The Sessler Family ~ December 1951

The Sessler Family ~ 1951

Greg Sessler ~ December 1951

Greg - 18 months

Greg - 18 months - Dec 1951

My Brother - Gorgeous Greg

1956 - Greg - 6 yrs

1957 - Greg - 7 yrs

I love these photos of my brother, Greg. In the first one he looks like he's such a little scrapper. He could be a character right out of the Little Rascals. I love how he is smiling big to show us his missing teeth. I hope the Tooth Fairy was good to him. 

And in the second photo he is such a lady's man. It makes you want to reach up and gently brush his hair back as you drown into his gorgeous blue eyes.

Connie Sessler - 6 months old

Feb 1954 ~ Connie LeAnn Sessler
6 months ~ 19.5 lbs 

Grandmother's Album of Baby Pictures

Mildred and Maxine Forward ~ b. 1920

What adorable babies!! Ann and Glenn must have had so much fun with these two cuties!!  A lot of work, no doubt, but so much FUN!!! I wonder if Ann knew she was having twins or if she found out when they were born.

JoAnn Forward ~ b.1929

This is a favorite photo of mine. Of course I'm a bit biased since this is my mom but you must admit she is a beauty with those gorgeous eyes and kissable little mouth! What innocence! 

My grandparents, Ann and Glenn Forward, had seven children: Maxine, Mildred, Jean, Dula, Wayne, Charles and JoAnn. Grandmother had the most wonderful photo album with baby photos of all her children and grandchildren. Whenever I was at their home I would ask to see the photo album. I would sit on their big bed with that huge album, slowly turning the pages, savoring each photo and storing the images in my memory. When Grandmother passed away that wonderful photo album was dismantled and all the photos were returned to the various families. The only baby photo I have from that album is the one of my mother, JoAnn. This photo of her sisters, Mildred and Maxine, actually came from my great aunt, Barbara Helfrich Webber.

I would like to recreate Grandmother's family photo album. So this is a request to my Aunts, Uncles and Cousins: Please send me your baby photos - the ones that were in Grandmother's album.  I promise to scan your photos and then promptly return your originals to you in perfect condition.

Thank you,
Connie

Barbara Helfrich Webber and Deloris ~ 1915

Before

After

Sisters ~ Barbara and Gertrude Helfrich

Before

After

Awesome hats!! Check out Girtie's hat pin!! These are clothes my granddaughters would love to play dress-up in! Heck! These are clothes that I'd love to play dress-up in!!

I believe this photo was taken when the family lived in Syracuse and before Barbara married in 1914. (In 1914 Barbara was 21 and Gertrude was 17.)

Sisters ~ Anna and Frances Helfrich

This was a tiny photo scanned from Anna's (Grandmother Forward) personal school photo album. If this was in 1914 (estimated) - Anna would be 16 and Frances would be 14-1/2. They went to school in Syracuse, Kansas. I'm not sure when they moved to Hugoton, Kansas but they were there by 1918 when Anna and Glenn were married.

This was a tiny photo scanned from Anna's (Grandmother Forward) personal school photo album. If this was in 1914 (estimated) - Anna would be 16 and Frances would be 14-1/2. They went to school in Syracuse, Kansas. I'm not sure when they moved to Hugoton, Kansas but they were there by 1918 when Anna and Glenn were married.

My Grandmother ~ 87 years

Before

After

Anna Helena Helfrich Forward, December 8, 1985 ~ 87 years old. 

My beautiful silver-haired grandmother with twinkling blue eyes.

Glenn Forward ~ WWI

l-r: Glenn Forward, Ray Kiever, unidentified

Forward Reunion - 1964

Before and After

This photo was taken 31 May 1964 at the Forward Reunion in the VFW Hall, Hugoton, Kansas.
l-r: Jean Coulter(42), JoAnn Sessler(34), Mildred Moser(43), Wayne Forward(36), Dula Hughes(39), Charles Forward(38), Maxine Phillips(43) - (ages as of 31 May 1964)

(As you can see, colored photographs are harder to edit. I'm not sure if I improved it much but I tried.)              

Sisters, Frances and Anna Helfrich ~ abt 1918

Before

After

Much of the detail in this photo (before) was almost faded away. This is what happens to old photos when light and air gets to them - not to mention that this photo is almost 100 years old!! But it is an awesome photo and I'm so thankful that we have the technology to scan and restore the details before they completely disappear!!

