"You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name" (Psalms 61:5).

From the perspective of cousins (the grandchildren of MaMa and PaPa)

Our great Grandfather on PaPa's side:
Godfrey Willhelm Steincross
Birthdate: September 19, 1845 Birthplace: Leuna, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany (Here on Google maps) The town of Wittenburg is the birthplace of the Reformation, with Martin Luther's home (Lutherhaus) and Schlosskirche, the storied church where he's buried.
Godfrey immigrated to America sometime before 1872 when his oldest child, Franklin Dixon Steincross, was born.
Death: January 14, 1909 (63) Vernon, Missouri, United States Thus none of us knew him
Immediate Family: Husband of Anstis Steincross and father of Franklin Dixon Steincross; Emma Jane Steincross; Charles Robert Steincross; Anna May Morerod and George Washington Steincross

Our great Grandmother on PaPa's side:
Anstis Steincross (Leeper)
Birthdate: April 04, 1845 Birthplace: McLean, Illinois, United States (appears to be about 1/2 way between St Louis and Chicago along I-55)
Death: November 07, 1930 (85) Thus none of us knew her
Immediate Family: Daughter of Robert Leeper and Eliza Leeper

PaPa:
George Washington Steincross
Birthdate: July 15, 1882 Birthplace: Harwood, Vernon, Missouri, United States
Death: April 07, 1971 (88) Harwood, Vernon, Missouri, United States
Immediate Family: Son of Godfrey Willhelm Steincross and Anstis Steincross and husband of Nellie Mae Steincross and father of Gentry Willis Steincross; Fern Altus Steincross; Anita Ruth Campbell; Genevieve Tempy Marie Steincross; Hazel Lorene Johnston; Zola Bernice Mayberry; Evelyn Pearl Steincross; Georgia Mae Weber and Frances Jeannette McKelvey

MaMa:
Nellie Mae Steincross (Charles)
Birthdate: December 20, 1882 Birthplace: Cass, Iowa, United States
Death: October 1972 (89) Harwood, Vernon, Missouri, United States (between Des Moines and Omaha)
Place of Burial: Vernon, Bacon Township, MO, United States
Immediate Family: Daughter of John Abraham Charles and Temperance Manelira Charles (and of course children listed with PaPa)

How did PaPa meet MaMa? It sure wasn't online!

PaPa was a farmer and a banker and the great depression was during the prime of his life. Of course we were proud that he was the President of the Bank of Harwood. He owned a lot of land and likely unknown at this time was the extent of his wealth. I am sure curious though.

We all remember Harwood and the little house that Mama and Papa lived in (all us 1st cousins anyway). From Kansas City it was off a main highway (US 71) and then about 15-20 miles of gravel and paved county roads to a dirt road turnoff to a mere overgrown path.

However the little house where they lived in Harwood would in many ways be considered living in poverty by today's standards. How many children were raised in that small home at a time? They didn't have indoor plumbing till the mid-forties when my Dad installed it for them. That means they used an outhouse until they were in their 60's!

Harwood had its start when the railroad was extended to that point. The town site was platted in 1882, the year of PaPa's birth. The village was named for one Mr. Harwood, a local landowner. A post office has been in operation at Harwood since 1882. (Wikipedia) Aunt Dora ran the post office for many years.

Harwood was founded by stout, hardworking German immigrants looking for a new life in America as farmers. As children we all regularly went to Harwood to see MaMa and PaPa and a whole bunch of relatives.

PaPa was named George Washington Steincross. His immigrant dad, Godfrey Wilhelm Steincross, named his third son after America's first president.

Harwood began dying when my Mom was little as the immigrant's grandchildren moved to the cities for more opportunity. They were demonstrating that ambition that characterized that generation. My Mom was in the last graduating class of Harwood High School in 1938. She moved to KC where she met my Dad.

George W. Steincross' descendants have done very well in America. Among his grandkids there was a dentist, lawyer, banking executive, insurance executive and several teachers. He even had a cable car operator! And there are even several preachers! Just consider the wide variety of professional and vocational work among the great grandchildren. PaPa knew German well. But mom, and I presume most of her siblings, not so much. I wonder how many of us know any German?

The custom when Godfrey Willhelm Steincross came over from Germany was that immigrants learned English and assimilate into the country (melting pot). They didn't have bilingual menus! They worked hard and didn't have much of a social safety net, really didn't have any. But it worked out. That's really worked well through our country's history. But this is being abandoned in practice by many and even advocated by some and I frankly don't think we'll see a good outcome. (All I would have to do is take you to large parts of scenic 3rd world Reading, PA). But then I am moving toward the sunset and the next generations can do things the way they want. But they are also going to have to live with the consequences. (Looks like I will too, depending on how long I live!)

We've had a great heritage and my memories take me back to that tiny white house with a pump as you walked in the side and of course the outhouse, a two seater as I recall. Did they really use two seats at the same time?

PaPa taking the crook of his cane and placing it around my neck drawing me towards him. Did he do that to others as well? He intentionally mispronounced my name and called me step-hen.  I still have that very old cane and Mom even used it! What memories do you have?

I remember MaMa and tales of periodic visits from hobos coming up from the train tracks for a meal or handout. Her sparse pantry (they didn't use Costco then) and her apple pies. MaMa didn't have as colorful of personality as PaPa so really have less memories of her. Do remember one time when she expressed some hurt when guests would run right in to see PaPa and kind of ignored her.

