Sunday, September 23, 2012

Memories of Ann Elizabeth Powell Hibbard - Episode 2


Aunt Beth was a worshipful younger sister. My father had a very good baritone voice and he loved to sing and Aunt Beth played the piano. I think that they went to a lot of parties together and did the entertaining. Jane has a large book of music I sent her (along with all the old music) that belonged to my father and had a lot of songs and music they used. Aunt Beth later married a second cousin named Ed Bosworth and they moved to Leroy, Minnesota where she became a good friend of my mother’s and eventually became the matchmaker that introduced my father and my mother.

As we have seen by my father’s narrative, his mother’s family seemed to have a pretty good education. He seemed to be the only one of the children who was inspired to seek more than a country school education. He taught country school one year and then the alternate year he would go to Normal School in Topeka until he graduated. He said he would tell later of what effect the $60 inheritance from his Grandfather Birdseye had on his life. He had never mentioned that to me that I remember but I wonder if perhaps it had something to do with his being able to go on to college. From the pictures we have I know he was a very handsome young man and I suspect somewhat of a dude. He was the member of a quartette which he claimed was very good and he had some pictures of that quartette with hats and umbrellas that are wonderful.

Jane's Notes: When I read this I went and looked in my collection of music and I do have that book. I'm sure at the time Mom gave it to me it didn't have much meaning. Now it does. On the inside cover page  written in pencil is "A.B. Powell, Cabin No 302, S.S. Sharnhorst." The title page is missing but the spine is imprinted with "English Songs and Ballads". There are 103 pages of songs with piano music and lyrics. Inside the front cover is a sticker that says Morales Y Cribe - Crespo, 101-Quiapo. Imprents, encuadernacion, estucheria, Fabrica de Timbres, Marcadores de Gomay y Metal.  Emilie, I'll rely on you to translate. I assume the book was purchased in the Philippines. There are lots of repairs to the pages. Obviously well used.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Memories of Ann Elizabeth Powell Hibbard - Episode 1

Mom began to write down her life story on March 30, 1978. In this narrative she refers often of the history her father wrote of the family. I don't have that book. Does anyone else have it? 

Chapter I

My father lived six more years after he wrote the first part of his story and of course we will always regret that he never got back to it. I am only one year younger than he was when he put down his memories so time is running out and I suppose it behoves me to try to sketch in the rest of his life as well as I can from the stories I remember that he told  us. Also I’ll try to tell of my mother’s beginnings and the romantic story of their marriage and life in the exotic orient.

In 1929 when my father was 55 years old we took a summer long trip by automobile from the west coast to Florida, north to New England and back to Oregon in time for me to enter college in Eugene. When we went thru Michigan we stopped outside of Lansing. The memory my father had of his birth place was so vivid he was sure that he could drive right up to the farm even tho’ he was only 3.5 when he left. Of course the country was so changed that he wasn’t able to but when we stopped to ask if anyone knew where the old Powell farm was we were directed to an old timer who did know. In fact he owned the farm and we were there. We found a rather small log building behind the barn that was being used to store corn and my father decided that must be the house he was born in and I took a picture of it.

On that same trip we stopped in Ohio and visited the two cousins that he mentions. As I remember them they were both a number of years older than my father and unmarried. The brother had exactly the same name as my father Arthur Birdsey Powell. I don’t remember the sister’s name or whether she was widowed or a maiden lady. All I can remember is a beautiful handmade spool bed frame that still had the rope springs that had been brought to Ohio from connecticut and for which she had been offered hundreds of dollars (now of course it would probably be worth thousands).

And The Story Continues


Jane’s Notes: The next diary doesn’t start until 1931. At one point Mom started to write her life story, beginning with her parents’ history. I have transcribed that document and will fill in over the next weeks with sections of the story. I’ve also inherited all the letters between my father and his parents and between my parents once they met, plus some letters that Mom wrote to her father. Mom, June and Granny Powell (or Mama Powell to some in the family) stayed in Eugene during Mom’s freshman year living in that apartment. I do have some letters that she wrote to her Dad back in Manila. I have letters and diaries that stretch into 1938. So if you’ll stick with me, we’ve got another 8 years of reading to get through. I won’t be posting everyday, but will post on days that correspond to the literature I’ve inherited. Stay tuned, there’s lots more to this history, and yes Emily, I will write that book one day.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

September 20


The diary comes to an end on September 19, 1929. She seemed to have stopped at that point and doesn’t take up another diary until January, 1931 (or at least that I've inherited). As I look through them I see that she had difficulty finishing any year out. I’m very disappointed to not know about her first impressions of classes and campus life at the U of O. However, in the back of the diary on a page marked Memoranda, there is a family tree of sorts which was either written by her mother or father (it’s not Mom’s handwriting). My guess is it was written down so that Mom could keep track of all the relatives they were visiting along the way on their trip. Emily, this may provide information for you to add to the family tree.

