Kids today are lucky - chances are their grandfathers are still around as they grow into adulthood. Not all that long ago, it was not unusual to have your grandparents die before you were born. My two grandfathers, unfortunately, died when I was quite young. Still, I remember them clearly, and even today, I treasure their memories.
Let me introduce you to them:
The guy on the left is John Cramer, my maternal grandfather. I was named for him. He was born in 1865 in Ohio. Among other things, he rode shotgun on the Wells Fargo stage line between Bisbee and Tombstone in the waning years of the 19th Century. He prospected for gold in Mexico, and became a mine foreman for Phelps Dodge in Bisbee. He passed on in 1944; the picture was taken by my dad in 1943.
The fellow on the right is Sam Marshall, my paternal grandfather. He was born in Kentucky in 1882. A country store owner, he and his family migrated to Arizona in 1924. He became a sales manager for the Korricks department store in Phoenix. Sadly, he died at the youngish age of 60 in 1942 from kidney failure, an ailment that today could be dealt with. This picture was taken by my dad in 1939, shortly after I was born.
Both men led hard but exemplary lives.
Although they are long gone, these two men remain my heroes today. I thought I'd share these old photos with you.
Please take this opportunity to share any pictures you may have of your grandfathers! Bless 'em all!
John
Let me introduce you to them:
The guy on the left is John Cramer, my maternal grandfather. I was named for him. He was born in 1865 in Ohio. Among other things, he rode shotgun on the Wells Fargo stage line between Bisbee and Tombstone in the waning years of the 19th Century. He prospected for gold in Mexico, and became a mine foreman for Phelps Dodge in Bisbee. He passed on in 1944; the picture was taken by my dad in 1943.
The fellow on the right is Sam Marshall, my paternal grandfather. He was born in Kentucky in 1882. A country store owner, he and his family migrated to Arizona in 1924. He became a sales manager for the Korricks department store in Phoenix. Sadly, he died at the youngish age of 60 in 1942 from kidney failure, an ailment that today could be dealt with. This picture was taken by my dad in 1939, shortly after I was born.
Both men led hard but exemplary lives.
Although they are long gone, these two men remain my heroes today. I thought I'd share these old photos with you.
Please take this opportunity to share any pictures you may have of your grandfathers! Bless 'em all!
John
