Helen Annie Benker Obst 1918 and 1920 Diaries of Helen Annie Benker Obst 1918 and 1920
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Diaries of Helen Annie Benker Obst 1918 and 1920 Diaries of Helen Annie Benker Obst 1918 and 1920 Helen Benker Obst Helen Annie Benker was born on February 21, 1898 to Hermann Franz Benker and Anna Hirsch Benker. Hermann came from Meerane of Saxony, Germany and Anna from Gera of Thuringia, Germany. Hermann’s and Anna’s fathers had both been weavers. No dates have been found when Hermann arrived in the US but he first went to St. Joseph, Missouri before moving to Lawrence for work as a weaver in the wool mills. Anna Hirsch at age 17 arrived with her family in New York on August 14, 1891 on the ship SS Taormina. She met Hermann Benker in Lawrence and they were married on March 11, 1897. Helen was baptized “Nellie”. When she started 1st grade in public school, the teacher told her that Nellie was a nickname and she had to choose between Helen and Ellen. Her parents told her it was her choice, so she named herself “Helen”. But many friends still thought of her as Nellie. She lived the first 11 years of her life at 66 Alston St. Lawrence, MA. Graduated from Allgemeine Deutsche Schule in 1910 In 1910, Helen’s parents built a 3 family house at 199 East Haverhill St. Lawrence. Helen was to spend the rest of her childhood and all of her married life there and died in her bed at this address. Graduated from John R Rollins grammar school in 1911 Graduated from Lawrence Evening High School in 1914. Employed as a shop girl in a plumber’s establishment in Lawrence until marriage. Married at her home on June 21, 1922 to Erich H. Obst whose working career was primarily as a machinist at the textile mills (Ayers and Pacific Mills) and as a foreman at Emmons Harness Shop. She had 4 children: Raymond Obst (March 1923-Jan 1986), Wilfrid Obst (Oct 1925-Nov 2004), Mildred Obst Saffie (July 3, 1928…..) and Dorothy Obst Glendye (March 16, 1931….) Always proud of her German heritage, she nurtured her family’s awareness of the German culture and language of her parents by enrolling her children in the Allgemeine Deutsche Schule. She died June 18, 1975 in her bed at home after a series of strokes. Her diaries span the years 1918 to 1920 in which she gives such a detailed account of what it was like for a young woman in her early 20’s living in Lawrence. There are many excursions with friends via trolley lines that took them near and far including destinations like Canobie Lake and the beach. It was such a safe inexpensive way for young people to have the freedom of getting about. She reports the cost of refreshments and what movies and concerts she saw on the Strand, an area on Broadway St. that made Lawrence famous at the time because it had a collection of 4 theaters in a row with a 5th one across the street. There are lively descriptions of horse drawn sleighing parties. On one such trip, the way home in the wee hours of the morning proved very difficult as their driver had trouble getting the sleigh through the deep new fallen snow. She later heard that it had dropped to minus 38 degrees F and the driver had had his toes frostbitten. There are parties to see her male friends off to serve in WWI. One feels her intense sorrow as some never make it back. She loses more young friends to the Great Flu Pandemic of 1918. Through her eyes, one sees Lawrence as a city of immigrants. She relates lively accounts of life in the German community and social gatherings at the Bayern Hall and Turn Hall. Holidays are observed in a manner charming for their simplicity. National holidays and parades are described. She writes of her joy at the declaration of the end of WWI and the city’s celebrations. There are entries about the young men who are interested in her, but one, Erich Obst, starts showing up more often. The courtship is charming and so gentlemanly. She describes the thrill of traveling at 35 ¼ miles per hour in her fiancée’s ‘machine’! Through these diaries, one has a personal glimpse of a simpler time when listening to a friend’s gramophone was the height of technological wonders! Compiled by Catherine Obst Millar, Williamsburg, VA., November 1, 2016 1918 1 January 1 – Tuesday It has been very cold and icy all day. I practised