Every Once in a While It All Comes Together

So let me tell you what I've been struggling with:

It all started with a letter, this letter.  Again, I transcribed it exactly as it is written, which is with no punctuation and bad spelling

Brooklyn Mich

Jan 3 1932

Dear Illdah

I am going to write you a few lines and tell you about Grandma as I carried your letter and box to her tonight.  I knew from the sound of your letter you do not no the conditions Grandma has been failing all summer she was taken with a bad cold about a month ago which finely ended in bronchitis and she was taken down in bed about two weeks before Xmas and was very sick she is better of that but is in a very weakened condition and her mind is is weakening planely saying I don't think she will ever get over this unless there is a change for the better soon I don't think she will last over 2 or 3 weeks.  I maybe mistaken she has a strong constitution but she is an old lady and I could see she had failed since I was over there a few days ago.  Uncle Claude goes to work at 12 and works until 11 at night before he getts home.  Aunt Kate works in Jackson all the time but Grandma has a wonderful nurse and has the best of care night and day this lived with me 11 mo and helped me care for my sick folks and I no she is wonderful.  Grandma tried to taste of your fruit but it was hard work I don't mean to frighten you I am only telling you my opinion of her and that is I don't think she will ever get well and she is determined that she isn't going to and that don't help matters any I was glad you wrote her for she was anxious to hear from you well I guess this is all for this time

Yours Truly

Jennie A M???s

So while I'm trying to extract data, this is my reasoning:  first Illda is spelled wrong.  I'm thinking that by 1932 most of the kids in America have gotten a little education, but even with a limited amount of learning, one usually gets the spelling of family names correct.  Right?  Then she says, "...tell you about Grandma..."  not YOUR grandma.  But grandma, like that is how she thinks of Elizabeth Moore.  Then she refers to Elizabeth Moore's son as Uncle Kate.  Since Elizabeth Moore and Leman Austin had three children, that would make Jennie a daughter of Dennis and Minnie (which she's not as they only had Illda) or Wilbur and ????

Jennie who wrote this letter had handwriting that looks mature to me, perhaps late 20's or early '30s.

Claud and Kate had 2 daughters: Neva and June.  But they wouldn't refer to Claud as uncle.

So this is a new mystery for me to obsess about.  

Again with the Dennis Austin

So I'm spending most of the day trying to get myself organized.  Do you know it was a lot easier keeping ones records organized before the advent of computers.

I an gradually getting the family letters transcribed.  I pour over each and every one of them trying to extract any little tidbit of information.  This one mentions "Griff" who I'm pretty sure is a first cousin.  The date is June 21 93 which would have been before Illda was born. 

Just to remind you, I did the transcribing.   I corrected no spellings or punctuations.  I only broke the letter into paragraphs for easier reading.

Toledo June 21^st  93

My dear Parents bro + sister

I rec’d the postal asking why I wasn’t well I am ashamed of it but it is work and sleep.  I am afraid two sleep too much, but it is so hot the sleep I get don’t do me very much good.  Still I am just as fat as ever.  I wish you could see my new fishing rig.  It is a beauty.  I shall be over in August to try it.  It hardly seems as if I could wait until then but I suppose I’ll be obliged to.

What nice weather this is.  How are all the crops looking?  I just feel I could lay under an apple tree for about three days without sleep or eating.  Well suppose you all are just as jaded only you have good sleep and 8 or 9 hours at one time.

How did Claud enjoy himself when he was down?  Griff is down this week.  We have some new curtains.  I got Min a nice guitar and next week she will have an organ for a birthday present. 

Well I am getting along quite well for a green horne.  I had a little bad luck last Saturday night.  I was nearly into Marshall.  It was very foggy.  I felt a little jar.  We had run into an extra that had broken tow and that not sending a man back far enough puts all the blame on them.  I was sorry too for it smashed my engine and their caboose very badly.  No one  was hurt.  I was very glad of that.  My head man and eng’r + fireboy all jumped.

I shall not wait before writing again.  I think I shall go to a lake Sunday.

Well I shall close for this time.

Hoping you hear good ______ full of everything coming your way.  I am ever your son and bro

D Austin

Dennis E Austin

Still working on my great grandfather, Dennis E Austin.  When I first started doing family tree research, all I basically had was my grandmother's name Illda Martha Austin  and a large envelop full of letters.  It was the letters and the little bits I gleaned from them that sent me on my way.  When I was trying to figure out which Dennis Austin was mine, this letter was the one that determined it.  Claudie is Dennis younger brother.  Just a brief mention, but it's there.  Again, I transcribed the letter myself and didn't correct any spelling or punctuation.  I did break it into paragraphs for easier reading.

