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.