Narrative
August Shield Tisher, is husband of Myrtle May Tucker, and father of Fay Tisher. Fay is Fayetta and Fern's father. So from here on say Dad when I mean Fay. Old note says "Tischers came to Morrow Co. Ohio about 1817. August's father Wilhelm and family settled in Ohio, then later moved to Polk Co, Iowa. August born in Ohio, but as small boy in Iowa until 1902--that year to Del Rapids, S. Dak. 1904 to Marshall Co, S. Dak until 1949.
August was a very good man, honest, hard working. Not loud or boisterous. Dad says they had a good farm business. One paying part was raising large Belgian horses. There was always a good market for them as they were still used then instead of cars and trucks. When the first tractors came into use, dad said the older farmers continued to use the horses til they put in a full day, then used the tractors. To dad that was so foolish. He was all for the new machines. I mentioned to dad (Fay) once that it must have been great to work with the big horses, several to a team. Dad said not, hot, dusty, horses full of gas. Always checking for harness sores, worms, etc. Dad remembers that August never talked hard to any of them, just shake his head and say "You boys, you boys." Asked Vera if August ever spanked or scolded alot. She says only time he ever touched her was when she and sister Carrie were supposed to drive the cows through a field their dad told them to go to, and they decided another field was closer. They got to the gate, August was waiting, letting in one cow at a time. Then Carrie went through and August kicked her in the butt. Vera said she knew she had to go through that gate too, and the same thing happened to her. She said it didn't hurt, just surprise and hurt feelings. Only time she remembers him ever doing anything to punish them. Fay also remembers his dad, August, sitting on the bed crying when Fay was leaving. As dad said, August had worked so hard, and the old way was to pass that on to the sons, and dad was moving on to the machine age. Besides I think dad must have been very dear to August's heart. All his children must have been. Don't get the impression that he was very demonstrative about it. As I wrote in notes at Myrtle's name, August was 40 when he married. As Vera said, that was ok for the older children, but for the younger ones August seemed more like a grandfather than father. Said that to Lyle, and he said no. Dad told of time he was plowing a field, guess to weed out for new crop, and he skipped every other row, thinking it didn't matter. Later there were the weeds every other row, and dad felt so bad. But his dad never said a word about it. Vera said that her dad August never went to town without first shaving, & changing into clean blue & white striped bib overalls, a dress shirt, and sunday shoes. He did this for auctions, going to the bank, anywhere. There were times when the boys had to go and hurry back with something, but if he were going, would have to wait til he was ready. When I talked to Vera, was surprised to find that August did not go to church. He believed in Lord, and would go if any of the children were singing or taking a part, but otherwise had his own Sunday schedule. He did the morning chores, changed into clean clothes, and read the full weeks newspapers. They were saved each day until Sunday, when he sat by the window and read them all. August enjoyed the children's band. He is the one that had them learn. Carrie played piano, Vera the sax, Fay the trumpet. And whenever visitors came, August had Vera sing "Whispering Hope". Vera had a lovely voice. She tells me now she can't sing at all. That is so sad. Vera said that when At. Pheobe came, always she sang that song for her. Vera also told me an interesting mystery re. At. Pheobe. Where do I put that in? At Vera's name. Look for it, it is interesting. Time came when August and Myrtle lived with Carrie and husband Vern Wampler. Sometime here August fell into an open cellar door. Vera said he never was in good health after that. But always he continued to do what he could. Feeding the hogs was his special chore. After Carrie died, they lived with Louie and Agnes. August died 31 July 1949. Myrtle lived 26 years without him. She died 19 Sept. 1975.
August was a gentle, good, dignified man. His family is gathering with him through the years. So far Myrtle, Carrie, Less, Arnie, and Fay have gone. He doesn't have to cry over a child leaving, but welcome them now instead.