Recollections of Susan Cromment
(Susan Elizabeth DeCamp)
1855-1839
Valentine, Nebr. July 23, 1929
I was born in Erie Co. Pennsylvania July 24 1855. I will give the history of my parentage and ancestors as best I can. My grandfather on my father's side (name George DeCamp) was of French descent, born in Westmoreland co., Penn., a pioneer to Erie Co. My grandmother was of Irish descent born in Virginia. Grandfather lived to be 99 and 6 mo. old. Cleared a farm in Erie Co. in early days. Lived their till he died. They had a family of 10 children, one of whom I will mention was Geo. W. DeCamp. A prominent lawyer noted to always win the cases he took. On my mother's side, grandfather was Irish descent. A tailor by trade in Nashville, Tennessee.
My father was a farmer and a poor man. From 10 children he raised 9 children to man and womanhood. I (Susie DeCamp) was the 5th child. I can remember as far back as when I was 2 1/2 years old. I had a brother born on the 4th of April. My birthday was July 24th. I was a little less than 2 years old when he was born. As I said father was a poor man. My Uncle was rich and owned lots of timber land so he hired my father to move up near Erie City in the fall to boss and board the crew of men to get out the timber. Oh how hard my poor mother worked all that winter. I was little and couldn't realize it then but I can now. I can see always back in the bygone time her carrying that cross baby on her hip, cooking for all those men. Up early and late, cooking buckwheat pancakes every morning. Hot biscuits for dinner, and supper. Up till 10 and 11 o'clock getting ready for the next day, all done by the light of tallow candles or a twisted rag in a saucer of grease.
My oldest sister just had to go to school at the cost of my mother's health. She broke down that winter. For a fact was never well after that. Then I can remember the house was large and another family lived in part of it. Their name was Bomgardner. They were Dutch people and of course made Sauerkraut and little as I was when I went into that part of the house to play with the little Bomgardner girls, that smell. I didn't stay long. Well we got through the winter someway and moved back to the dear old log house where I was born. I see it yet now, the fireplace, the little windows, and the beautiful flowers my mother had in the front yard. Lilacs, peonies, red and white roses, snowballs and all kinds of flowers, but one thing I can remember is our big clock was gone and other things such as potatoes and fruit that someone thought they wanted more than we. Well, things went on in common for a period of 2 or 3 years. Then father built a new house and a barn of which we were all so proud. I went to school when I was 5 years old. I remember the little red school house. Father and mother told me I walked when I was 7 months and talked when I was 1yr. old.
I remember going with my father to sugar bush to make maple syrup and sugar from the sap of the maple trees. How I wish I could recall those days. I also remember him making soap out of lye, leached off the ashes (wood ashes). He would fix salt barrels with sticks and a little straw in the bottom so to hold the ashes from coming thru, and then he would pour water on the ashes and when it came thru, Oh how strong the lye was. Then it was put in a big kettle with grease and boil to soap. The big orchards and lovely sweet apple cider. How I wish I had a glass of it today. The apple butter, how delicious the maple syrup was. And the big cakes of maple sugar piled in mothers pantry. No white sugar only for coffee in our house.
I can remember my father cutting his wheat and oats with a cradle by hand. He mowed his hay with a scythe. Thrash his wheat out on the barn floor with a flales, a long handle with another stick about as long tied together. One man on each end of the pile they put on the floor and they whaled away until the wheat is all flaled out. He done all of his work with oxen. Of course he had horses. I know he did for they ran away with me in the sled one day. An old Irish women came to our house she got down and prayed and crossed herself and when they found out that I wasn't hurt she thought her prayers saved me, but she said if it had of been my other sister, Sad or Sarah, she wouldn't have prayed at all. The people were so much more sociable than they are now. They would visit among one another have their husking bees, the neighbors would take turns and help each other husk the corn. It was all cut and in shucks and put in the barn then when it was ready neighbors were invited, and have a good super and a jolly time. The same way when apple drying came. The women and girls came, some would peel, some would cut the cores out, and others would string them on a cord with a big darning needles. We used to have such good times at the 4th of July celebrations. The people would take their diners and put them together on a long table and eat together. The same at Sunday school picnics.
