03/31/2026
My grandmother, Julia Baxter Hart Cravey was a hard working woman who did what she had to in the day she lived. She married very young, as girls did back then, and had to provide children for farm work.
I know that sounds horrific, but in that era of the early 1900’s, that’s what you did. Plus, there was NO birth control.
The word, “No!” to your husband was not an option.
I remember my grandma Julia being a hard woman who rarely smiled but loved all her family with her whole heart.
She worked from before sun up until after the sun went down taking care of the farm and it all it required along with caring for 9 children, most of the time a baby on her hip, her husband and lastly, herself.
Grandpa Gus died December of 1963 when my mom was a Senior in high school. That left Grandma with 5 girls still at home, my mom being the oldest.
Life was never easy for her; she worked hard EVERY day of her life. When grandpa passed, it didn’t get easier. There was no social security system to fall back on or military pensions to help families out. If you were a widow, you’d better have some resources or you’d just starve with your children. Basically, you would just be on your own: to figure it out!
So, my grandma with the gut & grit of a hard working woman knew what she had to do, and she did it! She got a job at the Dodge County Hospital as a Ward Clerk. (Now known as a medical assistant). She was so proud of that job and her accomplishments!
Everyone was so proud of her.
People are softies these days without the kind of backbone and grit my grandmother had.
When I think back these years later about how “mean” I thought she was, now I understand it. It wasn’t mean, it was dealing the best she knew how with the life and circumstances she was dealt in life.
She raised her children with the same work ethic and drive. Today I see that same inspired drive in my children, nieces, nephews and my grandchildren now. I am so thankful for that!
She never complained; she just did it!
Thank You Grandma❤️❤️❤️
