June 21, 1923 letter to Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne from Nancy Brown

June 21, 1923

To: Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne, Kalamazoo, MI

From: Nancy Brown, Chicago, IL

Another update on Lou’s condition. He wants to come home but they could not take care of him. The Ravenswood Manor Association has offered to pay Lela $150.00 for collecting dues from the membership. She will have to go door to door, but can do it in her own time, but Nancy doesn’t know where she will find the time to do so.

Scan of 1923-06-21 Nancy Brown to Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne

Tuesday June 21- 23
3-40 P.M.

Dear ones at home

Seems as if we dont know any thing about you. Have wished a good many times we knew if Lou[1] was there. Such hot weather. I think of you Ethan working out in the hot sun drinking hot tea and so tired. I was not intending to write till tomor, but Lela[2] just got a letter from Dr Wern[?] (Lous[3] doctor). It has about used Lela up and of course I am more or less nervous. He said Lou had two convulsions Tuesday and this morning between three and five oclock had _____ but has come out of them but left him in a weakened, dazed, condition. He wants she should come up there as he wishes to have a talk with her. She will go tomow morning. Bess[4] or Claude[5] will go with her. She feels bad. Every letter she has had from Lou, only a few lines at a time, but he wants she should come and get him but that cant be. We could never take care of him and he could not have the treatments he needs. We feel like a funeral all the time. Dont or cant make any plans but let each day take care of itself. The Ravenswood Manor association of which Lela & Lou are members have offered her the business of collecting the dues. Has to go from house to house here in the Manor. Will let her take her own time, do as much or little as she can when she can. She will get one hundred and fifty dollars for doing it. Of course she has axcepted it. None of us can see when she will find time to go out. I was going to send crate yesterday then it rained so hard Martha[6] could not take it and now she wont have time as Mr and Mrs Eckles[7] are coming here to supper. This Manor Association takes care of the park ways, keeps shrubry, trees and lawns in fine condition. I wish you could all see how pretty it looks. Its like a big park, nice lawns, shubbry & trees and the flowers. We have four large rose bushes. There are hundreds of flowers and birds. So many others have the same beside so many Peonies, all colors, and all kinds of flowers. Our quince tree is full of fruit but no garden. Lou thinks he made and has as fine a garden as ever was he tried to. The morning he went away he called me to come to the back door and told me to see how even the rows of every thing was and so free from weeds. Showed how much more he knew and understood gardening than any one else. Said in about five days we could have all the beans we could eat and our neighbors culd to. Not a thing out there but weeds and a few radishes, but he saw them all right.

Friday 3.45. As you see this did not get finished last night. Mr & Mrs Eckels came but the empty crate went. The girls went on ten A.M. car this morning, dont know when they will be home. Train leaves Milwaukee every hour, takes two hours to make the trip. They wont be home before eleven or twelve. Will let you know Monday how they found and left Lou. Did you get the last money order 15.00 I think you ought to have had it last Saturday. Hannah I wish I could hear your rheumatism was better. I think about you and Ethan evry minite. If I dont write of any thing but us. Jessie[8] phoned. She is going to have Uncle Henry, Virginia[9] and myself over for lunch before Aunt Kate[10] goes. I think she will ask Clara.[11] I have planed to go home[12] the 30^th but Lela wants I should wait a little longer till we know a little better how Lou is. Hope this finds you all feeling better.

Nan

——-

[1] Their sister, Louese (Keith) Harris

[2] Nancy’s daughter, Lela (Brown) Mueller

[3] Lela’s husband, Louis Mueller, who had been admitted to Sacred Heart Sanitarium as a result of a brain injury caused by being hit hit by a streetcar

[4] Nancy’s daughter, Bess (Brown) Recoschewitz

[5] Nancy’s son, Claude Brown

[6] Martha Lueder, one of Lela’s boarders. The 1920 census shows Martha and her sister Helen as inmates in the Chicago Nursery & Half Orphan Asylum, 2801 Foster Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Single parents could leave their children there temporarily if they were unable to care for them

[7] Lela’s next door neighbors, Charles & Daisy (Smith) Eckel

[8] Nancy’s handwriting is very hard to decipher, but I think this is Jessie (Crawford) Eck, Kate’s daughter (see footnote 10)

[9] Their uncle, Henry Crawford, and his daughter, Virginia Crawford

[10] Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, the widow of their uncle Hiram Crawford, Jr.