Now I am leaving dear old Pennsylvania and all its good times and nothing but fond memories are left. Father sold out and followed old neighbors and oldest sister, Nancy Jane DeCamp Platt and husband to Iowa, the far west in those days. We landed in Carroll, then nothing but a depot and a few houses. My brother-in-law, Jed Platt met us there with a covered wagon. They piled us children in the wagon and started across the prairie. Oh, such roads, sloughs galore. Us children would take off our shoes and wade across. We had lots of fun but got pretty tired, all day long, the long days in June, going about 25 miles each day to our destination.
Father bought a place, just wild prairie and built a house. We all enjoyed the new country. (Note by her daughter, Ronda Cromment, "The house was built of black walnut dimension stuff. In after years dad and mother Susie and Leon DeCorsie Crommentt bought it and moved on it then I was 3 years old. Paul, Beulah and Hazel were born in this house. After we moved to Minn. It burned down."
My two older sisters, Ann and Sad or Sarah would take walks in the prairie and pick wild flowers. There was many kinds of beautiful flowers.
Father broke up his farm with oxen and mules and by the time he got it under cultivation and raising wheat, the harvesters that cut the grain and was shoved off the ground. Men would go around after the machine and bind it in bundles with bands they made with straw that they twisted together.
I was married when I was 18 1/2 years. Bought a little place, lived there till my 3rd child was born (Melvin and twin and a girl stillborn.) Then my husband took a notion to go to Furnace Co. Nebr. but did not sell the place. We tayed there until the drought drove us to our little place back in Iowa. One of my boys, Guy was born in Furnace Co. the rest were born in Iowa.
I have 9 living children and 3 died in infancy. When my youngest girl was 1 year old we moved to Minnesota, lived there a few years, then divided up with my husband and came to Cherry Co., Nebr. with my youngest son Paul. We both took homesteads, proved up, went together, and bought a few head of cattle, they multiplied and here I am an old lady. Got a nice home in Valentine. My second youngest daughter lives with us and takes good care of me. I‘ve lived to raise 9 children, see the great improvement from the tallow candle to electric lights, from plowing corn with one horse to the Farmall that will plow 30 or 40 acres a day, from the cradle to the harvester that cuts, thrashes, and sacks all at once. From the horse and buggy to the automobile and now the airplanes flying high in the sky. There is only one thing that is not grand and good and that is the style of women's dresses. Thee end.
*************
Susan's children were: Clyde Leon Crommett 1876 – 1950; Zona E. Cromment 1876 – 1879; Melvin DeCorse Crommett 1879 – 1949; Guy Wallace Crommett 1881 – 1968; Mona Esther Cromment 1883 – 1964; Addie Anna Crommett 1885 – 1973; Rhoda Blanch Crommett 1886 – 1975; Squire Paul Leon Crommett 1888 – 1945;Beulah Viola Cromment 1892 – 1964 and Hazel Violet Cromment 1900 – 1980.
When you visit this memorial please leave flowers.
(Susan Elizabeth DeCamp)
1855-1839
Valentine, Nebr. July 23, 1929
I was born in Erie Co. Pennsylvania July 24 1855. I will give the history of my parentage and ancestors as best I can. My grandfather on my father's side (name George DeCamp) was of French descent, born in Westmoreland co., Penn., a pioneer to Erie Co. My grandmother was of Irish descent born in Virginia. Grandfather lived to be 99 and 6 mo. old. Cleared a farm in Erie Co. in early days. Lived their till he died. They had a family of 10 children, one of whom I will mention was Geo. W. DeCamp. A prominent lawyer noted to always win the cases he took. On my mother's side, grandfather was Irish descent. A tailor by trade in Nashville, Tennessee.
