From Aunt Ruth

My sister, Kathryn, was George Jr's mother. I was thirteen when Kathryn and George Sr. told us they were expecting a child. This child, George Jr. would be my parents (Phoebe and Henry Kettwich) first grandchild. Kathryn and George Sr. lived in Chenoa, IL, a distance of approximately 30 miles from my parents farm in rural Minonk, IL. Most Sunday's Kathryn and George Sr. came to my parent's home so my mother and Kathryn spent the afternoons making baby quilts and clothing.

Finally the expected phone call arrived, George Jr. was born. Everyone was excited, even my rather stern father, showed signs of excitement. George Jr. was born at home and shortly after his birth my mother stayed with them in their one bedroom home.

Once Kathryn was able to travel they resumed their Sunday visits to Minonk. My mother carefully planned the day so she would have adequate time holding and playing with George Jr. Many times I would travel back to Chenoa with them, spending the week and return home the following weekend. I remember when George Jr. was starting to crawl he found a worm on the floor of the screened porch and proceed to place it in his mouth. The worm was quickly removed.

When George Jr. was 2/3 the family moved from Chenoa to ElPaso, IL. For the move I was in charge of George Jr. I remember him walking around the new home crying and indicating he wanted to go home, meaning Chenoa. George Jr. would spend extra time at the Kettwich farm; he always enjoyed playing with the baby chicks and gathering eggs with my mother. When it was time for George Jr. to go home my mother always had a goodie bag for him filled with cookies, candy, apples or oranges.

When I was 17/18 my boyfriend and I would travel to ElPaso, 15 miles from the farm, and baby-sit with George Jr. I think George Jr. was about eight when they moved to Jacksonville, IL.

George Jr. and I have always had a special relationship. Throughout the years I enjoyed my visits to California and always looked forward to his phone calls and notes.

Aunt Ruth (Timmerman)