hard in the forenoon and Emily called for me in the afternoon about going with her to see Charlie who is sick. We took the So. Lawrence Car from Essex St and Emily bought fruit. We staid until about 6:30 and walked over new bridge to Essex St and then took the hill car. Irma was in there and she made me come home with her and showed me her gifts, also gave me coffee and lovely cake. When I went she gave me box of chocolates as New Year[‘]s gift. I practised for a short while at home. January 2 – Wednesday Very very cold. Everybody is frozen up and I must work this afternoon. I sent Miss Uhlig a card telling her I will come next Monday. I am all tired out as the people telephone all day long and fairly swarm the place like so many bees. I practised when I got home at night. January 3 – Thursday Still terribly cold. My cold is bothering me very much. It is so bothersome when we are so busy in the store. I never saw such a severe winter. January 4 – Friday Still very cold. Was overloaded with work all day and I have a cold. Invited Irma and Earl up at night to see our beautiful tree and my gifts. Walter and I was home alone and we staid in the kitchen as it is too cold in parlor. They all enjoyed my wonderful chocolates and we also had apples + coffee and Stollen. Irma and I had a great old chat and I invited her to come with us Sunday. January 5 – Saturday Emily called in to see me in forenoon and told me she was to take part in a minstrel show and would not be able to see me Sundays for a while as she had to practise. I went home alone at night. January 6 – Sunday I practised hard in forenoon, and as I was done first I called on Irma. We went to the “Stand” and bought some chocolates for ourselves. We got home about supper time. I practised hard at night. January 7 – Monday It is very cold today. I went music lesson at night. After lessons we chatted for a while + Miss Uhlig walked home part ways with me and Fiddel. I offered her 75 cts., but she refused. 2 January 8 – Tuesday January 9 – Wednesday January 10 – Thursday January 11 – Friday Quite Cold. Big German School concert in Turn Hall, and then dancing. Had all dances. Even H. L. danced with me. […] took me down to lovely supper. I had wonderful time. Irma was also there. I went home with the folks. Ticket cost me 18cts. January 12 – Saturday Severe rainstorm in the morning. All the ice is melted, and it is terrible slushy. I took the car to work in the morning. In the afternoon the sun came out and by night everything was frozen solid. I felt tired after the good time. Papa called for me + took me home. January 13 – Sunday It is very cold + slippery. I worked and practised hard in the morning. Irma and I went to the Stand in the afternoon. We bought fudge and also took some home to mamma. At night I staid home and practised and read etc. January 14 – Monday The weather still stays cold and it is very slippery. From this day on all stores must close at 5 o’clock under new Fuel Law. Payday and therefore I was unable to go home until 6:30. I went music lessons at night and Miss Uhlig walked a little way with me. January 15 – Tuesday Such dreary weather and then it began to snow. Leslie Bryant came in store. Had nice chat. I thanked him for the wonderful chocolates and then we discussed the war and were joined by another lady. I went out after supper for a while and met Emma Kleiner. She asked me about surprise party. January 16 – Wednesday Fair + quite cold. Irma called in store about Colonial. Boss gave me key to safe money. Met Rackets store fellow going home also Miss Uhlig. Practised hard + mamma dranged[sic] my dress over as I was putting on my watch, it slipped and the crystal broke. Irma + I went to “Along Came Ruth”. Great show it started promptly at 7:45. In front of us sat Edwin Fiedler and George Simon. We went home in car. 3 January 17 – Thursday The walking is very bad. Worked hard. I took my watch to Metzner’s and had new crystal put in 35cts. Also went to bank. Bertha Schatz called in about party. I went home at 5:15. I practised hard at night and mended etc. January 18 – Friday Very bad walked. I worked hard all day. A. B. Niles came to see us. Just the same as ever. I went home at 5:45. Went to G. Scholze’s surprise party with Bertha Schatz and we had a fine time.