A Letter, A Prominent Dentist, and His Family

William G. Calkins, Betty's Dad as well as a
Dentist in Chicago dated 1938

I received a letter.  Yes, a snail mail old fashion kind of letter.  The kind that if you were a child, and you received one, you knew you were 'important'.  I received one of these such letters last week from my dad, Leon Grange (Frank's son-in-law).

Cradled inside this simple manila envelope was a pivotal, riveting, handwritten copy of historical history - early history of Frank and Betty Houser.

Frank wrote this several years ago, before the ravages of strokes and falls started to take away his ability to express, and accurately depict his own life history.  A handwritten memoir of types, one that depicts a different time, in a different place, yet a place that still exits nowadays, but so different then decades ago.  He carefully, in cursive handwriting, chronicled general moments in his and Betty's upbringing, painting a picture of vastly different lifestyles.

A history that each and every sibling of Frank received inside their copy of the Houser genealogical book.  A cherished book that will last for generations, one that will be passed down in the various extended families from child, to grandchild, to great-great-grandchildren, and on and on, of Frank's.  One that someday will hopefully make its way back to Utah, so I can run my fingertips across and trace over Frank's handwritten words.  Imagining his rough weathered hands writing this information over and over for each of his children.  Smiling at the thought of his focused dedication and unwavering stubbornness to create and finish this, and every other, genealogical book.  A book that one day will bring the spine tingling tickles of truth, hard work, love, and historical history written with care by my grandfather, your grandfather, your dad, and great grandfather - Frank Houser- up and down my arms.

Join me in our next trip (with a little literary freedom, of course) as we take a look into the early life of Betty Margaret Calkins Houser, my grandma, your grandma, your mother, and great-grandma.

Betty's early life was filled with much luxury and opulence.  As the daughter of a prominent Chicago dentist, William G. Calkins, was able to provide his daughter, Betty, with many of the luxuries every child dreams of and wishes they could have.  As Frank writes, "Betty's parents were well off"

The view today of Ardmore Avenue
 in Illinois 

William, Elizabeth (Betty's mom and Dad), and Betty lived in an upscale neighborhood  just on the outskirts of Chicago, Illinois called Evanston, close to Lake Michigan.  Situated on a small avenue surrounded by other brick and wood homes with small front yards.  Yards that only had a few steps to separate the front door from the sidewalk, yet just large enough for a small welcoming garden. The type of garden that would surround visitors with beauty and smells of sweet flowers creating a welcoming earthy atmosphere for all that walked by or entered - just a tease of what could possibly be behind the large front windows and beckoning doors.   The type of house that even 90 years later still has the aura of wealth and prominence:

"Betty, it's time for school, hurry up now, the driver is out front waiting." Elizabeth, Bettys' mother, loudly calls through the house.  "Also, don't forget your hat and gloves, the wind's picking up and a storm is brewing."

"Coming mom" Betty calls out as she hurriedly pulls her hat on her head, then quickly places each finger in the sleeve of her mittens, and finally gathers her books under her arms as she runs towards the front door.

Elizabeth Calkins 1927 San Juan

While Elizabeth waits for Betty to come scampering from her room, she calmly looks at herself in the mirror.  She makes sure her hair is quite right and each piece is in it's proper place, her lips evenly accentuated with the newest and best shade of lipstick. She smiles, double checking that she hasn't smeared any onto her teeth.  She turns sideways, smooths her hands down her freshly pressed dress to accentuate her figure.

As Elizabeth finishes smoothing her dress, she looks down just in time to see her daughter come scrambling to a more lady like walk to meet her mother.  "Now remember darling we have to meet your father after school today.  You must keep neat and tidy, and remember to be on your best behavior."

The two ladies, mother and daughter, walk properly out into the freezing wind, their fur and wool coats pulled tightly around them.  They take a seat in the back of the car, in lady like fashion, carefully sliding in as to not wrinkle or mess their outfit.   The driver gently shuts the car door, buries his head into his chest as to avoid the bitter cold wind from freezing his nose and cheeks.  He quickly, yet gracefully, climbs in behind the steering wheel. The Lincoln slowly pulls out away from the curb and onto Ardmore Avenue.  As they speed up the sound of the wind whipping wildly around the car gets louder, reminding them all how great it is to be sheltered inside the warm car.

The car stops in front of Betty's school.  The driver gets out, turns his face to avoid the bitter wind, and quickly opens the door for Betty.  Betty fidgets, scrambles, and hops out in childlike fashion.  Leaving Elizabeth shaking her head in wonderment as to the possibility of her daughter ever having the manners required for their lifestyle.  As the driver shuts the door, he smiles and winks at little Betty in encouragement, as she hustles quickly into the school, out of the wind.

There's 'Chemistry' In The Lab

Pomona Junior College Yearbook 1942 pg 29
Frank should be somewhere in this picture.
Take a look and see if you can find him,
if you do let me know.
Compliments of classmates.com

During the summer of 1941, Frank prepared himself to attend Pomona Junior College, which was an extension of Pomona High School.   They offered a 2 year college program that would prepare you for one of the local 4 year colleges.

That fall, Frank started college with a full course of classes. [The exact classes he took are unknown, but if you remember what your first session of college was like, you'd probably have a pretty good feel for what he was feeling; busy, overwhelmed, exhausted, tense, excited, and hopeful]

There was one class, that stood out from all the others - Chemistry Lab.

While in Chemistry Lab, Frank would quite often find himself in one mess after another.  [Who knows if how explosive the messes were, but it wouldn't surprise me if there were a few.]

One day, one mess, one such extra big mess - the type of mess that even the messiest of people look down on - was created by Frank:

Frank, finishing his lab assignment, looks around the table, and sees the largest mess the chem lab has ever seen!  Papers, bottles, liquid, and lab equipment, were sprawled all over the place.  It was such a huge mess that it took up the entire table even flowing down the sides to the floor.

Frank, being just over six foot, clumsily starts cleaning the mess.  As he'd put one item away, he'd knock over another, spilling and dropping more items then before.  Cleaning this way was getting nothing accomplished.

A gently, petite, kind, caring, beautiful young lady walked around the table, bent down along with Frank and started to help him clean.

Frank lifted his head to catch the individual kneeling next to him, and came in contact with the most delicate, gentle, eyes, he's ever gazed into.  Just then the cause, reason, and why of the mess quickly ran from his mind, only to be replaced by the vision of kneeling next to him.

They both stood to place a few items back on the table, Frank's height looming above her petite five foot frame.  She came only to his chest, but looked directly into his eyes, catching a glimpse into the soul of the real man, Frank.

Frank introduced himself and thanked her for over and over for the extra help.

She introduced herself as, 'Betty, Betty Calkins', and commented with a little giggle that he could use a little help right about now.

Together, this cute little lady, barely 5 feet tall - and this messy, 6 foot tall man cleaned up the chemistry mess.  This moment would forever catapult Frank's life into a new trajectory, one filled with future hope.

Pomona Junior College Yearbook 1942 pg 28
Betty Calkins, I believe is on the front row very far left.
Classmates.com

One would love to know the reason for the extra help.  Was it Betty's generous compassion for the extra large man, attempting to clean an extra large mess, while making more messes as he cleaned?  Or was it the opening she was hoping to come across so she'd get to know this good looking gentleman in lab class?  Unfortunately this will always remain a mystery to us, at least one that we will never know in this lifetime.

Whatever the reason, I thank Betty's generous heart for her willingness to help Frank.  For it was this moment that made it possible for me, and most of you reading this, to be here today.  Thank you Betty, also knows as Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma.

Pomona Junior College Yearbook 1942 pg 54
Betty Calkins asterisk next to name and pic
classmates.com

Frank's Unspoken Dream Comes True

Frank Houser Senior Picture 1941
Page 50 of Pomona High Yearbook
compliments of classmates.com

Let's jump back a few years, and get to to know more of Frank Lambert Houser's earlier days:


While moving from Montana to California, then up and down California following the crops, working side by side his mother for hours on end, future hopes and American dreams were luxurious available for the rich.  


Today, the secret dream he held onto while working as a migrant worker, is coming true: 


Frank, after carefully dressing in his finest attire, walks into the room where his mom stood.  Grace admires the man standing before her, with love and pride in Frank and all that he has become.  She quietly cherishes this moment, marveling at how remarkable both of her son's have turned out in spite of the rough start in California.  


Frank strolls through the house ready to leave, and asks his parents if they too are ready.


It's late spring of 1941, Grace grabs her handbag, tucks a tissue inside, and sets off with Frank Sr, and Frank Jr.  (James unable to attend since he was (most likely) pursuing his dream - crossing the ocean and on his way to the South Pacific.  If he were here he wouldn't miss watching his young brother for anything.)   

Pomona High School

They arrive at Pomona High School, Frank Jr, parts from his parents and lines up with his class mates.  Today he becomes a high school graduate, a dream that seemed highly unlikely several years ago.  


Frank in anticipation, like most young graduate boys, straighten up a bit taller.  It could be from the formality of this American ritual, pride over his accomplishment, or merely so their parents could easily find them in the crowd. 


Grace finds Frank easily in the sea of graduates.  He didn't need to straighten up, he naturally stood taller then most his age.  


Today IS a good day.


Frank steps up to receive his diploma.  As he takes his diploma from his Principal, Principal Johnston E. Walker, gratitude and happiness start welling up in his heart.

Frank Houser is identified in red asterisk.
 Page 50 of Pomona High yearbook.
compliments of classmates.com

Grace, elated, watches him from the crowd, as he receives his diploma,   Grace's heart swells, both of her boys graduated, overcoming extenuating and difficult circumstances earlier in their life. 


Frank, on his way back to his seat, catches Grace's eyes.  They they smile at each other across the distance.  Frank quickly looks away in fear of the tears welling up.  They've been through a lot together, looking at her face beaming with pride while dabbing away her tears.  He knew he too would be overcome with emotions that he'd rather not reveal, and looking away was the only way out.


Frank takes his seat, brushes away the feelings that threaten to surface.  He couldn't imagine having his friends and classmates see him overcome with feeling, feelings he has kept buried deep inside.  As the procession of graduates come to an end, Frank and his classmates stand.  They ceremonially move their tassels from one side of their cap to the other - symbolizing their entrance into adulthood. 

Yearbook cover from Frank's senior year

Today, is for celebration and happiness - as one door closes and another opens.


Today is a good day, the future is bright, one could dream their dreams - even in dire circumstances.  Frank's future is encouraged, even celebrated.  He knew that if he received an education and worked hard, he would find his way out of poverty.


This fall, Frank had a lot to look forward to - a future.