Robert Meredith on the left and Glenn Meredith on the right.
Glenn Meredith
Ethel, Glenn, Ernest
Thursday 26 December 2013
Saturday 21 December 2013
Extracts from Rossiana: Relating the Genealogy of the Meredith Family, by Gen. John Meredith
Madog-ap-Meredith, Prince of Pawis. Coat of arms was argent demi-lion and sable, collared and chained.
Llewellyn-ap-Meredydd, descendant of Madog-ap-Meredith
Morgan Meredyddd, married Elizabeth, daughter of David Lloyd
David Meredith was high sheriff of Radnorshire, Wales
Morgan Meredith
Nicholas Meredith
Richard Meredith
John Meredith of Leominster, Herefordshire, Wales
Reese Meredith
Sir Owen Phillips is a scion of one of the most ancient families of Wales, which traces its descent from the Roman Emperor Maximus, the Vertigern King of Britain. Another direct ancestor was Sir Aron-ap-Reese, who accompanied Richard Coeur-de-Lion to the Holy Land and received the honor of the knighthood of the Holy Sepulcher from the Sovereign, for his bravery against the Saracens, so great was the sympathy to the King and Crown of England.
Seventh in descent from him was Phillip-ap-Meredith of Kylrant, whose son on being knighted by Edward the First for his services as Lord Justice of Ireland, styled himself Sir Thomas Phillips. (Edward the First lived 1239-1307)
Richard Meredith of Prestegree, was in 1683 the representative of the ancient line of Merediths of Radnorshire to whom Queen Elizabeth granted the right to bear arms of demi-lion rampant and sable, collared and chained.
John Meredith, youngest son of Richard Meredith, was a woolen merchant of Leominst
er, Herefordshire, Wales. He died in 1729.
Reese Meredith, son of John Meredith born in 1708 in Leominster, educated in Oxford, at his father's death came to the American landing in Philadelphia in February 1730. He entered the counting house of John Carpenter, second son of the well known Samuel Carpenter, member of the Provincial Council Treasury of the Province.
Simon Meredith came to America in 1707 and settled at Pughtown, PA, on the south side of the Schuylkill River about a few miles from Pottstown. He lived the first winter in a dugout, arriving too late in the fall to attempt building. Simon Meredith had four sons; John, Hugh, James and Thomas. Jhn Meredith, son of Simon, married Grace Williams, daughter of Robert Williams and Gwen Cadwallader. Grace Williams was a fraud and tradition tells us she was a woman of rare personal beauty and charm of manner. She was the mother of fourteen children, some of whom were: Simon, born in 1729, married Dinah Pugh, April 30, 1755, by the Old Friends Ceremony. The old wedding certificate is now in the possession of Karl M. Meredith of Reading, PA, who is a descendant of Simo Meredith. Rebecca, daughter of John and Grace Meredith married Joseph Hanley. Mary married Joseph Barnard. James, son of John and Grace, married Mary Ludon. They had one son, Isaac.
Reese Meredith married his employer's daughter, Martha Carpenter, in 1738. Martha died Aug. 26, 1769. During the dark hours of the Revolution, Reese Meredith gave 5000 pounds to help feed and clothe the soldiers at Valley Forge.
Samuel Meredith, first Treasurer of the United States, was a son of Reese Meredith. He was born in Philadelphia in 1741, at the corner of Second and Walnut Streets, in a house built by his grandfather, Samuel Carpenter.
(Taken from Encyclopedia Americana, Copyright 1949, Vol. 18)
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Meredith, Samuel, America Patriot and first Treasurer of the United States; born Philadelphia, PA 1740 and died 10 March 1817
His father was a Welshman and a friend of George Washington.
Meredith became a member of the Pennsylvania colonial legislature, and when the American Revolution broke out he entered the colonial army as major, took part in several battles and was made brigadier-general for gallant services.
He gave 10,000 pounds in silver for carrying on the war, and was exiled from Philadelphia, PA when the British occupied it.
Meredith served in Congress in 1787-1788 and in 1789 became the first Treasurer of the United States, advancing to the government, on taking office, $20,000 and later $120,000 for which he was never reimbursed. He remained in office of Treasurer until 1801.
