Poem Written About Descendents of Johann Leonhard Burkhart and Maria Barbara Ruf
BURKHARTS'
These people who date from the fifties or so,
Are a mighty congenial bunch you just know;
With their dark hair and striking brown eyes,
To see them just once, makes anyone wise.
The man, who ssettled just here in that early date,
Had many a hardship with his faithful mate;
They built themselves a home, so tiny and small,
And purchased five acres now, that much is all.
The times they were hard, and the dollars were few,
But soon those acres to many more grew,
For Grandpa was shrewd, and shrewdness does pay,
That trait is quite prevalent even today.
There was tiling to do and roads to build,
There were fences to make and soil to be tilled.
Much work to be done in their primitive way,
With no modern machinery like we use today.
No running water or electric lights,
Not even a Lizzie to take in the sights.
Washing and sewing machines were nearly unknown,
And Grandma made clothes that by hand were sewn.
In not many years a new house was finished,
For the family increased and was not diminished;
There was good little Freddie, his father's great pride,
Then came Minnie, and Christina, and Maggie beside,
There was Leonard so strong, and Johnnie so fine,
Henry and Julia were the last in the line.
Some family, I tell you, all healthy and strong;
He, who has such a family will never go wrong.
So take my advice, you, who hardly have none,
Just take a new step, your task's just begun.
These young folks all married, as most young folks do,
The new names I'll mention, there are just a few.
There was Shoger, and Hemm, and Bower, tis said,
And Ebinger the youngest daughter wed.
These names are entitled to all Burkhart fame,
For really they are Burkharts, except just in name.
Each child received a farm or so
Riht on the road to Oswego.
Say, wouldn't that be swell for some of us poor ducks
With land worth nearly three hundred bucks?
Each family was blessed, as all good familes are,
Only one moved away to Iowa- so far.
To these homes sons and daughters came,
Many cousins there are, some even of fame.
There are lawyers and bankers, and we mustn't forget
All the teachers, mechanics, and the farmers, you bet.
These cousins in turn their families are rearing;
And, right here, give his a careful hearing-
Hats off to the only Grandpa cousin in this clearing,
Wes Bower's the one who gets all the cheering.
We're nearly One Hundred Fifty strong,
To let that deminish would surely be wrong.
Not only in number, but in name as well,
For in these parts only two Burkhart great grandsons dwell,
So wake up you, who with that name are linked
Or the Burkhart name will become extinct.
Here's to the Burkharts, long may they live,
And ever increase, and daily give
Of their best to Mankind, and their Country so true,
Who need loyal hearts all the years thru.
May 30, 1927
-Myrtle Ebinger Smith- (daughter of Julia (Burkhart) Ebinger)
NOTE: The above poem was read by the composer, Myrtle Ebinger Smith, at the first Reunion of the Burkhart family held on the old homestead, occupied by the youngest son, Henry G. Burkhart, on May 30, 1927.
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Re: Poem Written About Descendents of Johann Leonhard Burkhart and Maria Barbara Ruf
Allison Thom 11/09/10