Wedding Wednesday - Brown-Tabor Engagement

Standard Speaker, 30JUN1964, pg 15

Mommy! Yeah...my mom's a babe. I love this picture. I had never seen it until I came across it searching newspapers. I'm so glad I found it though!

"Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Brown, 576 West Green street, announce the engagement of their daughter, Alice, to Paul C. Tabor, son of Clarence P. Tabor, and the late Mrs. Florence Tabor, 230 East Broad street, West Hazleton.

Miss Brown was graduated from Hazleton High School in 1962 and attended Marywood College, Scranton.

Mr. Tabor was graduated from Hazleton High School in 1960 and is employed by Allied Egry Business Forms, Philadelphia, as cameraman."

You know when I got married I didn't even think to put anything in the newspaper. Not the news in Hawaii nor the news back in Hazleton, PA. Maybe if I remained in my hometown it would have been something I thought of. Being stationed elsewhere, well, it never even crossed my mind. If it didn't cross my mind for my marriage I can tell you that it certainly didn't for my engagement. I also didn't do any engagement photos. I had a photographer at my wedding, but those pictures were for family, not for the papers.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that I disagree with the tradition. I love it in fact. I regret not thinking about it. If I had I most certainly would have done it. Now that my hubby and I are civilians and (hopefully) not moving much anymore I will certainly be making sure that there is something in the local papers when my sons are married. For their engagement that will depend on who they marry. Traditionally it was just the woman that got her picture in an engagement announcement, but it's a little different now. Sometimes you've got the couple in the picture. I'd actually like to see that.

Right now I'll live vicariously through my mom and her beautiful photo in her engagement announcement.

Sunday's Obituary - Leonard Lewis Tabor

Leonard Lewis Tabor, Hazleton High School
Senior Class Picture

My uncle passed away about two and a half years ago. I was in and out of my blog around that time and I never got to memorialize him with more than just a photo. Fortunately my godparents sent me a copy of his obituary back in November 2012. As I was going through items that needed to be sorted I came across it and decided that it was long past time to memorialize him.

"Leonard L. Tabor

Nov. 12, 2012

Leonard L. Tabor, 68, of Hazleton passed away Monday at Mountain City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; Hazle Township.

Born in Scranton on March 10, 1944, he was the son of the late Clarence and Florence (Bronsaviage) (sic) Tabor. He was a 1962 graduate of Hazleton High School and spent all of his life in Hazleton.

Hazleton Standard Speaker - 26NOV2012, A2

Leonard was employed as a truck driver for Central Penn Transit and was a member of St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church, Hazleton. He served with the U.S. Army Reserves, Hazleton; was an avid hunter, fisherman, and fan of NASCAR and the Chicago Bears. Surviving are his brother, Paul, West Hazleton; nieces, Michele Ranzan, Saylorsburg; Cherie Cayemburg (sic), Colorado; and Aimee Inama, Iowa; an aunt, Lillian Rominski, Scranton; and cousins, Carolyn Smith, Lillian Hasenzahl, and Shirley Leach, all of Scranton; Barbara Holtzman, Lake Ariel; Stanley Rominski, Clark Summit; Barbara Bronsavage, Ewing, N.J.; and Mary Ann Billig, Hazleton.

A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date in St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church, 748 N. Church St., Hazleton. The Rev. Bogdan Janiec will celebrate the Mass. Interment took place privately in Mountain View Cemetery, West Hazleton, where the Rev. Janiec gave the final blessing.

Harman Funeral Homes and Crematory Inc. (West), 1265 Rock Glen Road, Rock Glen, assisted the family with the arrangements. Online condolences can be entered and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com."

A pretty poor obituary and my uncle deserved better. I got to call and say good-bye to him just days before he passed. He couldn't talk anymore. Just listen, but my boys and I got to tell him that we loved him one last time. He was such a good man. I loved my uncle very much. Seeing his obituary just made me ask so many questions and make so many snarky comments. Snarky in that Bronsavage was spelled wrong in regards to his mother's maiden name, but correctly for his cousin. My surname spelled incorrectly as well. Did no one proof-read this article before it was run? Questions regarding his military service...as in...really he served? I've never seen a photo of him in uniform. I've never heard it discussed. The statement that he served in the Army Reserves with no rank or when he served is a big thing to overlook as far as this veteran is concerned.

