2 James Edson Stermer

   This is the story of James Edson Stermer. 
                                             

                                          
                                                           James at age six

     He was born on April 11, 1904 in Lancaster, Ohio to Alice Saum Stermer and John Ernest Stermer.  They had 6 children.  Five lived.  John Stermer decided he would make more money by working and drilling oil wells than working as a farmer.  He left for Mexico while his wife raised the children.

 

     His children followed his adventurous ways. Thanks to letters written to relatives as well as journals, many of these memories can be shared with the grandchildren and shirt-tailed relations. We start with John Stermer’s letters to his sister, Hattie Piper. Alice, his wife, attended school only through the third grade. Her skill levels in reading and writing were poor.
     We start the story with a letter.

 2 John Ernest Stermer

October 1910
Minatitlan Vera Cruz, Mexico
Mrs. Perry Weaver Lancaster O

Dear Sister and family. 

     I now find myself with time to write you a few lines saying that I arrived at camp Oct 1 after spending about one week in Mexico City.  Found everything here about as I left it, with my job open and waiting for me.  I have been feeling real well since I got back. I have gotten entirely over the affects of the operation.
     I suppose by this time you have had frost there and you will soon have winter again, but believe me “she is some hot here.”  This is the week of the Fair.  Alice said she was going down there. I sincerely hope she and you will enjoy yourselves.
     Say Sis, the thought just came to me while I am writing this.  I think this is the first letter I ever wrote to you, is it not so?  I sent you some post cards on the way down and hope you received them OK.
     Alice wrote me that “Bus” was coming home soon I judged he would be there about Fair time, so I suppose you will have everybody to look after then.
     I just completed a dry hole yesterday and was pulling casing all day today.  Am real tired, so bye.  Wishing this will find you and all the family enjoying the best of health. Sending my regards to all.  I will close and remain respectfully your brother. 
     J.E. Stermer

C/o S. Pearson & Son Minatitlan, Vera Cruz Mexico

4 Yenangyaung, Burma, India

Nov 9, 1911
Yenangyaung, Burma, India

My dear Sister;
     I received your letter of October 7th this evening and am sorry to hear that you had been sick, but hope you are much better now. I cannot complain myself. I am felling very well. There is nothing to do here or no place to go to it is just work, eat and sleep all the time so if a fellow does nothing but that he cannot help but feel good.
     Alice wrote and told me Edna and Earl were up to see her. She also told me about Mrs. Daisy being dead. There seems to be quite a number of the old timers dropping off. I suppose I will not know the old town when I get back there, with all the paved streets, new buildings and new faces in place of the old ones I know. Really I sometimes think I never will see old L. again.
     There is one thing sure. I will never work at my business in the States again because the work is too hard for what money there is in it. I can do much better in foreign countries. As for farming, oh no, none for me! You know I could never hoe potatoes let alone run a farm but Alice is anxious to own a place in the country so if I keep my health and can earn the money she will have it. I am sending her $125.00 every month. And if I had not made a fool of myself and had stayed in Mexico, I could have been sending her more than that by this time.
      Well, about what we have to eat here -- everything comes in cans -- either from England or America. And a fellow gets pretty tired of canned good. We get very few vegetables, a little cabbage and corn in the spring is all. The potatoes are brought from Australia.
     Tell Helen I well send her some more cards as soon as I can get where I can get some. Well Sis, the bugs are about eating me up so I will have to close for this time. Hoping you will not be quite so long in answering.
     With regards to all, I remain respectfully your
      Bro. John

3 On Board the RMS "Baltic"

 

On Board R. M. S. Baltic
March 13, 1911
Mrs. Perry Weaver,
Lancaster Ohio

My dear sister,
     I thought I would take time this afternoon and drop you a few lines. I am writing this on board the good ship Baltic, out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. I am felling very well and have not been the least bit sea sick. Of course you will understand that there is not much to write of here on board ship.
     So by wishing you and your family good health, I will close and remain yours truly,
        
     J.E. Stermer

Envelope shows address 416 N. Maple St. Lancaster Ohio U.S.A.

1 The Stermer Thread

The Life and Times of James Edson StermerThe record of my father's life from notes, letters, research and memories. 

The Stermer Boys in

New Orleans

                                                    


                                      James and John Stermer New Orleans 1928





                           These two inspired future generations to take up canoeing.

 

     Grandson James Hull and Great Grandson Caleb Hull  in 2011

Grandpa would enjoy this!

43 James Edson Stermer Death Notice

44 Bill Neisel

                                           43 Bill  Neisel - Note about Jim

41 Jim at Berea College

     James Edson Stermer began as Assistant Professor of Sociology in Sept 1962. He received commissioned worker status and promotion to Associate Professor in 1965. He retired at the conclusion of the 1970 academic year. Stermer is referred to as Acting Chairman as early as 1963 and was appointed Sociology Department Chairman on March 30, 1968.

     This was the highlight of his employment over the years.   To him, it was the place he believed in.  He believed that each student should work for their own education.  In the 1960’s, for a student to attend, they had to work part time to go to Berea. I do not know if this is still the practice.  He instilled this belief with me. I followed his advice.  While this was difficult to do, it made me appreciate what going to school really meant.

     Dad and Mom left Berea to move to Raleigh, North Carolina. Mary, now a single mother due to divorce, was living there with her family. Mom had had a heart attack and wanted to be near her children. She felt a need to be close to Mary.

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