This photograph of Frances (Helfrich) Watkins and Anna (Helfrich) Forward (my grandmother) was taken about 1918 in Syracuse, Kansas. I wish I knew the story behind this photo. They look very somber/serious and Frances has a hankie in her hand. It feels like a sad picture.

Helfrich Siblings - abt 1930

Pictured are 6 of the 11 children of Jenny (Morgan) Helfrich Wessels. 

The names of her children are underlined. All others are either spouses or grandchildren.

Front-Back:

1st row: (grandchildren) Mary Frances Chambers, Wayne Forward, JoAnn Forward

2nd row: (grandchildren) June Standridge, Mildred Forward, Coral Chambers, Maxine Forward, Jean Forward, Dula Forward, Charles Forward, Hope Chambers, Wallace Standridge

3rd row: Dorothy Davis Brunson, Ann Helfrich Forward, Deloris Webber, Tony Helfrich, Tena Helfrich Standridge holding MaryJo Standridge (granddaughter), Kay Standridge, Gertie Helfrich Chambers, Glenn Forward, Bob Chambers, Henry Helfrich

Charles Lee Forward - Abt 1945/1946

This photo was taken about 1945 - don't know the exact date when Charles joined the Army but it was after the end of WWII. He tried to enlist during the war but the doctor told him that he had a heart murmur and would not pass him at that time. Also pictured are sisters, JoAnn (about 16) and Dula (about 21) *The girls look much younger than those ages so I will verify these dates with Charles and correct as necessary. This was taken at the "North Farm" where Glenn, Ann and JoAnn lived before moving to town (Hugoton). It is the present home of Wayne and MaryAnn Forward.

**If anyone has any additional information or corrections to the above, please let me know.

Kansas Cousins

Front: JoAnn Forward, Mary Frances Chanbers, Mary Jo Standridge
Back: Wallace Standrige, Charles Forward, Wayne Forward

Can you imagine trying to keep kids clean when all they have is the dirt to play in?! 

And no washers and dryers - just scrub boards, raw knuckles and clotheslines. 

I hope they had a bath more often than just Saturday night.

The Cousin Line-up:

Front to Back: JoAnn Forward, Mary Jo Standrige, Mary Frances Chambers, Wallace Standridge, Wayne Forward, Charles Forward, June Standridge, Dula Forward, Hope Chambers, Jean Forward, Maxine Forward, Mildred Forward, Coral Chambers.

My Sweet Parents

JoAnn Forward and Bobby Sessler have been Sweethearts since 8th grade (1942/1943). Here they are as High School Seniors (1946/1947). They married June 1, 1948 and celebrated their 62nd anniversary this year (2010). They are still just as in love as they were in these photos. No - scratch that - they are MORE in love than they were in these photos.

Sweethearts ~ 1946/1947

JoAnn Forward and Bobby Sessler

Uncle Mike ~ Home from the Navy

I'm not sure which photo came first but they were both taken in the winter time - notice snow in the first and heavy coats in the second. Uncle Mike was either leaving for the Navy or home on leave. Greg doesn't look much older in either photo. I'm guess-timating that he was around 2 years old so these photos would have been taken in/around 1952/53 

Dave, Mike, Greg, Grandma Sessler, Betty, Bobby

Dad (Bob), Greg, Uncle Mike, Uncle Dave Sessler

Sessler Family ~ June 1964

June 1964 ~ Amarillo Texas 

Grandpa and Grandma Sessler, Uncle Harry, Aunt Betty and cousin Carol Faye drove down from Hugoton, Kansas to see Uncle Dave, Aunt Ann, Debbie, Susie and baby David who were visiting us from Phoenix, AZ.

(l-r) Betty Sessler Tackett, Harry Sessler, Beulah Sessler holding Carol Faye Tackett, Dave Sessler, Warren Sessler holding baby David, Debbie Sessler, Susie Sessler (in front), JoAnn Forward Sessler, and me - Connie Sessler Miles

(l-r): Grandma Beulah Sessler, Susie Sessler (2), Grandpa Warren Sessler holding David Sessler (1), Debbie Sessler (4)

Forward Kids - Horseback

Charles, Wayne and JoAnn (holding her little dog) atop their beautiful farm horse. Mildred and Dula are in the shed and little cousin Dale Newman is standing behind. Notice someone in army boots is standing behind the horse, probably making sure the little ones don't fall off.

My Favorite Photos of Grandma & Grandpa Forward

This is my favorite photo of my grandparents, Glenn and Ann Forward. It is fun, natural, spontaneous and THEM! It's as though we've caught a little glimpse of affection between them as they are going about their own separate chores. I just love it!!

