Mary B. Jenners, 1861-1928

Mary B. Jenners was born 3 October 1861 in Vermilion Co., Illinois.  Her parents were Saurin Jenners and Ruth Ann DeNeale.  I have never seen a document providing her middle name.  Saurin had a sister, Mary (Jenners) Braden, so it is possible she is named for this aunt, but I have found no proof to date.

By 1870, Mary is found on the census with her parents and siblings in Fairfield Township, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana.   In 1879, when Mary was 18 years old, her father, James Saurin Jenners died.  The 1880 census show Mary living with her widowed mother, Ruth Ann, and her siblings. 

In the 1891 Lafayette City Directory, Mary was listed as working as a "packer" and living at 223 Columbia St., West Lafayette, Indiana.  She was employed by Durham Spice and Coffee Mills.

Mary B. Jenners

On 12 February 1891, the Jenners home was the site of a natural gas explosion.  Mary's mother, Ruth,  and brother, Saurin, died as a result of their injuries.  Mary was severely injured, but survived.  I have shared many of the news articles about the explosion in my blog post about Ruth, so won't duplicate them here.  Additional items about Mary follow, however.

On 14 February 1891, the Lafayette Morning Journal wrote:  "Miss Maud [note: should be Mary] Jenners, whose burns were less severe than the others, suffers much pain but is not in any danger.  She feels her bereavement, the loss of her brother and her mother, very deeply.  The JOURNAL extends its deepest sympathy to her in her pain and sorrow.  Her burden is gruesomely heavy."

On 16 February 1891, the following notice appeared in the local paper: "The Fourth Victim of the Gas Explosion.  Four of the victims of the West Lafayette explosion are reposed in the arms of death....  Miss Jenner's Condition Critical.  The condition of Miss Mary Jenners, the last surviving victim of the West Lafayette gas explosion was alarming this morning.  Her nervous system is greatly shocked and she has a high fever continually.  The attending physician stated that the next twelve hours would decide the result.  As soon as her condition will permit, it is probable that her hand which was so severely burned, will be amputated.  The physician is of the opinion that it cannot be saved."

The Lafayette, Indiana Morning Journal of 16 February 1891 noted:  "MISS MAUD JENNERS' CONDITION.  Miss Maud Jenners, the sole survivor of those burned Thursday, was resting comfortably yesterday and her physician, Dr. Moffitt, is confident she will recover.  The report that two of her fingers had been amputated Saturday is erroneous and has caused considerable annoyance.  Miss Maud is bearing the burdens of pain and bereavement bravely and her friends trust to see her out soon again."

Mary seems to have lived most of her life in the Lafayette area, but she and her sister, Jennie (Jenners) Black, are found together on the 1920 census living in San Diego, California.  They must not have stayed in California very long, since she was in West Lafayette in 1918, 1920, and 1922 (according to city directories).   Her residence was 219 Lutz Avenue, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Mary Jenners did not marry and we know of no children.

Mary died on 9 December 1928 at Home Hospital, West Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana.  She was 67 years old.  The cause of death was "myocarditis."

She was buried in Greenbush Cemetery, Lafayette, Indiana.

An obituary was published 10 December 1928 in the Lafayette Courier and Journal.  The obituary reads:  "MARY B. JENNERS TAKEN BY DEATH -  Miss Mary B. Jenners, one of the oldest residents of West Lafayette, died at the Home hospital Sunday morning at 6 o'clock.  She was born in Vermillion County, Illinois, October 3, 1861.  The greater part of her life was spent in West Lafayette where she was an active member of the West Side Methodist Church.  She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Jennie Black and the following nieces: Mrs. John Haan, Miss Alberta Jenners and Mrs. Gorman Brown.  The body was taken to the Templeton funeral home to be prepared for burial and Monday noon was taken to the family home, 219 Lutz avenue.  The funeral will be held at the West Side Methodist church Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock with Rev. M.C. Hunt in charge of the services.  Interment will be in Greenbush cemetery.  Burial will be private."

Deborah Ann Jenners, 1857-1879

Deborah Ann Jenners was born 4 April 1857 in Tippecanoe Co., Indiana to James Saurin Jenners and his wife, Ruth Ann DeNeale.   

She was probably named for her paternal grandmother, Deborah Ann (Young) Jenners.