Maybe I'm just being grumpy. You see the whole "private" interment that took place was nonsense. The obituary was published in the Hazleton Standard Speaker on November 26th 2012. So none of his nieces knew he died until he was buried. My uncle had the surviving family mentioned in the obituary, but they didn't see him regularly. Were they called and given the opportunity to go to the interment? He lived in Pennsylvania almost his entire life. Plenty of people never escape that city. Would people he went to high school with have wanted to attend? Would coworkers from Penn Transit have wanted to? Whether they would have gone or not will always be a mystery because his brother decided to make the burial "private."

I guess there's no use crying over dysfunctional family members. At least I've been able to visit his grave. I go each time I return home. My uncle is "on my rounds" for placing flowers. He's next to his mom and dad and I see that the gravestone has room for my dad when he goes too. I've created a FindAGrave memorial for him too so others that may be interested in saying goodbye to this loving man can do just that.

I hope to find a picture of him in uniform someday, but I'm not overly hopeful. Maybe someone will come across this blog that served with him and be able to share one so I can put him in my Veterans Day post properly. Although until I know details about his enlistment it won't really be properly noted.

Nothing makes a genealogist/family historian grumpier than a dysfunctional family with a poorly written obituary.

Tabor tombstone at Mountain View Cemetery, West Hazleton, PA

Sunday's Obituary - Clarence Frank Tabor...Frank? What?

Hazleton Standard-Speaker,
29NOV1974, pg24

I remember pulling this obituary years ago. I don't remember the exact date or anything. I just remember finding the obituary exactly where it should have been in the local newspaper and saying to myself, "Frank? What? His middle name was Paul!"

Perhaps lying about middle names was a family tradition. My father told me his middle name was Christopher. I believed for a good majority of my life that it was. My sister told me the truth a few days before I went to MEPS to join the Army. Considering I was going for a security clearance it probably wouldn't have looked good to get my father's name wrong. I get it though. My dad hated his middle name, although it was his dad's name so I didn't get the whole dislike of it. As for my grandfather fibbing his middle name, well who knows? Paul isn't a bad name so why give a false one.

As it turns out it was a nickname he used for the same reason that my dad lied about his middle name being Clarence. Apparently they both hated the name. Although if Clarence hated it why would he give it to his son? Goodness only knows. I know that when he snuck away and joined the Army he was known as "Corp" to his buddies. No doubt a nickname for "corporal."

"Clarence (Frank) Tabor

Clarence (Frank) Tabor of 837 Alter St. died late Tuesday evening at the Hazleton State General Hospital following a lingering illness.

He was born in Scranton a son of the late Adam and Jadwiga Tabor. His wife, the former Florence Bronsavage (sic), died in 1962.

The deceased was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hazleton.

Prior to his retirement seven years ago he was employed as an assembler at the L.F. Grams Co. in Allentown.

He is survived by two sone: Leonard, at home; and Paul of Hazleton; two sisters: Mrs. Leo Zener and Mrs. Stanley Romanski (sic) of Scranton; and a brother, Adam of Scranton. Three grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. from the Turnbach Funeral Home with the Rev. Ghulam M. Nasrani officiating. Interment will be in the Mountain View Cemetery, West Hazleton.

Friends may call tonight from 7 to 9."

Tombstone Tuesday - A New Tabor Tombstone

Mountain View Cemetery, West Hazleton, PA

I've shared (or at least I think I have...hmmm I'll have to check on that!) the tombstones for my paternal grandmother, Florence Tabor nee Bronsavage, and my paternal grandfather, Clarence Tabor, before.  Sadly, on November 12th of last year my uncle, Leonard Tabor, passed away.

I remember years ago talking with my father and uncle about where they wanted to be buried (grim conversation, but not to a genealogist).  My father wanted to be buried with his dad, and my uncle wanted to be buried with his mom.