And this is another favorite. All dressed up and (probably) headed to church or a VFW banquet or maybe someone's wedding. (Maybe Mildred or Jean can fill in the blanks here.) I believe this was taken in front of their home in town - Hugoton, Kansas.


Note: I found another copy of this photo and on the back was written: "was taken after Nellie (Coulter) French funeral".

Forward Kids - A Photo Restoration

These wonderful old photos are deteriorating at rapid speed. The only way to preserve them is by scanning and digital restoration. I love this photograph of the Forward Kids in front of their (shed/garage -- it may have been called something else??) However, the photo was faded, torn and spotted. Here is the scanned original . . .

. . . and after restoration.

Pictured: Charles, Wayne and Dale Newman (cousin) on the horse (what was the name of the horse?)

JoAnn, Mildred, Maxine, Jean and Dula

Glenn Forward - Army Induction

Glenn Forward served as a truck and jeep driver in the Army during World War I.  This photo was taken on the day he was inducted into service. I don't think Glenn and Ann had been married long when he left for his military training.


Note: I love Grandmother's dress and striped stockings. She was a fashionable lady!

Glenn Forward and his "war buddies" - photo taken at the Hugoton Kansas Train Depot on the day of their induction into the United States Armed Forces. 

Note: I would love to know what is the significance of the sack hanging around their necks and what it is that they are holding in their hands. I am impressed that Grandpa is dressed so well as compared to some of the others. He took pride in his appearance.

The Wedding of Anna Helfrich and Glenn Forward

Glenn Forward (23) and Ann Helfrich(19.5)
on their Wedding Day~16 June 1918

Anna Helena Helfrich on her Wedding Day
(click on photos for larger view)

The Wedding of Anna Helfrich and Glenn Forward,
16 June 1918

back-front (l-r): Mrs. Jim Keefer, Harry Patterson, Dolly Hampton, Mrs Easter
Frances Helfrich, Anna Helfrich, Glenn Forward, Gertrude Helfrich
(middle) Deloris and Barbara (Helfrich) Webber
(sitting) Glenis McCoy, Ines Blow, F. Ray Easter, Hazel Hampton, Georgia Helfrich, Gladys McCoy

The Forward Kids - 1938

~1938~

These are the seven children of Glenn and Ann (Helfrich) Forward. I don't know the date of this photo for sure but guess-timated how old JoAnn looks and went from there. (Jean said she was 16 in this photo so that makes it 1938.) 


I love how everyone is in order by height - not age - and this same line-up is carried out through the years but with Mildred and Maxine (the oldest) moving down in the line as younger siblings passed them in height. I find it humorous that Charles' hat is sitting on the shrub behind him. I can almost hear his mother tell him to take off his hat. And even though he did - it is still in the picture. This photo was taken at their farm near Hugoton, Kansas.

A Blast From The Past - 1959

~June 1959~

This is a photograph of Grandpa (Glenn) Forward and his granddaughter, Mila Jean Hughes, daughter of Dula (Forward) and Jim Hughes. They were riding on Grandpa's tractor mower at his home in Hugoton, Kansas. What a little cutie Mila was at age 14 months.

Hugoton High School Football 1943-1947

Hugoton High School Football Team

1943-1944

1st Row (l-r): Kenneth Greenwood, 11-Vernon Parsons, 42-Lynn Taylor, 36-Johnnie Fulkerson, 37-Bobby Sessler, 33-Junior Brown, 31-Bill Warner, Coach Frank Mannott

2nd Row (l-r): 77-? Quattlebum, 55-Paul Nix, 40-Dean Anderson, Principal Siemens, 34-Vernie Betsworth, 23-Jack Barber, 41-Wade Greenwood

3rd Row (l-r): 35-Don Hardy, 43-Fred Horton, 30-Harry Sessler, 32-Gene Hardy, 38-Harry Forsythe, 39-Ralph Milburn, 63-A.J. Arnold


* Brothers, Harry and Bobby Sessler played football for Hugoton High. Harry was a Senior and Bobby was a Freshman. After Harry graduated, Bobby took his number 30 jersey for his remaining years at Hugoton High School.

