In his ledgers my grandfather, Amos Claycomb, made an inventory at the end of the year. From 1917 to 1921 he lists a blind horse. I have never heard the story, but I’m surprised that he kept this horse. He farmed in Wayne, Nebraska.
There are two pages for each year. The horses are the first listed. I included both pages – there are interesting items on both pages.
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
I didn’t know my grandfather, Amos Claycomb, was a member of the Wayne (Nebraska) Country Club. Or that Wayne even had a country club in 1926.
And then I notice on the reverse, that his was a social membership. That makes a little more sense. He was very social, and even athletic, but I never knew him to play golf.
This damaged photo is from a school in Sycamore, Illinois, about 1892. Some names can still be read. And I can see my grandfather, Amos Claycomb, in the second row, 4th from the right. Also on the photo, but not scanned: “Prof A. J. Blanchard” and “Anna Tepson” who might be the teachers.
This is how I see the names:
Third row from top left to right are
1. Ralph Horn
2. Ernest Husberg
3.
4. Eddie Peterson
5. Bert Stroberg
6. Earl Van Galder
7.
8. Mable Hix
9. Diana Harrington
10. Ruth Townsend
Bottom row left to right are
Roy Knights and Cecil Wyman…
Next to last row left to right are
___ Harmes; Max (Mary?) Librant; Bessie
… Hilda Anderson; ___; …Morris, Ethel Chatfield, Fran…
Fred Beckler, …Amos Claycomb [4th from right in 2nd row]
The Class of 1905 Sycamore High School, Sycamore, Illinois. The only person I can identify is my grandfather, Amos Townsend Claycomb, top left.
Part one is here.
George picked Tom up at Martin in Sioux City A.M.
Opened our gifts – Tom George & I.
Went into hospital 10:30 A.M. and opened Amos’ gifts. Difficult for him to talk but when the phone call came about 11:20 A.M. he did very well & enjoyed it. Helen sent some dinner to him and he ate all the liver & oysters. With him in P.M. & eve. The phone call was a conference call with all his children – quite an event for 1958.
Amos about the same. Breathing difficult & speech some times.
Amos about the same but failing slowly.
Spent P.M with Amos and George came after me in eve when he asked for me. Hard for him to talk.
Nurse called about 11:20 A.M. Amos had taken turn for worse but he was gone when George Tom & I got in. They turned him on side after giving hypo and he was gone – quickly & [____]. Called all the children in P.M. John came 7 P.M Monday eve.
Barbara & Roy arrived Omaha 7:30 P.M. Richard 7:30 P.M. John met them in Omaha. Barbara & her husband, Roy Davis, live in Los Angeles, California.
Frank arrived Omaha 7 A.M. Harry Ellis Fisher brought him up. Edward could not come on account of snow in K.C. Had dinner over at John’s home and left from here for service at church at 2 P.M. Flowers were beautiful and a nice service. Margaret Olson played hymns & “Going Home.” Edward is Amos’ brother who lived in Kansas City, Missouri.
Jan. 4, 1959 Frank & George took Tom to Cushing Iowa – John Barbara Roy Richard & I went to Soo City with John – to meet Frank & George at Martin Hotel – John & Helen Bressler went too – dinner at the Normandie & John C. left for home 3 P.M.
Jan. 6, 1959 Frank Richard Barbara Roy & I take Frank & Richard to Omaha – leaving for home – Richard missed his plane but left at 1:30 P.M. Frank at 12:15 P.M. Roy drove home. George’s man gone. I think George could not drive them to Omaha if his hired hand was gone.
Jan. 8, 1959 George Roy Barbara & I to Omaha – Barbara & Roy left at 11:30 A.M. for home. George & I came back to an empty house.
My grandfather, Amos Claycomb, kept diaries for most of his life. The earliest I have is his 1900 diary when he was 14 years old.
He switched from small bound diaries to desk calendars. He wrote less than he had earlier – of course, the temperature and some weather notes, and his main task on the farm.
In September 1958, he was 72 years old, and made the trip from Wayne, Nebraska to Tucson, Arizona for his fraternity reunion. It’s briefly noted on the calendar.
His next entries were on the 8th and 15th of October 1958 – both medical in nature.
Those were his last entries. From now on Grandma (Ruth Bressler Claycomb) wrote on the desk calendar. It’s very touching – and a little difficult to read. She didn’t leave much in writing, a few letters and this calendar. Warning for the family: Get the tissues handy.