My father was a farmer and a poor man. From 10 children he raised 9 children to man and womanhood. I (Susie DeCamp) was the 5th child. I can remember as far back as when I was 2 1/2 years old. I had a brother born on the 4th of April. My birthday was July 24th. I was a little less than 2 years old when he was born. As I said father was a poor man. My Uncle was rich and owned lots of timber land so he hired my father to move up near Erie City in the fall to boss and board the crew of men to get out the timber. Oh how hard my poor mother worked all that winter. I was little and couldn't realize it then but I can now. I can see always back in the bygone time her carrying that cross baby on her hip, cooking for all those men. Up early and late, cooking buckwheat pancakes every morning. Hot biscuits for dinner, and supper. Up till 10 and 11 o'clock getting ready for the next day, all done by the light of tallow candles or a twisted rag in a saucer of grease.
My oldest sister just had to go to school at the cost of my mother's health. She broke down that winter. For a fact was never well after that. Then I can remember the house was large and another family lived in part of it. Their name was Bomgardner. They were Dutch people and of course made Sauerkraut and little as I was when I went into that part of the house to play with the little Bomgardner girls, that smell. I didn't stay long. Well we got through the winter someway and moved back to the dear old log house where I was born. I see it yet now, the fireplace, the little windows, and the beautiful flowers my mother had in the front yard. Lilacs, peonies, red and white roses, snowballs and all kinds of flowers, but one thing I can remember is our big clock was gone and other things such as potatoes and fruit that someone thought they wanted more than we. Well, things went on in common for a period of 2 or 3 years. Then father built a new house and a barn of which we were all so proud. I went to school when I was 5 years old. I remember the little red school house. Father and mother told me I walked when I was 7 months and talked when I was 1yr. old.
I remember going with my father to sugar bush to make maple syrup and sugar from the sap of the maple trees. How I wish I could recall those days. I also remember him making soap out of lye, leached off the ashes (wood ashes). He would fix salt barrels with sticks and a little straw in the bottom so to hold the ashes from coming thru, and then he would pour water on the ashes and when it came thru, Oh how strong the lye was. Then it was put in a big kettle with grease and boil to soap. The big orchards and lovely sweet apple cider. How I wish I had a glass of it today. The apple butter, how delicious the maple syrup was. And the big cakes of maple sugar piled in mothers pantry. No white sugar only for coffee in our house.
I can remember my father cutting his wheat and oats with a cradle by hand. He mowed his hay with a scythe. Thrash his wheat out on the barn floor with a flales, a long handle with another stick about as long tied together. One man on each end of the pile they put on the floor and they whaled away until the wheat is all flaled out. He done all of his work with oxen. Of course he had horses. I know he did for they ran away with me in the sled one day. An old Irish women came to our house she got down and prayed and crossed herself and when they found out that I wasn't hurt she thought her prayers saved me, but she said if it had of been my other sister, Sad or Sarah, she wouldn't have prayed at all. The people were so much more sociable than they are now. They would visit among one another have their husking bees, the neighbors would take turns and help each other husk the corn. It was all cut and in shucks and put in the barn then when it was ready neighbors were invited, and have a good super and a jolly time. The same way when apple drying came. The women and girls came, some would peel, some would cut the cores out, and others would string them on a cord with a big darning needles. We used to have such good times at the 4th of July celebrations. The people would take their diners and put them together on a long table and eat together. The same at Sunday school picnics.
Now I am leaving dear old Pennsylvania and all its good times and nothing but fond memories are left. Father sold out and followed old neighbors and oldest sister, Nancy Jane DeCamp Platt and husband to Iowa, the far west in those days. We landed in Carroll, then nothing but a depot and a few houses. My brother-in-law, Jed Platt met us there with a covered wagon. They piled us children in the wagon and started across the prairie. Oh, such roads, sloughs galore. Us children would take off our shoes and wade across. We had lots of fun but got pretty tired, all day long, the long days in June, going about 25 miles each day to our destination.
Father bought a place, just wild prairie and built a house. We all enjoyed the new country. (Note by her daughter, Ronda Cromment, "The house was built of black walnut dimension stuff. In after years dad and mother Susie and Leon DeCorsie Crommentt bought it and moved on it then I was 3 years old. Paul, Beulah and Hazel were born in this house. After we moved to Minn. It burned down."
