Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Meng, Stabnow, Smith
----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Clark Co., Wis.) 05 Sep 1963
Mrs. Meng not only likes to read, but she finds satisfaction in helping other people to explore the wonderful world of books. At regular hours, rain or shine, you may find her at the charging desk of the city library. She may suggest in a gentle voice, books for varied interests; for children, an exciting story; a mystery for someone who wishes to whet his wits; statistics and information for the scholar who plumbs the depths of knowledge.
Her name was Esther Stabnow; although she was born in Hecla, South Dakota, her family came here just after 1900, so the really is a Greenwood (Clark Co., Wis.) product. Her home was on the Opdycke farm east of town, and through twelve grades she daily walked the mile each way to school. Her she learned to love books, and read all on which she could lay her hands.
She went back to Hecla after high school and taught there four years. Usually she boarded a mile from the rural school, and again walked each way each day. Salaries were high out west -- $60 per month. Her sister had taught there, and probably encouraged her to teach in the West.
John Meng's family came here in 1904, so the Mengs and Stabnows were well acquainted. John and Esther married, and went out to farm in Montana. After about a year and a half, they settled in Minnesota. About three years later, they moved back to Greenwood, where John set up a barber shop. They kept their Montana farm, however, until fifteen years ago.
The same year, on the 13th of September, the city librarian resigned. The Library Committee asked her if she would help out for "a while." She did, and is still there. Yet she enjoys it. John says that when she comes home after work, she talks most often about the children who have come in to browse and to read. She seems to enjoy them most. But she delights also in meeting and working with adults.
The three and a half block walks seems long on stormy nights, though, after work is done. And it is frustrating to be so cramped for space, since the library had outgrown its space facilities. Stone wall do not have much "give" in them.
The Mengs have one daughter, Frances, who is Mrs. Paul Smith. She and her husband teach in the schools of Las Vegas, New Mexico.
A happy and contented life is a measure of success, but one would both be happy and contented unless things were good. Probably the greatest factor in happiness, says Esther, is found in making others happy. And she seem quite successful in that endeavor, don't you think?
