Several people commented on the Methodist Church photo (shown here) in The Mill on Halfway Brook, 1800–1880 as looking so stark. I recently found the photo with August 1908 written on the back—I think by Aida Austin.
I learned later that the Methodist Church would not have had a steeple until after 1880. The Congregational Church may have had a steeple in 1879.
Mort Austin Returns to Kansas
In the winter of 1883–1884 my grandfather Mort Austin returned to work for his brother Ell who ran Henry Parmenter’s farm in Saline County, Kansas. Before Mort left, he had family and friends sign his autograph book.
—p. 92; 453–455, Echo Hill and Mountain Grove.
Note: These are the only color scans I have of Grandpa’s Autograph Book with colorful stickers on some of the pages.
Proctor Road View
This is the view the Austins (my dad, his brother Bob, and sister Elizabeth) had on their way to school. The Eldred Schoolhouse on the left; Von Ohlen’s store on the right.
Part of Charles Wilson’s (later his son Arthur Wilson’s) store can be seen in the middle of the photo. Slonek’s House is the one in the distance on the hill.
Not shown in the photo: The Austins would already have passed Sunshine Hall—soon to be Sunshine Free Library; and the Congregational Church set back from the road. In the distance on the north (right) side of the road was the Methodist Church.
Not easily seen in the photo: On the other side of the Von Ohlen Store: Fridolin and Juliana Straub’s Straub Hotel; and the William H. Wilson Store.
Notes: Photo shown on page 2 of Chapter 1 Most Pleasant Time of All; Farewell to Eldred.
Randolph’s Royal Scarlet Grocery Store and Andrew Parker’s Store replaced the VonOhlen-Myers Store—Photo from the 1950s.
Buildings on Eldred’s North Corner 1908
The building on the left was built by Charles Wilson around 1900. The Charles Wilson home is second on the left.
The center building was the store of William H. Wilson, brother of Charles. On the right was the original Parker House that Autenrieth’s owned until Fridolin and Juliana Straub bought it in 1907.
Eldred’s North Corner 1903s
In the 1930s the Charles Wilson building would include the A&P owned by Art Wilson; a butcher shop in the center; and a Post Office (which changed locations).
Pat’s Stand would extend out onto the street from his father William H. Wilson’s Store.
The Wilsons
Charles Wilson was first married to Christina Mills (1886). Their children were Julia and Arthur.
Christina died in 1895. Three years later Charles married Elizabeth Hoatson Clark, a widow and mother of Georgia, 8.
In 1900 the Charles Wilson household included Charles’ father Edward, 80 (a weaver of carpets); Charles (a lumberman); Elizabeth and her daughter Georgia Clark; Arthur Wilson 10, Julia Wilson, 7.
Charles’ family in 1910: Charles, a farmer & Postmaster; Elizabeth, assistant Postmaster; Arthur Wilson, 20; Julia 17; Georgia Clark, 20.
William H. Wilson married Bertha Boyd in 1898. Their son Forrest or Pat, became a lawyer.
Does anyone have another photo of what was once James Eldred’s house shown in this photo?
The home is no longer there, but sat near Halfway Brook, south of of Proctor Road. It was the house which replaced the original structure James Eldred and his family settled in at the end of 1815.
My great-grandmother Mary Ann Eldred (Austin) would have been almost three when the house in the photo was built around 1830. I also think my grandfather C.M. Austin and his twin Edward were born in that house in 1865.
I first posted a request for the names of the people in the photo. They are Mary Myers and her son Clifford. The photo is on page 327 of “Farewell to Eldred.”