My uncle had made plans.  He knew he was dying.  The funeral and the tombstone had been planned and paid for before his death.  When I went back to Pennsylvania this summer, I visited the cemetery where they were buried.  The separate tombstones for my grandparents were gone and there was one tombstone set in its place.

It was weird seeing the old tombstones gone.  It was painful to see my uncle's name on the tombstone and know that I wouldn't get to see him again, but it was made a little easier knowing that he was buried with family as he wanted.

Sunday's Obituary - Discovering Nana through Maurice Blum's Obituary

What a handsom man he was!

I never had the pleasure of meeting Maurice Blum and he's not a relative of mine, but I wanted to share his obituary because he is special to me and my family.  How you might ask?  His wife, Hazel Blum nee Hill, was all I ever knew of a grandmother.  My paternal grandmother, Florence Tabor nee Bronsavage, died a decade before I was born and my maternal grandmother, Mary Ann Brown nee Quirk, died 2 years before I was born.  I love both of them, but I never had them in my life.  Hazel was my surrogate grandmother.

I've mentioned Hazel in previous posts, but nothing really concrete.  I never really knew much about my "Nana".  She taught my sisters and I how to knit and crochet.  She loved watching soap operas while she did her yarn-work.  She embroidered and cross-stitched and even reupholstered the covers on some dining room chairs with her needlework.  She lived in the house next door to us.  It was a house that she grew up in and lived her entire life.  It was the house she eventually shared with her husband, Maurice Blum.

I had always wanted to find out more about Nana, but like many things, I procrastinated and never followed through until I got a lovely email and phone call from a sweetheart named, Debbie, that came across one of my posts on Nana.  I'm not going to tell Debbie's story here.  She's going to be writing a book about it and when it's out I'll let you all know so you can see for yourself, but Debbie asked for some information on my Nana and I was so disappointed to admit that I knew little of value about a woman I loved dearly...so I started some research.  Research for me to find out more about the woman that meant so much to me and research for Debbie because I was touched by the connection her family had with Hazel and Maurice Blum.

So having just returned from a trip to Pennsylvania I'm going to share the information I found starting with Maurice's obituary today.  Maurice died a year before I was born, but Nana mentioned her husband frequently.  Like a typical 11 to 14 year old, the information just never really made and impression and apart from his name and a couple other details I can remember nothing.  It's really a shame because, as you'll see, he was an extremely impressive man.  So much so that his death made the front page of the Hazleton Standard Speaker.

Hazleton Standard Speaker, 21MAY1971, pg 1

"Dr. M.L. Blum, Prominent Civic Worker, Is Dead

Dr. Maurice L. Blum, local optometrist and one of the community's most active civic workers and leader in veteran affairs, died at 11 a.m. yesterday in the Hazleton State General Hospital following a lengthy illness.

Dr. Blum, who resided at 701 W. Diamond Ave., was a veteran of World War One, and was a charter member of American Legion Post 76, which he served as commander in 1928, and for many years as chaplain of the veterans' organization.

Dr. Blum served for 22 years as head of the National Firm's Division for the annual campaigns of the Hazleton Chapter of the American Red Cross.

He also served as general chairman of the United Fund Campaign, and headed divisions in other years.

Dr. Blum served as chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, was a past president of the Hazleton Lions Club and served in various capacities with the Hazleton Tuberculosis and Health Society, the Anthracite Council of the Boy Scouts of America (now part of the Penn Mountain Council), and other local organizations.


Arranged Programs

21MAY1971, pg 14

For many years he arranged programs for patients in the White Haven State Sanitarium and continued the service for the White Haven State School and Hospital.

He was also one of the organizers and an active member, until his illness, of the committee of veterans in the Greater Hazleton Area who visited hospitalized veterans in St. Joseph and the State General Hospitals.

In July 1965, Dr. Blum was selected to a life membership in the American Optometric Association, and prior to that honor was awarded life membership in the state organization and in the Anthracite Optometric Association in 1960.  He aided in the organization of the anthracite group in September 1929, and served as its secretary-treasurer for 25 years.

State Chairman

In October, 1931, he was general chairman of the State Optometric Association Convention, which was held in Hazleton, at which time he was selected to serve a two-year term as secretary of the state organization.

In May, 1954, the Regional Association held a special dinner marking Dr. Blum's 25 years of service as secretary-treasurer, during which he was awarded a plaque for that service.

He has been the recipient of numerous local awards, among which were the designation of "Outstanding Citizen" by the Greater Hazleton Jaycees in 1957.  He was also recognized by the American Legion, the Boy Scouts of America, Salvation Army, Heart Association, White Haven State School and Hospital, Greater Hazleton Veterans' Association; Unico Club and the Community Chest.

American Legion Post 76, in April 1969, awarded Dr. Blum a life membership for his outstanding service to the organization [sic].

Dr. Blum is survived by his wife, the former Hazel Hill, and ane [sic] sister, residing in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Services Sunday

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday from the Temple Beth Israel, with Rabbi Abraham Ruderman, spiritual leader of the Temple officiating.  Interment will be in Beth Israel Cemetery.

Viewing will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Joseph and Mary Fierro Funeral Home.

Pallbearers, all members of the Hazleton Lions Club, will be President David Schwarz; Third Vice President Louis Fierro, and Past Presidents Carl Ambrosio, Edward Scarp, Angelo Sist and Peter Forliano."

I read this and all I could think was, "WOW".  I never imagined that Nana was married to such a man.  She was so quiet and reserved...shy even.  I could hardly picture her at his side at these events, but perhaps that wasn't expected at the time.  I read this obituary and realized that Nana's life must have been so different than what I imagined...or was it?  I wish I had paid attention to all her stories.  She and Maurice never had children so who is there to remember them now?

FOLLOW UP - It didn't take long after posting this that something occurred to me...there's no age or date of birth for Maurice.  All that great information and it isn't mentioned.  It's not impossible to find clues to a birth for him (military records, burial, SSDI) but it was just plain surprising that with all the great information in there nothing on his birth.  Heck...very little on his family in general!

Wordless Wednesday - Rest In Peace, Uncle Lenny

Leonard Lewis Tabor

10 March 1944 - 12 November 2012

Beloved uncle.  Dedicated Chicago Bears fan.

Remembering the Veterans in my Family

(A follow up post from previous Veterans Days with the addition of my cousin the Brigadier General and priest since I finally got a picture of him, and the  promotion of my cousin, JoAnn.  Congrats on your promotion!)

I want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who has served honorably in our Armed Forces.  Without our service members past and present our country would not be where it is today. We would not have gained our independence, we would not have unified a divided country, we would not have stopped the atrocities of 2 World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. There are many conflicts not mentioned which do not make light of the sacrifices that servicemen and women made in them. Sometimes the sacrifice was in time away from family and long hours. At times it was witnessing the horrors of those wars or even succumbing valiantly to them.

Not everyone serves their country as a Veteran does and not everyone can or should. You are unique, respected and given a burden that many would not be able to bear. Whether you served many months or many years in our Armed Forces makes no difference. You served. Thank you!

I'd like to now pay tribute to my family members who have served (I hope I didn't miss any!).

  

Amanuensis Monday - How I Finally Found Out When She Died...

I hadn't been able to find out when my great grandmother, Jadwiga Tabor nee Paszkawicz, died.  I knew that she had died before my great grandfather, Adam Tabor Sr, but I didn't even know how long before him she died.  I really didn't have much to go on.

Adam, Jadwiga, Aldona and Clarence Tabor

Now I know that I could request a record search from the Vital Records Department in Pennsylvania, but I'm a cheapskate and they charge quite a bit more when you don't know the exact date.  Heck if you only know the year, you're pretty much forking over more money.  I was determined to figure this out myself...or should I say, as cheaply as possible.

Her tombstone had only the year (1945), when I finally found the cemetery she was buried in, so that wasn't going to do the trick, but then...

A few years ago, I found a Western Union telegram in a packet of genealogy papers given to me and the question was answered.

