Jeanine Martin of Grand Forks, ND:Information about William Adam Allmaras
William Adam Allmaras (b. June 12, 1889, d. December 06, 1976)
More About William Adam Allmaras and Katherine Ackermann:
Marriage: November 19, 1918
Marriage Notes for William Adam Allmaras and Katherine Ackermann:
The following was compiled by Bill and Katherine's children:Ted & Naomi Allmaras, Kay, Sister Avis, Fr. Alfred Allmaras, and Helen Wishinsky during a visit at Kay's house in Seattle over Thanksgiving vacation.Larry and Martha had left early, returning to Minneapolis by plane (2005).
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Our father, Bill Almaras, was born in Wells County, ND on June 12, 1809.Our father and Adam Ullrich were first cousins, Mrs. Jake Allmaras (Mary Ullrich Almaras) being Adam's aunt.Pa went to school about three months of the year.He boarded one winter at a Benedictine school in western ND (what is now Richardton Abbey).He never went beyond school after he was fourteen years old.He farmed all his life. His father was a farmer and Bill received his first start by buying land from his father.He was given two quarters of land by his father and bought another quarter for $6000.
Mother was born in Reynolds, ND, June 29, 1895.When her parents moved the family to Wells County, the Ackermann family lived in a one-room tar paper shanty.Grandpa Ackermann pasted newspapers on the wall so the wind wouldn't blow in.There was a dirt floor.Mother had the distinction ofbeing in the first high school graduating class from New Rockford in 1914.She was 19 years old.Later she went to Valley City Normal School one summer, enough to begin her career as a teacher. So, she taught school, but did not like it.
Mother and Father knew each other all their lives, living in the same neighborhood.Mother called my father's father, "Uncle Jake".They attended the same house parties, church, and neighborhood parties, dances. etc.During their courtship, Father was already farming and had his own farm, and Mother was teaching in the community.They were married November 19, 1918. Mother was ready to give up her teaching career and start her lifetime career of motherhood and housewife.
Mother and Father lived on the same farm from the time they were married until they retired and moved to New Rockford, where they lived in mother's parent's home.Our Grandfather Ackermann was still living and mother cared for him for eight years until he died.They retired in in 1951, when their son, Ted, married and began farming the homestead.
Mother had gray hair, dark eyes,,,, and she watched her weight, having been teased about it while she was a child.Mother did not work outside the home.She worked constantly at home, always busy with things to be done.Mother always had a flower garden.Her passion was reading and she loved to travel.Mother was a good cook and excellent baker.Her bread and rolls were delicious.Favorite dishes were stew, mashed potatoes and gravy, pies, and spring fried chicken.
My parents were very much involved in the community, in church groups, and politics.Both were Catholic from birth.Religion was very important to them. The church was part of the social fabric of the community and they helped their neighbors. Sunday was a day for neighbors to visit and they often came to our house.They often had card parties in their home. The adults visited and played cards and the children played upstairs or outside.
Both my parents were laid back.They always took time out for any visitors.They rarely lost their temper.Pa liked to play with the children in the winter when we played cards or Monopoly.He was friendly and outgoing.Both had a good sense of humor and enjoyed jokes.Father hunted with his brothers and friends, and he enjoyed his grandchildren.He was the horse trainer as a young man on the farm.His father had many horses.He smoked pipes and cigars but worst of all, he chewed tobacco.
One sad time was when our sister died of cancer. They both cried at her death. They also cried when our brother was killed in the Korean War.The wars (WWII, Korean, and Vietnam) upset both my parents very much.Ma and Pa discussed politics and were very involved in the Nonpartisan League.Mother was 25 years old before she could vote and never missed an election after that.
Both my parents were very healthy.Pa died from cancer at 87.Neither was seriously ill until they were very elderly.Mother got alzheimer's when she was in her 80's.
As youngsters,we were taught that there is no such thing as a free ride.And be thankful for one's health and ability to work.Religion, education, and contributing to the community were an expectation for all. Our parents were genuinely honest, good, and caring.We were taught how to cook at a young age.All of us were told to do well in school.Mother wanted her daughters to be self-sufficient.And she wanted her sons to have an education so they wouldn't have "dead-end" jobs.
Christmas Eve was spent with the Ullrich's at our grandparent's home.We rotated where we ate for Thanksgiving.They were both important holidays.Easter was when we ate the first ham of the year's butchering.The food, of course, was wonderful.Celery and jello were big treats.
We lived with our grandparents during high school.We never would have had the chance to go to high school if we could not have stayed with them.Grandpa Ackermann always got along very well with my brothers.We have very fond memories of him.However, he was really mean to Grandma, a very saintly woman.She was a typical subservient housewife.
We all left home after high school.Our parents trusted us to make our way, giving us what assistance they could, which was minimal.All our uncles and aunts were good to us.They were generous in many ways.Emma was our life-time favorite.
Children of William Adam Allmaras and Katherine Ackermann are:
- Frances Allmaras, b. August 23, 1919, Bremen, ND, d. August 17, 1997, New Rockford.
- Elizabeth Allmaras, b. January 01, 1921, d. November 09, 1940.
- Catherine Allmaras, b. September 28, 1922.
- +William Allmaras, b. February 08, 1924, d. May 13, 1951.
- +Theodore Allmaras, b. June 01, 1925.
- +Edward Allmaras, b. September 13, 1926, Bremen, ND, d. January 31, 1998, Sun City West.
- +Helen Allmaras, b. January 15, 1928, Wells County, ND, d. September 08, 2007, Gardner, ND.
- +Donald Allmaras, b. May 21, 1929.
- Alfred Allmaras, b. October 19, 1931, Bremen Township, d. July 09, 2006, Anchorage, Alaska.
- Avis Allmaras, b. November 08, 1933.
- +Lawrence Allmaras, b. March 30, 1935.