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

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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

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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

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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


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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

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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.]

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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.]

Martha J Hall to Annie Carlisle March 21 1880

1880

Fox Lake Ill March 21^st

Dear Cousin,

You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from me as it has been some time since we have held any correspondence directly. But as long as Deette is gone we do not propose to lose sight of you if we can help so I thought I would open the correspondence anew. I do not know who wrote the last letter nor do I care.

We are all well and enjoying ourselves to the best of our abilities. I have been teaching school this winter of course taught 3 ½ months school has been out now nearly two weeks. I had a nice school it only a nice pastime to teach such a school but the winter has a very disagreeable.

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We have been sleighing except about at Christmas time and since that it has been mud the most of the time but now it is splendid roads and every one seems to be improving their time. With Dance. Concerts. Singing schools and other things too numerous to mention make it seem quite lively.

Do you remember Mr Robert Hook down at Monaville you know he died last November. There has been a good many deaths among the older people during the last year.

There is a good deal of sickness now. Mr Culver is quite sick he had Congestion of the lungs for a few days they looked for his death at any hour but he is better though they hardly expect he will ever recover. He was taken the same day Ev Everets

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was married. Oh I forgot you did not know that but he is “just the same” to Alice Gilbert.

We were out last night to a concert got home about twelve and we have been to church today.

George and Eune are well her sister (a widow with one boy) is living with them this winter. I do not know how long she is going to stay there.

We have not seen Aunt Fanny for some time. I believe she is at Libertyville.

Emmit lives almost to Waukegan. Hermon lives at Monaville and Deette I presume you have heard from so she has told you herself where she is staying. don’t you think she might have found a prettier name. I do but he is a nice young fellow in spite of the name.

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He is Hermon’s wife’s cousin and I am well satisfied with my brother-in-law. well I will bring this to a close and if you think it worth answering I will write again.

So good Bye

With cousinly regards

I remain

Martha J Hall

P.S. Give Mr Carlisle my best respects and just say to him we would be glad to see you both out here. love to the little one or ones just as that happens to be.

M.J.H.
The year, 1880, may have been added to the letter at a later date. It is correct based on information contained in the letter.

George H Wisner's wife was Eunice Ann Fenlon. The sister refered to was Julia Fenlon Whaples, widow of Emory J Whapes who died during the Civil War. Her son was Frank Whaples who was born about 1866.

Mr Culver was Horace Culver, a neighbor. His son, Everette Culver married Alice Gilbert on February 21, 1880.

DeEtte Hall married William K Bullen on January 3, 1880. More on her marriage will be revealed in a future in a future letter. The fact that he was a cousin of Herman Hall's wife, Sarah Ann Dayton, is new to me and I have not researched the connection.

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


Hall, Martha J (Fox Lake, Illinois) to “Dear Cousin” [Sarah Ann Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 21 March 1880. Digital Images 1-4. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1880, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan]

Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1880. T9, 1,454 rolls. (viewed 11 June 2008)

Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763–1900. Retrieved June 11, 2008, from CyberDriveIllinois Web site: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/serv_sta.html#vitalrec

Ella Hall to Annie Camfield Sept 24, 1876

I write while you know what my name is

Sept 24^th 1876

My dear Cousin,

I am going to write you once more and see if you think enough of my letters to answer them. If you had written you would have known ere this that Deette had been sick all summer and she is not entirely well yet. She went away to work and did not stay only a little over a week when she was taken with the Rheumatism and she got almost over that when she was taken with something else so that she was crazy for about 4 days. I had to leave

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the place where I was and come home and help take care of her (I have been to work for my Iowa Farmer’s folks this summer) and there were a few days that we hardly thought she would live.

Anna Culver has been sick since the 1^st of June and now they have no hope of her ever getting well.

Shall I tell you what I am doing now. Well I am lying flat on the floor writing

Last night Deette & I went down to Monaville and coming home Sim Culver over took us and we had a ride with him home and then he wanted us to go with him and so we went over to Mr Sherwood’s.

Grandpa is just about the same as he was last winter a little more stupid if any thing. Grandma is the same real smart for so old a person.

Anna when are you going to get married. let me know so I can get married the same time but I do not know who I can find that will be foolish enough to have me. for better or for worse to love and to cherish till death us do part

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Well I have written all I can of this foolish stuff.

Write soon as you receive this.

With much love I remain your loving Coz,

EL Hall

Annie Camfield

Burr Oak

St Joseph Co

Michigan

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Deette says you owe her a letter and she wants you to write

E. L. Hall

As yet it may not be long enough

The Culver's appear to be neighbors of the Hall's and Wisner's, having been enumerated on the same page in 1870. Simeon Culver, born abt 1849 NY, and Ann M Culver, born about 1856 IL, were children of Horace Culver.

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


Hall, Ella L (Fox Lake, Illinois) to “My dear Cousin” [Sarah Ann Camfield, Jr]. Letter. 24 September 1876. Digital Images 1-4. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1875 - 1876, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan]