Three Thanksgivings in the 1930s

The picture shows Ruth wearing the black fox stole John gave her for their 1st wedding anniversary in June, 1930 and her July 5th birthday.  She was 24.  Maybe this was taken in the yard at 4705 Byron St., Chicago where they owned and lived in a 3-flat.

Nov., 27, 1930 - Thanksgiving - "Thanksgiving Day.  Cold! Folks came for dinner.  Chicken good - pie no good.  Played cards, had cold chicken in evening & cookies.  John peevish again.  Read in bed until 9:30."

Nov. 26, 1931 - Thanksgiving - "Smitty saw Baby first time.  John did part of my ironing while I washed Baby clothes.  We walked over to folks for dinner at 12:30.  We had leg-o-lamb & everything to go with Thanksgiving dinner.  Played Bridge & Hearts.  Home 8:15."

Nov. 24, 1932 - Thanksgiving  - "THaNksgiviNg.  After work was done here, we went to folks'.  Kennie slept on porch while we enjoyed Thanksgiving chicken (I paid for).  John's brief case stolen last nite.  Played cards.  (John out from 2:30-7:00.)"

Interesting to see that they had chicken twice and lamb once in those years.  The Depression had started in October, 1929, so money was tighter and tighter with so many losing jobs or getting large cuts in pay.  That explains the lack of turkey, duck, goose on the table.  I remember having turkey and duck for Thanksgiving at Grandma & Grandpa Meredith's at age 5 or 6.

Smitty was best friend to Jimmie, Ruth's younger brother, in grade school and high school.  It seemed that the relationship began to fray when they were in their late 20s.  I think that Smitty married where Jimmie did not.  Jimmie isn't mentioned, but he would have been at the 3 Thanksgivings at 19, 20 and 21 years old.

Kennie (later called "Kenny") was born on Sept. 6, 1931, so only 2 1/2 months old in Nov., 1931. Ruth and John were still coping with being parents as well as having little money.   They walked to the Meredith's on Iowa St. that year.  By then they had sold the 3-flat and had moved to a flat at 5841 W. Superior St.  It was only a few blocks from the Merediths.

Maybe Ruth was feeling festive when she wrote the unusual lettering on "Thanksgiving" in the 1932 quote from her diary.  By then they were probably feeling more at ease with 1-year-old Kennie.  Ruth doesn't say anything else about the brief case.  Perhaps that's where John went when he was "out" - looking for the brief case.

The day after Thanksgiving in 1932 Ruth and her mother,  Lottie Meredith, cut each other's hair and Lottie washed Ruth's hair.  Before the Depression when Ruth was working for Montgomery Ward, she and her mother both had their short hair cut by a barber.

Ruth's Move to a New World, Oak Park, with "Emotion"

This photo of Ruth Kellogg at age 35 in Oct., 1941 was taken before she moved to Oak Park.  It doesn't appear in Pieces of a Life.  Some of the diary entries that follow were used in the book, however.  They are among the most heartfelt, revealing ones Ruth wrote.

Most of Ruth's adult teen and adult years had been in the safe cocoon that the quiet, comfortable Austin neighborhood provided on the far west side of Chicago.  The house that Ruth and John bought in Nov., 1941 was only about two miles from the familiar two-flat on Iowa Street, owned by Ruth's parents, but may as well have been on the moon.  

Sunday, Nov. 16, 1941 - "Well, it's happened!  We've put a down payment on a 7-room house!  At 1210 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park.  It's 11 years old.  Needs a little decorating in spots.  Has 2-car brick garage like house - orange-tan face brick all around.  Gas vapor heat.  

Then we went to Florence's for 4 o'clock dinner.  Of course the talk was then all about house - we took them by ours tonight.  Too dark to see much.  I feel sort of sad about moving in a month from here."

Monday, Nov. 17, 1941 -  "All day my emotions were at a high pitch and I couldn't accomplish much.  I did phone in 'To Rent' ad for flat and then make house presentable.  But it's taking me all day to get used to idea of moving into strange house away from familiar neighborhood.

Kenny wrote composition about "Happiest Moment of My Life" - and the facts of buying house yesterday.  So teacher knows it already.

P.S.  I cried myself to sleep."

Thursday, Nov. 20, 1941 - "Thanksgiving Day was spent down with folks, as usual.  Had big turkey, etc.  Talked over different problems of house and furnishings.  Mama and I played Old Maid and then Bridge with Diane and Kenny.  

Golly, I'm in a muddle as to what to do first about Xmas and moving!"