Her parents moved around quite a bit while Debbie was young.  When her sister, Jennie, was born in 1859, the family was in Iowa.  By the 1860 census, the family was found in Newell Township, Vermilion Co., Illinois, which is about 50 miles west of Lafayette, Indiana, just over the state line between Indiana and Illinois.  By 1864, the family was back in Tippecanoe Co., Indiana.

Debbie is found on the 1870 census with her parents and siblings in Fairfield Township, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana.  She was 15 years old.

Deborah did not marry.

On 12 September 1879, when she was just 22 years old, Deborah died in Tippecanoe Co., Indiana.  I have found nothing to date to give a cause of her death.  She was first buried at Wea Cemetery, Tippecanoe Co.  and moved to Greenbush Cemetery 5 May 1889.  She shares a tombstone with her younger brother, Saurin.

Dora LaRue Healey and her husband, Franklin Brough Lyon

Dora LaRue Healey was born 27 October 1869 in Rensselaer, Jasper Co., Indiana.  Her parents were Joshua Healey and his wife, Julia Ann Howland.

She is found with her parents on the 1870 census in Rensselaer.  The following information is given on the individuals living in Joshua Healey's household (Dwelling #79, family #79, by Joshua Healey, Asst. Marshall): Healy, Joshua, 32, male, white, printer, $1200 real estate, $1100 personal estate, born: Canada East; mother foreign born; Healy, Julia, 30, female, white, keeping house, born: IN; Healy, Dora, 2 months, female, white, born IN in Oct 1870; father foreign born; Weaters, Sara E., 14, female, domestic servant, born IN.

Dora Healey, age 2, ca 1871

Dora Healey, age 3, ca 1872

Dora Healey

Dora Healey

Dora Healey

On 29 January 1877, Dora's father, Joshua, wrote the following letter to her from Carlisle, Arkansas:
" Carlisle, Ark., Jany 29, 1877
My Dear Little Daughter -
I was writing to your mamma this evening and thought I would write to you and tell you how much I love you and how I should like to see you and your little brother again.  Colie and Bettie are going to school and they like their teacher so much.  I hope my little girl is studying so that when papa comes back she can read to him and I want you to learn to write and then you can write to me when I am away and tell me all about what you are doing.  Be a good little girl and obey your mamma and do not cry & papa will always love you.  Kiss mamma for me       Your Papa"

In 1878, the family was living in Goodland, Newton Co., Indiana.  And it was in Goodland that Dora's father, Joshua, died in January 1880, when Dora was eleven.  Her mother, Julia, moved the family back to Rensselaer and they are found there on the 1880 census taken in June.  The family is listed as follows: Julia, age 40, widowed,  occupation: milliner, born Indiana, father born New York, mother born New Jersey.  Living with her were: Dora L. Healey, age 10, daughter, born IN, mother born IN, father born Canada; George H. Healey, age 7, son, born IN, mother born IN, father born Canada; Rans Howland, age 44, (Julia's) brother, widowed, occupation Marble Cutter, born New Jersey, father born New York, mother born New Jersey; Rosa Jones, age 21, single, servant, born New Jersey, parents born Germany; Maude J. Healey, age 2/12 [2 months] daughter, born in IN, mother born IN, father born in Canada.

On 18 August 1887, when Dora was 18 years old, she married Franklin Brough Lyon in Rensselaer.  Frank was born 17 May 1865 in Delphi, Carroll Co., Indiana.  His parents were John L. Lyon and Sarah Ann Cox.

Dora LaRue Healey

Franklin B. Lyon

Their first child, Florence, was born 7 June 1888 in Delphi, Carroll Co., Indiana.

Florence Lyon and Dora (Healey) Lyon

On 25 April 1891, daughter Lucille was born in Rensselaer, Indiana.
On 21 February 1893, daughter Nina was born in Moniteau Co., Missouri.

By 1899, however, the family was back in Delphi, Indiana, where they lived in a home on Front Street.  Frank worked as a mail carrier and the caretaker of the Delphi City Park.  The family were members of the Delphi Christian Church.  Dora worked as a Carroll County Probation Officer.

Frank B. Lyon

Frank B. Lyon

On 1 April 1900, son, John Lyon, was born in Delphi.   John died of diphtheria on 2 July 1903 in Delphi.  He was buried at the I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens in Delphi.

On 20 October 1905, son, Joseph Franklin Lyon, was born in Delphi.

And on 14 September 1909, Dora and Frank's youngest child, Julia Ann Lyon, was born.

Joe and Julia Lyon about 1912

Julia Ann Lyon

On 4 July 1912, when she was 2 years, 7 months old, Julia Lyon drowned in a tub of water.   The following stories about Julia's death come from unidentified and undated newspaper clippings:

 "Little Delphi Girl Lost Life by Drowning Thursday. - Mrs. Julia A. Healey, of this city, received the sad information Thursday evening that her little granddaughter and namesake, Julia Ann Lyon, of Delphi, had met death that afternoon by drowning.  The particulars reached here later.  Mr. and Mrs. Frank B. Lyon and little daughter were spending the day at the farm home of Arthur Gross, near Delphi.  They were at the supper table in the evening and the little girl, who would have been three years of age on Sept. 14, having finished, left the table and went into the yard.  Not to exceed five minutes later the family went to the yard and she was found head downward in a large copper kettle half filled with water.  Apparently she had reached for something in the kettle and lost her balance.  She was not dead when found but the family and doctors who were summoned worked with her for over an hour and could not revive consciousness.   Miss Florence Lyon, sister of the little girl, was in Rensselaer when the sad news was received.  She went to Delphi on the early train this morning.  The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 4 o'clock at Delphi and will be attended by relatives from this place.  Mrs. Lyon and the little daughter visited here only a few weeks ago and many here will remember pretty little Julia Ann."

"Child Was Drowned.  Little baby Lyon's died suddenly last evening about seven o'clock.  Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lyon in company with friends were at the home of A.C. Gros and wife one mile south of this city Thursday evening.  While the party was engaged in the house the wee tot stole out of the door for a brief moment and was found a few seconds later head first in a large kettle which was standing in the yard near the door.  All efforts were made by those present to produce artificial respiration with no avail, a doctor was called and found the child had died several moments before his arrival.    Julia Ann was born in September 1909, she was a delicate child for a year or more when all at once she grew as a beautiful rose.  She was a dear child, the favorite of all who knew her.  Her death came as a severe shock to many loved ones and the family have the deepest sympathy of the community at large in their bereavement.    Funeral services will be held from the house tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock.  Reverend Claris Yeuell officiating.  Internment in I.O.O.F. cemetery."

 "Three-Year-Old Tot is Drowned in a Copper Kettle While at Play. -  One of the most distressing accidents that has taken place in this city for some time, was that which claimed the life of little Julia Ann Lyon, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lyon on the evening of the Fourth.  Mr. and Mrs. Lyon and children Lucile, Joe and Julia, and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sims were picnicking at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Gros, south of this city.  The party had eaten their supper and the ladies were clearing away the dishes when the little girl wandered away.  A short time afterwards, she was found by her sister, Lucile, drowned in a large copper kettle full of water.  Julia was of an inquisitive nature and was in the habit of wandering around alone and her temporary absence from the party was not noticed.  When found, it was thought life was not extinct and physicians were summoned.  But before the doctors arrived, the friends had done all in their power to resuscitate the child, but to no avail.  The little body was brought to the home in this city by Mr. and Mrs. James Weidner who were passing in an automobile.  Julia was three years old last October.  She was a most lovable child and her untimely death is deeply mourned.  Funeral services will be held this afternoon at four o'clock at the family residence.  Services by Rev. Claris Yeuell.  Interment in the Odd Fellows cemetery."

Julia was buried in the I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens in Delphi.

On 12 May 1925, son Joseph married Helen Lollock in Chicago, Illinois.

Joseph Franklin Lyon about 1920

 On 6 August 1926, daughter Florence married Dr. Elmer A. Lyman in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Florence Lyon, high school senior photo

Florence Lyon

Florence (Lyon) Lyman

 About 1934, Frank Lyon retired due to poor health.

Lucille Lyon

Lucille Lyon and Nina (Lyon) Dean

On 17 December 1938, daughter Nina, married Ward Hunt Dean in Delphi, Indiana.

