Elizabeth Belden to Annie Camfield Mar 3, 1912

Benedict Nebr Mar 3

My Dear Cousin

Your letter telling of Aunt’s death reached me yesterday; am pleased to have you notify me so promptly.

The news, though sad, is not of course wholly unexpected as at her great age we could not expect to have her here much longer at the best; I am so glad she was able to keep up to the last, to be not just a care but to enjoy the family life, to do little things to while away the hours & to appreciate the care and love I am sure you gave her.

It’s a pleasure to me that she could write me such a

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Little while ago: I thought then that probably it would be the last I would ever get from her and I value it as such.

You cannot fail to miss her and I am sure you will all long remember her; my Father and she were the same age his birthday being Oct 23 and he has been gone more than 20 years but we often think and speak of him

We have had a hard winter here, cold and stormy: yesterday was one of the worst storms of the year; at least of snow and wind it was not as cold as others have been and we hope it will be the last

I had to make a path this morning before we could get out of the gate

Page 3

and to our coal house it was more than half way to my waist

Today there has been snow in the air at intervals and looks as though there might be more.

We live only a block from the school house and the town runs a snow plow to the building so that Effie can always get to her work but these days are unpleasant in spite of these advantages
We have been well so far in spite but sometimes I think the later weather with its mud and wet is harder on us

With love and best regards to all of you I will close and sign myself
Your loving cousin
S Elizabeth Belden
Hope to hear from you again



Sarah Ann Wisner Camfield died in February 1912, at the age of 94. There were other condolence letters dated late in the month. Sarah Ann was buried next to her husband in Bronson, MI. Some of the other letters refer to a severe snow snow that the mourners had to travel through.

For more see:
Carlisle - Wisner Letters
Family of William Wisner
Descendants of Maryetta Wisner
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Margie's Ancestors - McKinnon Pictures



Belden, Sarah Elizabeth Hall (Benedict, Nebraska) to “My Dear Cousin” [Sarah Ann Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 3 March 1912. Digital Images 1-3. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1912, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Hermon Hall to Annie Carlisle Jan 15, 1912

Waukegan Ill Jan 15/12

Anna and All,
In looking over some old letters last eve I came across one from you dated July 13th no year but know it was about 2 years ago or more

I am ashamed that I did not answer it before but you must excuse and lay it on the Wisner that is in me none of us being noted for our letter writing. I hardly ever write. (to my sisters even) only as I have had to on some business other. I do not know how much of a letter I will make out of this

Page 2

time. were much pleased to get the picture of the 4 generations and think a good picture of all as I saw Joe a few years ago. (By the way he promised to write when he left here have not heard from him direct we Sarah & I came near or was out in Minn a short time after he left there 2 years ago)
and the one of Aunt is such as I remember her of course I never saw the others but think them good ones

It is long since your folks left this state and of course you do not remember many of the people here. so any thing I might write about them would not interest you very much yet I will say for Aunts remembrance about all of the old friends and neighbors are gone mostly all dead

Page 3

Mrs Culver still lives at Grays Lake now Dan & Ruth Avery both live in Chicago Sam & John are both dead Belle (Culver) White and husband are both dead in fact I can not sort out the ones there were here at that time from those that came soon after I could go on a long letter of the changes in the people here since you went away

I was out to Mapleton this fall while there Ella got a letter from you so I heard a little of how you are there but of course only what was told me
Ella’s son John is here now been

Page 4

here about 3 weeks I think he will go back soon there is not much to do here so he is not at work and the last two weeks have been the severest winter weather we have experienced in 20 years The thermometer registering 10 from 14 below up to zero the whole time about all anyone wants to do is to keep fires I did not use to think 10 below was very cold but now it pinches I can tell you
I suppose you know that Elizabeth is in Nebraska Emmits widow lives here in town Lulu with her May is at Wheaton Ill
Marthas boy Wirt is in the west you are in correspondence with some of Ellas folks so know as much about them as I can tell you

I guess this will do for this time and if you will answer this I will try to do better for a little while afterward
Your cousin, H.W. Hall


Top of page 1, upside down

We are all well as usual and hope you are the same through Ella I heard that Aunt was enjoying good health and I hope she will continue to do so until she rounds out a century

Top of page 3, upside down

My address is on the envelope
I forgot to say there is only 3 or 4 inches of snow here nor has there been yet at any one time this winter
Hermon


Hermon Hall 1846-1916 was the son of William Hamlin Hall and Maryetta Wisner Hall. In 1872 he married Sarah Ann Dayton 1850-1935. Anna and Joe were his cousins and Aunt their mother, Sarah Ann Wisner Camfield. Hermon had three children and six grandchildren at the time he wrote this letter. I wish he'd shared something about them!