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Colonel Henry Hill married another sister of Samuel Meredith.
Elizabeth Meredith, daughter of Reese and Martha Meredith, married George Clymer, March 22, 1765. Young men, George Clymer and Samuel Meredith were admitted as partners in the business of Reese Meredith, and the firm went under the name of Meredith and Company until 1778 -- after which it was Meredith and Clymer. It was dissolved in 1782.
Samuel Meredith married Margaret Cadmaloder (or Read?) on May19, 1772 at Arch Street Meeting House, by the Society of Friends. In 1776 he first took an interest in politics, served a term or two on General Assembly. He attended the first meeting of the citizens of Philadelphia, who were at that time protesting against the rule of Great Britain. He was a Junior Major in a Battalion formed to defend their lives. He was made a Lt. Col. later on. His wife was the daughter of one of the leading surgeons of Philadelphia. They had six children. In a letter written to Col. Meredith by his wife, she says in part; 'General Washington invited himself to take breakfast with me yesterday. The children were at the table and behaved themselves exceedingly well.'
The friendship and intimacy between Gen. Washington and the Merediths was of long standing. Reese Meredith used to relate the anecdote as to its origin, which has been handed down to us in successive generations.
'In the fall of 1775 I happened to step into a coffee house to lunch. While sitting there, I noticed a genteel looking stranger sitting apart from the rest, reading a paper. I took the liberty of a friend to approach the young man and inquire his name. He replied that his name was George Washington of Virginia and that he was I Philadelphia on business in relation to the Indians. I invited him home to dine with us on fresh venison.'
This friendship lasted through life and was only broken by Washington's death in 1799.
On April 5, 17?? Col. Meredith was made a Brig. General. His military service ended Jan. 9, 1778 when he resigned his commission and returned to Philadelphia on account of the ill health of his father, Reese Meredith.
General Meredith took the oath of allegiance to the new State Government of PA August 7, 1777. I Nov. 1778 he was elected to the Assembly from the city of Philadelphia and was reelected in Nov. 1781. In the fall of 1779 he helped fit out the sloop named 'Mariah' -- commanded by John Lord, carrying 8 guns and 20 men. In the spring of 1780, he was one of the subscribers to a fund of $25,000 to help support the army. He was a director of the Bank of North America in 1781.
In August 1789 he was elected President of the Welch Society of Philadelphia, which bore the title 'Royal Society of Ancient Britons.' On Nov. 26, 1786 Samuel Meredith was elected to Congress of the Confederation, serving until 1788 (two terms). On Aug. 9, 1789 he was appointed by Washington, surveyor of the port of Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1789, appointed comptroller of the Currency, or treasurer, which office he held for 12 years and 6 months. During the first years he resided in New York, in a house on Broadway, opposite the Presidential Mansion. Resided in Washington in 1800-1801, when he retired, due to ill health and financial embarrassment. His private affairs had been sadly neglected during his official life.
Sept. 4, 1801, Thos. Jefferson wrote a letter to Samuel Meredith commending him for his integrity and propriety to his duties.
General Meredith retired to an estate in Wayne County, PA, called Belmont. His estate was 20 miles in length and 2 miles in breadth and contained nearly 26,000 acres -- purchased in the years 1796 to 1812. He erected a dwelling on it, about a mile from Mt. Pleasant, at a cost of $6,000. Here he spent the remaining 16 years of his life in agricultural pursuits and developing his vast estate.
With his brother-in-law, George Clymer, he purchased vast tracts of wild land situated in Bradford, Luzerne, Sullivan, Pike, Susquehanna, Delaware and Schuykill Counties, also in West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky -- in all about 500,000 acres. He died at Belmont on Monday, Feb. 10, 1817. He was 76 years old. His wife survived him nearly 4 years, dying Sept. 20, 1820. They were both buried in private grounds of the family on the Manor Tract, where now a monument in the General's honor stands over their graves.
We know of no better personal description of the General than the following; taken from a letter written by the venerable Alvah Norton of Aldenville -- a great grandson of Gen. Meredith. The letter was dated June 30, 1877. Mr. Norton was then 81.
