The Sandford family lives were interrupted in April 1917 when President Woodrow Wilson, followed by the United States Congress, declared war on Germany, ending years of attempts to maintain neutrality. Grandfather Joe Sandford’s draft registration form is dated June 5, 1917. He was 25 years old. Signing up for the war was in line withContinue reading “Quarante Hommes / Huit Chevaux”
Monthly Archives: October 2020
Close Ties with the Richardson Family of Ontario
In the early 20th century, the Hotpoint Company became one of the first companies to locate in Ontario, California, beginning its transformation from a purely agricultural town to a sizable Southern California city. Hotpoint, which later merged into General Electric, would remain a cornerstone of the Ontario economy for the next 80 years. The companyContinue reading “Close Ties with the Richardson Family of Ontario”
Joe Sandford’s Young Adult Life
In 1911, his parents retired, our grandfather Joe Sandford was 18 years old and entering young adulthood with a promising career and social life. After a brief time working in the Ontario California bank of his future father-in-law Henry Swan, Joe went to work for George McCrea who had come to California from North DakotaContinue reading “Joe Sandford’s Young Adult Life”
A Double Life Perfected
By Jan 1919 great grandfather James Louis Hynes had been in the Baptist ministry for a decade, having worked his way up through churches in Cornwall and Freeport. The Bushwick Avenue Baptist Church was a thriving operation in the 1920s, part of a vibrant network of churches in the city. Newspaper articles and notices throughoutContinue reading “A Double Life Perfected”
James Gordon Announces His Engagement
I have one more short letter from second great grandfather Dr. James Gordon to his brother William and sister Jane in New Zealand, provided by our distant cousin Claire. The images below are followed by a transcription. James announces his engagement to Nettie Johnston of New Jersey, although I don’t have the “enclosed” card whichContinue reading “James Gordon Announces His Engagement”
Corona to Chino to Ontario
After a dozen years in Corona, great grandfather Edward Sandford stepped down from his post as pastor of the Corona Baptist Church. The family moved to Chino around 1908. I don’t think Edward took easily to the idea of retirement, but he was 68 years old and his health remained an issue. This was likelyContinue reading “Corona to Chino to Ontario”
Bridging the Silences 