[11] Henry’s daughter, Clara (Crawford) Hopkins Hammatt

[12] Many of the family, even though they lived elsewhere, referred to the Keith family farm where Ethan and Hannah still lived, as “home”

September 3, 1921 letter to Nancy Brown from Kate Crawford

September 3, 1921

To: Nancy Brown

From: Kate Crawford, Lake Mills, WI

Kate describes events prior to her trip to Wisconsin and her arrival at Erinside Beach at Lake Mills, Wisconsin.

Scan of 1921-09-03 Kate Crawford to Nancy Brown

Erinside Beach
Lake Mills, Wis

Sept 3^d 1921

Dear Nan

Your letter reached me in due season and I was glad to hear from you. I was surprised when I went over to Lelas[1] to find you gone.[2] I had a pleasant time there. Lela was so good and kind and thoughtful. It made J-[3] & I both feel good. I went to Rosehill[4] Friday morning, then to the Drs & had the spot burned out of my cheek, then started for here Saturday at 2 oclock. Stayed in Milwaukee 2 hours, reached here at 8³⁰. Stayed with a lovely old lady for four days. She boarded us & roomed us & fed us up beautifully for $10.⁰⁰. Then the 1^st we came here. The cottage was untidy looking and as we had nothing much to fix it up with, the outlook was poor, but a neighbor loaned me 4 strips of matting and a rug and 2 quilts and we went down, took 2 pails & brooms, washed the porch walls & floor & screen, put down the matting, moved the furniture around, made up our cots. A lady sent us a beautiful bunch of gladiolas, a bottle of berries, a glass of jelly, a pan of apples & a pan of grapes, tomatoes & cucumbers & doughnuts, so we have started on our way. Leroy is going to give us a chicken for to morrow. K-[5] floated in on us yesterday aft, found a way across country. Will go to C-[6] Monday Noon to be ready for work Tuesday morning. I had a letter from Aunt Laura[7] to night. She is living in San Francisco. Her address is 176 Belvidere St.

The first night I was here I cried all night. Many sad memories met me, but God in his infinite grace sustained me and comforted me. I think often of you. [looks like the a portion had been erased] and have made so many years. The girls went down town tonight to get some things for over Labor Day. It is a gala time every Saturday night, the band plays & all the towns people & surrounding country meet & exchange greetings & do their trading. Remember me to H- & E-[8] & love to yourself.

Girls send love & I must close as it is bed time.

Aunt Kate

Write when you can.

——-

[1] Nancy’s daughter, Lela (Brown) Mueller

[2] Nancy was helping out her brother and sister, Ethan Keith and Hannah (Keith) Towne, who still lived in the family farmhouse in Galesburg, Michigan

[3] Her daughter, Jessie (Crawford) Eck

[4] Rosehill Cemetery, where Kate’s husband, Hiram Crawford Jr., was buried. Hiram died in Chicago December 2, 1920

[5] Believe she is referring to her granddaughter, Kathryn Eck

[6] Chicago, Illinois

[7] Laura (Hands) Crawford, the widow of Lucius Prosper Crawford; Pros was the younger brother of Kate’s husband, Hiram

[8] Hannah and Ethan

December 1, 1920 letter to Nancy Brown from Ethan Keith

December 1, 1920 

To: Nancy Brown

From: Ethan Keith, Kalamazoo, MI

Ethan has received word from his sister of his Uncle Hiram’s death. He is expressing sadness that “… we will not see him again in this life. It’s hard to think of. He has always been so good to all of us. I am very sorry for Aunt Kate, and the children.” Hiram’s death followed closely those of Uncle Pros and Aunt Virginia, both of whom died during the year. Hannah has been sick and suffers from lack of appetite.

Scan of 1920-12-01 Ethan Keith to Nancy Brown

Kalamazoo, Dec 1. 1920.
8.15 P.m.

