The Oppies

Jeanne will want to weigh in on this one, but I am thinking that this may be a photo of Katie Coolley, daughter of John Andrew Coolley, Jr. and Rebecca Jane Douglas. Siblings of Katie would have been Samuel Martin, Phioma, William James and Plaine. Parents were married in PA and moved to Iowa?

Katie was born 8/21/1812 and married Samuel Oppie. Not sure if they had children.

Cal Mason and Dovie

Jeanne needs to weigh in on these two, but I believe they were the parents of Sarah Mason who was married to Martin Samuel Coolley, Gramp's parents. It's possible that the picture in the photo previously posted with the farm animals is of Martin and his second wife, Lissy and their daughter, Vera - with Gramp in back beside the horse.

This photo of Cal and Dovie would've been taken around 1850 as Martin was born in 1854. Martin's first wife, Sarah was a Mason. His second wife, Lissy was a Maddy - Sorry, I got that wrong in the first posting.

Agnes McFarlane Curry Foote

Grammie Foote was a pretty young girl - it's hard for me to see her as this young, sweet girl of about 20 or so!

From Gramp's ancestry

Not at all sure who these are in the photo. It seems Jeanne and I decided it was a photo of Gramp's family, but I can't remember if the older boy by the horse is Gramp or his older brother? And the little girl? Jeanne, if you know or can speculate, please feel free to do so.....

It's interesting how they have the family "pets" in the photo as well. Did they feel these animals were part of the family, or a symbols of stature/wealth?

The Blair Sisters

The Blair sisters top to bottom:
Gladys, Velola (Aunt Ve), Minnie and Umbra.

Dicky and Johnny Snedden at Boy Scout Camp

I always liked this picture of Dicky. I always assumed it was of he and Eddy Willette, and only just now realize the other boy in the photo is Johnny Snedden. I believe this is their set up at Boy Scout camp - I recognize the platforms they have at these camps having gone through all this with Justin.

Ruthie told a story about Dick and boy scout camp that I enjoyed especially when Justin went away on his first week at camp. Apparently, Dick hadn't been away on his own for more than an overnight when he went to camp the first time. He went with Johnny and the rest of the guys, no problem. Then midway through the week, the parents were invited for a big cookout and to see skits, singing and crafts by the boys. Ruthie remembers that she and Dad drove in and saw Dick hanging with the other guys, doing stuff, having fun - until he saw them drive in. Suddenly, he remembered how homesick he was and his face crumpled. He came over to them at the car and broke down, saying he wanted to go home with them, that he'd had enough. Ruthie said she was ready to pile him in the car and go, but Dad pulled her aside and said to give it some time. They talked to Dick and he told them all the stuff that had gone on - fun stuff mostly, but also some typical kid stuff that made him mad - he was homesick and seeing them made it worse. It was decided that they'd stay for the celebration and cookout and see how he felt when if was time for them to go home.

Close to leaving time, someone's dad drove up with a trunk full of watermelon and all the boys crowded around for the big treat. Ruthie said that Dick was right in the group laughing and having a great time. He was back in the mix and they were all goofing around, and Dad told him at this point they were leaving. They waved goodbye and walked to the car. Dick never mentioned going home with them. It was all forgotten.

Ruthie always admired how Dad handled the situation - not telling Dick he couldn't go home yet, or chastising him - but letting him unload his homesickness and frustration with the guys, and then getting right back into the group. Had they taken him home that night, I imagine he would've had a hard time living it down!

The Curry Women

And just one more for the day......

This is a group shot of the Curry women. Grammie Foote looks about 17 or 18 here. Scratch that - she looks about 14 or 15. I know that she worked in the mills at age 11, so they all had been in the US for several years at this point. I always thought Grammie was a nice looking young woman. However, she doesn't much resemble the other three....

Right to left: Mary, Maggie (seated), Jennie or Jean (seated) and Agnes

Jennie Curry

The back of this photo says this is Jennie Curry. I believe they called her Jean as well. I remember she was one of Ruthie's
favorites of the Curries - a very sweet woman.

While cleaning this one up (it had pen markings and rips all over it - plus very faded), I noticed the photo on the table
near her right hand. It looks to be of a large house - perhaps her home in Bedford. Ruthie used to drive out to Tinker Road
(or one of those roads off of 101) and take us past Aunt Mary's. I'm not sure where Jean Sharp lived. Perhaps Jeanne remembers?

The Curry Family and spouses.

Top Row, Right to Left:
George Curry, John Sharp, William Curry, Charles Tinker, Ernest Tinker

Seated, Right to Left:
Agnes Curry, Jean Curry Sharp, Robert Curry, Mildred Tinker (infant), Maggie Tinker, Mary Jenkins

Bob Curry is young boy sitting in front of Robert.

Dad goes to war

Jeanne identified these guys for me - I knew the first man to Dad's right is Forrest, and the next to the last on the end is Gramp, but didn't the other men in the group. According to Jeanne, the third is Homer (Gramps older brother), 5th is Ray Coffman (husband of Velma?), 6th is Virgil Coffman (husband of Cletha?), 8th is Gramp and then Harold. Seems to be a Coolley gathering...not sure who the girl in the window could be, looks about 2 so born about 1939-1940?

I believe this a photo taken as Dad is heading off to war. He would've been in his mid-20's at the time? Jeanne found a distant relative who has identified these men with dad! They are, from left to right: Forrest Coolley, Dad, Homer Coolley, Roy Darrell Coolley (Roy's son), Roy S. Coolley, [don't know who the next man is], Ray Coolley, and Harold Coolley

Who are they?

Anyone care to identify these women? I'm wondering if they are the Curry women.......

Flying to NH

Did Dad fly this big plane to New Hampshire? It seems much bigger than the little planes we flew in when I was around. Maybe Ron will remember......

I remember Ruthie telling me that Dick was seriously fussy during this entire trip "east". He was teething at the time - probably molars or eye teeth by the look of his age (which was around 1 year). And no doubt had an ear infection on top of it since they go hand in hand. Poor baby.

One of the reasons I've always liked this photo is knowing the back story of this particular trip, that apparently the only one who seemed to keep Dick soothed was Gramp Foote. According to Ruthie, he could hold Dick for hours, but if anyone else tried to take over he would start crying again. I wonder what it was about Gramp that settled him?

In this picture, as they are about to leave for Iowa, Gramp Foote stands a little back from the group as if to subconsciously prolong his unique bond with his grandson, (and holding the baby as only a man would!) Dick looked ready to spend the entire flight home in tears!

Also of note, this is one of a very few photos we have of Gramp Foote.

Frannie looks like a fashion model - Ruthie always said she was stylish (and check out the dimples!).

And check out Ron's cowboy boots!