January 3, 1924 letter to Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne from Nancy Brown

January 3, 1924

To: Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne, Kalamazoo, MI

From: Nancy Brown, Chicago, IL

This letter was Nancy’s first letter of the New Year. She is sending $5.00 and the girls are sending $5.00 of Nancy Keith money. Writes about the candy business; Edna has ordered 15 pounds in the last two and a half weeks.

Thursday Jan 3^rd 1924

Dear brother and sister

My first letter of the new year. If I had one dollar for every letter I have sent home the first of the new year we could buy two horses. I am enclosing five dollars and the girls[1] are sending ” ” [five dollars] of Nancy Keith[2] money (your first installment hope it will get so they can do the same every week. I told Lela may be this was where your four million is coming from.) You can call part of it butter money or “candy” money just as you wish. I think of you all the time. This cold weather dont know how you stand it Ethan, when I think of the wood, no horse. While I know it makes the chores easier it is hard not having a horse. Lela is getting ready to go down town will mail this. We have not sent the candy yet, may tomor.  Not much doing with candy these days. Will make again tomor. The girls needed the rest. Lela spent New Years with Lou[3] or rather Monday. Alice[4] went with her. She only stayed about two hours. Lou felt awful bad not to come home. Lela says he seems all right. I would not be surprised if he did come home, dont know when. How are your teeth Hannah. I think of their aching all the time. Try to think they are not. Alice gave Lela & Lou each 10.00 and the children[5] 2.50 each. Jessie[6] just phoned, had a letter from her mother[7] this A.M. she is sailing arond feels fine. She had better stay where she is for it would be ____ for her here. Marian[8] and family still there. I disipated[?] New Years night. Mrs Laff invited the remnants of our old club to see the old year out & the New Year in. When it started the first year we were here there was five tables now only three. I went with Wills folks. Did not get back to Wills till “three oclock in the morning.” Will brought me home Tuesday none of us went away to dinner. Jean[9] has not been to school this week. I am afraid she has pin worms the way she looks and acts. Jessie says to give her sage tea. A few lines from Edna,[10] has ordered two more pounds of candy. That makes fifteen pounds they have ordered in about two & one half weeks. This goes to California. Lela is ready to go so must stop. Wish I could come and stay a few days. I want to write to Mildred[11] but cant find her address. Seems to me its 1024 N. Edward but I’m not sure.

Good-bye with love

Nan

——-

[1] Her daughters, Lela (Brown) Mueller and Bess (Brown) Recoschewitz

[2] The girl’s candy business

[3] Lela’s husband, Louis Mueller, who had been admitted to a sanitarium

[4] Lou’s sister, Alice Mueller

[5] Eda “Jean” and Helen Mueller

[6] Jessie (Crawford) Eck, Nancy’s cousin

[7] Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, the widow of Nancy’s Uncle Hiram Crawford

[8] Marian (Eck) Meiss, Jessie’s daughter

[9] Lela’s daughter, Eda “Jean” Mueller

[10] Edna (Crawford) Henry Tullar, the daughter of Nancy’s Uncle Robert Crawford

[11] Mildred Harris, the daughter of Nancy’s sister, Louese (Keith) Harris

October 29, 1902 letter to Louese Harris from Robert Crawford

October 29, 1902

To: Louese Harris, Shelbyville, MI

From: Robert Crawford, Milwaukee, WI

Robert arrived in Chicago Sunday on the excursion train with Ethan after visiting Sarah. They had a very enjoyable trip and found Uncle Hi and his sister Nancy there at the Central Depot. All were well except Charley Eck who was in very poor condition. “Your Mother is in a very poor condition and gradually failing.”

Scan of 1902-10-29 Robert Crawford to Louese Harris

Milwaukee, Oct 29″ 02

Mrs Lou Harris
Shelbyville, Mi

Dear Niece,

I came to Chicago Sunday on the excursion train with Ethan.[1] We had a very enjoyable trip and found your Uncle Hi[2] & your sister Nancy[3] there at the Central Depot to meet us. We found them all usually well but Charly Eck.[4] He is in a very poor condition. Your Mother[5] dear Niece is in a very poor condition and I think she is gradually failing. I hope that may get the better of this but it is a poor consolation to live and suffer as she does.[6] We hope for the best. I expect to go to Neenah (to Ednas[7]) next Friday the 31″ to stay awhile there and to Omro, my old home. Will return to Milwaukee later. Expect to go to Chicago about the 20″ of November & visit relations there and then to go to my daughters at Oelwein.[8] I ____ to stay there through the winter. I forgot to mention that I found Bird[9] & Hers well and I am feeling well myself. I hope that you & yours are well Lou & JC[10] and family. Tell Jim[11] I will write him later. I suppose that he has got through his County Business by this time. I hope that he is feeling much better then he was when I was there. I heard recently that Miss Meredith[12] was married a few days ago.[13] Please give my congratulations and my regards to Mr Meredith[14] & Family and love and regards to you dear Niece & your husband and children and JC & family. Your Uncle Robert

Robt Crawford

Will be pleased to hear from you any time Niece

——-

[1] Ethan Keith, Louese’s brother

[2] Hiram Crawford Jr., Robert’s brother

[3] Nancy (Keith) Brown

[4] Charles Eck, the husband of Jessie (Crawford) Eck, Hiram’s daughter

[5] Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[6] Sarah died on November 18, 1902

[7] Robert’s daughter, Edna (Crawford) Henry Tullar

[8] Oelwein, Iowa, where his daughter, Lulu (Crawford) Witte, lived

[9] His daughter, Cynthia (Crawford) Carlson

[10] Louese’s brother, James C. Keith

[11] James Keith

[12] Josephine Meredith, who was the sister of Cora (Meredith) Keith (James Keith’s wife)

[13] Josephine married Fred Wilbur Dean on October 22, 1902

[14] Cora’s and Josephine’s father, Walter Burton Meredith

November 25, 1901 letter to Sarah Keith from Robert Crawford

November 25, 1901

To: Sarah Keith, Galesburg, MI

From: Robert Crawford, Neenah, WI

Robert is writing Sarah about general family news and inquiring about her family.

Scan of 1901-11-25 Robert Crawford to Sarah Keith

Neenah Nov 25″, 1901

Dear Sister Sarah

Not hearing from you lately, I thought that I would write you a few lines. I am feeling usually well with the exception of a cough & cold. I have never got over the cold that I took on the Boom.[1] I have a remedy now which I think will break it up. Edna[2] & family are well. Lulu[3] is up from Milwaukee visiting. Expect her here today from Kaukauna. It looks quite wintery here for it snowed yesterday a little. The ground is covered though. I heard by the way of Hiram[4] that Nancy Brown[5] had moved from Hoyne Ave. I wrote to her when I was in Milwaukee but have [not] rec’d a reply. I suppose she is very busy. Now sister dear first write me a few lines & let me know how you are and Luke[6] & Ethan & Hannah[7] and how you get along.

Regards & love to you and yours

Robt Crawford
Neenah, Wis

——-

[1] Lumber companies ran logs down the Wolf River which were then sorted at Bay Boom according to each company’s water mark

[2] His daughter, Edna (Crawford) Henry Tullar

[3] His daughter, Lulu (Crawford) Witte

[4] Their brother, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[5] Sarah’s daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[6] Sarah’s husband, Charles Luke Keith Jr.

[7] Sarah’s son and daughter, Ethan Keith and Hannah (Keith) Towne

(This post was updated on 03-21-2021)

May 19, 1901 letter to Sarah Keith from Robert Crawford

May 19, 1901

To: Sarah Keith, Galesburg, MI

From: Robert Crawford, Neenah, WI

Robert is writing Sarah in response to the news of D.C.’s death. Robert went to visit his daughter Lulu who is to be married in July. He is helping his son-in-law on the farm.

1901-05-19 Robert Crawford to Sarah Keith

Neenah, May 19″, 1901

Dear Sister Sarah,

I read you letter hastily & Papers[1] announcing the Death of our dear Brother DC Crawford.[2] It was quite unexpected to me and very sad news. I deeply sympathize with his wife,[3] her son[4] & daughters[5] in this great affliction but it is my dear sister that comes to us all. I can hardly realize Sarah that DC is dead. I have not met him in 25 years and he has not written to me in 3 or 4 years but that is his way business of course. I dont have any unpleasant feelings that way. I read Amanda letter by the way of Henry.[6] It is very sad. Poor woman. I have written to her a letter of condolence & sympathy. I will return to you Sister the Paper & Statement and letter of DC death.

