Trueman Farmer

1939 to 2010

Born in Rohrer, Illinois, Morgan County, 7th son of four sisters and two brothers, being thirteen years younger made for a lonely farm-boy live. Trueman’s family consisted of many nieces, nephews and cousins too numerous to mention by name. Trueman was named after his father who was born in Finley County, Kentucky. His father was named by a neighbor who was Native American and lived in a log cabin; back when neighbors were what you depended on to survive. His mother, the former Bessie McCracken, was born in Scott County, Illinois. Her relatives could be graced back to Down, Ireland. Robert McCracken, who was born July 4, 1793, was one of the first pioneers. Truman’s ancestors were Irish – Scott mix, immigrant mountain settlers.

Trueman’s grandfather and wife, Frank and Elizabeth Farmer established the Red and White grocery store selling general items from bulk groceries, to dry goods, to block ice cut from local ponds and packed in saw dust (lasted most of the summer). Farm communities used ice boxes and dried and canned foods. Along with the grocery store, they had team horses and wagons that exchanged supplies with neighbors for chickens, eggs, etc. once a month. Most of their customers ran a tab and paid when crops were harvested or bartered.

Trueman’s father and brother, Sammy grew up helping farm grain and livestock, working grain elevator, running post office, etc. as they were located by the C.P. and St. L Steam train railroad water tank. The train traveled to Chicago, Peoria and St. Louis, MO. A leather mailbag (incoming mail) was hooked by a man to the caboose to a devise as the train was slowing for water. Outgoing mail was in another bag on a big hook, the man took it for distribution along the route, ending in St. Lois, MO, and then turned around for the run to Chicago, Ill. Eventually good roads were built during the Depression and trucks replaced trains. Trueman’s father held and told him to remember, the tracks were removed and rerouted to Chicago. In those days, they had large families for labor forces and it kept the mothers very busy.

Trueman started working at the age of nine cutting weeds and odd jobs for 25 cents an hour. This allowed him to buy school books and clothes. Trueman washed dished in the school cafeteria for his lunch in 7th grade until he was a senior in high school. Trueman graduated in 1957 in Waverly, Ill. He recalled two years in country school in Sciota that was a two mile walk in all kinds of weather. You would hold up one or two fingers to be excused to use the outside toilet. Grades 1st through 5th were taught by one teacher. Schools all consolidated 3rd grade at Waverly, Ill. The students rode an old bus to school and mud, snow and tornados were common.

Trueman’s first job was at Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville, Ill. The nurse supervisor asked if he was interested in an orderly job which paid $1.00 an hour and he must provide his own uniform, etc. Trueman said yes as it was time to leave the farm.

His father died in his senior year of high school. Oldest sister was close by to check on his mother. His parents by that time had quit all business activities as they were getting elderly and had many illnesses. He was introduced to the nurse supervisor and the doctors because he spent so much time sitting with his relatives at the hospital.

He was employed for three years and studied medical science for a semester at Illinois College. He was the only male employee in three floors of the hospital and the emergency facility. He was kept very busy and enjoyed helping the ill and learning new skills.

Trueman was employed for three years as an equipment operator and laborer for the Department of Public Works in Illinois. He repaired roads and drove a snow plow in the winter, even Route 66. He organized the Teamsters in Illinois and the Department of Public Works. He met his first wife, Sharon Kay Blackburn, on a blind date when visiting her grandparents who raised her and her half sister. They were married two months later. Her grandparents lived in a river town called Griggsville, Ill. He was then employed by USP & FO, 5th Army 33rd Infantry Division at the depot in Springfield, Ill. He had an FBI security clearance and was Assistant Publications Divisions Supervisor. In a hunting accident November 19, 1958, Trueman lost the upper lobe in his left lung. He was in the hospital 29 days and credits them for saving his life. He supported the hospital with annual donations to all departments since then.

Trueman received a draft notice but knew his injury would disqualify him for duty. He heard from friends that there was an opening in the Illinois RANG. He was sworn in and on May 11, 1959 he was on a troop train to Fort Leonardwood, MO for basic training. He completed his training and in October 1962 on “stand by alert” by Maj. Gen. Leo M. Bole, 5th Army – 33rd Div. Adj. Gen Corp. IL_CBR issued convoy loaded for conflict with Cuban Missile Crisis, invasion expected by Russian and Cuban military in Southern USA Blockade plans for USA troops, Southern location, “need to know” classified. Telex finally arrived – “stand down orders”. President Kennedy and Russian leader Khrushchev had compromised on terms (Vodka and Scotch?). Trueman did not believe he would ever see his wife of one year and baby daughter, Melinda Yvonne, born in 1962. Trueman believed this was the closest we came to a nuclear exchange during the Cold War. He received an honorable discharge May 11, 1965 as an E5.

His wife graduated from Carmichael, CA and was selected prom queen from a class of over 800 classmates.

Trueman moved to Sacramento, CA in 1964. His son, Eric Anthony was born in Carmichael Hospital in December of 1964, by the nurses on duty as the doctor arrived late as he was on a dinner date (sent bill for credit anyway). Trueman’s favorite people were the professional employees, the nurses and their assistants and he believed they deserved more credit for their work and more benefits.

Trueman’s first employer in California was Valley Structures. They built prefab buildings and warehouses. The business was owned by a full blooded Cherokee Indian who served with the 1st Ranger Force to face the Nazi elite in WWII. He rappelled a few hundred feet by hand on rope with full backpack, surprising the enemy and winning a complete victory for the USA Rangers. He remained with General George Patton forces. Trueman missed him and his family and believed him to be a true hero with scars. He helped thousands of American forces to save this country from speaking Germany or Japanese. Trueman said often, “God Bless Them”.