Nina (Lyon) Dean

Nina (Lyon) Dean

Nina (Lyon) Dean, September 1945

Frank Lyon died 17 May 1939 in Delphi of a heart attack.  The following obituary appeared in the Delphi Citizen:

"FRANK LYON RITES TO BE HELD FRIDAY.   Well-Known Delphi Citizen Dies of Heart Attack Here Wednesday.   Frank Lyon, 74, a member of one of Carroll County's pioneer families and a prominent Delphi citizen, fell dead near his home on Front Street Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock of a heart attack.  Wednesday was Mr. Lyon's 74th birthday. 
 Born May 17, 1865, on the Lyon farm near the old fair grounds south of town, he was the son of John L. and Ann Cox Lyon.  He was an early day rural mail carrier of the Delphi post office.  During the winter he used a horse and buggy and in the summer a bicycle.  Following his retirement as mail carrier, he was named caretaker of the Delphi City park from which position he retired about five years ago because of ill health.  He was a member of the Delphi Christian Church. 
Surviving are the widow, Dora, former Carroll County probation officer; three daughters, Mrs. Florence Lyman of Ypsilanti, Michigan.  Mrs. Ward Dean of Indianapolis and Miss Lucille Lyon, a teacher in the Hammond schools; a son, Joseph, of Hammond.  Mrs. Josephine Boyd Ulm of Delphi and Mrs. Frances Martin of Columbus, Ohio are nieces. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Blythe and Sons funeral home with the Rev. Howard Jenkins officiating.  Burial will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery."

Frank was buried 19 May 1939 in the I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens.

Sometime after Frank's death, Dora moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan to live with her daughter, Florence.  She is found with Florence and her husband on the 1940 census.  By the early 1950s, Dora had moved to San Bernadino, California, where her daughter, Nina, lived.

Dora died 1 October 1953 in San Bernadino, California.  An obituary appeared in the Delphi Citizen on 8 October 1953.  It read:  "Former Resident of Delphi Dies in California.   Mrs. Dora Lyon, for many years one of Delphi's best known residents, died Friday at her home in San Bernadino, California, where she and her daughter, Mrs. Nina Dean, resided.  Mrs. Lyon was 83 years old.  Preceding her in death were her husband, Frank Lyon, her daughter, Florence, and son, Joe.  A few years ago Mrs. Lyon sold her property here and went to California.  She visited here in 1951 but her ill health caused many of the homecoming plans to be cancelled.  Mrs. Lyon came to Delphi as a bride from Rensselaer.  Her brother, the late Col. George Healey of Rensselaer, often visited her here.  She was prominent in Republican politics, served as probation officer, and in club and social life she was always popular and held positions of importance.  She was department president of the Ladies of the G.A.R. and served efficiently in that capacity.     All of these activities however were secondary to her home life.  She was a delightful hostess and an excellent cook and to be invited as a guest in the Lyon home was a real pleasure.  She loved her 'game of cards' in those earlier days in Delphi when a few 'old cronies,' as she would say, would gather together for a social game of bridge.   It was '500' when that game was popular, then bridge and Mrs. Lyon was always a popular member of any foursome.     To those who have known her through the years and have enjoyed her clever conversation and charming hospitality, she will always remain the Dora Lyon of other days.  Age and illness are not a part of our thoughts of Mrs. Lyon.     Final rites were held in San Bernadino.  At a later time, her ashes will be brought back to Delphi.  Two daughters are living, both of whom were with her at the time of her death, Lucille of Hammond and Nina of San Bernadino.  Surviving nieces are: Carrie Million, Mabel Page, Francis Martin of Delphi, and Edith Fitzgerald of Indianapolis; Arthur Robbins of Delphi is a nephew."

Another newspaper notice appeared (according to an unidentified and undated newspaper clipping).  The notice read: "Dora Healey Lyon Graveside Services.     Graveside services for Mrs. Dora Healey Lyon, who died at San Bernardino, California, and whose ashes were returned here this week, will be held on Monday, July 26, at the I.O.O.F. cemetery at 7 pm.     Rev. James Rankin will officiate.  Mrs. Lyon, who went to California in 1948, died October 2, 1953.  She was the daughter of Joshua and Julia Howland Healey and was wed with Frank B. Lyon, who died in 1939.  She had made her home in this community for many years.     Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Nina Dean of San Bernardino and Miss Lucille Lyon of Hammond; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Clay B. Lyon; a sister, Mrs. Edward F. Mills of Hamilton, Montana; two granddaughters, Mrs. Carl Johnson of Chicago Heights and Mrs. Carlton Ihde of Polos Park, Ill.; three great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.     She was a member of the Presbyterian church and was a past state president of the Ladies of the G.A.R."

Dora was buried in the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Delphi.

Another undated clipping from an unidentified newspaper reads:  "RITES HELD.   Impressive services were held Monday evening at seven o'clock in the Odd Fellows cemetery for Mrs. Dora Healey Lyon, who passed away in California and whose ashes were brought to Delphi for burial by her daughters, Nina Lyon Dean and Lucille Lyon.  Those in attendance at the services were old friends of Mrs. Lyon, friends who had enjoyed with her the social life in Delphi; her nieces, a nephew, her sisters-in-law, Blanche Lyon and Gertrude Lyon King of Lafayette, and friends of her daughters.  Rev. James W. Rankin of the Presbyterian church officiated, and the words of faith and consolation read from the Scriptures by him were all the more impressive in the early twilight of a July evening."

Dora (Healey) Lyon

Dora (Healey) Lyon

Dora LaRue Healey, b. 27 Oct 1869 at Rensselaer, Jasper Co, IN, d. 1 Oct 1953 at San Bernadino, CA

+Franklin Brough Lyon, b. 17 May 1865 at Delphi, Carroll Co., IN, m. 18 Aug 1887 at Rensselaer, Jasper Co., IN, d. 17 May 1939 at Delphi, Carroll Co., IN

├── Florence Lyon, b. 7 Jun 1888 at Delphi, Carroll Co., IN, d. 17 Dec 1942 at Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., MI

│   +Dr. Elmer Adelbert Lyman, b. 27 Jul 1861 at Manchester, VT, m. 6 Aug 1926 at Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., MI, d. 9 Oct 1934 at Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., MI

├── Lucille Lyon, b. 25 Apr 1891 at Rensselaer, Jasper Co., IN, d. 9 Dec 1981 at San Bernardino, CA

├── Nina B. Lyon, b. 21 Feb 1893 at California, Moniteau Co., MO, d. 24 Jan 1969 at San Bernardino, San Bernardino Co., CA

│   +Ward Hunt Dean, b. 16 Mar 1883 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN, m. 17 Dec 1938 at Delphi, Carroll Co., IN, d. 7 Nov 1940

├── John Lyon, b. 1 Apr 1900 at Delphi, Carroll Co., IN, d. 2 Jul 1903 at Delphi, Carroll Co., IN

├── Joseph Franklin Lyon, b. 20 Oct 1905 at Delphi, Carroll Co., IN, d. 10 Nov 1947 at Barstow, San Bernardino Co., CA

│   +Helen Lollock, b. circa 1907 at NY, m. 12 May 1925 at Chicago, IL, d. before 1940

│   +Clay Hoehn, b. 31 Jul 1908 at St. Louis, MO, m. 1940 at Chicago, IL, d. 19 Apr 1987 at San Bernadina, CA

└── Julia Ann Lyon, b. 14 Sep 1909 at Delphi, Carroll Co., IN, d. 4 Jul 1912 at Carroll Co., IN

Maud Joshua Healey and her husband, Edward Francis Mills

Maud Joshua Healey was born 9 April 1880 in Rensselaer, Jasper Co., Indiana.  Her parents were Joshua Healey and his wife, Julia Ann Howland.  Maud's father, Joshua, died in January 1880, three months before Maud was born.

Maud is found with her widowed mother and older siblings on the 1880 census.  The family is listed as follows: Julia, age 40, widowed,  occupation: milliner, born Indiana, father born New York, mother born New Jersey.  Living with her were: Dora L. Healey, age 10, daughter, born IN, mother born IN, father born Canada; George H. Healey, age 7, son, born IN, mother born IN, father born Canada; Rans Howland, age 44, (Julia's) brother, widowed, occupation Marble Cutter, born New Jersey, father born New York, mother born New Jersey; Rosa Jones, age 21, single, servant, born New Jersey, parents born Germany; Maude J. Healey, age 2/12 [2 months] daughter, born in IN, mother born IN, father born in Canada.

George H. and Maud J. Healey, probably about 1887

Maud attended Rensselaer High School and graduated in 1899.  The 1900 census shows Maud living in Brookston, White Co., Indiana, in the household of her brother, George, and his family.  Their mother, Julia, also lived with them.  Maud is listed as working as a newspaper publisher (along with George).

