Clara Was A Wrestling Fan

Clara Ziebold Sennott was the perfect grandma. She always had home-baked cookies, she was comforting when you took a tumble out of the red wagon going down the terrace in the back yard, she grew African Violets, and always had time to read a story.

Every morning, Clara, cut up bread and put it in the bird feeder that hung in the Willow Tree in the back yard. After the bread was in the feeder, she tapped on the top of the wooden bird feeder with the saucer, and we went back into the kitchen and watched through the window. There were sparrows, cardinals, and blue jays that came to the Willow Tree for breakfast every morning.  Clara would get upset was when the squirrels would get into the bird feeder. She kept a stick by the back door and she would go running out the door waving the stick telling the squirrels to get out of the bird feeder.

Clara's sewing machine was in the attic at the head of the stairs, it was a Singer that operated with a foot pedal. It was a huge temptation to "sew" and boy did we make a mess a couple of times. It took Clara a long time to untangle the thread and fix the tension.

I was surprised to learn that Clara was a fan of "Gorgeous George" the wrestler. She would watch his matches whenever she could. 

According to the WWE Hall of Fame profile, George Wagner was born in 1915. After a few years as a wrestler he got an idea and created Gorgeous George, "a snooty, platinum blonde villain who draped himself in lace and fur and entered the ring to the strains of 'Pomp and Circumstance'. Accompanied by a manservant who sprayed the ring down with Chanel perfume, George would enrage the audience just by walking into an arena."

George was one of the first to create a persona and quickly became one of the biggest attraction in wrestling. In the 1940's he was the highest-paid athlete in the world. George was a major star through the 1950s and Clara was a big fan. He passed away in 1963. 

George inspired wrestlers that came after him like Ric Flair and Buddy Rogers. He also influenced others like Muhammad Ali, Bob Dylan and James Brown. 

Being a wrestling fan, seemed so out of character for Clara. When Clara's daughter told me about her watching Gorgeous George's matches, I was surprised. It just goes to show that we can all have many varied interests. 

Sources

1. WWE website - https://www.wwe.com/superstars/gorgeousgeorge

Academy of the Visitation Graduation 1909

Graduation Invitation - 1909

Visitation Academy, St. Louis, Missouri

Visitation Academy was founded in 1833 in Kaskaskia, Illinois by the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary. The school moved to St. Louis in 1844. In 1909 it was located at Cabanne and Belt Avenues and there were 183 students enrolled.   

The Class of 1909

Top Row: Marion Bishop, Fort Sheridan, Ill.; Marie Sullivan, Geraldine Collum, Maizie Whyte, Georgia Sullivan of St. Louis. 

Second Row: Clara Ziebold, WAterloo, Ill.; Josephine Dickson, St. Louis; Gail Maguire, St. Louis; Susie Cabanne Goode, Honolulu; Maryzita Cahill, Kansas City.

Bottom Row: Norma Weis, St. Louis; Katherine Degnan, Wilburton, Ok.

Articles from the beginning of the school year refer to thirteen students. Celeste Withers is not listed as a graduate in the articles about the commencement exercises.  

Among the graduates in 1909 was Clara Ziebold, class valedictorian. Clara's scrapbook of her final year at Viz is in the collection of Rick Sennott and provided much of the material for this article. 

Clara Ziebold, 1909

The school year ran from September 8, 1908 to June 11, 1909. Class colors were lavender and white and the class flower was Lavender Sweet Peas. The Class yell was "Lavender and White, Lavender and White Class '09 Out of Sight". The class motto was "Amor Vincit Omnia" which means Love Conquers Everything.

Classes attended by the Seniors included French, Philosophy, Latin, Mathematics, Composition and Music, all taught by the sisters. Occasional musicals, recitals, and dances offered a break from daily studies for the young ladies.

Social events memorialized in Clara's scrapbook include dances for Veil Prophet, Halloween, Valentine's Day, an ice cream social, a St. Louis University football game, flower show, concerts and recitals. The girls were inducted into the Alumnae Association of Visitation Academy in April, 1909 at the Annual Re-union.

Botany Class

At the Church 

 The Story Was Rather Sad

The Tennis Fields

A private Graduation ceremony was held on Friday, June 11, 1909, only parents, teachers, students and the graduates were present. "Miss Georgia Sullivan read the class essay. Miss Marian Bishop, who won the certificate in music, played a piano solo, and a very enjoyable musical program was given by the students." Archbishop Glennon made an address and presented the diplomas and medals.

The text of Clara's valedictorian address was preserved in her on hand in the scrapbook:

Dear Sisters and Companions,

The coveted and earned distinction to speak for my class has been bestowed upon me.

In a certain sense I am proud of it, it is sweet. But I feel the throne pierce through the gathered flower. My words must say farewell, must tell the ending of the beautiful period in which our budding lives have been under a training hand.

In the retreat blind of dangers, weak little girls we have grown in the sunshine of culture, we have tried our minds at modest sciences, Have had imparted to them the dogmas of the highest  that of religious have been taught to see and love in every beauty and event something divine have been urged to duty by sweetest advice and soothing consolation and led from sorrow by the hand of love.

Looking back upon it we catch glimpses of blue skies, sunshiny ripples, green hedged fields, pleasant smiles we hear girls laughter and the sisters words of sweet correction

We must leave it! How blessings brighten as they take their flight. But is our happiness doomed to fade in the sphere of womanhood? Are not the influences of the world all our friends? There are dangers in society we are told beware Into this great unknown may that his open before no we must go alone. With what wisdom shall we choose and with what success shall we engage in the activities that there invite our trial? With what strength  shall we resist the fancies that may steer us into unsafe whirlpools of pleasure? We are encouraged; we are warned by loving words and inspired by fondest hearts. They say "let not your will like faulty air ships be whirled astray, but let it keep firm in the God -given course so love that others grief may be your own. Let adversity work in you its glories. Let you sorrows be wreathed with virtues. Character thus trained will mold others and be perfected according to the words given by your alma mater

Failure will be our own achievement. We will try to held this lesson and by being her true daughters praise our Alma Mater. 

Most beloved and revered teachers, gratitude for the sacred treasures you have given us we express for each in the lines of the poet

Though time her bloom is steeling theres still beyond his act the wild flower wreath of feeling the sun beam of the heart

Let us our dear companions, friends remain and you dear sisters, mothers be to us who bid you all a sad, a sad farewell.

After the ceremonies, Mr and Mrs. J. F. Sullivan, parents of Georgia Sullivan, entertained the class at a dance held at the Normandy Club. 

Sources

1. The Girl Graduate, Her Own Book, scrapbook of Clara Ziebold's senior year at Visitation Academy in St Louis, Missouri. Original in collection of Richard Sennott. 

2. "School Days at Visitation Academy", unidentified newspaper clipping from scrapbook of Clara Ziebold.

3. "Notes from Visitation Acadmey, Cabanne", unidentified newspaper clipping from scrapbook of Clara Ziebold.
4. Unidentified newspaper clipping in scrapbook of Clara Ziebold described the commencement exercises. 

Harry Sennott Marries Clara Ziebold

Society Belle Announces Engagement 

The headline in the Waterloo Times announced the engagement of Miss Clara Ziebold to Mr. Harry Brey Sennott. On Saturday, January 1, 1916, a party was held at the Ziebold house in honor of guests, Miss Marguerite Hubbell of Elgin, IL, Miss Marie Loper of Chicago, and Miss Geraldine Collum of St. Louis. The house was decorated with pink carnations, azaleas and ferns. After an evening of playing 500, luncheon followed. "With the service of the first course guests discovered  little cupids bearing the announcement of the engagement of Miss Clara Ziebold second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Ziebold to Harry B. Sennott only son of Dr. and Mrs. J. S. Sennott of this city."

Clara was active in a number of groups in Waterloo - the sewing club, the Domestic Science Club, the 500 Club to name a few. Members of the sewing club meetings provided the opportunity for Clara's friends to shower her with gifts.

On Thursday afternoon, March 16, Clara's sister in law, Mrs George C. Ziebold hosted the Sewing Club at her home - Whistlecote Farm. "The afternoon was most pleasantly spent at needle work. The guests also enjoyed a number of vocal selections by Mrs. Carlton Ball and Mrs. N Nasseem. At six o'clock delicious luncheon was served by the hostess. The dining room was artistically decorated in honor of St. Patrick Shamrocks, pretty gilt harps, green and white carnations and other emblems of the day were used effectively in ornamenting the luncheon table. The center piece consisted of a large green harp surrounded by carnations. Before leaving the table Miss Clara Ziebold was given a cord and asked to draw it toward her and as she did so the strings of the harp were rent asunder and thru the sides of the harp appeared many beautiful pieces of linen which were showered upon Miss Ziebold, whose marriage to Mr. H. B. Sennott will take place shortly after Easter. The shower arrangement was indeed clever and quite as much of a surprise to the other guests as it was to Miss Clara."

The festivities continued at the home of Mrs. Wallace Mitchell on Saturday, April 8th. The Sewing Club met in honor of Clara.  The guests sewed tea towels for the bride. "A dainty luncheon was served at five o'clock. The decorations were carried out in yellow. Jonquils were used for the centerpiece and the favors and place cards were Easter novelties. At the close of the luncheon an Easter basket of beautiful handkerchiefs was quite cleverly showered upon Miss Ziebold."

The final shower for Clara was a surprise kitchen shower held at the home of Mrs. Roy Gauen who entertained the Sewing Club at her home on the afternoon and evening of Thursday, April 13th.  "The dining room with its table beautifully decorated with pink sweet peas and dainty pink favors made a charming picture. In the center of the table, with a mass of sweet peas grouped around her, was found a miniature bride. Before her, leading from the center of the table, an array of fourteen dainty doll bridesmaids dressed in pink, made their way to Miss Ziebold's place at the head of the table. Covers were laid for fourteen. The hostess served an elegant six-course dinner, which in itself, showed an unusual amount of skill and proficiency in its preparation. Upon leaving the table the bride-to-be was surprised with a large basket containing many useful aluminum gifts."

The Wedding Ceremony

On the evening of Tuesday, April 25, 1916 at 5:00 pm Harry B Sennott married Clara M Ziebold in the parsonage of SS. Peter and Paul catholic church. Harry wasn't catholic so they couldn't marry in the church. The couple, their parents, and the attendants - Miss Evelyn Ziebold and Dr. I.A. Leunig arrived at the residence where they were married.

The bride "was tastefully gowned in an exquisite creation of white tulle hanging from the shoulders. The bridal veil was held in place by a wreath of orange blossoms and she carried a beautiful shower bouquet of brides roses and valley lilies."

Clara's sister Evelyn was her bridesmaid. "She wore white taffeta and silk lace and carried yellow roses."

A wedding feast and reception were held at the Ziebold residence on Moore Street immediately after the ceremony. "The party entered the home to the ever appropriate melody of Lohengrin, played by Miss Pearl Pinkel congratulations were showered upon the happy pair. The Easter colors of yellow and white were the basis of the decorations that adorned the home throughout and festoons of  smilax, Easter Lillies and jonquils made a very beautiful effect. Huge sprays and bouquets of sweet flowers, artistically placed, lent a charming fragrance that mingled with the happy atmosphere. A buffet lunch was served in the dining room; the bride cut the cake over which was suspended a bower of bridal tulle and smilax. The refreshments harmonized in color with the decorations. The entertainment consisted of pretty vocal selections by Mrs. Nazmy Naseem of New York and Mrs. Carlton Ball of St. Louis and numerous instrumental renditions."

The guests included many members of the couple's families - members of the Rickert, Hoffmeister, Pinkel, Brey, Cramer, Voris, Parker, Nasseem, Durfee, Fike, Ziebold and Sennott families all signed the guest book.

The couple traveled to St. Louis and later took the train to Chicago. They were supposed to spent their honeymoon at the Hotel Brevoort; however, they were called home early. Clara's brother George and his wife lost their daughter, Rose Marie.

The couple made their home in Danville, Illinois where Harry was working for the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Sources
1. Waterloo Republican, microfilm of newspapers from 2015-2016.
2. Waterloo Times clippings from the scrapbook of Clara Ziebold Sennott.
3. Autobiography of Harry Brey Sennott.