Barber County Kansas
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Barber County Kansas |
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From Barber County, Kansas: The Chosen Land, page 208.
The first few years in Barber County Bob Groendycke saw some pretty hard times. One winter Kaffir corn meal was a main food source. Bob came here in 1887. He first stayed with the Harbaughs until he later moved to his own farm further west. He taught "Lick Skillet" School (later Sunflower). The next winter he taught Round-Up. He was engaged in farming and stock raising.A star route brought mail every other day to their home from Medicine Lodge. People picked it up from "Round-up Postoffice". Everyone traveled by lumber wagon or on horseback to attend community square dances, literary, spelling bees, or singing schools. A few young fellows brought their girls in their buggys. Families filled wagons with straw and children snuggled into this, with comforters they were snug and warm.
When serious illness struck the family, it was necessary to ride to town for the doctor. Home remedies were kept in the home, and they did pretty well caring for minor illness.
There were gardens and fruit. Hogs were butchered and meat cured.
Clara C. (b. 1890), was second of 5 children; Robert Jr. died in infancy. After Clara came Isobel (md. Walter Friend), Nettie (md. Franklin Eby), John (md. Thelma Carriker). Their mother was the former Bell Talbot, resident since 1887.
The family moved to Medicine Lodge in 1909, as Bob was serving as treasurer, Clara as deputy. In 1912, at age 21, Clara was elected for the office. She and her father continued that office for 10 years.
Clara missed the rural life and the excitement of breaking horses, so she went to Colorado with relatives on a work/vacation. They grazed cattle in the Rockies in summer and trailed them down in winter.
Clara returned to Lake City when the First State Bank opened, and served as cashier until 1928. Oil exploration brought geologist and drilling crews to Lake City, and she often rode to the country to secure leases for them.
Clara was popular as a business woman as well as entertainer. She could play the violin or 'strike up a tune on the fiddle' whichever was appropriate. In 1933 she returned to Medicine Lodge to care for her aging parents. She became deputy county clerk in 1937, two years later she joined the welfare staff as fiscal officer, retiring in 1961.
In 1952 she built her home and enjoyed flowering trees and shrubs, flowers, and garden. She retained her love for the outdoors by rock hounding, bird watching and photography. She was an ardent reader, and loved her music.
Clara was active in Wesleyan Guild, a member of United Methodist Church, Monday Afternoon Club and BPW. She was deceased in 1973, well past her 80th year.
Also see:
Luther A. & Minnis (Minnick) Eby, parents of Franklin Eby.
A List of the Graduates of Medicine Lodge High School (1890 - 1937)
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