Ruth and John went to dinner at Florence & Clyde Ballentine's in Elmwood Park.  Ken and I would have been invited because the Ballentines had a girl named Bonnie, who was 4 years old.

Ruth and John enjoyed playing cards, which is why Ken and I learned to play Auction Bridge and other games at 5 years old.  John was very competitive, which may have been why he wanted to live in upscale Oak Park.  Luckily for Ken and me, the school system was outstanding.  I remember feeling very out of place on my first day there in November, feeling that the other kindergartners already had become friends.  So I was echoing the feeling that my mother had.  I adjusted, thanks to some very thoughtful teachers and nice children.

Ruth Kellogg's Last Diary, 1990

It's hard to find pictures of Ruth late in her life.  This one was in 1979 when she was only 73.  She is surrounded by husband John (80), Lynn, Cindy, Kate and, behind the girls, their father, Dan Pellettiere.

I found a diary covered in a pattern of blue, peach and white.  This was Ruth's final journal and in it was a card that said, "Dear Ruth - Happy Birthday - Love, Amparo."

Ruth had  turned 84 on her birthday, July 5.  However, her slow-moving Alzheimer's had reached a point where she wouldn't have known the date or the year, so maybe Amparo had given it to her later...Ruth's first entry was on Sept. 8.  She said that was "the date of receiving."  There were only
perhaps a dozen entries scattered through the next 2 or 3 months.

Ruth also mentions that Amparo Lancaster, daughter-in-law Nellie's mother, "here to keep me company from time to time."  She didn't realize that Amparo was functioning as her caregiver and was with her about half of every week.  Amparo drove Ruth to the store, hairdresser, restaurants, and on any other appointments or errands.  Amparo was 7 years younger and doing well for her age.  In fact, she is still alive at 103.

November 4, 1990  -  "Early A.M. Diane phoned & we had about 10 or 12 minutes.  She's a busy gal!  I was glad to hear from her & she is a busy girl!  It's a shame we are so far from each other, but they are a busy family so I was surprised to hear her voice on phone & glad!

Outside there are 2 ends of a rainbow.  The rain must be far out - no see at all!  It is 6:30.  

A big crowd watching golfers (on TV).  It is raining here!  6:40 PM"

Ruth had never played golf, but enjoyed watching it because of the pretty scenery and activity.  At that point Ruth was still at Horizon House in Clearwater, FL where she and John had bought a large condo over 20 years earlier.  She was soon to go to a retirement home and then on to a facility for dementia patients where she spent the last few years of her life.

The picture and diary entries were not in Pieces of a Life.

Ruth and Baby #2

The picture shows Ruth, Diane (7 weeks) and Kenny (4 1/2) in 1936 in the backyard at Iowa St. where the Kelloggs lived upstairs above Ruth's parents, the Merediths, for a few years.

Ruth's diary entries are months earlier when she had just begun to tell people about her pregnancy.

Friday, October 11, 1935  -  "This was club meeting night at Jeanette's.   Had to take Kenny as he was too wide awake.  John went to show and came for us afterward, in time for eats.  

I told my news during course of evening.  Surprised them."

Sunday, Oct. 13, 1935 - "Wonderful weather.  Went to S.S. & was asked to take charge of nursery as a pair of twins were there.  I asked Martha to help me.  After S.S., as Herb Allen had to work, John asked Martha to ride with us to Lake Geneva.  

Before dinner we drove down to Jefferson Park hospital to look around.  I didn't like it, but he did.  Had malted milk, etc. in Lake Geneva & back home at 8.  Some ride - 4 of us in front seat."

 I think that Ruth and John went to Jefferson Park Hospital right after church.  Then they ate dinner in the early afternoon and later drove up to Lake Geneva WI to take advantage of a beautiful autumn day.

Ruth and John Say Happy 92nd Birthday to Lottie Weekes Meredith!

Oct. 1, 1978 - Sunday
"Mom's birthday (Meredith) - 1886
Mom 92!  We got there about 1 P.M. & put candles & 'Happy Birthday' sign on the small Lemon Coconut loaf cake.  We 4 sang the song & I cut the cake & we had ice cream with it.  She rec'd 9 cards.  Ken & Nellie gave her (on Thurs) small chain & imitation diamond in silver setting.  We played some Silly Solitaire.  Left about 3:30."

By 1978 the Kelloggs were well into their retirement years in Clearwater FL.  Ruth's mother, Lottie, and her son, Jimmie, were living together in nearby Largo FL.  Jimmie, a schizophrenic since his teen years, was 67.   Ruth and John were 72 and 79, still fairly healthy, able to see friends, play cards, enjoy tennis, take vacations in the US and other countries.