I believe this is the picture that Hermon refers to. It is a four generation picture of Roland Earl Camfield born 1898, his father, Frederick Camfield born 1874, his father, Joseph Camfield born 1847 and his mother Sarah Ann Wisner Camfield born 1817.

Earl, Fred, Joe and Sarah Ann Camfield c. 1901

John McKinnon was visiting in Illinois in 1912 and must have arrived about Christmas time in 1911. Ella wrote on 16 September 1908 that he would be traveling in Colorodo and Iowa. I have not located him on the 1910 census. It appears that he may have traveled around for quite some time.

Hermon confirms that his sister, Elizabeth Hall Belden is still in Nebraska.

Their brother, Emmit Hall died in 1904. His widow was Eva Bangs Hall 1857-1925. They had two children, Eva May Hall born 1877 and Lulu Belle Hall born 1880. Lulu was still with her mother for the 1920 census and still single at the time of the 1930 census. Eva May is not listed with her mother in either 1910 or 1920 and I have yet to find her, although she may be listed in Chicago in 1910. I believe that both daughters remained spinsters.

Martha Hall Fairman's son, Wirt Hall Fairman, Sr is another member of the family that I have some work left to do for. In 1910 he was listed on the census in Jerome, Lincoln County, ID. On the 1920 census he was living in Dixon, Lee County, IL and his son Wirt' Jr's was listed as age 4 and born in Idaho so for now I assume that he remained in Idaho until sometime between 1916 and 1920.

The Culver family may not have been related but they seem to be important to the Wisner's and Hall's.


For more see:
Carlisle - Wisner Letters
Family of William Wisner
Descendants of Maryetta Wisner
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Margie's Ancestors - McKinnon Pictures


Hall, Hermon W (Waukegan, Illinois) to “Anna and All” [Sarah Ann Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 15 January 1912. Digital Images 1-4. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1912, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Earle, Fred, Joe and Sarah Ann Camfield. Digital image privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, NY. 2008. Original photograph held by Uncle Bill, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Buchanan, MI. 1999.]

Wordless Wednesday - Summer 1927

Vivian, Phyllis, and William Carlisle 1927
Daniel Carlisle seated in background

Summer 1927, Buchanan, MI. Digital image 2008.
Original image held by Apple [Address for private use]

Ella Mckinnon to Annie Carlisle Jan 15, 1912

Mapleton Minn
Jan 15th 1912

Dear Cousin
Well Christmas has come and gone and we are all as well as usual and I have my washing done for the week but they are still out on the line as they are frozen so hard we cannot take them off without breaking them in two so we left them out for tonight. Ella is at home with me this winter the two youngest go to school and Myrtle is out in Dak. She is a dressmaker and gets lots of work out there and good pay at it too.

Page 2

Belle is out there teaching they are near together but not just in the same place. They both like it out there pretty well.

We have had pretty severe winter weather ever since New Years there has only been two days that the thermometers went up to zero or above. we have considerable snow but not so much as we have some winters but it always drifts so that makes it so disagreeable.

Oh I must thank you for that pretty card you sent me I got several but that was the prettiest I believe Santa was good to me this year alright

Page 3

I sold a good many of my old dishes because I wanted a whole set alike so I got them for Christmas from my husband Belle gave me a food chopper just what I wanted all the time then I got 3 hdkfs a pretty little plate & a small bon bon bowl I think they call it and a silver pie knife and Elizabeth sent me a linen doily the and a picture. The linen in the doily was a piece that grandmother Hall spun the flax and wove the cloth so you see it is a pretty old piece of cloth then Elizabeth crocheted an edge around it of this silkolence thread so it is very pretty
We are nicely settled in our new home now since we got through building and it is very comfortable in it.

