Kate's Story

Mary Catherine was called Kate like her grandmother Smith, and was the first-born of Lillie and Elmer Smith. She grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, with her family and sisters. When her aunt Anastacia McCardell Minitor died (probably in childbirth) in 1893 the two youngest daughters were sent to live with Lillie and Elmer who adopted the two girls. Kate left school in the 4th grade (age 9) to help care for the two young girls. By the 1900 Census 16-year-old Kate was working as a produce clerk, living at home in Baltimore with her parents, two sisters, and two adopted sisters.

Ammon Ripple (22) and Kate Smith (18) were married January 27, 1902 in Baltimore City by David J. Neely, Minister of the Gospel. Ammon continued to work as a broom maker at S A Ripple & Brothers, while he lived with his growing family at 1028 Maldeis Street, then 614 Brune Street. With some friction between the brothers at the Baltimore factory, it was decided that Ammon as the youngest would move out of the city to farm broom corn and start a second broom factory using "prison" labor. This was a tough transition for Kate, who had only known city life until moving to what had been a tavern in Cheltenham.

Left: the original farmhouse; right: after remodeling and years of living.

The 1910 census lists Ammon (30), wife Mary C, and children Ellsworth, Grace A, and John F as living in the 11th District, Brandywine, near the Cheltenham Station of PBW Rail Road on a farm that he owns. Three borders (Charles Hare, August "Goose" Sevairt, William F Watson) and two laborers (Frances "Frank" Downey, 44, and Edward Richards) are also included in the household. Agnes Gantt, a black woman whose parents had been slaves, was hired to help Kate. Agnes generally refused payment for her work, so Kate would slip money into Agnes' apron pocket. A couple more workers were hired to help with the laundry for the large family.

The 1920 census shows Ammon (40) and Mary C. (36) have seven children (ages 1 to 17) and one lodger, B. Franklin Downey (54). Ammon manages the broom factory while Mr. Downey is a forman there. The family resides in a home on the farm, both of which they own.

Left: Except the doctor, this was only auto in the area. Right: Ammon & Kate, Dot, Kate, Mimi, Grace and their auto.

The 1930 census shows Ammon (50) is still manufacturing brooms at the broom factory on the farm that he owns. All eight children are living at home. Two sons Ellsworth (27) and Franklin (21) work at the broom factory with their father. Frank Downey (65) continues to board with the family and works as corn sorter at the broom factory.

By the 1940 census Ammon (60) and Mary C (56) have four children at home and no boarders: Mary Catherine (29, typist at a wholesale tire office), Doris (23, typist for the Red Cross), Roland (21, broom maker at the broom factory), and Robert (16 in high school). The family continues to reside on the farm raising broom straw and making brooms at the factory, but Ammon has retired.

Vacations were often spent at the beach in Ocean City, Maryland, where time was spent out on the sand, on the boardwalk, rocking in the chairs on the hotel's front porch, or in the restaurants. For a couple weeks each year the entire family moved to the vacation home at South River for some boating, fishing, swimming, etc.

Left: Kate, children and spouses in 1940s; Doris is missing. Right: Kate with children in 1958 (Bob, Roland, Franklin, Ellsworth, Kate, Dot, Mother, Mimi, Grace).

After Ammon's death at home in late 1942 "Kate" continued to live out her life in the house on the farm where she had raised her family of eight children and where the last five children were born. Sundays were a day for family to visit and Independence Day usually saw a family reunion with a large picnic under the sycamore trees followed by fireworks in the evening. Kate never learned to drive, but relied on her daughters to take her where she needed to go. She loved bingo and would play several nights a week. She also enjoyed slot machines which were allowed in southern Maryland restaurants and businesses for awhile. Kate hated hospitals; towards the end her doctor made house calls to check on her. For such a short person she had a commanding personality that did not accept objections, arguments or disobedience. She died quietly at home of old age surrounded by family who loved her dearly.

Mary Catherine and Ammon are buried side-by-side in Lot 131 of the Beechwood Section of Loudon Park Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland. Kate lived ten days past her 90th birthday.