John Helen & boys came this eve. John is the oldest son; his family lives in Wisconsin.
John Helen & boys left this P.M.
Took Amos to Hospital before 7 A.M. Paralysis set in.
Took Amos to Meth[odist] Hosp. in Omaha. John Bressler took me down. Dr. Benthack showed x-ray picture of vertebrae disintegrated. John Bressler is Ruth’s brother.
Amos no better and nothing to do. John B[ressler] went home and Helen [his wife] came down to Omaha about 6 P.M.
Amos the same – Helen & I came home in the P.M. Called Barbara – John Frank & Richard called. Barbara, John, Frank, and Richard are their children who live outside of Nebraska. Their son George lives on the farm with them.
John pick Richard up in Sioux City.
John Richard to Omaha and Amos came home to hospital here.
John met Frank in Sioux Falls, S.D.
John left at 4:17 A.M. for Minden. Not sure of the place name. There is a Minden Nebraska, but not sure why John would be going that direction. Any ideas of what place it could be? Windam?
Frank left for Ames. Richard left & met in Sioux City. Frank is going to Ames because his son, Tom, is at Iowa State College for his freshman year.
Frank returned from Ames P.M.
John Helen & boys arrived about 6 P.M.
George took Frank to Omaha to catch is plane. Met Barbara on her arrival.
George and I took Barbara to Omaha to take plane for L.A. Storm warnings. Barbara’s plane late.
George picked Tom up on No. 20 in eve. Tom is Frank’s son.
George Tom & I for Thanksgiving – sent oysters to Amos but he didn’t eat them. The family will recognize this is a very serious event. Grandpa loved oysters that were a special dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Part 2 is here.
This is a fine little folder of the grades received by Amos Claycomb at the University of Illinois. He graduated in 1909. Please note this should be left on file in the Registrar’s office when not in use by the student. A duplicate will cost fifteen cents.
This is about 6″ x 16″
This is part of it enlarged.
I like this photo of my grandparents, Ruth and Amos Claycomb. I think of my grandmother as a stout homebody, not really into outdoor things. But of course, as a farmer’s wife, she would have been strong and capable. And here she is at age 65, on a fence. Makes me smile. Good for you, Grandma!
Ruth and Amos Claycomb, Stanley Basin, Idaho, 1951.
Tom is four years old in 1945 and lives in California. His grandfather, Amos Claycomb, farms in northeast Nebraska.
Happy Birthday Tom!
There are two entries in the 1911 diary for January 1912; there is no 1912 diary to my knowledge.
Tuesday, January 2, 1912
Snow thawed a little today. Rode up town after the mail this p.m.
January 16, 1912
The snow is partly off the ground now so stock can graze a little. Covered the ground 28 days.
The label on the metal box that holds Amos Claycomb’s diaries
These are the ledger entries for January through February which includes the sale of the remaining property in Texas.
Amos was moving to Illinois in preparation for his marriage to Ruth Bressler. They married in Wayne, Nebraska on June 15, 1912.
They set up household on a rented farm in Marengo, Illinois where their first child, John Bressler Claycomb, was born, April 12, 1913. They later moved to Electric Park Corners in Sycamore, Illinois. Their son, Frank Erwin Claycomb, was born in his grandfather’s (Frank Erwin Claycomb) house in Sycamore on February 2, 1915. The family then moved to Ruth’s hometown of Wayne, Nebraska. George Edward Claycomb was born there December 4, 1916; Barbara Claycomb was born December 12, 1918 and Richard Townsend Claycomb was born October 19, 1922.
Amos Townsend Claycomb died in Wayne, December 29, 1958, age 72.
Ruth Bressler Claycomb died in Wayne also, October 29, 1972, age 86.
Both are buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Wayne, Nebraska.
Just a thought: Grandpa Claycomb rarely wrote more than 2 or 3 lines, but he wrote each day about the everyday things. He rarely told us how he felt or what his goals were, but we still learn a lot about his life. I’ve had many people tell me how lucky I am to have my Grandfather’s diaries. And I am lucky. Wouldn’t most people want to have this glimpse into their grandparent’s life? And yet, do we record the everyday things in our lives – maybe just 2 or 3 lines a day? Yet, wouldn’t our grandchildren love to have that record of our lives? Please consider keeping some form of diary. It is a wonderful gift – in the keeping and in the sharing.
This I Leave 