Wordless Wednesday: Cole’s Shoe Store

Cole's Shoe Store, c. 1950

My Almost Great-Grandfather

At the age of 17, my great-grandfather deserted the U.S. Army, packed his belongings into a rucksack and made his way by foot to Lockport, New York. He changed his name to John Gates during a stop in Ohio, married my great-grandmother in Buffalo and raised five children of his own. He didn't tell anyone--not [...]

A Soldier’s Lament

James William Cole was born on October 18, 1893 in Red Oak, Ohio to Alfred and Louella (Hook) Cole, the oldest of three children. On September 21, 1917, at the age of 23, J.W. enlisted in the 126th Company of the Army National Guard, leaving behind a wife and child at home to serve in [...]

A Favorite Find

I meet the most interesting people on planes. On one flight to Buffalo, a woman taught me about the seven chakras, explained why she believed her sister was possessed by a demon and provided me with her business card (and told me about the history of her reusable water bottle company, too). I met a [...]

Uriah McKellup, the Whig Representative

Kentucky's State Capitol Building // Frankfort, Kentucky A random fact about me: although I'm currently teaching in an elementary school, I actually majored in political science and public policy in college. I have always loved politics and history--making family history the perfect fit--and I try to incorporate these topics in the examples I provide in [...]