Journals of My Mother - Ida Stevens Clemens
Mom grew up in Lawton, Carter, Kentucky. Her formal education only went to 8th grade, but she was one of the smartest women I ever knew.
I have transcribed her journals exactly as she wrote them - probably in the 1970's.
Ida Stevens Clemens was borned 13 November 1913 at Lawton KY in Carter Co. my father was Corb Sulvan Stevens and my mother Bertha Agnness Gearheart Stevens.
My mother was borned in Elliott Co. at Cann Ky and my father was also borned at Cann in Elliott Co. they was married in April 9 of 1913 and moved to a place called Leatherwood P.O. Lawton Ky and there where I was borned lived thereabout 3 years and moved to a place near the post office at Lawton Ky where we lived for a few years. And my brother was borned ther Thearl Stevens. He was borned 28 May 1918 and we lived there when the flue killed so many people in 1918 and 1919. And my brother Zearl died there during the flue. And my father bought his first small farm in Lawton Ky in carter co. we moved in December to this farm and there where too more of my brother was borned one lived to be three and a half years old and then he died in July 26 19 whith polio and on this farm my mothers sister came to our house to die she had T.B. and there wasn’t no cure in that day so she died in April the 3 19 and buried April the 5 19 and here is where I went to school nowen as the Lawton school. We started school in July and it was out in January we had to walked about 6 miles a day our friends were the Caudall girls that walked to school with me ever day our neighbors were Bill & Ester Boggs and there kids Clarnce & Jack Boggs their mother died with T.B. and my mother took care of her till she died and I helped take care of the small children.
We never went to church very much for there was no Sunday school for us kids to go too so we just played in the wood and in playhouses and was very happy. We never went to town very much ole {?} visit any one the wasn’t any car to ride in we rode horses ore walked.
I can remember when my bro thearl and I saw our first car we sure did get out of the way.
My father built his stept Grand-mother a smallhouse and she raised hir 3 children William Delmar & Elmer. Delmer & Elmer was very near to me he was my Great uncle the other kids was by a different marriage. Delmar went to school whith me. My dad started a cemetery on his plase for his family and soon lots of others were buried there too
I loved mules and dogs more than any thing they and sure did take good care of the mule we had because he like me.
I never had a sister to play whith just my Bro and some other boys that come into play with us.
My father was forman for the Tygart limestone co at that time he always worked in public works and did some farming too and was always good to . He worked for a $1.35 a day when he and mother was first married and it sure was hard to make a living then on such a small wages. My mother made all off our cloth and we was proud of them too some times she would fixed a big dinner and there would be a aldays meeting and she take us all and go to church for all day ever one would bring a dinner thay called all days meeting with dinner on the ground boys us kids sure would be tired when we got to go home the preacher never mined when to quit that were the hard shell baptized preacher
So my father sold our small farm wich was on a hill top a very pretty place and bought another down in the Valley with a small four roon house on it I was about 12 year old then so we lived there about 4 years. And my dad builted a nice Seven room back house and we moved.
While we lived in the small 4 room house my small Bro died with polio and we Just locked up the house and my father was working away from home that summer. We just went and stayed with him at a place nowen as carter city in carter co. we come back in the fall and dad come back too. And then mom cousin came from cretis or toplin W. Va to lives with usshe had T-B and wanted my mother to care for hir till she died so my mom did care for hir till she died and then we was lonesome with out hir. And now our lives in the block house that my father built. And here we was very happy family three more children was borned to my father & mom too boys and one girl and my Grandfather also died he just fell dead on the street on the fist day of august. We missed him very muchfor he was a likeble man. We children all was happy we never had a movie to go too back in thos days we didn’t have Icecream like the kids does in these of 1956.
So now I have grown older now and have started to go too church by my self and with neighbors to the church nowon as the Jesus only church. And there where I met my husband to be I was 16 year old when I met him w all went to church at the same place he was baptized at one time in the Jesus only church before we were married my mom & dad didn’t wants us to get married for I was the only girl at time that had and very younge I had several girls friends and was very happy Just staying at home and helping my mother with house work. There wasn’t any Hight school close to go too I would have had too stay away from home that was a Grayson Ky Hight school so I never got to go to school very mish.
Ida Stevens Clemens’ Personal Journal Writings
Written by her own hand during the later years of her life – probably 1970’s
Bertha Agness Gearheart Stevens. Born 6 April 1896 at Winkler Elliott Kentucky my Grand mother Celia Moore Gearheart went to visit who was call aunt pop Gearheart the one who raised my Grand father Benjaman Franklin Gearheart and at hir home my mother was born.
My Grand father raised the most of his family at Winkler Elliott Ky. Thir name were Watt Harriett Bertha Bethel Marion Cora Arvel all were born at Winkler Elliott Ky. May my mother lived here when she met my DadCorb S Stevens and the she married 9 april 1913 at the old homestead when was16 years old. And then she come over at Lawton Carter Ky. And went too house keeping at a place call Leatherwood on Will offill farm and that were I was born 1 nov 1913.
