A 1919 Christmas

Friday, December 19,1919: We baked bread and coffee cake and also filled cookies and churned. Not quite so cold today. The Zarndt and Young telephone lines were connected on the Bell today. Saturday, quite a lot of folks went to town. We were busy getting ready for company tomorrow. Sunday Uncle Edd and Aunt Annie came down to dinner. In the afternoon, about three oclock Leonard, came. It was his first call. He staid until about eight thirty or nine oclock.

Monday was cloudy and frosty. We washed. Dad drove over to Guilford to get the horses shod. But he couldn’t get it done. He got four pounds sugar. Had to take some other groceries with it. We are going to have a dozen men telephone men for dinner tomorrow. Tuesday we had eleven telephone men for dinner today. Got fifty-cents for each. But the way we figured it out we didn’t make anything and all the work for nothing. Ruby & I went to Galena in the cutter this afternoon. We had Pet shod. Came back as far as Aunt Annie and Dad & Ma came up there. We sent  a Christmas booklet.*

Wednesday Mother and Aunt Annie went to Apple River. Uncle Edd took them to town. We baked bread and saffron bread. Got a box from Uncle Thomas. Dad got a pair of gloves, Mother a little white apron, Ruby a box of correspondence cards. I got a box of writing paper. I got a handkerchief and fifty cents last night. Five dollars today. Ruby & I gave Dad a razor and Ma a pair gloves. Sent lots of Christmas cards today.

Thursday Dad, Ruby & I had dinner together. Had mashed potatoes, creamed asparagus, baked sweet potatoes, pickles, celery, saffron cake, bread, butter, chocolate pie, cake etc. We went down to Tresidder’s for supper. They had a Christmas tree lit.

* Does anyone know what a Christmas booklet was/is or do you think she meant a Christmas box like to Uncle Thomas?

Eggs .36 a dozen ~ Wallpaper $6.66 for a Parlor

Saturday, April 5, 1919: We wanted to go to town today. But it rained this morning so we didn’t go. Showery late this afternoon. Aunt Annie came down today. It is warmer today. Sunday was very warm, too warm to wear a coat. Lots of cars on the road. We all went to church in the afternoon. In the evening Agnes, Blanche, and Milton came up. No other company.

Monday it stormed several times during the night and again in the afternoon. Had lots of rain. The grass is very nice and green. Hope it clears now. Tuesday Ruby & I intended to go to town but Aunt Annie said Uncle Edd was going in and we could go and would take the eggs. So I went in with Uncle Edd. We had thirty five dozen. Took to Sheean. Got thirty-five and a half cents. I went to the dentist and made an appointment for next Tuesday. Aunt Annie was down here today.

Wednesday we started to wash but it was so rainy we didn’t hang any out. Ma sewed on my dress. Thursday was reading day and rainy all day so we didn’t get our wash out again. Friday we finished washing and also ironed. Cloudy yet today. Thursday Dad went to town. He got thirty six cents a dozen for eggs at Stauss’. Weather cleared off today. Do hope it will keep clear for awhile.

Sunday we all went to church in the morning. Then we went down to John’s for dinner. Uncle Edd & Aunt Annie were there too. Had two guineas for dinner. This afternoon Milton, Blanche, Ruby & I took a walk away down to the Old Bartell house. Thought we would find some flowers but only found one crocus. Had company this evening. Also a little excitement. Monday was rainy, cold, and very windy all day. Ma cut out and sewed on Ruby’s green gingham dress. I finished a crochet yoke.

Tuesday was still rainy and cold. It was an awful day. I did not go to town to the dentist today. It wasn’t fit for a dog to be out. Ma was sewing and I was making up a corset cover with crochet yoke.  Wednesday was still chilly and rainy. Ruby & I drove up to Aunt Annie’s this afternoon to get some potatoes. Dad is fixing fence. Had pie plant sauce today. Thursday, April 17th was a nice day. It cleared off for once. We washed today. Sent for paper for the parlor today. It will cost $6.66.

Working Hard for A Good 4th of July

Saturday, July 11, 1925 was a very, very hot day. We couldn’t hardly work, and had lots of hay to make. Dad, Ma & I went to town tonight. Aunt Mag went up to Aunt Annie’s. It was 103 degrees in town today. Friday, Aunt Till, Mother, Ruby & Len went to Mr. Stadel’s funeral in the afternoon.

