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Post by sharonw on Aug 6, 2010 8:28:46 GMT -5
Memoirs: Margaret Greenaway's Birth and Life:
Margaret's Father and Mother, both Holland Dutch, met in the Dutch Reform Church in Chicago, Ill. Mother with her family had come to US from Holland, and the family came to the East coast of US. Mother's two older Brother's had come ahead of them, a couple of years before, and had jobs in Ill and WI.; so,the family followed. Our father Henry Greenaway was from a large family, who lived in Rapid's, Wisconsin Dad went to Chicago to work, he had worked in a furniture factory, and became their wood buyer. He loved wood! Afterward, Mother and Dad got to know one another (both loved to sing, so sang in the church choir). By and by, Mother visited Dad's family; and it was a bond, that never broke. Then, Mother's Brothers heard of the free homestead land in MT and they ventured again; and soon got word to Dad, "Henry come". It's something to go for. So, Dad and Mom, not married yet, made plans to move to Great Fall's MT, Uncle Pete's wife got Mom a place and soon she had a good job again in a bakery and lived there until they were married Nov.11,1910, Then Dad moved Mom out to the Prairie 3 miles from her Parents, and two younger Sisters.We lived happily there, till drought years struck MT and herds and sheep had to be moved out. Grandpa Kampenar and all of his. went up to Alberta, Canada. Dad heard about the timber in North MN. and his venture went there, so we landed in Roseau, MN.
Now we were three, children. I was between 5-6 years, Dave between 4-2 years, Harry about 8 months old. The next big venture, was when Dad found a Lumber Company, that would hire him, if he bought some Canadian land. So they found a place, just a mile North of Pinewood, on the Pine River, just a mile from Pinewood and school, so they bought it, and Dad got his job!! You could then do business on either the American or Canadian side. Then, our school years...Mine didn't begin till I was nearly 8 years, as I couldn't even speak English, as Dutch was spoken in the home, (Mother also had the German language, which was an asset, and so often she was used to interpret for German folk who came to Pinewood. Soon we became special friends of the Lawlery's, who were from Ireland. He was the R/R Station Manager. Their daughter was a special friend of mine those years. She stood by in school, in all my blunders. One day, I was at the head of the class, and a ?? threw me, Speck? Teacher asked for a sentence? I said,"We had speck for breakfast". The class all burst into laughter, What did you have? I ended at the foot of the class, and that night I went home to tell my Mom and she said," No wonder they all laughed?? Speck is the Dutch word for bacon", but all the class could see was a dirty speck!! No fun when you can't speak a language!!
Onward now: Happiness had gone from our home, as our Dad would no longer go to church, he saw those who were leaders as hypocrites However, Mother and we children still went to church, Mom said, "We cannot be heathens". Then, a change came the summer of 1925, when God sent His two Servants into our part where we lived. In 1925 when life changed for us, as God sent His Messengers with Eternal hope for our souls! I was 14 yrs old, Dave was 12, Dave, Harry and Mary went with Mother to Gospel Meeting in the Pinewood church building every night but Sat. night. I was taking a summer sewing class,was so busy and I didn't go out in the evenings. So I stayed with my little Sisters and Brother. Our Dad who no longer attended church,because he saw hypocrisy in the leaders, yet Mother persuaded him to go with her to look into this strange happening in the community,Two un- hired preachers coming in??? Better look into it!! When the folk came home that first Sunday evening, I asked? "Well what was it?" To my surprise Dad said, " It was the best preaching I ever heard,and they never deviated from the Bible; but they are crazy??? What now? " They announced meetings for every night this week, what do they think, we do not need to work? but, I'll get off Friday night and get home and we'll go". (in the mean time, Mom, Dave,Harry and Mary went every night) After a while, I began going, hit and miss, and always felt they were preaching at me. Then, one night when the folk came home, Dad said, as soon as he came in,, "You can't believe what your Mother did tonight, she joined that religion ". Mother, right there said, " Henry dear, you sat there right beside me and heard every word that preacher said ", He said," You can't join a family, you are born into it, and you can't join the Family of God, you must be born into it, so tonight I gave my life to God, and for the first time ever, I have peace in my soul ". T'was after this I began to go the meetings and very aware God was dealing with my heart,and then...the last night of the Mission had come, I went to Dad and asked him," Dad what are we going to do? " He said, " What is there to do?, I don't want to go to hell ". That was Dec.13,1925, the first meeting in Pinewood. That night, Dad and Mrs. Snider stood but ...I hesitated; but that was the evening I made a full surrender and 'ere the Workers left on the mid night train, a joy filled our home, that was never there before. Our lives changed our future. David had talked with Mother, but she told him," Better wait Son, this is a serious business". So,he decided at Emo Convention 1926. During that convention we were given the opportunity to be baptized, and take a further step with Jesus. Dad, Mother and I took that step, and a company of others, that remained our close friends!! Have often visited the spot in the Rainy River at Emo,Ontario, Canada, where we stood trembling on the bank that day, having no idea all it was leading to; but we learned: It Pays to die daily, It Pays to serve Jesus. Life went on: In 1926 we attended our First Convention,at Emo, Ontario. all was so new to us. During the Convention the meeting was tested, asking if there were those present that had been thinking of another step with Jesus,baptism? We were then told what this step meant, entering into the steps of following Jesus, living the dying life. So, we were baptized,in the Rainy River. A nice little company of us. The next highlight, was David with others stood to declare his choice to follow Jesus. In 1929 Dad, Mother, Harry & Jake went to visit the Wisconsin relatives, but also with the thought in mind, to move to Wisc. Upon their return, the word was, we are moving, it was thrilling to me, as knew they'd also looked into the possibility for me to go to Nursing Training, Dad so happy to tell me, there would be Training School just 50 miles from home,Madison,WI. ( In Canada it meant I'd either go to Winnipeg, or Toronto, far, far from home). So packing began, selling...no small thing!! But, managed, and we got to WIsc in time to get registered for school, and college. But!!! for me a surprise, an American but been out of the country, and needed to be back a year, ere I'd have tuition rights. Well...now what? work. Dad who'd worked long years for the Campbell Timber CO. had to go back to finish many of his unfinished project for them, so he left us. Not a good feeling for us; but we were now counted in, a little church of very special friends. We went to the Mark Killam home Sundays for meeting and to the Ed Strassburg home for Wed. Study mtgs. The School their children went to, was where Dave,Harry, Mary, Jake went. Then, the three little ones were still at home, Mae, Christina and Katie. Mabel Killam was a Midwife Nurse, and had more work than she wished, and Mother in her younger days had also done this. Soon she was helping Mabel, and then she made a deal with me. If I'd stay home, and care for the needs of the family there, she'd work in my place, as she could get higher wages.She'd put the $ in the bank, and t'would be for school. I loved this, as I loved my little Sisters and Brothers and cooking,baking etc. I loved seeing all in school doing well, getting good report cards. I planned special meals when the report cards came, with good grades!! Sometimes, Mother was home, smile!! This all worked well, till Dad came home in the Spring. Then...he wanted Mother home, so then I went to work. They would call for help, it was really for Mother; but Dad said, "No, let Margaret go," So I went for an interview, a little lady not so old, but dying with anemia. I went there to do what I could, all was so new to me!! Mr. Giedel was the Superintendent of the Canning Factory, a busy man, he had two Daughters, twins, Violet and Viola. They were just two years older than I, one in Madison, and the other worked in her Dad's office, so was home. This was special. . I was there about 4 months, May thro' part of August; and she died. The evening. she died, the Dr was with us, (a very daring Dr. and had stood by through the ups and downs). Before he left that evening. he asked me "what I was planning to do now?" I told him that I'd go home, and then be going to Madison to Nurses Training. Then he said, "I knew this would be terminating, I've