The Bus Scene

When your child grows to independence and begins to make life choices, it isn’t always easy to stomach. Such was the case for Johanna Donahue Taber and Clara A. Nadolny Fogg. Little snips of stories has led me to believe the two weren’t happy about Howard Steven Taber and Clarissa Alwina Fogg’s union. Well after all what can one do about two young lovers sneaking over to Mohegan Park, in Norwich Connecticut exchanging kisses and planning futures.

Johanna (Granny “O”) was born in Massachusetts, her father to born there and his parents from Ireland. Johanna’s mother was born Ireland.  Clara was born in Connecticut and both her parents born in East Prussia, Germany. Both married men from England, Johanna and Edward, Clara and Harry Fogg. Not unusual but definitely interesting.

I met a woman from Germany and she explained to me that where she was from to call someone Prussian was a derogatory statement. She said people from Prussia were stuck up, stern, stoic, get the picture. Anyway, it was told to me that Clara was a mean one, very strict, and would tell the grandchildren to “Sit on the couch!” as soon as they entered the house.  Little pieces of the puzzle together paints a good picture sometimes.

Johanna and Clara had a huge disagreement about Howard and Clarissa’s relationship. Can’t know exactly what that was but on a Norwich, Connecticut Bus on an otherwise normal day for the bus driver Johanna and Clara met. Imagine getting on the same bus with someone you’re at war with! I don’t know who said the first word or what the spoken words were, or if they consistently spoke the English language, but when tempers fly and it involves the children look out bus driver!

The two burst into an argument that became so disruptive they were put off the bus! 1938 or about that year in the small today but large back then city of Norwich… rumors had to fly! Howard and Clarissa married and had eight children together with or without, and maybe with the blessings of both their mothers.  He bounced around jobs until he finally joined the United States Marines and relocated his family to Virginia.
How does one get the town talking…sneak off to Mohegan Park.

Clara A Nadolny Fogg born 1884 in Connecticut and died 16 April 1964, husband Harry Fogg born England in 1878 and died in Virginia after Clara passed in Connecticut and he moved in with his daughter and only child, Clarissa and her husband Howard. He was taken back to Connecticut to be buried with Clara.