Arthur Birdsey Powell and Stella Howe Powell married Leroy, Minn. Dec 11, 1907.

Genealogy - Father’s side entered here june 13, 1929

Your father. born Lansing, Michigan Nov. 8, 1874.
Your mother. born Howard County Iowa, Oct. 10, 1876
Your father’s sister Hortense Ann, born Lansing, Mich. Aug 27, 1867
Your father’s sister Blanche Lottie, born Lansing, Mich. June 7, 1869
Your father’s brother Harry Starr, born Lansing, Mich. May 11, 1872
Your father’s sister Elizabeth Jane, born Frankfort Kan. Oct. 30, 1880
Your father’s father, born Charlotte Vermont, June 23, 1837
Your father’s mother, born Litchfield, Ohio, March 14, 1838
Your father’s father’s name Lorenzo Cullianmore Powell, died July 7, 1926
Your father’s mother’s name Harriet Jane Nevines, died Aug. 14, 1912
Your father’s mother’s father, birdsey Nevins, born Litchfield Conn. Oct, 22, 1802, died Frankfort Kans. 1879
Your father’s mother, Jane F. starr, born Litchfield conn. Jan. 20, 1807, diend amherst Ohio Feb. 21, 1876.

The genealogy of the Starr family including your grandmother Harriet June Nevins (Powell) and her mother Jane F. Starr Nevins was published in the eighteen eighties and a copy of the book is in the New York City Public Library.

Your father’s mother’s parents had children as follows:
Ann Eliza Starr Nevins born Litchfield Ohio July 31, 1835, married Daniel Bosworth and died LeRoy Min.. Oct. 21, 1915
Harriet Jane Nevins born Litchfield Ohio see above
Fredric Buell Nevins, born Elyria Ohio May 10, 1840
Charolotte J. Nevins born Elyria Ohio May 6, 1844 died Frankfort Kansas May 1896
Seymore Starr Nevins born Elyria Ohio Jan 25, 1848, died at your father’s home Frankfort Kans. 1888.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Thursday, September 19, 1929 - Eugene


They’re home! As soon as I got June off this morning I swept and cleaned this house just as fast as I could. Then dashed down to the Public Market to get some flowers. I got some (about 8) gorgeous roses for a dime! I stopped at the Lowell Market to get the rest of the things I needed and I could hardly carry them home. I got a night letter from Pop early this AM and he said they expected to be home at Noon. I had a wonderful dinner almost ready for them when they got here. They were a quarter of an hour early. They brought home with them a lovely half Persian cat. Mom helped wash the dishes. We sat and talked until June got home. She brought Dorothy with her and the cat was the center of interest. We had supper and then went to the Show. We saw “On With The Show”, the first 100% talkie and 100% colored picture. Awfully good.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Wednesday, September 18, 1929


It was seven thirty when we got up this morning and I dashed into the kitchen and got June’s breakfast with out getting into my clothes. I was terribly lazy after she left. I went back to bed for awhile. After awhile I became very industrious and did up the house work and at about two sallied forth on some trivial errand downtown. June wasn’t home when I got back so I read and wrote letters until about five thirty, then I started dinner. It was almost ready and still she wasn’t home so I called up Dorothy’s and told her to get home! Early to bed tonight. Big doings tomorrow.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Tuesday, September 17, 1929 - Eugene


I was alone almost all day today. I got June her breakfast and packed a lunch for her. Right after she had gone I washed the dishes and cleaned up the house. I went downtown twice by way of diversion. First I went down to get the groceries. I came home and worked on my book of pictures and read. I didn’t have any lunch because I wasn’t hungry. About two I went downtown again. I got some ink and paste and three magazines. I started reading them as soon as I got home and I was still reading when June came home. She didn’t get home until about five because she had gone to the dentists right after school. I gave up the magazines and got dinner. She washed the dishes. We’re going to bed now.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Monday, September 16, 1929 - Eugene


June started school today. We woke up early enough but we did get the dishes done before we left because June wanted to be there soon after eight. June expected to meet Dorothy but we couldn’t find her. We went on and at the school on a black board it told where to go to register. I took June to the room and then she tho’t she could get along so I left her. I came home, did the dishes, cleaned up the house and did my shopping. Being the first day June didn’t stay long. She went home with Dorothy but she came home for lunch. Dorothy came over right after lunch. At about two they went to the Anchorage. A little later Boone called and asked June to go to the movies with him. He had just left when two senior girls that had called me up came to call. They wanted to make Sorority Dates also. They stayed about half an hour. About six two boys brought June home. At seven thirty Boone called and we went to the movies. Peter Pan cafe afterwards.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Sunday, September 15, 1929 - Eugene