I can remember goning back to the old Homeplace Where my mother was Born I can remember the House the Farm. I can Remember my Great Grand Father Asbury moore one time When I was a very small child. My Grandfather Brother lived the next house from my Grandfather his name was William (Bill) Gearheart. I can remember him coming to see us when my mother was visiting her Folke. He raised a large family also. He was killed helping to rais logs for a Barn. He was liked by ever one
After my Grandparents children had married but the youngest one Cora & arvel the family moved to Limestone Carter Ky. And there I Ida Clemens Grand Daughter of Benjamin F. Gearheart Visited them very often I just loved to go see my Grandparents that allway plenty to Eat big apples Barrels full to eat on during the cold winter days my folks didn’t live but about three miles them this is where my Grandfather died. We miss him so much he allway come and Bring us kids big apples. He allway rode a Red Horse call maude us kids like to ride her and let hir pick the green grass and now I am a L.D.S. and have had my grandparents work done in temple so that are Sealed. My Grand mother died a few year later at my mother home on a farm Just beelow Limestone carter Ky. but his address Olive Hill R#1 Ky. my Grand parents was burried in the Limestone cemetary over looking Limestone just a few houses & farms I am now 46 yiars old my Husband Chester Lee Clemens in Jan of this year 1960 went on a cold zero mornig and he _____ their Graves un too the lord. the children of B F Gearheart & cilea Moore are all married and some are dead. Cora Watt & Marion are Dead thire work all has been done What is Dead. I am thankful of my wounderful folks and am very hapy to be priveledge to do something for them now. my four girls are thire Great Grand Daughter thire names are Ferne Clemens Guthrie Jean Clemens Betty Lee Clemens McClure and Peggy Lynn Clemens at this time there ages are Ferne Guthrie age 26 Jean Clemens age 24 & Betty McClure age 21 and Peggy Lynn age 4 years. thay are all members of the L.D.S. Church here in Mansfield Richland Ohio May 25 1960, I Ida Clemns have wrote all the Family History I can remember about my grand parents I hope I may be able to find more soe where. My Grand mother come over in Ky from Ironton Lewarnce Ohio and mett my grand Father and that were married thay help to raise hir sister to children Thelma & Delmer Campbell there mother Cora Moore Campbell his Husband Will Dock Dr. Campbell. he went away for 16 years before he come back no one nowed Where he went too he come back home and he & aunt Cora went to house eeping and thay lived at Limestone Carter till he Died he was away from home to see some friend of his Koon Moore and he fell of his horse and never did talk any more and he Died at my Grand Father house at Limeston carter Ky. he was buried at my father Corb Stevens homestead cemetary at or near Lawton Carter Ky. and his wife cora was burred there too and his daughter Thalma Campbell Collins Johnson. by Ida Stevens Clemens
Ida Stevens Clemens’ Personal Journal Writings
Written by her own hand during the later years of her life – probably 1970’s
My Grand Father Benjiman Franklin Gearheart was bornd 22 Feb 1870 in Elliott County Ky. He married Cilia Moore in 1891 and they had a large Family thay lived at a place called Sankin P.O. CannWinkler Elliott County Ky. My mother was raised at this place. That raised Eight{7} children there names. Watt Harriett Bertha Bethel Marion Cora arvel. And in later years thay moved to Lime Stone Ky thay Bought a Farm until he Died cora & arvel was the youngest thay lived there when they was married cora married Chester Roberts & arvel married Lucy Caudall. They was a very happy family. I loved them very much. My Grand Father Went to town in Olive Hill Ky to have some teeth pulled and when he was fanished he went out and sit down in the drug store window and he just fell over Dead. He was buried at Limestone Carter co Ky. My Grandmother lived sever years longer and than she Died at my mother home at Limestone Carter Co Ky. She was buried beside my Grand Father at Limestone Ky. Thay were so nice to everbody always feeding someone had so many friends that ever time his he would speak to his friends his Horse would stop. The horse knowed that have to talk awhile. So the old Home Stead was given to the youngest son arvel he has sold it and ever one is gone from the old homeplace.
It sure is a sweet memory of my childhood day to go and get my Grand Father a good cold drink. I so often dream of this place I have had there work done
Why I dream so oftin I nonot why.
My Grand Father also raise too more children Delmar Campbell & thalma Campbell they were his sister in law children on his wife side of the family Cora Moore Campbell.
April 16 1981
I, Ida Stevens
Grew up in Carter Co in Lawton Ky.
I Sure was thankful for my Dad & Mom for bringing me up clean and with Respict for other people they raise one to be clean honest be nice and Stay out of other people binsnness and never tell a lie and always help people in need we always had the Best of friends to come to our house. Watt Hillman he was Senator he come to our House on Christmas Day for many years with his family Dick Carpenter the judge of Carter Co. My mother would cook for all people that need her help the Govner the Senator and all Republican
Our temple calling
Our temple called was June 12 on my Grandmother birthday 1976. We had a big garden out we worked hard all Summer trying to get ready to come to Washington DC, we sold all summer yard sales action Sale and to Friends & give away. And we Started from Mansfield Ohio in Richland co on Oct 15 1976 and arrived in Washington DC at 10 oclock PM Mr Yates a neighbor Brought one load for us & went on to Richmon Virginia.
And went to work in the temple Oct 19 1976 we went back to Ohio for Christmas & Just got back and worked 5 days in the temple and got a called from my Bro Richard on Jan 11 at 10 PM my mother passed away we started back home to Ohio & Ky on Wed Jan 12 1977 left Earley and get to Ky at 10 PM. Sure was bad weather for the furnel. Jan 1977 the bad weather has closed school malls factory every thing but Food Stores & Drugs Stors
So we was a happy family and mother always like to fix a good dinner and invite all our friends in Mrs. Watt Hillman always had Christmas dinner with us for about 12 or 14 years straight.
My dad never did no his birthday for sure so he made him a birthday the 6 day of November and mother & I had him a surprise dinner we had friends already there when he came home from work he was about 37 years old when he had his first birthday dinner.
When I was about 18 years old I had made up my mind to be married so my mom &dad told me I could get married and my cousin Burl Stevens and Blanch Newland got married on the 28 day of January and on Sunday my Husband to be Chester Lee Clemens and I went up we was all ready to take off. too my uncle Eddie’s to a Wedding dinner so we all had a good day and went out for a walk and took some pictures of the limestone mines where my father worked so we came home that Sunday night and Clemens ask my dad if we could get married so he said yes so the next morning my darling went to town Olive Hill Ky and got my wedding dress. He got a very pretty one navy blue with a tan stripe in it it sure was pretty and he got me a nice scarf too so we was all ready to take off. We wanted to go to morehead KY and be married by the Judge {?} in rowan co.
We didn’t have no car but Richard & Alice Newton to go and drive the car and be or witness so we was on our way by noon {12} the weather was ice and plenty off mud and no good road at Lawton at the time in 1932.
Clemens had to put the battery in the car so he didnt no how and go up under and got battery watter in his eys and he took like he had been crying all day and people would ask him if he was hurt be cause he was getting married we was late getting back for we had got stuck in the mud and Clemens had to get out and pust so we looked like mud dobers when we got home all our friend was there really work on us. They carried Clemens down to the store on a poll and they all fell down and the poll held them down there and Clemens just sat there and didnt get of the poll so we finlay did get down to the store and we bought candy to treat our friends on and then they bought us pillows.
So this was our wedding night of Feb 1th of 1932 at Lawton Ky in carter co.
So the next day. We went to visit his folks who lives near by in a place called Todd town at Lawton Ky. So we lived with his folks about three weeks. And then came back to my father home and lived up stairs till we got our house built. We builted a small too room house and went too house keeping for our selves the 29 of march 1932. On my dad farm he helped he started the too room and house and finished it up put a kitchen & electric and weather bording on it and built a barn and lived there about 5 years Clemens got 2.00 aday for 10 hours. That was 12.00 a week we got along pretty good dad gaive me a cow she was a young Jersey. We bought our furniture from Clemens sister Nellie tabor. We was married about too years when our first baby was borned she was boned on January 23 1934 hir name was Fern Clemens she was borned in my mother house about 2. PM 23 Jan 1934. When she was 4 month old my father in law was goning to Ashland Ky about 40 miles away and the car in wich we were riding turned over and I my husband and fern & Mr. & Mrs. Clemens and thire too children was in it and Fern was asleep and she never woke up and we turned the car back up and went on our Jurney OK.
We always did caned a lot of food so the first year we were married we canned 40 gallon of black charries. And put outabout 20 acres of corn and spent 20.00 and never raised a bushel of corn.
Fern grew up to be a sweet baby and then our second child was borned Jean Clemens borned on March the 11 1936. She was a sweet baby and loved ever one.
We bought our first car in 1936 a 1927 chev we traded a shot gun & 75.00 for it we sure did have a lot of fun and then we keep it a while and traded it off for a 1928 dodge. And then we moved to a big farm out in rowan co.
There Clemens and my Bro Thearl drove back to Lawton Ky to worked. We lived there 18 months in the mean time Clemens went to beards {?} fork W Va in Jan and worked till in april and comehome and then he worked at Lawton all summer and then he went to Ethel W Va and got a job and then we left Rowan co at Morehead Ky and moved to W Va November 51938 we moved in a coal camp nowen as ricks camp and then in april of 1939Betty Lee Clemens was borned there had been a six week strike a lot of people sure did go Hungary. Nellie Tabor camefrom Ashland Ky and took care of me when Betty Lee was a baby. We live there teel Betty was 22 monthsold. We did a lot of _____ _____ goning places in the car and taking the girls and Chester was working at Ethel West Virginia in a coal mines. We moved up in a nother coal camp in January of 1940 we had many friends and we would go back to Olive Hill Ky in carter co to see our friends and our mothers & Fathers. We had a lot of fun my Husband too Bros livedup at Ethel about too miles from where we lived. Thir names are Russel & Dewey.Clemens. And fern our oldest DaughterFirst started to school there she had to ride the bus to Ethel school.
My Husband got a job a Impral IceCream at Stollings West Virginia.
