406. RUTH MARIE6 BROOKS (LENAMAE5BOLTON, JOSEPHE.4, MATILDA3BOBIER, JOHN2, GREGORY1) was born Private. She married OTTO EMIL HEMMERS.
Children of RUTH BROOKS and OTTO HEMMERS are:
i.
STEVEN DOUGLAS7 HEMMERS, b. Private.
ii.
GEORGE RANDALL HEMMERS, b. Private.
407. RUSSELL LLOYD6 MITTON (LESLIEBENTLEY5, WILBERTJOHN4, LORENDA3BOBIER, JOHN2, GREGORY1) was born Private. He married INA ELIZABETH SMITH Private, daughter of EARL SMITH and LILY MORGAN.
Notes for RUSSELL LLOYD MITTON:
The following recollection was written by Lloyd Mitton, of Chatham, Ontario, Canada, to commemorate Remembrance Day (or Veterans Day) 1998:
To-morrow is Remembrance Day. All of us remember in some way even if we only buy a poppy.. To me it seems difficult for the three generations that follow me to put a face on the memory. I remember when I was a Boy Scout between the wars it was the veterans that gave those who had died a face. As I philosophically thought about this I felt that I would like to share the faces of some of my friends who paid the Supreme Sacriface by e-mail. I hope you will understand.
The College classmates with whom I had studied for four years were perhaps the closest. Wilf Lawlor, my first year roommate was killed by a sniper in North Africa. Wilf and a mutual friend Pete Mason rode with Dad and I to register at College. Pete joined the Air Force at the outbreak. In my third year as we
listened to the CBC news the announcement came that student pilot Peter George Mason had been killed in a crash near Ottawa. Stu Campbell , a really personable guy with blonde hair was killed in a tank battle in Northern Italy. Fred Cooper died in the same area. Bill Newman, perhaps the most handsome lad in year '42 was in Ferry Command when the aircraft disappeared. He was never found.
Our College was part of the University of Toronto. Once Bob and I were walking on the Toronto campus. On the War Memorial was listed the names of casualities who had been students. I knew more than a dozen personally.
From my high school days there was Gord Bishop and Chuch Dauphin both lost in Bomber Command over Germany.
From my youth were the casualities at Dieppe members of the Essex Scottish. Ted Millen never reached the beach. Art Haney and Rod McKenzie were taken prisoner and survived to recent years. This is only a few of the faces but many more come to mind.
Possibly you are wondering about my role in the conflict. During my last three years at Guelph, I was in The Canadian Officers Training Corps. As an NCO I taught strategy and fighting skills including Bren Gun assembly. In March 1942, I developed a lung infection, was sent to the regimental doctor, who reclassified me to Category E. I had to turn in my uniform even though I had my lieutenant's
qualifications. Yes I was disappointed and haven't ceased to wonder why.
We owe an unpayable debt of gratitude to those who died and to those who placed their lives at risk
"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary nor the years condemn."
By the Left, Quick March ----------
The following personal remembrance was also written by Lloyd Mitton of Chatham, Ontario, Canada, in anticipation of New Year's Day 1999:
Look back with me to the Christmas Season of 1939. It was the first time for the British Monarch to broadcast a Christmas Message to the Empire.
King George VI came to the throne in difficult circumstances and now war had broken out to add to his responsibilities.
King George was destined to walk in the shadow of Winston Churchill in the days ahead. He was a humble, gentle person, forced to overcome a serious speech defect so he could speak to his people. He and Queen Elizabeth were exemplary in their leadership as they remained in London through the Blitz.
We gathered as a family around the radio and listened. The last three paragraphs of his message follow. They are as applicable for 1999 as they were sixty years ago.
QUOTE:
A new year is at hand. We cannot tell what it will bring. If it brings peace, how thankful we shall all be.
If it brings us continued struggle we shall remain undaunted.
In the meantime, I feel that we may all find a message of encouragement in the lines which, in my closing words, I would like to say to you 'I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year, "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown " and he replied, " Go out into the darkness, and put your hand in the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way". '
May that Almighty Hand guide and uphold us all.
