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Helen Marie Dahlke

Ancestors arrive in Cullman

As I write this I’m thinking of how we are in the middle of another week. My, but it seems time is hastily passing. Does that tell us something?

Such must not have been the case in the time of our grandparents. My grandparents on both sides of the family came from Germany (Rackl and Dahlke). I can recall my Mother’s father telling how on a boat trip to Germany in 1911 he met Mr. Kress. He suggested my grandfather move to Cullman, when he learned due to health problems my grandfather was advised to change climate. People had been known to move to Cullman for their health. Mr. Kress offered to sell him some land.

Having been to Baltimore, Maryland, I can imagine how hard the moving was on the family. They moved in 1914. Here there were only dirt roads and means of transportation was mule and wagon later a spring wagon. Knowing nothing about farming, he did well and raised food for the family too. I can remember seeing pictures of the hogs they slaughtered. They had a smoke house he built, made their own sausage. Mother and her sister were 8 and 6 years old. Their small house was remodeled by Mr. Gasser and was made into an attractive 2-story house. Beautifully cut rocks were used for the front porch columns. The barn, which was recently torn down had the traditional foundation which was exposed using stacked rocks.

These structures were on property just north of Cullman Regional Medical Center. Granddad of course had his vineyard. I can remember the 8’ high chicken wire, around the garden and vineyard to keep the chickens from flying over and getting in the garden.

Dear Primetimer,