Saturday, October 17, 1936

A GAME OF EUCHRE IN WHICH THE MEN WIN THREE GAMES TO ONE OVER THE WOMEN

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Cold, cloudy, chilly + damp.

Did usual Sat[urday]s work.

Kate + Bill came about 10 A.M.

Bill went hunting in the woods.

Killed chicken for supper.

We played euchre this evening.

Men won 3 games. Kate + I won one.

Went to Hall and helped do work and clean hall.

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Euchre was a game of choice when I was in college but I don't recall ever keeping score by men vs. women. Euchre is also a game of choice for Edna and Henry. Edna often references playing Euchre in several of her journals. She almost always makes note of how the ladies faired against the men ...sometimes to obvious frustration.

Growing up in Michigan, I was surprised to learn that Euchre wasn't a universally loved and played game in the United States. The strategic card game was fairly popular in the 1800s but, according to a 2018 NPR story, it waned in popularity during the 20th century.

In that interview Jason Boog, a journalist and euchre enthusiast, said euchre remains alive in Michigan because of its connection to a culture of family and friends.

You can listen to the entire NPR story here: https://www.michiganradio.org/post/michigan-buckle-euchre-bel

James Chandler and Eleanor Louisa (Nash) Johnson

Kate and Bill Cosgriff are often mentioned by Edna. Kate (Catherine) is on of Henry's four sisters including Gladys, Jennie, and Lydia. Henry and his sisters are the children of James Chandler Johnson and Eleanor Louisa Nash.

Chandler was a popular name in the Johnson family long before it became part of pop culture thanks to the television show Friends.

James Chandler Johnson and his brothers John Chandler Johnson and William Chandler Johnson are the children of Stephen Johnson and Lydia Chandler.

Using family names were always important to me when selecting names for my own children. Chandler had always been on my shortlist but the popularization of the name by the series Friends knocked it off the list.

My children did end up with family names. Our daughter, Maxine Eleanor was named after my grandmother on my mother's side. Her middle name of Eleanor is in honor of many Eleanors and Leonores in her lineage. Our son, Alden Ellsworth is named after several Aldens in our family including Alden Nash (you will learn more about him later). Ellsworth is my mother-in-law's maiden name. Her only brother passed away before having children of his own. Giving Alden the middle name of Ellsworth allowed us to carry that family name on for another generation.