Previous post listed the cash transactions in the estate of my paternal grandfather from the day he passed away until a probate filing was prepared for the court.
The probate filing provides a glimpse into farm life in the mid-1940s.
As you read the summarized income statement and cash transactions below, keep in mind this is the cash activity to feed and cloth a family consisting of one mom and four children still living at home. Notice was one purchase of groceries for $9.60 and only two purchases of clothing. There is no indication of any purchases in November or December which could be considered Christmas presents.
To say finances were tight would be an understatement.
The cash transactions can be summarized into a cash-based income statement as follows:
| Cash, June 1, 1945 | 391.26 |
| proceeds from selling assets | 3,950.88 |
| income | 110.00 |
| purchase of assets, primarily animals | (514.75) |
| farming expenses | (176.05) |
| taxes paid | (31.74) |
| land rent, 80 acres | (500.00) |
| housing expense | (157.72) |
| gas and oil purchased | (174.43) |
| coal purchased | (37.70) |
| loan payment | (2,103.76) |
| final expenses (attny, funeral) | (755.99) |
| Cash, March 27, 1946 | – |
In chronological order, the cash transactions are as follows, with a running balance of cash on hand.
| date | description | amount | balance |
| 6/1/1945 | balance of cash at death | 391.26 | 391.26 |
| 6/29/1945 | sold 19 head of cattle | 2,509.32 | 2,900.58 |
| 9/1/1945 | Yankton Prod Cred – balance of loan | (2,103.76) | 796.82 |
| 9/17/1945 | Cemetery lot | (15.00) | 781.82 |
| 9/22/1945 | household furniture | (79.95) | 701.87 |
| 9/27/1945 | surety bond | (40.00) | 661.87 |
| 10/2/1945 | Cooperative Oil, gas and oil | (28.07) | 633.80 |
| 10/2/1945 | insurance assessment | (3.00) | 630.80 |
| 10/5/1945 | sold 3 hogs | 105.94 | 736.74 |
| 10/9/1945 | Montgomery Ward, clothing | (2.46) | 734.28 |
| 10/9/1945 | Sears, tires for trailer | (55.42) | 678.86 |
| 10/10/1945 | Cooperative Oil, gas and oil | (21.17) | 657.69 |
| 10/12/1945 | Montgomery Ward, clothing, repairs | (12.87) | 644.82 |
| 10/29/1945 | sold 11 hogs | 635.62 | 1,280.44 |
| 11/13/1945 | Cooperative Oil, gas and oil | (47.12) | 1,233.32 |
| 11/15/1945 | Cooperative Oil, gas and oil | (49.65) | 1,183.67 |
| 11/27/1945 | Cooperative Oil, gas and oil | (20.26) | 1,163.41 |
| 12/11/1945 | Wass Funeral Home, funeral | (366.23) | 797.18 |
| 12/24/1945 | sell hogs (number not listed) | 100.00 | 897.18 |
| 12/26/1945 | Cooperative Oil, gas and oil | (17.50) | 879.68 |
| 1/14/1946 | Cooperative Oil, gas and oil | (16.10) | 863.58 |
| 1/15/1946 | chickens purchased | (162.50) | 701.08 |
| 1/22/1946 | purchase 1 cow | (50.00) | 651.08 |
| 1/22/1946 | Cooperative Oil Co. gas dividend | 60.14 | 711.22 |
| 1/23/1946 | groceries | (9.60) | 701.62 |
| 1/26/1946 | veterinary fees | (7.50) | 694.12 |
| 2/6/1946 | purchase 1 cow | (43.75) | 650.37 |
| 2/8/1946 | coal | (14.00) | 636.37 |
| 2/9/1946 | coal | (23.70) | 612.67 |
| 2/11/1946 | Cooperative Oil, gas and oil | (16.00) | 596.67 |
| 2/12/1946 | one cow and one calf | (167.50) | 429.17 |
| 2/13/1946 | Loan | (90.00) | 339.17 |
| 2/15/1946 | purchase hammer mill | (91.00) | 248.17 |
| 2/22/1946 | shelling and hauling corn | (113.13) | 135.04 |
| 2/23/1946 | Sell International Truck | 600.00 | 735.04 |
| 2/25/1946 | linoleum | (46.12) | 688.92 |
| 2/26/1946 | Cooperative Oil, gas and oil | (18.70) | 670.22 |
| 3/4/1946 | 1946 cash rent for 80 acres | (500.00) | 170.22 |
| 3/4/1946 | clerk of court, filing fees | (17.50) | 152.72 |
| 3/4/1946 | last half of 1945 taxes | (31.74) | 120.98 |
| 3/9/1946 | life insurance assessment | (3.00) | 117.98 |
| 3/13/1946 | Income from plowing | 110.00 | 227.98 |
| 3/16/1946 | Vermillion Plain Talk, publication | (17.36) | 210.62 |
| 3/23/1946 | Loan repayment | 90.00 | 300.62 |
| 3/27/1946 | Attorney fees | (299.90) | 0.72 |
| 3/27/1946 | exchange on checks | (0.72) | – |