January 1 – New Year’s Eve – Union Communion Service at Rockton Methodist Church – sermon CWW
January 4 – Communion Service
January 5 Dorcus
January 8 – Home Bible Class, pastor – 14, Gospel of Luke, A woman’s Gospel.
January 11 sermon – “Go Faster”
January 22; Masonic Election, Grace and I to Poplar Grove, Credit Union.
January 25 sermon; “A Way of Life”. Pray for new President, Grace and I to Walworth, Stars and Striped, Jean and children. Overnight at Harriett’s.
February 8 Scout Sunday “The boy who was always asking questions – Thomas Edison”, 20 scouts, Cubs and Explorers. Grace and I to Walworth, Dave, Harriett.
February 16; Emerson – Carlton Williams, “You are God’s Farm”
February 19 talk on Lincoln, three decisions.
February 20; Union Worlds Day of Prayer, Rockton Methodist Church, My Mother’s birthday. She would be 104 today.
February 22 sermon. “Faith of Washington in the goodness of God” Baptisms, David Clark Warren, Stephen Paul Dwyer. Potluck dinner at church, Bill and Pat, Auntie Grace at dinner, Jane, Charlie and boys came at 4 PM Lunch nine of us enjoyed cookies and ice cream. I brought over Joyce Schaeffer’s oil painting of me for family appraisal. Wonderful family reunion. Bill left at 5:30, Jane at 7:00
March 8 sermon – “The Holy Spirit”. Jane and family for dinner
March 13; first robin in front yard.
March 15 sermon, “Thomas was not there when Jesus came”, Bob, Jean and boys arrive at 2 am. Jane and family here for dinner. At Fosters with Jean and Jane.
March 22 sermon. “He trusted 11 men”. Dinner, Jean and boys, Jane and family, Grace and I “Life of Christ”, high school.
March 23: Jean’s 24th birthday, supper, cake (Julie Kastner) Jean and boys, Jane and boys, Grace & I.
March 28: Pat and Bill for supper, Jane came at 7:30 to say goodbye to Bill & Pat, Jean, Grace and I. Jane and Chas started for Alabama Sunday a.m.
March 29 sermon “In the name of the Lord.” Baptisms 1. William Rudolph Larson born February 10th, 1952 Appleton, Wisconsin, parents Robert and Jean Larson.(etc) Bob & Jean for dinner, left at 3 pm.
March 31: Grace to Dr.Mann.
(April 23 news clipping morning sermon on April 26 will be “Three Temptations of a Leader” to work for self, to work for popularity, or to compromise.” Text Matthew chapter 4 verses one through 11.)
May 10 sermon; Mother’s Day, “Mary’s son”/ Text Luke chapter 2 verse 51.
May 24 sermon; marching without maps
May 27 took Grace to Wisconsin General Hospital,, Madison 10:30 am.
May: home at 10 am. Found Jane and Chucky.
June 1; Harriett and I to Madison. Arrived 10 am. Grace operation 10:30, back in her room 1:30. I left at 4:30 Harriett stayed. Grace rallied in good spirit and seemed real bright. Looks very hopeful.
June 5; Left for Madison 9:30, visited with Grace until noon. After lunch found Harriett at hospital. Grace much better, hopes to be home in a week. Harriett came home with me, she went up by train. Visited with sister and family at Whitewater. Back to Walworth. Home at 9pm. Grace had an operation, malignant pollop not serious as only one end of piece of intestine removed was malignant, the balance untouched by disease. Doctor said she was recovering nicely and unless complications set in should be able to leave hospital in about a week.
June 10 brought Grace home from Madison Hospital.
June 14 to Poplar Grove. Dedication, new church.
July 4: worked in garden.
July 5 sermon; “With Wings as Eagles” Grace in church for first time since operation. Rain
July 6: Steeple fund robbed.
July 14: Dick’s birthday, 29.
July 16: Grace 75th birthday.
July 18: Betty phoned, invites me to come out next summer.
July 26 sermon: “An Unexpected Answer to Prayer” Acts chapter 2 verses one through 17. Peter released from prison.
August 2 sermon, :When God says no.” Last Sunday before vacation.
