Mrs. Ernest Powell and the Hartshorn Home Economics Club

The Hartshorn Home Economics Club of the 1940s was part of the County Extension Service. Hartshorn, in Texas County, Missouri is an Ozarks farming community. Members of the club were women who lived in the area and met regularly to discuss topics and share ideas to make their lives as homemakers easier. They took on special projects to help those in need, primarily poor children in the vicinity. One of the most active members at that time was was my great-grandmother, Julia Mildred (Davis) Powell. You'll see her mentioned in the newspaper articles below as Mrs. Ernest Powell.

Julia died in 1963, three years before I was born. If I could travel back in time to meet one of my ancestors, she is the one I would first like to meet. And I would love a chance to sit in at some of the Hartshorn Club meetings of her time. 

Julia was born, lived and died in the community of Hartshorn, Missouri. Besides her involvement in the Hartshorn Club, she was a 4-H leader, worked as Postmaster and grocer (both were in the same building), helped her husband on the family farm and raised eight children. Born in 1894 to Joe and Clemmie Davis, Julia was brought up on her parent's farm. She learned from her mother the basics of home economics and was already a capable homemaker when she married Ernest Powell in 1919. By 1939, when she begins appearing in news articles with the club, she has more than 20 years of experience to share with the other members. She also still has 7 children at home, the youngest one only 3 years old, and these meetings would also allow her some welcome adult time with her female friends.

Julia (Davis) Powell, far left, photographed in about 1920-1921
with Helen Farrow, Cory Hensley, and her younger sister Alta Davis. 

In November of 1939, the group spent the afternoon discussing Club work. The next meeting would feature a demonstration on making home-made toys for children.

23 Nov 1939, The Houston Herald, Page 2

Julia hosted an all-day meeting on January 2, 1940. Unfortunately, bad weather kept the attendance low that day as the group worked making undergarments for the children of unemployed parents. They also reported that a completed quilt had brought in $10.05 at a raffle, the money to benefit children in need.

11 Jan 1940, The Houston Herald, Page 4

The next mention of Julia in a club article was regarding the meeting on March 5th, 1940, where the group worked on piecing a quilt.

21 Mar 1940, The Houston Herald, Page 4

The June 18th meeting was again hosted by Julia. Roll call was answered by "Courtesies that should be taught to children in the home." Followed by the making of fly traps and plans for the next quilt to benefit the cemetery.

4 Jul 1940, The Houston Herald, Page 6

The May 20, 1941 meeting was also held at the Powell home and fly traps were once again on the agenda. 

29 May 1941, The Houston Herald, Page 7

On October 6, 1941, Julia hosted a meeting to add new members and elect officers for the following year. The meeting was closed by singing "The Little Brown Church in the Vale."

16 Oct 1941, The Houston Herald, Page 3

The meeting on October 21, 1941 was opened with a roll call answered with "How to Avoid Home Accidents."  The ladies pieced a quilt for Mrs. Smith, the hostess, and Julia reported on Achievement Day.

30 Oct 1941, Page 7

A training meeting on December 1st, 1941 was held for Extension Club officers, including Mrs. Ernest Powell, Vice-President of Hartshorn Club.

25 Dec 1941, The Houston Herald, Page 6

Articles about the Hartshorn Club continued after this one, but I didn't find another where Julia was mentioned by name. She may have stepped back for a time, or just not been as active, because of so much happening in her family. She had three sons serving in the war, one daughter had just been married and two more soon would be wed. I do know that she stayed involved in the community and maintained many friendships for the rest of her life. My mother once told me that her grandmother Julia's funeral had the highest attendance of any funeral ever held in Hartshorn. That speaks volumes about her character, doesn't it?

Newspaper articles found on Newspapers.com.