(Click on image to enlarge)
Henry T. Harms, Jr., as a high-school senior in the Hobart High School Aurora yearbook of 1910. Image courtesy of the Hobart Historical Society.
A few months after the Harms family left their Ainsworth farm and moved to Hobart, Henry Jr. went into business for himself as a merchant of coffee and tea. The News spoke of his business as a "route," so apparently his customers could get their caffeine delivered directly to their doors.
Henry Jr. was then about 23 years old, the second-youngest of Henry Sr. and Anna's children. Like all the Harmses, he was lively and gregarious, and a talented violinist as well.
He had good reason for wanting to become independent just then, for he was in love. And Miss Clara Cook of Chicago said yes. Early in January the announcements went out for their wedding. It took place in Chicago on Saturday, January 8, 1916. A reception was held at the bride's home, but very little was said about the festivities — it seems to have been a less extravagant affair than Herman's big bash. With the Sparks house on Water Street rented and ready to receive them on their return, Henry and Clara left on a short honeymoon journey.
The newlyweds soon had their first opportunity to test the "in sickness" part of their vows: just a couple weeks after the wedding, Henry fell seriously ill. Two physicians were called in, a Dr. Dobbins and Dr. Dwight Mackey.
Dr. Dwight Mackey.
Image courtesy of the Hobart Historical Society.
They diagnosed appendicitis, but they decided against surgery on the grounds that Henry was too weak to stand it. By early February he was reported "much improved" (rather than "dead," as one might expect).
The same issue of the News that reported his improvement also mentioned that he had sold his coffee and tea business to Arthur Brabbs. Henry went into a Gary steel mill instead, working as a machinist.
The improvement in Henry's health didn't last. By mid-February, he and Clara had to take a second journey — to a Chicago hospital, where he was diagnosed with a ruptured appendix. There, according to the News, he received "special treatment" — I would expect an appendectomy, but that isn't very special, is it?
Henry remained in the Chicago hospital for a couple of weeks. By early March he was back at work in the Gary steel mill, and moving his household into the Stoeckert flat on Water Street in Hobart.
Sources:
♦ "Additional Local." Hobart News 3 Feb. 1916.
♦ Advertisement. Hobart News 13 Jan. 1916.
♦ "Harms-Cook Nuptial." Hobart Gazette 14 Jan. 1916.
♦ "Harms-Cook." Hobart News 13 Jan. 1916.
♦ "Personal and Local Mention." Hobart News 14 Oct. 1915; 6 Jan. 1916; 27. Jan. 1916; 24 Feb. 1916; 9 Mar. 1916; 16 Mar. 1916.
♦ Personal interview with a Harms descendant, 12 Oct. 2010.
No comments:
Post a Comment