The following recollection was in honor of Valentine's Day 1999, written by Lloyd Mitton of Chatham, Ontario, Canada:
Sunday,Febuary 14th is Valentine's Day. Each one of us will be reminded of some special memory associated with this day. Perhaps sharing one of mine will assist you.
There were four daughters in the Gideon Purser Family. One was my maternal grandmother, Della. Her younger sister was Pearl.
Aunt Pearl was a unique person. She was tiny in stature with fine features. Her hair was combed straight back and usually tied in a bun on the back of her head.. She had a keen sense of humour. Her brown eyes were never without a mischievous twinkle. She and her older brother were my only known ancestors with brown eyes.
She was born Hatty Pearl, on Febuary 14, 1875 so might well have been called a Valentine Baby.
Years passed. A young man from England by the name of John Collins came into her life.
They were married,you guessed it, on Febuary 14, 1899, exactly one hundred years ago. She was a Valentine Bride.
They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on Febuary 14, 1949.
Aunt Pearl died April 23, 1953. Uncle John followed June 28, 1957.
God gave me the privelege in 1938, when I was nineteen, of spending the summer with Uncle John and Aunt Pearl .
Theoretically, I was there to get one year's farm experience in two months so I could enter the Ontario Agricultural College in the Fall.
However, I learned a great deal from them and their son Ray about the true meaning of life. My pay was
75 cents per day plus my board. I was probably overpaid.
After breakfast each morning, Aunt Pearl read a Scripture passage, then, on our knees, Uncle John prayed.
At noon, without leaving his chair, Uncle John would lean back and sleep. Aunt Pearl would turn on the radio and we listened to " Our Gal Sunday". Promptly at one o'clock,Uncle John wakened and was ready to return to work.
Uncle John taught me how to plough with a team of horses and a single furrow walking plough. That means that I walked just like the horses.
Love is the Theme and Purpose of Valentine's Day.. May the Spirit of St.Valentine's day be with each of us throughout the year.
Lloyd Mitton of Chatham, Ontario, Canada, celebrated his 80th birthday in 1999 by sharing some personal thoughts:
This is another of those 'passage of time' messages that you occasionally receive from me.
All birthdays are special but some are extra special. Consequently, my bent for History spurs me to recall a few events and memories.
Some details are recorded as follows from a Baby Book kept by my mother,Vergie.
Born: At 9.30 a.m., Thursday, March 6, 1919 to Mr. & Mrs. Leslie B. Mitton, a boy, Russell Lloyd, Weight 8 1/4 pounds and Height 22 inches. His birth took place at the residence of his grandparents Humbert and Della Graves in Thamesville, Ontario.
A number of firsts are recorded or remembered.
First tooth - nine months, first steps - fourteen months.
1926 - first memory of a long car ride by Model T Coupe to Windsor.
1927 - first radio voice over a crystal set.
1929 - first buggy ride ( pulled not pushed ).
1934 - first aeroplane ride. A barnstormer landed in a field outside the village and offered to take
people for rides for a small fee. My mother gave me a dollar and her blessing. A dollar was
a huge sum at that time. It was a memorable flight in a World War 1 WACO biplane.
1936 - first trip to Quebec.
1937 - first and only visit to see the Dionne Quintuplets.
Of course there were many more firsts too numerous to mention. There are two meanings of the word
first. One I have used to denote the passage of time or chronological. The other use of first places
things in order of importance or priorities. Both will crop up in the balance of this letter.
When I was a young lad, the most common adult question was " What are you going to be when you grow up?" I usually replied astronomer or train engineer. The first was because I was intrigued by the celestial bodies. The second was because whenever I met the train to pick up my papers for delivery, I was overwhelmed with the power of that tremendous locomotive. Neither objective worked out.
Now that I am eighty years old, the most common question is " Don't you wish you could start over
and be young again?" Of course, my answer is a gentle no.
My reason is simple. I would have missed too much.
