already won their emancipation, or had been thrust out by Mother, or by circumstances, to make their way in the world; while the younger children without their good example, were left to shift for themselves. But fortunately for them, and in all probability for the fate of the farm, the economic condition of the family by this time had become more hopeful, so that the responsibility which rested upon the younger brothers was not so great. Perhaps a greater blessing for these younger members of the family was, that in these later years Mother had more time to give to her children. Mother, too, had grown wiser with the years, and by the time the younger children were old enough to take notice, Mother had already tested most of the promises of God, and in spite of her increased infirmities, she had developed a faith and serenity which made her influence powerful with all those who came in contact with her, not only in the home but in the entire community. Jason, like his brother, Clayton, went west to find his life’s partner. In fact Fred, who is sometimes accused of being the matchmaker of the family, sent his two younger brothers west ostensibly to get an education, but actually to find wives if they were lucky enough to make the right choice. This they did, courting Nelle and Edith Rankin, daughters of John A. Rankin of Greely, Colorado, and granddaughters of David Rankin of Tarkio, Missouri, the largest corn growing and cattle feeding farmer in America in his day. This venture proved a complete success, since these United Presbyterian girls, carefully trained and educated, have added considerably to the family’s good fortune and prestige. The day that Clayton and Jason brought their brides back to the old home was another one of the red letter days in the history of the farm. For a short time, at least, things took on that flair that Father and Mother liked. Fred, as usual, played his part, by arranging to have the Pennsylvania Railroad, stop one of its crack trains at Selma, so that the newly weds would not have to undergo the razzing of the younger set had they gotten off at Cedarville. Sister Clara was at the farm at the time, and had prepared a wonderful supper, after which about forty young people came to spend the evening. This was followed by a whole week of visiting, with more feasting, after which Clayton and Edith settled down for their many years together on the farm, while Jason with Nelle 32
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