Introduction

In the 80's, I asked Grandpa to write down the details of his life. He was surprised anyone even wanted to read about it.  He used all kinds of papers to jot down whatever was on his mind at the time, and then I gathered it all together and put it into chapters.  I typed it all and bound it so that he could have his own copy.  He couldn't have been more thrilled.  He said he used to read it every day, and you can tell from the slight soiling on the right side of each page, just where he turned those pages.

For the most part, this is the way he wrote it.  I may add information that has become of interest to me along the way, just to add to it.  For instance, I don't have any good pictures of the Caput School, but I have inserted my memories of it, and have included links that tell more about the area.

As I finish typing the bulk of these memoirs, I am completely impressed at how much he recalled at the age of 80.  Even specifics like remembering towns, times for meetings, pay amounts, and dates.  There was nothing wrong with his mind and I am so grateful I asked him to write all of this down.  In reading it years later, I have so many questions I wish I would have asked at the time; things that might fill in the holes.  

Farewell, Grandpa, until we see you again.

Joyce and Susan