Time Was

    As I write this, the first snow of the winter is on the ground, and it is cold. A century ago the Great World War was being fought in Europe. It was cold and snowy there too.
    The United States had just entered the conflict with troops, but long before that local boys were serving. Today we read a letter from a century ago written by a lonely boy who was serving in a field hospital with the British Expeditionary Forces “somewhere in France.”

    I know that many of my gentle readers have loved ones away from home this holiday season. No matter what the reason, absent friends and family loom large in our thoughts.
    Some worry that we are on the verge of another war. One hundred years ago there was no such worry, our country was at war. Set the way back for Dec. 26, 1917, location - somewhere in France.
    “Dear Mother: Well, Christmas is over once more, and I suspect you are wondering how your poor little boy spent his first Christmas away from home.

    One of the criteria for a structure to become a landmark is its age - it must be at least 50 years old. If we apply the same criteria to books then “The Braidwood Story” by Modesto J. Donna qualifies as a landmark.
    Originally published in July of 1957, it has stood the test of time well. For Braidwood historians, genealogists and citizens, it is must reading. I know it has been for me. Today we look at the man who wrote it.

    Since the summer, an avalanche of women have been speaking up about women's role in the workplace and what it takes to rise to the top. Of course, in the 19th century it wasn't an issue. Women were simply not in the workplace.
    Today we research the view of women as printed in the local books and newspapers.
    First, I went to the History of Will County, 1873. It contains hundreds of biographies of Will County citizens, but, only a handful of them are about women, and even those tell more about their husbands than about the ladies.