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Introduction Josephine Louise Lienesch was born on June 29, 1899 in O'Fallon, Illinois. She was raised on a farm several miles southwest of O'Fallon, along with her twin sister, Gertrude, older brother, George Fischer, and younger brother, Fred (Louis Frederick). Josephine's father, George Washington Lienesch, was 34 at the time of her birth, and her mother, Louise Mary (Fischer) Lienesch, was 29. The farm was located at the intersection of two roads, called Walnut Corner for the many walnut trees in the area. When the twins were born, Grandpa and Grandma Lienesch (Josephine's paternal grandfather and his fourth wife), lived on the farm next door. In about 1902, Grandpa and Grandma Fischer (Josephine's maternal grandfather and his second wife), came and stayed with Josephine's parents and their family for about a year or year-and-one-half. A large, upstairs bedroom was added for them in the Walnut Corner house. In about 1904, Grandpa Fischer had a house built at 110 West 7th Street in O'Fallon, which was in the family until about 1988 and is still an attractive home.

Early childhood In their early years, Josephine and Gertrude played around the Walnut Corner house and farm. Although not much history is known, Josephine later recalled that as children they would look for thick chunks of glass from broken canning jars, which they would suck on, pretending it was ice. Luckily, they didn't get hurt. Josephine also recalled that on two occasion she fell out of the barn's hayloft. At age three a fall resulted in a fairly severe concussion. Another time, when she was a little older, she fractured an arm. A lighter story from their childhood was on a day when their mother had them dressed up to go meet their father, who was returning from a trip by train. After their mother had dressed the twins, she said, "Go sit on the porch while I get ready." But the roof of the chicken house had recently been tarred, and their older brother George had heard the Uncle Remus story of The Wonderful Tar Baby. So George got the tar bucket and began putting tar all over the twins to make his own tar babies. Upon hearing the screaming and finding the twins covered, their mother hung a sheet from the upstairs window, which was the signal to Aunt Ada from the next farm east to come and help. Josephine later said that Aunt Ada had scrubbed them furiously with kerosene to get the tar out of their hair. They were quite late to meet the train.   The World's Fair In 1904, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, more commonly known as the 1904 World's Fair, was in St. Louis, Missouri, about 20 miles from O'Fallon. Often referred to as the Great Exposition, this fair was unequalled in the history of World's Fairs. It had more exhibits and more acreage than any other, even to this day. The twins' father did not want to take them to the fair. He said they'd just be taking those two little girls to the bathroom all day. But Grandpa Fischer said this was a once in a lifetime experience, and they must take the girls at least once during the summer. Josephine and Gertrude attended the fair with their parents and their brother, George. Since they were only about 5 years old at the time, their memories were limited. But they did remember the much talked about primitive Phillippino Igorot tribe (who wore very skimpy clothing). And they remembered a wheat threshing demonstration, where they were amazed that the wheat stood back up after being "cut" (it was actually just a simulated cutting, and the wheat stood back up in preparation for the next demonstration). The family had a gondola ride on the lagoon. Georgie's hat blew off and the gondolier "chased" the hat as the wind blew it across the water, thus giving the family a longer than usual boat ride. As an aside, in 1987, Josephine and Gertrude were filmed with some of the recolletions of the fair, and are on a video tape titled, "I Was There," which was produced by the 1904 World's Fair Society in St. Louis.

Growing up at Walnut Corner In 1905, the twins started school. They walked three miles each way to school in Shiloh, Illinois. That same year, Grandpa Lienesch died. His wife moved to Montana to be near or live with her son. About 1906, Josephine's maiden Aunt, Gertrude (namesake of Josephine's sister), moved in with the family. Aunt Gert had taught school, and through the years often read to the children and helped them with their schoolwork. Aunt Gert said that the nearly 20 years she lived with them were the happiest years of her life. Jo's parents were pleasant, caring, and congenial. When the twins were small, their Dad would rock them and sing. Later, on winter evenings, the family would sit around the dining room table. Probably their mother and Aunt Gert would mend, and their father would read to them, often the classics. Josephine's childhood was a happy time. In 1907, the twin's younger brother, Fred, was born. In 1912 the twins started 8th grade in O'Fallon. They walked nearly three miles each way to school there, too. When the weather was bad, they stayed in town with their maternal grandparents. During those years the twins often attended the Evangelical Church in O'Fallon with Grandma and Grandpa Fischer, where some or all of the services were spoken in German. (In earlier years, the family had attended the Shiloh Methodist Church, the oldest Methodist Church west of the Allegheny mountains.) While the twins were in high school and their early 20s, their classmates and friends who lived in town would get a group together and walk to the Lienesch farm at Walnut Corner on a Sunday afternoon, perhaps as a planned picnic at times.