been wondering if you'd come and work for me, I need a nurse." But, Doc," I'm no nurse." You've worked under me for these months and I'd like to train you. You come when finished here and look our establishment over, and I will show you what I'd expect of you, and your duties, etc.and we will talk about wages. You also know our living conditions," (A young couple with a little 7 year old girl, lived with him, in the house part, and she did the cooking, etc. When I could I called home, talked to Mom telling them all that had happened, Dad said, "Go for it, sounds like you have fallen into lucky trough". After my special time at home,and two Conventions, I began working there. On April 29, 2010 at 9:38pm -0700, "Margaret Greenaway"
Dr. lived in the home adjoining the Dr's office, that consisted of a Library of Medical Books etc. the waiting room, a medicine room, long and narrow, with good light, and always locked, In the long ago. He mixed many of his own meds. Another room for washing things and sterilizing, doing the urine testing, etc. then the skeleton room, with a bright light, where you could see every bone in the body. Then, a hall, and a bathroom, the stairway that went to Doc's study, and bedrooms. Through this hall, to the mail part of the big house, was my bedroom, with a phone, so I could take calls; little Nadley's room, and our bath, Red and Erma's room,and bath. Downstairs, Living room, Den, dining and kitchen, and laundry. Red and Erma and Nadley were not strangers to me, as Erma's folk were the Gidell's neighbors,often when I'd have Mrs. Gidell outside in her chair, to get sunshine, I'd read to her and Nadley would come to listen too. Making a long story short, I was there for three years, and appreciated all I learned. The only thing was, I needed to travel a ways to meetings, all the young folk and my friends were in Waupun. Often I could take Dr's coupe and go to the Bosvelts and then ride with them. The Workers did try the schools in the area, but all short lived, and no interest. Sometimes I'd walk to those meetings. and after meeting, someone would bring me back to work.
Aunt Mary (Dad's Sister ) lived in Waupun, Wisconsin and she often called, and would tell me how foolish I was to stay in Markesan,Wisc., when Waupun offered so much more. and one day she called me and told me about a fabulous job and good wages...and she knew they were good people to work for!! So, guess I was thinking about this, and the Dr. noticed and asked, "Margaret what is wrong, did I say something to hurt your feelings?" so I told him, about Aunt Mary's call, and he then said,"Margaret you go and have an interview, take the coupe, see what is offered? I can see your aunt's concern, and if it is a good job go for it. Since Mr. Burn's death, Wilma is free to come back to help us and have in mind to soon retire" . So..I.went and took the job. So again a whole new start. This job was for a young couple,Ed and Lucille Hooker and they had their first baby,Mary Elizabeth born with lots and lots of problems, and was waiting to have surgeries. An older nurse was now caring for her, and she stayed on till I was free to go in late Oct. as I wanted to go to convs.etc. When I went,it was time to go to Madison where we were in the Hosp. and spent many anxious hours and days. The stomach surgery went well, the feelings we had cannot be expressed, when we at last saw a happy little face and a smile!!! She soon began to gain some weight, and lift her self up, by and by ready to be released, the Dr. suggested what would be good for her would be, to be in the sunshine and out doors, so then they decided we take her to FL. so plans began, I'd never dreamed of such a thing, and neither did my folk, and Dad thought that Florida was the end of the world. Smile, but I asked the Workers in our field, and they told me, go, as you need to break home ties sometime. So I went. It all turned out far better than I could have ever dreamed, I got to go to mtgs. met many friends and workers, and also saw many things I'd never have seen otherwise. After we got to West Palm Beach, we found a nurse that took over Mary Elizabeth's care when I had a day off, and Mrs. Hooker was more like a friend to me, than a Mistress. We often went together to see things. Then: time came Mr. Hooker had his vacation, and he came down, and during the time he was there, they gave me my vacation, and 'twas perfect timing, Florida Special Meeting time, and it gave me time with the Workers, and I got to the Convention grounds also. Spring came, and we went home. (Never weighed as