Harvey House Sisters: A Grandmother's Legacy

By Donna Jean Niemeir

Grandma was born in 1885. Louise's life includes her and her sister, Lillie, working their way west as Harvey House girls. Louise was a maid for sixty years, working from ten years old until she retired at seventy years old in 1955.

Louise was the sole support of her family, which included raising two children and taking care of a sick and unemployed husband. She came through World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II and never lost her faith.

Louise's and Lillie's story is a biography with a religious theme. It also includes historical facts, human relationships, and romance.

Louise left a lasting legacy for her nine grandchildren and their families.

166

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781639614479

Book preview

Chapter 1

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Exodus 20:12

Spring 1907

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

"Lord, I want to be a servant. Not just as the world sees a servant. Not a servant where the master tells the servant what to do and the servant goes off by himself and does it. Rather, Lord, I want to be Your servant, walking with you daily.

Just as the potter molds the clay, I want to be that clay and be molded and responsive to Your pattern. And just as the clay must remain in the potter’s hands and for his use, I want to remain in your hands, Lord, and for Your use.

As Louise continued to pray and work through her goals and plans for the future, she felt herself relaxing, and a peace stole into her young heart. Why worry when she knew the Lord had a plan for her life? With You, working through me, Lord, I will have unlimited potential!

Even so, Louise knew she would have a hard time leaving everything in the Lord’s hands. How many times in the past few years had she laid things that bothered her at the feet of Jesus, only to take them back again? She wanted the Lord to light tomorrow’s path before she stepped out on that path. But the Lord seemed to be telling her, Louise, you don’t need a path that is bright. You just need Me. Put your hand in Mine, and I will lead you along the dark path of tomorrow.

Yes, Lord, You are right as always. As long as You lead me, it doesn’t really matter if the path is light or dark.

The bedroom door slammed open, bouncing against the thin wall. Louise, why aren’t you out here getting breakfast on? This is no time to hide in your room. My goodness, child, there is work to be done!

Glancing up from her kneeling position next to her bed, Louise saw that her mother was agitated as usual. She knew her morning quiet time had ended. Yes, Mother, I’m coming right away.

Well, hurry up and quit dawdling. Father is almost ready to leave, and you don’t have breakfast on yet. Why, when I was your age, I wouldn’t dare stay in my room this late in the morning doing nothing!

Yes, Mother. Louise swallowed the angry retort that was on the tip of her tongue. She said a quick prayer asking for a quiet and sweet spirit as she rose from her position and walked quickly to the small kitchen. It was still dark outside.

No one had lit the morning fire, so Louise quickly tackled that project and soon was striking the match that set the coal ablaze. While the old cookstove was warming up, she hurriedly mixed pancake batter in the old green and brown crockery bowl. She mixed up the syrup and set it to warming on the stove. Leaning over to grasp the handle of the old round iron griddle, Louise placed it on the hottest part of the cookstove to warm up.

Quickly, Louise set about setting the table for the four of them left at home. Louise let a small smile play around her thin lips as she thought of the day that she could leave, like Will and Hulda had left.

Someday. Not tomorrow or even next year, but someday. When she had more money saved and when Lillie got a little older. She wanted to take her younger sister with her when she left, but in order to do that, they must wait until Lillie was eighteen.

As Louise flipped pancakes on the hot griddle, Lillie came in the back door. Her basket was full to overflowing and reflected the early morning dawn.

Oh, Louise, just look at these apple blossoms! After packing the milk and eggs into my basket, Mrs. Guthrie snipped these blossoms off that beautiful tree next to their barn. Aren’t they wonderful? Lillie buried her round rosy face in the angel blossoms.

Lillie! My, but aren’t they beautiful! Hurry now and get them into that tall blue vase setting on the sideboard. Then come quickly and help me put the last few things on the table. Mother is not in good humor this morning. In fact, she seems to be very upset, Louise continued to flip pancakes as she whispered these words of warning.

Lillie caught the hint and continued to whisper, Louise, you look real nice this morning. Your face has a calm and peaceful look. Is God talking with you again?

Lillie, God is always talking with me. The trouble is I don’t always take the time to talk with Him. Hurry now. We’ll talk more on our way to work and school. If you hurry, we’ll have time for me to arrange your hair before we leave.

* * * * *

North Hampton, England

Hey, Will and Al, what are you doing? I thought Mom and Dad said you were to forget the notion of going abroad?

