I came across a clipping from a Rawlins newspaper. The date was missing but by context all the children were grown.
I knew nothing of this. I knew she was hearty, raising seven children almost single-handedly, including on that desolate Wyoming homestead and those Washington scrub farms. I’d understood there was a God-respect about her that passed into the family. But this craving for learning is for me a new realization. And an inspiration for us all.
The photo was taken quite a few years before the article was written. There’s no date, but all seven children are in (even if Orrelle only barely at the bottom). By the looks of the “craftsman style” house, it must be Washington. Is that my dad in glasses? He was a reader through his 97th year, but never with glasses.
Busy Housewife puts Spare Time to Good Use, by Bobbie Johnson
A mother of seven children and a grandmother seven times, who in spite of all her household duties has finished four correspondence courses and is starting on the fifth, who has a keen desire to learn and the ambition to follow her desire, is Mrs. H. E. Moore, 345 Daley Street, a woman who has literally educated herself.
Mrs. Moore completed only two and a half years of high school work, but she “always wanted to finish high school.” Her burning desire for knowledge caused her to spend several hours daily studying and reading.
Her first correspondence course was in dressmaking, tailoring and handwork. This she followed with a cooking course. From these courses she has learned to do almost anything with her hands. She sews beautifully, crochets, knits and tats. She can display hundreds of her handmade articles, all finely made down to the last detail She is a proficient cook.
Being a lover of music, Mrs. Moore bought an electric guitar. For two years she studied, practiced and taught herself to play through her mail order lessons. Today she plays the guitar with a near professional touch.
After finishing her guitar lessons and receiving her diploma, Mrs. Moore subscribed to a correspondence course in Spanish. This she studied by books and recordings.
Because of her ardent interest in the Spanish language, Mrs. Moore is organizing a class of interested neighbors for weekly study this winter.
Her present course of study is the piano. She recently received her first lesson from the US School of Music, New York City, and is now teaching herself to play the piano. Although she has studied only a short while, Mrs. Moore has a large repertoire for the piano.
The ambitious person who has lived in Rawlins for the last 23 years, has always impressed upon her children the importance of education. “My main ambition was to see my children have good educations. You can’t make a child acquire an education, you have to talk them into it,” Mrs. Moore said.
And “talk them into it” she did. For all seven of her children have been graduated from Rawlins high school and all but one have gone on with their education. Four of her sons attended college. One of them was graduated, and one of them will be graduated next spring. Both of her daughters attended nurses training, one of them finishing.
“Women are foolish if they do not do something with their spare time. A woman with a family is confined to her home and idleness can make a person old,” Mrs. Moore stated.
One look at Mrs. Moore with her trim figure, dark hair and smooth complexion will defy her . . .
At this point, the article trails off. But this picture of Margarite Didami (Comer) Moore (b. 1889) at her marriage describes it all. What a beauty. What an attitude! (And there’s my chin cleft!)
Next: Mom’s Story, and Homesteads Again.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
9:00 am
Wow. She was a strong person to raise all those children and to be continually taking correspondence courses. Honorable and inspiring.
9:10 am
Wow, both cute AND smart! Such devotion and initiative are so rare, and to discover that in your family lineage, what a find, Hyatt.
9:23 am
I love her quote about “idleness can make a person old.” Sounds like a real Proverbs 31 woman; an awesome heritage.
9:24 am
Hyatt, there’s a Proverbs 31 lady for certain!!!!
“A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed…..”
Sara
9:35 am
Wow I wish I has known this when she was alive. I’ll need to frame something about me for my grandchildren to read. I’ll let you write it. Amazing woman! Thx Hyatt.
11:55 am
Sue, you look just like her!
9:44 am
Hi Hyatt, this morning I read each of the Blank Slates on your parents. And I loved each one. Keep going!! My son Jeff who follows you (at my suggestion) read them and told me to “go see.” He knew I knew your mom and dad, Lori who I love madly (mentored her at LABC during the Leonard years. *-)) and Sue, who is right up there with my favorite people.
I am Mrs. C (aka Loretta Chalfant). I worked at LABC from 1972 to 1983 so I met your sisters and went to your [parents’] home a few times. You were not there…those may have been your running around years! Who knows…can’t remember. Sigh.
I ordered your bookmarks of the Last Supper…too grand to put into words. I treasure it even though I read a kindle.
Your family has been such a blessing to so many, over the generations it appears…what a heritage! Praise Him from whom all blessings flow.
11:55 am
Mrs. C!!!! I had no idea you had just written a Comment right above mine. Helllllllooooooooo. Love you madly!
11:15 am
I had no idea of any of this, Hyatt. I LOVE it! Grandma Moore was pretty much unknown to me…but she DID teach me to knit when I was five, and I carry that on to this day.
The electric guitar, of all things. Didn’t brother Steve learn guitar on his own, from books? Spanish lessons and gathering other women to share it with. She was truly ahead of her time!
I can really see sister Sue in these early pics. Dad always said Sue took after Aunt Melva, and now I can see why.
Yeah, and I have that cleft chin, too; the feminine non-beard one. ( =
1:33 pm
Hyatt, I’m hoping you publish a book–and let us fill in some more details.
Mom always told me about the time Grandpa Moore didn’t get home with groceries. It left a big impression on our dad. Mom would cook certain things when Dad was out of town–like creamed peas and dried beef over toast–it reminded him of that lean time.
12:17 pm
There’s this: “My main ambition was to see my children have a good education. You can’t make a child acquire an education, you have to talk them into it.” Rings true for me, as a mother of boys, now young men who have resisted their educations off and on along the way. “Talking them into it,” yes, that is exactly what we have done.
I will use this quote often Hyatt. I love this large dose of wisdom.
6:20 pm
Lori,
I think your Grandmother Moore looks like you. Maybe not but to a TN person she does.
She lived a full life.
Becky