We are all usually well. My work on the River will not commence till in July some time owing to the drought. It keeps the Logs back. I shall not get till in Oct next perhaps. We have not had any frost yet to hurt fruit but it is quite cool this morning. I was down to see Lulu[7] last Sunday. Her School will close in 3 weeks. She expects to be married in July[8] if she dont change her mind in regard to it. I am helping my son in law[9] on the farm some. He is going to put in 2 acres of tomatoes for a canning factory. Good bye for this time Sister dear. Regards & love to you all.

Brother Robert

Robt Crawford

—–

[1] Unfortunately the whereabouts of the “Papers” is unknown and an online search has not yet come up with D.C.’s obituary

[2] David Caleb Crawford

[3] Amanda (Thornton) Crawford

[4] Harold Valentine Crawford

[5] D.C. only had one living daughter, Ida (Crawford) Kelley; two daughters died in infancy/childhood

[6] Henry Clay Crawford, Robert’s brother

[7] His daughter, Lulu Crawford

[8] Lulu married Edward Witte on July 18, 1901

[9] Jackson Tullar, the second husband of Robert’s daughter, Edna (Crawford) Henry Tullar

(This post was updated on 2-18-2021)

June 12, 1879 letter to Hannah Keith from Edna Crawford

This is an updated version of the letter that was originally posted on 10-28-2015

June 12, 1879                 

To: Hannah Keith, Galesburg, MI

From: Edna Crawford, Omro, WI

Edna writes about her responsibilities at home with housework and caring for her mother. Louisa had been doing better, but yesterday she was trying to walk with her crutches when she slipped and fell and hurt herself quite badly. Eugene is in Leadville, Colorado working with Uncle D.C.

Omro June 12, 1879

Dear Cousin

You long letter was recd. some time ago & I have commenced to ans. it twice but some thing happening did not finish. We have been having real warm weather & with it company – first some young ladies from Oshkosh & lastly Mr. Birkelund[1] from Chicago. You know how hard it is to do house work without a mother to go a head especially when you have company & I had to be in school & do what I could mornings and nights but they have all gone & we are to rest until Saturday, when there is some more coming to stay over Sunday. Mother[2] has been feeling pretty well until yesterday. She was trying to walk with her crutches when she slipped & fell and hurt her quite badly.

I had a letter from Eugene[3]. He is in Leadvill with Uncle D.C.[4] Likes it very much. Say if he makes a hundred thousand will be out to see us this fall. Do you expect him?

I have two week more of school and then a long vacation. How I do wish I could come and see you all or you were coming to to see us.

Edna[5] was going to be awful smart when she was first married. Wouldn’t catch her in any such fix &c, but they are always the first ones.[6] Are you going to stay with her? I would have good pay for it if I did. How are all of your folks,[7] Henry, Nancy, babies and all?[8] Father and Will[9] are both away to work.

I don’t think I shall ever give my Auntie Bell[10] a chance to speak to me again. I wish she would come up here this summer. I would make her visit as pleasant as she did mine. You know you & I can do such things.

I suppose there isn’t any the rest of them as ugly as we. How does Grandma[11] get along? Is she moved yet?

Yes, you and I will visit our rich sisters & cousin, be old maids[12] and take care of the young ones. Goodby. Love to all.

Ed[13]

Write soon.

——-

[1] Believe she is referring to her future brother-in-law. Ormand Birkland married her sister, Katherine Sarah “Kit” Crawford, on August 18, 1880

[2] Louisa (McCann) Crawford. According to the 1880 census, Louisa had consumption and was “unable to attend to normal business or duties” as she was “maimed, crippled, bedridden, or otherwise disabled”

[3] Her cousin, Eugene Crawford, son of their late uncle, Edwin Crawford, and his first wife, Louesa Hall

[4] David Caleb (D.C.) Crawford

[5] Edna Alice (Crawford) Allen, daughter of their late uncle, Edwin Crawford, and his second wife, Mary Hamilton. Edna Alice married Oscar M. Allen Jr. on September 25, 1878

