Frances Busch

Frances, Dick and Emma Ritterbusch Busch's first child, was born June 25, 1898. She lived with her family in Illinois until their father, Dick, moved the family in 1918 to Mountain Home, Missouri. She remained there.
 

Frances (seated) with her siblings in 1915

Sisters Mable and Frances demonstrate their experiences in a recent trip to Hawaii in 1950.

As a teenager faced with moving away from her friends in Illinois, Frances talks to her diary.

"March 23, 1913 - Easter Day
"Well I have decided not to be in the contest. Last Fri. morning I went over to Uncle Hermans. Edwin was confirmed that Sunday. I went to New Holland with him and nearly froze my feet. It was so cold. I had a fine time though - I believe it was the best time I ever had over there - I don't mean in New Holland but in Mason City. I came back Monday noon.

"Aunt Minnie sent all the kids a present. She gave me a big cream candy Easter Egg with two birds on a nest. I don't know whether to keep it always or to eat it and get the good of it. This isn't a very pretty Easter Day. It rained and stormed all last night and this morning. Easter is so early this year that I didn't get a new hat and coat. I did get a new dress. A blue silk. It is awful pretty - but it is too cold to wear it today.

"I must get my Latin and Algebra for tomorrow. Then I am going down to Ladies. I wonder where I will be, and what I will be doing next year on this day. Maybe I will be far away from here - away from all my dear friends, away from all the good times I am having - way, far away on a farm in Arkansas. I am sure that we are going for Papa keeps talking about it all the time. I think he is going this spring."  - - - exerpt from the diary of Frances Busch at age 15

Dick did move his family to Mountain Grove, Missouri, in 1918, where Frances continued to live.

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