When this business sold, Trueman went to work for Porta House Manufacturing in Oakland, CA, as a manager in the North Branch, North Sacramento. Porta House merged with Capitol Scaffolding/Shoring Co., and Trueman was employed in erection, Union Local #586 member. He later became sales manager adding various lift equipment and scaffold, expanding products and services for several years. His company provided equipment for many large constructions projects: Cal Expo Project, Sunrise Shopping Center, many high rise buildings, the Forest Hill Bridge, water treatment plants, the new county jail and the Valdez Alaska pipeline.

Trueman also had many part-time jobs in security such as assisting in alarm systems for the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Dept., etc. In 1978 Trueman was sworn in as a Reserve Deputy, Level 1, under Sheriff Pacileo for six years.

Trueman had his first divorce after nineteen years of marriage. His residence of his 1st new home was in Pilot Hill Peak area. His daughter graduated from Auburn High School. She worked as a part-time employee for a Chinese restaurant and became a manager for Baskin Robbins on Watt Avenue in Sacramento. She entered into training in Kansas City as a TWA hostess and after graduating flew Far East routes (when high jacking became popular). Trueman’s son, Eric graduated from Golden Sierra High School and was active in sports such as baseball and football. Eric won a scholarship to Sierra College. He was employed in an auto part store on Watt Avenue in Sacramento, CA. He was selected for a government position as counselor at the largest prison in California, at Bakersfield. Both of Trueman’s children are married. Mindy is married to an airline pilot and they live in Portugal. Eric owns a home in Bakersfield, CA. Trueman was very proud of both of his children and believed they were very good children.

After Trueman’s first divorce he became active with International Recovery in Woodland Hills, CA, a group of investors in mining, marketing, raising funds from investors worldwide. Trueman worked 12 hour security shifts at Reward Brown Monster Mine, Inyo county, and ended up with four years experience as Chief Security for four gold mines and “claim jumper” for a silver mine below Tombstone, AZ, Cochise County. Houston Oil owed several thousand dollars to his employer; lawyer John Wheatley (in charge) determined an “old method” to get Houston oil in court docket and to sue them legally. International Recovery won the case and Trueman made “wages”.

Long hike back to Georgetown. Trueman enjoyed his time in Tombstone, AZ and met the local deputy sheriff (laughed and had the town in an uproar, not unlike the O.K. Corral shoot out).

Tueman’s 2nd marriage occurred while he was on the last gold mine project in Gifford Pinchet National Forest in Wind River, WA, 12-15miles from Mt. St. Helen’s. He saw boxes of pictures from Undersheriff Ray Blazedale, in Scamania County, in the cabin he rented from him a few miles from the mine. He had the clean up and closure duties. His second wife worked at the toll booth at Cascade Locks, Columbia River. He saw her every day on his supply run to Portland, asked her for a date…they were married in Stevenson, WA by a Judge. She had an eleven year old son named Carl Thompson at home from her first marriage. He and Trueman soon connected. He called Trueman dad. Trueman brought him back to Georgetown, CA. where he graduated the top of his eighth grade class. Trueman was very proud of him. His wife decided he did not like California as it was HOT and her parents were ill. They divorced after 19 months and went their separate ways.

Access Rigging was born as a new company venture for Trueman in suspended scaffolding and special rigging of high jobs and mine shaft entries and business certification on service of equipment done in L.A. and San Francisco manufacturing sources. It was a one man operation for six years and then sold in 1991.

Trueman’s right kidney shut down due to a large kidney stone. Dr. Faddou (born in B, Lebanon) saved the kidney by removing the stone with a new treatment from a Berkley College graduate, called Lithotripsy (using sound waves to break up certain types). This took all his savings because he had no medical insurance. The Lord gave him more experience….

While conducting Access Rigging Company in northern Sacramento, Trueman met Irene Smith again and told her he was looking for affordable property. He found and purchased a gold mine claim grandfathered in the 1890’s in El Dorado-Roosevelt Mining Lode, 2 parcels, 12 acres of brush and neighbor “dump” ground. It had an old cabin, two outbuildings and a drug lab busted by DEA two years prior, in Garden Valley, California. This gold and copper vein was ½ mile from Black Oak Mine, the richest in El Dorado County.

Trueman cleared the brush, built a huge pond, road, rehabbed the cabin (residence) and was very busy working against the clock as he was in his 50’s and the rocking chair was close, he hoped. He sold both parcels, carrying notes and rented a spot from retired Fire Chief, Jack Anderson and his wife. This was his residence for 11 years in an 8 X 20 foot trailer that also served as his field office for his security business “Community Property Watch”. He helped mostly senior citizens and other agencies as needed without pay. This eventually became too costly because of insurance, bond, vehicles, etc. Trueman retired and moved into a senior citizens mobile home park in Placerville.

Trueman wanted to leave us with this final message:

Remember that the USA is at war with a fanatical Islam element worldwide. Remember 9-11 when over three thousand innocent victims died. Remember our brave and responsible military is trying and gaining advantage of these enemies, attempting to protect Americans. Some Americans do not understand what would happen to their lives and their families if this country is not willing to fight for its freedom and way of life. Pray that our enemies don’t ever reach our land and we look like Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East conflicts. It takes all ethnic people living here to protect what our forefathers left us to care for, God Bless America.

Trueman believed it was important to remind people of our blessings our ancestors gave their lives for.

Trueman was a member of Post 100 American Legion for many years. He was a lifetime member of the NRA and CA Rifle and Pistol Association. There will be no public funeral services.