much in my life). I had gained, as we had so much ice cold orange juice!! Mother's first exclamation, "Child you are soooo fat"!! It was Spring time in WI now, and so pretty. Mary Elizabeth kept gaining, and gaining, soon running around. My family loved her too. So if I wanted off time, often my sister Mary, would go to care for her. Could I ever forget my resignation day?? My dear friends, the Hookers, his Old mother, Ah, stricken to think I'd ever think of doing such a thing, take savings and all I had and give it away, give my hope-chest and all in it, to my sister Mary??? Tears and pleadings, but, so thankful my purpose was set. That fall the five us went and we were the last Workers to go out for 7 years, as right after that, the dark war clouds gathered,and instead of going to Europe, all the American's were called home. Here we were five new Workers, but God knew what lay in the future. Those coming home from Europe all needed Companions, and so little did we know what a privilege we would have; to labor by the side of those who'd labored in Germany, Italy,Sweden, Norway, Denmark. War years brought many many experiences for us, and one year we couldn't have a Convention. There was rationing and no one could travel, no gas, or tires and food rationed. So the fields were all small, and could be covered this way, we could walk, and we did walk. Our shoes wore out, but we could get a glue and stick rubber tire slices on the soles. In the midst of all this, one summer there was a terrible grass-hopper plague, all the trees were leafless, eaten, fields bare, dusty. Wisconsin has lots of water, but drinking water was scarce. THEN, in August. another change came!! In the fall of l935, at the Wisconsin Dell's Convention. I'd offered my life for the Work, and offered to go any where in the world, so the letter came, "Could we be ready by September". Come to the Conventions. and be prepared to go forth with a companion at the last Convention?". Durand, WI. was at that time, (Brother Dave and also Herbert Killam, Kenneth Dissmore , and my friend Christa Iverson had offered), and we all left Durand with Companions that fall. (Dad & Mother had come to bring our extra suit case with Winter things, so came to see us go forth. Never forgetable days, MORE never regrettable either!! So thankful for God who can do for us what no other can do!!
In l937 Dad and Mom, sold the farm, and went to Oregon. They met Willie Jamieson at an Idaho Convention and Dad asked Willie, if he might know any where they could settle, where they could be a little useful? (Willie was special to us, as knew us through the Worker's who brought us the Gospel from our first days. Willie had also laboured in the RR Valley, in Canada 'ere he went to China) Willie said,"We've got just the place...it is in Oregon, and I'll be getting back there in August". Dad said that we would need to get going and settled, as our litle girls, Mae, Christina and Katie, need to be back in school, so as to write exams by the end of the term. So they bought a farm and moved to Beaver Creek,Oregon, near an old couple the Ioerger's, who had two children in the Work, both in the Philippines; also they were not so able any more, so the folks were near to help.They did have Phyllis a younger Daughter, but she was to be married and going to AK. The girls finished school there.
Then, the folks retired and moved to West Linn. and later, to a more suitable location for them, Milwaukie. The house there was very nice, a lovely corner lot and few homes, but...it soon was surrounded by buildings and homes. However, the folks did love it, Dad had land enough for a thriving Nursery. Loved it. At this time Mae and Christina worked in Portland. Katie finished school Then Mae went in the work, (unexpected to us). In Feb.1942 there was a need and they took her. Jake went into the Service, (US Army)in Mar.12,1942. Christina married Eddie Himes, and moved to Cloverdale,Oregon. Katie worked in Portland, then she went to Canada August 1944, to help Sister Mary, as she was expecting baby Sydney.She stayed that winter in Canada with Moses as Clarence (Brother in Law) was working away from home. Donna was 2 years old. Katie loved this time and in April 1945, Katie, Mary and her two little ones, came to Wisconsin to see me by train; and I went with them to Chicago!! Smile!! We visited Dave and Helen, Deirdre and baby Jerry, also, This was a special time to us all! They went on to Oregon to be with Dad and Mother & Harry, at Beaver Creek home. The End
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