Maud J. Healey, about 1900

On 25 December 1903, Maud married Edward Francis Mills in Rensselaer, Indiana.  According to his WWI and WWII draft registrations, he was born 26 January 1880 in LaSalle Co., Illinois.   I believe his parents were Charles E. Mills and Anna Smith.  I find the family in LaSalle Co., Illinois on the 1880 census with a four-month-old son, Edward F. Mills.  By the 1900 census, the Mills family was living in Rensselaer, Indiana. 

In 1906, Maud and Ed were living in Chicago, Illinois.  A letter dated 9 May 1906 from Maud's cousin, Mary Dixon (Healey) Arnold, was addressed to "Mrs. Edward Mills, 46 N. Francisco Ave., Chicago, Ill.,  Apartment 22" and was postmarked San Francisco, May 9, 1906; return address: "1233 Willard St., San Francisco,   A.S. Arnold."  This letter was written a few weeks after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906.

The letter reads as follows:  "1233 Willard St., San Francisco.  
Dear Maud,   I know the few lines I wrote to you a few days ago were very unsatisfactory but we were all so upset I could not write any details. 
    We have certainly had an awful time out here but the fortitude of the people has been something wonderful.  The poor had to see their homes and the little they had go up in smoke, the comfortable also and the millionaires to see their immense holdings go.  It was the most ordinary thing to see two friends meet and asked [sic] "Well how did you come out" and both to say they lost everything.  I saw hardly a tear shed.  The people were really stunned.
    The earthquake was bad enough.  It was the worst I ever felt and the older people say the worst since 68.  I really ["think" crossed out] thought the end had come, so did my husband but he put his thoughts into words and said the end had come. 
    But all the damage from the earthquake could have been repaired, the fire was the terrible thing You see the water mains were broken by the earthquake and as the fires started water could not be obtained so the fire spread very rapidly having started where the city was very much built up.
    Almost two thirds of the city has been swept away and at one time we really thought this part would go.  For many days, the situation looked very bad.  The people had to depend on all supplies being sent from the outside but now those who have a few pennies can get food at stores now and thank goodness I am one of the fortunate ones who had a few extra pennies.  A little property I had is in the unburnt district   One of my brothers lost six flats bringing him a good income, but that is insured.  Most all the property my father left was in the burnt district and of course all buildings in that were destroyed.
    At first I thought I would like to leave the city but now that we are a little more settled I can realize I couldn't leave right away.  My interests are here and also my husband's.  He has been in the Real Estate Business for some time and was just getting a fine start.  He still has great hopes.  And as he is a hustler and also the young man he is with I think after a little things will be all right again.  The life we lead in dear S.F. at present is Camp Life.  We cook in the streets - just imagine, a few bricks with a piece of sheet iron over it for a stove and such a time I have to keep the food from getting smoky.  We have to carry water a block or two and drinking water about five.  A few weeks ago I would be killed if I had to do a washing but now I can manage to do it and without any conveniences too.  Wonderful the things we can do when we have to.  I am enjoying the best of health.
    Tell your mother that my mother keeps just the same, no worse and no better and we heartily thank you for your kind offer of assistance (please excuse blunders I can't seem to spell at all)  None of us are in need and if things don't get any worse we will be alright.  The unfortunate ones at present are the destitute.
    Maud, you and I seem to be very slow in starting to raise our families, but oh! I am thankful I haven't a little one now.  I love them too but after papa died I had very poor health and I have only begun to feel like my old self in the last few months.
    I am so glad to know you and your husband are well.  Now don't worry anymore about us, if I really needed anything I would surely let  you know.  Give my love to all your folks, also a lot for yourself and hubby from Al and myself.       Lovingly, Your cousin,
                        Mary H. Arnold
                        May 8, 1906"



By the 1910 census, Maud and Ed had moved to Ravalli Co., Montana.  They settled on a farm in the Corvallis area and lived there the rest of their lives.

Maud J. (Healey) Mills

Maud and Ed Mills on the porch of their home in Montana

On 26 May 1913, the only child of Maud and Ed was born at 10:15 p.m. in Hamilton, Montana.  Emily Maud Mills weighed 6 pounds at birth. 

Maud (Healey) Mills and her daughter, Emily Maud Mills, ca 1914

Emily Maud Mills with her father, Edward F. Mills, ca 1914

Maud (Healey) Mills at home in Montana

Ed Mills in Montana

I have found Maud and Ed on the censuses for Ravalli Co., Montana in 1920, 1930 and 1940.

