Jewel's paternal Grandfather, James P. moved from England to Grafton, Australia to find a job. Once he found employment, he sent for Sarah Woods, his fiance, who arrived from England. They were married by the ship's captain in Australia. While they lived there, they ran a store selling fresh produce. In fact, their son (Jewel's father) has a memory of getting food on a truck from the warf when he was a toddler.
All together, James and Sarah had thirteen children with three dying in infancy. Their oldest child was named Jim and their youngest was named Ethel.
When Jewel's father, Reginald, was two years old, the family moved back in England (in 1896). The reason given for this move was that Sarah was homesick. In England, they also ran a produce business.
In 1910 or 1911, the whole family moved again, this time to America. The came into Montreal, Canada, and then into the US. They first went to Arkansas and tried to buy land there, but it didn't work out. So they went to Benden, Michigan near Traverse City and bought land for a farm. There they raised cattle, wheat and vegetables. Jewel said they would listen to the radio to find out good farming practices for that area of the country. (Too bad they didn't have the internet back then!).
Jewel remembered going to visit her grandparents on their farm, having to drive all night to get there, and getting to sleep in her Grandmother's bed (her brothers had to sleep in the barn!). She remembered her cousin Johnny who would drive his Model T into the nearby bay and pull the cousins on a raft around the lake. She also remembered when her brother Stoney had scarlet fever, the doctor recommended fresh air, so he lived at his grandparent's farm during the summer for his recovery.
After Grandpa James died, Uncle Tom took over the farm. Grandma Sarah stayed with her children, Aunt Ethel especially. Aunt Ethel was a nurse who took training to help people with polio, then later worked at an Elizabeth Arden beauty salon. Grandma liked to visit Ethel's fancy apartment.
Jewel's father (and Brian's grandfather) Reginald was born in Australia. He met his wife Charlotte Adams at the Methodist church where she was the Sunday School Superintendent. They married when they were both 28 and together they had three children, Stoney, Jewel and Lloyd.
Reginald, Charlotte and Lloyd
Reginald worked for the University of Chicago Press where they published books by professors. He set type at the press and corrected the type after the first run through. He worked three days a week during the Depression and had another job selling shoes during that time.
In retirement, he worked at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago setting up their printing exhibits. He would set up the antique printing machines and used them to print out menus and invitations to museum events. He loved talking to people and teaching them about printing. Reginald also enjoyed gardening in his victory garden and singing in a group called the "Glee Men".
Jewel met her husband Jim in high school English class and she liked that he was sociable and that he paid attention to her (!). They liked to go to movies together. They were married in the early 50's and he was in the Navy. Jim was stationed in Cuba during the Viet Nam War for three years. Jewel lived with Jim in Cuba for 6 months on a naval base. Jim and Jewel had three children, Dana (who is currently a librarian), Jimmy (who is an engineer) and Pam (who is a college Chemistry professor). Jewel has three grandchildren (her daughter Pam's children).
I asked Aunt Jewel in what ways she resembles her parents and this was her answer:
Like her father, Jewel has a love of learning. She likes to sing and she thinks that her personality is similar to his.
Like her mother, Jewel was a good housewife and enjoyed cooking and sewing. She thinks she resembles her mother physically.
Charlotte, Jewel's mother
Now that Jewel is in her 80's, she remains active and continues to enjoy traveling and camping. Her life has been full of both academics (Chemistry, especially) and with rafting, camping and outdoor adventure. Her goal is to continue to travel with the other women in her camping group.
Aunt Jewel's camping gear
Finally, I asked Jewel what advice she would give to someone else. She answered, "Be sure you know how to have meaningful discussions with people, your spouse, your children, and to know how to communicate with others. Relationships are of primary importance."
It was wonderful to sit down with Aunt Jewel and learn more about Brian's side of the family. I learned a lot and enjoyed hearing about the exciting and adventurous life Aunt Jewel has led!
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