An Awesome Connection

Thanks to the nudges and efforts of Debbie Menning and Vanessa Branson, autographed copies of the Leora books are available in Art on State, right in the town where Grandma Leora lived for decades, Guthrie Center, Iowa!

Thanks also to my sister Gloria for delivering them.

Guthrie Center is the county seat of Guthrie County. My sister lives near Dexter, which is in the SW corner of Dallas County. I live in Polk County, which is to the east of Dallas County.

This 1911 map shows places Leora lived from her girlhood. She was born in the county in 1890. Her family also lived in Audubon County, just west of Guthrie, near Larland. She rode a horse to piano lessons in Audubon, attended sewing school in Exira, just south of Audubon.

Leora Goff married Clabe Wilson at her folks’ home at Wichita, above the T in Guthrie. They first met and also lived near Monteith when they were first married.

There are several stories in Leora’s Early Years set in Stuart, in the SE corner, along the Rock Island railroad. You can see where the branch train, affectionately called the Liza Jane, between Menlo and Guthrie Center.

Leora!

Leora Goff Wilson lived in Guthrie Center for four decades after the war. I have a soft spot for that town, for the whole county after visiting my cheerful and tenacious grandma there dozens of times and learning the stories of her growing up years and early years of marriage.

I’m grateful that her stories are more easily available in her own home town.