DONALD LEE (DON)
born: September 30, 1908
died: July 18, 1961
The more I write about my family the more I realize how different we are from one another. Don's early death and our age differences kept me from knowing him as well as I would have liked to but I do have pleasant memories and I have missed his company.Don was always interested in hunting. He kept fox hounds at the time. He was also great with guns. I remember the day Don asked me to go fox hunting with him. We loaded up two hound dogs on his open car and drove about twenty miles. We let the dogs out for the "Big Chase." We were supposed to see some foxes go by with the dogs right behind them. We stood on a cold hill all day -never did see a fox or a dog. I was not sure I would survive that day, but somehow I did. Night time came and the dogs returned.I think it took me three days to thaw out. I never forgot my first and last day fox hunting. I lost all interest in fox hunting and never did go again. I was cured all in one day. I think I was about ten years old, maybe twelve.About this same time only warmer weather, Don entered a borrowed Model T Ford Coupe in the "Slow Car Race," at the Cuba Home Coming. A five dollar prize would be given for the slowest car. The race was one block.Don was great with cars, a real professional mechanic. He asked the judges if he could doctor the car and they told him, "Yes, but it must be a non-stop one block." He retarded the spark, changed the throttle linkage, and made several test runs on the farm. He made me promise not to tell anyone what he did till after the race.Don asked me to go along.
The race was on! When all the other cars had traveled the block, Don and I were just past the half way mark. It was a great thrill to come in last!A few people complained, but the judges said there were no rules against any changes. Don got the five dollars - Big money for a teenage boy back in the 20's. ` Don's first marriage, to Geraldine McCluen, ended in divorce. Don received custody of their son, Charles Lee born February 1, 1935. Charles now lives in the state of Washington.In 1940, Don married Hallie Jean Underwood. They lived in Tiskilwa, IL. Don and Jean had six more children in addition to Charles Lee:Marilyn DianneJuly 24, 1941
July 24, 1941Kenneth RoyNov. 21, 1943
Nov. 21, 1943Terry DonJuly 20, 1945
July 20, 1945James DaleJuly 5, 1948
July 5, 1948Donna JeanSept. 30, 1949
Sept. 30, 1949Beverly SueJune 2, 1951
June 2, 1951Don operated a sawmill and chain saw sales near Princeton, IL, until he sold it and became associated with two of our brothers, Gene and Verle, who owned andoperated Helle Hardwoods, Inc. at Oregon, Illinois. Don still worked near his home at Tiskilwa as a supervisor of logging in that area.
Don died on Brother Gene's birthday. He was killed when the boom of a logging crane touched a high voltage electric power line. The crane operator was careless. He was a big man, well over three hundred pounds at the time of his death. Don was a kind, generous, loving man. He was loved by all. We still miss him.Jean remarried a few years later to Jay Still. He was a log cutter for the Oregon plant. In September 1977, Jay was killed in a logging accident. We had become very fond of him and still feel the loss.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BERTHA "ETHEL"
Born: February 24, 1910
Sister Ethel was the first daughter and the 6th in our family. After five boys in a row, then to get a baby girl, the folks must have been elated beyond explanation.Ethel must have been a spoiled baby when small, but as time went on she was a great person to us younger brothers and sisters as we grew up.I remember her taking over when Mother was gone for a few hours or longer; canning and all other work at the house. Also picking wild berries during the hottest of weather. This was important to the diet of a large family in the 1920's.Ethel was chosen as the most beautiful baby at the Cuba, IL Home Coming Celebration. She was about one year of age, and received a blue ribbon.Ethel married Don Walton, Canton, IL. on June 2, 1928. They had two sons:
Robert LeeAugust 6, 1929
August 6, 1929Ray GeorgeSept.20,1932
Sept.20,1932After Ethel and Don were married they stayed near Canton, IL, where Don worked at the P & 0 Plow works. This plant has since become part of International Harvester Corp.At this time, 1979, Ethel is writing of their many problems raising a family in the early years of the depression. I have read it and it is really very interesting. It makes us realize, if we have love for one another plus good health, we can survive all problems.In Ethel and Don's early years he operated a sawmill, then began farming. Years later they moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin where they became involved in developing farm land for a Mobile Home Park. They sold the park, then traveled a while. Don became a great fisherman. They could not stand idleness.Don started developing farm land for residential purposes, including a golf course at Oregon, IL and a Mobile Home Park at Savanna, IL. This land development has become a great success for them, but they didn't change with success. We enjoy our time with them and their families.Ethel, like Don, could not stand to be idle. The years of hard work became a habit; one hard to break. She always sewed for us boys and the girls on the farm, then for her own family, and is still sewing today for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.At retirement age, Ethel started making stuffed animals as a hobby. She gave animals to her family and donated many to handicapped children in hospitals and other institutions. She has been written about far and wide as "The Grandmother who gives away stuffed animals."She even received a special thanks fromPresident Jimmy Carter.I am glad to have Ethel as a sister and Don as a brother-in-law. They are wonderful people who we really enjoy visiting.