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The Life Story of Abbie Irene McClary Watkins
Through the intervals of flashing lightning and crashing thunder, the thin wail of a new born babe announced her arrival in a weather beaten farm house in North Central Missouri. The sixth child of Thomas Lafayette and Nannie May Walker McClary was born this night of 4 July 1921 at 12:38 A.M. The untimely arrival of this blond curly headed baby girl named Abbie Irene disrupted the traditional 4th of July festivities. Homemade ice cream, cake and firecrackers were not allowed because My Mother was seriously ill. The brothers and sisters already sharing this humble home were Clyde Garland (1902), Opal Chloe (1907, James Dyghton (1909), Anna Mae (1912) , Thomas Russell (1916) Many years and many times later this day of disappointment has been recalled, colored and tempered by time. All members of my family were natives of Missouri. Dad was born 26 April 1880 at Princeton, Mercer Co., Missouri. and my Mother was born 21 September 1884 also at Princeton. Dad’s Occupation was always that of a farmer as was his father and grandfather. The first years of my parents married life were centered around Pollock, Sullivan Co, Mo. Where the five older children were born. The family moved then about 3 miles North of Harris, Sullivan Co., Mo. Where I was born. The farmhouse was fondly called the “Red House” possibly because of a hint of red paint applied some time in the dim past. My parents, before moving here, had lost their home through and early morning fire, that consumed all the family treasures and belongings. Dad found employment with A.W. Harris, the founder of the town Harris, Mo. Mr. Harris owned many thousand acres of farm land, inherited from his father one of the pioneers who settled this part of the county. I was named after Mr Harris’ wife Abbie. Two years passed and I moved up from baby of the family to big sister when Adda Susan was born 26 June 1923. Her hair was black and very straight. The contrast between us was striking. The folks moved to the town of Harris, shortly thereafter. This began an era of rented houses. They were many and we changed at least once a year. Dad began truck farming and cutting wood for our livelihood. My oldest brother married Nora Long in March the year I was born Opal married Noble Carmichael when I was about 4. Another member was introduced to the family, our new brother Victor Ord born 14 April 1926 We all grew like “Weeds” amid the love and kindness that existed in our home. I shall never forget the memorable day I started to school. No other six year old could have felt so “grown up” and proud as this one. The school loomed tall, a monstrous red brick two story building. The lower grades downstairs and the High School upstairs. My school years were filled with many happy days with the security of so many brothers and sisters attending the same school. The study periods at home, where we all gathered around the round kitchen table with the lone kerosene lamp setting in the middle of the table, are treasured memories. Electricity was enjoyed by only a few families in our town. The smell of homemade bread as we burst into the house after along day at school will live forever in my storehouse of memories. No one could bake bread like my mother. Winter times were joyous occasions. The sled rides under bright full moon with sparkling, crispy snow squeaking and crunching beneath our steps had a special place. The call of “run sheep run” could be heard across town as other children enjoyed our favorite game. Summer months brought picking wild berries such as blackberries and gooseberries. The May Apples found deep in the woods where the ground lay rich and fertile. The “Cow salad greens we picked were accompanied by fresh salt pork. Never will I forget my Mother saying to Dad and we four younger children “If you will go pick wild strawberries, I will make the shortcake while you are gone” We would get our buckets and head for the railroad tracks. The berries seemed to love the sunny slopes of the railroad bed. Life was very interesting when I was a child. |
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Dad “invented” many things, New ways to do things. He was a clever man with many ideas and much creative ability. When the snow was covered with sleet making a glare of ice, he invented us cleats to strap on our shoes to prevent our slipping. Everyone in town wanted some. As long as the old mowing sickle held out he made them up and gave them away. Years later the same idea has been patented and is on the market. My brother Jim married Amber Golden 30 June 1930. when I was about eleven years old. Life was easy and good. Visits from my Aunt Annie and Uncle Amos Derry, Dad’s oldest sister and husband, will always be remembered. That was “candy time” Uncle Amos always gave we three younger children 50¢ a piece to buy candy for a family treat. Uncle Ord and Aunt Orpha (Boyd), Dad’s youngest brother and wife didn’t visit us much as they lived in Casper Wyoming, Transportation was not much advanced beyond the horse and springwagon during those years. Frequent visits from Aunt Emma and Uncle Frank Burch, Dad’s half-sister and husband, kept us on the “straight and narrow.” Our home was always enhanced by religious teachings, reading of the bible or good books aloud every night, as a family unit, before we all retired to our beds. But when Aunt Emma came our days were filled with scripture quoting, prayers, and preaching. She and my parents belonged to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Since my parents were so far away from the church she tried to cram everything into her short stay. Her favorite food was beans with a glass of bicorbonate soda afterwards to keep “from killing her.” My grandmother Maranda Jane Essig McClary George lived in Princeton, Mercer, Co., Mo. Sue and I would spend some of our vacation in the summer with her. We got so homesick we couldn’t stay over a few days at a time. My Grand father Thomas Dyghton McClary died in 1906 and I never knew him. Grandma remarried Moses Russell George in 1914. The family fondly called him Uncle Russ as he had previously been married to my Mothers Aunt Jane (Ruth) before she died, I don’t remember Uncle Russ as he died 29 April 1918. Grandfather James Henderson Walker, Mother’s father, died in 18 Feb 1925. I barely remember any events from this time. Whether refreshed by family conversation or actually recalled from the depths of my memory, I can never be sure. Grandmother Susan (Ruth) Walker (1846) died when my Mother was two years old leaving 2 boys and 2 girls for Grandpa to raise. Two children had proceeded her in death. Mary Jane (27 Feb 1871-10 Jan 1872) and Alexander (18 Dec 1872-5 Mar 1873). All children were born North of Princeton near the Farley Cemetery. Uncle Victor Flute (5 Mar 1879-22 Feb 1963) married Lucy Smith 18 Oct 1903. He was a much loved Baptist minister for 30 odd years boasting 2,000 marriages and over that many funerals to his life of preaching. William Madison (Matt) (19 May 1874-8 Aug 1964) Married Adda Covey 19 Sept 1897. Aunt Permelia Ella (7 Feb 1882) married Fred Wilcox 29 June 1901. They all lived near Princeton except Uncle Matt & Aunt Adda who lived west of Harris. Mother & Dad were married 29 June 1901 at Princeton, Mo. My happy memories are interrupted by periods of illnesses of my Mother. She had “heart trouble” and good health was unpredictable. My sister Ann married Claude Hanford Wendt when I was 12, 22 June 1933 and left for California. I graduated to the oldest daughter at home and much of the household duties fell upon my slight shoulders. Tommie left home and followed Ann to California. Our family had dwindled to 3 children at home now. By this time grandchildren were brought home for inspection. Glyde and Nora were our favorite visitors as their first born Geraldine was a year younger than me and a year older than Sue. We had many fun times playing doctor and nurses. Jim and Amber had Madge Marilyn by now and Opal and Noble had Colleen. Oh! This was only a starter, Nieces and Nephews sprang up like mushrooms. High School days were brightened by baseball games, basketball games, trips with the High School band. Parties, contest for queen of High School (I was chosen) then on to Valedictorian of my eighth grade and also Senior year-all are highlights. The days were gloomed and saddened by the death of my Mother April 23, 1939, two weeks before I graduated from High School. I guess, the hardest thing I have ever been called to do, was present the Valedictorian speech in the same church where Mom’s funeral had been only two weeks before. |