Wait, there is no law against studying about other countries now, is there? Besides, when customers come into the shoe store, we have to be able to converse intelligently. Lots of talk these days about New Zealand and America. William closed the map book that he had been perusing with Albert.

Well, it would be an adventure that’s for sure. I wouldn’t be against going to America just to do something different than selling— and Walter came to an abrupt stop as their mother called out.

Boys, one of you go fetch John from the river. Hope he caught some fish for dinner tonight.

Walt looked at his older brothers. They looked at him and gave a knowing smile. Walt grimaced and gave an elaborate sigh. Caught in the middle again. You guys are old enough to bully me, and Johnny is too young to work at the store. I’m not sure being sixteen is so great!

Sauntering off, Walt stuck his hands into his pockets and absently whistled a nonsensical tune to override his moodiness. Always caught in the middle. Always the scapegoat of the four brothers. Well, one of these days when he was older, he would show his family! Then and there he decided the day would come when he would not bow down to his brothers’ wishes. He didn’t know how or when, but he vowed the day would come.

* * * * *

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

While Louise worked hard at the hotel making beds, washing, and repairing guests’ laundry, taking clothes to the cleaners, and running special errands, she dreamed of the day that she and Lillie could leave Milwaukee. It wasn’t that there was really anything wrong with the city. Louise was just tired of it. Tired of all the grumbling her mother constantly did. Tired of working so hard and having to give half her salary to her mother. Tired of life. Tired of this miserable weather.

What had started out as a beautiful spring day along the western shore of Lake Michigan had turned back into a blustery winter day with slushy wet snow falling. Louise Mathilda Appelmann was twenty-two years old—an old maid in a society where girls usually married by the time they were eighteen. Since her brother Will and sister Hulda had left home eight years ago for their own homes, all the daily chores of cooking and housekeeping had fallen to Louise. That was before and after her regular job at the hotel.

Louise could let herself become angry with Mother again if she wasn’t careful. Mother didn’t lift a finger. She sat around in her good dress reading novels all day. Why didn’t Father talk to her? My, Louise thought, if that was me, I sure would run the household differently.

Shaking her head in disgust, Louise finished up the room she was working on and went on to the next. Dreaming about the change she longed to make, she went from room to room picking up, cleaning, and rearranging.

Some of the patrons at the nice downtown Milwaukee hotel where Louise worked were overnighters. A good majority, however, were permanent. These residents worked around the Milwaukee area and used the reputable hotel like a large boarding house.

Most of the men and women were single, making a living on their own. Occasionally, Louise would receive a thank-you note with a few coins for an extra job she had attended to. Just yesterday, Mr. Taylor in room 36 had asked her to pick up his suit at the cleaners. Louise always tried to do her best for each person and room that she was assigned.

After evening supper, the girls’ father sat in his favorite brown winged back chair and read the evening news. As was his custom when he came across something interesting, he would read it out loud. The girls’ mother could care less, but Louise and Lillie thrived on the education the news gave them.

Louise had been allowed to attend school through fourth grade. After mastering McGuffey’s Fourth Eclectic Reader, published in 1879 and again in 1896, Louise’s parents had decided she had a grasp of the basics. It was now time for Louise to go to work. She was needed to help support the family.

The last story in her Fourth Reader was entitled My Mother’s Grave. Louise had been able to read and understand it as well as spell and know the definitions of words like mournful, realize, excess, varied, effaced, pettishly, resolved, ingratitude, and manifold.

On the last day of class before summer, shy Louise had recited in front of the class, the last poem in her reader.

A Mother’s Gift—The Bible

Remember, love, who gave thee this,

When other days shall come,

When she who had thine earliest kiss,

Sleeps in her narrow home.

Remember! ‘twas a mother gave

The gift to one she’d die to save!

That mother sought a pledge of love,

The holiest for her son,

And from the gifts of God above,

She chose a goodly one;

She chose for her beloved boy,

The source of light, and life, and joy.

She bade him keep the gift, that, when

The parting hour should come,

They might have hope to meet again

In an eternal home.

She said his faith in this would be

Sweet incense to her memory.

And should the scoffer, in his pride,

Laugh that fond faith to scorn,

And bid him cast the pledge aside,

That he from youth had borne,

She bade him pause, and ask his breast

If SHE or HE had loved him best.

A parent’s blessing on her son

Goes with this holy thing;

The love that would retain the one.