[6] Edna Alice was pregnant with her daughter, Madge Allen

[7] Charles Luke Jr. & Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[8] Hannah’s sister, brother-in-law, and their children, Nancy (Keith) & Henry Brown, Claude and Lela

[9] Robert Crawford and his son (Edna Irene’s brother), William Crawford

[10] Isabella (Steele) Crawford, wife of their uncle, Lucius Prosper “Pros” Crawford

[11] Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts

[12] Edna Irene was approximately 20 years old and Hannah 24 years old at the writing of this letter. Edna Irene married Emmett Henry on May 15, 1880 and Hannah married Charles Towne on September 21, 1891

[13] Edna Irene Crawford

November 13, 1878 letter to Nancy Brown from Edna Crawford

November 13, 1878

To:  Nancy Brown

From: Edna Crawford, Omro, WI

Edna is home cooking and caring for her mother, whose health is very poor. Louisa is suffering from sores on her foot and has not walked for five weeks.

 

Omro Nov. 13 1878

Dear Cousin N[1]

Your nice long letter was recd & must tell you it was quite a surprise party to me to get your letter for I had given up all hope of ever hearing from you. Thought you had gone back on your Wis. cousin. Oh N I am so mad to think that fellow had to wait until I had gone before coming but then he come under my wish bone so of course it will be allright. In time he will go back on his other girl or she on him.

Well I am home again & it don’t seem possible that six or seven weeks ago I was away out in Mich. or Ind.[2] I have written Lou[3] since I come home but have not heard from her yet but I know her failing so shan’t look for a letter until she get ready to write. I almost fell in love with her. She has a very pleasant house to live in. It is so nice to live with our aunts & uncles.[4] They are so thoughtful & generous to their neices especially Chicago ones.

Mother[5] is very poorly. Her foot has the worst sore I ever saw. She has not walked for five weeks or steped on her foot. Father[6] is not at home now. Will be gone three or four weeks. Will[7] goes away next week. Kit[8] is going up north on a visit to ma’s sisters & they have elected me chief cook. Don’t you pity me?

Well how is Grandma?[9] All settled I supose presume.[10] I suppose her granddaughter Hannah[11] stays with her most of the time. You know she was so lonesome without her when she was away to Chicago.

Mr Allen[12] my cousin — I didn’t see him but half a day. They came Monday night at ______ oclock & he went away the next afternoon. He got a nice carriage in the forenoon & took us all around the city. I think he & Edna[13] make a very good couple. They both think a great deal of themselves.

I have had one letter from uncle D.C.[14] since they got home. They were all well when he wrote. As to the pictures the neg have been taken to Chicago but we are going to send for some as soon as we can get the artist address.

How is Jim[15]? Is he at home now? Are you going to stay at home this winter?

Now don’t so long before writing again & make up your mind to come & see us as soon as possible. Yes Mr ____ was knew me too well I guess. Love to all the folks. Write soon.

Your Cousin

Ed[16]

——-

[1] Nancy (Keith) Brown

[2] According to September entries in Luke Keith’s 1878 diary, several family members visited them before continuing on to the wedding of Edna Alice Crawford to Oscar M. Allen, Jr. in Dowagiac Michigan on September 25^th. It appears that Luke’s family, as well as Edna, did not go, but on September 28^th, Edna left for Dowagiac. Since their Uncle Henry Clay Crawford’s family lived in South Bend, Indiana, it is presumed that Edna made them a visit before returning to her home in Omro, Wisconsin

[3] Louese Keith, Nancy’s sister

[4] Louese was living with their uncle and aunt, Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, Jr., while attending school in Chicago

[5] Louisa (McCann) Crawford

[6] Robert Crawford

[7] William Crawford, Edna’s brother

[8] Edna’s younger sister, Katherine Crawford

[9] Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts

[10] Since May of 1876 Nancy Betts had been living with her daughter and son-in-law, Sarah & Luke Keith. According to a letter from Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford, Jr., she was “so lonesome and not having any church privalegs and that she was so happy while living by herself, that we agreed to let her try and get her a room in the Burg and try it this winter.” Luke Keith’s 11-2-1878 diary entry shows that she moved into John Freer’s home in Galesburg. The June 1880 census shows her in the household of Amelia Davis. A December 12, 1880 letter from Hiram notes that her mental health is failing and by January of 1881 she was again living with Luke & Sarah