Ida Stevens Clemens’ Personal Journal Writings
Written by her own hand during the later years of her life – probably 1970’s
I Ida Clemens lived at 294 East arch St in 1955 and that is where our baby Peggy Lynn was borned I was 41 years of age when she come to live with us. Betty Lee was passed 16 years of age when Peggy Lynn was borned ever one sure was shocked. I worked for Peggy & Dave Sternbaum when we learned we was going to have here the Saints here give us a Shower we just had every thing we needed. She was borned on 8 July 1955 at 10 oclock inthe Mansfield Ohio General Hospitial in Richland co. Dr Bonar was the Dr that delivered hir. My Dr was out of towon on Vacation Dr Robert Allison. We had to much company to seethe new baby. And the weather was Hot.
We had a small house and we move to 92 West 4th St in January in 1856 in a large apartment so we would have plenty of room. We lived there about 18 months and then moved to 152 ½ West Dickson in april and we didn’t like it there and we moved out in aug of 1957 to 113 Lorain ave to a pretty log cabin and we allplaned a vacation in the West we started on aug 23 we left on Sunday mornig we took Betty Girl Freind with us Linda Noiser we all started in a Station Wagon 1956 Playmouth we sleep in the wagon the First night some where in Ill. We visited the black hill the bad Lands of South D the devels tere in Wyomig and the yellow Stone park and then we went to Idaho Fall for our temple work on Friday. We stayed in Rexburg Idaho the First night and then we went to Jackson Hole Wymoning with Bar & Sis Barrett and we stayed in Ridby Idaho till Sunday after noon and the we headed for sale Lake City.
We seen a lot of pretty places we saw where Martin Harris was buried we saw the Logan temple at night the most Beautiful flouers and Lawn we all Just loved it. We loved to look at the House of Lord.
We come to Ogdon and stayed all night with Bro & Sis Vanatter and then we come on to salt Lake City. Utah on Monday and a half day on Tuesday and then started home. We come back Route 40 we saw Estas Park in Colo 15 foot snow drifts and Ic burg lake. And we drove home from Colo with out stoping over. We saw Independence MO. Where the temple is to be built and we drove on Home got in to Mansfield about 5 oclock Friday morning our car had to have anew distributor cap when we got home. I sure am happy to be back home but loved to see the temple.
This year had been a rainey year we didn’t get to have our garden very much but gotnice Vegetable the lord has bless us very much. We like the work of the lord Clemens went to work in the East ohio districk in april and may he traveled a great deal in his Counslel work we spent a lot of money for gas but the lord bless us in every way we travel alone now in the East ohio Districk. Clemens is Genalogy Chairmon in the East ohio districk Oed {?} peg go with us she has agreat time. Jean Y Betty don’t travel with us very much. The stay home go corting swimmning have dates, We have got some pigs out in the country I sure do like to store food I no if we listen to the authority of the church.
We have got a lot of caned food I caned anaugh to one year to do the next so I am a year ahead so if some thing happens to the weather like dry summer ore to much rain ore bugs so we could always have food ahead and plenty of it and may also help others too we have had plenty to eat all our lives and have always stored food, be fore we were members of the Church of L.D.S. our mothers all way taught us to caned and make a living. This has allway been a great Joy. I pray the lord will Bless our Mothers & father for the learnig thay give us in homemaking I just wish thay were members of the church but maybe some day we can help them for raising us honest and clean and to love & respect others and also to repect older people all time and to make them feel emparant I Just thank my folks enough. I want to be sealed to my mom & dad I pray my wish may come true some day. We as children don’t thank our parents engugh for the thing of life and also for bringing us in to this life. Ida Clemens
Ida StevensClemens’ Personal Journal Writings
Written by her own hand during the later years of her life – probably 1970’s
Chester Lee Clemens & Ida Stevens
Wedding Day Feb 1 1932
We were married on a mondy in morehead Ky in Rowan co it was a cold day muddy& some Ice & Snow. Richard Hill& his wife Alice took us to morehead in Clem Father old 27 chev car. Clem put the Battery in the car and got acid in his eyes he look like he was crying all day. We had a late meal in Shouder Ky
When we got home it was dark the neighbors was there to bell us. That beat on dishpans shot off Guns and rode Clem on a pail down to the Store they fell down and Clem just sit on the rail and thay couldint get up. We all finley arrived at the Store we Bought candy & cigar and treated ever one and thay Bought us a pair of pillows forour bed. Chester walked to Olive Hill and got me a dress for the wedding & a Scarf he Started about 4 AM in the morning and was back before 8.AM. My dress at the neck line. He wore a Navy Blue Surge Suit. We stayed all night at my dads House in Lawton Ky a big 7 room house up the Hollow behind Watt Hillman Store. We had a big dinner at my mom and Dads House the next day and we went down to Chester mom & Dad House the next day we Stayed at my mom and Dads House till we went to House Keeping the 29 of March 1932. We builted us a nice too room House. We had 1 bed 1 dresser a big pot belled Stove in one room. The kitchen. We had a cook Stove a big round table and a dish Shelf. And Clem Bought us a big Sow Hog so we had our meat for the next winter. We had a garden & caned & dad give us a young Jersey cow. Clem didn’t make much at that time he only made .20 pr Hr 12.00 a week to live on he worked 10 Hr a Day
My mother was borned in Elliott Co. at Cann Ky and my father was also borned at Cann in Elliott Co. they was married in April 9 of 1913 and moved to a place called Leatherwood P.O. Lawton Ky and there where I was borned lived thereabout 3 years and moved to a place near the post office at Lawton Ky where we lived for a few years. And my brother was borned ther Thearl Stevens. He was borned 28 May 1918 and we lived there when the flue killed so many people in 1918 and 1919. And my brother Zearl died there during the flue. And my father bought his first small farm in Lawton Ky in carter co. we moved in December to this farm and there where too more of my brother was borned one lived to be three and a half years old and then he died in July 26 19 whith polio and on this farm my mothers sister came to our house to die she had T.B. and there wasn’t no cure in that day so she died in April the 3 19 and buried April the 5 19 and here is where I went to school nowen as the Lawton school. We started school in July and it was out in January we had to walked about 6 miles a day our friends were the Caudall girls that walked to school with me ever day our neighbors were Bill & Ester Boggs and there kids Clarnce & Jack Boggs their mother died with T.B. and my mother took care of her till she died and I helped take care of the small children.
