The Cowboy and the Lady

By Beth Camp

"Who is that lady>" asked my son-in-law, pointing to a sweet photo of my grandmother on her high school graduation. This family history tries to answer that question by telling stories I heard while growing up that are supported by research. Every generation faces different kinds of challenges. Imagine being born at the turn of the century and living 100 years of change and challenge. This will bring you closer to understanding who Frank and Sigrid Henry were, as they remain my grandparents.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beth Camp
• Release date: Jun 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215271490

Beth Camp

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, attending some 8 high schools from Seattle to Phoenix. That pattern continued as I worked my way through college -- as a hospital admitting clerk, an international banker, and a social policy analyst, among many other jobs. After earning my master's degree, I taught writing, technical writing, and humanities at Linn-Benton Community College in Oregon and served as Department Chair there. At first, Allen, my husband, and I traveled each summer in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. A sabbatical in 2004 led me to research the humanities in Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, and Spain, spending a month in each country. My publishing career began with editing and then writing textbooks while teaching. When I retired, I began writing historical fiction. The Seventh Tapestry marks my first romantic suspense. I now live in Washington State, close to grandkids and family – and still ready to travel with husband, camera, and laptop at a moment’s notice. 

Book preview

FRANK HENRY BEGINNINGS

Frank was born in Corning, Kansas, on August 28, 1895, to Sanford Theodore Henry, a wheat farmer, and Anna Louise Gerlt. Both his parents had been born in Corning, Kansas. They were married on August 1, 1894, in Morgan County, Missouri.

Frank’s father, Sanford, was born as Theodore Sanford Henry on August 5, 1875. When Frank was born, Sanford was 20 years old. By 1900, the family was living in Red Vermillion, Kansas. Sanford was 24 years old and was using his middle name as his primary name; Anna was 26. He listed his occupation as a farmer. Frankie was four years old, and the family took in a boarder, Henry Gixlt, age 19.[1] No other children were listed in the 1900 Census.

Frank’s sister, Maude Augusta Henry, was born on March 22, 1901, and his brother, Karl Theodore Henry, was born on December 25, 1909, both in Nemaha County.

Frank’s early years were rough because of economic hard times. His father was a violent man, subject to tempers. Frank remembers one time of being badly beaten until blood came out of his nose because he was not strong enough to turn the horses around during plowing. He was nine years old.

By 1910, the Henry family was living on their own rented farm in Reilly, Nehama County, Kansas. Sanford was 34 and Anna was 30. Frank was now 14. His sister Anna was 9 years old, and his brother Carl was 3 months old. [2] Life was not easy for the Henry family at this time.

A group of people standing outside a house Description automatically generated with medium confidence

The Henry Family Home where Frank grew up[3]

Picture taken about 1910: First row: Maude Augusta Henry, Frank’s sister (1901-1992); Anna Louise Henry, Frank’s mother (1878-1949), Unknown, Harriett Elizabeth Henry (Frank’s grandmother, 1854-1920), holding Carl Theodore Henry, Frank’s brother (1909-1998); unknown, Sanford Theodore Henry (Frank’s father, 1875-1935), two ponies, perhaps Henry Gixlt.

When Frank was about 15, his father lost his legs during a threshing accident. Since Frank’s brother and sister (Carl and Maudie) were younger, Frank carried on the responsibility of managing the farm, but Sanford continually complained about how much more work needed to be done. Finally, Frank ran away from home at age 16. He wanted to go out west