Dear Sister and all,

I have just been using the battery. Hannah[1] used it before I did, and Lou[2] is using now so should think there ought to be some lightning around here now. Thought I had better tell you I sent two bushels of Green Mountain potatoes to you to day. You know they are a later and harder potato than the Hebrons are not quite as tender. If you all like them, and would care for any more, will send as many more when the weather is favorable. Remember they are paid for.

So Uncle Hiram[3] is gone, and we will not see him again in this life. I’ts hard to think of. He has always been so good to all of us. I am very sorry for Aunt Kate,[4] and the children they will miss him so much. He followed Uncle Pross[5] and Aunt Virginia[6] pretty close. I would not be surprised to hear Uncle Henry[7] had gone any time.

Hannah says tell you she will write to you as soon as she can. She has been pretty sick since she had that chill. Does not improve very fast. If she could eat but she has no appetite. Lou[8] has written the Dr. and perhaps he will be able to do something for it. I hope Lou[9] is improving but I believe he has got to be careful and not overdo.

LaVerne[10] and Louese expect to come down friday P.m. and stay until Sunday, expect she is agoing to do something in the front part of the house.

I have twenty shocks tied into bundles ready to draw in and that will leave twenty-four in the field. Dont know when I will get the twenty-four in for I will have so much to husk out before there would be room in the barn for them.

Will stop and go to bed. Give our sympathy to Aunt Kate and family.

Love to all,

Ethan

——-

[1] Ethan’s and Nancy’s sister, Hannah (Keith) Towne

[2] Ethan’s and Nancy’s sister, Louese (Keith) Harris

[3] Hiram Crawford Jr. died November 29, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois

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

[5] Their uncle, Lucius Prosper Crawford, who died in Berkeley, California on March 4, 1920

[6] Their uncle Henry Clay Crawford’s wife, Virginia (Worley) Crawford, who died July 18, 1920 in South Bend, Indiana

[7] Their uncle, Henry Clay Crawford

[8] Louese

[9] Louis Mueller, Nancy’s son-in-law, who had recently suffered a nervous breakdown

[10] LaVerne (Harris) Boyer, sister Louese’s daughter

Obituaries of Hiram Crawford Jr.

From the November 29, 1920 South Bend Tribune:

Hiram Crawford

H. C. Crawford, 419 West Wayne street, received word to-day of the death this morning at 4 o’clock of his brother, Hiram Crawford, of Chicago. Death followed a four weeks’ illness and occurred at the Alexin Bothers hospital. Mr. Crawford was 82 years old. He is survived by his wife, one son and two daughters.

——-

From the November 30, 1920 Chicago Daily News:

CRAWFORD – Hiram Crawford, Nov. 29, aged 83 years, beloved husband of Katherine Crawford, fond father of Harry A., Mrs. Jessie B. Eck and Mrs. Charles D. Hessey. Funeral Thursday, Dec 2, at 2 p.m., from late residence, 5412 Glenwood-av. Burial at Rosehill.

June 17, 1920 letter to Nancy Brown from Kate Crawford

(This post was updated on 01-12-2023)

June 17, 1920

To: Nancy Brown, Kalamazoo, MI

From: Kate Crawford, Chicago, IL

Kate writes that they are a good ways off from being settled. The bottom fell out of the money bag, so she and Hiram must wait. Tomorrow is Taylor’s & Helen’s 15^th birthday and next Thursday night they graduate. She expects to witness the ceremony and then the aunts and uncles and cousins will repair to the house and all talk at once and eat ice cream and cake. They are going to give Taylor a watch and Nell had given Harry a diamond stick pin before they were married and they have had it set in a ring for Helen. Hiram bought Taylor a real leather belt with monogramed sterling buckle. All these various things coming along is the reason they cannot get settled. Writes also about how nice it was where they lived in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, compared to how it is living in Chicago.