Thursday, Aunt Margaret & Till came down today to stay awhile. Martha Tippet might want them to
go down there as Win has gone to Prairie Du Chien for treatments. Heard that Mr. Stadel, who has been so sick, died yesterday. I did the baking, made bread, & coffee cake. Also made apple sauce and etz.

Wednesday, Uncle Edd & Aunts came down this eve. Dad, Ma, & I were getting ready to go to
town. So we went yet as we wanted sugar and Kerosene. Tuesday, we washed. Dad picked goose- berries. Len & Ruby went to town in the afternoon. Monday, we finished washing the Fourth of July dishes and straightened them out. Put up five pints of sugar peas and one quart of pickled beans. Sunday, morning Dad, Ma, Ruby, Aunt Till and I went to town to church. Aunt Till rode out with Uncle Edds. Since we had no company we rested the rest of the day.

 Saturday the Fourth of July
That morning it was cloudy yet but cleared off so Len & Dad went to town for the ice cream. They bought 5 gallons of ice cream and got 50 cones. About ten thirty the folks began to arrive. Uncle Edd and the Aunts came first, then Uncle Bens. They had had lots of rain down there and had muddy roads to travel. Then Uncle Henrys, Uncle Joes and Uncle Dan arrived. Uncle Georges and Rev. Swalves didn’t come till after dinner. We had a big long table in the dining room, in fact we had two tables put together which sat about eighteen or twenty and a table for the children out on the porch for the children Aunt Margaret sat down with the children. Everyone brought such a lot of things to eat. All seemed to have a nice time. In the afternoon, the young folks took two cars and took a ride Galena and all over Galena. Lester, Vada, Laretta, Leon & I went to the jail and Grant’s home. It was about supper time when we got back. After supper all went home but Uncle Georges. They staid till Wesley came home from the celebration in Galena at ten-thirty. Then he and another fellow ate a lunch making it fourty-four that were here that day. Edward and Raymond & Elma didn’t come. Ray & Elma went to Galena. Aunt Till stayed down here.

Friday was very busy again. I baked two cakes and a batch of cookies and washed out dish towels but didn’t get the floors cleaned up. It was so terrible sweltering hot. Rainy & storming that evening so we were afraid the celebration on Friday wouldn’t be much. Thursday was very, very busy all day. The Aunts came down to help us get ready for Saturday. They baked bread rolls and coffee cake. We cleaned the cellar and swept upstairs and dusted. Nosed and put up gooseberries and pieplant & etz. That evening Rev. & Mrs. Stauss and Paul came out. We were glad they came in the evening this eve instead of this afternoon, which was half sweltering. Wednesday afternoon, Len, Mother & I went to town. We bought some paper plates and etz. for the Fourth of July Family Reunion doings we are going to have here. Mosquitoes have been terrible lately.

Working Hard For a Good 4th of July

Saturday, July 11, 1925 was a very, very hot day. We couldn’t hardly work, and had lots of hay to make. Dad, Ma & I went to town tonight. Aunt Mag went up to Aunt Annie’s. It was 103 degrees in town today. Friday, Aunt Till, Mother, Ruby & Len went to Mr. Stadel’s funeral in the afternoon.

Thursday, Aunt Margaret & Till came down today to stay awhile. Martha Tippet might want them to go down there as Win has gone to Prairie Du Chien for treatments. Heard that Mr. Stadel, who has been so sick, died yesterday. I did the baking, made bread, & coffee cake. Also made apple sauce and etz.

Wednesday, Uncle Edd & Aunts came down this eve. Dad, Ma, & I were getting ready to go to town. So we went yet as we wanted sugar and Kerosene. Tuesday, we washed. Dad picked goose- berries. Len & Ruby went to town in the afternoon. Monday, we finished washing the Fourth of July dishes and straightened them out. Put up five pints of sugar peas and one quart of pickled beans. Sunday, morning Dad, Ma, Ruby, Aunt Till and I went to town to church. Aunt Till rode out with Uncle Edds. Since we had no company we rested the rest of the day.