August 5 to Wausau. Met Jean and boys. Bob came at six.
August 6: drove with Bob on his route, Merrill, Rhinelander, Tomahawk, Good visit on salesmanship. Jane phone from Farmer City to Jean. In Illinois near Bloomington.
August 7, Charlie, Jane and boys came with car at 6 pm. Left trailer at Farmer City, Ill.. Charlie returned same night. Will come back with trailer next Tuesday for a week at carnival at Wausau. Jane expects her third baby soon. Dr. Hammes has been engaged.
August 8: read, The World’s Best, edited by Whit Burnett. Carl Sandberg’s Lincoln at Gettysburg, Archibald McLeish poem in prose, “My Wife” Oxford Book of American verse, FO Matheson, Emily Dickinson. “Icannot live with you”. Robert Frost, Fire and Ice; Vachel Lindsay, Gen. Willism Booth Enters into Heaven.
August 9: Jane and Catholic neighbors to Catholic Church at 9:30 am. Jane and I to First Presbyterian Church at 10:30. Sermon “A Father;s Mistake: (sermon good but negative). Was glad to worship where Jean sings in the choir 10 months in the year. A beautiful church. “Shame” Jean, Bob and I. Jane stayed with the children.
August 10: Charlie phoned he will not come to Wausau. Goes to Lincoln, Ill. Mellon and Elkhorn, Wisconsin instead.
August 12: Jean, Joe and I to Land O Lakes Saw Mrs. Pitts, Harlan and wife, Jess and Ina Laundry. Mr. & Mrs. Frank Sparks, Rev. Fred Babcock, his sister and brother -in-law, Mr. & Mrs. Chas Neff, Mrs. Geo. St. Clair, Harvey Croker, age 89,and Ann Hill. Babcock showed us his Boy Scout Camp on Ethel Lake, where 60 scouts have camped this summer from Land O Lakes, Conover and Watersmeet. Saw our old cabin on Black Oak lake. Sad site. On the was home via County trunk B saw my first deer for many years. Looked for shrine at rear of parsonage.
August 13: Bill’s 32nd birthday. Bob returned at 4:00 from four day trip to Ashland.
August 14: Jane and boys started for Rockton with me. Arrived 2:30pm. I drove Jane and boys to Savana. Left boys with W.D.Ott, 9 Karney St. Jane and I got back to Rockton 2:30am
August 15: Charlie came for Jane 6 am, left for Wausau by his car, not trailer. I left Beloit 11;45 am. Mrs. Nye drove me to Beloit,, arrived Chicago 2:15pm. Lunch, phoned Ralph Warren, will go to University of Illinois this fall for mechanical engineering course. I left Chicago, hummingbird at 4:30 pm. I had phoned Dick from Rockton to meet me at 7:20 Sunday morning. He said the L&N brings the Pullman section in on a local train. Coaches arrived at 5:50. Pullman 7:20
August 16: arrived Birmingham 7:40 am. Dick and Debby met me at depot. Drove 15 miles to school. Ethel and little Dick had bacon and eggs, coffee and cereal ready. As the Congregational church is closed for August we did not go to church. Rest and visited until 11:00 then all went swimming. Debby and little Dick love the water. Lunch at noon. Nap and another swim in pm later. Dinner at seen followed by an evening of talk bringing all family problems up to date. I look forward to an ideal vacation in this delightful spot in the Valley of northern Alabama.
August 17: breakfast at eight, Dick in library. Ernestine, colored maid, comes each Monday, Wednesday and Friday to wash, iron, and clean. From Helena. Dick goes for her at seven o clock takes her home at three. Two swims today, one with family of Ted Coleman, science teacher,, children, Teddy age 9 (good swimmer) Nikki age 3. Evening talk about meetings with parents. Student government: :Educo:, to call forth. What is education? Student mayor son of a miner, unusual possibility in this boy. Dick may brink it out, call it forth.
August 18: breakfast 8 o’clock. Helped Dick wash dishes. Talk:James Michener, how he wrote “Bridge at Toyko Ri” Flash of inspiration, he got it off the ground. Who will write the great book? – The new “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”? Discussed Paul’s letters to Romans and Galations. Only one swim today at 4 pm. Bike ride with Teddy. Trails and hideouts in forest along lake. Quite the boy – Kit Carson type. He said grown-ups don’e ride bikes. I appreciate the compliment. Also Mrs. McDaniels operates store I used to visit on a bike trip referred to me as “the rugged Yankee:.
August 19: Dick,Ethel, Debby and I to Homewood for groceries. Swim in rain at 11:30. Dick and I inspected new gym. Dick will be coordinator for 10th grade, combining history and English. His room to be upstairs in gym. A new idea in teaching in last 25 years. Rain, Swim 4 pm. Bike ride, Evening talk. Letters to parents; Boys evaluation, teachers, Course, history of religions.
August 20: two swims. Bike ride with Teddy. Trails through woods, cemetery,trees – blossoms. Evening talk. Rockton church. Financial canvass, calls to Baraboo, Rockton, Future – preach or teach? Eisenhower – Stevenson.
August 21: two swims, inspected new gym.
August 22: bike ride . African mimosa Mr. Wheeler. Evelyn, Parents not to blame. Evening talk about preaching in logging camps, Louis Ralph. Rev. Henry M. Edmonds, pastoral counseling.
August 23: heard Dr. Henry M. Edmonds at 6th Ave. Presbyterian Church. A Congregationalist. Dr. Edmonds preached on :The two essentials: One Discover and develop your personality, Two. Give it sway. Use it for some worthy cause, bigger than yourself.
August 24: read to Dick and Ethel the first draft of my book “seek ye the Lord:. The account of my trip through the logging camps and how I came to go to northern Wisconsin.
August 25: Dick and I drove Mr. Swartz, a candidate for language teacher, to the airport and brought back another candidate. Mr. McBride, for the same position. Tonight I read the second chapter of my diary, the story of Mrs. Litford, to Dick and Ethel. They approved the preaching style of presenting the story and my definition of a miracle. Visited with Mr. Wheeler, friend of Mr. Woodward, the story of his will and how the school was started. An entrancing story of a millionaire dream of a school for boys.
August 26: Dick and I to Birmingham, Dr. Ramage, First Presbyterian Church classmate of Peter Marshall. Seminary,, Decatur Georgia , Met Katy, widow of colored janitor. She knew Peter :a good man:, Saw men’s class where Peter taught. This class financed him for two years in seminary. Visited with Dr. Edmonds, director, interchurch counseling. He knew “Bro Brian”, friend of Peter Marshall. Regaled us with stories of early days. Six pastors, two lawyers, two doctors two psychiatrists are available especially for family problems. Edmonds knew Mr. Woodward. Left a Presby church over doctrinal differences and started independent Presbyterian Church. Stayed there 27 years. Built new church. South is a great field for independent movements. Only one Congregational church (Pilgrims) Dick’s church.
August 28: Dick and I to Montgomery, 85 miles. Expected to see MacGladery family. Got to Maxwell field 10 am, learned they had left a half hour ago for the Gulf for a three week vacation. Saw state capital. Legislature in session. Jefferson Davis inaugurated here. 1851 president of Confederacy. Visited the little White House where Davis family lived for six months until capitol was removed to Richmond, Virginia. Visited archives of history and industries.
August 29: Fenton Hudson arrived. Graduated Depew in June. Two swims. Movies by Fenton in evening.
August 30: Dr. Henry Edmonds preached at 6th Ave. Presbyterian Church Sermon, youth adventuring. Fenton left for Mount Pleasant. Swim with five faculty families. Talked with Charles Brian about the club. Dick a “natural”. Evening discussion write up of Gus Shute. Power of spoken word.
August 31: Dick, Ethel and I to Birmingham. Saw David Wood, born in Scotland. Friend of Peter Marshall. Persuaded him to come to Birmingham, age 23, worked circulation department, Birmingham news. Followed all through his religious career. Devoted friend. Lunch Mrs. Todd’s Letter from J.M.
September 1: two swims. Finished writing story of Ronald Dede. Last evening talk. Matthew 18 & 19. discussed plans for next Christmas. Dick plans to come up.