We all remember PaPa's coffee can spittoon he used over and over (why throw a good can away, when you can just empty it out he must of reasoned!), taking his pocket knife and slicing off a piece of hard tobacco and sticking it in his mouth. Eating Limburger cheese, which smelled awful. Keeping box scores as he listened to the Cardinals on the radio. I don't recall a tv or at most a tiny black and white one, either way they didn't watch it much. Older relatives and friends would come by, some in predictable overalls (Shirley?) and then his cousin (?, forgot name) who always wore a white shirt and tie. It seems like he had a limp.

We felt special when he took us to the bank and we could even go to the back where he had a jar of Formaldehyde with a tapeworm Mom passed as a child.

We were in Harwood with other family when news came of Benny Gene's accident that killed his first wife. PaPa wailed loudly, uttering to the effect why couldn't it have been him.

Most big gatherings were out on the farm and that's another set of memories. Remember the huge utility line spools Uncle Gentry had for the kids to play with? The dinner bell, showing us a big tub of Rocky Mountain oysters, playing in the barn and riding on the tractor. Target shooting with Clark and the other hunters. Those huge meals, the ladies in the kitchen. The time Aunt Dora got sick on Christmas and had to go to the hospital. I didn't think people got sick on Christmas or that hospitals were even open. (I was young at the time.)

In the summer we would go to the El Dorado Springs Picnic. Now that was a big deal! El Dorado Springs still boasts Missouri's oldest municipal band performing in the United States at the longest continually used bandstand.

I remember the little white church where Mom learned the Bible and where we went as children when we visited Harwood. Genelle and I were taught in a front corner behind a curtain. The several older ladies that comprised the church were so excited to have some kids to teach! The faith was held by MaMa and passed down through her. I realize she is in part where I received the heritage of those who fear God's name.

After dad died I took Mom (Georgia Mae) through Harwood in 2000 before we moved her to Pennsylvania and I received this advice from a friend, "Take a few pictures of the homestead - for family's sake. The disposal of collected stuff is a reminder of the stuff we overburden ourselves with. Even the taking of photographs reminds me - what is more important, the Lord or my memories of this earth. Reminds me to constantly evaluate where my treasures and heart are."

That's good advice for all of us isn't it?  Regularly evaluate your life, your heritage, and your treasures. And I sure hope you have some good memories like I do.


Stephen

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I found the picture when going through Mom's stuff after she died. I am sure I had seen it before but don't recall paying much attention to it. The period following the passing of a loved one causes one to pay a lot more attention to some things in life. I sat for a long time one evening looking at this picture and pondering.

It was taken at Meyers Studio in El Dorado Springs. That must have been something to get everybody together and pile them all in a car (or two) and make the trip to the studio. (They didn't have mini-vans back then!)

That was probably a real exciting day for the family. And then (unlike digital) they had to wait several weeks to get the portrait. That was another exciting day! I wonder if they all went over to get the photo?

Mom had all the birthdays memorized and I am not sure she I still have them anywhere. Am I mistaken to assume Uncle Gentry was married at this time and probably had some little girls? Yet there he is, with his parents and all his sisters. I wonder if Dora came along or she stayed at home?

I wonder if it was the custom not to smile and show teeth. None of them are showing a toothy smile at all, although both Anita Ruth and Hazel appear to have a faint smile.

I am the youngest grandson and of course Genelle is the youngest grandchild. Yet all us first cousins were blessed to know MaMa and PaPa, who both died when I was in my teens. Of course we knew Uncle Gentry and all the aunts in the picture, all who lived to old age. However MaMa and PaPa did lose two children prior to this photo, Fern Altus Steincross (infancy) Evelyn Pearl Steincross (age 12 or 13)

My treasured possession of Pa Pa's is his wooden cane engraved, "Geo W Steincross", with what appears to be the sharp points of an icepick.  Mom actually used it and I was so afraid she would lose it.

PaPa was 51 years old when the portrait photo was taken. Now all of his grandchildren are in their 60's and up. Mom was soon to become a teenager. That sure reminds me of how quickly life passes. In the Bible Ecclesiastes 1:4 states, "Generations come and generations go" and that sure is the case.

MaMa has such a peaceful look on her face. She had surely worked hard to get herself and everyone ready, especially the younger daughters, Georgia Mae and Frances. Don't they look nice in their matching dresses? I wonder if MaMa sewed them herself?

As I examine the individual faces I can see even at that age hints of the personalities I would begin to know some 25 years later. To me this is particularly true of the four older sisters.  I see the confident look in Aunt Ruth (big sister). Aunt Hazel has a kind mischievous look, Aunt Tempy an uncertain, kind of nervous look, Aunt Zola rather stoic. However Uncle Gentry's face just doesn't reflect in this picture the color and vibrancy for which we remember him.

Of course I especially look at my Mom's face. Even at that age she expresses some of the traits of simplicity and dependency she carried all through her life. She had a hard time keeping her hands still and I can't help but imagine they were nervously moving when the photo was taken.

Look at the portrait again. These are the people who bind us as the Steincross family together, even though only a few of us still have the Steincross name. I increasingly realize what a special heritage we have!


Stephen

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I welcome other family members to share memories and family reflections, primarily of our common time as Steincross family members. I will share them on this webpage. Merely send them to me as an email.  Scanned photos are also welcome! I also welcome corrections as needed.