"PAF2 8-Scranton Penn Jun 30 303A

1945 Jun 30 AM 6 13

C P Tabor =

708 Garfield St  670 Garfield

Mother Tabor passed away Sunday morn 2 AM=
Adam Tabor 224 Oak St Scranton PA

2 AM 224 Oak St."

So little information to tell me just what I wanted to know.  Jadwiga passed away in the early morning hours of June 30th 1945.  I was able to send away for her death certificate.  Sadly, I didn't get any parent names from the death certificates, but I had that already from their marriage certificate.  Jadwiga died at 64 years of age, what I would consider young, but I guess that's by today's standards.  Then again, who doesn't hope that their ancestors lived to ripe old ages?

Amanuensis Monday - One Letter, So Many Questions

This letter was one that was passed on to me by my uncle.  It helped me narrow down the time when my great grandmother, Jadwiga, died.  She isn't mentioned by name in the letter (which I did find odd) but it is obviously who the attorney was talking about since that is Clarence's mother.

I found it a bit odd that my great grandmother was the sole owner of the property in question.  Any ideas there?  Also the property isn't elaborated on because obviously Clarence would have known what the attorney was talking about, but I'm curious about that property and certainly want to find out more.  Maybe it was left to her by a family member?  Would she really have purchased it on her own?  I'm also very curious because this property wasn't mentioned in the will/correspondence after Jadwiga's husband died.  As I blogged about previously, the property in dispute then was their home.  Could it possibly be the same property?  So many questions.  Lots still to look up and learn!

"Law Offices
Walter W Kaczmarek
426-27 Connell Building
2 Scranton, Pennsylvania
Telephone 2-8241

July 13, 1945

Mr Clarence P. Tabor
670 Garfield St.
Hazleton, PA

Dear Mr. Tabor;

Due to the fact that your mother, who died only recently, was the sole owner of the property that was leased to the Socony Vacuum Oil Company, payment of rentals by the company will not be made to your father unless sole ownership in the property is vested in him or authority given to collect the same.  At present he has an undivided one-third interest in it, and each of the four children own an undivided one-sixth interest.

I talked this matter over with your father, and he thinks it could all be simplified if the children and their husbands or wives, as the case may be, would convey their respective interests in the property to him and he in turn would execute a Will leaving the property to the children in equal shares.  To me this sounds like a very practical solution because someone will have to look after the payment of taxes and the upkeep and maintenance of the property.  I think you will all agree that your father is the proper person to do this.

Will you talk this over with your wife and if such an arrangement is agreeable, let me know at once, and I will prepare the required papers for your signatures?

Very truly yours,
Walter W Kaczmarek

WWK: eml"

Amanuensis Monday - The Apple Doesn't Fall Far, Part II

There was one other letter from my great uncle Adam Tabor Jr to my grandfather, Clarence Tabor (a.k.a. - Corp).  It's short and sweet and somewhat concludes the estate battle...or at least it does pretty much what Adam Jr said he would do.

"July 5, 1960
Scranton, Pa

Dear Corp

Sorry I could not send you the money any sooner.  I had attack of the virus, and had to stay home a few days.  Enclosed is a check for $300.00 and a judgement note; for your and Flossie to sign.  In that there is proof you received the money from me.  Please have you and Flossie sign the note and send it back to me.  I hope you have good luck in N. Jersey to procuring work.

Your Brother,
Adam"

So my grandfather was looking for work when all this happened.  Obviously in financial need with a wife and 2 kids.  I don't know if the job in New Jersey ever panned out, but I know my father and uncle never moved from Hazleton, PA so if the job worked out, my grandfather must have commuted.  Not really feasible at the time.  It would be a long commute.  Something someone might do today, but not back then (I suppose).

Another thing that I find crossing my mind is why does uncle Adam keep referring to having "the virus"?  I know he lived for another 25 years so whatever it is is certainly a mystery to me.  I may have his death certificate.  I'm not sure.  I will certainly be looking though.

Those Places Thursday - The House That Caused the Fuss

This is the house that cause all the fuss with my grandfather and his siblings in my previous post.  It's still standing in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  Knowing that it was Adam and Jadwiga's house, I wish it was still in the family.  They were the first immigrants in that line so it is meaningful to me.  If nothing else, I wish I could see inside it, although I'm sure it's changed.