On 30 April 1938, Emily Maud Mills, daughter of Maud and Ed, married Doyle McClure at her parents' ranch near Hamilton, Montana.  Emily and Doyle settled near Ed and Maud and are found nearby on the 1940 census.   I have not found any pictures of Emily or Doyle as adults.

On 2 July 1945, Maud wrote a letter to her nephew, "Jimmie," about the death of his father (her brother) George Healey:

"R7 rt 2 Hamilton, Montana
July 2, 1945

Dear Jimmie,
    It was mighty sweet of you to write to me I had promised myself that I would write to each one of you but H--- is paved, so they say, with good resolutions and Edward F. & I have about all we can do, especially now, running this ranch something demanding our attention every minute and never a dull minute.  I haven't been too well the last few months & when the word came about George [who died 02/12/1945], I just folded up & went to bed for a few days.  I had a nice letter from George just two days before the message came telling me of his passing.  I think I'll enclose his last letter which is full of the love and interest he had in all of you.
    I am so extremely happy over your son's name - the fact that you gave him my mother's maiden name [James Howland Healey].
    And thanks so much for the lovely picture of your son.  I think he looks quite a little like my mother as does Max's Anne.  I surely hope I may have a chance to meet this next generation some day but you will have to be the one to do the visiting I'm afraid.  I saw [Nancy] when I was back in 1937.
    I can't tell you too much about our family.  Mother [Julia Ann Howland] & dad [Joshua Healey] lost their two oldest children William and Florence but they were not twins.  Both died in Rensselear and are buried on the same lot with your father.  There was, the last I knew a small white monument erected at the head of their graves.  I was born in Rensselaer, April 9, 1880, three months after my father passed away.  Emily Maud was born here at the ranch May 26, 1913, twelve days after my mother, your grand-mother passed away.
    Mother wrote her obituary & I have a copy of it & if you should like a copy of it, perhaps can prevail upon Emily Maud to type you a copy some time.  Mother was born Feb., 9, 1940 [should be 1840] in a log house not far from Perrysburg, Indiana.  Her father was born in Orange County New York and his name was Joseph Allen Howland & his father was a full blooded Hollander.  His mother was a full blooded French woman - Jane [Purcellee]  Father & Mother were married at Logansport [Indiana] Feb. 23, 1864.  Mother taught school during the civil war and before father enlisted he taught school at the Smith school House north east of Rensselaer. I think grandfather & grandmother Healey (your great grandparents) are buried near Monticello, Indiana.  I still keep in touch with one of my second cousins at Rochester, Indiana and I will try to get some information from him about this later statement.
    Mother claimed that her family descended from the John Howland who came over in the Mayflower & that there was always a John Howland in the family clear down the line.  She also claimed a relationship with the Ethan Allen family.
    Of late I have been endeavoring to gather some family data together & have in the making a scrapbook.
    I was married in Rensselaer Dec. 25, 1903 to Edward Francis Mills.
    Your son is surely a grand looking boy.  No wonder brother George was always singing his praises.  Thanks so much for the lovely picture.
    Oh, yes, did you get your great grandfather's pipe?  I sent it to Stella [Stella Naomi Hough Healey] recently.  Your mother tells us she is going with you & your family on a vacation trip the 6th.  I hope you have a lovely time & that you will write me again and I do hope Stella will come to see me as soon as transportation facilities loosen up [WWII].
Love to you and all yours

Aunt Maud.

There are people who make a business of tracing your ancestry & at one time Time magazine gave a list of old family names they would trace for $10.00 one of them was the Howland Family. " 

Maud (Healey) Mills, 1945

Maud (Healey) Mills, 1947

Maud and Edward Mills

Maud J. (Healey) Mills died at their home near Corvallis, Ravelli Co., Montana on 3 June 1959.   She was 79 years old.   She was buried in Corvallis Cemetery.

Edward F. Mills died in May 1962 near Corvallis, Montana.  He was 81 years old.  He was buried next to Maud in Corvallis Cemetery.

Maud and Ed's daughter, Emily, and her husband, Doyle McClure, apparently had no children.  Doyle died 19 June 1971 in Hamilton, Ravalli Co., Montana, and Emily died 22 June 1987 in Ravalli Co., Montana.  They are buried in Corvallis Cemetery.