Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Back in 1902

Memorable car of the day:

 1902 Studebaker Electric, before it's time.


For today:

Well would you believe it, I picked up some electrical supplies today. A roll of wire I would buy back when I was  building cost about $38-$48. The price on that wire, size 12, was $159.  OUCH…

I did get one circuit run today. It will cover the micro wave, hot plate and lite in the pantry.

But today is July 27th, back in ’02 a baby was born and he was named Wiley Aaron Harris. He was born in the mill town of Belmont, NC.  In his entire life he lived outside Belmont on two occasions, both short.  The last time he moved back it was to a senior facility, He sat in his Lazy Boy, reclined in front of his ‘color TV’, smiled and said, “I am a Belmont boy again.”

Wiley was working in the Imperial Mill when he was 8 years old. Below is a picture of the mill workers when he was 12 yrs old.

He worked in the Climax Mill for a short while but spent most of his life in the Imperial Mill where the main product was ‘yarn.

             

He was a handsome man with naturally wavy hair. He married the beautiful Susie Hawes and fathered Wiley Jr, Lennie, Colette, Vernon, Tommy, Sherry and Johnny. 

He was passionate about sports, especially baseball. He was a Yankee Fan. With about 95% of mill workers being Democrats, Wiley was a staunch Republican. He did like and admire FDR.

He passed away at the age of 83 out living his sweet Susie by 22 years.

You know the reason I care about Wiley and Susie. In 1954 I met Sherry! In 1956 we were married. Soooo Wiley & Susie were the best Father and Mother-in-law that ever lived.

Today, if Wiley Aaron was still alive he would be 120

Nite Shipslog

PS:

6 comments:

betty said...

Wiley Aaron Harris lived a good life and left behind a wonderful legacy! It is hard to imagine someone that young working in the mills but that was the "norm" back then. It is outrageous how expensive building supplies have gotten these days!

betty

Mevely317 said...

Oh, I love that early photograph; the clothing! I suppose 'back then' having one's picture taken was a Big Deal, where parents wanted their children to look their best.
Yours is such a wonderful tribute to Wiley Aaron. His sounds like a hard life -- but a life well lived.

Happy birthday in Heaven, Mr. Harris!

yaya said...

What a sweet and lovely tribute to your in-laws! They were handsome and beautiful! Folks were so hard working back then, even that young. But you're a hard working guy and wow that price sure has risen...like prices of all things these days I guess. Good luck on the rest of that basement apartment!

Victor S E Moubarak said...

A wonderful tribute, Jack. Thanx.

God bless you all.

Glenda said...

This is such a great remembrance! You do have a "way with words"! It is amazing to me that y'all have this intriguing history!
If you'd put all of your Shipslog blogs into print ~ I'd proudly display that book on my coffee table and I am certain that Juanelle...who reads and doesn't comment would want one as well! We Conrad kids have so many happy moments when JacSher and those boys are remembered. Think about it, just one more challenge! Lots of love and hugs from Chobee, Glenda

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I agree that was a beautiful tribute Jack. What a different life they led. Thankfully children no longer work at that age. Good luck on your wiring. Even though the cost is higher, at least you are saving money doing it yourself.