We never went to church very much for there was no Sunday school for us kids to go too so we just played in the wood and in playhouses and was very happy. We never went to town very much ole {?} visit any one the wasn’t any car to ride in we rode horses ore walked.
I can remember when my bro thearl and I saw our first car we sure did get out of the way.
My father built his stept Grand-mother a smallhouse and she raised hir 3 children William Delmar & Elmer. Delmer & Elmer was very near to me he was my Great uncle the other kids was by a different marriage. Delmar went to school whith me. My dad started a cemetery on his plase for his family and soon lots of others were buried there too
I loved mules and dogs more than any thing they and sure did take good care of the mule we had because he like me.
I never had a sister to play whith just my Bro and some other boys that come into play with us.
My father was forman for the Tygart limestone co at that time he always worked in public works and did some farming too and was always good to . He worked for a $1.35 a day when he and mother was first married and it sure was hard to make a living then on such a small wages. My mother made all off our cloth and we was proud of them too some times she would fixed a big dinner and there would be a aldays meeting and she take us all and go to church for all day ever one would bring a dinner thay called all days meeting with dinner on the ground boys us kids sure would be tired when we got to go home the preacher never mined when to quit that were the hard shell baptized preacher
So my father sold our small farm wich was on a hill top a very pretty place and bought another down in the Valley with a small four roon house on it I was about 12 year old then so we lived there about 4 years. And my dad builted a nice Seven room back house and we moved.
While we lived in the small 4 room house my small Bro died with polio and we Just locked up the house and my father was working away from home that summer. We just went and stayed with him at a place nowen as carter city in carter co. we come back in the fall and dad come back too. And then mom cousin came from cretis or toplin W. Va to lives with usshe had T-B and wanted my mother to care for hir till she died so my mom did care for hir till she died and then we was lonesome with out hir. And now our lives in the block house that my father built. And here we was very happy family three more children was borned to my father & mom too boys and one girl and my Grandfather also died he just fell dead on the street on the fist day of august. We missed him very muchfor he was a likeble man. We children all was happy we never had a movie to go too back in thos days we didn’t have Icecream like the kids does in these of 1956.
So now I have grown older now and have started to go too church by my self and with neighbors to the church nowon as the Jesus only church. And there where I met my husband to be I was 16 year old when I met him w all went to church at the same place he was baptized at one time in the Jesus only church before we were married my mom & dad didn’t wants us to get married for I was the only girl at time that had and very younge I had several girls friends and was very happy Just staying at home and helping my mother with house work. There wasn’t any Hight school close to go too I would have had too stay away from home that was a Grayson Ky Hight school so I never got to go to school very mish.
Ida Stevens Clemens’ Personal Journal Writings
Written by her own hand during the later years of her life – probably 1970’s
Bertha Agness Gearheart Stevens. Born 6 April 1896 at Winkler Elliott Kentucky my Grand mother Celia Moore Gearheart went to visit who was call aunt pop Gearheart the one who raised my Grand father Benjaman Franklin Gearheart and at hir home my mother was born.
My Grand father raised the most of his family at Winkler Elliott Ky. Thir name were Watt Harriett Bertha Bethel Marion Cora Arvel all were born at Winkler Elliott Ky. May my mother lived here when she met my DadCorb S Stevens and the she married 9 april 1913 at the old homestead when was16 years old. And then she come over at Lawton Carter Ky. And went too house keeping at a place call Leatherwood on Will offill farm and that were I was born 1 nov 1913.
