The Difficult Thirties......
The 1930`s would prove to be a very difficult time not only for our Eads family members but for all American People. The stock market crashed in 1929 and that was followed by a period well known in American History as The Great Depression. Many families found themselves without work and destitute. Some of those that were able relocated to other areas where they could find work in order to support themselves and their families. Before our great Grandfather, William Eads died, he was a Farmhand, the family lived in a rented house in Silva, Missouri. His children were all under the age of 15 when he died. With great-grandpa gone and great-grandma only able to make a meager living by taking in laundry, the older children decided to set out and make a living for themselves. Times were hard. Women back then had no skills other than housekeeping and tending to children with which to make a living by, Dorthula did what she could to get by but it likely wasn't enough. Uncle Charles was the first to set out for greener pastures. By 12 Sep 1918, at the age of 19, we find Uncle Frank (Charles) living in Granite City, Illinois. Frank was working for the Commonwealth Steel Company as a Molder Helper. He registered for the WWI Draft on that date, he gave his mothers name as Dorothy Eads living in Greenville, Wayne, Missouri. Apparently uncle Frank couldn't write because he signed his registration with an X mark.
General Steel Industries, Inc
Pictured to the right is the General Steel Industries administration building which was located at 1417 State Street in Granite City, Illinois. According to the author of the photo who shared his work on Wikipedia, the building was originally built by the Commonwealth Steel Company where Uncle Frank Eads worked in 1918, the building was completed in 1926. History tells us that in 1929 General Steel Castings Corporation bought out Commonwealth Steel Company and then ini 1961 it became known as General Steel Industries. In 1974 the company was sold to Granite City Steel.The company manufactured steel castings and railroad supplies.
In 1920, Uncle Frank was living on G Street in Granite City in a rented room in the household of one Charles & Sarah Mortier, and their daughter Elsie. His occupation was listed as a laborer in a Steel Foundry.
In 1920, Uncle Frank was living on G Street in Granite City in a rented room in the household of one Charles & Sarah Mortier, and their daughter Elsie. His occupation was listed as a laborer in a Steel Foundry.
A family business...
By 1930 Uncle Frank had married Ms. Lola Mac Murphy and they were still living in Granite City and he was still working at the Steel Foundry. That same year, Uncle Arnold and Grandpa Columbus had joined him as well as Great Grandmother Dorothy. They were living in a little rented house at 1821 State Street, In Granite City, Illinois. Grandpas occupation was listed as Core Setter in a Steel Foundry and Uncle Arnold's occupation was listed as a laborer in a Rolling Mill. Aunt Mollie and her husband Pearl were living at 2709 Lincoln Avenue in Granite City and he was working as an Ironworker in the Steel Mill too. By this time Uncle Buck Dock Eads and his wife Effie are living at 1625 Delmar Avenue in Granite City and his occupation is listed as Core Cutter in a Steel Foundry and last but not least Aunt Ruth and her husband Alfred Nicholson were living at 1815A Grand Avenue in Granite City and he was working as a Core Maker in the Steel Foundry. So as you can see all the Eads siblings and Great Grandmother Dorthula found work and a way to make a living in the midst of the Great Depression.
Life in Granite City
By 1931 Granite City was feeling the effects of the Great Depression, and Commonwealth Steel Company closed. All over the US, millions of people were without jobs and fastly approaching homelessness. Children everywhere were going to bed hungry at night and families were at a stand still as to how to make ends meet. Lots of banks closed their doors and people had to rely on the kindness of strangers for a hot meal or a warm place to lay their heads at night. Many people set up makeshift shantys or tents at various places because they had been evicted from their homes, it was not uncommon to see women, children and even men with all their belongings beside the road, with nowhere to turn. America was in turmoil and things were going to get worse before they got better. When Commonwealth steel closed and shut their doors, having laid off their workers, Aunt Molly's husband Pearl Tipton found himself without a job and a means to support his family. Cousin Mary Linda Miller tells about how her grandfather Pearl hadn't saved for a rainy day and once laid off from his job, the family was evicted from their home in Granite City and all their furniture was repossessed by the creditors, with nothing left but what little belongings they had they decided to move back home to Wayne County, Missouri. Mary tells about how they lived in a Dilapidated Shack that was once owned by some family members and they could live there rent free.The house had no heat or running water and they slept on straw tick mattresses. The family picked cotton to earn money for food, which still wasn't enough to satisfy their hunger.
Uncle Buck also returned to Greenville area in Wayne County, Missouri where he found a job as a Fireman. Commonwealth closed their doors in Granite City but their headquarters were moved to Eddystone Pennsylvania, Uncle Frank followed them to Pennsylvania and he worked in the General Steel Castings plant there as a Coresetter. Uncle Arnold and Grandma Dorothy decided to stay in Granite City for the time being. Uncle Arnold found a laboring job there and they stayed put for a little while.
By 1932, Grandpa Columbus had left Granite City and came to a little town in the bootheel of Southeast Missouri named Bernie. It was there he met and married the love of his life;my Grandmother; Miss Bertha Mae Hartline. Its not known exactly how or when they met ....
Uncle Buck also returned to Greenville area in Wayne County, Missouri where he found a job as a Fireman. Commonwealth closed their doors in Granite City but their headquarters were moved to Eddystone Pennsylvania, Uncle Frank followed them to Pennsylvania and he worked in the General Steel Castings plant there as a Coresetter. Uncle Arnold and Grandma Dorothy decided to stay in Granite City for the time being. Uncle Arnold found a laboring job there and they stayed put for a little while.
By 1932, Grandpa Columbus had left Granite City and came to a little town in the bootheel of Southeast Missouri named Bernie. It was there he met and married the love of his life;my Grandmother; Miss Bertha Mae Hartline. Its not known exactly how or when they met ....