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Note: "A prosperous, well-known farmer...Showed horses and cattle at county and state fairs." -Schwarzkopf Family History
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[Undated, handwritten letter from "Mildred" (Strait?) to "Jean" (Harley Schwarzkopf's daughter?) This document passed from Mary Schwarzkopf to
Constance Schwarzkopf to Gregory Sweitzer. Original spelling and
punctuation are preserved:]
Mother use to tell me how she had it when she was a little girl. They all lived in a log Cabin. Children slept up in a loft. Many mornings
there was snow on their beds.
Grandma & grandpa were Very thrifty & saved for a new home. Mother said no one wore shoes in summer or eaven when it rained or dusty in
summer or Sundays.
They always went to U B Church Sunday school. When it came up a rain all shoes were carried home to save them.
Some times when grandma & grandpa would go to town Mother would fry all the eggs they Could possibly eat some times When grandpa sold his
stock - grandpa would put the money in a tin Can - under the floor & sit
on it all night with a gun.
Virgil had bad habit holding his breath - Mother had him out playing in his little wagon. A storm came up. She started home with him, Virgil
started holding his breath. Mother knew that grandma always threw water
in his face - but she had no Water - But she was a muddy hog Wallow so
she stuck his head down in that. I guess he never held his breath
Again. The children had a wagon & a billy goat to play with . Mother
had received some red hair ribbons for X mas. one day the goat ate
them. Mother never Cared for that goat after that. As ribbons were a
luxury.
Grandma said some times she helped in the fields - twice she had a baby so she picked it up & took it to house. Grandma & Grandpa loved to
square dance - barn dances. she said when time Came to go home early one
had to go in bed room & sort out their kids.
Finally came time to build the new home on newly purchased land Such a fine home. Grandma had things much better then. The farm home was a
show place. This was when mother grew up & married. she had beautiful
wedding clothes which I have picures. She was give a piano & lessons on
her 17th birthday. and the boys were given a horse & buggy. the older
ones.
This is how I remember the house - Grandma would take me home with her in her horse & buggy. I was 3 1/2 or 4 years old.
A large white house up a large long lane - popular trees on both sides. house had a porch on each side & across the front - Veranda those
days. Lots of lattice Work or ginger bread trim.
Now the parlor had red rose & green Brussel Carpet big roses. White lace Curtains starched very stiff that sorta laid out on floor. In each
Corner was a large easel like picture that stood up. of Great grandma &
grandpa Schwarzkopf. the usual rockus table & such.
Then the everday sitting room same Chairs tables - Curtains - large Wood stove. All rooms had hanging lamps what were Called Accetaline
lights furniture was plain but plenty then the big dining room was long A
very long table - a wood stove & such.
The kitchen Very large - What I thought was so wonderful was I remember the pantry. It had a large sinc & one Could turn on a faucet &
water Came out. There was a large tank that water was pumped in from out
side, such luxury Grandma cooked her apple butter out side in fall.
Always lots of apples and a large Cellar. row after row of large Barrels
filled with Cider which later
(illegible) There was also a bedroom down stairs which I and grandma used.
Then off from the sitting room was a stair way. no door. stairs were carpeted with what was Called woven rag rugs as well as bed rooms up
stair was usual furniture, most I can remember is going up & getting into
Uncles Bills perfume. Grandma always kept little glasses and peach
brandy in her bed room and would give me some.
She would take me to Montpelier in horse & buggy. And have a lady there make me clothes - which I have the pictures. Most every thing was
red Wool or Velvet.
She bought me a locket and (hacilet?-illegible) one day - which I still have and all of us have Worn eaven Amy now.
Grandpa had six boys to help on farm - plus him self plus 2 hired hands. Mother said she always Would peal at least a peck of potatoes for
a meal. Martin always had to help Cook & work in house Mother had to
stand on a chair & make bread - grandma made the pies. They worked from
early A M till dark.
Grandpa sold all stock by Car loads. Had fine stock farm & fine race horses & I mostly remember some raced in Montpelier - Portland & Muncie
tracks. Guess this is why grandma always took me to races. I wonder if
Mary remembers her taking Connie & I to the races & fair. I believe
Vergil & G. had gone on Vacation to Mountains some where.
Mother said many times grandpa never knew when to stop work & expected same from his kids. If he and grandma had lived to gether they
would have been Very wealthy. But he Couldn't resist buying stock mines
& such & more he got more he wanted So a divorce. grandma got a farm I
don't know what else. But I do know from then on things or luck
changed. and grandpa being alone & lonesome met and married a red head
woman - which took him & she left him in a short time. then grandpa got
sick - lost a leg and died I think I was about 10 by then.
