May 19, 1912
To: James & Cora Keith, Shelbyville, MI
From: Nancy Brown, Chicago, IL
These are sad anniversary days for Nancy as it has been 11 years since her husband, Hank, died. Lela is going to be married soon, probably around the middle of June as her future mother- and sister-in-law are sailing for Europe around the 29th and they want them to be married before they go. Lou is boarding with them and it is nice having a man around to do the heavy work. Writes about Harold Brown’s accident.
Scan of 1912-05-19 Nancy Brown to James Keith
Sunday May 19” 1912
Dear ones all,
These are sad anniversary days for me. Eleven years to day you were with us. Hank[1] lay on the lounge, the last day he had his clothes on. This has been a very busy spring with us. I guess its the same with nearly evry one. I hope you dont think my writing for the money for Lela[2] as I did was a bluff. We were just as sincere about it as could be and we expected and planed for that. The one she was going in business got a man with plenty of money so took him. Lela understood the business pretty well but of course could not put up the cash. I presume you know she is going to be married soon.[3] I think about the middle of June, though there is nothing posative. Lous mother[4] and sister[5] sail for Europe about the twenty ninth. They want them to be married before they go. We wont have a wedding. We are so far from home, those we would want could not all come and we dont care to make a splurge any way. Lou[6] is boarding with us. Came when Bess[7] moved. It was nessary for us to have some one & he would pay same as any one else. Beside helping with our cleaning and doing a lot of things a man can do to help if they want to & have the time. He is quite handy to help, and as we had lots of heavy hard work to do in the way of house cleaning and getting settled again after Bessies moving I have found it very convenient to have a man around who could drive a nail or help move some heavy piece of furniture. Seems more like living again. I am planning to go to Michigan[8] after they are married, but dont think I can go till some time in July. Lizzie, Harold and Ruth[9] are in Michigan I suppose though Will[10] said he expected Lizzie and Harold home the last of the week. I wrote home[11] of Harolds terrible accident.[12] Told Hannah[13] to send the letter to you and Lou,[14] as I could not write it again. He is disfigured for life. He feels it to, dont like to have any one look at him. He was a brave thoughtful boy with all his sufferings.
Here it is Thursday. Bess, the children[15] and I went out to Claudes[16] Sunday after dinner. I had to leave this and there has been some thing to keep me from finishing since.
Sunday the 26”. This is like a diary. Will finish and send to night. Hannah wrote Winnie[17] was home with a bad arm caused from vacination. Had to go home. That is all I’ve heard. Hope she is all right again. How is your mother[18] since Marion[19] went away. I know its awful lonesome for her & I would think Marion would be lonesome. I have not seen Ruth since she was married[20] but Winnie says she is very happy, has a nice home, five room flat out on Leland Ave. Winnie is with Alice. I am invited there to lunch one day this week. Uncle Hi[21] is getting better, so he is up, but has been very sick, no hopes of him some of the time. Mary Herten[?] & Gladys are with Jen & “Trat.” She is helping Jen. Expect to stay all summer. This is quite a letter (for length). Dont know as you can read it. Will let you know when Lela is to be married when it is decided. Jay McIntyre is to be married the twelvth of June, maries a Vicksburg girl.[22] I see by the paper Frank Ford & Edna Townsend are to be married in June.[23] I hope this finds you all well. With love from us all to all.
From sister Nan
——-
[1] Her husband, Henry Brown, who died May 22, 1901
[2] Her daughter, Lela Brown
[3] Lela and Louis Mueller were married June 22, 1912
[4] Augusta (Ficke) Mueller
[5] Most likely Alice Mueller
[6] Louis Mueller
[7] Her daughter, Bess (Brown) Recoschewitz
[8] Where her siblings lived
[9] Her brother-in-law’s family: Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown and her children, Charles Harold Brown and Ruth Brown
[10] Her brother-in-law, Willis Brown
[11] She often referred to her childhood home as “home.” Her brother, Ethan, and sister, Hannah, lived in the family home
[12] Charles Harold Brown skipped school one day and went downtown. He got on an elevator and the doors closed on him and tore his ear, scalp and forehead. He was taken to a downtown hospital where they just lapped the skin over to hold it together. After that healed his eye and ear were out of shape and it had to be reopened and his skin grafted to put them in the right position. He was around 13 years old at the time
[13] Her sister, Hannah (Keith) Towne
[14] Her sister, Louese (Keith) Harris
[15] Bess’ children, Dorothy and Robert Recoschewitz
[16] Her son, Claude Brown
[17] Jim & Cora’s daughter, Winifred (Keith) Brouard
[18] Cora’s mother, Malvina (Johnson) Meredith
[19] Cora’s sister, Marion. She had recently married Harlow Rice on April 10, 1912
[20] Her cousin Ruth Crawford. She married Arthur Franckenberg on April 27, 1912
[21] Her uncle, Hiram Crawford Jr.
[22] Michigan marriage records show that he married Bessie Ramsdell in Vicksburg, Michigan on June 12, 1912
[23] Michigan marriage records show they were married June 12, 1912 in Galesburg, Michigan
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