Page 4

And I like it a good deal better than at least ever thought I should I never liked in in town and now I would never go to a large city to live this is large enough for me we keep two cows and a couple of ponies and about 25 chickens I would not like it to buy every thing like that eggs are generally so high in the winter that one would not have them very often

I have not got my quilt that Aunt Sarah Ann sent me quilted yet but am going to try and get it done this summer & I am going to piece several more this winter yet will make them on the machine, I have them all cut out so it will not take long to sew them together on the machine

Page 5

And I want to sew a lot of carpet rugs I have already torn up. I did that last winter so as not to have so much to move over I will have to get them out I will take them on the machine too as they get away faster. I do not know when I can get them woven there are not many here that does such work now

Ella is taking up tatting this winter but she don’t care so much for crocheting but she says she is going to learn. she has just made a sofa pillow made out of velvet pieces and made it an oblong with one of those large cords around it it looks good for what she had to make it of I think

Page 6

Well there is not much news here this winter seems as if it was so quiet still there is never much going on here to interest a stranger just to read of it

Give my love to Aunt Sarah Ann. and remember me to Tamerson & Mr Carlisle although I never saw them I thought Tamerson was coming out to visit us after Belle was there but I did not see her and now I don’t suppose she will come.

Well I must close
With love and best wishes to all
I remain yours
Lovingly
Cousin Ella


I have not located Myrtle or Belle on the 1910 census. I have tried various searches in both North and South Dakota without any luck. I wish Ella had been a bit more specific!

I find the various crafts that Ella talks about interesting. Sarah Ann would have been in her 90s when she sent a quilt for finishing to Ella. I would love to know how much of the work she did herself. I remember having rag rugs but they were always store bought. I wonder why Ella didn't crochet them if she didn't have a loom? I can picture the pillow that Ella, Jr made I think.

Tamerson Carlisle married Harry Binns in 1910 so I doubt that she ever made the trip to visit Ella and Belle.

For more see:
Carlisle - Wisner Letters
Family of William Wisner
Descendants of Maryetta Wisner
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Margie's Ancestors - McKinnon Pictures



McKinnon, Ella Hall (Mapleton, Minnesota) to “Dear Cousin” [Sarah Ann Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 15 January 1912. Digital Images 1-6. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1912, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Memories on Monday - Hotel Locks & Train Rides

John and I just spent a couple of days in Old Forge, NY and a very short trip brought back a flood of memories.

Lots and lots of memories, many having nothing to do with Old Forge. For now I'll share just a couple. Sometime I'll have to write more about my memories of camping as a kid.

In my travelogue I mentioned that we'd had trouble with room locks in the past. One time we stayed in a motel in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Our youngest came down with a fever so John took the boys out to pick up some medicine leaving me alone in the room with our daughter. Knowing that they wouldn't be gone very long I didn't hook the chain. A few minutes after they'd left a man entered our room, with a key. I was startled and a bit afraid but I was able to convince him that the motel must have given the same room out twice and he left to get it straightened out.

There was another time in the Dominican Republic when we were surprised in our room. We had had a problem with our first room assignment and had been moved. I can't remember if the door had a chain or not but I suspect not. After a day in the sun we decided to take a nap before dinner. We slept a bit longer than we'd planned and it was dark out. Someone entering the room woke us and we weren't quite dressed appropriately to receive company. It was a resort representative intending to leave us a surprise tray of rum and fruit to make up for the earlier room problem. Surprised we were! My very little Spanish didn't wake up with me and the hotel rep. had his little bit of English startled right out of him.

I also talked about having taken the train before. My mother and I have never had much time alone together. My siblings were still at home when I went out on my own, then there were my children. A few year ago, before Mom's health had deteriorated to the point it is today, she and I took the train out of Utica. I can't remember why for certain but I think it was a birthday gift to her. It was during the week and there weren't very many others on the train. We had a chance to talk and enjoy just being with each other. I don't remember which station the train had it's layover at back then (it may have been Remsen) but I know that when we got there, there was no food available at the station. Mom was not able to walk into the little village so I had to leave her sitting at a picnic table by herself and I felt terrible. It seemed to take forever to get sandwiches and take them back to her. She didn't seem to mind the wait and we had a picnic all by ourselves at the station before re-boarding the train for the return to Utica and the drive home.