'Received your letter dated June 20, 1877, concerning Samuel Meredith. In reply to your first inquiry, I remember an elderly gentleman attired in dress coat and knee breeches of navy blue broadcloth, shoes and silken hose, gold buckles at the knees and shoes, buff or white vest, ruffled shirt front and ruffles at the wrist, falling over dainty hands, hair powdered and worn in a queue and tied with a ribbon the color of his coat. In height about 5 feet and 10 inches, straight as an arrow, spare of flesh, a well balanced head, bright restless blue eyes under a well developed forehead, an aquiline nose, a firm mouth and a decided chin. I have often seen him walking the porch of his residence, hands linked behind him, with nervous movements oftentimes thinking aloud.
There hung, in the old days, in the parlor at Belmont a portrait of him taken, I judge, about the age of forty, which was considered by the family to have an exacting likeness.
Of his habits in like, I may not be a competent judge. He kept a colored housekeeper named Rachael, who I think came with the family from Philadelphia. She always insisted that after his death 'Old Massa' visited the sleeping rooms after the occupants were asleep to see if the lights were out -- an invariable habit of his as long as he lived.
His daughters were expected to take such care of their personal appearance as though living in Philadelphia. They were always in full dress at dinner. Three hours were occupied at the dinner table daily and ceremony was observed.'
On of Gen. Meredith's sons, Thomas, was a lawyer by profession.
Llewellyn-ap-Meredydd, descendant of Madog-ap-Meredith
Morgan Meredyddd, married Elizabeth, daughter of David Lloyd
David Meredith was high sheriff of Radnorshire, Wales
Morgan Meredith
Nicholas Meredith
Richard Meredith
John Meredith of Leominster, Herefordshire, Wales
Reese Meredith
Sir Owen Phillips is a scion of one of the most ancient families of Wales, which traces its descent from the Roman Emperor Maximus, the Vertigern King of Britain. Another direct ancestor was Sir Aron-ap-Reese, who accompanied Richard Coeur-de-Lion to the Holy Land and received the honor of the knighthood of the Holy Sepulcher from the Sovereign, for his bravery against the Saracens, so great was the sympathy to the King and Crown of England.
Seventh in descent from him was Phillip-ap-Meredith of Kylrant, whose son on being knighted by Edward the First for his services as Lord Justice of Ireland, styled himself Sir Thomas Phillips. (Edward the First lived 1239-1307)
Richard Meredith of Prestegree, was in 1683 the representative of the ancient line of Merediths of Radnorshire to whom Queen Elizabeth granted the right to bear arms of demi-lion rampant and sable, collared and chained.
John Meredith, youngest son of Richard Meredith, was a woolen merchant of Leominst
er, Herefordshire, Wales. He died in 1729.
Reese Meredith, son of John Meredith born in 1708 in Leominster, educated in Oxford, at his father's death came to the American landing in Philadelphia in February 1730. He entered the counting house of John Carpenter, second son of the well known Samuel Carpenter, member of the Provincial Council Treasury of the Province.
Simon Meredith came to America in 1707 and settled at Pughtown, PA, on the south side of the Schuylkill River about a few miles from Pottstown. He lived the first winter in a dugout, arriving too late in the fall to attempt building. Simon Meredith had four sons; John, Hugh, James and Thomas. Jhn Meredith, son of Simon, married Grace Williams, daughter of Robert Williams and Gwen Cadwallader. Grace Williams was a fraud and tradition tells us she was a woman of rare personal beauty and charm of manner. She was the mother of fourteen children, some of whom were: Simon, born in 1729, married Dinah Pugh, April 30, 1755, by the Old Friends Ceremony. The old wedding certificate is now in the possession of Karl M. Meredith of Reading, PA, who is a descendant of Simo Meredith. Rebecca, daughter of John and Grace Meredith married Joseph Hanley. Mary married Joseph Barnard. James, son of John and Grace, married Mary Ludon. They had one son, Isaac.
Reese Meredith married his employer's daughter, Martha Carpenter, in 1738. Martha died Aug. 26, 1769. During the dark hours of the Revolution, Reese Meredith gave 5000 pounds to help feed and clothe the soldiers at Valley Forge.
Samuel Meredith, first Treasurer of the United States, was a son of Reese Meredith. He was born in Philadelphia in 1741, at the corner of Second and Walnut Streets, in a house built by his grandfather, Samuel Carpenter.