Many people have touched my life in so many ways. These fellow travellors on the journey of life have entered my life at different times and in different circumstances.
Consider for a moment that a person living to be my age is influenced by some seven generations. Most of my great grandparents were born in the 1840's. Our great grandchildren born in the last five years have a potential life span until 2080. That is a total of 240 years.
I was fortunate to be born into a family of loving parents and grandparents. At a Family Reunion in
1935, I met a ptetty young lady who is my fifth half cousin. We have a common great, great grandmother.
After courting for seven years while I received an education, Ina and I were married in 1942. If the Lord is Willing, we shall be married 57 years in 1999.
We were blessed with two fine sons, Bob and Don, who have thrived in their respective vocations.
There are so many special memories in my life that I hesitate to give any one priority but there are a few
that stand out. I'llstart with two old friends.
Bill came to live in Thamesville when I was eight. He started me on the hobby of stamp collecting in which I still have an interest. Later, Bill was Best Man at our wedding. He is still an active photographer.
Don was a fellow student during my college days. We did student labour at the cow barns for the princely sum of twenty cents an hour. After serving in the Air Force, Don went to Costa Rica as an
Agricultural Missionary. We have visited there on three occasions. Although retired Don is still very active.
Our two great wartime leaders were Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt. We listened attentively when Churchill said "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" describing the Battle of Britain. Roosevelt said "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" on Pearl Harbour day.
My pick of Canadian Prime Ministers are John Diefenbaker and Lester Pearson. I have a hand written letter from the former. They both lived exemplary lives and told the truth.
At the age of fourteen, with three other Boy Scouts from Thamesville, we travelled by Special train to London. There we saw Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Boy Scout movement.
On three occasions, I have been priveleged to attend a Billy Graham Crusade. Billy and I are contempories. When asked if he had noticed something special in his ministry years, he responded
'the brevity of life'. This is so true. We have been alive 1/25 th of the time that has elapsed since Christ was born in Bethlehem.
High on my list of memories are experiences received through membership in the Gideons. For over forty years, I have been priveleged to present the Good News to boys and girls in Elementary Schools. Their smiles are my reward. In 1980, I was priveleged to be a member of a team of Gideons who travelled to Brazil. We went to assist our Brazilian Brothers in a mass distribution of scriptures. Several interpreters worked with me and I enjoyed every minute of it.
In my various vocations, three in all, I was priveleged to meet and work with so many wonderful people. Now retired for fifteen years, I thank God that this continues every day including new contacts by E-mail.
I close with an observation, a wish and a passage of scripture.
To-day is the First Day of the rest of our Lives. Whether your life span will reach eighty years is not as important as living a Productive and Happy life in the years allotted to you.
Paul writes in II Corinthians 4 : 16. (NIV) " Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day".
In September, 1999, Lloyd Mitton reminisced about his old school days at Thamesville, Ontario:
In Canada,the day following Labour Day has become known as " Back to School " day. Tomorrow, thousands of our children will be setting out for school for the very first time.
On September 3rd 1924, a mere seventy-five years ago,this unique experience happened to me. Beginners attended school in a classroom located in the Town Hall of Thamesville. This beautiful building was located at the center of the village which had a population of 800 at that time.. In addition
to the schoolroom, there was the Clerk's Office,theVillage Library, the Police Lock-up and the Fire Hall.
The Central Tower features a clock with faces for all four directions. The bell in the tower rang at seven, twelve, one and six o'clock to spell out the working hours of the day. Curfew sounded at nine in the evening to clear the streets of all youth. At 10.45 a.m. Sunday, it summoned worshippers to church.
Fortunately,this building has been maintained and restored although it no longer serves as a school.
Click on the following Website to view.
http://www.harrypalmergallery.ab.ca/galwaront/thames.html
Our teacher,Miss Causgrove, was a dainty little lady with white hair who had been a career teacher. In addition to teaching, she played the organ and led the choir at the Methodist Church.
I possess a class photo taken on the Town Hall steps. The photo includes 24 boys and 14 girls for a total of 38 pupils. For the first few months, I was in what was called Letter Class. Then I was promoted
to Primer. This prepared me for the long walk to the Big School and First Class the following September.