Ella McKinnon to Annie Carlisle June 7, 1911

Mapleton Minn
June 7, 1911

Mrs Anna Carlisle
Dear Cousin: -
I thank you and Tamerson for the present which you sent me. which I received alright although I did neglect to answer immediately. I think everything of my new pen holder, and paper knife and shall always think of you when using them. I cannot express my thanks so well on paper, but you may indeed be satisfied that I greatly appreciate your kindness. I was glad to hear that Auntie is still well, and I do wish so much I could come and see her and the rest of you.
Yours lovingly,
Ella M



For more see:
Carlisle - Wisner Letters
Family of William Wisner
Descendants of Maryetta Wisner
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Margie's Ancestors - McKinnon Pictures


McKinnon, Ella Hall (Mapleton, Minnesota) to “Mrs Anna Carlisle” [Sarah Ann Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 7 June 1911. Digital Image. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1910-1911, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Elizabeth Belden To Sarah Ann Camfield Dec 19, 1910

Benedict Nebr Dec 19th

My Dear Aunt

Do you realize it is almost Christmas again and I want you to know I have not forgotten you but wish you once again Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

I hope this will find you in your usual health as it leaves us: we have both been having colds but not serious ones

Effie’s school closed Friday for two weeks vacation and we expect to go to Malcolm in a few days to spend Christmas with our cousins

We are having fine weather

(reverse pg 1)

We had quite a fall of snow a couple of weeks ago and there was good sleighing for several days which is not common here but it has thawed a good deal for several days and the snow is about gone

Not many have sleighs of any kind but I assure you the children have enjoyed the snow: there is a little hill in front of our house and the school children have thoroughly enjoyed it

Have you heard from sister Ella lately? If so you will know that they have sold their farm and will move in town in the spring It will be easier for Jake and Ella but I don’t know as they will know what to do with themselves.

We are not doing much for Christmas

2

this year; I have not tried to do any fancy work this year: my eyes tire too quickly to use them for anything more than necessary work and Effie does not do much of it anyway. and she has been kept too busy with her school work to do more than that

Hermon’s folks have not written for a long time: they don’t write often but a few days ago they sent me a roll of Waukegan papers with which I was pleased

We have a Christmas entertainment at the Church and Effie will be helping about it every day this week. That is a part of each day It takes so much time for those things

(reverse pg 2)

but they must be done

Our pastor met with an accident about 3 weeks ago. he fell from a buggy or was thrown and broke his wrist. the right one; the Dr. said it was a bad break but he is an energetic young man and it has not entirely laid him up

Now I must close this hoping to hear from you again: tell Annie just a few lines to let me know you are will It will not take her long and shall be much pleased

With best wishes for the season for you all we remain
Your loving nieces
Elizabeth Belden
&
Effie

I could not make out a year for this letter but it was in the 1910 folder so that is what I've gone with.

There were no letters for 1909 and none from Ella in 1910 either so it's nice that Elizabeth mentions her upcoming move in this letter.

For more see:
Carlisle - Wisner Letters
Family of William Wisner
Descendants of Maryetta Wisner
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner


Belden, Sarah Elizabeth Hall (Benedict, Nebraska) to “My Dear Aunt” [Sarah Ann Wisner Camfield]. Letter. 19 December 1910. Digital Images 1-4. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1910-1911, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Elizabeth Belden to Sarah Ann Camfield Jan 28 1910

Benedict Nebr Jan 28th

My Dear Aunt
I was so pleased to get your letter: I have been thinking of writing to you before this and I hardly know why I have not: it is more carelessness than because I could not find the time. though I really do keep pretty busy.

Effie’s school duties keep her occupied so much of the time that she can do little at home so I have nearly all to do and I don’t have much time to play

Page 2

We have had such a hard winter so far: it has taken so much of the time to keep warm that is to bring in ____ and keep the fires

It has been thawing for several days so I don’t suppose the snow will be with us much longer though it threatens more today and but may grass over.

I have heard from both Hermon and Ella lately: they and their families were well but Herman wrote of George Wisner’s failing heath: I think it certain that he will not be here long and perhaps you remember he is just the age of Joseph and myself

Joseph’s being in Nov I believe mine in Jan and George’s in March so he is the youngest of the three.

