Mrs. Sophie Dose was born on September 11, 1911. She grew up on a farm eight miles north of Hampton. She has three sisters and two brothers. Their names are Martin, Elvin, Viola, Marie, and Norm. During her childhood years, she attended school through the eighth grade at a one room parochial school house. There were about 25 to 30 children that attended the same school as Sophie, but there was only one teacher for all of the grades combined. Sophie remembers that they had to go to school on a horse and buggy always, even if the weather was bad.
After Sophie was finished with the eighth grade, she did housework for different people for a dollar a day. She also was a baby sitter for mothers who had just had their baby. She would do the washing, baking, and ironing.
By being raised on a farm, Sophie learned a lot about responsibility. She had to get up early each morning to help with the chores around the farm that needed to be completed. She had to help milk the cows, feed the chickens, and give the cattle hay. She remembers that there was a big barn on the farm.
Growing up, Sophie and her family always had cats and a dog as pets. She remembers one certain dog, a little rat-terrier named Rex, that was always let in the house when it was cold outside. This dog would crawl right up on the beds with the children when they were sick. One of Sophie's favorite birthdays was when she turned fourteen. Her parents had invited some of her school friends over for her party.
Sophie's marriage to Art Dose was at the Lutheran Church out in the country near Hampton. That church is still standing today. The wedding was big, but there weren't very many people in it. There were two bridesmaids, two men, the bride, and the groom. She was twenty-one when she got married. Sophie remembers that there wasn't any special way that her husband proposed to her. She said the he just said, "Let's get married," and then he asked her father, and her father said it was okay.
Sophie's favorite season was summertime because that was the time of year for canning. They canned things such as beef, pork, and smoked sausage. Also, home grown cherries, peaches, and choke cherries were canned in fruit jars. Usually, for holidays, Sophie's family had a big meal and homemade ice cream for dessert.
Sophie's children are Donald and Luella. Luella passed away from cancer just a short while ago. Her husband, Art, never was in the army or navy because he just missed the draft. He always farmed and raised cattle. Now, Art Dose is living in Hampton at the couple's home. They moved into this house in 1975.
Sophie is now a resident at the Hamilton Manor located in Aurora, Nebraska.