I can remember goning back to the old Homeplace Where my mother was Born I can remember the House the Farm. I can Remember my Great Grand Father Asbury moore one time When I was a very small child. My Grandfather Brother lived the next house from my Grandfather his name was William (Bill) Gearheart. I can remember him coming to see us when my mother was visiting her Folke. He raised a large family also. He was killed helping to rais logs for a Barn. He was liked by ever one
After my Grandparents children had married but the youngest one Cora & arvel the family moved to Limestone Carter Ky. And there I Ida Clemens Grand Daughter of Benjamin F. Gearheart Visited them very often I just loved to go see my Grandparents that allway plenty to Eat big apples Barrels full to eat on during the cold winter days my folks didn’t live but about three miles them this is where my Grandfather died. We miss him so much he allway come and Bring us kids big apples. He allway rode a Red Horse call maude us kids like to ride her and let hir pick the green grass and now I am a L.D.S. and have had my grandparents work done in temple so that are Sealed. My Grand mother died a few year later at my mother home on a farm Just beelow Limestone carter Ky. but his address Olive Hill R#1 Ky. my Grand parents was burried in the Limestone cemetary over looking Limestone just a few houses & farms I am now 46 yiars old my Husband Chester Lee Clemens in Jan of this year 1960 went on a cold zero mornig and he _____ their Graves un too the lord. the children of B F Gearheart & cilea Moore are all married and some are dead. Cora Watt & Marion are Dead thire work all has been done What is Dead. I am thankful of my wounderful folks and am very hapy to be priveledge to do something for them now. my four girls are thire Great Grand Daughter thire names are Ferne Clemens Guthrie Jean Clemens Betty Lee Clemens McClure and Peggy Lynn Clemens at this time there ages are Ferne Guthrie age 26 Jean Clemens age 24 & Betty McClure age 21 and Peggy Lynn age 4 years. thay are all members of the L.D.S. Church here in Mansfield Richland Ohio May 25 1960, I Ida Clemns have wrote all the Family History I can remember about my grand parents I hope I may be able to find more soe where. My Grand mother come over in Ky from Ironton Lewarnce Ohio and mett my grand Father and that were married thay help to raise hir sister to children Thelma & Delmer Campbell there mother Cora Moore Campbell his Husband Will Dock Dr. Campbell. he went away for 16 years before he come back no one nowed Where he went too he come back home and he & aunt Cora went to house eeping and thay lived at Limestone Carter till he Died he was away from home to see some friend of his Koon Moore and he fell of his horse and never did talk any more and he Died at my Grand Father house at Limeston carter Ky. he was buried at my father Corb Stevens homestead cemetary at or near Lawton Carter Ky. and his wife cora was burred there too and his daughter Thalma Campbell Collins Johnson. by Ida Stevens Clemens
Ida Stevens Clemens’ Personal Journal Writings
Written by her own hand during the later years of her life – probably 1970’s
My Grand Father Benjiman Franklin Gearheart was bornd 22 Feb 1870 in Elliott County Ky. He married Cilia Moore in 1891 and they had a large Family thay lived at a place called Sankin P.O. CannWinkler Elliott County Ky. My mother was raised at this place. That raised Eight{7} children there names. Watt Harriett Bertha Bethel Marion Cora arvel. And in later years thay moved to Lime Stone Ky thay Bought a Farm until he Died cora & arvel was the youngest thay lived there when they was married cora married Chester Roberts & arvel married Lucy Caudall. They was a very happy family. I loved them very much. My Grand Father Went to town in Olive Hill Ky to have some teeth pulled and when he was fanished he went out and sit down in the drug store window and he just fell over Dead. He was buried at Limestone Carter co Ky. My Grandmother lived sever years longer and than she Died at my mother home at Limestone Carter Co Ky. She was buried beside my Grand Father at Limestone Ky. Thay were so nice to everbody always feeding someone had so many friends that ever time his he would speak to his friends his Horse would stop. The horse knowed that have to talk awhile. So the old Home Stead was given to the youngest son arvel he has sold it and ever one is gone from the old homeplace.
It sure is a sweet memory of my childhood day to go and get my Grand Father a good cold drink. I so often dream of this place I have had there work done
Why I dream so oftin I nonot why.
My Grand Father also raise too more children Delmar Campbell & thalma Campbell they were his sister in law children on his wife side of the family Cora Moore Campbell.
April 16 1981
I, Ida Stevens
Grew up in Carter Co in Lawton Ky.
I Sure was thankful for my Dad & Mom for bringing me up clean and with Respict for other people they raise one to be clean honest be nice and Stay out of other people binsnness and never tell a lie and always help people in need we always had the Best of friends to come to our house. Watt Hillman he was Senator he come to our House on Christmas Day for many years with his family Dick Carpenter the judge of Carter Co. My mother would cook for all people that need her help the Govner the Senator and all Republican
Our temple calling
Our temple called was June 12 on my Grandmother birthday 1976. We had a big garden out we worked hard all Summer trying to get ready to come to Washington DC, we sold all summer yard sales action Sale and to Friends & give away. And we Started from Mansfield Ohio in Richland co on Oct 15 1976 and arrived in Washington DC at 10 oclock PM Mr Yates a neighbor Brought one load for us & went on to Richmon Virginia.
