A Colorful Heritage, 1

Today, I was again reminded of my colorful heritage as I was chatting with my 92 yr.old father.  I continue to be fascinated by the richness contained in the stories told.
So I want to share some of those stories and try to consolidate them into a shorter version which will prove to be a challenge.

 The above photo is a picture of my great grandfather who was born Oct.22,1864 in Tiegerweide,South Russia.  Religious persecution and an unsatisfactory school system drew many in the Mennonite community to America.
A century earlier their forefathers had come to South Russia to Prussia. Catherine the Great had offered them religious freedom, immunity from military service and other privileges.  When they no longer had these freedoms they made plans to come to America.
Of his childhood, great grandpa S.S. as the story goes, "his father sent him to the neighbors to borrow a razor.  This was a scarce item, shared by many in those days.  When his father started shaving, he complained about it being dull, it would not even cut butter.  The younger Solomon replied, 'but father, I cut sunflowers with it all the way home and it worked real good.'
When little bitsey glances were being exchanged between he and his future wife, their parents concluded that a marriage better be arranged soon.  The elders denied a request to a Spring wedding as heavy farm work was to begin and courtship was to time consuming as dating without the presence of one or both sets of parents was not allowed.  So before they knew it plans were made and Oct.30,1886 just one week after the bride's 18th birthday.

In 1895 great grandpa was getting restless. He felt called and knew that God wanted him in the minstry to pastor the church in Inman, Kansas, however, like Jonah, he figured that the best way to get out of it was to leave Kansas.
I will try to summarize the unfortunate events that occurred in the next blog.