Saturday the Fourth of July
That morning it was cloudy yet but cleared off so Len & Dad went to town for the ice cream. They bought 5 gallons of ice cream and got 50 cones. About ten thirty the folks began to arrive. Uncle Edd and the Aunts came first, then Uncle Bens. They had had lots of rain down there and had muddy roads to travel. Then Uncle Henrys, Uncle Joes and Uncle Dan arrived. Uncle Georges and the Rev. Swalves didn’t come till after dinner. We had a big long table in the dining room, in fact we had two tables put together which sat about eighteen or twenty and a table for the children out on the porch for the children Aunt Margaret sat down with the children. Everyone brought such a lot of things to eat. All seemed to have a nice time. In the afternoon, the young folks took two cars and took a ride Galena and all over Galena. Lester, Vada, Laretta, Leon & I went to the jail and Grant’s home. It was about supper time when we got back. After supper all went home but Uncle Georges. They staid till Wesley came home from the celebration in Galena at ten-thirty. Then he and another fellow ate a lunch making it fourty-four that were here that day. Edward and Raymond & Elma didn’t come. Ray & Elma went to Galena. Aunt Till stayed down here.

Friday was very busy again. I baked two cakes and a batch of cookies and washed out dish towels but didn’t get the floors cleaned up. It was so terrible sweltering hot. Rainy & storming that evening so we were afraid the celebration on Friday wouldn’t be much. Thursday was very, very busy all day. The Aunts came down to help us get ready for Saturday. They baked bread rolls and coffee cake. We cleaned the cellar and swept upstairs and dusted. Nosed and put up gooseberries and pieplant & etz. That evening Rev. & Mrs. Stauss and Paul came out. We were glad they came in the evening this eve instead of this afternoon, which was half sweltering. Wednesday afternoon, Len, Mother & I went to town. We bought some paper plates and etz. for the Fourth of July Family Reunion doings we are going to have here. Mosquitoes have been terrible lately.

Oops! The Computer Was on Vacation

Tuesday, June 30, 1925: We ironed and baked bread. Ma & Ruby picked raspberries and a few gooseberries*. We nosed* them and put up 2 quarts and two of raspberries. Uncle Edd & the Aunts came down this eve. Monday we washed. I picked a few gooseberries in the evening.

Sunday, Uncle George came into Aunt Annie’s in the forenoon and they had gone to church, so Uncle George and Aunt Lizzie rode along in to church with us. We staid at Aunt Annie’s for dinner and supper also. Len & Ruby took Mr. & Mrs. Stauss out to Schapville to church. Then they went down to Elizabeth to Gerraler’s. Saturday in the afternoon Dad, Ma, & I went to town. Took a bouquet of Dorothy Perkins roses to Annie Zimmerman. We staid the evening. Ate some bakery goods over in the park for supper and got a parking place early. A lovly evening but very cool and a big crowd in town.

Friday we ironed and baked and made a cake and etz. Thursday we washed. In the afternoon the Aunts came down Dad, Ma & I took them up that evening. Wednesday it rained very hard all forenoon. We put up the pieplant*. Ma & Ruby picked some raspberries, Dad picked some gooseberries and I picked the strawberries. Tuesday we put up twelve quarts of cherries. We worked very hard all day. Had to be so terrible careful as so many of the cherries were wormy. Ruby had to help with the hay too. That forenoon Uncle Edd went out and got the Aunts. They stopped down the road and brought us some pieplant. We all went up there that evening.

In Vol. II of Lillian's Diaries: Whispers of Galena's Pastthere will be a glossary of terms in the back which will explain words or terms that some of us may never have heard of, such as these below. If you know the meaning of words which appear in this blog with an * please let me know.
*Gooseberries “The gooseberry is a straggling bush growing to 1-3 meters (3-10 feet) tall, the branches being thickly set with sharp spines, standing out singly or in diverging tufts of two or three from the bases of the short spurs or lateral leaf shoots. The bell-shaped flowers are produced, singly or in pairs, from the groups of rounded, deeply-crenated 3 or 5 lobed leaves. The fruit of wild gooseberries is smaller than in the cultivated varieties, but is often of good flavour; it is generally hairy, but in one variety smooth, constituting the R. uva-crispa of writers; berries' colour is usually green, but there are red variants and occasionally deep purple berries occur. source www.Wikipedia.com
*Nosed – anyone have a definition?
*Pieplant “Ah, the pieplant -- rhubarb! Most old farms and homesteads have one or more of those plants growing somewhere on the property, usually near a barn. At least that's where I've often spotted them.” Source: www.suite101.com

Rain, Rain Go AWAY!

Saturday, June 20, 1925: It is a beautiful clear day. Len & Ruby went to town tonight. Uncle Henrys were to town today and stopped down the road awhile. Friday we were busy baking and etz. It was a lovly day.