Must to the other cling.

Remember! ’tis no idle toy;

A mother’s gift! Remember, boy.

When Louise finished her recitation with lowered head, she cried in her heart for a mother like that.

Louise was ten years old when she was employed as a maid in the downtown hotel where she still worked.

Louise thought of her younger sister. Lillie was seven years younger and almost finished with her fourth-grade studies. The same fate would follow Lillie, even though Lillie was older than Louise had been when she started working outside the home.

Lillie, being the baby of the family, was a bit spoiled, but Louise did not mind. Their parents had decided to start Lillie in school at an older age. Then too Lillie had struggled with her studies and taken longer to get though her McGuffey readers.

Father wanted his girls to enjoy reading and be proficient at the skill. He told each of them it would stand them in good stead the rest of their lives. Of course, Mother was against letting them idle their days away in school. Ida wanted the girls to earn money and be her personal maids. Father won out, promising his girls they could finish their Fourth Reader before stopping school and going out to work.

George read for the girls benefit, "It says in tonight’s news that if one didn’t make money this past year, his case is hopeless. Well, guess that depends on what business one is in now, doesn’t it? Sure, I made money, but we spent it also!

"I must admit it is far better than last century where the farmers were having such a hard time. It really is good times now. Taxes are minimal, and the paper here says trading is brisk. Most people fully expect the best for the near future.

Listen to this, girls, ‘Civic pride is at an all-time high. The majority of people are boisterously optimistic…all Americans have started dreaming. For isn’t America the land of opportunity? Isn’t America proud of its railroads stretching from coast to coast? Isn’t America proud of the fact that its people have invented the dirigible in 1908, the Wright brothers’ astonishing feat in 1903, the horseless carriage which gives freedom and mobility, the World Series. There is a Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog in every household in America. Newspapers are everywhere. Nome, Alaska, is opening up to the adventurous. Wealth abounds in all forty-five states!’

Father, it all sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? I mean they don’t say anything about the troubles, just let the good times roll! What about the middle class and lower class? I heard some men at the hotel talking just today about the slums and child labor problems. Louise tucked her head quickly back down, concentrating on her crocheting. She loved to crochet in the evenings after the work was finished. Never for very long, as she was exhausted. Tonight she rubbed her shoulders and stretched, giving a little sigh.

"Yes, Louise, you are right. But as usual when times are good, the wealthy concentrate on profit and good times, not on the problems. The men I work with each day are saying the same thing. We work long hours for little pay. One out of eight are in dire poverty. At least we can be thankful we have enough to eat each day and don’t actually need anything. We have learned the difference between wants and needs, and that is a good thing.

I believe that is the problem of the wealthy. They think they need everything. The capitalists will always be with us. They are the idle and wealthy. Personally, I have a lot more respect for the men I work with. We only make twenty-two cents per hour, but I’m sure we all have a good feeling of a day’s job well done at the end of our fifty-nine-hour workweek and a sense of real satisfaction that we are providing for our families. I don’t need to be rich to happy, girls. I have you both!

Chapter 2

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Galatians 5:16–17

Louise tiredly trudged home. She was cold in her thin coat, and her frozen feet were wet clear through. She hadn’t taken her galoshes this morning. After all, the morning had been lovely! She had reveled in the brisk air and sunshine. Momentarily she thought of the trolley. Oh, wouldn’t it be wonderful! The trolley would be quick; it would keep her dry and save her tired legs. She could ride the trolley and pamper herself and relieve her swollen ankles. Louise heard the bell of the trolley coming up the street behind her.

Staunchly ignoring the trolley, Louise let it roll past. Shaking her head at the thought of comfort, she continued on toward home. Thirteen blocks from Garfield Avenue to downtown Milwaukee, twice a day, wasn’t so awfully far. Why waste the coins when she had two perfectly capable legs. No, this was one of the few ways she could put a few more coins away.

To take her mind off the tiresome walk home, Louise reminisced about the talk she had heard at the hotel that day. She was happy to be in the background; her face turned beet red if anyone even talked to her. Being a maid suited her shy personality, and she took her job seriously, always trying to do her very best each day.

But she did love to listen to all the talk around her! Each day she tucked all the information away in the secret recesses of her mind to share with Lillie. Different days the topics were different, but many times the patrons talked about the newspaper headlines and lots of days it was about Going West!

