Amanda Sophia Isaacson Isaacs Groves, November 15, 1881

 My Grandma Groves, my father's mother, was born in Forest City, Iowa on November 15, 1881.  She was the eighth child in a family of 12 children.  Her name at birth was Amanda Sophia Isaacson.  Her father was John Isaacson who had been born in Norway on March 12, 1840.  He came to the United States with his family in 1855.  He enlisted in a WI Regiment which fought in the Civil War from 1862 - 1865. He died in Forest City, Iowa on November 1, 1919.  Her mother was Carrie (Karen) Olson who was born in Telemark, Norway on April 5, 1845.  She came to the United States with her family when she was 2 years old.  She lived until January 8,1930 and died in Forest City, Iowa. 

Wedding Photo of Billy & Amanda

Amanda moved to Montana around 1909 or 1910 in order to be a Homesteader.  There she met my Grandfather, William Floyd Groves.  He had gone to Montana to work in the harvest.  His parents had been Homesteaders in Nebraska at the time of his birth in 1885.   They were married on November 28, 1910 in Billings, Montana.  This photo is their wedding photo.  I think my grandmother was very beautiful. 

Montana Homestead site

How I wish I had spent more time with her to know much more about her than I do.  I wish I knew why she decided to leave her job in Forest City, Iowa and move to Montana as a Homesteader.  What a courageous woman she was. 

By the time of her marriage, Amanda had changed her last nane to Isaacs.  Apparently Amanda's parents left the decision of their last name to each child as some of her siblings kept the name Isaacson and others dropped it to Isaacs as Amanda did at some point.

Vernon and James

My father was Amanda's second child.  The first child was Vernon Groves. There apparently was not a mid-wife available at the time of his birth in Montana so Amanda took a train back to William's family home at that time which was a farm near Viroqua, WI. where there was a midwife.  His birth was uneventful so when my 

Amanda and Baby James

Dad was ready to be born, his mother stayed in Montana where there was at that time a midwife.  The family homestead was near Ryegate, MT.  The family stayed there for the required 5 years of homesteading and then sold the Homestead and moved to Minneapolis, MN and eventually to the family farm near Viroqua, WI.

Hubert, Vernon, Mildred, James

Amanda and William had four children.  All of them played a musical instrument and sang as a quartet.  They often played for church services and other special events wishing to have some entertainment.  It seems to me that my Grandmother must have recognized the musical aptitudes of her children and made sure they had instruments and instructions to nurture their God-given musical  gift.

 

                                                

Today I am remembering this loving grandmother who gave birth to my father who was also loving and courageous.   If she were still alive, this would be her 139th birthday.  She lived to be 95 years old.  And died at Bethel Home in Viroqua, WI in December 1976.  She was devoted to her Lord and her family.