Grandpa farmed 120 acres with a John Deere tractor and four mules. He didn't like horses because they ate too much and beside they couldn't do anymore work.
Grandpa owned a Bean and Corn husking machines. They were operated off a drive pulley from the John Deere tractor. They were very dangerous machines with belts and pulleys all over and unprotected. When the proper season rolled around, Grandpa and Uncle Edward (Sedlacek, born October 9, 1891) would make the rounds with the neighborhood farmers. Everyone would get into the process, helping out one another. the best thing about this, was at each Host Farm, the Ladies would really put on a feast, including fried chicken, and all the trimmings and homemade pies.
Grandpa Sedlacek had a wonderful large fruit orchard and vineyard. He had only one sweet cherry tree and Grandma Sedlacek guarded that with all her mighty powers. I remember several times when Brother Edward (Bonjour) and I would try to sneak in and pick a few and would always get caught and punished. From the seven types of grapes, Grandpa would make his wine. One variety of grapes made the best wine and he always knew which one this was. Grandma would always use his best wine to make her mince meat when Grandpa butchered. Grandpa knew this but didn't dare say anything because he wanted to continue making his wines.
Now all this excellent fruit and wine, including Grandpa's homemade beer was kept in an underground cellar. Brother Edward and I always had the job to keep the water out of this storage area by using an old-fashioned hand pump. Whenever Grandma Sedlacek wanted something from the cellar-like potatoes, apples or a jar of fruit, she would send Brother Edward or me to get it. I was always afraid because Grandpa's homemade beer was very unstable and when pressure changed in the cellar by opening the two doors -- some of the beer bottles would explode.
Grandpa Sedlacek was an excellent melon grower. Every season, he would head to the field. Every hill was dug down and the hole filled with rich manure and covered up with dirt and the seeds were planted. The water tank in the stockyard was always filled with wonderful watermelons during the growing season.
Every week Grandpa and Grandpa Sedlacek would go into the city of Chesaning for their Lodge meeting. The last word from Grandma Sedlacek was -"now you boys stay away from that Strawberry patch"- Well Brother Edward and I watched the car get out of sight and we headed for the strawberry patch. We were enjoying ourselves until I stepped on the lost rake. The tines were sticking up and I punctured my right foot, putting three nasty holes in it. We didn't dare say anything for two days. By that time, I couldn't walk and Grandma asked "what's the matter with your foot?". Well the truth had to come out and we were punished for disobeying Grandma Sedlacek.
Note: The two following, Louis & Lewis, are the same person
Eugene Bonjour, of Fort Wayne, received news of the death of his father, Lewis (sic) Bonjour, which occurred Monday at Chesasing, Mich. Until three years ago the deceased was a resident of this city having come here many years ago from Germany. He was 73 years of age. The following children survive: Louis, Ernest, Eugene and the Misses Sarah, Martha and Ernestine Bonjour.
Louis Bonjour, by his last will and testament, left all his property to his wife, she to keep same in repair and reap all rents and income therefrom. After her death, the property goes to his children - an Allen county farm to his son, Eugene, who is named executor, provided he pays $200 to each of two other sons whose whereabouts are unknown, and $3,000 to a daughter, Mrs. Martha M. Morgan: an Allen county farm to a daughter, Ernestine, who is to pay Mrs. Morgan $1,000, and a Saginaw Michigan farm to a son, Seraphine, who is to pay Mrs. Morgan $500.
Mrs. Celestine Bonjour, aged 84, a lifelong resident of Jackson Township, succumbed to senility and complications this morning about 6:30 o'clock at the home of a son, Eugene Bonjour, in Jackson Township. The son lives on the old Bonjour homestead where Mrs. Bonjour had resided for many years.
Surviving besides the son are a daughter, Mrs. Ernestine Coonrod, 23 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. The body was removed to the Harper Funeral Parlors at New Haven and will be returned to the home of the son Tuesday morning.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 8:30 o'clock at the St. Louis Catholic Church at Besancon. The Rev. L. Nicholas Allgeir will officiate. Burial in the church cemetery.
Fred Bonjour
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