Welcome to the Kent City Area Society of History and Genealogy
Bob Brott entertained the society for our program by relating his memories of “Growing up in Casnovia,” from 1929-1938. He told who was in his kindergarten class: John Kriger, Velma Lehmkuhle, Henry Salefske, Mildred Lyals, Jack Griener, Lester Cadwell, Cleo and Clare Middleton, Junior Rood, Bill and Darwin Williams, and Erma Ransom. The teacher was Ellen Munson, who later became Mrs. Lowell Stinson. At this time, the School sat on the northside of Waterloo St, just a little east of Where Irving Humphrey lives now.
Some of the families of boys who played together were from the Ransom, Rood, Gentz, Fox, Bitley, Holden and Stinson families. Fred Harner was the depot agent in Casnovia during that time. He usually would be the pitcher for all the boys when they played ball. They played on a lot that was close to the railroad tracks by the depot. Once in a while Mr. Harner would miss his messages on the telephone or telegraph.
The most popular games the boys played were, “Cops and Robbers,” and “Cowboys and Indians.”
Bob remembers one time that he and good friend Bruce Williamson got into some real trouble when they decided to paint the fender on Bob’s grandfather’s Reo, “Flying Cloud,” car. Bruce Williamson was from Indiana and would visit his grandparents, Clyde and Mae Eitel, every summer.
Bob named the businesses which were in the town of Casnovia during the 1930’s. Some of them were the Pere Marquette Depot, Grist Mill and Elevator, Warehouse and Packing house operated by Jordan and Eitel, Bijou Dream Auditorium, Pool Room run by Mr. Bolger, Farmers and Merchants State Bank. Ike Kelly’s Harness Shop, Nason’s Velvet Ice Cream Plant, Walt Webb’s Drug Store, U. S. Post Office, Archie Harings Barber Shop, Dr. Sam Drummond’s Office, Heine Heuvelhorst’s General Store, Carrie Hildreth’s little house, carried sewed for several ladies in town, Morton’s General Store, a tavern on the corner, Standard Oil Gas Station ran by Harry Afton, a furniture store and Humphrey Hardware and Implement Dealership. Bob thinks he may have forgotten a few.
Movies were brought into Casnovia each week by Walter Fisher, who lived in North Park. One movie Bob remembers was called “The Wolf Man.”
Bob concluded his program by naming the teachers he had while in grade school. (they were not listed in this article though.)
Tyrone Gleanings. Vol. #6. Issue #30. May-June 1993. Page 2.