Thursday we all went to Dubuque. It was a lovely day. Mother and Ruby each got a black silk dress. Ruby got several teeth filled. It was about seven thirty when we got home. On Wednesday, Dad, Len, & Ruby went to town in the afternoon. We had intended to go to Dubuque but had a storm & heavy rain during the night. Aunt Annie came down with them to stay all night as Uncle Edd didn’t come home this evening.

Tuesday, we washed and ironed and baked bread and put up strawberries. Len & Ruby went to the Mound that evening. Monday it stormed nearly all night. There was a great deal of thunder & lightening and heavy rain. We didn’t get much sleep. In the afternoon we picked eleven quarts of strawberries. Also picked them off and washed and put sugar on them. Sunday we all went to town to church in the forenoon. It rained a little shower that afternoon. Uncle Edd & Aunt Annie came down in the evening, but went home early as it threatened to storm.

Dubuque, Digging and Death

Saturday April 18, 1925: Dad, Ma, Ruby & I went to town this afternoon. Before we came home we drove over to Tippet’s on Park Ave., thinking Uncle Edd and the Aunts were there getting ready for the Snows, Mattie and Grandpa to come home. Snow was going to meet them about 200 mi down state with the car. They were there already. Got home about twelve oclock. Today is Grandpa Tippet’s ninetieth birthday. Saw Mary and the children. Stormy after we got home but didn’t rain very much. Friday all felt tired. Baked and etz. Thursday morning Sally had six little puppies out in the summer kitchen. Len & Ruby drowned four and left two. Then Friday morning they drowned one more.

Thursday’s morning about eight thirty the Stauss came on their way to Dubuque. So we jumped in our clothes, put together some lunch and went. We met Stauss in town. Went thro Menominee. Ate our dinner before we got to East Dubuque. About eleven thirty we got there. Well, Ruby got a hat and I a dress. Paid twelve dollars for it. An odd dress and odd color. Yellowish brown. Mother got a brown coat. Mrs. Stauss got a coat and dress. Edna a coat and hat & Eloise a hat. They went home by Hazel Green & New Diggings. Wednesday, morning all but Mother went to town. Ruby had Dr. Stone fill our teeth for her. I had one pulled - upper right side next to the wisdom tooth. It didn’t hurt but it was a terror to pull. Broke up so. And the roots was hooked. Came right home. Hurt awfully this afternoon. Some easier this eve. Mother & Ruby tore off the paper in Ruby’s room this afternoon.

Tuesday I worked about the car in the afternoon. Mother and Ruby made a little more garden. Edna Stauss went along to Galena with J. Virtues. They stopped. They, Raymonds & Mr. & Mrs. Stauss want to go to Dubuque some day soon. Said Len could ride along or take his own car and go along. Monday we washed. Aunt Margaret came down. The others had gone to town. They came down this evening. Last Sunday was Easter. A most beautiful day. Very warm and roads very dusty. We all went to Galena to services that morning. The church was full. Had to use chairs. Mr. & Mrs. Jack Combellick’s five week old baby girl had died Friday and was buried from the house at one oclock. Mrs. Whitham’s funeral was at three on Easter afternoon. We didn’t have any company that day.

A Little Bit of This and A Little Bit of That

Saturday, March 14, 1925: Dad and Len went to town this afternoon with the team. It was cold and cloudy. Quite a bit of snow on the ground. Friday was a stormy day and snowy all day. Quite a blizzard that night. We baked bread, coffee cake, a cake and made doughnuts.

Thursday, Mother went up to Aunt Annie’s in the afternoon. We went up in evening by car. It was a nice day. Wednesday was also a nice day. We washed. I didn’t feel like doing much. I saw the first robin of the season.

Tuesday, Mother cut out a gingham dress. Nothing happened on Monday. Except it was quite a nice day.

Sunday, Len & Ruby went to the Scales Mound Church. They staid up to Stauss’ to dinner. Uncle Edd and Aunt Annie came down in the afternoon. It started to rain and they hurried home. Saturday, a great many cars went along, but we staid at home and did our Saturday work.

Snow, rain and a strange visitor

Sunday, February 22, 1925: It was cloudy, foggy and rainy today. Uncle Edd and Aunt Annie came down to dinner with the car. Rained quite hard this eve. Saturday was warm and cloudy. Did the usual Sat. work.

Friday Len, Ruby & I went up to Aunt Annie’s in the eve. As we were going cars were coming from all directions going to a big dance at Temperly’s. Thundered and lightening after we came home but did not rain. Thursday we had ironed and sewed some.

