John Speaks of Esther Clara Webb, His Mother

The quote below is from the beginning of my father's section in Pieces of a Life.  It's taken from the brief autobiography John Kellogg wrote in 1974 called 75 Years - Where Did They Go? 

The picture shows G.A. (Guy Ashford Wood) and his wife, Esther, in their home on Hamilton Ave., Detroit MI in 1922, both in their 40s.  This was after they'd moved from Buffalo NY as newlyweds and before they moved on to Walnut St. in Ann Arbor to buy and manage a rooming house for University of Michigan students. When this picture was taken, they had two young children, Junior (Guy) and Sara Jane.

I remember my grandmother saying that after trying both male and female students as roomers, she settled on only men because they were easier to deal with.  Like my father, she had strong, definite opinions - nothing wishy-washy about her!  Also like John, Esther was very interested in politics and current events.

Esther's first husband was Charles Kellogg, who had died in 1913.  She had been married at 18 and had two children with Charles as well - John Webb and Dorothy Helen.

"By luck I was born into a family which knew gracious living.   One of my earliest memories is my Mother, a young, attractive woman with a flat velvet ribbon around her hair to keep it in place.  One day I asked her why she wore that kind of decoration when none of the other ladies did.  The next day she appeared with her hair fluffed around a metal form called a 'rat.'  We have a 1907 picture of her dressed in that manner with her two children.

Actually she was much younger than the other women she knew.  As a farm girl, at an early age she learned to make her clothes.  Her next step was to do dressmaking in Buffalo NY.  At the age of 18 she married my Father, a widower about 44.  The farm was on Grand Island, which is in the Niagara River below Buffalo and above Niagara Falls."  

I recall a few early pictures of Grandmother Wood, but haven't seen them in years.  I'm sure that I saw the picture my father mentioned from 1907, but it may have been on a wall in Ann Arbor.  Sad that old pictures, letters, journals so often are lost in the dust of time.

Uncovered: A New Date for Jimmie's USN Service

A tiny address book stamped in gold with " Michigan Lithographing Company" on the cover looked to me like an address book.  However, it turned out to be a 4 1/2 by 2 3/4-inch diary in dark green leather, one of many sizes and shapes Ruth wrote in over the years.   Because I had not read it until after the book was published, it's not in Pieces of a Life.

The picture shows Ruth Meredith Kellogg and her younger brother, Jimmie, fooling around in the back yard on Iowa St. in Chicago where the Merediths had a two-flat.  You can see the stucco garage, which matched the two-flat (originally a house), in the background as well as the Petersen's garage next door.

This would have been around the time - the early 1940s - when Jimmie was in the United States Navy.  I had always thought that my uncle, James William Meredith, was in the service briefly early in 1942 after the start of World War II.  But Ruth's 1940 diary corrects me, as you will see.  Uncle Jimmie was a kind, soft-spoken man, but his mental illness gradually controlled his life.

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 1940 -   "Jim joined Navy and left for Great Lakes Naval Training Station for 2 months."

Saturday, May 25, 1940 -  "Jim home from Navy with Honorary Discharge papers and button."

And that's it - nothing more about what happened, though I had thought Jim left the service because he had had what used to be called "a nervous breakdown."   Ruth was very careful not to say much about Jim's schizophrenia in writing.  Since there was mandatory military service at that time, perhaps the button was something he could wear to show he had served.

"He Tackles Tennis, Life With Zest."

The Clearwater FL newspaper article about John Kellogg was headlined with the quote about tackling tennis and life with zest.  John had just written the short autobiography that's part of Pieces of a Life.  and apparently sent a copy to the newspaper along with the ones he sent to his children (myself and Ken) and five grandchildren.  He turned 75 three days after the article was published on Aug. 22, 1974.


I'll quote some of it, though you'll know what's coming if you've read the book.  His philosophy was written in stone.  "Not many 75-year-old men play tennis three times a week.  J.W. Kellogg does, and his arduous schedule tells a lot about the man."

" 'I hadn't played in more than 35 years, didn't have the time.  After I retired, I took lessons and it all came back, ' said Kellogg, a member of the Clearwater Tennis Club. ' "  Note:  He did play with Ken and a little with me when I was in grade school, but maybe that didn't count.

"Although his game is slower now, he plays it with the same dedication and seriousness with which he has tackled work and play all of his life.  Dedication to a goal and extra effort to 'make each job successful plus' pay big dividends, Kellogg said.  With that in mind, he is leaving his five grandchildren a double legacy:  several thousand dollars in bonds for each and the story of how one man toppled from the lap of luxury as a child, working his way from poverty to riches."

"He inched his way toward the edge of his chair.  The crow's feet deepened around his gray eyes as he recalled the first work room for his big manufacturing venture, SealTex, an adhesive bandage.  'It was a basement room next to the boiler with one window and one pigtail light.' he said, squinting at the still-remembered glare.  But the rent was only $10 a month, that was the important thing."

"It is the story of a self-made man.  It is also the story of a growing, industrialized nation and an era now almost lost in the mesmerizing hum of a computerized society.  Kellogg's father, a graduate of M.I.T. and a builder of bridges, died when the youth was about 11 years old.  Kellogg set his goal of financial security early.  He has attained that goal and is satisfied.  But perhaps the best legacy, after all, and one that any grandparent can leave, is a first-hand account of days that are gone forever. " 

Note:  It seems that Charles Kellogg, John's father, did not go to M.I.T., but he and his father did build bridges all over the eastern part of the United States.  Also, John was 13 1/2 when his father died, not 11.   

1930: The Stress of Being "Laid-Off"...and Rehired

As you know from Pieces of a Life, Ruth Meredith, pictured above, and John Kellogg were married in June, 1929.  The Depression hit just months later in October and the economy began to slide precipitously. This was shocking to the Kelloggs - and to everyone else in the country.  At this point, both Ruth and John still worked for Montgomery Ward, but a rocky road was ahead.

Thurs., Jan. 8, 1930 - "I was laid-off.  More than 50% of office got it.  Am all broken up over it.  John found an opening for me in Hse. Auditor's Office.  Hard to get transfer."    Doubtless, Ruth was stressed out about the sudden loss of a job she and John counted on for extra money.  That was also familiar work in a department where she knew everyone.  Without John's help, Ruth never would have been transferred over to the House Auditor's Office.  Everyone fired - both at Wards and elsewhere - was job-hunting.

Fri., Jan. 9, 1930 - "Finally got transfer - but keeping it quiet.  Packed all my belongings and left Gen. Methods (what there is left of it) tonite.  Florence is still there."   Years later my mother, Ruth, told me that Florence Childers kept her job, at least at first, because she had no spouse employed by Wards.  Florence, a close friend of Ruth's, was married at the end of 1930 to Clyde Ballentine. He didn't work for Wards.

Sat., Jan. 10, 1930 - "Worked straight through until 2:00 today (Sat.) - hard - so tired I cried when I came home.  Didn't go to show.  We baked our first pie - butterscotch - for tomorrow."   Ruth was trying to take on a new job of tedious typing job involving a lot of numbers and columns, I'd imagine.  She was also working for and with people she didn't know. There were no computers to handle rote tasks, so typists did that work.  On top of that, Ruth and John were having a few people in for a light meal and dessert the following day - more pressure!

A Sultry Summer in 1928

July, 1928 was long before air conditioning commonly appeared in homes and businesses, though it was invented in the 1930s.  People stayed in the shade, used handkerchiefs soaked in water, wore broad-brimmed hats, went swimming, used fans, etc. to make life more bearable when days of hot, sticky weather descended.   These quotes are from Ruth Meredith's diary, but did not appear in Pieces of a Life.  The photo, however, is her graduation picture in 1926 and was in the book.

Thursday, July 26, 1928
"Very trying day.  Very hot.  Had several verified statements to make.  John's car had a flat tire on way home.  We had to get air twice.  Poor John!  Loaned Papa $20."

Ruth was still working at Montgomery Ward's as a stenographer.  The "verified statements" were her job at work that day.  I was surprised that Papa asked Ruth for $20.  I imagine it was because of a tenant upstairs in their rental flat who "skedaddled" (ran off without paying).  Ruth's parents, Lottie and Jim Meredith, counted on the extra money, though the upkeep on the flat was a lot of work.

