a bit of family history

 

It felt like an early Christmas gift when my grandpa gave me this picture yesterday.  His grandparents and all of their children (his dad is the third from the right in the back row, with the handsome swirl of hair).  And then he told stories about these aunts & uncles he knew well.  10 boys, 2 girls. 

Bill had Tubercleosis in a time when that meant confinement in a room built separate from the house.  The two sisters brought food back to his room regularly, but both were weakened and died fairly young of the same disease, one without ever having married. 

Doctor was given his name simply because he was the seventh consecutive son.  Apparently that was commonly done (with some biblical origin?), an interesting tidbit that I have never heard.  But I suppose there simply aren't so many seventh consecutive sons born these days. 

Dudley's wife died young, leaving 5 small children.  He remarried and had 12 more for a total of 17.  His oldest daughter was born on the precise day that Arizona gained statehood - February 14, 1912.  She is still living in the valley.

I asked what his grandpa was like.  The answer:  "He was the best darn fellow you ever did meet."  That status was apparently gained partially due to his Model T Ford, which he once let his 9-year-old grandson drive.  I suppose some things really don't change within a single century.  Hero status amongst a 9-year-old boy still takes that same route.

I asked what his grandma was like.  Apparently, she was quiet...people sometimes thought her grouchy.  I look at this picture and see the truth.  This woman was tired.  And there was no time for nonsense.  But that's just me imagining.  I do know that she obviously raised a clean, sharp family of 14, and actually managed to get a picture of them taken in the 19-0something's.  And that sure seems like something huge.

Grandpa's grandpa was the son of Daniel Webster Jones, who came to Arizona in 1877.  He remembers his grandfather well, and I'm sure he enjoyed many firsthand stories about his great grand, as well.  That makes me a 5th generation Arizona native. During our visit I was struck by the realization that grandpa's right there in the middle...spanning the years from start to present of this Arizona clan.

Comments

[Megan]

This is so cool. Interesting how life was back then. I can not even imagine ten boys. Geez, that mother must have been very strong, are you sure we're related!

[Tiffany]

So neat! What a precious photo.

[Marie]

Plain old amazing. All you need is five more boys and you can name one Doctor. That should be incentive enough, right?

[Kelly]

One of my favorite parts about this is the handwriting below the photo. And Doctor -- who knew about that tradition? I have never heard that before. I think Grandpa Jones looks quite a bit like his father. And what a cool realization that he's in the middle of the AZ generational span. You really are an Arizona girl.

[jenny c.]

What a treasure. I LOVE when my Papa sits down to tell me stories like that. Thanks for sharing :)

[cyndee]

Thanks Amy! It is unusual to be a native Arizonan and have this history. My dad will love you for this post.

[April]

This was just awesome. My favorite part was your comment about his mother. Amen to that, my dear.

[michelle]

Wonderful! Such a great photo, and even better to get some history on the people in it. I LOVED your thoughts on his grandmother. What a woman.

[carlo]

How wonderful to have this bit of family history and the storyteller to share the history. Blessed...