Ella writes to her brother on May 5th, 1902, just days after their mother’s passing. Ella is clearly distraught by her mother’s death. She relays a gold mine’s worth of genealogical detail in this letter, leading me to think that perhaps Edward has been tasked with preparing on obituary and has asked Ella to provide some facts. (I have not found an obituary for Ann in my collection of documents, however.)
An uncle from LaCrosse, Wisconsin has come out to Nebraska and has been checking on train fares for his return trip. Ann’s brothers were John, James and Josiah. Her last letter mentioned that Josiah was dead, so this leaves John and James. My guess is that she is referring to John, who lived in Money Creek, Minnesota – just 25 miles from LaCrosse.
1546 S. 25th St.
Lincoln, NebMay 5th 1902
Dear Brother,
I received your letter Saturday, I was sorry I did not see you all before you left, but it could not be helpt – you must come up when you can, you and Maggie can not know how lonely I am left, you both can go back to your homes and there is no brake no one gone, but I can not look at a thing but it only brings a sad rememberance with it.
Uncle and I drove out to Maggie’s yesterday and stayed untill about half past five. Maggie is not very well. Mother said the deed to the place was with John S. Reed the man whom she bought it of. I want to settle all expenses connected with her sickness and funeral this week. Uncle said his fare would be sixty cents less from Ashland to Lacross than from Lincoln and for you not to be to any more trouble about finding out about it.
Mother was born in the City of Glasco in September 18th 1828 making her 74 years the 18 of next Sep. She was 2 years old when she came to America. Lived in New York state 12 years moving to Wis in 1942 and lived there until 1873 and moved then to Iowa and to Neb in 1883, to Lincoln in 1901.
We do not know the exact date of Mother’s marriage. Uncle John thinks it was in 1857. I once asked Pa when their wedding anniversary was, his reply was that you were born as soon as possible or words to that affect, so counting from your age it would be in 1857. Pa died August 4th 1881.
She was baptized in the Presbyterian church in infancy, but did not join. I have heard her say that she thought she was converted in the Methodist church. She favored the Methodist to any other. The minister’s name was Rev. Wharten of St. Paul’s church, name of cemetery Wyuka.
I don’t think will come down when Uncle comes. I am not very well, the coming back would be worse than being here. I will try and get someone to stay with me, I think had better have our affairs settled as soon as convenient to all.
With love to all, write soon, good by
Sister Ella