When we started to school, our only requirement was a slate and slate pencil. The teacher used chalk to write on the slate blackboard. We were supposed to carry a little cloth with which to clean our slates. However,many chose to wipe their slates with their sleeves with saliva to provide moisture. Hardly sanitary, but verified by my friend Chuck, one of the 24.
Much as I liked school, recess was still my favourite subject. We played around a large Maypole. Chains fastened to the top of the pole hung loosely with hand grips at the other end. These rotated around the steel pole. If you ran fast enough, one could become air-borne. The other activity
was running around the Town Hall. In a recent conversation with Frances, one of the 14, she accused me of chasing her around the school trying to kiss her. We both knew that I would have chickened out if she had been caught. Frances is eight days younger than me. Back then, our homes were only about half a block apart.
My Grandfather, Humbert Graves, had a small Grocery and Feed Store on the main corner of the Village. He supposedly sold ice cream. However,I believe that he kept it just to treat his grandchildren and
their friends. Although he died when we were young, my friends of "little school " days have never forgotten him.
My wife Ina was a country lass. She attended a rural school in Croton. When she started school at age six, she walked the two miles with her sisters. After they left for High School, she made the long walk
alone. She also used a slate and apparently some of her peers used the same method to clean their slates as recorded at Thamesville.
We lived on the farm after our marriage. Our older son,Bob, had to walk about two miles when he started to the rural Tecumseh School. It was named after the great Indian Chief who was killed nearby. By this time slates were outdated but walking wasn't.
God blessed us throughout Elementary School years with committed, career teachers. They gave us not only fundamental knowledge but a sense of values to go with it.
As I look at the photo of Rose Causgrove and her students, I am convinced that she was aware that God had a plan for each of us and her task was to get us off to the right start. The girls became nurses, teachers, secretaries and homemakers. The boys became doctors, teachers, carpenters, bakers,
farmers, executives and craftsman. Many served their King and Country in World War II.
Occasionally, I am in the Town Hall. Beside the stairway to the old classroom remains the School Bell to call us from recess. I always pull the cord to hear it chime. Little feet no longer come running but if you stop and listen quietly with your mind's ear, you can hear the laughter of children at play. May it never cease!
The Wisdom of Solomon Proverbs 22; 6
Train a child in the way he should go and,when he is old, he will not turn from it.
P.S. This is my ninth effort to convey in print some of my fondest memories. My cherished hope is that it will rekindle the memories of your first days at School.
The following "Memories for Thanksgiving" (1999) was written by Lloyd Mitton:
Thanksgiving Day in Canada is a statutory Holiday. It is observed on the second Monday of October. In a sense, it coincides with Harvest Time. Traditionally, it is celebrated with family gatherings and a feast of roast turkey with all the trimmings.
Thanksgiving is a special day in several other countries on various dates. Prior to 1931, Canada 's Thanksgiving coincided with Armistice Day on November 11th.
In the late twenties, I recall our family travelling to Brampton on that day in our 1928 Oldsmobile. It was snowing lightly. In almost every community we passed through, New Hamburg, Stratford, Guelph, there were military parades.
The parades were large with World War 1 having ended only ten years before. Soldiers in their khaki uniforms, with their distinctive leg puttees, were marching and remembering. Our flag at the time, the Union Jack, was very prominent.
Those of us priveleged to be parents know that the first words a child is taught to say are Mother and Dad or a derivative thereof. Soon after, they are taught to say please and thank you. Most of us can
remember prompting our offspring with "What do you say?" when they receive a gift or a kindness. In due course, they get the idea.
There are examples that this early training is basic to the future. For instance Ina and I effortlessly thank each other when she gives me toast and I pour her coffee for breakfast.
It is humbling to realize the multitude of times when we fail to express thanks when thanks are warranted. Following are a few occasions when I remembered and was subsequently rewarded.