Scan of 1920-06-17 Kate Crawford to Nancy Brown

5412 Underwood Ave

6-17-20

Dear Nan

I am sitting in the gloaming and thought I would draft you a line or two to let you know we were here as yet. I hardly need tell you about the weather. I fancy there is not much difference between this place & yours. It was so in L.M.[1] What ever we were there, I knew it was about the same here. There was a radical change last night and today it has been uncomfortably cold. Papa[2] started for down town & he was so cold he came back and changed his underwear. Jessie[3] went to work yesterday and that leaves Papa and I alone and I find the work exceeds the cottage. I am so glad I had three quiet years. I wish I had enjoyed them even more. Jessie has to leave at half past six & I get up and help her and about the time she is gone, K[4] comes on the scene so I am up about an hour. Then I lie down but seldom sleep. I am almost as much of a stranger as if I had never lived here. I do not go out much. I have been down town twice, to a funeral in Rogers Park, a lady 70 years old I knew when she was a girl, and out to Mr Dewey’s in R.P. one evening. We are a good ways off from being settled. The bottom kind of fell out of the money bag, so we must wait. Tomorrow is Taylor & Helen’s 15^th birthday[5] and next Thursday night they graduate. We are expected to witness the ceremony and then the Aunts & Uncles & cousins will repair to the house and all talk at once and eat ice cream and cake. They are going to give Taylor a watch & Nell had given Harry a diamond stick pin before they were married and they have had it set in a ring for Helen. Papa bought Taylor a real leather belt with monogram sterling buckle. All these various things coming along is the reason we cannot get settled. We thought we would get H[elen] a camasole, so Papa said, Now Jessie, Saturday aft– you go and get the carousal for Helen. We had quite a laugh over it. We have not seen or heard from Lela.[6] We have no phone service as yet. The landlady is real good. Anyone who has her number calls there for us. She touches our bell and then they can use this phone, but no one can call us here. The man emptied the box this morning of the last tenant’s nickles and he said they were up against it every where.

The prospect for canning is very poor. We had to stop buying berries they were so poor & so high. Potatoes way out of sight. We used to say to people we invited to dine with us (they would say don’t do a lot of work for us) & we would reply – oh we will just drop two or three extra potatoes in the pot. But now, nothing doing. I hope Hannah[7] is feeling better now you are there. I tell you it is lovely for anyone who has a garden. Oh how I miss L.M. Plenty of everything. Milk & cream 12 cts instead of 15 & 16, ice box filled to overflowing, plenty of eggs. We got 12 doz four weeks ago from Leroy’s. Almost gone now. We could get lots of fruit & fresh vegetables. When you are enjoying all these luxuries, just think of us.

I had a nice letter from Laura[8] a few days ago. She is very lonely. Mays husband[9] sprained his ankle just after L.P.[10] passed away and was confined to the house about three weeks. Did you know Leo & his wife[11] were separated?

You can hardly imagine how different it is here from L.M. Last Saturday I listened to pianos of all grades, victrolas, Auto horns, babies crying and sundry other sounds. Not agreable to any ears, but who am I in this motley crowd. If you get the Chicago news, you must be startled with the killings going on and 9 out of 10, a woman at the bottom of it. The last time I heard from M[12] she was getting along. She had to have two or three stitches. Baby was a fine healthy fellow.[13] She had plenty of milk, which is a great blessing. When she was in the hospital, she wrote to her mother[14] & it did not reach her, but was returned. She wrote on the envelope, see what Jack[15] did, directed it wrong. He wrote under it, could not help it, so excited at being a father, Jack.

I am sorry you are going to be gone all summer. I am very lame at times. It is with difficulty I can get around and to add to my joy, the middle finger of my right hand has been crippled with rheumatism, but is so now I can use my hand. Now I have told you all my ills. And it seems by the way my eyes feel it is bed time so I will close by sending love to all from all and hoping to hear from you soon.

Aunt Kate

Got muddled with the paper

——-

[1] Lake Mills, Wisconsin, where Kate and Hiram had had a summer cottage

[2] Her husband, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[3] Jessie (Crawford) Eck, Kate’s daughter

[4] Katherine Louesa Eck, Kate’s granddaughter

[5] The twin children of Harry and Nellie (Sullivan) Crawford, and Kate’s grandchildren

[6] Lela (Brown) Mueller, Nancy’s daughter

[7] Hannah (Keith) Towne, Nancy’s sister

[8] Laura (Hands) Blake Crawford, the second wife of Lucius Prosper Crawford, Hiram’s brother

[9] Believe she is referring to James MacDermott, the husband of Laura’s daughter, Laura May (Blake) MacDermott