Wednesday, we washed. Ruby & I each made a dust cap that evening. Knucky called and paid his interest. Tuesday, Mr. & Mrs. Stauss came down in the morning. Len & Ruby took them to town with the car. Had a late dinner when they got home. About eleven thirty a man came asking for something to eat and for coffee. So we gave him some dinner. As he wasn’t dressed bad I thought he might offer to pay for it but he just thanked us. Wanted to get work on the new road.

Monday it was snowy most of the day. Quite cold. We sewed some & etz. Sunday was beautiful weather in the forenoon. Cloudy in the afternoon and snowy that evening. Cars were buzzing along the road. Dad, Ma & I went up to Aunt Annie’s that afternoon. Came home after supper. Ruby and Len went up to Scales Mound in the afternoon with the car. Just four years ago was our sale. It doesn’t seem so long ago.

Winter Socialization

Saturday, January 17, 1925: Raymond went up to Aunt Annie’s to go to town with Uncle Edd to go to Apple River yet on the noon train. Feel tough* today.

Friday was snowy in the forenoon. In the afternoon Raymond Dittmar came from Aunt Annie’s. He had come there Wed. We baked bread & coffee cake, two cakes and a batch drop cookies. Len, Ruby, Raymond & I went to the party at Bonhoff’s Wednesday eve. We walked over the hill. Had to put on leggings and wade thro. Quite a few were there when we got there and they kept on coming till about ten oclock. Over seventy were there and they dance & dance. So many came from Schapville way. I was rather disgusted with the whole affair. They jumped around like Indians. Of course, we had to sit or stand in a corner. Mrs. Heller, Agnes & Blanche & Mrs. Winsicker were there so we had a few to talk with. We started for home at one oclock in the morning.

Thursday, Len went to Raymond’s to help his father cut wood. He had gone to Scales Mounds first so Mother had went along up to Aunt Lizzie’s. Then she went to Mrs. Stauss’ to supper. That afternoon Ida and Loretta Fiedler came down to tell us there was going to be a party at Bonhoff’s tomorrow night. They talked as tho they (Fiedlers)were getting it up*. I had supposed it would be a dance.

Both Tuesday and Wednesday were clear and cold. Ruby made a apron. Mother ironed some. On Monday it was snowy and I sewed a little.

* What do you suppose "I feel tough" meant? I tried to research it, with no results.
* “Getting it up” means to organize or be the host of an event

Another Year Begins

Tuesday,January 6, 1925 was a nice day. We ironed. Yesterday, Len, Dad & I went to town by car. We also washed. Raymond Strauss* called here in the afternoon. We got a sheep.

Sunday, Len & Ruby went out to Schapville to church in the forenoon. They didn’t come home to dinner but went to Raymond’s. That afternoon we walked to Aunt Annie’s. We had also planned on going over to Johnny’s in the evening, but Henry & Minnie Weis came there,so we didn’t go. We were thinking that maybe Len & Ruby wouldn't go up to Aunt Annie's - but they did. So we went over and heard their radio for awhile before we came home. I hadn’t heard much radio before. We heard programming from San Antonio Texas & Omaha etz.

Saturday would have been a very nice day to go to town but we didn’t have very much to do there so we didn’t go. We all went up to Aunt Annie’s in the evening as I was anxious to know how she was. She looked like she was feeling bad yet.

Friday we just baked and swept upstairs after spending Thursday - New Year's Day quietly at home. Mother came home from Aunt Annie’s that afternoon. She had staid up there all night as Aunt Annie was sick, She felt better New Year's Day but was still weak. It had been cloudy all day and snowed a little in the afternoon.

* Raymond Stauss is Len's brother, who lives in Scales Mound, IL. This is the first diary of volume II of Lillian's Diaries: Whispers of Galena's Past. There is a gap in the diaries between 1919 when the first volume ends and 1925 when the second volume will start. In these gap years, Ruby - Lillian's sister - married Leonard Stauss and they are now living in the Trudgian homestead.

Schapville Zion Presbyterian Church

Tue 19, 1926: Dad, Ma and Len went to town this forenoon. This afternoon we took up carrots and beets and also made bread. Len & Ruby went up to Scales Mounds to help celebrate Mrs. Stauss’ birthday*. It was rainy this eve.

On Monday, Mother and Ruby finished digging the potatoes, even Dad dug a few. We also put up the basket of grapes we got over in Dubuque.

Sunday was the dedication of the Zion Presbyterian Church addition at Schapville* today. All but Dad went out in the afternoon. There was a big crowd there. Uncle Edd and the Aunts [Annie, Tillie, Maggie] were there. Also Uncles Ben, George, Dan, Henry & Joe Dittmar with their families came. The church served dinner to a large crowd. It was cool and cloudy today.

* The Stauss family was much more inclined to celebrate birthdays it seems. There are multi entries in the second volume of Lillian’s Diaries of either Ruby and Len going to Scales Mounds for a celebration or Mr. & Mrs. Stauss coming to the Trudgian house.

* “According to the 1855 and 1856 the General Assembly referred to this church as Zion Presbyterian Church. The deed is dated May 15, 1861 and bears the name,"Old School Presbyterian Church of Mill Creek." In 1925, the church was incorporated and given the official name of "The Schapville Zion Presbyterian Church." even though it is listed as being in Elizabeth, IL.
Source: the history section of the Schapville Zion Presbyterian Church's website [check my "Links I think you will like" for a more detailed history.]

My great-great grandmother and grandfather – William and Anna (Winter) Kloth and Anna’s parents are buried in this church’s cemetery.

A Break in The Weather & Maybe The Fence

"Sat 9, 2009: All but Len went to town this afternoon .There were a great many cars going along this evening, in fact the road was busy all day.. Today was a nice warm day. Yesterday was another beautiful day. It was quite warm, but we didn’t get many potatoes dug today. Dad spent most of people’s time running after the cow & calves* etz. Len, Ruby & Dad hauled some hay this afternoon. We baked a cake, churned, and finished ironing.

Thursday was a most beautiful day. It was the first one we had had for a long, long while. I* would liked to have gone on a long ride somewhere but felt we could not afford the time. All but Dad dug potatoes a while Thursday forenoon. Our potatoes are very poor potatoes. It is very discouraging. In the afternoon Len went to town to try to have his car fixed. It wouldn’t run on the magnets. He took it up to Paul Stauss’* and he fixed it in a few minutes. Almira, Wesley & Eleanor Dittmar [cousins] came in the afternoon for some of our apples. After they had gone Uncle Joe Dittmar and his family called on their way home from Galena. Dad, Ma & I went up to Aunt Annie’s Thursday evening."

* Lillian loved cars. She spent hours of her life after that first car in 1917, fixing and grooming the family cars, as well as driving here and there. And, she was quite good at it! Rather unusual for a woman in those days.

* We can assume that, once again, the cows have gotten through the fence and run off. It wouldn’t be the first time. If the Trudgian cows weren’t in someone else’s pasture, then someone else’s cows were in the Trudgian’s pasture. Everyone knew whose animals were whose. Don’t ask me! I’ve never been a farm girl!

* Paul Stauss appears to be a man of all trades. In the first volume of Lillian’s Diaires he is always bringing parts in the Trudgian farm and helping to fix the radio, now he is fixing Len’s car. I think he is related to Leonard Stauss, Ruby’s husband. Perhaps he is a nephew.

"Sun, Sept. 13, 1926: Friday and Saturday was spent doing the usual work. On Saturday we were busy with baking and etz. and etz. But in the evening Dad, Ma & I went to town. On the way home we stopped in at Aunt Annie’s. Today, we all went to town to church in the forenoon. Rev. Smith had a sermon on the sins of Galena. It was very interesting. He is quite worked up over the Eagles’ doing last Sunday. Lots of drinking went on there. This afternoon we all went to Scales Mound to Aunt Lizzie’s [Dittmar], while Len went to visit with his folks*."

The church was more than likely the First United Methodist Church on Bench Street in Galena - pictured above. The family vascillated back and forth between the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches in Vol. 1 of Lillian's Diaries but evidentually Lillian's mother, Amelia Dittmar Trudgian and Ruby, Lillian's sister joined the Methodist Church. She never says in her diaries that she has joined also. The years 1920 thru 1924 are missing and it is possible that she did join during that period.

One of the treasures from the Galena house was a small Methodist Hymnal - the kind you see the women in the late 1880's carrying in their gloved hands as they enter worship service. Inside, written in black ink, is Mrs. Mary Trudgian's Book Sept 4th 1889. Below that in another hand is written Chas Trudgian. Mary is my great-great grandmother - the one who came from St. Austell, Cornwall, England to Galena in 1852. Chas is Charles Trudgian, Lillian's father.

*Ruby married Leonard Stauss in 1920 [one of the missing diary years. He was the son of Jacob and Sophia Sachs Stauss who also lived in Scales Mound. Some of Sophia's handwritten recipes are included in Vol. I.