Forget Me Not Friday - Neta Jane Eads

It's been awhile since I've done a Forget Me Not Friday post, so it's a good day to do one. This week I'm featuring my paternal great grandmother, Neta Jane Eads.

Neta Jane Eads was the first child born to John William and Lillie Mahala (Williams) Eads. She was born on September 8, 1895 in Tipton, Moniteau County, Missouri. 

Her family moved to Kansas circa 1914, which is where she met my great grandfather, August Henry Testorff. They married on January 13, 1915 in Oswego, Labette County, Kansas. They lived for a period in Kansas City, Missouri, but spent most of their married years in Oswego. Three of their four children (Leonard Freemont--my grandfather, Nina Geraldine, and Kenneth Paul) were born in Kansas; only their daughter Betty Jane was born in Missouri.

Neta died in Kansas on May 12, 1947; August died in Kansas City on June 9, 1963. They are buried together in Oswego Cemetery in Oswego, Kansas.

I think Grandma Neta had really lovely eyes--they seem very soulful. And I think she had a beautiful smile. I just wish I could have seen it in person. 

Wednesday's Child - August Henry Testorff

This week's Wednesday's Child shines a spotlight on my paternal great grandfather, August Henry Testorff, who was born on July 20, 1884 in Tropoli, Bremer County, Iowa. 

Judging by his size in this photo, and the fact that he is standing up by himself, I'd say this photo was taken sometime in 1885. August lived with his family in Bremer County, Iowa until the early 1900's. Between 1900 and 1909, August had moved to Missouri, and then by 1910 to Kansas. He married my great grandmother, Neta Jane Eads in Oswego, Kansas in 1915. According to census records and city directories, August, Neta and their family went back and forth between Kansas City, Missouri, and Labette County, Kansas for several years (many of my Testorff ancestors lived in Kansas City and Labette County, KS). But they seemed to have lived the most in Oswego, Kansas, where both August and Neta passed away. They are both buried in Oswego Cemetery.

Both August and Neta passed away before I was born, so I never got to meet them. I'm grateful though to have a few photos of them here and there to help me put faces with their names as I try to help preserve their memories.