September 2: Dick drove up the mountain. Beautiful Lake and Dam. Talked about family reunion Rockton Christmas and sermon material for next three months. A new kind of challenge such as I have never faced. Building for future of Rockton church. Will leave at 7:30 tonight via hummingbird for Chicago. Roomette.
September 3: arrived in Chicago 10 am. Phoned Ralph. Sorry to learn he was leaving in half an hour for wedding and funeral. Warren enters University of Illinois soon course in mechanical engineering. Visited Methodist Cathedral on Washington St. Christ overlooking Jerusalem and Chicago. Chapel 400 feet above loop. “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde:. Abbott/Costello. Home 8:30 pm.
September 4: inspected new Maple floor of church. Work done by Einar Nelson.
September 5: talked with Ray Nakkan and the Hickses about my future. Agreed on date of September 21 for meeting of church council. Ray finished preparing fountain in church yard. Called Grace. Expect to go for her Monday afternoon.
September 6: sermon call of Abraham and Peter Marshall.
September 7: Tom Jensen finished ceiling & church floor. To Walworth. Flowers for cemetery. Visit Jean Suhr. Home 9 pm with Grace. Phoned Bill & Pat.
September 8: men began putting in church pews. Floor waxed.
September 9: took Grace to hospital, Madison. Home 7:30pm.
September 10: Roy Brown took me to Friendship, Wisconsin for judging of calves, sheep and pigs. Roy judged pigs. He is the only judge not a university professor. Enjoy good visit coming and going.
September 11: wrote Dick and Betty about future possibilities after January 1st.
September 12: three weddings
September 13: sermon, Call of Moses. Bill, Pt & David.
September 14: caned tomatoes. Grace – Mrs. Nye and picnic lunch at Sugar Grove preserve. Talk with Dr. Ellis about future plans.
September 17: bizaar – chicken supper, Harriet and Grace and I had supper at church. Drove to Rockford, Met Charlie at 7th St. Festival ( met Willie). Took him to Forreston to see Eddie at sauerkraut day. Charlie expects to work in Rockford until Jane’s baby arrives then go south. “Aunt Deborah” Ferry enters Realm of Glory.
September 18: phoned Bob & Jane (Jean at store) about death of Aunt Deborah. Called Pat, Wired Betty. Helped Gil’s clean up after supper. Church iron railing front steps.
September 20 sermon: Call of Samuel.
September 21: Bill, Pat and I to Evanston. Funeral services Mrs. Deborah Ferry. Auntie Grace and Mrs. Nye stayed with David. 20 at church council. Voted to accept a letter of resignation, effective about January 1, next.
SEPTEMBER 22: Portrait Kenneth Peterson
September 24: portraits Boy Scouts – Dr. Ellis
September 27 sermon: Call of David. Announced resignation effective January 1st.
OCTOBER 5 Dorcus: Officers Finance committee
October 8: funeral Harold A. Sprague. Jane – Chucky – Mary Jane with Jean – Bob arrived from Wausau.
October 10: Jean-Bob children leave for Wausau.
October 11 sermon: Losing and Finding God. Seven baptisms Jean – Chucky – Mary Jane start for Savanna Illinois to meet Charlie – Monty.
October 12: Grace – Mrs. Nye and I lunch at White Pine park. Blackhawk statute. Raked – burned leaves.
October 18 sermon: Congregational churches. My last Association meeting.
October 25 sermon: whither thou goest I will go chapter 1 verse 16. Interview Rev. Leo L. Dewarson.
November 1 sermon: Martin Luther. 13 boys in Sunday school class. Grace and I to Beloit Chapel Dr. Rowell. Appreciation of spiritual values.
November 8 sermon: King David and that hymn books. Hudson for church and dinner. I preached at Poplar Grove. Jean sang Lord’s Prayer. Lila Gayton played. Auntie Grace went with us. Meeting at Roscoe for Inter Church Young Folks. I was unable to go.
November 15 sermon: Make Bible Mean more.
November 22 sermon: the Understanding Christ. 16 members received – Clayton & Hulda Arnold, George, Rae & Larry Anderson, Mary Baker, Alfred, Clara & June Bradbury, Anton, Katharin & Jackie Janssen, Mrs. Pearl & Carolyn McQuality, Mrs. Mina Williams, Mrs. Dale Wetzel. Dick phoned Jean & Bob – Dick, Bill, Pat & David.
November 23: Dick and I drove to Rockford to visit Jane and children. Took package from Ott’s. Charlie works at Nehi bottling work for last four weeks. Live in trailer. Sold Chevrolet car. Bought Buick. All in good health.
November 24: Dick, Grace and I see films. Martin Luther and The Robe at Rockford. Called on Jane and Charlie. Car ride home 8:30 pm. Dick helped make plans for disposing of house hold goods. Car etc. He is headed for Buffalo for meeting of the national council for the social studies, history teachers.
November 25: Dick, Grace and I to Aurora and Walworth. Grace stayed at Walworth.
November 26: Grace to Chicago, dinner with Josephine. Bill and family dinner at Babcock’s Chicago. Dick by plane to Buffalo for meeting of national Council for the social studies. History teachers. I had a wedding at 2pm with reception.
November 29 sermon: How the carols came to be written.
December 1: Roscoe business men’s club. Don Hicks gave me a sendoff. My last meeting wit this wonderful club.
December 6: sermon: The King was troubled.
December 7: Clark Wright brought Dr. Robert Allen to parsonage. Acandidate for pulpit from Lincoln Nebraska.
December 13 sermon: Wrapped in Swaddling Cloths.
December 14: sold car to Harold Reynolds for $500.00. Called on Jane 2530 S. Main. Brought home high chair. Charlie plans to go to Ohio looking for work.
December 15: guild Christmas party. Talk by CWW Christmas in Many Lands.
December 19 practice for Christmas program.
December 20 sermon: His Name Emmanuel 4pm program.
December 21: Emerson
December 22: funeral. Supper at church court of honor. I received Boy Scout statuette for 12 years service as secretary of Rockton Scout committee. My name engraved.
December 24: Jean and family arrived at 10am. Stayed at Rudy’s. He has sold his store and lives at E. Grand Ave.
December 25: Dick, Ethel, Debby, Dick, Jean Bob, Joe, Bill, Jane, Charlie, Chucky, Monty, May Jane, Auntie Grace and Dad for 1 O’clock dinner. Dick home to Rockford for Jane’s family, Jean and family back to Beloit. Ethel and Debby played past of Santa Claus. My Boy Scout class gave me a travel alarm clock with name.
December 26: bought ticket for LA via Birmingham.
December 27 sermon: Miracles of Faith. Appreciation dinner 1 pm. 160 people. Oen house 4 to 7. Dick, Ethel, Debby, Dick, Bill, Pat, David, Mr. & Mrs. Steuben, Jean, Bob, Joe, Bill, Jane Chucky, Monty, Mary Jane, Dave, John, David and Phyllis, Dave, Harriett,Bun, Adelain, 2 children, Phil, Jane,
ellen, Jean Suhr, 2 children , Ralph & Jean Hazlett, Esther and Roger Wells, Auntie Grace at church and dinner.
December 28: Jean & family left for Wausau at 11am, Dick and family left for Alabama, at 12:30pm. Auntie Grace and I alone once more in the parsonage.
December 29: auction of household goods. Masonic installation. Carlton Williams W.M. Ted Trugagas
December 30: to Chicago 6:15 pm. Grace to Walworth. Dave and John -truck. Lunch and dinner at Ellis. Dr. took me to train. His letter March 1940 brought me to Rockton. Now he saw me off for Alabama. Lenora Trugagas with her car helped me to deliver high chair, by express to Betty, and five parcel post packages to S. Beloit. Arrived Chicago 7:50 pm at Ralph;s 8:45 $20.00 to Grace.
December 31: good visit with Ralph. Jesse and Warren, student at Navy pier extension division University of Illinois. Plans to be a professor of math at some college. I gave him $20.00. Left on Hummingbird 4:30 pm for Birmingham. Prayer for Mrs. Tatum.