When the little pieces fit together to tell a touching story

george-schenk-head-shot_vignette
George Schenk | August 1900

On this date in 1915, my great grandfather George William Schenk died. He was survived by my 37-year-old great grandmother Mary and four children: his daughter Georgiana Frances, age 141; son Christopher, age 12; daughter Irene, age 9; and daughter Evelyn, age 5. He was preceded in death earlier that year by his daughter Valentine Dora, who was not quite 14 months old at the time of her death.

Several years ago while reading through an autograph book that belonged to my grandmother, I realized that the second page was signed by her father George. I was thrilled to see the little note he had written her. One of those beautiful personal treasures a family historian loves to find.

As I read the note a second time, I wondered why his handwriting seemed a bit shaky – like that of an elderly man. I knew he was in his late thirties when he died so it didn’t make sense.

And then I saw the date of the note – October 25, 1915.

My heart sank as I came to the realization that it had been written just six days prior to his death.

George Schenk | Date Unknown

I pulled out George’s death certificate and was reminded that he died of tuberculosis of the lungs and had been sick for two years prior to his death. And it occurred to me that he might have known the end was near when he signed his daughter’s autograph book.

Suddenly, the “little note” took on a whole new meaning.

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Transcription:

Marysville, Montana | October 25, 1915

Dear Daughter Georgie:

First in your album, I sign my name; because I am your Father. First in my heart, put all your love; because you are my Daughter.

Your loving Father, George Schenk

Years later, my grandmother wrote these words in her journal2.

I realize the sense of security that only a Father can give a little girl.

i-realize-the-sense

There are no words when the little pieces come together to tell a touching story.


NOTES
  1. Georgiana Frances was my grandmother. I suspect she was named after her father and he called her “Georgie”.
  2. My daughter-in-law gets the credit for locating this little gem in my grandmother’s journal. She had it blown up and framed and then gave it to me as a gift several years ago. It would be several more years before I discovered the autograph album and the note written by my great grandfather. I think they call this genealogy serendipity.

Once Upon a Time . . .

About a year after my paternal grandfather died in July of 1952, my grandmother – Georgiana Frances (Schenck) Dalin – wrote this beautiful story in her journal.


July 27, 1953

“Once Upon a Time”

You have heard people say “once upon a time when I was young” or “once upon a time I was thin and tall”.

Cid Dalin Sr. circa 1916
Cid circa 1916

“Once upon a time” I was very much in love. He was tall – 6 ft. 1 inch tall, dark and very handsome. He had the sweetest smile. He was a motorman and conductor on a City Street Car line, never letting an older man or woman get on the street car without getting off and assisting them onto the car, always removing his hat at the same time. Somehow his work always required him wearing a cap with a hard visor. After the conductor’s cap, the bus cap – then the Coca-Cola cap which he wore for nearly 20 years.

We never really officially met, but instantly knew our love for each other and could never be separated not even for a time.

“Once Upon a Time” there was a World War I. My Cid was on a photograph of a group of soldiers who had enlisted and were leaving for the Service. I saw this photograph at Marysville before ever meeting him and picked him out as my ideal. So odd that we should meet a year later.

He always did the nicest things for me, often bringing a rose to my place of employment during working hours. Always he sent me flowers. He strived in every way to make his family happy and giving them anything they wanted or wished for. Never passed on his way but always alert to see who he could help in some way, never wanting to pass a hitch hiker on the road.

He was a wonderful Father, always doing for someone of his family, his happiness consisted in doing for others, no matter what the cost physically or otherwise.

Our love grew deeper and greater as the years passed. After 31 years, Our Blessed Lord sent for him and [we] must go on alone. Seems impossible at times, but Heaven is so beautiful and Cid’s happiness there so great. [I] find after this year of loneliness we can spare him, safe with God and His Blessed Mother, and would not wish him back. If only we could pay back in some way (other than prayers for him) what he has done for us.

Fran and Cid circa 1930
Fran and Cid circa 1930

One Life, One Love, One Heart – I have a very warm love to remember.

Fran

On this date in 1901 . . .

My grandmother Georgiana Frances Schenk was born in Marysville, Montana, the first child of Mary Gertrude (Rumping) Schenk and George William Schenk.

Mary and George nicknamed their baby girl “Georgie”.

1902 Georgiana Frances SchenkThis photo was taken in the Schenk living room. In the background, above the piano, is a portrait of Georgie’s father George. There are also numerous photographs on top of the piano but it’s difficult to identify any of them – except possibly a wedding photo of Georgie’s parents on the far left.

I was also curious to know more about the metal-appearing container on the far right-side of the photo. After a little research, I concluded that it was probably some type of primitive parlor stove.

Happy Birthday Georgie!

All In the Family

I came across this picture in my great grandmother Mary G. Rumping Schenk Schaffer Riordan‘s photo collection. After a few minutes of studying both the front and back, I realized what a great find it was.

The woman second from the left in this photo is Mary’s mother-in-law – my great great grandmother – Katherine Ziegler Schenk Andries. Also pictured here are three of her daughters (the woman standing on Katherine’s right side and the two women standing on Katherine’s left side).

The photo is actually a postcard addressed to “Mrs. Carl Schenk” of Neihart, Mont.

photo of 5 women including Kate Andries_back

The names on the back are as follows (left to right):

Kate Tripp

Mrs. Andreus

Edith Ledbetter

Emma Eisenbardt & her sister-in-law

 “Kate Tripp” was Katherine T. Andries Tripp (1889-1971), my great grandfather George William Schenk‘s younger half sister.

“Mrs. Andreus” was Katherine Ziegler Schenk Andries (1847-1918), George’s mother.

“Edith Ledbetter” was Johanna Barbara Edith Schenk Ledbetter (1875-1955), a sister of George.

“Emma Eisenbardt” was Emma Rosa Schenk Eisenbart (1870-1955), George’s oldest sister.

I have no information concerning Emma’s sister-in-law.

“Mrs. Carl Schenk”, the woman to whom the postcard was addressed, was Emma C. Johnson Schenk. She was married to George’s brother Carl Schenk.

Copyright (c) 2016, Lark M. Dalin Robart