"The third from the oldest in a family of eight. Started working for her room, board, and clothing (no wages) in the spring before she was 8 in September for Christopher Luken. Worked there three years. Was given her first pair of leather shoes for her birthday when she was either 10 or 11 years old. Had worn wooden shoes until that time. Was required at that time to help load barley and oats which was hauled on oxen-drawn carts and to help thresh same with a flail."
Annette (Helmerichs) Clark, her daughter
This is Mary Leiner (Helmerichs) on the left and my great grandmother, Anka Maria Margaretha Leiner (Helmerichs) on the right. My great grandmother was born September 9, 1879. The two girls came to America from Weisbaden, Germany in 1898 aboard a ship named, "Friedrich der Grosse".
This is my great grandmother with a child named Robert Lewis, who, later in life, became a doctor. She took care of him for several years.
This is Gretha Leiner, my great great grandmother. She and Diedrich Leiner, her husband, came to America after my great grandmother. They resided in the Springfield, Illinois area.
Great Grandma
always liked to cut and make greens. I can never remember eating
them myself. She was of a short and rotund stature, and I can
remember many times seeing her in my mother's strawberry patch
bent over and picking berries. This is the last picture I can
remember of my great grandmother. Her eyes speak volumes. A little
German girl in wooden shoes working for her existence took on
the world in her own way. With determination and hard work, she
made her mark; not the kind of mark that rewrites history, but
the foothold that others use as an inspiration to continue on.
Unfortunately, I cannot say I knew her well, but I do have an
admiration for her courage and her capabilities to raise a fine
family.