Notes for Elizabeth Yaughar

Notes for Elizabeth Yaughar

Elizabeth's last name could be spelled many different ways...
Yager, Yauger, Yaugher, Yaughar, Yougher, Youehger.

From the family notes of Kurt Otto Schelle, Jr.:

Elizabeth was a sickly child (lung problems). The doctors prescribed smoking tobacco as a cure for her lung disease. Consequently she smoked a pipe from childhood to the end of her life. One must wonder how long she would have lived without the smoking. She bore 12 children and they all survived to adulthood. Three did die as young adults. This was under conditions that today would be considered unbearable.

Her tobacco habit was an addiction. The story is told that while living with her daughter Elizabeth she rand out of tobacco during the evening. Knowing her need for tobacco, my Grandfather, who never smoked himself, bundled up and went out on foot in a blizzard to get her some tobacco so should wouldn't have to do without.

About 1919/1920 son John surfaced and came to South Bend to visit her. She was nearly blind but recognized him by his voice after all those years. When asked if she knew who it was she spit out "It's John" - she was still very angry with him. She was living with my Great Uncle Joshua at the time of her death.

I vaguely remember being introduced to her shortly before she died. It was a special event to meet my Grandmother's Mother. So it stuck with me even thought I was very young. I also knew Uncle John, who was forgiven by his siblighs, Uncle Moses, Uncle Joshua, and Aunt Anna (Annie), and Grandmother.