Fred returned to Rosemary and took back up the business of farming. His father in law, Homer Scogin, gave him some land to farm and Rosemary had saved up money from her time working while he was gone, and the couple bought a tractor. It was not much but it was something. He also helped his brothers and again, was willing to do anything anyone asked.
Eventually the couple were able to farm for a local landowner and moved to a home on IL 136, in between McLean and Heyworth, Illinois. The house was old but was perfectly suitable for a couple who were about to start their family and thus, their first child, Thomas, was born in March 1956.
Photos from this time show a new father, cradling his first born child with a look of extreme pride on his face.
Fred kept farming and Rosemary kept heart and hearth together and another baby, Scott, was born in October 1958.
The young family lived a rural life, with the cycles of nature and farming (planting, tending, harvesting etc) dictating their actions. Fred drove tractors and Tommy would ride with him when he was able to and when he was older, Scott would join them. In the winter, they rolled down a small hill the house was situated on and built snowmen in the yard.
In 1962, Fred and Rosemary decided Fred that Fred should try to fulfill his goal of becoming and auctioneer. He packed off to Mason City, Iowa and came back "a full fledged auctioneer" as the song says.
In January of 1963, Marcheta (Marty) was born. Pictures show a 7 year old Tommy and a 5 year old Scott posing with a newborn in baby carrier.
The family, was now complete.
The children attended Ben Funk school until Tom and Scott had both graduated from it. Tom had moved into high school in Heyworth.
Fred went into a parnership with a friend and purchased the International Harvester outlet in McLean.
Things were lining up rather well and about this time, a new chapter was going to be written.