John loved to take walks. One of his favorite walks was to the library once a week, taking a book bag.  He would return books and pick up another 6 or so.  At one point his goal was to read all of the books in the Clearwater

Library, in alphabetical order.  When he ran into the new-to-him "Avon Romances", he decided that he could skip any books that didn't appeal to him - like those.

In the picture are Ruth and John with Dan after playing tennis. (I was the photographer,)  Ruth's diary entry and the picture aren't in Pieces of a Life, my book.

Two Diaries Speak on Aug. 9, 1965

I had had surgery in July, 1965 at Beth Israel Hospital in Manhattan, so was not yet back to work at U.S. Life on Maiden Lane in NYC when I wrote this diary entry. Our apartment was in Riverdale.  Calling long distance is still considered very pricey in 1965, as you can guess by my noting the time we talked.  The home office of the ad agency Dan worked for, N.W. Ayer, was in Philadelphia, though the office he went to most of the time was in the Time-Life Building at 50th and 6th.

Monday, August 9, 1965
"I got up at 9 and vacuumed the whole apartment. Then at 11 while I was writing to Dan's parents, the phone rang.  Surprise - my mother called to find out how I am.  We talked for 12 minutes....
The sky was overcast and it rained off and on, so I didn't go to the pool.   Wrote to my parents and continued reading an interesting book - The Heartland:  Ohio, Indiana, Illinois.  Dan called to say he would be in Philadelphia over night, then called from Philly at 7.  I read, baked cookies, watched TV.  Stayed up til 1:00."

 On the same day many miles west of us in Oak Park  IL, my mother, Ruth Kellogg, wrote in her diary.  

Monday, August 9, 1965
"Rain.  Phoned Beth & long-distanced to Diane.  As a result of talking to Diane (who is feeling fine), I started making a shift for Diane out of her former sorority curtains.  She is using shift a lot I made her."

The picture below is from July, 1936 when Diane was 2 months old.  Ruth Kellogg (30) had driven, Kenny (4), and grandmother Lottie (49) out to Elgin.  They were visiting Ruth's brother, Jimmie (25), in a mental institution.  He was diagnosed as a schizophrenic as a teenager.


Here are some short entries from Ruth's diary.  She was now the mother of 2 children - an infant and a 4-year-old, Kenny.  If you have ever leaped from 1 to 2 children, then you know what a big jump that is.  Ruth and John lived in a flat above her parents at 5458 W. Iowa St. in the Austin section of Chicago.  Lottie did help with some babysitting from time to time.  Her father, "Papa", was always a calming, steady influence.

Sunday, June 1, 1936 - "CHILDREN'S DAY.  I sent Kenny to Sunday School with the Allens.  At 4:45 we went for Children's Day exercises.  Had baby Diane dedicated with Cradle Roll members.  Had Allens to dinner."
Baptists are "dedicated" when they are named.  Later they are baptized, immersed in water, at around 12 years old when they are aware of the decision they're making.   The Allens were neighbors and close friends of Ruth and John, but soon moved to Reading PA and then on to Texas a few years later.

Monday, August 10, 1936 - "After we were in bed last nite it poured & blew terribly & a tipsy doctor skidded into our car at curb.  Funny.  I awoke John & he had to call garage to get bumpers unlocked."
Interesting that Ruth thought the "tipsy doctor" was funny - maybe because of the locked bumpers.  She was brought up in a non-alcoholic family as was John.  

Saturday, August 22, 1936 - "Went to show & left baby with John.  Kenny with me.  When we got home, she was crying in the dark while John slept on the back porch."
This was probably John's way of showing me who was boss.  He was reared in a more harsh time for children, having been born in 1899.

Friday, August 28, 1936 - "John had bad smash up with car on way to work.  Says a milkman was in way & he didn't see the other car soon enough.  Both at fault."

Friday, September 4, 1936 - "Had to bail John out of jail at 9:45 tonight.  Lucky for him I had saved $70.00.  The other fellow in accident served warrant & John has to go to court."
On the following day when they were leaving for Ann Arbor MI to see John's mother and stepfather,
Ruth mentions that John returned the money, so apparently the court felt it was not his fault.

Sunday, September 13, 1936 - "Rained hard & long today, but we started for Elgin to see Jim at 2:15.  He was fine & we all ate downtown & drove around.  Home at 8:15."
Jimmie did have shock treatments at Elgin, but I am not sure just when.  His first flare-up was at church as a teenager, so 9 or 10 years earlier.  Mental illness was not understood at all at this point or even 40 or 45 years later when he was placed in a mental hospital in Florida.