I wish I had a better picture.  I was sure the picture that I had wasn't this bad, but the one I'm looking for may be at home on my backup drive.  I guess I'll check again after spring break when I get home!

Wedding Wednesday - A Murky Piece of Family History

My grandpa during Army days

My beautiful grandma with my dad & uncle

My grandparents were Clarence Paul Tabor and Florence Genevieve Bronsavage, and I had always been told that Florence was pregnant when they married.  I always believed it, and it is still possibly true but the story is a bit murky.  It's a bit off.  A little history.

Clarence had married Catherine Gluoknis on January 14, 1931...and divorced in October 1935.  I had been told that she was a mean, nasty person, but I have to look at this with a grain of salt.  We all know how people tend to view their exes.  Either way though, Clarence was apparently unhappy with his choice of bride.  As far as we know Clarence and Catherine didn't have any children together although I don't have any confirmation of this.  They were married for four years so children are possible.  

Clarence, now a single man, met Florence and they fell in love, but being Catholic, Clarence wanted an annulment so that he could remarry in the church.  I was told that Clarence paid approximately $500.00 for an annulment that never came to be and that it was because of the lack of annulment (and Florence now being pregnant) that caused them to leave the Catholic church to be married.  Then I found this Certificate of Marriage as I was sorting files.

Sure it's possible that Florence could have been pregnant when they got married.  It would certainly be close.  I know this without calculation because I got pregnant beginning to mid-May with my oldest and he was born on his due date in January and his due date is one day before my father's birthday.  So yes, she could have been pregnant and gone into labor early (not the norm for first children, however, but it is possible) or she would have been just pregnant and unless they were already planning the church wedding and just sped things up the story doesn't make complete sense.  As you can see from the marriage certificate they were married at Saint John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church.  Yes this isn't the Roman Catholic Church, but it not only is a "Catholic" Church (broken away from the Roman Catholic Church), but it is a Polish National Catholic Church and to the best of my knowledge, Clarence's parents, Adam and Jadwiga, went to a PNCC.  

So why the big family history story?  Perhaps Florence wanted to get married in the Roman Catholic Church?  She was Roman Catholic.  But my father wasn't raised in a PNCC...or a Roman Catholic church.  He was raised Methodist, so Clarence and Florence changed churches, and religions, for a second time.  Perhaps there was no PNCC in Hazleton.  There is one there now although I don't know how long it's been there.  In fact, I believe, my uncle (Clarence and Florence's 2nd son) goes to the PNCC in Hazleton. So I'm not sure why the change in religions...or why the annulment story.  I may have to do some more research into the PNCC and see if perhaps they permitted divorce/remarriage without an annulment...and as for Florence being pregnant, well that would be hard to disprove, but it would be close.

So the family history surrounding their wedding and the change of faiths that my grandparents had is made murky by a little piece of paper.  A little piece of paper that I should have given a closer look about 5 years ago!

Tombstone Tuesday - A Face and Final Resting Place

I wasn't going to do a "Tombstone Tuesday" post today, but since I mentioned my great uncle Adam Tabor Jr in yesterday's post (and since I'm in Colorado Springs for Spring Break with the family).  I thought I'd share a little more about the writer of that letter.

Adam Jr was the 3rd of 4 children born to Adam and Jadwiga Tabor nee Paszkawicz.  He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on May 21, 1913 and as far as I know he lived there all his life.  He died on May 16, 1985 and is buried in the Lithuanian National Cemetery in Chinchilla, Pennsylvania (just outside Scranton).  Adam never married.

Even though I knew that Adam Sr, Adam Jr and Jadwiga were buried in the Lithuanian National Cemetery, it took me a very long time (and I'm talking years of searching) to find it.  You see they were said to be members of the Polish National Catholic Church and when I couldn't find the Lithuanian cemetery, I started looking through the PNCC cemetery.  Then one year before a trip home to Pennsylvania, it turned up in a Google search (and I swear it never did before).  Then with the help of a GPS I finally found it.  I'd driven past it several times when out searching and never saw it.  It's small and just off a narrow, winding road.  If you blink...you miss it!

