Artistic--Helena Mae Smith Hiser

Helena's symbol I stitched on
a gift given to her

     

     Amy Johnson Crow has a 52 Ancestors Week blog challenge which I have decided to give a try for the second year. 

    The prompt for week # 24 is Artistic.

     There is a genetic artistic gene floating around in the Smith/Hiser gene pool.  I have blogged about my two sons, Aric and Garrett, paternal grandsons, of Helena and one of her Tate/Hess cousins, Harold Hess Tate.  Helena's brother, Gilbert Smith, was also an artist and brother,      Howard Smith, was artistically creative, crafting all the set pieces around his magnificent train display.  A nephew, Fred Bowman, was employed as an illustrator-designer for screen printer sportswear. He has always painted and sketched.  Even her son and my husband, Ted Hiser, does very creative doodles on any available piece of paper that happens to be in front of him while he is on the phone or thinking about a project.  

     Helena Mae Smith, the daughter of Grover Cleveland Smith and Mildred Claudene Tate, was born on March 12, 1922 in Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio.  On November 9, 1942, she married her high school sweetheart, Clarence Harold Hiser, in Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin where he was stationed with the United States Army before being shipped overseas.

     I am certain that Helena's artistic activity did not begin with her marriage to Clarence; however, when cleaning out her final residence in Tiffin, Ohio, I did not find any art from a previous time.  There was plenty from about the 1950's and forward.  Plus I saved numerous pieces she crafted for my sons when they were young.

Sketch of Clarence a year after his death

     Helena's talents were varied.  She was a sketch artist and often finished her pieces with oils or acrylics.  

Circa 1950-51
My husband's outfit

Cape for moi 1972

     Her seamstress abilities were legendary.  She made clothes for all of us.  Dresses, skirts, men's suits, pants, cute outfits for all of her grandchildren.  I was especially appreciative of the clothes she sent to  me when Ted and I were "poor graduate students" in Boston in the early 1970's. 😊

Note her HH in a heart symbol

     Her handiwork ranged from quilting, crocheting and applique.  There were new baby bibs for every occasion. 

     Halloween costumes.  The Native American costume even had embroidery on it.  Luke Skywalker's name embroidered on the cape and matching fabric finishing on the inside top.

     Often Helena would use plain paper to wrap a gift and hand draw a decoration on top.  I am happy I saved one of them. 💖

Cousin Roberta shared this picture

Clarence made these as gifts.
A poinsettia plant fits nicely inside

I guess I could have found a better display place. 😉
This was an afternoon project
Clarence did with his grandsons. 

     Later, with Clarence, they handcrafted wooden pieces.  Helena would make the pattern and Clarence would cut and saw the wood and piece it all together.  Helena would finish each piece with hand painted decorations.  We were not the only recipients of these treasures. Helena's niece sent me a photo of a stool she received as a gift.

      This has been a fun blog, looking back over fifty six years of being a Hiser and honoring the extraordinary artistic work of my in-laws.  I may be considered a "pack rat"; but it comes in handy when blogging.  😁    

  

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2025, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Reunion--The Annual Smith Family Reunion

   

     Amy Johnson Crow has a 52 Ancestors Week blog challenge which I have decided to give a try for the second year. 

    The prompt for week # 22 is Reunion.

Picnic in our backyard with our Michigan Family
Summer of 1960

A "real" family reunion
Summer 1961

     Growing up, my extended family was rather small--or I was told that.  We did not have annual family reunions.  My Dad and his brother were not close. Cousins we could have shared time with, didn't happen.  Twice in a decade we had a gathering.

     Imagine my surprise when I began researching my genealogy and all the family I found.  I remember mentioning to my Mom that she had numerous cousins she never talked about.  Her response, "I guess we all just grew apart."  Those same cousins were ones I reached out to for family information.

Smith Family Reunion 1950
From the photo files of Roberta Smith Fatzinger

     My husband's Smith family remained close, especially the seven children of Grover Cleveland Smith and Mildred Claudine Tate.  There was an annual picnic reunion every summer.  To be fair, many lived within close proximity of each other in Tiffin, Ohio.  There was a branch, that were railroaders, who relocated to a town in Indiana.  Those cousins also attended.  

     I came onboard in 1969.  My first Smith Family Reunion was the summer of 1970 before we moved to the Boston area.  I was gob smacked at so many folks all coming together for an enjoyable afternoon.  There were games for all ages, conversation, old family photos and THE FOOD.  So many delicious casseroles, hot dogs and burgers, and DESSERTS.  These women could cook.  

Smith Family Reunion 1978

    There was a business meeting.  They elected officers, decided on the reunion date for the following year and gave prizes for the youngest, oldest and family that came the furthest.  My son Aric won the youngest in 1978 at two months old.

     I think my favorite event was Bingo.  Prizes were given to the winners and most were handmade or old family treasures.  

Smith Family Reunion the Hiser Branch
1986

Smith Family Reunion Hiser Branch
1989

     My husband and I missed a few reunions while living in Massachusetts; however, once we returned to Ohio, we were annual attendees.  I can remember driving to Indiana one summer to have the reunion there.  

     Unfortunately, I have few photos to share of the Smith reunions when I attended.  They must remain as fun memories.

Hughes Family Gathering
Cousin Judy Hughes Wedding
June 1989

Hughes Reunion 1990
North Olmsted, Ohio

     My Hughes Family did get its act together in 1986 for Cousin Fran's wedding and 1989 when we all attended Cousin Judy's wedding in Michigan.  For the next few years we gathered at weddings.  In 1990 I sponsored the first Hughes Family Reunion at my home and we were off and running for the next thirty-five years.

 

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2025, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Military--Orison Henry Hiser

 

Orison Henry Hiser
World War I
Portrait

     

     Amy Johnson Crow has a 52 Ancestors Week blog challenge which I have decided to give a try for the second year. 

    The prompt for week # 21 is Military.

    Orison Henry Hiser, named for his maternal grandfather, Orison Smith, and his paternal grandfather, Henry Hiser, was my husband's paternal grandfather.   

     Orison was born on February 29, 1896 in Pemberville, Wood County, Ohio the son of Quincy LeRue Hiser and Isabelle Smith.  

    The Hiser family moved around north eastern and north central Ohio during Orison's growing years.  

     On June 5, 1917, twenty-one year old Orison registered for the World War I draft.  His residence in the city of Lorain, Lorain County, Ohio is a sizable house.  He was employed as an electrician with the Lorain Railway Company.  Whether the entire Hiser family had moved to Lorain from Tiffin, Ohio or if Orison was living with a family relation or renting a room is unknown.

     Orison enlisted as a private on March 30, 1918 into the National Army in Lorain, Ohio.  He served at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio.  The enlistment paper gives information regarding Orison's service during his one year in the Army.  

     The written comments at the bottom outlines his service.  I found these comments regarding his character to be interesting.  "Services Honest and Faithful.  Entitled to travel pay.  No AWOL or absence under GO.  Entitled to a $60.00 discharge bonus

Camp Sherman Post Cards
World War I

     On August 5, 1918, Orison  was appointed to the rank of Corporal of Company A Division Battalion No 2 of the National Army.  Oddly, this Company is not listed on any of his World War I papers.

     A month later, on September 10, 1918, Orison was appointed to the rank of Sergeant of Company B 418 Reserve Labor Battalion.  

     On March 29, 1919, Orison was honorably discharged from his military service at Camp Sherman.  

     I copied Orison's record from Adjutant General's Military Records.  Of his service in various sections, I only have the 418 Reserve Labor Battalion.  Company A Division is not listed.  The date he became a Sergeant is incorrect in the Adjutant General's military records.  

This photograph was inside
Orison's pocket watch

     Following his service, Orison returned to Lorain, Ohio and on August 30, 1920 he married Eva Matilda Farschman and the continuation of my husband's Hiser branch.

 

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2025, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Institutions--Rainbow Girls

     Amy Johnson Crow has a 52 Ancestors Week blog challenge which I have decided to give a try for the second year. 

     The prompt for week # 18 is Institutions.

     I checked Webster's and found that an institution is defined as a society or organization founded for a religious, educational, social or similar purpose.  I have been a member of several institutions of my years and decided to blog about my high school years in Rainbow Girls.

     My family moved to a new house in 1961 ending over a decade in my childhood home.  And, that meant, introvert Linda, leaving my lifelong school and neighborhood friends and beginning high school in new surroundings.  Talk about anxious.

     Slowly through church and school clubs I began to fit in.  The major turning point was when my high school BFF moved into the neighborhood.  She had been in the school system since Kindergarten and my circle of friends enlarged greatly.  

     I had never heard of Rainbow Girls; however, I found that several of my new closer friends were members.  My Dad had been a Mason for years so there was no parent blocking my request to join.  

     Their mission statement:  "The International Order of the Rainbow Girls prepares girls for responsible and purposeful adulthood through character and leadership development, encouraging unselfish service and higher ideals in life, and promoting teamwork and effective interpersonal communications."  

     Mom and I drove to the North Side area of Pittsburgh to shop for the required long white dress.  Carlisle's was the place to go in Pittsburgh.  In fact, my wedding dress was purchased there seven years later in 1969.

     Looking back at the various pieces of printed memorabilia Mom saved of my Rainbow days, I was surprised at just how many of my friends were members.

     I attended meetings and activities until I graduated from high school in 1965.  I was active; however, did not add many bars to my pin for three years of service--underachiever.  😇

     The small yellow square pin was earned when I held the office as yellow representing nature in the bow.  There was a short memorized speech that I had to present at an installation meeting.   I do remember my Mom was extremely disappointed that she was not allowed to attend the meeting to hear me "perform" as she was not a member of a Masonic organization.  Readers may remember my Mom was quite the actress in local productions.   My Dad did attend.

     My Rainbow Girls activity ended when I left home for college; however, I did receive a Majority Certificate in 1968.  It is a card that I was retired in good standing and could be used if I ever desired to attend a meeting of the Order of Eastern Star.

     I did not continue on with Eastern Star.  I enjoyed my years as a Rainbow Girl; however, for me it was an extension of social activities with my high school friend group.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2025, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser