The daughter of Kate Youngs and Byron Baker, Ethel was the oldest of the children who lived. Adin was two years younger, than Ruth (born four years later with a heart condition that would take her thirteen years later) and baby Lillian (born five years later).
Five years ago, her daughter Lucille (aka Aunt CB) wrote up a story for her birthday that year. You can find it at:
http://taylorbakercousins.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html
Now, Aunt CB shares a few more thoughts of her mother:
Kate, Ethel, Lillian
“We have written before of Ruth’s death, which when Mom recounted it would always end up with copious tears. But I have often thought—Mom was only seventeen when she held her sister in her arms as she died—what a maturing experience! No wonder she was always so level-headed and unflappable.
We may also have written this up, but my older sister Ruth told me that Mom told her of a visit to a fortune teller in her teaching days ( 1906-1914). Upon folding out her cards, the fortune teller looked up and said “You have someone ‘up there’ looking out for you!” Mom said “Yes, it’s my sister.”
And the years raising children! She may have moved around the area between children, but she somehow managed to always have the same doctor deliver her babies and the same baby nurse. Mrs. Barber came for at least a week or two afterwards. In fact, when Harold was born, in South Byron, Mrs. Barber lived just down the street and we used to walk to visit her, I’ve been told.
When Arnon, her second child, was born, apparently her labor was much shorter and easier than the first because at one point, she dashed into the bathroom, thinking a need—and poor Arnon was almost delivered into the toilet!
When Doris was born, September 11th, 1924, she had canned fourteen quarts of corn. Having fed her father-in-law and sister-in-law ( B.W. Taylor and Aunt Clara), they helped her to strip the husks off and cut the kernels off to be placed in jars and boiled in a canner. Then she laid down in her bed and produced another daughter.
Lil, Ethel
In later, more quiet years, the picture I see in my mind when she and Aunt Lil got together, is of the two of them, usually up at the farm when Lil was then sleeping in Adin’s room off the kitchen, lying on the bed, resting, mouths going a mile a minute! All the children, then grandchildren, were brought forth of be discussed, then the neighbors—hardly ever time to get to the world events for ‘past years’ and relatives all needed to be remembered.
Nancy Ethel Baker Taylor was one in a million. We were very lucky to be her children. She prepared us well for life.
3 comments:
Grandma T--
I was only twelve when you died. Wish I had more time with you.
But the hugs and the great food,the way you listened to ALL of us many Kinsellas--THAT I remember!
And, thank you to Mom--Aunt CB--for always finding MORE stories to tell about ancestors. She has made so many people come alive in these stories. You and your Mom are BOTH treasures!
Love you,
"Aunt Ethel" Happy Birthday!
You always reminded me of my Nanny, in looks, compassion,and listening skills. I treasure the few times we had with each other.
Evelyn
She was a wonderful grandmother, dontcha know!
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