisted in the 7^th Cavalry. I’ve read letters he wrote to his mother that are in the National Archives. In the first written while the 7^th was posted in the South for the Reconstruction and KKK threat, he asked if she can get him out of the military. Doesn’t everyone have thoughts like that during those first days of military service. A later letter written again from the South telling that he had been court marshalled for letting a KKK prisoner escape. Like his brother he was docked pay for several months. His family was again financially punished as Andrew was supporting his mother. Medical records show he suffered a bout of malaria and like most cavalry men degenerated spinal disks due to the type of saddles they had. In 1876 Andrew faced the ultimate challenge. At Little Big Horn he was part of a charge down the valley that ended badly when faced with superior number of warriors. He hid in the woods and I can imagine his fear. Finally, he made his way to Reno Hill only to be shot in the kidneys. He showed his bravery when he told the doctor to help the others as he knew he was mortally wounded. He died on that second day or the battle.

My grandmother’s brother Harry F. McMechen served in the Spanish American War. My grandfather, Edward Wiedrich joined the Merchant Marine during WWI and again later during WWII.

During WWII my father was a 1^st Sergeant in a Combat Engineers Regiment. He had applied and was accepted for a Navy commission but had be drafted by the Army who would not release him. He suffered severe headaches but refused to be discharged.

My father-in-law, William Baker served in the Army Air Corp in the Pacific during WWII and returned home stressed and his health affected.

Aunt Bonnie Wiedrich Selb served in the Navy during WWII. I think she genuinely enjoyed her service, but it was not without some difficulties. She spoke of walking down the street in Washington DC in her uniform when some would spit at them. There were people who thought the women in the military were those of ill repute or were responsible of replacing a male relative who was then sent into combat. Here other difficulty was due to her top-secret work on Project Ultra. They could not tell what they did until the top secret was declassified under threat of being shot. It was not declassified until 1980. That meant her husband and family didn’t learn of her job until 1980 and her father died never knowing of her service record.

Service continues to be a part of my family. My cousins Don Wiedrich and Leo Selb served in the Army. My cousins John and Ed Rupp, my husband Bill Baker and myself have all served in the National Guard.

Lives have been interrupted, ambitions put on hold, but we have been a part of our country’s history.

#Challenges

#52 Ancestors 2019

#Military Service

#Charles McMechen

#Charles S. Moore

#Andrew Moore

#Earl Moore

#Bonnie Selb

First

First, 52 Ancestors 2019

I was the first in my father’s family to graduate from high school. I was also the first to graduate from college. The only reason for this was my amazing, supportive family. My dad, Earl Moore lost both his parents at the age of 5 and 6 years of age. He had older siblings, but they were hardly able to support themselves let alone take on him and his 8-year-old sister. My grandfather was a Mason in Fernwood Lodge in Philadelphia and so they were sent to the Pennsylvania Masonic Children’s Home in Elizabethtown, PA. Orphanages were usually bleak places in the 1920s, but this home was a good place to be. The facilities were beautiful with nutritious food. There were music lessons, sports, and education in Elizabethtown’s public schools. He would have been educated through high school and even some possibility of college. But even a wonderful orphanage is still an orphanage, so he could leave at 16-yrs-old. He went to live with his sister and work took the place of school. His parents didn’t go to high school. His father, my grandfather lost his father at 5-yrs-old and went to a children’s home until his mother remarried several years later.

I was blessed with terrific parents. They valued education. They were interactive with me, teaching me all kinds of things. They encouraged, told me I was smart, and I could achieve. While many teens in my town had afterschool jobs, they forbid me to work. Instead they wanted me to take academic courses, play sports and be a Girl Scout. All these things enabled me to graduate from high school and go to college. They also instilled a sense of volunteerism. Something I’ve done all my life. So, while I may have been the first in my father’s line its is totally due to their support and nurture.

#First

#52 Ancestors 2019

#Earl Moore

#Arlene Baker