SEGMENT: BACKGROUND, CHILDHOOD ACTIVITIES, & CHURCH

Jack Kuhn>NIU Collection>NIU Collection, Segment 9

SEGMENT: BACKGROUND, CHILDHOOD ACTIVITIES, & CHURCH,

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BACKGROUND
Born in Aurora. Parents were farmers. Notes siblings. Dad also did carpentry, but made his living on the farm. Father had medical deferment in WWII. Mother didn't have an outside job, or sell things she made, had a garden though.
FARMS VS. TOWNS
Farm life was a good life, doesn't like the city. He didn't hang out in town, just went to town for school & to buy necessities.
FARMHOUSE
Typical farmhouse. Family took meals together. Women cooked.
DAIRY
Dad had a dairy herd, helped with milking. Dad grew corn and soy beans too.
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Took the bus to school graduated.
CHILDHOOD ACTIVITIES
Friends came out to the farm & helped him work before they played or went hunting. Friends were town kids. Would hang out and do chores! Then play in the hay mound. High school dances, fun but couldn't dance!
CHURCH
Did go to church once a week, but wasn't involved in church activities. He didn't like it a lot. He goes to church today because he thinks he should. Priests are more down-to-earth today. Parents went so he went.
NEIGHBORS
Traded farm labor with uncle down the road. Remembers himself being a great worker!
HIRED HELP
His dad had a part-time man. Dairy work is relentless and tedious. Relied on kids when they got older.
FAMILY
Talks about cousins, working, playing with them.
CHILDHOOD ACTIVITIES
Jack wasn't in Future Farmers of America because it wasn't offered in catholic school. Talks about some prep classes that he didn't like. His high school was not ag-oriented. Tried basketball, wasn't athletic.