The days of the covered wagons were long past. Now the thing to do was to go west by railroad. Why, even single people traveled alone now. Of course, mostly they were men, but Louise dreamed of the day that Lillie and she could go west on the railroad. Could one imagine anything more exciting?

So what if she was an old maid, petite, and plain. She was strong, and she could work hard to support herself and Lillie. Maybe Lillie would even meet some nice young man. It was too late for her to think of young men, but Louise would like a nice life for Lillie.

Too many years had been spent under the drab roof of her parents. Louise wanted more for her younger sister. If they stayed here, they would always be at the beck and call of their mother. Since Louise was already considered the old maid of the family, everyone just expected her to stay at the family home the rest of her life and take care of her parents. Well, I won’t do it! Louise exclaimed.

Why was her heart so rebellious? Why couldn’t she just submit to a life of drudgery? Lord, help me to know if I am being selfish or if this desire for a change in my life is really from You. How do I honor my parents and fulfill this desire for a life of my own?

* * * * *

North Hampton, England

No way, Dad. I just can’t see me staying here the rest of my life. Will and Al never give me credit for anything. They think they are the big shots running this business. I will always be ‘little Walt’ to them. They never respect my opinion and always make me do all the menial tasks.

Now, Walter, you have been raised to obey your parents. I expect respect not only for your mother and I but respect for your older brothers. They have more maturity than you and a real sense of prospering this business. Why can’t you take more of an interest in this family business?

Dad, it would be different if you depended on me for my opinion, but you don’t. You only depend on me for the hard work that I do. Walt rushed out the door before his father could reprimand him further. Unusual thing was that his father let him go without being excused.

Walter Paine. Sixteen years old. Two older brothers. Yes, he agreed, his brothers were real Paines in his day! He had it today with their harassment. He certainly was old enough to figure things out for himself. If he worked hard, he could make a living anywhere.

Walt headed directly to the docks before going home. It wouldn’t hurt to check out the ships. Maybe, just maybe, he could work his way across. America, the land of the free and the brave, the hardworking and the downtrodden.

He certainly felt downtrodden tonight. Approaching an old sailing ship, the Baltimore, Walt heard the sailors on the dock talking about the old ship. Yea, she was built in 1868 and is still part of the North German Lloyd Line. Heard the repairs have just been finished on her. She’s ready to sail tonight.

* * * * *

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The open hotel room door darkened with the shadow of several men as they paused in their walk but kept up their conversation.

Yes, it is true. Southern California has great prospects. Not only is the weather sunny and balmy all year-round, but the paper says that employment is great. There are many opportunities because the city is growing so rapidly. Why, the paper described the place just ripe for the picking!

I agree, Hal. Just the other day, I heard that Joe had landed a great job at a new plant in East Los Angeles. Housing looks good too. They say the desert just blooms when you put water to it. My, but that sun would feel good right about now. I dread going out in that icy slush again today.

Well, Pete, Hal voiced his thoughts slowly, I’ve a mind to make a change myself. Adventure beckons, and while I am young, I would like to see what all this fuss out West is about. What about you? Want to go with me? We could bunk together.

Their voices faded away as they continued their walk. Louise renewed her energetic bed making. Just as her hands sped up, so did her thoughts. Where there is a will, there is a way, her father was fond of saying.

Yes, that was it. She definitely had made up her mind to go to Southern California where all the talk and action was nowadays. It sounded much more exciting than spending the rest of her days walking in the wet snow and blustery wind off the lake, and being her mother’s nursemaid.

"Lillie, I’m proud of you for finishing your fourth McGuffey Reader. You’ll be able to go to work now and help the family out. Plus you’ll be able to help me save for our dream!"

Lillie smiled exuberantly. She laughed with a jolly twinkle in her eyes. Oh, Louise, it feels so good to have finished! Yet in the second breath, I am really sad that I can’t continue my schooling. You know what I really would like to do instead of housekeeping? I want to get more schooling to be a teacher!

Louise looked at Lillie with no emotion showing, even though in her heart she was crying for Lillie’s lost opportunity. How did she dampen the enthusiasm that Lillie carried? You know that both Mother and Father are expecting you to go to work, Lillie. I tried every tactic I could think of for you to stay in school, but to no avail. Don’t get your hopes up, girl.