11 am Sunday June 19-10

My Dear Parents:

We rec’d your Dear letter + was so glad to hear you were both well.  I am sorry you are feeling so blue though Mother. And for your own sakes you should try and throw it off.  For don’t you know anytime you can’t live in old Mich in comfort – you still have a home and care coming in the only Houston Tex.  Now please don’t forget that while I live you will always find me ready to make this good too. 

I expect to buy two more lots soon + if on any of the 6 vacant lots you would like to have a garden the whole year round with a cow and chickens + fruit why I guess we could find a chance to put up a nice cozy 4 room + bath cottage + you won’t need to have the blues at all for I am by myself I could make a painter out of Father I know.  With your chickens eggs + milk @ 10 cents per quart + garden I don’t believe you would ever feel but what you had plenty.  I can’t imagine what the matter can be up there for I feel that Claudie should be all that three boys would be to you located right next door as it seems to me when I feel how far away I am.  I am going to write him today although he has not answered my last letter + I don’t want to wait any longer.  I shall take it myself to talk to him just as an older Bro has a right for I know that he little appreciates the natural responsibility that is his + would be mine were I located so near you.

I have never asked you nor have you told me our your deal in the place where he lives + I cannot think he would do anything but right by you, and if it is anything of this nature you must tell me + If I cannot advise I can at least have the chance to help you.   I wish so much I could have a good visit + help you to see the bright side.  I am glad to say that I don’t have the sour stomach I used to have.  I think the climate + being busy all the time that I just work, eat + sleep + don’t think @ all.  I have been rushed some for the last two weeks, but tomorrow I put on another man + get caught up a little.   There is lots of work in sight + now that I am by myself = free to look after it I can make much more than I could with a partner.

I got up this am @ 5 + done my garden work befor the sun got up.  I tore out root and branch 8 hills of cucumbers that were bearing fine.  I bet there was a wash tub full of all sizes on them but I had to take them in ten armfuls + put them around the peach plum + fig trees in the chicken yard, then I took the sickle and went after the tomato vines + I pruned them sure so a little more sun could get in.  I have 8 tree tomatoes that stand up nice + the fruit has a chance to ripen.  All I have to do is drive a stake + tie the stalk to it.

I wish you could come to dinner today.  Roast veal new potatoes green corn sliced tomatoes sliced onions + cucumbers.  Ice tea.  But no pie or cake.

Now I happen to think when is that note due + do you want it renewed with int at 8 per.   Write and let me know in your next letter more about your business affairs  + also if your int with what you raise on the little place keep you.  I don’t know but it seems to me that when I see men with no business ability with the price of $200 lot with a $600 cottage on it + sell the whole thing for from $1500 to $1800 that there are better things than digging.  That’s why I am t???g into lots any time some one wants that particular location.  I will finish paying for them in a lump sum + negotiate a loan with the lumber Co + double my money + get 8 per cent on the bal of purchase price even if one has to hold the lots the int + taxes are not ¼ of what the regular rise in price is.  When $1 a foot is tacked on to them regularly twice a year helps some.  Well I have written a whole lot + said nothing + I must save a little room for the women folks so I will say good bye – try to cheer up.  With best love + kisses to you both I am always your Dennis

Dennis E Austin Again

So I've been working on family a little closer on the time line than John Stout Drake and Lucia Cahoon.  I started dabbling a little with Dennis E Austin who would be Illda's dad.  He died when she was quite young and she adored him until the day SHE died. 

In broad strokes, Dennis was born in Michigan to Leman Austin Jr. and his wife Elizabeth.  He eventually went to work for the railroad, and Illda lead me to believe that he was an engineer.  Sometime in the early 20th Century, while still living at home with his folks and two brothers, they moved from Michigan to Texas.  Eventually, he would move back with Minnie and Illda.  I believe he was speculating in building in Houston Heights. 

Before I forget, Leman Jr. and his family lived next door to the James Moore family.  A little girl named Elizabeth was part of that family.  Leman and Elizabeth would end up getting married. 

Dennis died of malarial fever in 1912. 

