Uhter Family History

UHTER FAMILY HISTORY

This was written and told by Sadie Parker to her aunts and cousins, down to third cousins, at the Uhter Family Reunion, September 12th, 1943:

We are always joyful on an occasion like this, and thankful for fellowship of kinfolk. The greater number of us here are direct or indirect descendants of Henry and Sophie Uhter, long removed from our midst, but a mind is wonderful, holding memories so precious. On the table is placed a floral tribute in memory of our Grandpa and Grandma Uhter and to their children, who were our fathers and mothers.

My first memories of going to my grandma's log house, hewn logs put together with plaster, and a lean-to kitchen of wide boards, where much cooking was done. Grandma always had a long table, for many ate here each day. The stairsteps going up to the one room upstairs were hewn logs, too. Partitions, instead of walls, divided the beds -- I think there were six beds. One window at each end of the room. At the north window stood a small spinning wheel. We thought it so much fun to just peddle it awhile.

Up on the shelf was Aunt Sophie's parasol, with ruffles of lace; Aunt Ida was a young girl then too. We would get the parasol down and open it and admire its beauty, but quickly getting it back on the shelf. Grandma's garden, enclosed in a high board fence, with a gate swung heavy with chain and weight, to guard against chickens and dogs. Here close together were Sweet Mary and "Old Man." Such a combination, Sweet Mary and "Old Man." On the sunny side were her moss roses, the colors blending like a rainbow. Over in the corner by the road, grew her castor beans, way above the fence.

Our poor Grandpa, I can't remember him in good health. He had an accident -- hit by a street car in Chicago. It left him forever after with a hurt back. All day in his bed he lay through the winter months. So sick, hand him some homemade cookies in a sack, how he would smile for that small snack.

Going to Grandma's for Christmas, "Oh My" her tree, just couldn't see it in a little while. It took all day, just gazing at the ornaments, little angel faces, with tinsel all around. When it was time to go home she would take something from the tree and give it to me. I have an Easter egg, made of china. It has been over 50 years since she gave it to me. I have her thimble, a silver one. She could never wear it; her thimble finger was injured. Today I an giving it to Ruth Marion Nelson, a great-granddaughter, who one week from today will be a bride. May she ever cherish this thimble.

Now, a mental picture. Let's all think hard. Our Aunt Sophia, always busy at her chores. Such a lark to go with her to the south forty to pump water for the cattle -- walking all the way there and back on the railroad track, laying pins crosswise hoping a train might come and make us some scissors.

Then Aunt Clara Uhter Haack, such lovely aprons she would make. So white, with tucks and crocheted lace so wide. Always busy teaching her daughters the fundamentals of good housekeeping.

Uncle Lew, he brought spice into the family. He liked a good time, always telling jokes and laughing at them.

Our own dear mother, Minnie Uhter Westberg, her life was filled with much toil when we were kids. Cooking for harvest men, washing and ironing, baking bread, sewing fly blankets for the horses. Scrubbing the kitchen, getting it all done in a day. She left us a memory like a shining light.

Uncle "Bill" was more quiet I recall. He liked engines and threshing rigs. Loved his children and grandchildren. He, too, left a lasting memory.

Then there was good Aunt Annie. What fun to visit her for a day. She would say, "What kind of sauce for dinner today kids?" "Gooseberries" she always had them. Once I helped her stretch and tack a carpet. Went to the newly threshed straw stack for straw, scattered it over the carpet, she stretched and I tacked. We got to laughing and rolled on the floor -- had to take time out. She loved to laugh and to visit.

Uncle John was so generous and kind hearted. It just made everybody's feet get to stepping when he played on his harmonica. And then too, we must pay tribute to Emma Uhter Fisher. Her layer cake, with lemon filling, so good on a fishing trip to the Kankakee River. And our Aunt Dona. Mother of the four Uhter boys and Clara. Her life was lived so closely with our grandma, that she was surely a strong link in the family chain. In due respect to the two remaining aunts -- Mrs. Jena Worley and Mrs. Ida Shurte, corsages of red rosebuds, were presented with love and affection.

And now the tie that binds. May it keep us united until we meet again in September 1949. God willing. A cousin who was hospitalized from accident injuries by a car collision two weeks before was not forgotten. A purse of $25.25 was sent to her by the cousins. Also the table floral piece, of red roses and white clematis and ageratum.