Entering the working world The twins graduated from high school in O'Fallon in 1917. They spoke of the ten students in their graduating class as "the ten of seventeen." That year, the U.S. entered World War I, so they saw some of their friends join the Army and Navy. After graduating, Josephine became a school teacher at age 18, while still living at home. Her first teaching position was at the public school in Shiloh, Illinois (where she had been a grade-school student). She had forty-five 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students in her classroom. Her brother Fred, who was 8 years younger than Jo, would have been in her class. The principal of the school was the teacher of 7th and 8th graders, but since he needed time to perform the administrative duties, he frequently brought his 20 students into Josephine's classroom, so that she had 65 students. That lasted just one year--no wonder she changed schools! In 1918, Jo's Grandpa Fischer died. Grandma Fischer continued to live in the house at 110 West 7th Street. The house had two large bedrooms upstairs, which were probably rented to one or two of the O'Fallon school teachers from time to time. The year after teaching at Shiloh, Jo taught four years in at the Grassland School, a one-room schoolhouse in the Shiloh Valley, south of Scott Air Base. In 1920, the twins helped form a Bridge Club in O'Fallon that met regularly for 65 years. In January 1922, the twins and their parents were charter members of the Shiloh Valley Grange, an organization of farmers and their families.   Josephine's father dies On February 27, 1922, Josephine's father was to go to Belleville to sit on the jury. Her mother was to have a busy day as well, because there were some men in the area who were working on the phone or electric lines, and farm wives in that area frequently served meals to the linemen (the farmers may have been paid to provide the meals). As Jo's father prepared to leave, he said to his wife, Louise, "Oh, Lou, I'm so sorry to leave you today, 'cause you're going to have a really hard day. I wish I were going to be here to help you." He kissed her goodbye, and walked down the porch steps. Before he could get to his car, he had a sudden massive heart attack and died. After her father's death, Josephine's mother, sister, Fred, and Aunt Gert continued to live at Walnut Corner. After finishing teaching the spring of 1922 at the Grassland School, Jo then she taught one year in O'Fallon, Illinois, in either the first or second grade. Perhaps she stayed quite often with Grandma Fischer.

Love & marriage Josephine may have known Earl Asbury from around town, or they may have met while attending the O'Fallon High School at the same time. He was more than four-and-one-half years older than she, but as a child he had diphtheria and was rather sickly, so he was held back in school a year or more. Earl was, at times, among "the gang" that would hike out to Walnut Corner on weekends. It is likely that dating at that time was often in groups. They would sit around talking, walking in nice weather, playing croquet in summer, participating in school activities such as plays and basketball. (Even the girls played basketball, wearing bloomers and middy "sailor" blouses.) Earl's and Jo's parents were acquainted and perhaps even friends. One family heirloom is a cancelled check from a transaction that is signed by both Earl's father and Jo's father. Earl was in the Army in World War I, and was in the hospital at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, at Christmastime, 1917. During the war, Earl was stationed in California part of the time. He did not have to go overseas. He attained the rank of Sergeant Major, maybe equivalent to today's Master Sergeant. Earl attended McKendree college in Lebanon, Illinois for about a year. He then worked in a store in O'Fallon that sold clothing, shoes, and dry goods. Later, he worked with his father, James William Asbury, in the real estate and insurance business. On April 25, 1922, Josephine's students at the Grassland School were studying their reading. Jo used the free moments to write a letter to her mother, which started with a poem that indicated she and Earl were planning their engagement: My Dear Mother: Would you like to hear a secret. Ah, then I'll tell you one. I know a fine young fellow, Who would like to be your son.   So if the weathers pretty On Wednesday after tea, He'll likely come and ask you, If you will part with me.   Now do not get excited; And of a parting have no fear; For you shall not lose your daughter, At least not for a year.   I believe this form is proper; At least so says the book Of etiquette and manners, Into which this man did look.   On June 23, 1923 Josephine married Earl Asbury. An article appeared in the paper about Josephine's wedding to Earl. In August of that year, Josephine and Earl moved into their first home, a rental house in the north end of O'Fallon. Josephine was excited about the furniture that they started housekeeping with, much of which is still in the family today. Earl's younger sister, Lillian, had married Leslie Bailey from DuQuoin, Illinois in January, 1923, but they had not had a honeymoon at the time. So it was decided the two couples would go together to Ha-ha-tonka Lodge in the Missouri Ozarks. When they left the Lienesch farm, Leslie was driving fast, so when they came to a hump and sudden dip in the road, Earl's head hit the strut in the roof of the car, causing him considerable discomfort for much of their honeymoon. Near the end of 1923, Earl's mother had surgery for a ruptured appendix. She did not recover, and died on January 1, 1924.