My two older sisters, Ann and Sad or Sarah would take walks in the prairie and pick wild flowers. There was many kinds of beautiful flowers.
Father broke up his farm with oxen and mules and by the time he got it under cultivation and raising wheat, the harvesters that cut the grain and was shoved off the ground. Men would go around after the machine and bind it in bundles with bands they made with straw that they twisted together.
I was married when I was 18 1/2 years. Bought a little place, lived there till my 3rd child was born (Melvin and twin and a girl stillborn.) Then my husband took a notion to go to Furnace Co. Nebr. but did not sell the place. We tayed there until the drought drove us to our little place back in Iowa. One of my boys, Guy was born in Furnace Co. the rest were born in Iowa.
I have 9 living children and 3 died in infancy. When my youngest girl was 1 year old we moved to Minnesota, lived there a few years, then divided up with my husband and came to Cherry Co., Nebr. with my youngest son Paul. We both took homesteads, proved up, went together, and bought a few head of cattle, they multiplied and here I am an old lady. Got a nice home in Valentine. My second youngest daughter lives with us and takes good care of me. I‘ve lived to raise 9 children, see the great improvement from the tallow candle to electric lights, from plowing corn with one horse to the Farmall that will plow 30 or 40 acres a day, from the cradle to the harvester that cuts, thrashes, and sacks all at once. From the horse and buggy to the automobile and now the airplanes flying high in the sky. There is only one thing that is not grand and good and that is the style of women's dresses. Thee end.
*************
Susan's children were: Clyde Leon Crommett 1876 – 1950; Zona E. Cromment 1876 – 1879; Melvin DeCorse Crommett 1879 – 1949; Guy Wallace Crommett 1881 – 1968; Mona Esther Cromment 1883 – 1964; Addie Anna Crommett 1885 – 1973; Rhoda Blanch Crommett 1886 – 1975; Squire Paul Leon Crommett 1888 – 1945;Beulah Viola Cromment 1892 – 1964 and Hazel Violet Cromment 1900 – 1980.
When you visit this memorial please leave flowers.
Recollections of Susan Cromment
(Susan Elizabeth DeCamp)
1855-1839
Valentine, Nebr. July 23, 1929
I was born in Erie Co. Pennsylvania July 24 1855. I will give the history of my parentage and ancestors as best I can. My grandfather on my father's side (name George DeCamp) was of French descent, born in Westmoreland co., Penn., a pioneer to Erie Co. My grandmother was of Irish descent born in Virginia. Grandfather lived to be 99 and 6 mo. old. Cleared a farm in Erie Co. in early days. Lived their till he died. They had a family of 10 children, one of whom I will mention was Geo. W. DeCamp. A prominent lawyer noted to always win the cases he took. On my mother's side, grandfather was Irish descent. A tailor by trade in Nashville, Tennessee.
My father was a farmer and a poor man. From 10 children he raised 9 children to man and womanhood. I (Susie DeCamp) was the 5th child. I can remember as far back as when I was 2 1/2 years old. I had a brother born on the 4th of April. My birthday was July 24th. I was a little less than 2 years old when he was born. As I said father was a poor man. My Uncle was rich and owned lots of timber land so he hired my father to move up near Erie City in the fall to boss and board the crew of men to get out the timber. Oh how hard my poor mother worked all that winter. I was little and couldn't realize it then but I can now. I can see always back in the bygone time her carrying that cross baby on her hip, cooking for all those men. Up early and late, cooking buckwheat pancakes every morning. Hot biscuits for dinner, and supper. Up till 10 and 11 o'clock getting ready for the next day, all done by the light of tallow candles or a twisted rag in a saucer of grease.