Page 3

I do not think anyone has heard of Uncle Wirt since Uncle Henry’s death. Not that I have been able to find out

We have kept real well this winter for which I am very grateful: in fact in spite of the extreme cold weather there has been but very little sickness in this locality

Once more I must tell you how glad I am to hear from you and that you are able to write and hope I may hear from you again: I don’t mean to neglect you either but will write oftener: I am getting careless about it.

Love to all and best wishes
Your niece Elizabeth Belden

This letter was in the folder for undated correspondence 1900-1940. I think I can safely date it 1910 because Elizabeth wrote a letter in Dec 1908 from Kilbourn, WI and if she had moved to Nebraska in the last month I would expect some mention of it so this wasn't written in 1909. The next letter, written Dec 19, I could not find a year on but it was included in the 1910 folder so I doubt this letter was written just six weeks later. Sarah Ann Wisner Camfield died sometime in 1912 and while it is possible that this was written that year, I think it improbable. That leaves us with early 1910.

I still do not have a year of death for George Wisner, only that he died between the 1910 and 1920 census.

As far as I know, Uncle Marshall Wirt Wisner was still a widower and living in Eau Clair, WI in 1908. He was the youngest of the Wisner children and 16 years younger than Sarah Ann.

For more see:
Carlisle - Wisner Letters
Family of William Wisner
Descendants of Maryetta Wisner
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner


Belden, Sarah Elizabeth Hall (Benedict, Nebraska) to “My Dear Aunt” [Sarah Ann Wisner Camfield]. Letter. 28 January circa 1910-1915. Digital Images 1-2. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Undated c. 1900-1940, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

54th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy Posted

The 54th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy has been posted by Donna at What's Past is Prologue. Another large and interesting COG. I've had fun reading the different entries.

So where's my post, you ask? I'm from a slightly dysfunctional family; perhaps move dysfunctional than I thought. I could not think of any phrases or words unique to my family. So head on over to Donna's for some interesting reading.

Call for submissions! With Labor Day and the end of summer right around the corner it’s time to think about going back to school. So, the topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy will be: Show and Tell! Remember that fun little exercise you used to do in your grade school days? Here’s your chance to do it again :-) Show us and tell us about an heirloom, a special photo, a valuable document, or a significant person that is a very special part of your family history. Don’t be shy now, show us what you’ve got! This is all about bragging rights so don’t hesitate to make the rest of us green with envy! This is your chance to brag, brag, brag, without seeming like a braggart (you can’t be a braggart when you’re merely following directions ;-)… so show and tell!

This next edition will be hosted by Jasia on the Creative Gene blog. The deadline for submissions will be September 1st. Submit your blog article to the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page. See ya next time!

Elizabeth Belden to Sarah Ann Camfield Dec 28, 1908

Kilbourn, Wis Dec 28th 09 08

My Dear Aunt
I am ashamed that I have not written you before this and have intended doing so but just allowed myself to neglect it.

First I want to thank you for the pretty pin ball you sent by Belle; I am very proud of it because it is pretty but most of all because it is your work

I am pleased to show it and tell people that it is the work of my only living aunt and at your age too; I have few things I prize more and Effie wishes me to thank you for her for the card you sent her

Well Christmas has come and past; at least the day is past but I am sure the spirit of the time

(reverse page 1)

will last a much longer time with us

I was a quiet day here; when there is but two we cannot be very merry; when such days come I miss my friends and wish we could eat our dinner with some the few dear ones who are left me
We were both well remembered at Christmas; several handkerchiefs and acrds a pretty handkerchief box for me.

Effie got a pretty necktie a handkerchief a silk opera bag a silk petticoat and several cards and aprons and a few little trinkets.

Wasn’t it nice to see Belle and you had a good visit with her while we only had a call but was glad to get that much

Page 2

I must write to Ella too and I have a book I intend sending her and have neglected it

We have had the finest weather all the time so far; have now snow for fine sleighing and the town is taking advantage of it I don’t expect a sleighride though I should enjoy one very much Effie expects to go this evening; her S.S. teacher lives a few miles in the country and has invited her class for the evening: they will drive in after them and bring them back

Effie is at home all the time this winter as she has a position in the Kilbourn City school and we live only a block from her work, so you see I have it very pleasant.