In my last year at Ridgetown High School, I had a remarkable teacher,Olive Clark. She taught athematics and taught with authority. She enabled me to get high marks in the three that I took. When the school year ended, I wrote her a letter of thanks. In return, I receiveda reply that has been an inspiration to this day.
My brother Lorne and I purchased ten purebred Aberdeen Angus heifers. They were only six months old but a foundation for an accredited herd. The problem was that they had to be T.B. tested.. Fortunately, the veterinarian responsible came quickly as a result of a phone call. In appreciation, I sent him a thank you note. This fostered a lasting friendship. He maintained that I was the only person who ever thanked him, which I doubt.
In November 1948, I was stricken with phlebitis and blood clots (emboli) in both lungs. A specialist, Dr.L.D.Wilcox, came from London to Thamesville and diagnosed the problem and its severity. Taken by ambulance to Victoria Hospital, London, I was near death for four days. Dr.Wilcox cared for me over the next nine weeks in the hospital.
Although I thanked him verbally at the time, I sent a letter of thanks about twenty years later. His reply is still treasured. Here is a direct quote from it. " Some place in the Holy Scripture it is recorded that Our Lord cleansed ten lepers and made them well. You may recall that only one of the ten turned to say 'thanks' ". At the age of 84, Dr.Wilcox died in 1989.
During my hospital stay, I received many letters and cards. However a large envelope came one day bearing letters from every student at the local Tecumseh rural school. As a Trustee of the school, I had been partly instrumental in getting Ontario Hydro to run a new hydro line an extra mile to reach the school. During my illness,the newly installed lighting system had been turned on for the first time. Miss Barbara Bain,the teacher, sent the thank you notes and letters that the boys and girls had composed. It was a wonderful lift. I still have the envelope and contents that meant so much to me.
The motivation to express thanks is triggered by another's giving. This giving may take different forms including time, talent or financial.
In a nation as affluent as Canada, there is a tendency to take for granted the Blessings we enjoy. Perhaps Thanksgiving should be a day of reflection on these Blessings. Personally, I can think of thousands of Blessings for which to give thanks past, present and future. I am grateful for the sojourners who have entered my life along the way and who have contributed immeasurely many things for which I need to thank them.
Most of all, I am thankful to God, a Loving Heavenly Father, who cares for each of us. Without him, Blessings would be non existant. St. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:20 " in everything give thanks".
As with previous Memories, this one carries with it my wish that you will be reminded of areas in your life where Thanks and Giving are in order. I am grateful for the privelege of sending my thoughts via your computer from time to time and for your gracious response.
Received on 16 December 1999, "Christmas Memories - the Twenties" was written by Lloyd Mitton:
Let me turn back the pages of time to the period known as the Roaring '20s. Visit, with me, a village of 800 souls in South Western Ontario called Thamesville. I live there with my parents and two brothers at 98 London Street.
My parents,Leslie and Vergie Mitton,operate a Department Store including Millinery, Shoes, Dry Goods and Groceries. Christmas is approaching. The focal point of goods on display is the large toy department. What more could a boy ask for?
Toys are made of wood and metal. Plastic was still to be discovered. Toy cars are propelled by springs that wind for batteries are in the future. Cap guns including Big Bill and Repeaters are much in evidence ready to fire a noisy cap of gunpowder. Be careful to keep it away from your face.
Two popular items are Tinker Toy and Meccano sets. Building Blocks with numbers and letters on them are popular too. The most beautiful dolls are made of china with the cheaper and smaller ones of rubber.
Dad has an electric Lionel Train in one store window. While many of my playmates are looking on, I have the unique privelege of operating the train. It's hard to be humble in this situation. I'm afraid that I'm not.
Prices for toys are proportionate to other items. Dad sells six 24 ounce loaves of bread for a quarter on Saturdays. Mother sells print cotton dresses for 98 c.
Down the street at Hubbell's Hardware a miniature mechanical Santa Claus taps on the window with a little metal wand to attract attention.
On the saltless snow covered streets, farmers with horses and bob-sleighs or cutter glide along. It is so much fun to hitch a ride on a bob-sleigh. Most farmers enjoy the uninvited guests.