My oldest sister just had to go to school at the cost of my mother's health. She broke down that winter. For a fact was never well after that. Then I can remember the house was large and another family lived in part of it. Their name was Bomgardner. They were Dutch people and of course made Sauerkraut and little as I was when I went into that part of the house to play with the little Bomgardner girls, that smell. I didn't stay long. Well we got through the winter someway and moved back to the dear old log house where I was born. I see it yet now, the fireplace, the little windows, and the beautiful flowers my mother had in the front yard. Lilacs, peonies, red and white roses, snowballs and all kinds of flowers, but one thing I can remember is our big clock was gone and other things such as potatoes and fruit that someone thought they wanted more than we. Well, things went on in common for a period of 2 or 3 years. Then father built a new house and a barn of which we were all so proud. I went to school when I was 5 years old. I remember the little red school house. Father and mother told me I walked when I was 7 months and talked when I was 1yr. old.
I remember going with my father to sugar bush to make maple syrup and sugar from the sap of the maple trees. How I wish I could recall those days. I also remember him making soap out of lye, leached off the ashes (wood ashes). He would fix salt barrels with sticks and a little straw in the bottom so to hold the ashes from coming thru, and then he would pour water on the ashes and when it came thru, Oh how strong the lye was. Then it was put in a big kettle with grease and boil to soap. The big orchards and lovely sweet apple cider. How I wish I had a glass of it today. The apple butter, how delicious the maple syrup was. And the big cakes of maple sugar piled in mothers pantry. No white sugar only for coffee in our house.
I can remember my father cutting his wheat and oats with a cradle by hand. He mowed his hay with a scythe. Thrash his wheat out on the barn floor with a flales, a long handle with another stick about as long tied together. One man on each end of the pile they put on the floor and they whaled away until the wheat is all flaled out. He done all of his work with oxen. Of course he had horses. I know he did for they ran away with me in the sled one day. An old Irish women came to our house she got down and prayed and crossed herself and when they found out that I wasn't hurt she thought her prayers saved me, but she said if it had of been my other sister, Sad or Sarah, she wouldn't have prayed at all. The people were so much more sociable than they are now. They would visit among one another have their husking bees, the neighbors would take turns and help each other husk the corn. It was all cut and in shucks and put in the barn then when it was ready neighbors were invited, and have a good super and a jolly time. The same way when apple drying came. The women and girls came, some would peel, some would cut the cores out, and others would string them on a cord with a big darning needles. We used to have such good times at the 4th of July celebrations. The people would take their diners and put them together on a long table and eat together. The same at Sunday school picnics.
Now I am leaving dear old Pennsylvania and all its good times and nothing but fond memories are left. Father sold out and followed old neighbors and oldest sister, Nancy Jane DeCamp Platt and husband to Iowa, the far west in those days. We landed in Carroll, then nothing but a depot and a few houses. My brother-in-law, Jed Platt met us there with a covered wagon. They piled us children in the wagon and started across the prairie. Oh, such roads, sloughs galore. Us children would take off our shoes and wade across. We had lots of fun but got pretty tired, all day long, the long days in June, going about 25 miles each day to our destination.
Father bought a place, just wild prairie and built a house. We all enjoyed the new country. (Note by her daughter, Ronda Cromment, "The house was built of black walnut dimension stuff. In after years dad and mother Susie and Leon DeCorsie Crommentt bought it and moved on it then I was 3 years old. Paul, Beulah and Hazel were born in this house. After we moved to Minn. It burned down."
My two older sisters, Ann and Sad or Sarah would take walks in the prairie and pick wild flowers. There was many kinds of beautiful flowers.
Father broke up his farm with oxen and mules and by the time he got it under cultivation and raising wheat, the harvesters that cut the grain and was shoved off the ground. Men would go around after the machine and bind it in bundles with bands they made with straw that they twisted together.
I was married when I was 18 1/2 years. Bought a little place, lived there till my 3rd child was born (Melvin and twin and a girl stillborn.) Then my husband took a notion to go to Furnace Co. Nebr. but did not sell the place. We tayed there until the drought drove us to our little place back in Iowa. One of my boys, Guy was born in Furnace Co. the rest were born in Iowa.