[11] Hannah Keith, Nancy’s sister

[12] Oscar Allen Jr., the husband of their cousin, Edna Alice Crawford

[13] Their cousin, Edna Alice (Crawford) Allen, who was the daughter of the late Edwin and Mary (Hamilton) Crawford

[14] David Caleb (D.C.) Crawford

[15] James Keith, Nancy’s brother

[16] Edna Irene Crawford

September 30, 1878 letter to Hannah Keith from Edna Crawford

September 30, 1878

To:  Hannah Keith, Galesburg, MI

From: Edna Crawford, Dowagiac, MI

Edna recounts a conversation she had with her grandmother regarding a general review of Omro and its inhabitants, Hannah, Aunt Jenny, the room and lastly her cousin Edna’s wedding. They had a very quiet wedding, with only Uncle D.C., Aunt Amanda & Grandma attending. Uncle Henry and wife did not come. Emmett is in the asylum and has been since the 13th of August.

Dowagaic, Sept 30, 1878

Dear Cousin

I promised you I would write yesterday but Grandma[1] was entertaining me so you know how much time I had to myself. We have had a general review of the Omro subject & inhabitants. Hannah, Aunt Jennie[2], the room and lastly Edna’s[3] wedding, how she talked pretty freely to the bridegroom but then she told him she was his grandmother &c but then you know how it is yourself. Well I landed all right in Dowagaic[4] Saturday afternoon & was met at Depot by my aunties namely Mary[5] & Amanda[6] & of course I soon made inquires conserning my cousins[7] & found they had gone to Detroit on their wedding tour but they would be home Monday. That is today, so I shall have a chance to show my good clothes after all.

They had a very quiet wedding, no one here except Uncle D.C.[8] Aunt Amanda & Grandma. Uncle Henry[9] & wife did not come. As near as I can find out the wedding was very much hurried because there was another fellow after Edna & Mr Allen was going off & didn’t like to leave her to the tender mercies of her mother & the other fellow. She did not have her wedding dress done, so was married in a brown silk that she had & wore her navy blue silk for a traveling dress. Aunt Mary seems quite reconciled to the match now.

Emmett[10] is in the asylum & has been since the 13 of Aug. Uncle D.C. has not started for Colorado yet. That is all we know. Aunt A. had a telegram from him. Edna did not have any presents.

Everything is very quiet here now but I expect we will have a grand time before we leave. I see Grandma is fixing for it. She was up before daylight out making calls & I know she got snubbed somewhere for she has been crosser than an old bear all the morning.

Things don’t quite come up to my expectations but thats not to be wondered at. Any one that has been used to everything so much nicer, of course it would be hard to come down to common living.

Hannah if you & I had of come to the wedding, & worn our common clothes, I dont believe the bride would have felt out of place at all but then I dont feel bad because we didn’t come. Tell Henry[11] Aunt Amanda wants him to keep the first negative he took of her. They are well pleased with the pictures.

If you can read this you will do better than I can. Please burn this for if anyone should see it they might take me at what I have said not what I mean.

Grandma is paddling up stairs to see who I have been writing to, so I must close. Love to all. Write soon.

Your cousin

Edna[12]

[Written on the back of the envelope]:                                              

Rec’d Oct 2nd 1878

From Edna Crawford

Omro, Wisconsin

 

——-

[1] Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts

[2] Virginia (Worley) Crawford, Henry’s wife

[3] Edna Crawford, the daughter of Mary and Edwin Crawford

[4] Dowagiac, Michigan

[5] Mary (Hamilton) Crawford, Edwin’s wife

[6] Amanda (Thornton) Crawford, D.C. Crawford’s wife

[7] Edna Alice Crawford and Oscar Allen Jr. were married in Dowagiac on September 25, 1878