Our living quarters is an apartment over the store, The livingroom and bedrooms are over the front of the store. Dining room, kitchen and pantry are over the warehouse area. Pump and sink are in the pantry. The Maytag wooden washer sits on a landing off the kitchen. Beside it is the wash tub for Monday morning and Saturday night use. The balance of the bathroom facilities are located about twenty paces outside the back door.
On Christmas Eve, we prepare for Santa's visit by placing a length of dowling over two straight backed chairs. The dowling comes from the center of a roll of table oilcloth saved for this purpose. Stockings are clipped to it in anticipation that an orange and hard rock candy will fill them.
The Christmas Tree of spruce is only up for a few days because the needles fall. Candles in little clip-ons with some ornaments and tinsel decorate the tree. Tree candles are never lit because of the danger of
fire.
On Christmas morning, we each receive one gift from Santa after checking to see if he ate the Christmas cake that we left for him.
In the midst of the Great Depression, our family is probably among the most fortunate. Many of my friends live in homes that are ' on relief '.
My Graves Grandparents live in the nice house where I was born a few years ago. Grandma keeps a set of toys to play with at her house. They are kept in a closet under the stairs. My favourite is the little lead
soldiers with painted red coats, numerous enough to stage mock battles. There is a skeleton in that closet. His name is Billy. Billy is a boy doll that I liked to play with. Billy is a secret between Grandma and me.
Many activities take place at the church. There are carols and a concert with dramas and drills on a huge stage constructed at the front of the auditorium. A Christmas Tree is on the south side. We had practised for many weeks for this big event. My Christmas spirit was dampened a bit because I had
to sing a duet, with a girl no less. Well, I guess that is supposed to help prepare me for life.
Speaking of preparation for life, my parents and others see that it is not lost on me that Christmas is to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.
Three Quarters of a Century later, I warmly recall numerous people of that day who had a profound influence on my future.
Isaiah, seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, foretold His coming in many ways. Chapter 9 verse 2 is one of my favourites.
" The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light ; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. " KJV.
In the Twenties, lights were limited to a dropcord in most rooms. Streetlights were dim at best. To-day, energy has been harnessed so that here in Canada light prevails everywhere. Our homes, stores and streets are ablaze with multi coloured lights to celebrate Christmas.
May these material lights remind us of the great spiritual light to be found through the Babe of Bethlehem, The Light of The World.
On Christmas Eve, we attend a Candlelight Service at our church. It concludes with the auditorium in total darkness. A single match lights a single candle. From this one candle, hundreds of candles are lit. It's a touching reminder to each of us to walk in the Light.
It is my wish that my memories will bring memories of some Christmas past to you. Be encouraged to build memories for the future. In your later years, they are your most cherished possessions.
May this be a Special Christmas for each of you and may the year 2000 be filled with Love, Joy and Peace.
More About RUSSELL LLOYD MITTON:
Individual Note: Known by his middle name "Lloyd"
Notes for INA ELIZABETH SMITH:
Ina and her husband, Lloyd Mitton, celebrated their 57th anniversary in 1999 and Lloyd shared his memories:
Three important events are remembered in the days of early summer. Father's Day is of more recent origin than my early memories. Canada's Birthday is July 1st with a holiday to observe. Sandwiched in between is our Wedding Anniversary.
Many of you will be familiar with " How we met " articles in the Ann Landers newspaper column. This is our " How we met " story and how it developed to the anniversary stage.
It was July 1st,1935, the 68th birthday of the Dominion of Canada. King George V and Queen Mary were reigning monarchs. The British Empire was still intact. The Great Depression was nearing an end.
The McColl Reunion on that day had been organized by a group of First Cousins to honour the memory of their grandmother, Christina better known as Granny McColl.
The gathering took place at Rondeau Provincial Park in the Picnic Area. There was a good attendance of the cousins and their children. The next generation had a limited number.
