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.