 July 27, 1928
"Wasn't so hot today, but for some unknown reason I am very tired and listless.  Got new Catalogue tonite.  John was tired too.  I shall now go to bed and read until sleepy."

Ruth and John were probably dehydrated from the run of hot weather, not knowing about electrolytes and hydration.  They saw a lot of movies that summer, always great entertainment, and even went to Ravinia on July 29 with another couple.  They heard a two-hour concert, but Ruth doesn't mention who was playing. The weather was better until early August when it was again "very hot" and "miserable to work steadily."  What a contrast to today when we flick on the air conditioning in the house or car!

Life With John in Florida - Car Accident

After growing up in snowy, cold Buffalo NY, John always dreamed of retiring to a warm climate.  In the mid-1960's, they tore up their roots in Illinois and replanted themselves in Clearwater FL.  Their roomy 3-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath co-op apartment was in the brand-new Horizon House on the Causeway leading to Clearwater Beach.

Ruth probably didn't object because that was what many of their friends were doing, traveling and re-locating in Florida. By then she had been overseeing brother Jimmie and her mother, Lottie, for 20 years - and was probably tired of that responsibility.  They, too, moved to Florida (Largo) after a few years of separation from Ruth.  Though no one realized it, she was also ever-so-slowly fading into dementia.

Though the photo is most likely from the 1950s or early 1960s, it gives you an idea of what Ruth and John looked like as they grew older.  Never very easy to deal with, John exhibited his anger in different ways, such as on the roads in Clearwater. 

"John got a citation today!  Police came here after J. had slight accident on Causeway.  Easter holidays have brought too many cars and caused so much delay that he got upset at people 'cutting in' & thus got it himself!  Tonite I drove both ways to Greer's." This is from Ruth's diary on April 17, 1981.  She was 74 and John was 81.  The following quote is from her April 24, 1981 diary entry.

"No tennis as John had to appear in court about last week's accident on crowded Causeway. 'No contest' plea got him $25 fine.  I hope he has learned something.  Started reading a free gift book - "The Spike" by Arnaud de Borchgrave & Robert Moss.  John liked it very much."

Both of them were avid readers and led an active social life centered around traveling as well as playing bridge and tennis with friends, some of whom were from their 20+ years at First Baptist Church in Oak Park.  As far as John's learning something from the ticket is concerned, fat chance!

A Drive Out in the Country to Deer Park

On May 31, 1926 the Merediths drove their Willys-Overland car, similar to the one pictured, out to Deer Park.  That caught my eye because the woods, now called Deer Grove Forest Preserve, are only two or three miles from where I live in Palatine.  I'd never dreamed they had driven out here for day trips into the country!  At that time, of course, Palatine was a tiny town perched on the railroad with farms radiating out into open land.

In the car were Ruth Meredith (19), her brother, Jimmie (14), and her parents, Jim (45) and  Lottie Weekes Meredith (39).  They were leaving their yellow-tan stucco two-flat in the Austin area of Chicago -- and their cares -- behind.  The Merediths had bought the two-flat, originally a house, in 1922 to add extra income.  They rented out the smaller two-bedroom flat above them.  They had a changing cast of characters as renters, some just fine and others who disappeared to avoid paying the rent, often leaving a mess behind them.

Ruth's diary said, "We left about 8:40 and arrived at Deer Park (30 miles from Chicago) at 10:15.  Had coffee and a big lunch we prepared before we left.  Played ball, etc.  It was cloudy most of the day." 

At 4:30 the Merediths headed back toward Chicago.  After 25 minutes, "the rain came down in sheets."  All but Lottie dashed out of the car, soon soaking wet, to retrieve the protective curtains from where they were stored and secure them.  "Didn't get home until 7:30 because we had to wait in lines of cars miles long when we came anywhere near (3 miles) of a busy crossroad."

This was a time when families took Sunday rides for fun into the forest, farmland or small towns, though this one didn't turn out as planned!