However, this limited number included a beautiful, blue eyed blonde who I had never seen before. Perhaps that should be phrased that I had never noticed before. A casual conversation revealed that her grandfather, Peter Morgan and my grandfather, Humbert Graves were two of the first cousins. Her name was Ina Smith.
One of the first events of the sports was a contest to see who could tie a necktie the fastest. After Ina got a few lessons on the how of tying a tie from my Dad, of all people, she proceeded to win the contest by tying my tie.. Could this be a portent of things to come?
When the sports finished, all were invited to gather around Aunt Annie Bryon Tiffin to hear the McColl Family History. She was a big lady who reminded me of Queen Victoria and she spoke with the same degree of authority.
Since her presentation preceded my interest in genealogy by many years,another project beckoned. On my suggestion, Ina readily agreed to accompany me to the boat dock. Here,we proceeded to rent an inboard motorboat for the princely sum of 75 cents per hour. We had an enjoyable get acquainted cruise on Rondeau bay. The motor didn't even stall.
As we returned for the sumptuous picnic meal, neither of us could possibly have foreseen or imagined the paths we would travel together for the balance of the century.
We met as Fifth Half Cousins. During the next few years, we became friends.
On occasional dates,we attended church,movies and community functions together. By the Fall of 1938 when I left for College, we were sweethearts with the dream that one day we would marry. During my four
years at the Ontario Agricultural College, we kept in touch by mail. Our weekly, and sometimes biweekly letters were delivered the next day only requiring 3 cents postage.
My journeys home were infrequent. Usually I had to hitch hike, often in my army uniform. To go by train or bus was expensive considering student labour paid only 20 cents per hour.
On arrival home at Thamesville, I would telephone Ina. When I cranked the phone and gave the operator the number 888, it wasn't unusual for the operator to welcome me home then say "I'll get Ina for you ". That reflects the beauty and closeness of a small village in those days.
On June 29th, 1941, Ina accepted the engagement ring which made our intentions known to one and
all. As with our marriage, the ring has stood the test of time.
As I look back there is an interesting sidelight to the purchase of the ring. The jeweller had been my friend through boyhood days. When I priced the rings, the one that I preferred cost $150.00. As I only had $ 75,00, he granted me the privelege of paying the balance at $10.00 monthly. He was a veteran
of the German Army of World War 1.
In late Spring of 1942, my service in the armed forces was terminated due to a lung infection. This was a major alteration in our plans. I graduated on May 12th and returned to the farm to regain my health.
Money to get married became a problem. When Mother died, I had inherited a five acre property in Thamesville which we farmed. When an offer of $500.00 to sell it came along, I accepted it. To-day that property is the location of some thirty homes south and east of Jane and Anne Streets. I still know that I got the best of the bargain.
We were married on June 27th in the parlour of the farm home of Ina's parents where she had grown up.
Following the reception there, we went to Chatham for Photos. Then we went to Rondeau Provincial Park where it all began seven years earlier. There we spent our honeymoon at our cottage. Gasoline was rationed so that was as far as we could go.
Two nights after we returned to the farm, Ina's friends from Croton came to visit us at mignight for the traditional chivaree. Cars driving in the lane without lights were silent until the familiar ticking of a
Model A Ford gave the secret away. We listened as they surrounded the house talking in low tones. Then the shot gun was fired accompanied by pan rattling and bells ringing. As we opened the woodshed door, a sea of faces greeted us. It was then our pleasure to treat all with candy.
We knew that we were married.
Fifty -seven years have passed.
With those years have come many mountain top experiences along with many trips through the valley. Rarely was our life together just routine. Needless to say, they all had a challenging part in shaping our lives.
This June 27th, we look forward to attending another Reunion north of Toronto. First Cousins, the grandchildren of Peter Morgan, will get together with their families at what is known as the Morgan Reunion.
We don't understand why we have been so Bleassed. We do know that it is only by the Grace of God that these memories are ours to share.
Life is Precious and at most, Brief.. Jesus in John 10:10 reminds us: " I am come that they might have LIFE and have it more abundantly ".
Children of RUSSELL MITTON and INA SMITH are:
