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Lola Graves Pottenger
My Autobiography
Just for fun-
When you reach the age of 81 years and you feel as though you still have your right mind and ability, you wonder what interesting facts of life the years might have registered.
Fortunately for my family, my father, Mr. Elizur Hiram Graves, a good Biblical name, wrote in his diary for 48 years, starting the year after I was born, in 1888 at Brooklyn, Wisconsin, a small town 16 miles south of Madison, Wisconsin on the Northwestern Railroad. At that early date, the town of Brooklyn was really a good shipping center for all of the surrounding towns since the Northwestern Railroad was the only railroad available. The farmers raised cattle and hogs and some sheep. Later a tobacco factory was established so there was tobacco to ship.
The railroad was sort of a life line for the community and there was a long wooden platform built in front of the depot, and many days it would be loaded with things ready to ship some place. My father had been made station agent in 1875 at the age of 20 years. He was a tall strong man and he was able to handle those large shipping boxes by walking them from corner to corner.
Then when telegraphy was begun the Railroad laid him off and replaced him with a small slight man who knew telegraphy. However, he was not able to cope with all the freight which was brought in, so my father was hired again to handle the freight. He soon learned telegraphy himself and was again given the management of the station. If his work was ever finished he used to play checkers by telegraph with an agent 50 miles or more away. He built himself a wooden checker board with a glass top and the squares were numbered for the game of checkers. Then in a spare moment he would telegraph his partner to move a certain checkers from no. 7 to no. 14 or so.
When he was laid off for a time, he went home and told his young wife that he didn’t know what they would do, and since they had a man hauling wood for the winter fires, he thought they would have to ask him to stop hauling wood for the fires.
After a few years they built a nice new house on the west side of the town and it was there that I was born May 23rd, 1887. I grew up enjoying the out-of doors and I followed my Dad around the home place when ever I could or we took long walks together. I learned that you could catch a robin if you would sprinkle salt on his tail but I never learned how you managed to get the salt on it.
When they built a new barn for our one horse, one cow, and a sleigh and a buggy, I played in the barn and could crawl up and down in the hay chute but when I tried to get other girls to try it they nearly suffocated. I had a large sized Shetland pony and a two wheeled cart with a wide leather seat and after school I would hitch the pony up, and with two or three girls we went a few miles into the country to gather wild flowers. I also rode him horseback either with a saddle or with just a strap buckled around the pony to hang on to. If our cow ever got out of the pasture, I would ride the pony on the run to head her off and bring her back home.
Our social life revolved chiefly around the activities of the Methodist Church, which for years was the only church in the community. I have often said that I attended church on Sunday five different times. First, in the morning for church services of preaching and song, followed by Sunday School. In the afternoon I went for Junior League meetings and when I was older I attended Epworth League meetings at 7:00 P.M. followed by the evening church service. On special services for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Memorial Day or Easter, I usually had some part on the program put on by the children under the direction of their teachers.
At Christmas time, the only Christmas tree, that any of us had, was a large tree cut from the woods and it was decorated with wax candles and with strings of popcorn and cranberries. Our parents would take some of our gifts also to decorate the tree, with our names on them, and they would be passed out after the program and our names would be called out. We were always looking the tree over to see if there was a doll or some nice gift for each of us. When we were old enough, we were allowed to pass out the gifts to people in the audience.
For Memorial Day, the school usually put on a parade from the school house, through town, and to the church or to a Hall over a store. We marched to the cemetery, with a make believe band, or else we sang as we marched, then we placed a small bouquet of flowers gathered from the woods or from our door yards on the grave of each old soldier, where a flag had already been placed. Some times a man would give a short speech or we would sing a patriotic song.
I never forgot when I ruined the first pair of kid gloves I every owned. I was asked to pin a small bouquet of violets on the coat of each old soldier who was in church. I could not get my gloves off fast enough, so I dipped my fingers into the water to get the bouquet to pin on them. I was alone and there were two pews of old soldiers, so it took me quite some time. I hoped some one might replace my gloves but they didn’t so I had to wear them with the water spots on them.
When I was only 2 1/2 years old I was playing one day in our attic store room on the second floor, with my sister and her girl friend. It had a low roof, with one window covered with mosquito netting which had not been recently placed at the window. I knew that a train was passing at some distance, and I leaned against the netting to watch it go past. Suddenly the netting broke and I fell about 18 feet and landed on an outside entrance to the basement. One door happened to be closed, and the other one was open, so as I landed, I sat on the closed door, then toppled into the opening which had heavy stone steps. It broke my fall slightly, so I was not badly hurt although I could not walk for some time and had to learn to walk again.
On another occasion, when I was just 3 1/2 years old, we were at a children’s program and some small girls were to sing. I decided that I should sing with them which I did, loud and long, although I didn’t know any of the words. My Mother said that I always caught any of the infectious diseases which were going around so I was often on the sick list with measles, mumps or chicken pox or perhaps just a cold and fever. My school teacher, at one time, came to see me every day and she always kissed me on the eye lids.
Someone always had to cut the grass and clean up the cemetery, before Memorial Day, so since I had a pony and cart I usually took the lawn mower and went by myself and worked to clean up at my Grandparents grave. I suppose other people worked there also, but I was never afraid to go by myself to the cemetery and I enjoyed making the graves look nice.
It was customary for our family to take a two week’s vacation each summer and we usually went to camp, in a tent, near Madison, for the Monona Lake Sunday school Conference. We had lessons on the Bible and an interesting talk on the Holy land in the forenoon and in the afternoon and evenings there were lectures or musical programs for everyone to enjoy. The high point of the program was when some famous Band came to play for us on several days. At 4:00 o'clock every afternoon, almost everyone went in the lake for a swim or just to cool off. Some of us learned to swim during that period.
After a few years, my Father thought he would like to live in the next town of Evansville, as the schools would be better and there were more churches. He asked to be appointed as Station Master in Evansville and after some time he received the appointment and we moved to Evansville, in 1891. I was only 4 years old, so was not ready for school but my only sister, Edna, who was four years older than I, went to school. I enjoyed the different houses and places to go and I fell in love with one house that had four large pillars in front and I always hoped to live in a similar house some day. My father was disappointed with the railroad station and his work there, as the pay was less and there was not as much business as he had had in Brooklyn. Then one day, a friend came to see him and persuaded him to go into another business with three partners at Brooklyn to buy and ship live stock to Milwaukee and Chicago and there was a large elevator by the railroad track to hold grain until it could be shipped. This firm was known as Richards, Graves, and Roberts and my father ran the office and did the bookkeeping while Richards and Roberts drove thru the country buying cattle and hogs and a few sheep, to ship. Later they enlarged their business and sold farm machinery and buggies and they also had to help the farmers keep their corn planters or grain binders in operation, as they must have been new at that time. They even had to do some banking business as the farmers had to have money until time to sell their crops.
My Mother went to the next town of Evansville almost every day, on the train, to deposit money or to draw it out or borrow, if necessary, to meet their demands. Of course, we traded also for dress goods, shoes, or hats, so it was a pleasant trip to go down on one train and back on another. In later years, we young folks went to Evansville to complete our High School education as at Brooklyn we had a three year High School, and we wanted a school that was accredited with the University of Wisconsin for college work.
I was interested in reading my father’s diary, to see if they really made much money in shipping livestock as the market would either be up or down so it was a gambling chance that they would make more than they had paid the farmers for their stock. This is true in any business though. The farmers planted their crops, and hoped when it was ready to harvest the market would be high enough for them to make a profit for their time. Oats were raised in large quantities and the farmers would have to bring them to the elevator to store and the firm had to wait and hold it until the market was favorable. They did have a big business in buying and selling livestock and the railroad in those days was very busy. At times they would ship as many as 10-12 car loads at night and there would be two trains on the side tracks, waiting for the track to be clear for them to travel.
In 1903, the farmers thought they should compete with the firm of Richards, Graves, and Roberts, in case they were making money, so they organized another company among the farmers. This went on for a short time and my father’s associates decided that there was not enough business in that small town for two such firms, so they offered to sell out to the farmers. I really felt this disturbance rather broke up the prosperous times for that small town and the farmers did not see the necessity for going out through the country to buy stock from other farmers. The firm lasted only a few years and then they were ready to sell to some one else.
My father felt that his farmer friends were no friends at all. He remarks in his diary that he wouldn’t give a $1.00 a dozen for any of his friends as they would desert him if they could make a dime. Only one farmer refused to join the company.
Besides his business, my father was treasurer for the members of the church so he had to try to collect money to pay the minister and look after the church. Then later when they built a new church, he helped raise the money for that project and he helped all along with the building work. Our family sort of ran the choir too, as Mother sang soprano, Dad sang bass and my only sister, Edna, played the organ. I sang alto after I learned how, as my voice was too low for soprano. We had some very good choirs at times with two persons for each section and at times we would have a junior choir. They often would practice at our home on Saturday night, so it was almost like a party and we had refreshments of popcorn or apples afterward. After the business firm was dissolved, my father spent a few years collecting old accounts and he did some investing in farm property. Then he purchased a home for us in Madison, Wisconsin, not far from the University, so that I could attend college. I am certain that the people of Brooklyn missed my parents help, both in the church and in the community.
I felt that I was the one who profited by our move to Madison as the four years I spent at the University were some of the most pleasant times of my life. Of course, we all feel that certain periods are the best times we have had, until the next one comes along. I had graduated from the three year High School in Brooklyn in 1904 and at the four year High School in Evansville in 1905. Then I had a job of being assistant to the Postmaster in Brooklyn for that year, and it was quite an education as I learned all the departments necessary to run a Post office but since Brooklyn was such a small town one person could do most all of the work. The Postmaster was connected with a grocery store also, but he would come and help in distributing the mail at rush times.
The Fall of 1906, I registered to enter the University of Wisconsin and I lived at home with my parents for those four years. They enjoyed their knowledge of University happenings and they also attended short courses in agriculture at the University, which helped them with running their farms. I took as much athletics as I had time for, since athletics for women was not as highly developed at it is now. I won letters in baseball, tennis, and hockey and I felt the activity helped me a lot, physically, to relieve the tension of almost constant study hours and the worry of getting good grades in examinations. I was a normal student although I did not always get A grades but I enjoyed both my work and play as most normal students do. I was popular enough that I was well entertained by several boy friends although I never felt I had met the man I would be happy to marry.
I was graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1910, with a class of 650 members, rather small for present day classes but we were proud of ourselves. I taught English and History in High School for two years and then I went to California with my parents for one winter. On my return, I met the man I was destined to marry, Lloyd A. Pottenger, as he had come to see his brother William A. Pottenger, who lived next door to us. We had a few misunderstandings as we became acquainted but after they were straightened out, we decided that we were destined to be in love with each other. He had been in athletics most of his school days, and we attended many games and played in some. He was very attentive to me, although he had been so busy in his High School and College work, as he was a student and also a coach, in a small college, and he felt he would maintain his position with both girls and boys. We went together for two years and we were married on April 4, 1914 when we were both 26 years of age. At that time Lloyd was hiring and training mostly students in the selling first, of a facts book, and later on, a set of books on the Bible which his older brother published. He thought for a while that I could travel with him, and we made our home with my parents. Then I became pregnant, and we decided we should settle down and take care of our family. Lloyd had loaned some money to his older brother, James, to help him run a Nursery for growing plants, at Kankakee, Illinois so he finally bought his brother out. We moved to Kankakee, Illinois and lived in town for two years, then we decided to live in the country on the Nursery farm, to be near our business. Those were pleasant years, although we both worked very hard as most people do if they wish to make a success of their business. Our family was increased to four sons and two daughters, but we kept healthy and enjoyed nature. When the depression was on, we hardly knew there was one (at least I didn’t) and none of us caught the Flue epidemic, which took so many lives of soldiers and civilians. Our social life was limited but we shared what we had with our six children.
Then in 1922, Lloyd had the bright idea that he would go to a larger city and get some men to help him organize a cooperative Nursery Company where he would always have an outlet for the stock that he raised, and the members would be able to buy their Nursery stock at a discount. It just happened that the men, who became interested in the Nursery Business, preferred to organize a stock Company and they put in enough money to start the business on a large scale. That was quite successful for a few years, although Lloyd was the only man in the Company who knew the Nursery business. Then in 1930, the depression really hit. First, the Washington Bank failed, and finally the Lowry Nursery failed. My husband had withdrawn from the Company when he found he could not keep a controlling interest in it, and for several years we ran a Peony Farm. Lloyd finally bought out what remained of the stock at the Nursery for .10 on the 1.00 and by starting out on a small scale he gradually built up an outstanding Nursery business. He knew the importance of selling his stock, so he opened up several small cash and carry stores, in nearby towns. He kept close check on them and also kept them supplied with stock.
Our family was growing up, and somehow, we managed to send all of them through High School and College. Our two older sons, Lester and Lawrence, took their training in landscape work and they are now able to handle large landscape plantings successfully. They both hold degrees from the University of Wisconsin. Our other two sons Richard and Lloyd Jr. were both drafted in World War II and they both spent four years working for the government. Richard had completed three years of college at Eureka, but he was married during the war, and he didn’t go back to college to complete his course and get his degree. Lloyd Jr. got most of his education after returning from Germany, by completing his work at Eureka. Two of our sons have gone into other business, but two still run the Nursery and Store here in Indianapolis.
Our two daughters, Doris and Miriam, both finished college. Doris has her degree from Indiana University and Miriam received hers from Eureka College. They taught school for a few years, then were married and both have two children. After their children were in school, they both returned to teaching. Doris is head of the Physical Training Department for girls at Virginia Beach, Virginia and she has four teachers under her. Miriam has taught grade school classes, but now is working at teaching talented students and is doing a good job, as it is a new development in education. WE are proud of all six of our children and feel we are very fortunate that we have no Hippies or Black Sheep in our family. We now have 16 Grandchildren and to date, we have 5 great-grand-children. The Pottenger name is not liable to die out in a great many years as we have 11 grandsons and five granddaughters. They have all finished High School with the exception of the three youngest ones.
All six of our children are very fortunate in having wonderful helpmates and our entire family enjoy getting together for reunions. We are proud of all of them and so glad they are trying to be successful and make their way in this troubled world.
In regard to myself, I will add that I was kept rather busy raising the family, plus the extra work of helping some with the Nursery business, or occasional entertaining of sales people or Nurserymen. My social life was limited and I felt just a trifle isolated in the country, where the accommodations were adequate although not luxurious, and we both worked very hard at getting ahead.
Then in 1922, we moved to Indianapolis and lived in a lovely old home on the edge of the city where the Nursery was being developed. It had been built for a well-to-do farmer and the barn alone was a work of architectural art and was one of the largest barns in the country. There were stalls for 40 head of cattle and in the lean-to there were stalls for 20 head of horses. I believe it was a dairy farm at that time. The farmer lost the place during the depression and it was owned by the bankers who were backing the Nursery business.
After my children were busy in school, I became acquainted with members of several women’s clubs in the city and while I was not a pusher, eventually I was made President of three different literary clubs, I was President of the P.T..A. organization for two years at Washington High School, and at the top of the list, I was International President of the Travel-Study Club with 120 chapters, in the city and in surrounding cities. This was a real honor which I enjoyed very much. I did other work in some of the organized clubs, but I did not have the time to devote to too many activities.
I tried to play golf with my husband, but finally gave that up as I told him “It was either golf or my housework.” I did not have strength for both. I had formerly enjoyed playing tennis while I was in college, and I did play some with my children. My husband and I were out-door people. We enjoyed camping and eating picnic lunches as they were more or less a necessity, with a family of six hungry children. We made many trips to see relatives or friends so we could not very well drop in on folks unless we carried along some sleeping equipment, also food.
This about completes the story of my life, and I am almost in retirement. My dear husband left me on September 18th, 1967 after 53 years of marriage which I must add that they were very happy years. I miss him greatly but I could not bear to see him suffer, when we knew he could not be helped to be any better, and so I will try to make the best of my remaining years. My six children and all the families connected with us, are more than ready to help me at any time or place.
I feel that God has been very good to all of us.
President of Mt. Vernon Chapter I.T.S.C. 1934-35
President of New Century Club 1944-45
President of the Federation - International Travel-Study Club 1945-46
Held several offices for Artman Council of Past Presidents I.T.S.C.
President of Municipal Gardens 1942-43 Woman’s department Club
Member of Eastern Star, Daylight Chapter #558
President of P.T.A., 2 years, Washington High School, Indianapolis, Indiana
Daughters of the Union 1861-65
Daughters of the Nile No 30
Member of Broadway Methodist Church Indianapolis, Indiana Since 1922