Every time I look and see that Adam Jr died in 1985 I'm stunned by the fact that I never met him.  We never went to the funeral.  I was 13 when he died and I could have had memories of this man, but have none.  Sad.

Amanuensis Monday - The Apple Doesn't Fall Far...

Back when postage was 4 cents!

Page I

As I was organizing my files the other day, I came across some papers that were passed on to me by my uncle regarding our Tabor side of my family.  I had given them a quick read when I first received them, but really nothing more.  I knew they were in reference to the death and estate of my great grandfather, but I didn't realize remember that there was drama involved.

Part of me was giggling as I transcribed this letter for this post.  Why was I giggling?  Because as I read it, it sounded all too familiar.  My father certain unnamed member of my family is all about the quick buck.  This letter was written to "Corp" from Adam.  Adam is my great uncle Adam Tabor Jr and "Corp" was the family nickname for my grandfather, Clarence Paul Tabor.  Apparently when Adam Sr died, my grandfather wanted his share and wanted it now...and he didn't really care about the inconvenience or hardship that it would cause his siblings.  The letter doesn't exactly say that, but let's just say that Adam's reply to a letter that my grandfather apparently sent is dripping with disdain for his request.

The inflation of the value of Clarence's portion of the estate and the immediate gratification are things that I can see were passed down to his oldest son.  The difference is Adam responded to his brother in a way that I wish I had seen more people respond to the apple!  My great uncle Adam was always this odd-looking man that I'd only seen in pictures.  I have new respect for the man I never met!  Great job, uncle Adam!

Page II

"June 22 - 1960

Dear Corp.

Sorry I could not answer your [sic] any sooner.  The day your letter arrived, I had the virus.  This letter is going to disappoint you, as you read later on I'll answer this letter in a forum bases so it will be plain and explained in a easier way.

I.  I have talked to Lillian, Stan, Aldona; and Leo, and they cannot in a way, see it your way.

(a) Zentar's [sic] still has mortgage on their house, as they have done some extensive repairing on their house.

(B) Ruminski's can't get that much money together.  Carolyn just graduated from Central; and is going to nurses Training at the Mercy Hospital and that takes a little money.

(C) If I (Adam) had money I would not be driving around in a 1951 jalopy.

II.  If we were to go and borrow money from the Bank to buy your share, who is going to pay the interest on the loan.

Page III

(A)  If we take a mortgage on the house, who is going to pay the interest and principal back to the bank.  If a prospective buyer knows there is a mortgage on the house will practically set his own price.

(C) To buy your share of the house, we have to hire a lawyer to change the will, and go to court to have it legalized.  Would cost $100.00  I know because I have inquired about that.

III.  If you want to I have the consent of the Zenters & Ruminskies to send you $300.00 no more and that amount to be deducted from your share when the estate is sold.  Is that fair enough

Now you say your share of the estate is $4500.00 which means it is worth $18000.000 to you.  If you can get a buyer for the property at that price you bring him or her to Scranton to show them the property, at my expense, and if they buy I will give you from my share as a bonus $500.00.

Now I have explained the best I know how.  And I hope you can see our side of the situation.  I am still waiting for a thank you for the check for $250.00 I send last Christmas time.

Page IV

Your brother

Adam
6-22-60"

Remembering Veterans & Veterans Within My Family

(A follow up post from last year with the addition of a new-found cousin who serves our country.  Thank you for your service, JoAnn!)

I want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who has served honorably in our Armed Forces. Without our service members past and present our country would not be where it is today. We would not have gained our independence, we would not have unified a divided country, we would not have stopped the atrocities of 2 World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. There are many conflicts not mentioned which do not make light of the sacrifices that servicemen and women made in them. Sometimes the sacrifice was in time away from family and long hours. At times it was witnessing the horrors of those wars or even succumbing valiantly to them.

Not everyone serves their country as a Veteran does and not everyone can or should. You are unique, respected and given a burden that many would not be able to bear. Whether you served many months or many years in our Armed Forces makes no difference. You served. Thank you!

I'd like to now pay tribute to my family members who have served (I hope I didn't miss any!).