Elder Interview-Elizabeth McLester
Name/Title
Elder Interview-Elizabeth McLesterEntry/Object ID
A.2008.001.275Tags
Needs Accession Sheet, Needs Location, Needs PhotoDescription
McLester, Elizabeth Ann (Benson) Born 6/1/1940 Parents: Theodore and Mayme (Parkhurst) Benson Maternal grandparents: Edward and Huldah (Metoxen) Parkhurst Paternal grandparents: Oscar and Neenah Benson Her dad was from Legend Wood, South Dakota his parents had 8 children. They lived on a farm. Her dad did a lot of different jobs. Then he got a job on the railroad. He worked there quite a few years. She didn’t know grandparents on her mother side. Her grandfather died before she was born. And she was 2 years old when her grandmother died. Her mother went to school in Oneida. Her parents got Married in Milwaukee they lived there for about 1 year, and then they came back to Oneida. Her dad was the town chairmen for Hobart at one time. They use to live just south of the Episcopal Cemetery. Her dad had a big garden, her chores were to pick potato bugs off the potatoes, and they each had a row of plants. They did have electricity and running water. They did their shopping in Breen Bay. Her parents belong to the Methodist Church. About a week before Christmas her dad would go and chop down a tree, they would help trim the tree. They would go to church in the morning. She could remember going Hoyoning with her parents. On the 4th of July they would have a family picnic. Her mother worked at the Northland Hotel for a long time. If someone got sick they would take them to Doctor Hitner in Seymour. She started school at He-Nis-Ra for 1 year. Then she went to stay with her aunt and uncle in Green Bay, she was 6 years old. Then she went to school in Green Bay at Whitney School, then to Washington Jr. High for 1 year, and then back home. When she was in 9th grade back at Washington Jr. High, and then to East High School and graduated in 1959. She got a part time job, by August and then got Married. They moved to Milwaukee to fine a better job, she got a job at Insurance Company. Her husband got a job at Globe Union and a part-time job at the Post Office. They lived there for about 2 years, and then they moved back to Oneida. She started to work at the Head Start Program. The she got a job at the Post Office, for 10 years. After the Post Office she stays at home and babysat her grandchildren. She had 4 children. Her mother use to make corn soup. She does a lot of beading and sewing. She was with the Oneida singer for about 12 years. She has 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Her mother spoke the Oneida language. Her advice to the youth is to stay in school and stay away from drugs and alcohol.Recording Type
Audio/VisualCollection
Elder InterviewsCataloged By
Gerzetich, Courtney (Cottrell)Category
Digital Media