After the Great War, veteran Jennings Bryan Goff married Tessie Pauline Sauvago in 1920. Their daughter Maxine was born March 8, 1921, Guthrie Center, Iowa.
Tessie gave birth to a son, Merrill Jennings, on January 27, 1924. Both mother and baby came down with mumps. Four days later, Tessie died from it.
Tessie was buried in the Goff plot at Guthrie Center near a younger sister of Jennings, Georgia Laurayne Goff, who had died just over a year earlier.
Tessie’s folks, the Sauvagos of Wichita, Iowa, tended baby Merrill while the Goff grandparents kept three-year-old Maxine, who was sick with measles.
These folks, especially Jennings, must have been overwhelmed with mourning Tessie and tending sick little ones. He moved into the Victorian house in Guthrie Center with his parents and younger siblings. It wasn’t long before all of them moved to Dexter, to be closer to his oldest sister, Leora Wilson, whose husband Clabe had become a tenant farmer near Dexter.
More about the life of Merrill Goff, a first cousin of the Wilson children.
Leora’s Early Years: Guthrie County Roots
A lot of sadness in the family, but you are all strong.
I’ve read that we’re defined by our losses. I wonder how true that is. . . .
Yes, I wonder… I’m the last of my family.
You are their legacy.
Oh the photo of Maxine and Merrill. Such strength and goodness amidst the heartache in your family, Joy. Thank you for all that you share. ❤️
Bless you, Vicki.
Right back to you, dear Joy! xo! 🥰
Merrill was as storybook war hero. The news article reported him as 21, so was he only 19 when he successfully defended his ship? Amazing! He and his sister appeared to have bowl cuts as children-so cute. Their youth was full of tragedy, but hanging out with their cousins must have been a wonderful escape from it all. Thanks Joy! 🙂
Yes, he was almost 19. This will also help Merrill’s children and grandchildren understand him. Haircuts? Here’s that story: https://joynealkidney.com/2023/03/22/leora-the-family-barber/
It is so very sad, so much loss! And yet, that strong bond of love within the family carries the torch. It is both so very sad and so very beautiful at the same time. (It is like all those quilts in your family…patched together with scraps of kindness and strong character and love!!!)
I love how you’ve segued into themes. I’ve been thinking about a memoir–this year I’ll be “old enough.” The quilters are on Dad’s side, the stories from Mom’s, but both with scraps of themes to ponder! Thank you, Linda!
Poor Jennings must have been devastated by his wife’s death. He was fortunate to have family who stepped up and helped with the children.
You’re so right. His mother, Laura Goff, also moved to Omaha with them, so her influence was such a blessing for them all.
That’s the true definition of family values.
[…] Lillie was widowed in 1922, with two small boys. Her sister Tessie died of mumps in 1924, four days after the birth of Merrill […]