And went to work in the temple Oct 19 1976 we went back to Ohio for Christmas & Just got back and worked 5 days in the temple and got a called from my Bro Richard on Jan 11 at 10 PM my mother passed away we started back home to Ohio & Ky on Wed Jan 12 1977 left Earley and get to Ky at 10 PM. Sure was bad weather for the furnel. Jan 1977 the bad weather has closed school malls factory every thing but Food Stores & Drugs Stors
So we was a happy family and mother always like to fix a good dinner and invite all our friends in Mrs. Watt Hillman always had Christmas dinner with us for about 12 or 14 years straight.
My dad never did no his birthday for sure so he made him a birthday the 6 day of November and mother & I had him a surprise dinner we had friends already there when he came home from work he was about 37 years old when he had his first birthday dinner.
When I was about 18 years old I had made up my mind to be married so my mom &dad told me I could get married and my cousin Burl Stevens and Blanch Newland got married on the 28 day of January and on Sunday my Husband to be Chester Lee Clemens and I went up we was all ready to take off. too my uncle Eddie’s to a Wedding dinner so we all had a good day and went out for a walk and took some pictures of the limestone mines where my father worked so we came home that Sunday night and Clemens ask my dad if we could get married so he said yes so the next morning my darling went to town Olive Hill Ky and got my wedding dress. He got a very pretty one navy blue with a tan stripe in it it sure was pretty and he got me a nice scarf too so we was all ready to take off. We wanted to go to morehead KY and be married by the Judge {?} in rowan co.
We didn’t have no car but Richard & Alice Newton to go and drive the car and be or witness so we was on our way by noon {12} the weather was ice and plenty off mud and no good road at Lawton at the time in 1932.
Clemens had to put the battery in the car so he didnt no how and go up under and got battery watter in his eys and he took like he had been crying all day and people would ask him if he was hurt be cause he was getting married we was late getting back for we had got stuck in the mud and Clemens had to get out and pust so we looked like mud dobers when we got home all our friend was there really work on us. They carried Clemens down to the store on a poll and they all fell down and the poll held them down there and Clemens just sat there and didnt get of the poll so we finlay did get down to the store and we bought candy to treat our friends on and then they bought us pillows.
So this was our wedding night of Feb 1th of 1932 at Lawton Ky in carter co.
So the next day. We went to visit his folks who lives near by in a place called Todd town at Lawton Ky. So we lived with his folks about three weeks. And then came back to my father home and lived up stairs till we got our house built. We builted a small too room house and went too house keeping for our selves the 29 of march 1932. On my dad farm he helped he started the too room and house and finished it up put a kitchen & electric and weather bording on it and built a barn and lived there about 5 years Clemens got 2.00 aday for 10 hours. That was 12.00 a week we got along pretty good dad gaive me a cow she was a young Jersey. We bought our furniture from Clemens sister Nellie tabor. We was married about too years when our first baby was borned she was boned on January 23 1934 hir name was Fern Clemens she was borned in my mother house about 2. PM 23 Jan 1934. When she was 4 month old my father in law was goning to Ashland Ky about 40 miles away and the car in wich we were riding turned over and I my husband and fern & Mr. & Mrs. Clemens and thire too children was in it and Fern was asleep and she never woke up and we turned the car back up and went on our Jurney OK.
We always did caned a lot of food so the first year we were married we canned 40 gallon of black charries. And put outabout 20 acres of corn and spent 20.00 and never raised a bushel of corn.
Fern grew up to be a sweet baby and then our second child was borned Jean Clemens borned on March the 11 1936. She was a sweet baby and loved ever one.
We bought our first car in 1936 a 1927 chev we traded a shot gun & 75.00 for it we sure did have a lot of fun and then we keep it a while and traded it off for a 1928 dodge. And then we moved to a big farm out in rowan co.
There Clemens and my Bro Thearl drove back to Lawton Ky to worked. We lived there 18 months in the mean time Clemens went to beards {?} fork W Va in Jan and worked till in april and comehome and then he worked at Lawton all summer and then he went to Ethel W Va and got a job and then we left Rowan co at Morehead Ky and moved to W Va November 51938 we moved in a coal camp nowen as ricks camp and then in april of 1939Betty Lee Clemens was borned there had been a six week strike a lot of people sure did go Hungary. Nellie Tabor camefrom Ashland Ky and took care of me when Betty Lee was a baby. We live there teel Betty was 22 monthsold. We did a lot of _____ _____ goning places in the car and taking the girls and Chester was working at Ethel West Virginia in a coal mines. We moved up in a nother coal camp in January of 1940 we had many friends and we would go back to Olive Hill Ky in carter co to see our friends and our mothers & Fathers. We had a lot of fun my Husband too Bros livedup at Ethel about too miles from where we lived. Thir names are Russel & Dewey.Clemens. And fern our oldest DaughterFirst started to school there she had to ride the bus to Ethel school.
My Husband got a job a Impral IceCream at Stollings West Virginia.
Ida Stevens Clemens’ Personal Journal Writings
Written by her own hand during the later years of her life – probably 1970’s
I Ida Clemens lived at 294 East arch St in 1955 and that is where our baby Peggy Lynn was borned I was 41 years of age when she come to live with us. Betty Lee was passed 16 years of age when Peggy Lynn was borned ever one sure was shocked. I worked for Peggy & Dave Sternbaum when we learned we was going to have here the Saints here give us a Shower we just had every thing we needed. She was borned on 8 July 1955 at 10 oclock inthe Mansfield Ohio General Hospitial in Richland co. Dr Bonar was the Dr that delivered hir. My Dr was out of towon on Vacation Dr Robert Allison. We had to much company to seethe new baby. And the weather was Hot.
We had a small house and we move to 92 West 4th St in January in 1856 in a large apartment so we would have plenty of room. We lived there about 18 months and then moved to 152 ½ West Dickson in april and we didn’t like it there and we moved out in aug of 1957 to 113 Lorain ave to a pretty log cabin and we allplaned a vacation in the West we started on aug 23 we left on Sunday mornig we took Betty Girl Freind with us Linda Noiser we all started in a Station Wagon 1956 Playmouth we sleep in the wagon the First night some where in Ill. We visited the black hill the bad Lands of South D the devels tere in Wyomig and the yellow Stone park and then we went to Idaho Fall for our temple work on Friday. We stayed in Rexburg Idaho the First night and then we went to Jackson Hole Wymoning with Bar & Sis Barrett and we stayed in Ridby Idaho till Sunday after noon and the we headed for sale Lake City.
We seen a lot of pretty places we saw where Martin Harris was buried we saw the Logan temple at night the most Beautiful flouers and Lawn we all Just loved it. We loved to look at the House of Lord.
We come to Ogdon and stayed all night with Bro & Sis Vanatter and then we come on to salt Lake City. Utah on Monday and a half day on Tuesday and then started home. We come back Route 40 we saw Estas Park in Colo 15 foot snow drifts and Ic burg lake. And we drove home from Colo with out stoping over. We saw Independence MO. Where the temple is to be built and we drove on Home got in to Mansfield about 5 oclock Friday morning our car had to have anew distributor cap when we got home. I sure am happy to be back home but loved to see the temple.
This year had been a rainey year we didn’t get to have our garden very much but gotnice Vegetable the lord has bless us very much. We like the work of the lord Clemens went to work in the East ohio districk in april and may he traveled a great deal in his Counslel work we spent a lot of money for gas but the lord bless us in every way we travel alone now in the East ohio Districk. Clemens is Genalogy Chairmon in the East ohio districk Oed {?} peg go with us she has agreat time. Jean Y Betty don’t travel with us very much. The stay home go corting swimmning have dates, We have got some pigs out in the country I sure do like to store food I no if we listen to the authority of the church.
We have got a lot of caned food I caned anaugh to one year to do the next so I am a year ahead so if some thing happens to the weather like dry summer ore to much rain ore bugs so we could always have food ahead and plenty of it and may also help others too we have had plenty to eat all our lives and have always stored food, be fore we were members of the Church of L.D.S. our mothers all way taught us to caned and make a living. This has allway been a great Joy. I pray the lord will Bless our Mothers & father for the learnig thay give us in homemaking I just wish thay were members of the church but maybe some day we can help them for raising us honest and clean and to love & respect others and also to repect older people all time and to make them feel emparant I Just thank my folks enough. I want to be sealed to my mom & dad I pray my wish may come true some day. We as children don’t thank our parents engugh for the thing of life and also for bringing us in to this life. Ida Clemens
Ida StevensClemens’ Personal Journal Writings
Written by her own hand during the later years of her life – probably 1970’s
Chester Lee Clemens & Ida Stevens
Wedding Day Feb 1 1932
We were married on a mondy in morehead Ky in Rowan co it was a cold day muddy& some Ice & Snow. Richard Hill& his wife Alice took us to morehead in Clem Father old 27 chev car. Clem put the Battery in the car and got acid in his eyes he look like he was crying all day. We had a late meal in Shouder Ky
When we got home it was dark the neighbors was there to bell us. That beat on dishpans shot off Guns and rode Clem on a pail down to the Store they fell down and Clem just sit on the rail and thay couldint get up. We all finley arrived at the Store we Bought candy & cigar and treated ever one and thay Bought us a pair of pillows forour bed. Chester walked to Olive Hill and got me a dress for the wedding & a Scarf he Started about 4 AM in the morning and was back before 8.AM. My dress at the neck line. He wore a Navy Blue Surge Suit. We stayed all night at my dads House in Lawton Ky a big 7 room house up the Hollow behind Watt Hillman Store. We had a big dinner at my mom and Dads House the next day and we went down to Chester mom & Dad House the next day we Stayed at my mom and Dads House till we went to House Keeping the 29 of March 1932. We builted us a nice too room House. We had 1 bed 1 dresser a big pot belled Stove in one room. The kitchen. We had a cook Stove a big round table and a dish Shelf. And Clem Bought us a big Sow Hog so we had our meat for the next winter. We had a garden & caned & dad give us a young Jersey cow. Clem didn’t make much at that time he only made .20 pr Hr 12.00 a week to live on he worked 10 Hr a Day