(Taken from Encyclopedia Americana, Copyright 1949, Vol. 18)
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Meredith, Samuel, America Patriot and first Treasurer of the United States; born Philadelphia, PA 1740 and died 10 March 1817
His father was a Welshman and a friend of George Washington.
Meredith became a member of the Pennsylvania colonial legislature, and when the American Revolution broke out he entered the colonial army as major, took part in several battles and was made brigadier-general for gallant services.
He gave 10,000 pounds in silver for carrying on the war, and was exiled from Philadelphia, PA when the British occupied it.
Meredith served in Congress in 1787-1788 and in 1789 became the first Treasurer of the United States, advancing to the government, on taking office, $20,000 and later $120,000 for which he was never reimbursed. He remained in office of Treasurer until 1801.
***************
Colonel Henry Hill married another sister of Samuel Meredith.
Elizabeth Meredith, daughter of Reese and Martha Meredith, married George Clymer, March 22, 1765. Young men, George Clymer and Samuel Meredith were admitted as partners in the business of Reese Meredith, and the firm went under the name of Meredith and Company until 1778 -- after which it was Meredith and Clymer. It was dissolved in 1782.
Samuel Meredith married Margaret Cadmaloder (or Read?) on May19, 1772 at Arch Street Meeting House, by the Society of Friends. In 1776 he first took an interest in politics, served a term or two on General Assembly. He attended the first meeting of the citizens of Philadelphia, who were at that time protesting against the rule of Great Britain. He was a Junior Major in a Battalion formed to defend their lives. He was made a Lt. Col. later on. His wife was the daughter of one of the leading surgeons of Philadelphia. They had six children. In a letter written to Col. Meredith by his wife, she says in part; 'General Washington invited himself to take breakfast with me yesterday. The children were at the table and behaved themselves exceedingly well.'
The friendship and intimacy between Gen. Washington and the Merediths was of long standing. Reese Meredith used to relate the anecdote as to its origin, which has been handed down to us in successive generations.
'In the fall of 1775 I happened to step into a coffee house to lunch. While sitting there, I noticed a genteel looking stranger sitting apart from the rest, reading a paper. I took the liberty of a friend to approach the young man and inquire his name. He replied that his name was George Washington of Virginia and that he was I Philadelphia on business in relation to the Indians. I invited him home to dine with us on fresh venison.'
This friendship lasted through life and was only broken by Washington's death in 1799.
On April 5, 17?? Col. Meredith was made a Brig. General. His military service ended Jan. 9, 1778 when he resigned his commission and returned to Philadelphia on account of the ill health of his father, Reese Meredith.
General Meredith took the oath of allegiance to the new State Government of PA August 7, 1777. I Nov. 1778 he was elected to the Assembly from the city of Philadelphia and was reelected in Nov. 1781. In the fall of 1779 he helped fit out the sloop named 'Mariah' -- commanded by John Lord, carrying 8 guns and 20 men. In the spring of 1780, he was one of the subscribers to a fund of $25,000 to help support the army. He was a director of the Bank of North America in 1781.
In August 1789 he was elected President of the Welch Society of Philadelphia, which bore the title 'Royal Society of Ancient Britons.' On Nov. 26, 1786 Samuel Meredith was elected to Congress of the Confederation, serving until 1788 (two terms). On Aug. 9, 1789 he was appointed by Washington, surveyor of the port of Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1789, appointed comptroller of the Currency, or treasurer, which office he held for 12 years and 6 months. During the first years he resided in New York, in a house on Broadway, opposite the Presidential Mansion. Resided in Washington in 1800-1801, when he retired, due to ill health and financial embarrassment. His private affairs had been sadly neglected during his official life.
Sept. 4, 1801, Thos. Jefferson wrote a letter to Samuel Meredith commending him for his integrity and propriety to his duties.
General Meredith retired to an estate in Wayne County, PA, called Belmont. His estate was 20 miles in length and 2 miles in breadth and contained nearly 26,000 acres -- purchased in the years 1796 to 1812. He erected a dwelling on it, about a mile from Mt. Pleasant, at a cost of $6,000. Here he spent the remaining 16 years of his life in agricultural pursuits and developing his vast estate.