[10] Lucius Prosper “Pros” Crawford, who died in Berkeley, California on March 4, 1920

[11] Pros’ son, Leo Crawford, and Ella (Drew) Crawford

[12] Kate’s granddaughter, Marian (Eck) Meiss

[13] Jack Meiss, Marian’s son, who was born May 9, 1920

[14] Jessie (Crawford) Eck

[15] Charles “Jack” Meiss, Marian’s husband

June 1, 1919 letter to Lela Mueller from Kate Crawford

June 1, 1919

To: Lela Mueller

From: Kate Crawford

Kate is describing their country home and the decorating she has done. Would like Lela to sell back “the old black chair” to them if she is willing.

Scan of 1919-06-01 Kate Crawford to Lela Mueller

Sunday, June 1^st, 1919

Dear Lela,[1]

I am sitting out under the trees this morning trying to get a little of the wandering breeze – it has been very hot for a week and a thunder storm threatening for two days – but has not materialized as yet. I have driven tacks until my head is buzzing. Climbed up on chairs and down again – like the King of France marched up the hill with his army and then down again. Such a time as we have had losing and finding. I lost a paper of tacks. For a week I hunted for them. Just found them yesterday. Papa[2] lost the key to the door and I hunted every where for it. Yesterday he looked in the pocket of his store pants & found it. Country was saved once more.

We think we look quite nice in our country home. Considering what we have to do with. We covered the largest part of the porch with the Linoleum & the rest with rugs, two cots, an improvised bookcase. I had Papa put the crate that our bed stead came in right across the narrow end of the porch. I lined it with paper, curtained it and converted it into a clothes closet. Put my sewing machine out there. A comode Nell[3] gave me, one of those frog flower dishes & I have it filled with lilies of the valley. They grow on our bank. Papa put a strip on our porch inside for pots of plants. I have quite a nice collection. An old dressing case & my large glass hung over it & the wall covered with pictures I cut out of the magazines & Sunday Tribune all winter. Even you I think would concede it was quite artistic. At least it is more attractive to the eye than the wall. Yesterday I recd a package from New Orleans from Walt Greene. On opening it found a cute Kasasas – a bale of cotton ready to ship – a little darkey sitting on it with cotton all around him, a bunch of oats waving over his head and a big slice of watermelon in his hands – which (apparently) he is about to devour with great delight. We have hunted the town over for a rocker. We have only one. It is an old easy cane seat & back. I have cushioned it back & seat & it is awful comfortable, but we are sadly in need of another. There are plenty of chairs but as you know, they are short backs & straight uncomfortable things. A good reed chair I could not touch for less than $15.00 & of course it was out of the question. Now Lela, I am going to make a proposition to you. If the old black chair is in tack would you sell it back to me. I will give you $2.00 for it. And if you dont feel happy about it just say so and if you do would Lou[4] put a crate on it sufficient to satisfy the law or get someone to do it & send it to the depot. You can do that by telephone so it will not put you out too much. Now Lela if it does not strike you favorable, just forget it. If it does, just send us the bill & we will remit. Has you mother[5] gone away yet? I had a touch of rheumatism in my knee yesterday. I was quite a cripple, but it is better today. I went to look for two van[?] pins yesterday and found I had neither of them. Do not know where I could have left them. One had green stones in & the other was a sterling with rhine stones. Have you tumbled on to them. I have written to Nancy see if I left them there. Will you look in that satchel I sent over, perhaps they might be loose in that.

Hope to hear from you soon

Love to all

Aunt Kate

——-

[1] Lela (Brown) Mueller; Kate was the wife of Hiram Crawford Jr., Lela’s grand-uncle

[2] Hiram Crawford Jr.

[3] Nellie (Sullivan) Crawford, the wife of Kate’s son, Harry

[4] Louis Mueller, Lela’s husband

[5] Nancy (Keith) Brown

September 15, 1913 postcard to Dorothy Recoschewitz from Hiram Crawford Jr.

September 15, 1913

To: Dorothy Recoschewitz, Chicago, IL

From: Hiram Crawford Jr., North Yakima, WA

Postcard from North Yakima, Washington.