The Richard’s invited us to go to Sunday School with them this morning. It was eight thirty when we got up this morning so we didn’t even have time to do the breakfast dishes before we left. After Sunday School we went home with them to lunch. Dana, the Dr.’s oldest daughter, about my age, had a friend with her that’s entering the U this year too. We went over to her house before lunch and she let me see some of the things she was studying for English. We went back, looked at the funnies and had lunch. June and I got home about three thirty. June brought Dorothy with her. She seems to like her a lot. I lay down and read and June and Dorothy made fudge. About five thirty June walked part way home with her and then came back and got supper. I was feeling so bad that she said she would do all of the dishes. Early to bed to night because we have to be up early tomorrow. June starts school.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Saturday, September 14, 1929 - Eugene


Except for the men in the market and the dentist this is the first time we have spoken to anyone except ourselves since Boone called. We got up at a quarter after seven which is quite early for us. We had breakfast and washed the dishes and then bustled around putting things in order before George came. Then I went down to the meat market to get the weenies and cheese. When I got home I had forgotten to get fruit so I went back after it and met George on the way back. We sat down and talked of old times and looked at pictures, etc, until it was fifteen minutes to twelve. Then we got dinner. We had weenies and sauerkraut, cheese and pretzel, peaches and pears for dessert. After the dishes were done we talked and worked a crossword puzzle until about quarter to four. Then we had candy, popcorn, and lemonade. Then we went downtown to get Dorothy a birthday present. About six forty five george took us to Lee Dukes for ice cream and then to the Richmond’s kids party. June had a good time.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Friday, September 13, 1929 - Eugene


This was cleaning day! As we are to have company tomorrow we did much cleaning today. First we got the kitchen spick and span, then the breakfast nook. June captured the vacuum cleaner and we did the living room up good. Straightened up the table and everything. Then we went at the bedroom. I was so busy that I hurried back from the market with everything that I wanted. While we were washing dishes Doc Richardson called up and said he would like June to come today instead of tomorrow which suited us. We went to his office as soon as we had finished the dishes. While we were there he invited us to his house after supper tomorrow because Dorothy his daughter had a birthday. On the way home we stopped at one of the stores to inquire about leather coats. I read awhile after we got home and then we got supper and went to bed early.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Thursday, September 12, 1929 - Eugene


I don’t know what time it was when we got up because both clocks were stopped but I know it was late. After we got the breakfast dishes done I started reading. I meant to get dressed and do some work in the living room but the book got so fascinating that before I knew it June came and said it was five after twelve. It seemed that I had just had breakfast so I told her I didn’t want any lunch. This is the first day of her four days of cooking. I went on reading until it was time to get dressed to take June to the dentist. The dentist said he would like us to come to supper at his house sometime before next Monday. He has two daughters about our age and a very young son. On the way home I treated June to some ice cream. June’s supper took a long time to prepare so it was late when we finished. Before we got the dishes done I came in to see how the radio was behaving. We’re just getting to bed! 9:30.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Wednesday, September 11, 1929 - Eugene


Yesterday after the usual late rising we got breakfast and then dressed to go downtown. We spent quite a time down there. We hadn’t been home long when it was time to get dinner. After dinner I got out my lounge Lucy and started a dress for her with the material she had bought in the morning. About four o’clock we got dressed again and went down to the jewelry store and I left my beads to be strung and my silver to be shinned. On the way back we stopped at the library to change our books. After supper I started the book that we got this afternoon.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Tuesday, September 10, 1929 - Eugene


June said I let her get lunch today. She would let me get lunch Saturday the day George is here. So she did the shopping. While she was gone I washed a dress. After lunch I ironed and read and about four o’clock June and I got dressed to go to the show but the show wasn’t on so we didn’t go. Almost every time we go downtown we go into the dime store unless I can steer June over to the other side of the street. I made some potato soup tonight for supper and I got all hot and bothered about it but June liked it, at least she said she did. I listened to the radio after supper while June took a bath.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Monday, September 9, 1929 - Eugene


Nothing of much interest happened to us so its hard to write about the day’s events. After we had had breakfast we went downtown. We got a long list of things at the grocers. When we got back we put the things away and we both started reading. About a quarter to twelve we started supper. In the afternoon I started to clean up the bedroom then did a little in the living room then read a little and then got supper. We got a letter from George setting Saturday as the day he can come up. We also got two letters from Mom and Pop. We went to the dentists this afternoon.