With his brother-in-law, George Clymer, he purchased vast tracts of wild land situated in Bradford, Luzerne, Sullivan, Pike, Susquehanna, Delaware and Schuykill Counties, also in West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky -- in all about 500,000 acres. He died at Belmont on Monday, Feb. 10, 1817. He was 76 years old. His wife survived him nearly 4 years, dying Sept. 20, 1820. They were both buried in private grounds of the family on the Manor Tract, where now a monument in the General's honor stands over their graves.
We know of no better personal description of the General than the following; taken from a letter written by the venerable Alvah Norton of Aldenville -- a great grandson of Gen. Meredith. The letter was dated June 30, 1877. Mr. Norton was then 81.
'Received your letter dated June 20, 1877, concerning Samuel Meredith. In reply to your first inquiry, I remember an elderly gentleman attired in dress coat and knee breeches of navy blue broadcloth, shoes and silken hose, gold buckles at the knees and shoes, buff or white vest, ruffled shirt front and ruffles at the wrist, falling over dainty hands, hair powdered and worn in a queue and tied with a ribbon the color of his coat. In height about 5 feet and 10 inches, straight as an arrow, spare of flesh, a well balanced head, bright restless blue eyes under a well developed forehead, an aquiline nose, a firm mouth and a decided chin. I have often seen him walking the porch of his residence, hands linked behind him, with nervous movements oftentimes thinking aloud.
There hung, in the old days, in the parlor at Belmont a portrait of him taken, I judge, about the age of forty, which was considered by the family to have an exacting likeness.
Of his habits in like, I may not be a competent judge. He kept a colored housekeeper named Rachael, who I think came with the family from Philadelphia. She always insisted that after his death 'Old Massa' visited the sleeping rooms after the occupants were asleep to see if the lights were out -- an invariable habit of his as long as he lived.
His daughters were expected to take such care of their personal appearance as though living in Philadelphia. They were always in full dress at dinner. Three hours were occupied at the dinner table daily and ceremony was observed.'
On of Gen. Meredith's sons, Thomas, was a lawyer by profession.
Edegot History in Wales Regarding the Family of Meredith
In 550 in Cymen, Wales, the conflict of the petty Chiefs and Princes -- strong for the mastery -- one Maelgyn tried to unite the country. So the Princes met, according to the legends, and decided that the one that could sit in his chair on the beach the longest while the tide was rising, should be Chief Prince. Now, 'Maelgyn the Old' prepared for Maelgyn a chair made out of waxed wings and it floated longer than the others -- so they declared Maelgyn Chief Prince. He was the founder of the Meredith or Meredy family in Wales.
Next Prince is Cadwaller, who died in 635 -- his son Cadwaller succeeded him. Cadwaller's grandson, Rhodn, succeeded him in 686. Rhodn's two sons, Cowan and Howel, succeeded him. Next came Merven and in 844, Rhodi, who died in 877. Cadell, son of Rhodi, died in the beginning of the tenth century. Howel, son of Cadell, was called the Great Law Giver and codified the laws of Wales -- was also called Howel Ada -- the good Meredith.
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A grandson of the Howel-the-Good is said to be the last of the direct line of the royal race of Maelgyn the First. He ruled over David and Ceredegoon. He left one daughter, Anghand, who married Llewelyn of Seryll -- who became King of Wales in 1022 and died in 1038. The royal house divided here and became two branches: Gruff-ad-Llewellyn, then Meredith-ad-Owen, nephew of Rhodri. Then Rhys-ad-Tudor in 1093, who was in line with Cadel-ad-Rhodri. Then Meredith-ad-Griffith in 1145 and Madog-ad-Meredith in 1157. In 1219 it was Meredith-ad-Robert.
Six generations of Merediths were born in Wales and were named in the quaint manner then in vogue: David Vaughn - William David - William Evan - Meredith William - Hugh Meredith - Simon Meredith.