Scan of 1913-09-15 Hiram Crawford to Dorothy Recoschewitz

No Yakima[1] Sept 15/13

Dear Dorothy[2]

Mount Adams is about 12600 feet high and as seen from here shows about 1/3 of its height. A great snow bank the year around. I am not well yet but am gradually gaining. Love to Papa Mama and Brother[3] with lots for yourself.

Your Uncle[4]

H Crawford

——-

[1] Hiram was most probably visiting his daughter, Blanche (Crawford) Hessey

[2] Dorothy was not quite ten years old

[3] Julius, Bess (Brown) and Robert Brown Recoschewitz

[4] Hiram was the brother of Dorothy’s great-grandmother, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

June 24, 1912 letter to James Keith from Ethan Keith

June 24, 1912

To: James Keith, Shelbyville, MI

From: Ethan Keith, Galesburg, MI

Is writing to give him Henry Keith’s address; doesn’t know what Ray Keith’s address is. Received the announcement of Winifred and Kirk Brouard’s marriage. Mr. Brouard seemed like a nice man. Uncle Hiram is visiting; will go to Uncle Henry’s tomorrow. Hiram has neuralgia in his right eye and kidney trouble. Lela Brown and Lou Mueller were married Saturday. “It’s quite a good deal for one to have two nephews in a week.”

Scan of 1912-06-24 – Ethan Keith to James Keith

Galesburg June 24, 1912

Dear Brother

I am agoing to write you this morning and answer your question. Am sorry I did not get to it last week, but I did not have a chance to breathe hardly. Henry’s[1] address is 507 E. Buffalo st Ithaca N.Y. I dont know what Ray’s[2] is. He is in Cal-. His business is in San Francisco but I think he boards in Oakland with his mother.[3] We rec’d the announcement of Winnie[4] and Mr Brouards[5] marriage friday. They and Marion called on us thursday A.m. We like Mr Brouard appearance. Seemed like a nice man. Hope they will get along nicely. It was not exactly a surprise to us for Mildred[6] said she guessed they intended to be married, and Marion phoned Hannah[7] tuesday that they were to be married Wed-. You and Cora[8] must begin to feel old. Uncle Hiram[9] is here goes to Uncle Henrys[10] tomorrow. He has neuralgia in his right eye. Has been sick since the first of May. Kidney trouble. I suppose Lela[11] and Lou Mueller[12] was married sat-. It’s quite a good deal for one to have two nephews in a week. Write when you have a chance. It’s little past time for Will so will stop.

Love to all from Ethan

——-

[1] Henry Keith, his half-brother, the son of Charles Luke Keith Jr. and his first wife, Minerva Payson

[2] Henry’s son, Arthur Raymond Keith

[3] Florence (Stall) Keith

[4] Jim’s oldest daughter, Winifred Keith; Winifred and Kirk were married June 19, 1912

[5] Kirk Brouard

[6] Niece, daughter of his sister Louese (Keith) Harris

[7] Sister Hannah Keith Towne; she and Ethan lived together

[8] Jim’s wife, Cora (Meredith) Keith

[9] Hiram Crawford Jr., his mother’s brother

[10] Henry Crawford, his mother’s brother

[11] Niece, daughter of his sister, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[12] Lela Brown and Louis Mueller were married June 22, 1912

1911? letter to Nancy Brown from Lela Brown

About Fall 1911

To: Nancy Brown

From: Lela Brown

Writes about clothes she and Bess are sending to Nancy. She visited Uncle Hiram. Blanche isn’t going home until after Thanksgiving so Nancy should be home in time to see her before she returns home. Writes about sharing a room with Dorothy and the two of them eating apples after they go to bed. Nancy then adds her own news and forwards the letter to Hannah.

Scan of 1911 Fall – Lela Brown to Nancy Brown

Tues[1] –

Dear Mamma,

I will send this cuff set but didnt have time to put the lawn on it and get it to you before you went to Kal.[2] so you can do that. Its my first attempt so don they are not very nice. Maybe the cuffs are too wide but you can easily change them.

Bess[3] sent your coat Monday so you will probably get it before you get this.

Let me know how Auntie’s[4] coat comes out.

I stopped at Uncle His[5] Sunday. Blanche[6] isnt going home until after Thanksgiving so you will see her. Even if we dont find a flat you plan to be here then.