I have 9 living children and 3 died in infancy. When my youngest girl was 1 year old we moved to Minnesota, lived there a few years, then divided up with my husband and came to Cherry Co., Nebr. with my youngest son Paul. We both took homesteads, proved up, went together, and bought a few head of cattle, they multiplied and here I am an old lady. Got a nice home in Valentine. My second youngest daughter lives with us and takes good care of me. I‘ve lived to raise 9 children, see the great improvement from the tallow candle to electric lights, from plowing corn with one horse to the Farmall that will plow 30 or 40 acres a day, from the cradle to the harvester that cuts, thrashes, and sacks all at once. From the horse and buggy to the automobile and now the airplanes flying high in the sky. There is only one thing that is not grand and good and that is the style of women's dresses. Thee end.
*************
Susan's children were: Clyde Leon Crommett 1876 – 1950; Zona E. Cromment 1876 – 1879; Melvin DeCorse Crommett 1879 – 1949; Guy Wallace Crommett 1881 – 1968; Mona Esther Cromment 1883 – 1964; Addie Anna Crommett 1885 – 1973; Rhoda Blanch Crommett 1886 – 1975; Squire Paul Leon Crommett 1888 – 1945;Beulah Viola Cromment 1892 – 1964 and Hazel Violet Cromment 1900 – 1980.
When you visit this memorial please leave flowers.
(Susan Elizabeth DeCamp)
1855-1839
Valentine, Nebr. July 23, 1929
I was born in Erie Co. Pennsylvania July 24 1855. I will give the history of my parentage and ancestors as best I can. My grandfather on my father's side (name George DeCamp) was of French descent, born in Westmoreland co., Penn., a pioneer to Erie Co. My grandmother was of Irish descent born in Virginia. Grandfather lived to be 99 and 6 mo. old. Cleared a farm in Erie Co. in early days. Lived their till he died. They had a family of 10 children, one of whom I will mention was Geo. W. DeCamp. A prominent lawyer noted to always win the cases he took. On my mother's side, grandfather was Irish descent. A tailor by trade in Nashville, Tennessee.
My father was a farmer and a poor man. From 10 children he raised 9 children to man and womanhood. I (Susie DeCamp) was the 5th child. I can remember as far back as when I was 2 1/2 years old. I had a brother born on the 4th of April. My birthday was July 24th. I was a little less than 2 years old when he was born. As I said father was a poor man. My Uncle was rich and owned lots of timber land so he hired my father to move up near Erie City in the fall to boss and board the crew of men to get out the timber. Oh how hard my poor mother worked all that winter. I was little and couldn't realize it then but I can now. I can see always back in the bygone time her carrying that cross baby on her hip, cooking for all those men. Up early and late, cooking buckwheat pancakes every morning. Hot biscuits for dinner, and supper. Up till 10 and 11 o'clock getting ready for the next day, all done by the light of tallow candles or a twisted rag in a saucer of grease.
My oldest sister just had to go to school at the cost of my mother's health. She broke down that winter. For a fact was never well after that. Then I can remember the house was large and another family lived in part of it. Their name was Bomgardner. They were Dutch people and of course made Sauerkraut and little as I was when I went into that part of the house to play with the little Bomgardner girls, that smell. I didn't stay long. Well we got through the winter someway and moved back to the dear old log house where I was born. I see it yet now, the fireplace, the little windows, and the beautiful flowers my mother had in the front yard. Lilacs, peonies, red and white roses, snowballs and all kinds of flowers, but one thing I can remember is our big clock was gone and other things such as potatoes and fruit that someone thought they wanted more than we. Well, things went on in common for a period of 2 or 3 years. Then father built a new house and a barn of which we were all so proud. I went to school when I was 5 years old. I remember the little red school house. Father and mother told me I walked when I was 7 months and talked when I was 1yr. old.
I remember going with my father to sugar bush to make maple syrup and sugar from the sap of the maple trees. How I wish I could recall those days. I also remember him making soap out of lye, leached off the ashes (wood ashes). He would fix salt barrels with sticks and a little straw in the bottom so to hold the ashes from coming thru, and then he would pour water on the ashes and when it came thru, Oh how strong the lye was. Then it was put in a big kettle with grease and boil to soap. The big orchards and lovely sweet apple cider. How I wish I had a glass of it today. The apple butter, how delicious the maple syrup was. And the big cakes of maple sugar piled in mothers pantry. No white sugar only for coffee in our house.