A family begins On May 31, 1924, Josephine and Earl's first child, Earl Jr., was born. Just days after Earl Jr's first birthday, the family moved into their second home, which they had built on South Lincoln Avenue in O'Fallon. It is likely that Earl's brother, Elmer Asbury, would have been the carpenter. Sometime during 1924 or 1925 Josephine's mother, her sister Gertrude, and Fred moved into O'Fallon with Grandma Fischer. The Walnut Corner house and farmland was rented out to farmers from that time on. They tried to get Aunt Gert to move into town with them, but she said she had worked so hard on her father's farm (the farm to the south of Walnut Corner), that she deserved to stay there, so she moved in with John and Ada Lienesch (Josephine's father's brother).

Joy and sorrow The late 20s were a time of mixed happiness and sadness for Josephine's family. During 1925, Earl's father suffered a stroke and was paralyzed on one side. He remained bedfast, and lived with and was cared for by his sons. Josephine said that Earl provided the care for his dad when it was their turn to have Earl's father live with them. On Thanksgiving Day of 1926 Grandma Fischer fell over dead at the breakfast table. On August 18, 1927, the birth of Josephine and Earl's second child, James William, brought joy to the family. In 1928, two more deaths occurred: Earl's father and Josephine's older brother, George. George had been working on a farm in southeast Missouri, and had gotten sick while rescuing farm animals from springtime floodwaters. Complications of the sickness eventually took his life. His widow, Cecil (Meyers) Lienesch, and her four children moved to O'Fallon. In the Spring of 1929, Josephine's younger brother, Fred, was murdered in East St. Louis, Illinois, while returning home from flying lessons in Granite City, Illinois. The killers were later apprehended, were convicted, and served long jail terms. Josephine's mother was taken quite ill for several months following Fred's death, probably a combination of grieving and sickness (she had a streptococcus infection that they thought she had picked up while visiting Fred at the hospital). At one point, Josephine's mother was delirious with sickness, and the family said, "Oh! We can't lose her, too!" In the summer of 1929, Jo's sister, Gert, accepted a teaching position in Monticello, Illinois near the Champaign/Urbana area. Someone needed to be with Jo's mother, so Josephine and Earl and their two boys moved in with Josephine's mother in the house at 110 West 7th Street. The Asburys rented out their 4 year old house. On April 14, 1930, Josephine and Earl's third and final child, Mary Louise, was born. Later that year, Josephine's sister, Gert, married E. G. Hendricks, a claims adjuster lawyer with the Travelers Insurance Company.

Good years in the early 1930s Jo's husband, Earl, and Gert's husband, E.G., became close friends during the following years, and the families were often together. Jo was happy during those years. In 1935, Josephine was honored as "Worthy Matron" of her Eastern Star chapter in O'Fallon. Jo had been known for her poetic ability throughout her youth, and somewhere around this time, friends began asking her to write special poems or to write new lyrics for popular tunes to be used at club functions, celebrations, church services and other occasions. In 1936, Jo and Earl moved their family back to their home on Lincoln Avenue, and did some remodeling. Earl's brother, Lieu, lived with the family for a time to help with the remodeling. In about 1937, Jo was elected as one of the first President's of the O'Fallon PTA. Josephine's first husband dies On June 4, 1938, Josephine's husband, Earl, passed away. Josephine continued Earl's real estate and insurance business for two years, although she disliked it. Her children would have stayed with their grandmother, Louise, most days after school. The two years following Earl's death were especially difficult for Josephine and her children. But they were assisted and consoled by the closeness of their relatives and friends, particularly the families of Gert and E.G. Hendricks, and Cecil Lienesch. During those years, friends of Dr. Ernst C. Asbury (Earl's older brother), gathered frequently on some farmland he had purchased north of O'Fallon, and helped him build a resort cabin which they called "Doxloj."

