John Kalec
The following story by John Kalec was sparked by Carole Kennedy Robeson’s tale about an old gentleman bachelor who lived on Walker Street in Braidwood. My sister, brother, and I delivered newspapers to the Kalec house in the 1950s and 1960s. John has been a friend of mine since the Braidwood days and has given me permission to share this story.
My Mom and I thoroughly enjoy your Braidwood stories, and last week I was in Braidwood with my Mom and read Carole’s story of “Mr. Davy.” Several memories came back including research I had done for my Dad years ago about Davy Nelson, whom your story is about.
Who was Davy Nelson?
If you recall, my Dad was born in 1923 on Division Street and lived just through the field from Davy. As a boy he would often visit with Davy Nelson and he would always share a bowl of soup with my Dad. He said it was the best beef barley soup he ever had.
He described Davy as someone who was always in his long underwear, not the cleanest house, but a really nice guy. In fact he had a hole in the floor board which was convenient for spitting….another memory my Dad shared.
Not Just the Soup
My Mom told me last week that in addition to the soup, my Dad would visit for likely two reasons. My Dad’s father passed away suddenly, one month before my Dad was born. This traumatic event was a direct link to my Dad’s stuttering which is something he never was able to overcome. However, when a stutterer is in a one-on-one situation, sometimes it is easier to speak.
And the fact that my Dad may have been seeking out a father figure may have brought him to Davy’s house. We will never know for sure.
Davy’s Family
The following information is all readily available on Ancestry.Com and maybe there lies a clue in finding the origins of your orchid cup and saucer.
Davy was born in 1879 in Braidwood on School Street. According to the 1900 census he was already living in the home on Walker Street. (there are no US Census records from 1890). Robert and Ellen were his parents; his father was Scottish and mother was Irish and their home was owned outright, with no mortgage. They immigrated to America in 1874 and it appears moved straight away to Braidwood. Robert was born in Canada and Ellen was from Illinois. Davy had a sister Nellie who was born in 1884. She was a dress maker, like your mother.
Davy’s Jobs
Davy held several jobs including as a RR worker for the Chicago & Alton, coal miner, ditch digger, and at the paper mill. He attended elementary school through the 3rd grade, never married, and stated that the value of the home on Walker Street was $1,000 in 1930 and $300 in 1940. (guessing the impact of the depression?)
Enough for now, hopefully a few more pieces to your puzzle. I am constantly searching for clues to my Dad’s life and maybe this is another one? I found a treasure-trove of information about his life-long attempt to overcome the issues with his speech…if you have any interest I can share with you.
All the best, heading to Denver later this week to visit our son and his family.
John Kalec
Braidwood Beginnings 