Eddiedeandavis, 1409 Haven Lane, Chicago, IL (2024)

11/18/2024

Mary Henrietta Graham was born in Windsor, Ontario, to a white Englishwoman mother (Sarah) and Black father (Levi) from Illinois. She was the second oldest of at least four children and went by the nickname "Mollie." At some point in her youth she moved to Flint, Michigan, where she graduated from Flint High School in 1876. In 1880, she graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Philosophy in Literature, the first Black woman graduate from the university. While in Ann Arbor, she lived at 10 Maynard Street.After graduating, she got a job as a teacher at Lincoln University in Jefferson, Missouri. In 1882 she married the journalist, lawyer, and activist Ferdinand Lee Barnett. They moved to Chicago and worked on Barnett''s newspaper The Chicago Conservator, the first Black newspaper in the city. Mary and Ferdinand had two children, Ferdinand L. and Albert Graham Barnett. Mary Graham died in Chicago on January 2, 1890, of heart disease.An obituary in the files of the Bentley Historical Library reads, At the time of her death, she was in the prime of useful vigorous life, the blow coming without a moment’s warning … During her short career of usefulness, she had come to be regarded not only as a woman of highest moral integrity but of splendid ability and brilliant promise. In 2017, University of Michigan students suggested changing the name of the C.C. Little Building to honor Graham instead, putting a temporary sign with her name over the existing sign.
In 2018 the name "C.C. Little" was dropped, and the building is currently referred to by its address, 1100 North University.

11/18/2024

Clara Belle Williams born 10/31/1885
*The birth of Clara Belle Williams in 1885 is celebrated on this date. She was an African American educator.
Born Clara Belle Drisdale in Plum, Texas, she attended Prairie View Normal and Independent College (now Prairie View A & M University) in 1903, and was valedictorian of her 1908 graduating class. Nine years later, she married Jasper Williams, and had three sons: Jasper, James, and Charles. She took courses at the University of Chicago, and then enrolled at the New Mexico College of Agriculture & Mechanic Arts in the fall of 1928. Taking courses only offered during the summer, while she worked as a teacher at Booker T. Washington School in Las Cruces, New Mexico, she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English from NMCA&MA in 1937 at the age of 51. Her husband died in 1946.
Clara Belle Williams continued her education well beyond her graduation date, taking graduate level classes into the 1950s. Mrs. Williams provided a shining example of overcoming adversity and served as an inspiration to her family and the people she met throughout her life. She succeeded despite significant obstacles of discrimination placed before her while pursuing her higher education. While attending New Mexico State, she sometimes had to stand outside in the hallway to listen to lectures. During a time Las Cruces’s public schools were also segregated, and thus Williams taught at the Booker T. Washington School for more than 20 years.
Williams’ three sons all went to college and graduated with medical degrees. Charles attended Howard University Medical School in Washington D.C.; Jasper and James graduated from Creighton University Medical School in Omaha, Nebraska. They went on to found the Williams Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. Clara Belle Williams went on to receive many honors during her lifetime. In 1961, New Mexico State University named Williams Street on the main campus in her honor. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from NMSU in 1980.
Clara Belle Williams passed away July 3, 1994 at the age of 108. The first Clara Belle Williams Day was celebrated on February 13, 2005 at NMSU. Included in the festivities was the renaming of the NMSU English Building as Clara Belle Williams Hall.

11/18/2024

Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was born on July 7, 1906, in Mobile, Alabama. Though many speculate it may have been more like 1903.
According to Paige, his mother sent him to earn money carrying luggage for businessmen at the train station, but he was frustrated with the little money it paid. So he rigged a pole to carry several bags at once to make the job pay better, and his co-workers purportedly told him, "You look like a walking satchel tree." And his nickname stuck.
At the age of 42 in 1948, Paige was the oldest major league rookie while playing for the Cleveland Indians. He played with the St. Louis Browns until age 47, and represented them in the All-Star Game in 1952 and 1953. He was the first player who had played in the Negro leagues to pitch in the World Series, in 1948, and was the first electee of the Negro League Committee to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.

11/18/2024

Joseph Douglass, Director of the Department of Music at Howard University and a painting of his grandfather, Frederick Douglass.
Joseph Douglass, grandson of Frederick Douglass, was the first nationally-known black concert violinist. His interest in music stemmed from his father and grandfather, both of which played the violin. Douglass was also the first black violinist to tour the world as a performer.

11/18/2024

Agatha Christie enjoyed tea on the balcony of the British School of Archaeology in Baghdad, Iraq, in the 1950s. Her second husband, Sir Max Mallowan, was a well-known archaeologist. Christie often traveled with him, helping uncover ancient Mesopotamian artifacts.
They met when Christie, newly divorced from her first husband after 14 years, decided to go on a solo adventure. She took the Orient Express to Baghdad, and while visiting the ruins of Ur, she met Mallowan. They married in 1930.
Being involved in Mallowan’s archaeological work inspired Christie’s writing. Her famous mystery, *Murder on the Orient Express,* was partly based on her own experience returning from one of her husband's digs in Iraq when the train was delayed for a full day due to bad weather. Her time in the Middle East also inspired other novels like *Murder in Mesopotamia* and *They Came to Baghdad.*
Image Credit: Peter Philim ( commons wikimedia )
Credit: American Philosophy ( Unauthorized copying is strictly prohibited )

11/18/2024

Blocker was a devoted family man. He married Dolphia Parker, whom he met while they were both students at Sul Ross State University in Texas. Together, they had four children: twin daughters Debra Lee and Danna Lynn, and two sons, David and Dirk Blocker.
Dolphia Parker – Blocker’s wife, Dolphia, remained out of the public eye for most of their marriage, focusing on raising their children while Dan was busy with his acting career. Their marriage lasted until Dan’s sudden death in 1972.
David Blocker – David became a successful Hollywood producer, winning an Emmy Award and working on various notable projects over the years.
Dirk Blocker – Dirk followed in his father's footsteps as an actor. He has had a successful career in television and film, with one of his best-known roles being Detective Hitchcock on the popular comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Debra Lee and Danna Lynn Blocker – The twins largely stayed out of the spotlight, choosing private lives away from the entertainment industry.

11/18/2024

In the harsh streets of the 1950s, a young mother named Maria cradles her baby, finding rest on the cold pavement after a long day of labor. She takes on any work she can find, from cleaning to hauling, earning just enough to buy a scrap of bread. With nothing but her sheer will and love for her child, she fights each day to carve out a sliver of hope in a world that has given her none.

11/18/2024

1934, Clark Gable did something that defied the usual Hollywood glamour. After winning an Oscar for his role in "It Happened One Night," he didn't keep the golden statuette to himself. Instead, he handed it to a child who admired it, telling him that winning the award was what truly mattered. But this wasn't the end of the story. After Gable's passing, the child returned the Oscar to the Gable family, completing a touching circle of admiration and respect.
Even before the iconic "Gone with the Wind" hit the screens in 1939, Clark Gable and Hattie McDaniel shared a bond that transcended Hollywood norms. Gable, impressed by McDaniel's talent and presence, advocated for her to play the pivotal role of "Mammy." Despite challenges and objections, McDaniel's powerful audition secured her the role, making history as the first African-American to win an Academy Award.
But the road to recognition wasn't easy. As the premiere approached, segregation threatened to keep McDaniel from attending. Outraged by the injustice, Gable stood firm, refusing to attend unless she was welcomed as an equal. His stance echoed loudly in Hollywood and beyond, marking a pivotal moment in the industry's journey towards equality.
Amidst the glitz and tragedy of Hollywood, Clark Gable's personal life was marked by profound loss and resilience. After his beloved wife, Carole Lombard, tragically died in a plane crash, Gable found solace in service. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps, rising to the rank of major and using his talents as a combat cameraman. His wartime journey took him from grief to duty, a testament to his strength and commitment.
As we explore Clark Gable's life, we uncover layers of courage, compassion, and conviction that shaped both his career and legacy. From Oscars to wartime service, his story resonates with themes of integrity and perseverance. What other stories of Hollywood's golden era do you find inspiring?