Josephine marries again On July 1, 1940, Josephine married Ernst Asbury. Ernst's wife, Nellie, had died April 13, 1938. He had two daughters, Virginia and Ruth Ellen, both of whom had already graduated from high school. Ernst had been the first medical doctor at Scott Air Force Base, taking care of accident victims in 1917 while the base was still under construction. In 1918, Ernst opened a medical practice in New Baden, Illinois. From the time Josephine and Ernst married, Josephine began assisting at the medical office, as receptionist and "nurse," though she had no formal nursing training. She continued in that role until Ernst retired in 1968. Josephine and Ernst shared many years of social activities, participation in community organizations, visits to relatives, and picnics at "Doxloj." On Christmas Eve of 1945, Earl Jr. married Sara "Sally" Carstens. In May 1948, Jim married Bonnalee "Bonnie" Pell. In summer of 1949, Ernst's daughter, Ruth Ellen Asbury Bann, and her husband, Bob, had a child. His nickname was "Little Ernie." At the time the baby was born, Ruth had tuberculosis, and knew she'd have to go to a sanatorium immediately after the child's birth. They had made arrangements for Bob to bring the baby to Jo and Ernst to care for. After one year, Ruth was well enough to be at home, and they took Ernie back at that time, for his first birthday. Josephine wrote a poem about the experience. Ruth and Bob subsequently had three more sons. Ruth died about several years later. Bob Bann and his second wife, Betty, are still close to the family. During the late 40s or into the 50s, Josephine was President of New Baden, Illinois Women's Club. Also while in New Baden, Josephine was active in the New Baden Methodist Church. She served as Superintendent of the Sunday School and taught a women's Sunday School class for a number of years. In June of 1955, Jo's daughter, Mary Lou, married Gerald Fochtmann. From 1955 through 1957, Josephine served as President of P.E.O. Chapter HR in Belleville, Illinois. Returning to O'Fallon In 1968, Ernst retired after 50 years as a medical doctor, physician, surgeon, and obstetrician. In 1969, Gert moved back to O'Fallon, after the death of her husband. That fall, Ernst and Jo also moved to O'Fallon, into a subdivision that Ernst had developed in the mid-50s. A month later, Jo and Gert's mother, Louise, turned 100. She passed away in 1972 at age 102. Ernst died several years later, in 1975.

85th Birthday On June 30, 1984, the family held an 85th birthday party for Gertrude and Josephine at Fisher's Restaurant in Belleville, Illinois. The next day the Asbury relatives gathered for a picnic in the O'Fallon park. In 1986, the twins finally moved apart. Gert moved to Champaign, Illinois, with her daughter, Jody Moeller, in August. In September, Jo moved to an apartment at Friendship Village in Chesterfield, Missouri, near her daughter, Mary Lou Fochtmann. In 1989, in celebration of Jo and Gert's 90th birthday, a party was held in St. Louis, with 50 family members present. Each family member received a lithographed pencil sketch of Walnut Corner as it might have been in 1908, and a booklet of Josephine's poems. Several of Gertrude's watercolor paintings were on display.

Family Reunions Over the years, the families of Josephine, Gertrude, and their sister-in-law, Cecil, gathered at various locations for reunions. Estes Park, Colorado, was a popular reunion location, where the family enjoyed the beauty of natural surroundings at Rocky Mountain National Park and the YMCA of the Rockies. Josephine's twin sister, Gertrude, passed away on November 1, 1993.

Josephine today June 29, 1999 will be Josephine's 100th birthday. Her family will gather to share special times with her. Josephine's common sense wisdom and her caring attitude have been (and continue to be) a source of inspiration for hundreds of relatives and friends.

H a p p y  B i r t h d a y J o s e p h i n e !

You can send an e-mail message that shares your recollections of memorable times with Josephine. Or, write to Mary Lou (Asbury) Fochtmann, 11876 Shallowbrook, St. Louis, MO 63146.