[8] David Caleb (D.C.) Crawford

[9] Henry Clay Crawford

[10] Edna’s brother, Emmett Patrick Crawford

[11] Henry Brown, Nancy (Keith) Brown’s husband and Hannah’s brother-in-law

[12] Edna Crawford, daughter of Robert and Louisa (McCann) Crawford

January 3, 1876 letter to Sarah Keith from Nancy Betts

January 3, 1876

To:  Sarah Keith

From: Nancy Betts, Omro, WI

Mrs. Cynthia Long came with her husband at Christmas hoping to find Robert at home but he wasn’t there. She gave Edna and Kit a dollar and Lizzie a gold locket. Received a letter from David over Christmas. He never forgets her. She hasn’t heard from Hiram but expects to soon; nothing from Henry. Hiram said in his last letter that Henry talks of visiting her but she feels that it is all talk with him. She doesn’t expect to see any of her children again unless they come and visit. She has no money to travel and visit any of her children. She would like her children to provide enough money for one visit.

Omro Jan the 3, 1876

My dear daughter

I sit down with pen in hand to adress a few lines to you hoping they will find you all in good heath. My health has not ben very good for som time but am fealing better for a week past. I feal to bless God for his grate merces to us all as a famly. We have ben spaird to see a nother New year while menny for the past year have ben call to try the reality of eternty and we are yet spard to seek God and live to his Honor and glory and O may the Lord Jesus help us do it and prepare us for that upper and better kingdom whare we may see his face without a glimmering vail between.

Mrs Cyntha Long[1] came here with her husband[2] a Chrismas hoping to find Robert[3] at home but he wont be home till next week. They was som dispointed. She gave each Edna[4] and Kit[5] a dollor and Leizy[6] a gold locket. The two oldest girls whent home with her. They expect Kit home this week to go to school but Et is a gone to stop with them awhile. Her uncel told her if she would stop with them two or three months and take music lessons he would pay half of the expences. Louse[7] and the two children is well. I havent heard from Prosper[8] in one week. They whare well then. He couldent be from home this winter very well. He got a chance with another man to furnish the railroad with three hurndred cords of wood so now he can stay with his famly and I am glad of it. I received a letter from David[9] a Chrismas. He never forgits his Mother. They where all well with the exception of bad colds. I havent heard from Hiram[10] yet but expect to soon. None from Henry[11]. Hiram said in his last letter about the time Kit[12] left your place she maid Jenne[13] a visit that Henry talk of making me a viset but it is all talk with him. I dont expect to see any of you a gain with out you come come and see me for I have no means to go and viset any of my children. I think som times that you mite be help with monny knoff to make me one viset. Dident you say that Mr. Wats is ded? How is William? Does Peter Jonson live with his wife? Who preaches in the Baptest Church? We have a splended minster. Has ben preaching for us for one year. I dont know as we can keep any longer. If the church can rais the salary we will keep him another year. This is the week of prayer but I cant a tend the meeting because it is to fare for me to walk after night. We had a hard rain last week thunder and lighten. The snow has left us and we arr in the mud. It is a very plesent day. The sun shines warm. Lousea and Syntha had a plesent viset with thear folks[14]. You remember little Hatta has two boys and a pare of twins.[*] Tell Jemme[15] to write to me then I will answer it. I took Auges flower some time before. It seam to help. It has help me but it will never cure me. Except my love to you all. From your Mother.

N B Betts

I have the palpatation of the heart som times very bad. I have ben takeon Dr. Fitch heart corrector.

Mother

I received letter Sister Mary[16]. She is at Waukegan with Sis Jane[17] rents her hous and is a living with Marget How[18] the girl that lernt the trade of her and poor Mary hasent no home nor cant get work to do because thear is more woman than work. I feal sorry for her. Febe Cathrine dide last march[19] going out there it through her out of her place of work sence she has no home. Write soon.

N B Betts

Write soon. Write all bout the old folks in Gales burg. Give my love to Mrs Birget and all of old friends.