Before he got sick he had more bad luck with the fire and then his beautiful new red barn burned, some one set it on fire. lots of stock
burned up. Harley was 10 - asleep on floor behind the wood stove with
his little dog. In mean time grandma had - had a nervous break down and
was in Martinsville sanitarium. Such trouble - Marilyn was a tiny baby
but mother as well as lots of people had to go to Court, & be questioned
about the barn I remember it made mother sick, because she knew nothing
about it. but because she gave grandma a home & took her in she was
questioned where grandma was that night. I Can see that mean old lawyer
yet. No one ever knew how it happened some thought a tramp might have.
Well grandma moved to Muncie with Martin & Harley later. Vergil was in College by then. Grandma & Martin first worked in a restaurant later
Harley at a union telegraph messenger boy a flower delivery. Worked in
garage. I don't know what all Martin went to work in factory until he
went to war.
grandma used to do ironings for a laundry 10 cents piece. he and I would go along and play in the back yard as it was Close home. Some
times Harley would take me with him on dates with your mother. In his
little old Car Called his puddle jumper. I thought Uncle Harley was the
greatest. When I was little grandma would dress me make me stand on a
Chair until she got dressed. She would say God youre Cute. I guess I
was always grandmas girl. Then we would drive in to Montpelier & have
Ice cream & visit local banker & his Wife in their home. I have such
fond memories of my grandmother, she would leave her work and take me to
the park & swing me. even when (Jack? -may be other word-illegible) was
little she would take him to fair and park.
Maybe my being with grandma so much - Just nights have caused a sibling rivalry which crops up this very day. Which Im sorry but Can't
be helped. believe me I try to be kind She (Marilyn) wrote me last year
and said I had always resented her & still do. This is wrong. And to
tell me this when I was going through such a terrible trying time with my
husband. I didn't need extra Worrys but Jean with Gods help I am Able to
Cope with things.
Its been a terrible struggle for me mentally I miss them so much the things like eating out and little trips which were taken for granite as
an every day thing. Now means so much when he was here.
Kathy, Jan & Amy are living with me for awhile. Things get a little hectic at times as I'm use to every thing perfect & in place but having
them her is far better for me then being alone for awhile. I did fine at
first - but later it got terriable for me and I did not want to sell &
move to an apartment. I love every inch of this old house. Amy is the
6th generation here. She makes me think of you when you were little and
here. Jack & Grandma would have loved her so much she looks a lot like
my little pictures at her age. I want to (illegible) all those cute
little dresses & pinafores. I may miss them more when they all get their
own home - but we will cross that bridge later.
I had front porch repaired and hope to have out door carpet on it & come warm weather I'm having a new back porch floor. This all comes with
property but its still much cheaper than living in an apartment as I get
retired widows eximption next year on property taxes. And Im so close to
town or most any place I want to go. Any way its home.
I had flower shop make up a boquet of silk tulips & fern and take out to (Mausauleum?-illegible) for use on Jacks (Crypt?-illegible) for Easter.
If I think of more things to write about (illegible) I'll write later. the name Rhoton I haven't been able to Contact the lady as she
must have an unlisted telephone No. I will later make a special trip to
her house when Weather gets better.
Love to All. Have a nice Easter and God Bless. -Mildred Jean I hope you Can read all this. some day when you're here the time to figure it all out.
The article on little dog. was in paper night after our little dog Teddy dropped dead - heart - so my answer back to paper is the other
article & they printed it. I put Teddy's pictures in Jacks pocket and
take with him. Just wanted you to have a copy.
Grandma's Family
1. Perry Rhoton police man Muncie.
wife Mae -, daughter Lena(Lina?) 2. Amanda Rhoton Meyers; nurse; 1 adopted son Elmer, wife Flo. Chicago, 1
daughter decease.
3. Effie Rhoton Creek; husband Joseph; 1 son Earl - lots of trouble> Fred
teacher, Thelma teacher, Mary Beautician.
4. Linda? Lander(?illegible)
5. Towney
6. Icie R. Schwarzkopf
7. Miltis; wife ?
8. 1 daughter Mary - weighs about 300 lb.
This Mrs. Clevenger I speak of is now in Nursing home. her maiden name was Daisy Rohton (93 yrs) married a Smith - then a Clevenger. But
more information can be had from Another Rhoton. Mrs. Kermit Cross
(Elsie) R. Oakville Indiana
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