Active social and political lives
CHARLES AND CLARAS’ DAUGHTER REMEMBERED THE STORIES
Edna Frances Link (Jones), Charles and Clara’s daughter, wrote about stories her father and mother told of parties, singing schools, spell downs, cipher downs and debates. This active lifestyle shows that there were time for many things in addition to the work of farming. The Link family members were also singing enthusiasts. The Mennonite Church had a rich history of encouraging singing, usually to piano. However, support for other musical instruments would later put Charles at odds with his faith’s doctrine.
The Berkeys and Links shared in common a support for the Republican Party. Edna Frances Link (Jones) remembered C.U. describing what it was like to be a young Republican supporter during the election of 1884.
"Young people then were very enthusiastic and had good times on election years. There were great rallies and parades," she said of her father’s memories," with decorated wagons.
"The girls, dressed in white, rode in the wagons. The men wore hats denoting their party. After the election there was a big bonfire and the hats of the defeated party were burned.
"Mother [Clara] was able to save my father's hat during the election campaign for Blaine and Logan vs. Cleveland and Hendrick. This helped them become friends."
- Edna Frances Link (Jones)
Politics were intense in the 1884 election, according to C.U.'s story. Edna Jones wrote, when Clara was still living, about a recollection of her mother illustrating the rivalry.
"Mother remembers one Democrat lady who tried to prevent her Republican husband from voting by locking him upstairs. But he got out through the window and went to town and voted."