no schools here. The mother loved freedom and did not want her children brought up under the German government.

William Christian Volk III had, while in Germany, been a weaver of fine broadcloth and linen. They brought much of this material along with them to America. When they arrived in Illinois, they lived in an old school house. Much of the fine material kept disappearing. After they had moved to Battle Creek, a girl who had worked for them, wrote and informed them that some of their relatives were now using them and so the mystery was solved!

When they came to Madison County, they lived in an old sod house west of District 51 on the old Horn place. Anna Marie was born here in April, 1882. They bought the place where James Volk now lives but all this place had was a fire line. A hole was dug into the side of the hill and a small building built on the front of this for the family home. However, when the mother found a snake in the soddy, it brought about the planning and building of a frame house. In 1883, they built on a big kitchen, bedroom, hall, closet, pantry and enclosed porch. Conrad Henry was born here in 1884. Other children born to this union, were Carl John, Ema Elisa, and Katherina Margaretha.

Chris Kumpf, a cousin, who had accompanied the mother and children on their trip from Germany, came for a visit in 1892. He had been very ill and in an Omaha hospital. Several nights after his arrival, he again became deathly ill. Conrad had to go to Battle Creek and get Dr. Tanner. Chris had diphtheria. Margaret and Conrad also got it. The rest had to gargle regularly and did not get it.

The children of the neighborhood found ways to entertain themselves. They played ball and spent many hours riding horseback, the girls as well as the boys. It seems they had many blizzards in these early years with the wind sweeping the snow in great drifts as it blew across the open plains. Many times the drifts would go right up to the roofs of the buildings. At such times, the children had much fun running over the rooftops or taking their sleds and riding down. In 1888, Wm. was at school when the big blizzard struck. The children were not allowed to leave. Mrs. Hetric, who lived nearby, knew the teacher and children had no food so she prepared food and took it over.

Even wash day was a big day as all the water had to be carried in. Everything had to be soaked the day before. The following day a big boiler would be placed on the stove to heat the water. Everything had to be washed by hand and rubbed on the board, then rinsed and then put in the bluing. The first washing machine was truly appreciated. Of course, then came the big ironing which was done with the old sad iron, which was appropriately named.

Of course, for washing, home made soap was used. The making of soap also meant a big day's work. This usually followed shortly after butchering day as the cracklings and odds and ends of the animal were used. The butchering was done on a cold day

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