As Lillie’s smile faded and her eyes turned mellow, Louise ventured to encourage her, You have a wonderful, bubbly personality, Lillie. You would make the most awesome teacher. I would have loved you for my teacher! Maybe if you work awhile until we can save for our dream…maybe in the future you can go back to school when we move out west. Then we will be able to make all our own decisions.

Lillie kicked at a pebble on the sidewalk. She gave an exaggerated sigh and blew her sister a kiss. You always are so thoughtful, Louise. Why can’t I be more like you?

Oh shaw, Lillie. You are the one I envy with your sparkling personality. Me? I’m just dull Louise. But I do carry a dream of wanting more for you, Lillie. That is one of the main reasons for eventually going west. The two of us together can do whatever we set our minds to. Don’t you see? We complement each other. You with your outgoing, bubbly personality, and me with the ‘reality check’ always at hand! Both girls smiled in sweet companionship as they continued their walk home.

Later that same evening, the oil lamp cast a rosy glow onto Father’s newspaper. Did you girls see tonight’s headlines? ‘Kingpin banker, J. Pierpont Morgan, the most powerful financier in American history, today is holding 125 leading New York financiers under lock and key…until they produce enough capital to stave off disaster for the country!’

Father continued, Girls, Morgan formed US Steel and purchased Carnegie Steel. I wonder what President Roosevelt will do now. That adventurous statesman will undoubtedly do something unexpected.

Mother spoke up, Financial disaster? Whatever will we do now? It is a good thing, Lillie, that you are finished with your schooling. You need to go look for a position tomorrow morning, right away!

Well, just the other day, the paper said the sky was the limit…now it is saying the sky is falling? Lillie immediately left the room. Louise gathered her half-crocheted doily and followed, too tired to get into a discussion with her mother tonight.

Chapter 3

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

Early Spring, 1910

Lillie, why do you always buy the exact same thing I am wearing?

I like the way you dress, Louise. You’re so slender, Lillie said, running her hands over her pleasantly plump figure. I need all the help I can get. When you’ve already gone to all the trouble to find something nice…and at a bargain too…it just saves me a lot of time! Lillie’s round eyes sparkled as she laughed merrily.

Louise quietly smiled and continued to set the table for yet another breakfast.

Really, Louise, don’t be upset with me. Just be glad we like the same things. Even if you pick them out first! and Lillie continued to chatter on. Remember that we have prayer meeting tonight. Should we wear our matching green dresses? That London smoke cloth with the matching dark green embroidered silk braid is so stunning on your petite figure. Makes you look taller. We could also wear our black Buster Brown shoes with the little heels.

Lillie, I declare, I wish you would pay as much attention to what goes on at the prayer meeting as you do to our clothes! When will you think of anything else besides how you look?

Oh, Louise, you know I am interested in everything. I just can’t take time to think about heavenly things all the time when there are so many exciting things going on! Did you hear that three in our prayer meeting group are going to Alaska next month to seek their fortune? Oh, and Fred Mathers just bought a Model T for $850! Wonder where he got that kind of money. He surely doesn’t make that much. Why Tootsie said he makes twenty-two cents per hour working at the grocery, exclaimed Lillie.

Louise sighed as Lillie rambled on. She glanced up at Lillie and quietly whispered, I put a little more money into our sock last night. It is encouraging, but we have such a long ways to go yet to fulfill our dream.

Lillie whispered back, Oh, Louise, some day we will do it. Maybe sooner than you think!

Lillie, you’re eighteen now, and I’m twenty-five. We don’t need the folks’ permission anymore really. But I’m not getting any younger, and it takes so long to save. Louise had been born on January 3, 1885. Her mother’s midwife, Emilie Rissling, had named her Alma on her birth certificate, but Ida had officially renamed her Louise Matthilda for which Louise was always thankful. She liked her name.

Louise continued, I have been trusting the Lord with my rebellion. I really do think He has been teaching me to have a quiet spirit and honor Mother and Father while I wait for His direction for our future.

What are you girls whispering about in there?

The sisters furtively glanced at each other and said not another word. The morning joy disappeared from their faces as Ida came into the kitchen. Why isn’t breakfast ready, girls? My, but you do dawdle along. Hurry now, bring my coffee.

Looking away from her mother, Louise turned and stared out the window. In the early morning dawn, the perky pansies’ cheerful purple and yellow faces were tilted upward drinking the gentle morning rain. Next to them, the early petunias drooped their faces away from the clinging wet drops. I want to be like those pansies,