Eliza McCardle was born in Telford, Tennessee back in 1810 to John and Sarah.  After her father’s death, she moved to Greenville, Tennessee with her mother.  She was attending Rhea Academy when she spotted Andrew.  The attraction was mutual.  They married in 1827, she was 16 and Andrew was 18.  She was educated and taught Andrew how to read and write, as he had never attended school.  Andrew was a tailor when they married but he had dreams of entering politics.  She supported him in that endeavor.  However, she had tuberculosis so she stayed out of the limelight as much as possible.  Her husband died in July of 1875, she passed in January of 1876.What you may not know about Eliza McCardle Johnson is that her husband was Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States.Your day is... 12/25/2020

Pierre Jules César Janssen was born in Paris, France back in 1824 to Antoine and Pauline.  He studied mathematics and physics, at the University of Paris.  After graduation, he taught at Lycée Charlemagne.  His interests were in astronomy, so he devoted most of his life to observation of solar eclipses.He travelled to several locations to observe eclipses.  He was in Paris in 1870 during the Siege of Paris, he escaped in a balloon.  He died in Meudon, France in 1907, he was 83.What you may not know about Pierre is that he was noted for inventing the Revolver of Janssen which was the precursor of the motion picture industry.  He is also noted for discovering helium.Your day is worthwhile when you make someone smile, so give the free gift of a smile today    11/30/2020

George Fredrick Ives was born in Brighton, England back in 1881, he helped his father in his workshop until 1899.  In December of that year he joined the British Army fighting in the Boer War.  He saw action with the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa.After the war, he moved to Canada in 1903 where he purchased 160 acres of land for the vast sum of ten dollars.  He tried to re-enlist during WWI, but was rejected due to a heart murmur.  In 1910, he married Kay Nelson, the couple had three sons and three daughters.  Not satisfied with farming he moved to White Rock, British Columbia.  He worked in a shipyard building wooden scow for another 15 years before retiring in 1956.What you may not know about George is that he was the last surviving veteran of the Boer Wars, he died in 1993, he was... 11/09/2020

William Michael Broad was born in Stanmore, Middlesex back in 1955.  When he was two years old the family moved to Patchogue, New York.  Four years later the family moved back to England settling in Dorking, Surrey.  The family moved several more times when he attended Worthing High School for Boys. In 1975, he attended the University of Sussex where he wanted to get a degree in English.  He only stayed one year.  Music was his calling and I can say he was right.  In 1981, he moved to New York City where he became a solo artist.  He has been nominated for the Grammy Award for three different songs, but has never won.While you may not recognize his given name, surely you know his stage name “Billy Idol”?Your day is worthwhile when you make someone smile, so give the free gift of a smile ... 10/20/2020

Zhang Heng was born in AD 78 in Xi’e, China.  He lived during the Han dynasty, educated in the capital cities of Luoyang and Chang’an.  He began his career as a minor civil servant in Nanyang.  He worked his way up to become the Chief Astronomer, Prefect of the Majors for Official Carriages.He was appointed to the Palace Attendant at the imperial court in 112.  He died in139, he was 61.  I could write a novel about him, but you know me.  Let’s cut to the chase.What you may not know about Zhang is that he was also an inventor.  He invented the world’s first seismoscope which discerned the cardinal direction of an earthquake for 310 miles away.  He also made improvements to the clepsdra (a timekeeping device used then) by adding an additional water tank.However, his greatest invention was... 10/10/2020

Shirley Ann Mount was born in Denver, Colorado back in 1925.  Her father worked in construction during the Great Depression.  In 1945, she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Mexico.  She continued her education with a Bachelor of Laws in 1949 for Stanford Law School.She graduated at the top of the class but had difficulty in finding employment at the time which was dominated by males.  She eventually made her way to the Attorney General’s Office in California where she served as Special Legal Consultant to the Attorney General.  She was appointed to the Los Angeles County Superior Court.  In 1969, she was appointed Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeals.  She died in 2016, she was 90.What you may not know about Shirley Ann Mount... 10/08/2020

Patricia Louise Holte was born in Southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Henry and Bertha back in 1944.  When she was twelve her parents divorced. She attended the Beulah Baptist Church where she sang in the choir.  While attending John Bartram High School she won a talent competition.As they say, the rest is history. She became a local hit and was invited to American Bandstand. By 1963, she had signed with King Records, where she stayed for two years.  In 1965, she signed with Atlantic Records in 1965, she was dropped by Atlantic records in 1970.From 1970 to currently she has signed with several different recording agencies. She participated on the 20th season of Dancing With the Stars.  She is still active and performs to sold out audiences. Have you figured out who I’m writing about... 08/28/2020