I havent had any money from Claude[7] since I came home and dont know as wel we will, so if you hear any thing from Will let me know.

I havent time to write any more. Will send the cuffs and will send the collar in a day or two. I didnt have quite enough braid to finish it.

I am going to Claudes to-night to stay with Edie.[8]

Dorothy[9] talks about Michigan all the time, she remembers every one and every thing. She sleeps with me in Al’s[10] room and we have apples every night after we go to bed, and the first thing when she wakes up in the moning she asks for apples. The other night she was watching me get one ready to take, and she said to Bess “In the morning when I wake up I’ll say Aunt Lela give me some apple” and she say “O you little monkey.”

Write soon.

Love to all

Lela

The following was written to Hannah Towne from Nancy Brown

Hannah, If you can get the cloth over I will go to Kazoo tomow morning, get back so as to go over home[11] in evening on Saturday, which ever will be best for you and Ethan.[12] You see Lou[13] is not coming this week. I’ll write Lou to day. I’ll get your goods & buttons. If you want any thing else send a little change with the check for the buttons. Lizzie[14] & I were invited to Ida[15] yesterday P.M. had a real good time. Mr Simonds[?] called, also ___ ___ & Stewart. I wrote Clara I’d take dinner with her tomow. Keep these letters.

Nan

——-

[1] While the letter was not dated, it appears it might have been around the Fall of 1911

[2] Kalamazoo, Michigan

[3] Her sister, Bess (Brown) Recoschewitz

[4] Nancy’s sister, Hannah (Keith) Towne

[5] Nancy’s uncle, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[6] Hiram’s daughter, Blanche (Crawford) Hessey

[7] Her brother, Claude Brown

[8] Claude’s wife, Edith (Neumaier) Keith

[9] Bess’ daughter, Dorothy Recoschewitz

[10] Bess’ stepson, Alphons Recoschewitz

[11] Many of the family, even though they lived elsewhere, referred to the Keith family farm where Ethan and Hannah lived, as “home”

[12] Nancy’s brother, Ethan Keith

[13] Nancy’s sister, Louese (Keith) Harris

[14] Elizabeth (Allerton) Clark. Lizzie was married to William Byron Clark, the son of Nancy’s half sister, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner

[15] Ida (Allerton) Carr, Lizzie’s sister

April 25, 1904 letter to James Keith from Kate Crawford

April 25, 1904

To: James Keith, Shelbyville, MI

From: Katherine Crawford, Chicago, IL

Kate is repaying Jim the dollar that they borrowed from him. Charley is failing rapidly. He “has a cavity in his lung and is generally falling to pieces.”

Scan of 1904-04-25 Kate Crawford to Jim Keith

Chicago, Ill

Apr 1904[1]

Dear Jim

You will be surprised beyond measure no doubt to get this communication from me and I feel heartily ashamed of my negligence. I have owed you this dollar for a long time & I have never forgotten it but the truth is for a long time when we were so pressed when I saw you I did not have it & when I had it I did not see you. I thought of it many times when I was away and promised myself it would be one of the first things I would do on my return but the sickness and care in our family has caused me to delay writing & to night I said I would do it before I went to bed. I trust it will come in in a good place now. I shall know you rec^d it all right if not returned. Charley[2] is failing rapidly. Keeps his bed most of the time. He has suffered torture. About one week ago the D^r gave him some medicine that has deadned the suffering but still the disease goes on. He has a cavity in his lung & is generally falling to peices. I suppose your father[3] is in a feeble state but he has lived to a ripe old age. Charley is young and it seems hard but the Lord knows all about it & if he is trusting in the finished work of Christ which I feel he is it will be all well with him & he will only go on a little in advance. Remember me kindly to your wife[4] & I trust you are all enjoying good health. Uncle Hiram[5] is feeling pretty well now.

Good Bye

Yours

Aunt Kate

——-

[1] The envelope bears a postmark of April 25, 1904

[2] Kate’s son-in-law, Charles T. Eck Jr., who died May 23, 1904

[3] Charles Luke Keith Jr.

[4] Cora (Meredith) Keith

[5] Kate’s husband, and Jim’s maternal uncle, Hiram Crawford Jr.