Here is a letter that he wrote his parents.  It is transcribed by me, exactly as written, although, I have broken it into paragraphs for easier reading:

"Oct 2 1910

My Dearest Parents  I am going to surprise you with a good long letter to pay for the long wait.  I expected to get the money every day + would then write but I was stood off with $236.00 until I began to think I would never get it.  If I did not have help to pay + materials to pay for I could have met this sum almost any time but I had lots of work and then buying the $600 lot at Oak Lawn + Building the cottage got me a little close to the edge.  But I finished it up at last Friday + it is sold for 2075 it cost $1750.00 all complete.  I wanted to make $500 to the good, + will do it again just as soon as I find an idle time, at present I have three jobs contracted for one at $270 + one at 170 and one at 152 which will hold me till Nov 15th.

Well we had  nice shower today + I am going to get busy and get in my winter garden as it makes one feel that way when the Mocking Bird begin to sing in the morning.  We got your pa of seed ok. + Illda enclosed some palm seed which I suppose you had batter wait until spring to plant.

We are all well + strong this fall + everybody is hitting the ball for we begin to see a little farm in Mich now.  It has been quite dry here this summer + of course everyone says this is the worst one yet.  They say the same about the cold weather.  So you can draw your own conclusions.

I have not told you but the lot at San Leon that we bought for the kid in July at 240 we can take 480 for now.  All other property going up same way + as the ship channel is sure things are going up fast (even eating).  I had to buy a pair of $1.00 trousers a couple of weeks ago + it nearly broke my heart.  I am enclosing a p.o. order for $50 + int so make a not for the other 100 + I bet you will get it on time, hoping this reaches you in time to be of use I am with bets love and kisses to you both

Your Dennis

 

Dennis E Austin

Dennis E Austin was my great grandfather, father of Illda Martha Austin and husband of Minnie Martha Austin.  I don't ever remember anybody ever even talking about him. I think he was rather handsome.

That moustache would later be waxed and curled in a typical handle bar style.

Dennis E Austin was born on 04 January 1867 in Michigan and died 02 Aug 1912 in Harris County, Texas from malarial fever. I believe Dennis, Minnie and Illda were living in Houston Heights.  He grew up on a farm, but also lived in Texas as a youngster. As an adult, he made a living as a railroad conductor and later as a decorator, painter and paper hanger.  From the letters I have that he wrote him, I think he was speculating in real estate in Houston around the turn of the century.

His father was Leman Austin, his mother Elizabeth "Lizzie" Moore Austin.  He had two brothers:  WM Austin (aka Wibur, aka Will) and Claude Austin (aka Claudie, Clauddie).  Dennis and Minnie had one daughter, my granny Illda Martha Austin -- who was born in Toledo, Ohio.

I have transcribed a letter he wrote home to his parents.  Some of it is difficult to read.  I am typing it exactly as it is written, with bad spelling and punctuation.  It is written on hotel stationery.

"Summit House
        J.B. Taylor, Proprietor
                   
First Class Accommodations
        Headquarters for Traveling Men
                 Located in Central Part of City
                            Rates $1.50 to $2 per day

Saturday, May, but March

                                                          Marquette, Mich., May 5/88

Dear Parents,

              I came to Marquette last night.  I am feeling quite well, for all I am 500 miles from home.  We went to Battle Creek that night and had to stay there until 10 O clock next day for the west end local and by so doing we had no fare to pay until we got to Allegan.  We got there at noon and went north on the GR (unreadable word) Road at five o clock and got in Grand Rapids at 7.  we had to layover until 11.00 before we got out of there.  got to Macinaw City at 10.30 staid all night and crossed the straits at seven o clock.  it is 8 miles across to st. I______.  We (unreadable word) an ore train at 1 o'clock in the afternoon and came another 120 miles further north.  got here 3.30 this morning.  I struck another pardner at st Ignace and as I could get a ride (unreadable word) could not I came ahed.  So Fred telegraphed for a pass yesterday and will get here today and I will meet him here and go on to gether 125 miles further. When we get there we will be about 600 miles from home.  I am writing before my breakfast so I will have to close.  Give my love to Will & Pearl.  Tell them to write when I get there I will write again so you will know where to write.

                                                                  Yours son,
                                                                      D.E. Austin
When we came across yesterday morning the straits was (unreadable word) on each side full of ice.  It was terrible rough so everybody said the wind blew like a hurricane but I thought it was fun.  Some of them were pucking they probably didn't see any fun in it.

                                                                      D.E.A."

I found out today that Wilbur M Austin, Dennis' little brother had married Pearlie Sheeler in 1889.