FOLAND, Michael & Elizabeth (SOWERWINE)'s Weaning House

SOWERWINE, FOLAND, EDWARDS, HOPKINS, BOLES, GRIMM, LITTLE, MCCONNELL

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 10/24/2013 at 05:31:32

Michael Foland's Weaning House
Northeast of Grand River, Richland Twp., Decatur County, Iowa

A unique family tradition among Michael and Elizabeth (SOWERWINE) FOLAND'S sons was the establishment of what came to be known as the 'weaning house.'

Some time prior to December of 1871, Michael FOLAND built a house-one large room with a lean-to kitchen located north of his farm, on the second ridge west of the Foland School. A sorghum mill was established just north of the 'weaning house,' and people came from miles around with their loads of cane to make their sorghum.

Of Michael and Elizabeth's seven sons, five of them moved into the 'weaning house' upon their marriage. They helped farm the land and ran the sorghum mill. When the son had accumulated enough funds to purchase his own farm, the resident family moved out and a newly married son moved in with his family.

William Henry "Bill" and Samuel "Sam" FOLAND were the only sons who didn't reside at the 'weaning house.' Perhaps this was because Bill had married in 1868 before the 'weaning house' was built. When Sam married in 1879, the 'weaning house' was already occupied.

Christian "Chris" FOLAND married Lucinda EDWARDS on December 25, 1871. They were the first to reside in the 'weaning house.' Chris and Lucinda's first child, Benjamin Franklin "Frank" FOLAND was born in the 'weaning house" on August 31, 1872. Shortly after Frank's birth, Chris purchased an 80-acre farm and moved out of the 'weaning house.'

John Valentine FOLAND married Minerva HOPKINS in December of 1868. With the 'weaning house' becoming vacant in 1872, they moved in with their children Kathryn "Rebecca" and Alva Albert. Their daughters were born at the 'weaning house' - Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" on April 15, 1873, and Jennie Anne on April 11, 1875. Around the year of 1877 John and Minerva purchased their own farm and moved out of the 'weaning house.'

Isaac Randolph "Ike" FOLAND married Martha Elizabeth "Betty" BOLES on August 7, 1881. They resided with his parents, Michael and Elizabeth for a while before moving into the 'weaning house.' Ike and Betty's first four children were born in the 'weaning house' - Charles Wilbert "Charley" on May 14, 1882; George Wesley on May 6, 1887; Leonard Luther on December 1, 1887; and Minnie Catherine on August 21, 1889. Ike and Betty bought an 80-acre farm in 1890 and moved out of the 'weaning house.'

Sanford Marion FOLAND married Martha A. GRIMM on December 12, 1887. With the 'weaning house' being occupied at the time, Sanford and Martha resided with his parents, Michael and Elizabeth. They moved into the 'weaning house' where their son Hollis was born on April 19, 1890. Hollis tragically died on September 7, 1892. The following year Sanford and Martha purchased an 80-acre farm and moved out of the 'weaning house.'

George FOLAND, the youngest of Michael and Elizabeth's ten children, married Celeste Jane LITTLE on January 23, 1893. Because the 'weaning house' was occupied, George and Celeste resided with his parents until the 'weaning house' was available for them to move in. After Elizabeth died on August 25, 1896, George and Celeste moved in to care for Michael during his declining years.

Lulu FOLAND, daughter of John Valentine and Minerva (HOPKINS) FOLAND, married George Washington GRIMM on December 19, 1886. George was the twin brother of Martha A. GRIMM who had married Lulu's uncle Sanford Marion FOLAND. Lulu and George were residing in the 'weaning house' with their son Elba Ervin at the time of their second son's birth, Vernie Clate GRIMM on October 5, 1899. Lulu and George subsequently purchased a farm in the "Tennessee" community and vacated the 'weaning house.'

Chris and Lucinda FOLAND'S daughter Laura Ann and her husband Leo McCONNELL eventually purchased the 'weaning house' for $25. The moved the building to the southwest corner of the Chris FOLAND farm and lived there during the two years they farmed this land. Laura and Leo were the last known residents of the 'weaning house.'

Frank FOLAND, son of Chris and Lucinda and the first FOLAND grandchild to be born in the 'weaning house,' moved onto the farm. The 'weaning house' was used as a smokehouse and later as a corncrib.

The 'weaning house' was still standing in the 1970's, although it was leaning a little hard to the east. It no longer stands.

Michael and Elizabeth (SOWERWINE) FOLAND

Source:
FOLAND, Wilma G. (RAMSEY). The Foland Family Record 1960

Written, compiled and submitted by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2013