Shep's Place Family Tree

Eight years later, Miss Alice Brown and Professor Morgan Banks married.

On their marriage record Frank Chapman's age is 39 and Mary Alice Banks is 35. She was actually 39.

1930: Alice, 53, and her second husband, Frank Chapman 57, both worked at the Hartford post office. They had adopted Iva Hayden's son Paul, who was by then 17 years old. Also living with them was Ruby Chapman, Frank's daughter from his first marriage. Frank was 23 years old when he and Ruby's mother married.

22/4 Bissell Street
Chicago, Illinois
Hello Folks,
Rec'd cards, newspapers, valentines and so glad to hear from you. You should see our new home - some place - really two rooms-one large and one small where have two windows there- we keep our clothes and bags, ect- In the large room our bed-two dressers, sink and gas stove with oven, 1 table and five chairs some home - Its a lot more than what we had in Boston. Oh yes- I'm cooking beans today. Do you think it will be safe? Yesterday we had roast pork off which I saved the bones to cook in the beans with bacon and onions. I think it will be good. And we will have baked apples & salad, not bad, eh.
Today I went to Standard Brands for work. Things here look bright so before the week is out, I expect to find some kind of work.
We found Paul's mother living about 4 miles away. Went to visit them last week and they are insisting we move near them so that we can have our meals with them. I'm afraid at night to see planes landing and taking off-the lights are beautiful. What we have seen of Chicago we like very much. It is plenty windy though.
How is George Ginthers? How is Martha? and everyone? Luella and kiddies?
My mother wrote and tells us she is mailing a package with new sweaters and salamis ‎(like balogne)‎ she made. I hope they're good.
And Ruby ‎[Frank Chapman's daughter by a previous marriage]‎, did you receive many Valentines? Do write me soon! I did have a good time there at home. I'm looking forward towards May- Paul's school doesn't end until May 28th so I'm afraid it will be June sometime.
Darn it, I'm sorry I don't know more about fish than I do- cause last week I bought some kind of a fish and came home to cook it. I had asked the grocer about cleaning it and he said "just cut the head off and fry it- so I did When Paul came home he said "I have eaten fish before but never with scales - So I won't buy fish for a while. I can't seem to get Macheral nor Cod Fish here.
We are behaving- haven't had beer since we left home.
Paul got a hair cut this noon-I'm afraid he'll come home with a cold now.
Do write soon- I must get to supper-Beans look pretty good-
Ruby write- I will get the glass tube this week for you
Write ‎[underlines 3 times]‎
Lots of love, Paul and Mary.

no date
Wednesday afternoon.
Hello everybody:
"Never had anything else to do so I thot I'd write," we just came back from taking a ride up country someplace. I'm painting the roof of Ignace's ‎[Jenny Brown Eisenbarth's step-daughter]‎ garage which is in a bad shape, was painting this after-noon but decided we would rather go riding instead. Aunt J. ‎[Jenny]‎ has three tourist for the week. Sunday nite she had two from Tenn. Monday nite a man wife and baby from Florida so I've removed my bed to the attic to stay. Last nite Mrs Savage, Sarah, Marjory was over and played hearts and pig
time out for supper-----
thats over and Aunt Jennie wants to know your formula for getting me filled up, she says she never saw so many empty dishes on the table after a meal in her life. Aunt Jennie says her leg is better.
If Homer fixes that wire over-head have him to unhood those wires before you put up that switch handle.
Has Hardesty hoed the corn and beans in the front yard yet? haven't been over to see Monte yet. how is the dogs and the Roosters?
Paul.

Hello Everybody
Have been terribly busy the last 2 mo. putting in a full 9 to 11 hours every day we are opened another store in Beverly Mass. George went to this store and I have charge of the bakery here, note the change of address the landlord is closing the house so I'm taking a room next door which I think is better than the one I have all along we have had cold rainy weather up till a week ago but summer is coming with a bang now. Do you have much garden planted? How is Luella and the kids? tell them I ask. Aunt Alice send me your formula for mayonnaise. Ruby ‎[Alice Brown Chapman's step-daughter]‎ still working? You said Louise Mees was expecting a visit from the "Stork" if he's been there, when? what? ..-day Mr Brarg called me in the office. said "we're going away for a few days here's the keys to the apartment take someone in and have a party if you wish, there stuff in the ice-box that will spoil if it isn't used anyway just so you dont wreck the place. So---we'll see! Will close or its 8 o'clock and way past bed-time hoping every one is well and happy.
Paul.
P.S. bought a summer suit $22.50. $5 down balance in payments. Grey.

In Memory of Alice Brown Chapman
Date of Birth October 6, 1875
Date of Death June 27, 1966
Date and Place of Services
June 30, 1966 -- 3:30 P.M.
Fogleson Funeral Home Mason, W.Va.
Clergymen
Rev. Donald Boone
Rev. Marcus Traugh
Interment
Brown Cemetery
Hartford, W.Va.

On the other side of the card was this poem by William Cullen Bryant:

Comfort
Oh, deem not they are blest alone
Whose lives a peaceful tenor keep;
The Power who pities man has shown
A blessing for the eyes that weep.

The light of smiles shall fill again
The lids that overflow with tears;
And weary hours of woe and pain
Are promises of happier years.

For God has marked each sorrowing day,
And numbered every secret tear,
And heaven's long age of bliss shall pay
For all his children suffer here.