Gold Star Mothers: Lillie Archibald and Leora Wilson
I’d heard Grandma Leora talk about Lillie Archibald, but I only connected some dots to learn that they were more than just long-term friends.
Leora’s brother Jennings Goff married Tessie Sauvago. Lillie was her sister.
Lillie Sauvago married John Silverthorne, who died in 1922. They had two sons, John Sauvago Silverthorne, born in 1916, and Gordon P. Silverthorne, born in 1918.
So Lillie was widowed in 1922, with two small boys. Her sister Tessie died of mumps in 1924, four days after the birth of Merrill Goff.
Lillie remarried in 1925 to Clement Archibald. She lost her firstborn, John Silverthorne, in 1945. During World War II, Leora lost her three youngest sons.
L-R: Donald Wilson (b. 1917). I think the next one is John Sauvago Silverthorne (b. 1916) the one lost during WWII. (His father had died in 1922 and his mother, Lillie Sauvago, was a sister of Tessie.) Lillie married Clement Archibald in 1925 to I believe that’s who the adult is (step-father of John Silverthorne), then Merrill Goff, Dale Wilson, Danny Wilson (front), and Delbert Wilson.
This old photo finally makes sense. Mom mentioned the name Silverthorne and someone lost in WWII.
Maxine and Merrill Goff spent summers with their Sauvago grandparents at Wichita, Iowa. John Silverthorne was probably in Dexter to pick them up for the summer, or to return them to their Goff grandparents in time for school to begin again.
So the photo was taken in Dexter, about 1929 or 1930.
And to think that four of these boys would lose their lives between 1943 and 1945.
Lillie Sauvago Archibald and Leora Goff Wilson, Gold Star Mothers honored in Guthrie Center, Iowa, 1959.
That’s another thing – friendships! My parents grew up with a large group of friends, most of whom I grew up knowing quite well. Their friendships lasted throughout their lives!!
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My Favorite Guy does a good job of keeping up with friends. With four more medical tests/procedures next week, those phonecalls have been such a blessing.
Thankfully, families made a habit of pulling one another up by the bootstraps during that era. Your research is amazing, Joy, and reveals not just the history of your family but the history of bygone years. 🙂
The strength those mothers had is incredible!!
They were friends for a long time as well.
That’s another thing – friendships! My parents grew up with a large group of friends, most of whom I grew up knowing quite well. Their friendships lasted throughout their lives!!
My Favorite Guy does a good job of keeping up with friends. With four more medical tests/procedures next week, those phonecalls have been such a blessing.
Sad
It sure was.
It’s like you’re slowly unraveling mysteries, Joy.
There’s always one more, it seems, but I remember Grandma talking about Lillie Archibald but I didn’t know any details about her.
I love how these pieces come together, Joy. Thank you so much for sharing. 💕
Bless you, Vicki!
Right back at you, dear Joy! 🥰
Thank you for reminding us to honor Gold Star Mother’s Day.
Those dear ladies were reminded every September and every Decoration Day of their losses.
A very hard cross to bear.
A super tribute to these tow mothers, Joy. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, John. I’m so glad I finally figured out their double connection.
😊
Truly the greatest generation!
They certainly were, Linda!
Your research has revealed losses, and showed how strong the ladies were to handle all the losses.
Thank you, Tim. Even their friendship helped each other.
Thankfully, families made a habit of pulling one another up by the bootstraps during that era. Your research is amazing, Joy, and reveals not just the history of your family but the history of bygone years. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. I keep discovering things, when something triggers something else. (Even though Grandma could have explained it easily. . . )
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