My mother, whose maiden name was Mary Ann Leacock, took an active part in the life of the neighborhood.

An education was scarce in those days.
Even school teachers did not always possess it.

Mother's education was far beyond the average, and the local school board used to require all applicants for teachers' position to be examined by her before they were entrusted with the tender intellects of the pioneer children.
But the love of adventure was in father's blood.

The railroad--the only one I had ever seen--extended as far as Port Byron, Illinois, just across the Mississippi.

When the discovery of gold in California in 1849 set the whole country wild, this railroad began to bring the Argonauts, bound for the long overland wagon journey across the Plains.
Naturally father caught the excitement.