Hugoton High School Football Team
1946-1947

1st row: 41-Alvin Webber, 58-Arthur Seeley, 49-Bernard Popejoy, 52-Bill Morris, 57-Kenneth Burditt, 56, Christopher Douglas, 43-Bob Sherily, 48-Verl Burrows, 46-Veron Mapin, 12-Roy Barber, 50-Val Barnes

2nd row: 23-Marvin Bradfield, 11-Eugene Campbell, 22-Dean Burrows, 16-Schrial Horton, 27-Harold Milburn, 18-Lewis Beavers, 25-Bill Cooper, 14-Lee Sturgeon, 24-Bill Brubaker, 28-Eugene Reser, 30-Bob Sessler, 20-Vernie Betsworth, Gene Walkamire

3rd row: 34-Dean Roehr, 42-Everett Hamilton Jr., 53-Bob Clark, 13-Alvin Beavers, Bob French, Bruce Richardson, Coach Binns, 25-Herbert Jennings, 19, Dale Horton, 31-Charles Harmon, 15-Verl Betsworth, 17-Roy Horton, Harold Wooten

Hugoton High School Varsity Football Team
1946-1947

Front Row: 19-Dale Horton, 27-Harlod Milburn, 18-Lewis Beavers, 25-Bill Cooper, 14-Lee Sturgeon, 31-Charles Harmon, 28-Eugene Reser
Back Row: 13-Alvin Beavers, 23-Marvin Bradfield, 26-Herbert Jennings, 30-Bob Sessler, 20-Vernie Betsworth

Hugoton High School Football

1946-1947

(l-r): 13-Alvin Beavers, 23-Marvin Bradfield, 26-Herbert Jennings, 30-Bob Sessler, 20-Vernie Betsworth

THE OLD PHONE ON THE WALL

When I was a young boy, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother talked to it. Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was "Information Please" and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone's number and the correct time.

My personal experience with the genie-in-a-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer. The pain was terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy. I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver and held it to my ear.

"Information, please" I said into the mouthpiece just above my head.

A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear. "Information."

I hurt my finger." I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough now that I had an audience.

"Isn't your mother home?" came the question.

"Nobody's home but me," I blubbered.

"Are you bleeding?" the voice asked.

"No," i replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts."

"Can you open the icebox?" she asked.

I said I could.

"Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice.

After that, I called "Information Please" for everything. I asked her for help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math. She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts.

Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died. I called "Information Please," and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?" She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, "Wayne, always remember that there are other worlds to sing in."

Somehow I felt better.

Another day I was on the telephone, "Information Please."

"Information," said in the now familiar voice.

"How do I spell fix?" I asked.

All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston. I missed my friend very much. "Information Please" belonged in that old wooden box back home and I somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me. Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.

A few year later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in Seattle. I had about a half-hour or so between planes. i spend 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator and said, "Information Please."

Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well. "information."

I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying, "Could you please tell me how to spell fix?"

There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now."

I laughed, "So, it's really you," I said. "I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time?"

"I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your call meant to me. I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls."

I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.

"Please do," she said. "Just ask for Sally."

Three months later I was back in Seattle. A different voice answered, "Information."

I asked for Sally.

"Are you a friend?" she said.

"Yes, a very old friend," I answered.

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this," she said. "Sally had been working part time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago."

Before I could hang up, she said, "Wait a minute, did you say your name was Wayne?"

"Yes." I answered.

"Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called. Let me read it to you."

The note said, "Tell him there are other worlds to sing in. He'll know what I mean."

I thanked her and hung up.

I knew what Sally meant.

~author unknown~

Before You Were MOM

(click on the photo to enlarge)

Before you were my mother, you were JoAnn Forward, youngest daughter of Glenn and Ann Forward and little sister of Maxine, Mildred, Jean, Dula, Charles and Wayne. You lived on a farm outside of Hugoton Kansas until you were 17 years old, at which time you moved to town with your parents. You attended Hugoton High School where you were an "A" student, a twirler with the marching band, and a cheerleader. Your boyfriend was (and still is) Bobby Sessler. You graduated with the Class of '47.

These photos were taken when you were 2, 14, 15 & 17 years of age.

~This layout was created for Mom on her 80th birthday - August 22, 2009. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!! WE LOVE YOU!!

Pretty Pony

(click on image to enlarge)

1956 ~ A man knocked on our door and asked if he could take our photograph. He had all the right props - cowboy chaps, scarf, hat and the most beautiful pony ever. I can still remember the smell and feel of the leather saddle and how excited I was to be a cowgirl - if only for a few minutes. This has always been one of my most favorite photos.

Greg Sessler-age 6, Connie Sessler-age 3