Mother

——-

[1] Cynthia (McCann) Long, Louisa (McCann) Crawford’s sister

[2] Leonard Long

[3] Robert Crawford, Nancy’s son

[4] Edna Crawford, Robert’s daughter

[5] Katherine Sarah Crawford, Robert’s daughter

[6] Melissa Crawford, Robert’s daughter

[7] Louisa (McCann) Crawford, Robert’s wife

[8] Lucius Prosper Crawford, Nancy’s youngest son

[9] David Caleb (D.C.) Crawford, Nancy’s son

[10] Hiram Crawford Jr., Nancy’s son

[11] Henry Clay Crawford, Nancy’s son

[12] Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, Hiram’s wife

[13] Virginia (Worley) Crawford, Henry’s wife

[14] “The folks” most likely refers to Cynthia’s and Louisa’s families

[*] Louisa and Cynthia’s sister was Harriet. She married George Knight and they had sons, Calvin and Herbert, and twin girls, Bertha and Stella

[15] Sarah’s son, James Keith

[16] Mary (Comfort) Wickersham

[17] Jane (Comfort) Nelles Sunderlin

[18] The 1880 Census shows Orrin & Margaret Howe listed at 117 Utica Street, Waukegan, Illinois, which is the same address listed for Mary, however in separate households

[19] Mary’s daughter, Phebe Catherine (Wickersham) O’Connor, who died March 17, 1875

April 10, 1874 letter to Sarah Keith from Nancy Betts

April 10, 1874

To:  Sarah Keith

From: Nancy Betts, Omro, WI

Her health is quite good this spring; has been taking the electric health restorer. D.C. sent his photograph in a splendid frame and sent Robert and Prosper a photograph each in a smaller size. Robert has trouble with rheumatism a good deal of the time, but his family is well. Received a letter from Eugene a short time ago. Received a letter from David to say that Amanda joined the Episcopal Church. Hiram wrote that they were all well, that they had a dreadful snowstorm a week ago and that Clem Crawford had visited and stayed two days. Edna is still going to school in Oshkosh. They want her to be a teacher. Willie is almost as tall as his father.

Omro     April 10th 1874[1]

My Dear Daughter

I receive your kind letter and was glad to hear from you and yours. I hope these few lines will find you all in good health. My health is quite good this spring. I have ben taking the Electric health Restorer a Jerman Remedy to cure Dyspepsia and palpatation of heart. It has help me the most of any thing that I hav ever to taking. DC[2] my son sent me his Photograph in a splendid fraime and sent Robert[3] and Prosper[4] each one only a photograph a smaller sise. Robert is troble with the rheumatism a goodeal of the time. His famly is well. The last heard from Prospers folks they was well. I received aletter from Eugene[5] short time ago. He was a gon a way but said he would write a gain before he whent. I received aletter from David to say that Amanda[6] was Baptise and join the a Episcopal Church a short time a go. They they where only the baby.[*] She was quite un well a cutting her theeth and one from Hiram[7]. They wher all well. He said about a week they had a dredfull snow storm. Clem Crawford[8] had ben out there and staid two days. They where all well. The ice is out of the Fox river but boats has not began to run yet. We are having very plesent wether now. The roads is quite dusty. The frost is mostly out of the ground and it is very dry. Som folks has comments a making gardings [commenced making gardens?]. Edna[9] is still agoing school at Oshkosh. The wanto make a teacher of her. Wille[10] is most as tall as his Father. They say he is quite good in figuers. He is a gon to keep tally for his Father this summer. Tell Lousia and Jenne[11] I would like to write to them but I cant do it. I have so meny letters to write. It is quite a task for me.

When I commence this letter I made cuch work I thought I would have to put it a way but I wanted to send it to day so I keep at it tille I finshed it. If you can read it then it will be all right. Write soon and tell all of the news. So I will close. My love to you all.

From your Mother

to S C Keith     N B Betts

——-

[1] It is hard to make out the year; however, it could be 1878

[2] David Crawford

[3] Nancy’s son, Robert Crawford

[4] Lucius Prosper Crawford, Nancy’s youngest son

[5] Nancy’s grandson, Eugene Crawford

[6] D.C.’s wife, Amanda (Thornton) Crawford

[*] Ida Louise Crawford

[7] Hiram Crawford Jr., Nancy’s son

[8] Robert Clement Crawford, Nancy’s grandson, the second eldest son of Henry & Virginia (Worley) Crawford

[9] Edna Crawford, Robert’s daughter

[10] William Crawford, Robert’s son

[11] Presumably Robert’s wife, Louisa (McCann), and Henry’s wife, Virginia (Worley)