As a child I did not think a great deal about those who are often called a part of my “family tree”. I never had a grandfather because both of them were deceased when I was born. But my grandmothers, my great grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins bring memories to me.
My father, Harry Clendenin (1898-1962), grew up in a family that would have been considered today as modest —honest and upstanding citizens in a rural town in southeastern Ohio but by no means affluent. Daddy had no opportunity to pursue a career. He and his brothers Frank (1896-1987) and Charlie (1907-1964) were expected to get a job as soon as possible after high school. My father’s dad, Charles Clendenin (1865-1927), had died of a heart attack and my grandma, Mary Willey Clendenin (1869-1956) needed monetary help. Daddy was the middle child. Because of age limitations, he was not called to serve in World War II. My Uncle Charlie did serve in the Navy. Grandma Clendenin never worked. She moved about four blocks from my home when she was older. She spent time with us especially on Sundays for dinner. My sister Barbara and I went to church with her, and she helped can vegetables and fruits every summer. Most of the time my sisters walked to her home to keep her company. She always had candy in a dish which was quite a treat and I actually learned how to sew on her old sewing machine. My Uncle Frank was older and his children were also grown when I was small so we didn’t visit his family very much. My Uncle Charlie and Aunt Hazel (1912-1983) were kind but we did not socialize with them often.
My mother’s family was much more colorful. Mother, Varney Faye Rawson, was born in DesMoines, Iowa. She had one sister, Lorena. Her father, Dewitt, was a prestigious doctor. In the early 1900s, doctors were expected to make house calls and one day my grandfather was killed in an accident as he was en route to a patient. This changed the rest of my grandmother, Bertha Rawson’s life. She moved back to live with her mother and father in Ohio who owned a farm and land. Both of her parents had physical and mental conditions. My great grandfather was a gambler and addicted to alcohol. These problems demanded so much from my grandmother. She worked in many jobs and tried to raise her two daughters. As a result of domestic unrest, I believe my own mother’s childhood was not pleasant.
When I was young, my dad spent much time planting and harvesting large gardens on the farm. We all picked up potatoes and melons. My sister and I were expected to pick blackberries and we had great fun at the family reunions on the farm. Later, my grandmother would sell the farm and moved to Columbus, Ohio to work. BobbyAye and I actually took the Greyhound Bus to visit her and enjoyed the adventure. Grandma Rawson moved back to Gallipolis in her sixties and we spent much time with her. I remember she never missed her soap opera show on radio and was insistent on doing most of the cooking when she came to our home. Her cherry pies were perfect! Once a year, my mother’s sister Lorena and husband Eddie, a salesman, with my cousins Shirley and Butch would come to visit.
Many years later when my sister Betty had the chance to travel, she was able to determine that our ancestry was both Scottish and British. She actually located our colors during her European trip.
Next, I will share more about my parents. Stay tuned!!!