Glenn Steward
GLENN STEWARD WRITES FROM SHANGHAI, CHINA
Shanghai, China, Feb. 11, 1934.Dear Folks,
Well, the Chinese New Year starts this week. February 14th is the end of the old year. Believe me, these people sure believe in celebrating. Every night for one week before the New Year starts they fire fire crackers, get out in the streets and pound on gongs and symbols to chase away the old year. They have what they call a kitchen God that ascends to Heaven with the old year and tells the supreme God all the things they do throughout the year. So the Chinese people set out lots of food, so the God will eat a lot, and wine to make him drunk, and sticky candy so the God can't open his mouth, opium to make him sleepy, anything that will keep the kitchen God from telling the bad things they have done the past year. They also must pay up all their debts for the past year or they lose faith, and it is a terrible thing to these people if they can't meet their debts. Lots of them commit suicide because they can't pay their debts at new year time.
February 23rd.
Got to stand by today so there isn't a better time to answer your letter. Tomorrow a bunch of the boys go aboard the U.S.S. Henderson, sailing for the good old U.S.A. Most of them have put in 30 months over here and they can't hardly wait to get aboard, hoist anchor and bid the Orient a last farewell. I sure will be glad when I can do the same. Today was pay day for most of the boys, but I only get paid once a month because of my allotment. My pay does not go very far anymore, because of the exchange over here. When I first came to China it was $5 in Chinese money for one American dollar and I drew around $55 to $60 every two weeks. Now I am lucky to get $30 a month. Things are sure high here: cigarettes cost $2.40; soap, 20 cents; razor blades, $1.25; tooth paste, 80 cents; shaving cream, $1.00; laundry, $3.00; company fund, $1.00; room boy, $1.50. So you see, when I get everything paid I don't have much money for the month. If working conditions haven't picked up when I am paid off, I expect I will ship over again, but I think it will be the coast guards this time. There is more money and better advancement and I won't have to leave the U.S.A. I'll give civilian life a three months try for work before I ship over though. Give all my friends my best regards.
Your loving son,
Glen
This undated, unidentified newspaper article was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
- Glen Steward and Miss Alice Chase, of Lowell, were united in marriage at Crown Point last Saturday. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Steward, and has just recently been honorably discharged after four years service in the U.S. Marine Corps. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Leslie Chase. Both young people were raised in Lowell and are among our most highly respected young people. They will make their home at Hammond, where the groom is employed. We extend congratulations and best wishes.
The following January 11, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 3, column 3:
- Ben Wilkerson and brother-in-law, Ed Moore of Spartanburg, Carolina, enroute home from a business trip to Chicago, were guests of the Glenn Stewards and Mrs. Dessie Steward a few days last week. Glenn and Ben became buddies while serving with the Marines in China several years ago.
The following May 21, 1970, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 6, column 5:
- Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Steward arrived home May 16th from their winter home in Palmetto, Fla.
The following August 28, 1985, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, columns 2-3:
Open House to be Held
Glenn and Alice Steward of Lowell will be honored with a 50-year wedding anniversary open house this Sat., Aug. 31, from 3 until 5 p.m.The open house, given by their children, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Steward and Dr. and Mrs. Paul Steward, will be held at the Lowell Church of Christ, 299 Burr St., Lowell, in the reception area.
Friends and relatives are invited to help the couple celebrate this golden wedding anniversary.
The following September 4, 1985, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 8:
Golden Anniversary Marked By Reception
Glenn and Alice Steward of Lowell celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 31 at a reception hosted by their sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Kay Steward and Dr. Paul and Donna Steward, all of Lowell.The gathering, attended by 125 guests, was held at the Lowell Church of Christ.
The ‘golden couple,’ who have five grandchildren, were married Aug. 31, 1935, in Crown Point.
They owned and operated Steward’s Motel and Restaurant at State Road 2 and U.S. 41 for 26 years before retiring about 20 years ago. Now residing in Ellenton, Fla., the couple enjoyed visiting with Indiana friends and neighbors as well as their family, at the open house celebration.
The couple are the past matron and patron of the Order of Eastern Star #360 in Lowell.
The following May 21, 1986, Lowell Tribune obituary was found on page 18, column 7:
- Glenn F. Steward, age 76, of Lowell, passed away Mon., May 12, 1986, in Bradenton, Fla. He is survived by his wife, Alice Steward; two sons, Jerry (Marlene Kay) Steward and Dr. Paul (Donna Marie) Steward, both of Lowell, and five grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. May 16 from the Sheets-Love Funeral Home, Lowell, with Rev. Edgar A. Smith officiating. Burial followed at Lowell Memorial Cemetery. Glenn Steward was retired after 26 years as a service station owner, and was a member of Colfax Masonic Lodge 378 in Lowell, a past patron of the Order of Eastern Star 360 of Lowell, and a member of the Lowell Church of Christ.
The following obituary, which was found in the Lowell Public Library clipping files (LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 1, page 46) was hand-labeled as having come from the May 22, 1986, Lake County Star: LH V. I, p. 46 Hand ID--, 5-22-1986
- Glenn F. Steward, 76, Lowell, died May 12 at Bradenton, Fla.
He is survived by wife Alice, two sons, Jerry W. Steward and Dr. Paul Steward, both of Lowell; five grandchildren.
Services May 6 at the Sheets Love Funeral Home were conducted by the Rev. Edgar A. Smith. Burial was at Lowell Memorial Cemetery.
Mr. Steward, a retired service station owner, was a member of Colfax Masonic Lodge 379, Lowell; a past patron of the Lowell Eastern Star 360, and a member of the Lowell Church of Christ to which memorials may be made.
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