(reverse page 2)

We are only the same distance from our church so we have no reason to stay from its services and we are there always if we are able and have not been kept at home by sickness very many days.

We had our Christmas exercises Christmas eve, and tonight both the Episcopals and the Presbyterians have theirs: I think I shall go to one of them.

Now Auntie I hope you will be able to answer this but if not tell Annie I shall look to her to let me hear from you as I am always so pleased to hear; remember us to all the family and my best love and prayers for you

From your affectionate niece
S. Elizabeth Belden

Page 3

I must add a little more to my letter to say that I enjoyed my visit to Lake Co this summer very much though there is but little that will be of interest to you as nearly all of those you would know about or remember are gone to their last home and everything is changed so much since you were here.

But I must tell you about Mrs Culver: I took supper with her & she asked after you; you would be surprised to see how she keeps and looks so young

She is 84 and does all the work for herself and Sim and even the washing and goes whenever and wherever she wants to and is not very gray I was pleased to see her. Julie lives near her but is nearly white

(reverse page 3)

She is the only girl left her though The boys are both living

Mr Shultis has gone and really there are not many left: George Wisner has failed a good deal since I saw him last. more than I expected he would.

Well I will close once more
With love
Elizabeth


Sarah Elizabeth Hall Belden was the daughter of William Hamlin and Maryetta (Wisner) Hall and in 1908, Ella McKinnon's only living sister. She is writing to Sarah Ann Wisner Camfield who would have been 91 at the time.

I have written before that I don't know much about Elizabeth. In last few days I have learned a bit. She was married to Ephraim Belden on 18 December 1875. I can find him on them on the 1880 census in Waukegan, Lake, IL. In 1900 Elizabeth was living in Poynette, Columbia, WI and was listed as married but Ephraim was not listed with her. From this letter I know that in 1908 she was living in Kilbourn, WI, which is now known as Wisconsin Dells. In 1910 she and daughter, Effie, were living in Elk, Lancaster, NE and she is listed as a widow. An undated letter, that I think was written in January 1910, was written from Benedict, NE as was one dated December 1910. In 1920 I find her living with her daughter, Effie, and son-in-law Thomas McFarlane, in Moline, Rock Island, IL. Was she already a widow in in 1900 or was Ephraim simply living elsewhere at that time? It appears they may have moved around to wherever Effie's teaching positions took them.

I believe the Culver's and Shultis' were neighbor's of the Hall and Wisner families in Avon, Lake Co, IL but I will be looking at them a bit more closely to see if they may be related in some way.

For more see:
Carlisle - Wisner Letters
Family of William Wisner
Descendants of Maryetta Wisner
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner


Belden, Sarah Elizabeth Hall (Kilbourn, Wisconsin) to “My Dear Aunt” [Sarah Ann Wisner Camfield]. Letter. 28 December 1908. Digital Images 1-6. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1908, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Ella and Jake's Picture

I finally connected with one of Ella's descendants today! I'm so happy that at least one her descendants now knows of the letters and can enjoy them.

I found Margie through her website where she has some pictures of her ancestors including this one of Ella and Jake that she has graciously allowed me to post here. She also has posted a couple of pictures of Belle McKinnon. I'm excited to see the face behind the letters!

Ella and Jacob McKinnon ca. 1906

In looking closely at this picture I think it may be the picture that Ella McKinnon, Jr referred to in her letter of October 21, 1906.

Don’t you think those pictures of Papa and Mamma are fine? I do except that Mamma had that black and white checkered waist which really looks almost like silk, but in the picture it looks like a faded calico waist.

Now I''m wondering if the picture was taken for their 25th Anniversary in 1905. Ella would have been 50 and Jake 66. Then again Ella, Jr's letter was written in late 1906.


Ella Letitia Hall McKinnon and Jacob McKinnon. ca 1906. Photograph. Privately held by Margie McKinnon [Address for private use.] 2008 Reproduced with permission.

Memories on Monday - Got Lights?

Becky had a cute story about a power outage and asking her neighbor's if they had lights. Her story took me back about 35 years to a power outage from my childhood.

