"The Leatherman Place"

In the tradition of remembering a place or location in relation to people who once lived there, or nearby, generations ago, my mother was born 100 years ago today in a little three room house on a farm known as The Leatherman Place.
As a passenger along on one of those ubiquitus family outings of my youth, known as a Sunday Drive, we often took the dirt road west of town and north of Hwy 34 along what is now labeled on the maps as Dogwood Avenue and Mom would point out where she was born. I can remember when the house was still there but in later years all that remained was the barn. I wish we had stopped and taken pictures of the house on one of those Sunday drives.

Judging by the blooms on the Snowball bush, this early photo of Mom was taken in May when she was about four months old. I do believe Mom was squished into big sister Evelyn's doll buggy.

Another photo still at The Leatherman Place, I think, but a few months later. I want to caption the look on Mom's face; determination? Triumph because she's mastered sitting up? Or is she just wondering why daddy is drawing her attention so mommy can take the picture?

Mom would not have memories of living on the Leatherman place because the following spring the family of four moved NE of Villisca to the Findley? farm. Perhaps not known as that, but it was just west of Findley Cemetery. In June, baby sister Lois would complete the family of five.

Even with her eyes closed, you can see what a pretty child she was. Was this the family pet which influenced her life-long love of dogs?

A studio portrait of the three sisters, Evelyn, Lois and Ruth.

The three sisters along with their little cousin, Ray Inman.

Another studio portrait with the parents - Delphia, Ruth, Evelyn, Joseph and in front, Lois.

There is a big gap in the photos I have of Mom. This is a school picture taken either when she was a student at the school in Hacklebarney or after they moved to the Guss area.

Teen years.

Puppies and flowers.

All dressed up. Must have some place to go.

Her picture from her photo album displaying all the photo booth pictures of her friends during the time she began dating.

The sisters and their beaus - later, their husbands - Lois and Alvin, Evelyn and Howard, Ruth and Louis. One of the few pictures of Mom with her glasses on.

Such a beautiful young woman.

She, who found joy and laughter in life. The mother I remember and honor on this 100th anniversary of her birth.