I can remember my father cutting his wheat and oats with a cradle by hand. He mowed his hay with a scythe. Thrash his wheat out on the barn floor with a flales, a long handle with another stick about as long tied together. One man on each end of the pile they put on the floor and they whaled away until the wheat is all flaled out. He done all of his work with oxen. Of course he had horses. I know he did for they ran away with me in the sled one day. An old Irish women came to our house she got down and prayed and crossed herself and when they found out that I wasn't hurt she thought her prayers saved me, but she said if it had of been my other sister, Sad or Sarah, she wouldn't have prayed at all. The people were so much more sociable than they are now. They would visit among one another have their husking bees, the neighbors would take turns and help each other husk the corn. It was all cut and in shucks and put in the barn then when it was ready neighbors were invited, and have a good super and a jolly time. The same way when apple drying came. The women and girls came, some would peel, some would cut the cores out, and others would string them on a cord with a big darning needles. We used to have such good times at the 4th of July celebrations. The people would take their diners and put them together on a long table and eat together. The same at Sunday school picnics.
Now I am leaving dear old Pennsylvania and all its good times and nothing but fond memories are left. Father sold out and followed old neighbors and oldest sister, Nancy Jane DeCamp Platt and husband to Iowa, the far west in those days. We landed in Carroll, then nothing but a depot and a few houses. My brother-in-law, Jed Platt met us there with a covered wagon. They piled us children in the wagon and started across the prairie. Oh, such roads, sloughs galore. Us children would take off our shoes and wade across. We had lots of fun but got pretty tired, all day long, the long days in June, going about 25 miles each day to our destination.
Father bought a place, just wild prairie and built a house. We all enjoyed the new country. (Note by her daughter, Ronda Cromment, "The house was built of black walnut dimension stuff. In after years dad and mother Susie and Leon DeCorsie Crommentt bought it and moved on it then I was 3 years old. Paul, Beulah and Hazel were born in this house. After we moved to Minn. It burned down."
My two older sisters, Ann and Sad or Sarah would take walks in the prairie and pick wild flowers. There was many kinds of beautiful flowers.
Father broke up his farm with oxen and mules and by the time he got it under cultivation and raising wheat, the harvesters that cut the grain and was shoved off the ground. Men would go around after the machine and bind it in bundles with bands they made with straw that they twisted together.
I was married when I was 18 1/2 years. Bought a little place, lived there till my 3rd child was born (Melvin and twin and a girl stillborn.) Then my husband took a notion to go to Furnace Co. Nebr. but did not sell the place. We tayed there until the drought drove us to our little place back in Iowa. One of my boys, Guy was born in Furnace Co. the rest were born in Iowa.
I have 9 living children and 3 died in infancy. When my youngest girl was 1 year old we moved to Minnesota, lived there a few years, then divided up with my husband and came to Cherry Co., Nebr. with my youngest son Paul. We both took homesteads, proved up, went together, and bought a few head of cattle, they multiplied and here I am an old lady. Got a nice home in Valentine. My second youngest daughter lives with us and takes good care of me. I‘ve lived to raise 9 children, see the great improvement from the tallow candle to electric lights, from plowing corn with one horse to the Farmall that will plow 30 or 40 acres a day, from the cradle to the harvester that cuts, thrashes, and sacks all at once. From the horse and buggy to the automobile and now the airplanes flying high in the sky. There is only one thing that is not grand and good and that is the style of women's dresses. Thee end.
*************
Susan's children were: Clyde Leon Crommett 1876 – 1950; Zona E. Cromment 1876 – 1879; Melvin DeCorse Crommett 1879 – 1949; Guy Wallace Crommett 1881 – 1968; Mona Esther Cromment 1883 – 1964; Addie Anna Crommett 1885 – 1973; Rhoda Blanch Crommett 1886 – 1975; Squire Paul Leon Crommett 1888 – 1945;Beulah Viola Cromment 1892 – 1964 and Hazel Violet Cromment 1900 – 1980.
When you visit this memorial please leave flowers.
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