This weeks question is: What did your Grandparents do for a living?

My maternal Grandfather is Parnell Julian Smeby.  In the1930 census at the age of  26 he is listed as a Barber.  Later he farmed in Hickson, ND for about 24 years. He then moved to Nielsville, MN and then in approx 1961-1963 he moved to Climax, MN and ran the Corner Cafe in Climax, MN with my Grandmother. He died early at the age of 61 in 1965.

My maternal Grandmother is Evelyn Ovidia (Onstad) Smeby.  After graduation from Crookston High in Crookston, MN. In the 1920 Census she was single and unemployed.  In the 1930 Census at age 26 she was single and working as a bookkeeper for Amenia (ND) Seed and Grain Company.Later, she was also employed at Nielsville Bank.  Later, she worked at the Corner Cafe in Climax, MN with Parnell in the early 60's. After he died in 1965 she moved back to Nielsville.  I am not aware that she worked after that.  In 1970 when My mom died, she came at lived with us during the school year for the next 10 years or so and never worked again.  In 2002 I drove to Climax and saw that the Corner (Bar) Cafe is still in business.  Althought the exterior is likely changed from the early 60's when my grandparents ran it, it is in the same location.

Corner Bar & Cafe - Climax, MN 2002

My Paternal Grandfather is Harry Guy Smith.  In the 1930 Census he is listed as 24, married for 2 years, and a Farmer in Howes Township, ND. They then farmed in Buffalo and then moved to Wheatland, ND in 1943 He developed rheumatoid arthritis in the 1940's and by 1965 he was unable to continue farming. In Jan 1966  they sold the home to her son Merlon (who still resides there as of 2012) and traded in ithe farm for 2 apartment buildings (2 -twelve plexes) called the Tally Ho Apartments in Fargo, ND where they managed apartments.In April of 1966 Harry suffered a heart attack and had side effects from the arthritis treatments, but continued to help manage the apartments.

My Maternal Grandmother is Lucille Margaret (Scott) Smith.  Grandma dropped out of school 2 months in 9th grade when her mother died so she could help care for her dad and two brothers.  She married at age 25 and was a housekeeper and mother of 8.  In 1966 when they moved to Fargo, she helped to manage the Tally Ho Apartments in Fargo, particularilty after Harry's heart attack in 1966. After Harry died in 1972 she managed the apartments, but in in 1974 at age 66 she sold the apartments and moved into an apartment of her own in Fargo, and then later in 1980 she moved into a condo in Fargo that my father bought.  I don't believe she ever worked after she sold the apartments, though I know she assisted with managing a 2nd apartment my father owned in the same building until she went into Bethany nursing home in 2000 where she resided for 8 years.

H.G.Smith Farm - Wheatland, ND