Next Prince is Cadwaller, who died in 635 -- his son Cadwaller succeeded him. Cadwaller's grandson, Rhodn, succeeded him in 686. Rhodn's two sons, Cowan and Howel, succeeded him. Next came Merven and in 844, Rhodi, who died in 877. Cadell, son of Rhodi, died in the beginning of the tenth century. Howel, son of Cadell, was called the Great Law Giver and codified the laws of Wales -- was also called Howel Ada -- the good Meredith.
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A grandson of the Howel-the-Good is said to be the last of the direct line of the royal race of Maelgyn the First. He ruled over David and Ceredegoon. He left one daughter, Anghand, who married Llewelyn of Seryll -- who became King of Wales in 1022 and died in 1038. The royal house divided here and became two branches: Gruff-ad-Llewellyn, then Meredith-ad-Owen, nephew of Rhodri. Then Rhys-ad-Tudor in 1093, who was in line with Cadel-ad-Rhodri. Then Meredith-ad-Griffith in 1145 and Madog-ad-Meredith in 1157. In 1219 it was Meredith-ad-Robert.
Six generations of Merediths were born in Wales and were named in the quaint manner then in vogue: David Vaughn - William David - William Evan - Meredith William - Hugh Meredith - Simon Meredith.
Sunday 1 December 2013
Glenn Merediths Memories of Mom and Dad
Dad and Mother were married June 23, 1927. Farmed a rented farm near Uncle Wilber and Aunt Dorthy James, near Blue Ridge, a grain elevator on Wabash Railroad, north of Mansfield, IL.
Mother once told me that when I was born that a bolt of lightning hit into the hayloft. Bob and I were born on this same farm.
About 1932, Dad and Mother wanted to buy a farm of their own. They bought a farm, 207 acres, from the Federal Land Bank, St. Louis, MO. This farm was located 7 miles southwest of Farmer City, IL., 2 miles from Dewitt, IL. To the best of my knowledge it was repossessed from Jerry Lamb.
Dad bought a brooder house and cut two trees to put under it and used 2 horses he had bought at a farm sale and borrowed 2 horses from Verne Zieders, Dad's close friend and neighbor to move it to the DeWitt farm. Mother packed food for Dad to as he went. One winter morning after it had frozen the ground for several days, he started before sunup, now I'm not certain when he arrived at the DeWitt farm or when he got back.
In the winter of 1933 Bob and I got scarlet fever in December. When Doctor Hull came to see us he said "no self respecting germ would live in a house such as this." At this time Dad, Mother, Bob and I lived in one room because we had only one stove and the house was in such poor condition. For Christmas 1933 we received a motorcycle policeman and a slate. When we recovered from being sick I had to learn to walk all over again.
Dad got into the Milking Shorthorn cattle business in 1936-37. He felt that because by careful breeding could produce a lot of milk and the steers would go to market without a lot of feeding. In 1938 Dad built a dairy barn, designed by Jamesway Manufacturing Co., Jamesville, Wisconsin. It held 20 cows in stanchions. Before moving the cattle in he decided to hold a barn dance and invited the whole community to come. At first we milked the cows by hand, before long we bought milking machines.
It was during 1936 or 1937 we built a Michigan Wax Silo 10x30, then in 1939 built a Mason and Lawrence rib stone silo, in 1942 added 10 more feet. This was to be the first of many that would be built on the many farms that Dad and Mother would own. By my count a total of 7 were built in both Illinois and Minnesota. Some time during 1938 Dad learned that cattlemen in southwest Minnesota were in a drought situation and were running out of feed. Dad went Whalen, MN to buy cattle from Lars Odin Benson, when He unloaded them into the barn, Robert Leroy Meredith, my grandfather, said, "Son, those cows will have to stand up twice to see their shadows."
When Dad first went to Minnesota, he asked for a Lars O. Benson, when asked for directions he was told that were so many Lars Benson's he had to know the middle name. The first man said he lived over on "tuther" ridge, to take "walley" road, and take the fork to the right, along that road lived 8 or 10 Lars Bensons. A few years later, Dad tried to help him save his farm, so Dad and Bob went up to build a chicken house for him, it took almost 2 weeks.
In July 1941, Dad bought a new 4 door Chevrolet for $995.00 plus $150.00 for an under seat heater. In August that year Dad, Mother, Bob, Mariam and I went to buy cattle in Canada. A Mr. D.Z. Gibson was showing us around to see the various herds of cattle when he said, "now we dunnit" then he introduced us to Mr. George Dunnitt. When we got these cattle home we found they were more beef than milk cows.
We were amazed at tree stump and stone fences also that the farmers grew tobacco. We saw many jack rabbits. Dad and Mother had never had a honeymoon, so Mother said "We are going to Niagara Falls."
Back then there were no Holiday Inns or other chain motels. Just Mom and Pop cabins or hotels. When we stayed at the hotel in New Caledonia, Dad left word that there would be 5 people for breakfast. The front desk told the dining room people, the people for breakfast were cattle buyers. You should have seen their faces when Dad told them that we were the cattle buyers.
Mother once told me that when I was born that a bolt of lightning hit into the hayloft. Bob and I were born on this same farm.
About 1932, Dad and Mother wanted to buy a farm of their own. They bought a farm, 207 acres, from the Federal Land Bank, St. Louis, MO. This farm was located 7 miles southwest of Farmer City, IL., 2 miles from Dewitt, IL. To the best of my knowledge it was repossessed from Jerry Lamb.
Dad bought a brooder house and cut two trees to put under it and used 2 horses he had bought at a farm sale and borrowed 2 horses from Verne Zieders, Dad's close friend and neighbor to move it to the DeWitt farm. Mother packed food for Dad to as he went. One winter morning after it had frozen the ground for several days, he started before sunup, now I'm not certain when he arrived at the DeWitt farm or when he got back.
In the winter of 1933 Bob and I got scarlet fever in December. When Doctor Hull came to see us he said "no self respecting germ would live in a house such as this." At this time Dad, Mother, Bob and I lived in one room because we had only one stove and the house was in such poor condition. For Christmas 1933 we received a motorcycle policeman and a slate. When we recovered from being sick I had to learn to walk all over again.
Dad got into the Milking Shorthorn cattle business in 1936-37. He felt that because by careful breeding could produce a lot of milk and the steers would go to market without a lot of feeding. In 1938 Dad built a dairy barn, designed by Jamesway Manufacturing Co., Jamesville, Wisconsin. It held 20 cows in stanchions. Before moving the cattle in he decided to hold a barn dance and invited the whole community to come. At first we milked the cows by hand, before long we bought milking machines.
It was during 1936 or 1937 we built a Michigan Wax Silo 10x30, then in 1939 built a Mason and Lawrence rib stone silo, in 1942 added 10 more feet. This was to be the first of many that would be built on the many farms that Dad and Mother would own. By my count a total of 7 were built in both Illinois and Minnesota. Some time during 1938 Dad learned that cattlemen in southwest Minnesota were in a drought situation and were running out of feed. Dad went Whalen, MN to buy cattle from Lars Odin Benson, when He unloaded them into the barn, Robert Leroy Meredith, my grandfather, said, "Son, those cows will have to stand up twice to see their shadows."
When Dad first went to Minnesota, he asked for a Lars O. Benson, when asked for directions he was told that were so many Lars Benson's he had to know the middle name. The first man said he lived over on "tuther" ridge, to take "walley" road, and take the fork to the right, along that road lived 8 or 10 Lars Bensons. A few years later, Dad tried to help him save his farm, so Dad and Bob went up to build a chicken house for him, it took almost 2 weeks.
In July 1941, Dad bought a new 4 door Chevrolet for $995.00 plus $150.00 for an under seat heater. In August that year Dad, Mother, Bob, Mariam and I went to buy cattle in Canada. A Mr. D.Z. Gibson was showing us around to see the various herds of cattle when he said, "now we dunnit" then he introduced us to Mr. George Dunnitt. When we got these cattle home we found they were more beef than milk cows.
We were amazed at tree stump and stone fences also that the farmers grew tobacco. We saw many jack rabbits. Dad and Mother had never had a honeymoon, so Mother said "We are going to Niagara Falls."
Back then there were no Holiday Inns or other chain motels. Just Mom and Pop cabins or hotels. When we stayed at the hotel in New Caledonia, Dad left word that there would be 5 people for breakfast. The front desk told the dining room people, the people for breakfast were cattle buyers. You should have seen their faces when Dad told them that we were the cattle buyers.
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