Little Gifts

A long, long time ago in the early 1900’s a gift was given to a young lady..it was just a little gift from her Mother on Christmas Day 1903.

A little book. A book full of blank pages, that a young gal of fourteen would take to school so her friends could write her poems and sign their names.  A book that was small enough that she could tuck it into the pocket of her skirt.

A young gal of fourteen that would give her brother a chance to write in her book.

Linnell, Minnesota  12/25/03

Dear Sister

As you stand before the tub

Think of me before you rub

And if the water is too hot

Drop in a sweet forget- me-not

From your brother Curtis Abbott

On the back cover..the last page in the book.

Linnell, Minn  12/17/04

Dear Sister

I is the last but I trust not the least

Curtis Abbott

This was Aunt Mae’s book…it now belongs to cousin Connie.  Far Guy’s maternal grandfather is Curtis Abbott. It was a real treat for us to see this little book.

Curtis was born in Canada on January 26, 1888.  They moved to Minnesota and Mae was born on November 09, 1889 in Lake Eunice Township, Minnesota.

So we have a 15 year old boy writing to his 14 year old sister…and he wrote something nice. Something nice that made his grandchildren smile.

Written words..cards, letters and notes..and poems in a tiny  book..take the time to write something to someone today:)

Treasures from 1909-1910

When we visited Far Guy’s cousin up in Grand Rapids, she shared some of the things that were passed down to her from  Great Aunt Mae.  I have written about Frank and Mae before.  Mae was a school teacher before she married Frank in 1911.  She taught on the Indian Reservation. Frank and Mae never had any children.

These were either gifts from her students or something that she purchased from them.

A beaded purse.

A beaded coin purse made out of the softest leather you have ever felt.

And a necklace.

What treasures these are passed from Aunt Mae to her niece Marie and then to Maries only daughter.  It was a joy to see Aunt Mae’s treasures from so long ago.

I finished scanning all the old photos for that side of Far Guys family.  After I scanned them, I divided up the double photos and made a CD copy of all the old photos so that each branch of the family can have a copy.  One more project crossed off the list:)

Wistful Wednesday: Frank and Mae: Part Two

 The Frank and Mae saga continues..

This is Mae when she graduated from Normal Teachers Training.  She taught in several schools in the Becker and Hubbard County area before she married Frank. Photographers back then knew how to present a photograph!

Frank and Mae were married on June 29, 1911.  Shortly after they were married they moved to Nehawka, Nebraska.  Frank was a barber in that city for over fifty years.  I am not sure if Mae taught school there or not.  They never had any children.

I believe that they moved to Nebraska to be closer to Elizabeth her older sister, when Elizabeth moved to California.. Mae and Frank just stayed there in Nebraska.

Mae and Frank 1943.  Far Guys parents probably visited them quite often when they lived in Omaha during the war.

 Frank and Mae outside of their home in Nehawka, Nebraska in 1957.

 Mae and Frank in an unknown year.  Sadly or perhaps not so sadly they both died in the same year.  Frank was first to depart on February 26, 1968 after what is noted as failing health for the past year.  He was 82 years old.  Mae died on December 12, 1968 suddenly after a short illness, she was 79 years old.  I remember Far Guys parents going to Nebraska..they brought back some "things" and had a garage sale in Detroit Lakes in Grandma ( Franks sister) and Grandpas ( Maes brother) Abbotts yard.  I should have paid more attention.

I thought that more people would guess that Frank was a barber, although it would have been my last guess too...he had some wild looking styled hair in the early photographs:)

Wistful Wednesday : Frank and Mae

Well, when you have lots of old photos you begin to get a little curious.. who were these people? Why were they important? Why did Far Guys Mom keep numerous obituary clippings from their deaths in 1968? I do know that Far Guys Mom was very fond of Uncle Frank and Aunt Mae, they were a double Uncle and Aunt..you see Frank was Grandma Meadys oldest brother, and Mae was Grandpa Curts younger sister.

This is the folder that Franks Graduation photo is in. Note the dark grey circle "thingy"..it is hard..the only thing I can think of  that makes sense is a wax..that was intended to be stamped with a hot seal of some sort...perhaps my readers will venture a guess.

This is Frank..now we will have another guessing game..what do you suppose was Franks profession? Frank was born April 02, 1883 in Bassett, Iowa to Robert B and Martha Etta Michels Lemon. I am not sure when this family came to Carsonville Township, but they were here for the birth of their second child Amy in 1887. If he was 18 when he graduated from High School, then this photo was taken right about 1901.

This is Mae..Frank courted Mae, I am guessing that he walked or took a horse and buggy the mile and a half between their farms. Mae was born November 09, 1889 in Lake Eunice Township, Becker County to William and Martha Abbott, in 1896 they moved to Carsonville Township, Becker County, Minnesota. Would you like to guess what Mae did in her early life before she was married? This photo is probably from around 1907, she would have been eighteen that year.


Yes, Frank and Mae eventually get married, but they have no children..no one to tell their story, well except me..I have some photos and their Obits..other than that I know nothing other than Far Guys Mom loved them both very much. Next Week : Part Two of the Frank and Mae Story. :)


Later this evening I will come back and fill in the blanks.. Frank was a Barber !! Mae was a Teacher !!