Charles Hardin was born in Lubbock, Texas back in 1936 to Lawrence and Ella.  Due to the Great Depression, the family moved several times.  When he was eleven he started taking piano lessons switching just after nine months to take up the guitar. He graduated from Lubbock High School in 1955.  He decided to pursue a full-time career in music.His first live performance was the Grand Ole Opry as an opening act for Elvis Presley.  In 1956, he was signed by Decca Records.  He was not happy with the way he was treated at Decca, later signing with Brunswick Records in New York City, New York.  His first hit was in 1957, which shortly afterwards were followed by two more.  He died in 1959, he was twenty-two.Kathy Streib, I’m sure you’ve figured out who I’m writing about today, but for those of... 08/20/2020

Hershel Woodrow Williams was born in Quiet Dell, West Virginia back in 1923.  His father died when he was 11.  He worked as a truck driver for the W.S. Harr Construction Company in Fairmont, West Virginia, and as a taxi driver. When Pearl Harbor was attacked he was in Montana working as a Civilian Conservation Corps enrollee.He was short 5’6” and tried to enlist in the Marines.  When the height regulation was changed he successfully enlisted in the Marine Corps reserve in Charleston, West Virginia in 1943.  After recruit training, he saw action at Guadalcanal, and the Battle of Guam.  His next and last campaign was at Iwo Jima.  It was there where the enemy pinned down tanks trying to open a lane for infantry.  Pinned down by enemy fire he and some other fought their way to the pillbox ... 07/29/2020

Marjory Ford was born in New York City, New York back in 1898 to Albert and Virginia.  She attended school in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York.  Still in her teens the family moved to Hartford Connecticut where she dropped out of school to pursue a career in acting.  Her debut on Broadway was in the play, Hell’s Bells, opposite Humphrey Bogart in 1925.What can I say, the rest is history?  From there she was the lead female in the comedy Three Men on a Horse from 1935-1937.  She had roles in The Philadelphia Story, My Sister Eileen and Tomorrow the World. She also was active in radio series Duffy’s Tavern.  She earned her first Tony Award for Goodbye, My Fancy, her second one for Come Back, Little Sheba, also receiving an Academy Award for the same movie.  In 1957, she won the Sarah Siddons ... 07/13/2020

James Augustine Healy was born in Macon, Georgia back in 1839 to Michael and Eliza.  He attended school in Flushing, New York before attending the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.  He was valedictorian of the college’s first graduating class in 1849.  After graduation, he wanted to enter the priesthood. He continued at the Sulpician seminary in Montreal, in 1852 he transferred to Saint Sulpice Seminary in Paris.  In 1854, he was ordained at the Norte Dame Cathedral in Paris as a priest to serve in Boston, Massachusetts.When he returned to the United States he became an assistant pastor in Boston, leaving for Portland, Maine in 1875.  He served as Bishop there for 25 years.  He oversaw the establishment of 60 new churches, 68 missions, 18 convents and 18 schools.  J... 07/09/2020

Paul Percy Harris was born in Wisconsin to George and Cornella back in 1868.  When he was three the family moved to Vermont where due to hard finical times he lived with his paternal grandparents.  He attended Black River Academy in Ludlow, but was expelled because he was a prankster.  Apparently, he wasn’t fond of school because he attended the University of Vermont and was expelled from there also.After the death of his grandfather he moved to Des Moines, Iowa where he studied law at the University of Iowa graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 1891.  However, for the next five years he worked odd jobs; for a newspaper, a salesman and on a fruit farm.  In 1886, he moved to Chicago where he remained for the rest of his life. He worked as a lawyer for 40 years in the Chicago area.  He di... 06/14/2020

Elizabeth Schuyler was born in Albany, New York back in 1757 to Philip and Catherine.  Her mother taught her to read and sew.  It is said she was somewhat of a tomboy growing up.  she accompanied her father one to the meeting of the Six Nations.  Once Benjamin Franklin visited the family while he was traveling. In 1780, she went to her aunt’s home in Morristown, New Jersey where she met Alex.  The attraction was immediate.  In December of that year they were married.  In January of 1781, Alex was off to serve in the military.  All in all, the union produced eight children, the last one born in 1802.  Alex died in 1804, she never remarried.  After his death, she defended him against his critics including James Monroe.  His works and writings can be found at the Library of Congress.  In h... 05/30/2020

Frances Ethel Gumm was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota back in 1922 to Francis and Ethel.  The family moved to Lancaster, California in 1926.  In 1928, she enrolled in a dance school.  Apparently, she was good at what she did as she performed with her sister around the United States.  The group broke up in 1935. Just before the breakup Burton Lane watched them perform at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Los Angeles, she appeared at the request of Louis B. Mayer to sing, once she had finished he was immediately hired by the MGM Studios. As they say the rest is history.She was active from 1924-1969, a total of 45 years.  She died at 47.  During her career, she stared in many films, Broadway hits and regular guest appearances on TV. While you may not recognize Frances by her birth name, you... 05/14/2020

Eliza Ann Grier was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina back in 1864 to George and Emily.  Moving to Nashville, Tennessee she studied teaching at Fisk University.  She continued her education at the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania attending from 1890 to 1897. After graduation, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.  After just four years of private practice she fell ill and had to close her practice in 1901.  She moved to Albany, Georgia where she died in 1902, she was 38.What you may not know about Eliza is that she was the first African-American woman licensed to practice medicine in the State of Georgia 04/29/2020

Who says real estate doesn’t pay?Colvin Gravenor was born in Bridgewater, England back in 1910.  The family moved to Winnipeg, Canada.  The family was abandoned by his father shortly after arrival in Winnipeg. He moved to Montreal in the late 1920’s.  Following WWII, he helped lead Montreal’s Non-Sectarian Anti-Nazi League, sponsoring refugees fleeing the European Theater.  He was one of the few non-Jews to participate.In 1956, he bought Nun’s island from the Catholic Church for $5,000.00 cash and another S100,000.00 due in 90 days.  As the deadline approached he was going to lose the investment when then Canadian prime minister Louis St-Laurent announced the construction of the Champlain Bridge from Montreal to Nun’s Island.  For a $105,000.00 investment, he pocketed about $2,000,000.0... 04/16/2020

Ernest Goüin was born in Tours, France back in 1815 to Édouard and Ernest.  Educated at the Ecole Polytechnique.  He joined the military in 1836, resigning as a Major.  He studied engineering in England, before returning to France.He was placed in charge of monitoring the construction of locomotives at the workshops of Sharp Brothers in Manchester.  In 1846, he started his own company constructing locomotives.  When the economic depression hit the next year, he was forced to diversity to manufacturing structural metal bridges, the first one in France to build a bridge in Asnières-sur-Seine.  He died in 1871, he was 69.What you may not know about Ernest is that his name is but one of the 72 names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower.Your day is worthwhile when you make someone smile, so give th... 04/06/2020

Glenna Maxey was born in Lubbock, Texas back in 1939.  She graduated from the Monterey High School in Lubbock.  Continuing her education at Colorado College followed by other classes at the Art Students League in New York.  In 1983, she moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Her art appears in many places as well as her sculptures.In 2007, she suffered a fall and a head injury.  It is not known if she fainted or had a stroke.  Later that same year she recovered and from what I understand he is still alive and well.What you may not know about Glenna Maxey Goodcare is that she is best known for having designed the obverse of the Sacagawea dollar in 2000, and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C.  She also designed the 8-foot standing portrait of Ronald W. Regan at the Regan Library an... 04/03/2020

Rickman John Godlee was born in Upton, Essex, England back in 1849, to Rickman and Mary. After graduation at Tottenham, he continued his education at the University College, London graduating with a B.A.  After that, he received him medical degree from the University of London, winning a gold medal at both is Bachelor and Master of Surgery examinations.He was appointed assistant surgeon at Charing Cross Hospital, later he was appointed to surgeon at Brompton Hospital, London.  In 1885, he moved to University College Hospital as Emeritus Professor of Clinical Surgery.  He also served as President of the Royal College of Surgeons from 1911-1913 and of the Royal Society of Medicine from 1916-1918.  He died in 1925, he was 76.What you may not know about Sir Rickman John Godlee, 1st Baronet ... 03/31/2020

Conrad Gessner was born in Zurich, Switzerland back in 1516 Ursus, sorry no mention of the mother.  His early life was one of poverty and hardship, however he showed early talents.  He attended the Carolinum in Zurich and later moved to the Fraumunster seminary.  He studied classical languages, appearing in a play when he was only 15.He impressed his teachers so much they sponsored him to further his education.  He was sent France, attending the University of Bourges and the University of Paris.  He is described as a Renaissance polymath, a physician, philosopher natural historian and an illustrator.  After graduation, he taught Greek at the Academy o Lausanne, he was only 21.  He stayed only three years before attending medical school at the University of Montpellier where he received ... 03/13/2020