An interview with Jacob Clem

Jacob and Martha Fields Clem of Reger
Jacob born 1836 - died 1919

This is a "Mock" conversation with Jacob Clem. He is the webmaster's GG-Grandfather, and it is done as if my Grandmother (Bessie Clem Sterling) was talking to him in the early 1900's when she was just a little girl and he was about 80ish.
This conversation as written is based on facts. Information was taken from newspaper clippings, and obituaries. Though it is not known if this conversation ever really took place, it is entirely possible.

A Conversation with Jacob Clem

Bessie: Hello - Granpa - how are you today?
Jacob: Hello Grandaughter, I'm just fit as a fiddle.
Bessie: Granpa, how old were you when you came here to Milan?
Jacob: Well, I was just a little shaver, just about 2 years old when the family came here from Ohio.
Bessie: When was that granpa?
Jacob: that would have been about 1838 or 39
Bessie Granpa, do you remember when you were a little boy?
Jacob: well, I remember once when I was about 5 a story about a wolf- It's just like it was yesterday.
Bessie: granpa, tell me about the wolf --
Jacob: Well - grand daughter, I'll tell you the story. When I was about 5 years old - Ma and Pa were out working in the fields and they left me and my big brother "Noah" up at the cabin. Noah and me was out playing, we was just having a grand time, and we heard a noise. Pa had just butchered a hog the day before, and the off falls were still there. It was from that direction we heard a noise, so me and Noah went to take a look. There he was -- a big ol' "Mr. Wolf". He was growlin, and snarlin, tellin me and Noah not to get any closer. He wanted them off falls for his supper. Well - Noah bein 2 years older than me knew just what to do. He ran to the cabin and grabbed down pa's old rifle from above the fireplace, and when he came back out he had that rife with him, he laid the barrel up on the fence rail, and he squinted down the barrel of that old rifle and took careful aim. Then "BANG" and that old "Mr. Wolf" dropped dead. Course now the sound of that rifle shot brought ma and pa running to see what was the matter. When me and Noah told them about "Mr. Wolf" they were so proud of Noah, he was only 7 years old and done proved he was a man.
Bessie: Wow granpa, you musta been scared.
Jacob: No .. I knew Noah knew just what to do, I knew he could shoot pa's rifle, he had lot's of times before, but always with Pa there.
Bessie: .. you and Noah must have been very brave.
Bessie: You were real little, when your ma and pa passed away, huh?
Jacob: Yup, grand daughter - that's right. I was only five years old when ma passed on, and ten when pa died. You know they're buried out there at the Henry Cemetery, way back in the back with some other kin.
Bessie: What did you do, granpa?
Jacob: well, we was fortunate - my older brothers and sisters took us young'ins in. I lived with my brother Emmanuel, Caroline and their kids. Elias, my baby brother, stayed with our sister Marilla and Zach, and Noah lived with our oldest brother, Henry and Catherine.
Bessie: Granpa, that must have been hard, did you get to see Noah and Elias very often?
Jacob: Sure we did, we saw each other in school we all got together about once a week for supper, and of course we saw each other in church on Sunday and then we all went to one of their houses for Sunday dinner.
Bessie: Did you have any chores to do after school?
Jacob: I sure did, Emmanuel and Caroline had little ones and I helped with them and helped out with chores. I drew the water and carried firewood.
Bessie: Tell me granpa, how did you meet granma, Martha Ann?
Jacob: Guess you'll have to wait for that one grand daughter - there's someone at the door.