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""Leno and Maria: A Success Story"" by Vincent P. Cano - 1985
Summary by Margaret Richardson Page 3
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hour wait for the Chicago train. Standing outside in the early morning, Leno heard someone whistling "The Riliera" It was a young Mexican boy named John Ponce. Leno asked if his family might find some breakfast somewhere .John Ponce urged them to come to his mother's table and Leno replied he would gladly pay for it. The Ponces, Selso and Guadalupe had also migrated to the states in the early 1900s, first to Kansas and then to West Liberty. After breakfast, as Maria, Leno and the children began to prepare for the train Mrs. Ponce urged them to stay and find work in West Liberty. She suggested they stay with her family, suggesting Leno could help Selso with chores. They agreed and let their family in Texas know of their whereabouts. Soon a letter came for them stating that Maria's brother, Otilio was working on the railroad in Keokuk, Iowa and he urged Leno to join him for the three month job. The Ponces agreed that Maria and the children should stay with them. This turned out to be a six month arrangement. After that they stayed with a Columbus Junction family while Leno sought other work. In March, 1928 Leno accepted employment as a section laborer on the Rock Island Railroad at a salary of $35.00 every two weeks. Eventually they moved to Iowa City Leno was able to find a house to rent for $13.00 a month. He had a large garden on the south side and a chicken coop and pig shelter in back. A large tree sheltered them, with the railroad tracks next to it. As the family continued to grow Maria and Leno purchased a home at 407 South Capital Street in 1952. They received citizenship papers and Maria joined the labor force at Mercy Hospital as a housekeeper. When the University of Iowa purchased their home for building purposes. Leno and Maria purchased a new residence at 940 Webster St. Leno retired after forty years of service with the Rock Island Railroad. In 1968, at the age of 65. Maria was honored as "Employee of the Year" by Mercy Hospital. She retired that year as a Mercy Hospital seamstress. Their nine children celebrated their longevity happiness and endurance. 3
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hour wait for the Chicago train. Standing outside in the early morning, Leno heard someone whistling "The Riliera" It was a young Mexican boy named John Ponce. Leno asked if his family might find some breakfast somewhere .John Ponce urged them to come to his mother's table and Leno replied he would gladly pay for it. The Ponces, Selso and Guadalupe had also migrated to the states in the early 1900s, first to Kansas and then to West Liberty. After breakfast, as Maria, Leno and the children began to prepare for the train Mrs. Ponce urged them to stay and find work in West Liberty. She suggested they stay with her family, suggesting Leno could help Selso with chores. They agreed and let their family in Texas know of their whereabouts. Soon a letter came for them stating that Maria's brother, Otilio was working on the railroad in Keokuk, Iowa and he urged Leno to join him for the three month job. The Ponces agreed that Maria and the children should stay with them. This turned out to be a six month arrangement. After that they stayed with a Columbus Junction family while Leno sought other work. In March, 1928 Leno accepted employment as a section laborer on the Rock Island Railroad at a salary of $35.00 every two weeks. Eventually they moved to Iowa City Leno was able to find a house to rent for $13.00 a month. He had a large garden on the south side and a chicken coop and pig shelter in back. A large tree sheltered them, with the railroad tracks next to it. As the family continued to grow Maria and Leno purchased a home at 407 South Capital Street in 1952. They received citizenship papers and Maria joined the labor force at Mercy Hospital as a housekeeper. When the University of Iowa purchased their home for building purposes. Leno and Maria purchased a new residence at 940 Webster St. Leno retired after forty years of service with the Rock Island Railroad. In 1968, at the age of 65. Maria was honored as "Employee of the Year" by Mercy Hospital. She retired that year as a Mercy Hospital seamstress. Their nine children celebrated their longevity happiness and endurance. 3
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