Jane's Notes: I don't know who George is but he's not my Dad. they didn't meet for a couple more years.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Sunday, September 8, 1929


We were late in getting up this morning. After we had had breakfast. June said she would do the marketing this morning. While she was gone I got all the pictures and films together and started sorting them. She came back with a story about how she had paused in front of the store waiting for it to open when finally some kind sole told her that the stores didn’t open on Sunday. We turned the radio on and tuned in on a church service. June went on reading and I went on posting in my book. About twelve I decided I had better get lunch. It was one before we sat down. As soon as we had finished washing the dishes we dashed over to the Rex and saw “Wings”. I tho’t we were doomed to miss it all together but I’m glad it came our way. We got home about four thirty. June went to her reading again and I followed her example. At the last minute we got a few things together had supper and went on reading until about nine thirty. June wanted to go to bed earlier but I was in an exciting place.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Saturday, September 7, 1929 - Eugene


Our first day of living alone. Mom and Pop kissed us goodbye this morning before we were even up. They left before seven o’clock this morning. June and I finely got up. It was cold this morning and we felt the need of another blanket. After we had eaten breakfast and washed the dishes and dressed we went to the Post Office to mail some letters that Pop had written last night. On the way back we stopped at various stores including the dime store. We were about a block from the apartment when we past a familiar figure and I looked back so did he and it was Boone Hendricks. He seemed quite glad to see me. He asked if he could call. This was about ten. About eleven forty he came. He stayed about an hour. He was leaving for Portland soon. By the time June and I got dinner (after he had gone) and had eaten and washed the dishes it was time to go to the dentists. On the way home about five we stopped at the show. We got out at seven and rushed home, got dinner in about two jerks and ate and washed up. We’re becoming quite expert at it!

Jane's Notes: I believe that my grandparents went to California to check in on Eleanor.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Wednesday, September 4 - Eugene


This morning after breakfast at about ten we went over to the University while I went to the registrars office and told them about my change of address and I went into the Dean of Women’s office to find out about my big sister. Then we went downtown to do some shopping. After lunch we went back to the University to see about my being a resident of Oregon. Pop got a form that I had to fill out. Then we went downtown and spent more money for household equipment and food for the first day. We got to the apartment a little after six and they had just finished. We decided not to go out to supper and they let me get it. There wasn’t much to do. I don’t know what time it is now. June and I are sleeping on the folding bed.

Jane's Notes: My grandmother Powell and Aunt June lived with in Eugene with my mother in an apartment for her freshman year. My grandfather Powell went back to Manilla. After her freshman year mother moved into her sorority house and Granny Powell and Aunt June returned to Manilla.

ALSO - A heads up. The next diary entry is not until Saturday, September 7 so you'll not see anything for the next two days.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Tuesday, September 3 - Eugene

Sorry folks! It's been a busy Labor Day weekend. Here's the next installment of the diary.


After we had come back to the room after breakfast until three thirty in the afternoon I stayed in the room. The things I did was to wash my hair. While my hair was drying I wrote letters. All this time the family was seeing June’s principle and about her school. They came back at about twelve but I didn’t want to have any lunch.So they went on and said they would be at three thirty to pick me up. I put in my combs and wrote some more letters. They came at little early so they had to wait for me. From there we went to the dentist. After we left there we went for a ride around the campus and frat houses and new residential district. We had an early supper and are going to bed early.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Monday, September 2, 1929 - Eugene, Oregon


Home at last! That’s the way I feel about it. I feel like I’m walking on air. We’ve finished our trip yet it hardly seems possible. I don’t know what time it was when Mom woke us up this morning but I do know it was after nine when June and I were finishing the dishes. I thought that was when we were going to start but we didn’t get started until almost eleven. Mom and Mrs. Meyers wanted to get in as much talking as they could. We had lunch at Corvallis where the State College is. After lunch we drove up around the campus and around the fraternity houses. We found George’s house. It’s beautiful. And the Theta House is darling, white house with green blinds. We got to Eugene at three o’clock. We went to the apartment house the first thing. The apartment wasn’t ready for us to move into but it will be in two days. When we left there we drove around through the campus and there is none other that can beat it. It’s beautiful. Then we located here at the hotel and then went out to supper. The speedometer shows 16,000 miles.

Jane's Notes: Can you believe how many miles they put on that car?

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Sunday, September 1, 1929 - Sherwood Oregon


We left he Fishers at about eight this morning. As was to be expected June left her hat and we had to go back for it. We made very poor time today because this is Sunday and tomorrow is labor day so there was very much traffic on the road. It was a lovely drive however and much of it was between tall pines. This is certainly a wonderful country and there is no doubting it. The family had lunch in a little town in Washington. I didn’t eat any. As we were crossing the interstate bridge over the Columbia we had a flat. We would! There was nothing to do but change it there on the bridge. We got into Portland about three and only stopped long enough for Mom to call up Della Meyers, her best chum. Then we went on to Six Corners where were met by Mrs. Meyer’s sons who showed us the way from there to her house. I was disappointed in missing Connie in Portland because I wanted to see her. She won’t be in Eugene this year.