The power had gone out, whether the outage was caused by weather or something else I can no longer remember. Mom grabbed our camping lantern and fired it up and set it on the dining table. The dining table was situated in a little alcove at the end of the living room and the walls reflected the light around so well that it was actually a bit brighter than with the electric lights. I was sitting in the living room.

Our house was on a suburban street, where the houses were fairly close together and you could easily see your neighbors houses out of your front window. The street was lined with street lights and when there was a power outage it seemed very dark outside. I image our windows would have appeared to be glowing to the neighbors.

It had only been a few minutes when all of a sudden our front door burst open and one of our neighbors burst right in! He had obviously had a drop or two to drink and demanded to know how we had lights when the rest of the street was dark!!!!

Now I was afraid of this particular neighbor when he hadn't been drinking so when he burst in I was terrified. This happened after Dad had left us so it was just Mom and us three kids. She very calmly told him that our power was indeed out and that we were simply using our lantern. He glanced at the dining table, did an about face and left as quickly as he arrived. Mom was my hero!

Thus marked the beginning of our locking the front door early in the evening instead of waiting until Mom was ready to go to bed as had always been our practice. And that particular neighbor never visited our home again.

Ella McKinnon to Annie Carlisle Sept 16, 1908

Mapleton, Minn
Sept. 16th 1908

My dear Cousin,
I am going to try and write some tonight: I was going to answer right away but thought I would wait until Belle got home. I got a letter from her a week ago to day and she said she was not coming until Monday on the 6 O’clock but John had sent word to a friend that he would leave here on the 9 in the morning so she so she was not going to see him so I wrote to her and she got here on the 6 O’clock Sat. night so I had them all at home over Sun.

John was going to Colorado to be gone no one knows how long if he likes it out there they intend

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to go up in to Idaho in a few weeks.

Every one tells Belle she is fat so I think you must have fed her good while she was there. She had a fine visit in Ill. and Wis. too she would have liked to stay down there longer but she would have been out of a school.

I shall have to send you all many thanks for those birthday remembrances as I had no thought of you sending me anything. Tell Joe that I remember him if it is a god many years since I saw him it will be 41 years in the winter (I think it was winter when he was at our place) since I last saw him. I was just a little past twelve years old and it was 34 years

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this month since I saw you & your mother. It does not seem so long until one begins to count up the years. I remember when I was at work at that time and what a time we had one afternoon when you & Deette came over to see me.

Belle think she had the time of her life ____ while she was down there and I thank you for your kindness to her and wish you & Tamerson could come out and see us so we could return some of it.

I did not do so well this year as last year. I got 14 cards & 8 letters then and now I only got 9 cards & 1 letter but I must not expect so much each time.

Are you getting a collection of Post Cards? How many have you. I have 73. Ray sent me 14 for a Christmas

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present 2 years ago all scenes of Poynette Wis. he was there then and I was acquainted with most of the places he sent me.

We had a very wet Summer until a few weeks ago and now it is so dry it is hard plowing being so wet when it did dry out makes it hard. But the weeds grow just the same.

Well I can not think of any more the children are studying and talking and it is hard work to keep any thoughts together very long.

So good-night with love to All. tell Auntie I will write to her soon.
Ever your Cousin,
Ella

Belle would have been 20 during the summer of 1908, her 21st birthday being just a couple of weeks after this letter on September 29th. It sounds like she had a wonderful time traveling on her summer break. In Illinois she would have visited with her Hall and Wisner relatives. Belle called on ] her aunt, Elizabeth Hall Belden, in Wisconsin, and her visit there is mentioned in the next letter. Perhaps her brother, Ray, was still there in 1908 but Ella says "he was there then" referring to 1906 making me think he was back in Minnestota in 1908. When Belle visited Annie & Tamerson Carlisle in Michigan she would have stayed at the house on Main St in Buchanan.

John was Ella's third child. I wonder if we'll hear more of his adventures?

Joe Camfield is Annie's brother and Tamerson her daughter.

My favorite line from this letter is "But the weeds grow just the same." Some things never change.

For more see:
Carlisle - Wisner Letters
Family of William Wisner
Descendants of Maryetta Wisner
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner


McKinnon, Ella Hall (Mapleton, Minnesota) to “My dear Cousin” [Sarah Ann Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 16 September 1908. Digital Images 1-4. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1908, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]