Grandpa always said, "In the 'School of Hard Knocks', you are always tested, before learning the lesson! You are never allowed to drop out!" ~Parnelli

Grandpa was born in 1890, completed the 3rd grade (9 years old) in a one room school house, when his father apprenticed him to a Master Mason to learn the craft. He remained an apprentice until the age of 16 (190. During his apprenticeship, he received food, clothing and shelter from his master, along with a weekly allowance for personal needs of 25?.

At age of 16 he was released from his apprenticeship (7 years), and became a Journeyman Mason, and traveled among various Master Masons, to learn other skills, and recieve $3.00 per week for a 6 day week of work. $3.00 was very good wages back in 1910. He met my Grandmother, and they courted and were wed in 1912.

Grandpa when on to become a Master Mason, and a 32nd degree Mason in the Masonic Lodge (Shriner). He started his own construction company that failed when the bank closed during the depression. He went to work for the WPA, and restarted his company when World War II started.

He died in 1956, when he came home at noon, telling Grandma that he felt tired and was going to lay down and rest. He never woke up, dying of a heartattack in his sleep at the age of 65. That was a ripe old age back then, and few lived to a old age than 60.

[This message has been edited by Steven H. McGarthwaite (edited 05 May 2006).]