11/18/2024

forests, dominating the landscape with its immense size and longevity. Growing over 100 feet tall, these majestic trees could live for centuries, and at their peak, they made up about 25% of the hardwood canopy in their native range, which spanned from Maine to Mississippi and into the Midwest. The American chestnut was vital not only to the forest ecosystem but also to the people who lived among them.
Known for its straight, tall trunks and rapid growth, the American chestnut provided high-quality timber that was resistant to rot, making it a valuable resource for building homes, furniture, and railroads. Its wood was lightweight but strong, and its nuts were a reliable source of food for wildlife, such as deer, squirrels, and birds, as well as for humans. Communities relied on chestnuts as a staple for both nutrition and income, often selling the abundant crop in local markets.
However, in the early 20th century, the American chestnut tree suffered a catastrophic blow. A deadly blight, caused by the Cryphonectria parasitica fungus, was introduced to North America from imported Asian chestnut trees. First detected in New York City in 1904, the blight spread rapidly, wiping out billions of trees within just a few decades. The fungus attacks the tree's bark, girdling it and cutting off the flow of nutrients, which eventually kills the tree above ground, although the root systems sometimes survive and send up new shoots.
Despite numerous attempts to halt the spread of the disease, the American chestnut was largely driven to functional extinction by the mid-20th century. Its disappearance left a void in the ecosystem and the livelihoods of many Appalachian communities. Yet, efforts to restore the American chestnut tree have continued for decades, with scientists and conservationists working on breeding blight-resistant varieties and using genetic engineering to introduce resistance to the fungus.
Though the American chestnut's reign over the eastern forests is now a distant memory, the hope remains that through restoration efforts, these majestic trees may one day reclaim their place as giants of the Appalachian woodlands. The story of the American chestnut is a testament to both nature’s resilience and the enduring legacy of one of North America's most iconic tree species.

11/18/2024

Bell County, Kentucky, 1946...
Caption
Mrs. Monroe Jones in the kitchen of the four room house which serves as the family's home and for which they pay $9.50 monthly. Kentucky Straight Creek Coal Company, Belva Mine, Four Mile, Bell County, Kentucky...
Source
National Archives Russell Lee photographer

11/17/2024

Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s life was as intricate and mysterious as the poetry he wrote. Born in 1772 in the small English town of Ottery St. Mary, Coleridge was the youngest of ten children. His early years were filled with books and learning, encouraged by his father, a schoolmaster who fostered in him a love for literature. By his teens, Coleridge had developed a fascination with philosophy and the supernatural, themes that would shape his writing in later years. He attended Cambridge but found himself restless and uncertain, struggling with his own ambitions and the rigid expectations of academic life.
During these formative years, Coleridge met Robert Southey, another poet with whom he would form a deep bond. The two shared grand dreams of creating a utopian society in America, a plan they called “Pantisocracy.” Though the dream faded, the friendship left a mark, and Coleridge’s passion for idealism and social reform continued to influence him. Coleridge’s life changed further in 1797 when he met William Wordsworth. The two poets formed an extraordinary partnership, rooted in a shared vision to revolutionize English poetry by writing about everyday life, nature, and human emotion in a simple, expressive language. Their collaboration culminated in the landmark collection, Lyrical Ballads, published in 1798, which included Coleridge’s haunting poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
Coleridge’s imagination and linguistic talent brought The Rime of the Ancient Mariner to life, captivating readers with its eerie tale of a sailor’s cursed journey and themes of guilt, redemption, and the supernatural. This poem would become one of Coleridge’s most famous works, demonstrating his ability to blend narrative power with philosophical depth. Yet, even as he achieved literary success, Coleridge struggled with inner turmoil. He suffered from bouts of depression and anxiety, conditions for which he began using o***m—a substance that both haunted and inspired him. The addiction brought moments of vivid creativity, such as his vision in Kubla Khan, a fragmentary poem based on an o***m-induced dream, but it also deepened his struggles.
Coleridge’s later years were marked by his dependence on o***m and the physical and mental toll it took on him. Despite these challenges, he remained intellectually active, giving lectures on literature and philosophy and writing about political theory and religion. His deep reflections on these subjects made him an influential thinker of his time, and his essays on aesthetics and criticism had a lasting impact. Though his productivity slowed, he never lost his fascination with exploring human consciousness and the mysteries of the natural world.
By the time of his death in 1834, Coleridge had left a profound legacy in English literature. His contributions to the Romantic Movement, his explorations of the supernatural, and his reflections on nature and the human mind helped shape modern poetry. Coleridge’s work continues to be celebrated for its emotional depth, imagination, and insight into the human spirit, a testament to the life of a man who, despite his struggles, enriched the literary world with his visionary art.

11/17/2024

1919 Muriel Deason is born in Nashville. Known publicly as Kitty Wells, her 1952 single "It Wasn't God Who Made H***y Tonk Angels" is the hallmark of a Hall of Fame career that brings her 13 years of hits and the nickname the Queen of Country Music

11/17/2024

e son and grandson of prominent Scottish engineers, Louis was expected to follow in their footsteps. He dutifully attended engineering school, and excelled there, but upon graduation he disappointed his parents by announcing that he intended to become a writer rather than a civil engineer. Later he would disappoint them again by marrying F***y Van de Grift Osbourne, a pistol-packing American divorcee who was 12 years his senior.

But following his heart led him ultimately to happiness and success. When he died at age 44 of a cerebral hemorrhage, he was not at a desk in Scotland doing a job he hated, but rather at his home in the South Pacific, happily married and doing a job he loved, his novels Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde having won him enduring fame.

“An aim in life is the only fortune worth finding.”

Robert Louis Stevenson was born on November 13, 1850, one hundred seventy-four years ago today

11/17/2024

Burns probably had the some of the best lines during the series. Here are some of my favorite Frank Burns quotes:
1: “There’s your lounge lizard at war!”
2. “It’s nice to be nice to the nice.”
3. “Oh nerts to you!”
4. Attempting to wax philosophic: “Funny thing, war: never have so many suffered so much so so few could be so happy.”
5. “Nosey Nate!”
6. “That’s not my department. Intelligence is something I try to avoid.”
7. Frank: “Well I happen to think stealing is worse than lying.”
Margaret: “And you did both.”
Frank: “So I ought to know!”
8. “Courage is something you just can’t be afraid to have.”
-Nonsensical Gibberish, but also wise in its own way. Only from Frank.
9. Anytime Frank starts babbling because he is delirious. My favorites of these quotes: When he gets Hemorrhagic fever from “Solder of the Month”. Frank makes his will with Father Mulcahy and leaves all his clothes to Margaret: “Margaret, if I should go (die) before you, I’ll be waiting for you on the other side.”
Margaret: “Oh Frank, darling “
Frank: “But if my wife is there, pretend you don’t know me.”
And
Making his will with Father Mulcahy:
Mulcahy (to Margaret): “He does have the fever and a person is supposed to be of sound mind.”
Frank: “That’s ok Father, I don’t think my mind was any sounder when I was well.”
10. This isn’t a quote, but I love Frank’s sniveling, duplicitous, conniving laugh. Probably The Simpsons Mr Burns and Frank have the two best evil laughs in all TV.

11/17/2024

Bell County, Kentucky, 1941...
Caption
Photograph of Hazel Petrey cooking breakfast in her kitchen the morning of her wedding to Gilbert Dove. She makes gravy in a skillet on her Supreme Enterprise stove and there is a pan of biscuits to her right...
Photo: Joe Clark HBSS - Clark Family Photo Collection - Special Collections Library - University of North Texas

11/14/2024

**1924: My Dad and His Siblings in Chicago**
In 1924, my dad was captured in a photograph at the top with his sister and brothers in the Irish section of Chicago. This moment, filled with youthful joy and the bond of family, would soon be disrupted by a series of events that would change their lives. Shortly after this photo was taken, Child Protective Services intervened, removing them from their mother, who worked as a hotel maid, after their father abandoned the family. This experience marked the beginning of a difficult yet transformative chapter in their young lives.
Following their separation from their mother, my dad and his siblings were placed in St. Mary's Training School, a Catholic orphanage. Here, they found refuge and support, learning essential skills that would prepare them for the future. The orphanage provided not only shelter but also a structured environment where they could thrive, emphasizing education and work-related training. This nurturing atmosphere helped them adapt and find resilience amid the challenges they faced.
When my dad graduated from St. Mary's, he emerged with a diverse set of talents. He had mastered several musical instruments, including the drums, bugle, clarinet, and harmonica, and could read music proficiently. His education also included classical singing, showcasing the orphanage's commitment to fostering creativity alongside practical skills. These experiences equipped him with a strong foundation that would guide him throughout his life, turning a challenging upbringing into a story of resilience and achievement.

11/14/2024

Age: 106 years old
Known by numerous names including the “Whittling Fiddler” and the “Stradivarius of the Ozarks,” Grand Ole Opry performer, actress, fiddler, and designated “Living Treasure,” Violet Hensley is likely the oldest living link to country music’s past. Born on October 21, 1916 to George Washington Brumley and Nora Springer Brumley, that would make her 105 years old.
She learned how to make fiddles from her father who made his first fiddle in 1888 using hand tools. Violet Hensley was married at the age of 18 and had nine children, but always found the time to pursue her passion for fiddle making. A Violet Hensley-made fiddle is considered a treasure and a masterpiece. It wasn’t until later in life when she began to be known as a performer, releasing three album, Old Time Fiddle Tunes (1974), The Whittling Fiddler and Family (1983), and Family Treasures (2004).
Violet Hensley also appeared on The Beverly Hillbillies (1969), The Art Linkletter Show (1970), Captain Kangaroo (1977), and Live with Regis and Kathy Lee (1992). She’s been featured in National Geographic and other periodicals, and she made her Grand Ole Opry debut at the tender age of 99 on August 6th, 2016.
Credit Goes To The Respective Owner

11/14/2024

Photo: Undated photo of mother and child homesteaders in a Wyoming wheat field.

Although predominantly male in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the American West saw the significant presence of women and families due to homesteading. Women on these frontier homesteads endured the same physical hardships as men, such as harsh weather, illnesses, and other various dangers, but they alone faced the additional danger of childbirth. Medical assistance was often scarce, leading to high mortality rates for both mothers and newborns from otherwise treatable complications.

In the emerging towns, some women found employment as teachers, cooks, or seamstresses. However, they initially had limited rights. Women could not sell property, sue for divorce, serve on juries, or vote. The majority of women worked not in towns but on their own farms. By 1900, a typical farmwife spent about nine hours daily on household chores like cleaning, sewing, laundering, and cooking. Additionally, they spent two hours daily tending to farm duties such as cleaning the barn, milking cows, caring for chickens, and maintaining the garden. A farmwife in 1879 described their situation as “not much better than slaves,” highlighting the exhausting and repetitive nature of their work.

Farm life enabled women to challenge some legal and social norms despite these challenges. Many farm wives worked more equally with their husbands than women in the East. If a husband died, the widow often took over the farm’s management, a responsibility typically reserved for men back East. This necessity for shared labor made pioneer women crucial decision-makers and more equal partners in the success of their homesteads. Consequently, states in the Pacific Northwest and Upper Midwest, where women worked alongside men, were among the first to grant women rights, including the right to vote.

Some women adapted well to frontier life’s challenges. Mary Carpenter, writing to her Aunt Martha from Minnesota in 1873, expressed her resolve: “I try to trust in God’s promises, but we can’t expect him to work miracles nowadays. Nevertheless, all that is expected of us is to do our best, which we shall certainly endeavor to do. Even if we freeze and starve in the way of duty, it will not be a dishonorable death.” This resilience exemplifies the determination of many women who braved the hardships of the frontier.

Ultimately, pioneer women's contributions were essential to the survival and success of their families and farms and paved the way for greater legal and social advancements for all women