Steel, Stamps, and Service: Remembering the Grau Family of WWII-Era Gary, Indiana
- Amy Atkin
- Jul 12
- 3 min read
I've had a War Ration Book in my collection awaiting return for quite some time. The Ration Book, issued during the final phases of World War II, opens a window into the life of one American family—the Graus family of Gary, Indiana. More than just coupons and stamps, this humble booklet belonged to John Floyd Grau, his wife Corrine Edna, and their two children, who lived through the sacrifices and strength required of families on the home front.
Life in Gary, Indiana During WWII
In the 1940s, Gary, Indiana was a thriving industrial city with a booming wartime economy. Founded by U.S. Steel in the early 1900s, the city became a critical cog in the American war machine. Workers toiled around the clock producing steel for ships, tanks, planes, and weaponry, and its population swelled with families seeking jobs and stability during uncertain times.
The Graus were one such family. John Floyd Grau, born in 1911, registered for the draft on October 16, 1940, just weeks after the Selective Training and Service Act was enacted—the first peacetime draft in U.S. history. John was 29 years old at the time and would go on to work for the United States Steel Corporation after the war.
He and Corrine Edna were married in Porter, Indiana, in 1941, just months before America would be plunged into global conflict following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Prairie Farmer Station: Rural America’s Wartime Lifeline
Interestingly, the Graus’ War Ration Book was issued by the Prairie Farmer Station, a fixture of rural and small-town Midwestern life. Headquartered in Chicago, the Prairie Farmer was more than a radio station or publication—it was a hub for agricultural information, community news, and wartime directives that connected farm families and small towns like Gary to the national war effort.
The station played a crucial role in keeping Americans informed about rationing procedures, civil defense alerts, and patriotic programming that reminded families of their shared sacrifices.
Understanding War Ration Book Four
Issued in October 1943, War Ration Book Four replaced earlier versions as America tightened its grip on domestic consumption. Every member of the household received their own book, regardless of age.
Book Four included:
Color-coded stamps with letters such as A through Z and AA through ZZ
Blue stamps for processed foods (canned goods, juices, baby food)
Red stamps for meats, fats, and oils
Green stamps (occasionally issued) for other essentials
Expiration dates for each group of stamps, to prevent hoarding
Victory Point System, which assigned points to each stamp based on the scarcity of items
These ration books were strictly enforced—each purchase of a rationed good required not only the stamp but also the right amount of money. Americans learned to plan meals creatively, stretch ingredients, and substitute wherever possible. For many, rationing became a patriotic act in itself.
The Grau Family: A Legacy of Service and Sacrifice
The Grau family’s story didn’t end with the war.
John Floyd Grau passed away in 1967, remembered as a hardworking steelworker and a Freemason, dedicated to both family and fraternity.
Corrine Edna eventually remarried and lived until 1989, outliving both of her children.
Their son, Spencer, served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He died in January 1988.
Daughter Kathleen passed later that same year, in August 1988, in St. Louis, Missouri.
It’s hard not to feel the weight of history in those dates—parents marrying at the dawn of a world war, raising children during years of rationing and sacrifice, only to lose both children decades later within the same year.
Help Reconnect the Past
The Grau family’s ration book, though small and worn, is a powerful relic of a family’s quiet strength during one of history’s most turbulent times. I hope to eventually reunite it with a descendant or family member who can preserve it as part of their legacy.
You Can Help:
Share this story with those connected to Gary, Indiana, or researching the Grau family name.
Comment or contact me if you have family knowledge, photos, or genealogical leads on the Grau children
Reach out if you know anyone related to John, Corrine, Spencer, or Kathleen Grau.
Because behind every stamp is a story—and behind every ration book, a resilient American family. 📘
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