"Grandma" is Ann Eliza Crandall (1829-1912), 2nd wife of Edward Rose. In addition to her son Bert Rose (Grace's father), Ann also had another child who survived to adulthood: Minnie Rose (1867-1958).
Minnie married Herbert Towler (1864-1920) and they had 2 children: Edward Herbert Towler (1892-1958) and Mertianna Towler (1894-1977). The Towlers lived in Minneapolis at the time that this diary was written.
Edward Rose died in January 1906, and it appears to be around that time that "Grandma" began moving back and forth between the homes of her 2 children. She started out at Bert's home, then lived with the Towlers from approximately October 1906 to July 1907. She then moved back to Bert's home, but it appears from Grace's diary entries that she again moved out during 1908, and likely went back to the Towlers.
I have a couple of guesses as to how Grace met her future husband, Earl Derham. One guess is that it was somehow through "Grandma", although it would have been accidental because Grandma was pushing her toward someone named Will, and had been for several years. Later in their married lives, Earl and Grace would be pharmacists and operate a drugstore together. During their 1908 courtship, it does seem that Earl works in a drugstore, based on Grace's diary entries. In the 1910 census, Earl lists his occupation as salesman in a drugstore. I have a letter from Ann Crandall Rose to Grace in which she indicates that she used to own a building in Corunna, and that she understands it is being turned into a drugstore, a change she approves of. Did Ann once own the building where Earl works? I need to research this.
Showing posts with label TOWLER Mrs Minnie Rose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TOWLER Mrs Minnie Rose. Show all posts
Thursday, November 5, 1908
Papa and I went down to Grandma's in a.m. She and Aunt Minnie went to Minn. at noon. In evening Earl and I went to the theatorium and dancing club. Got home at 12:30. Did not get the milk.
Sunday, October 11, 1908
Papa went down after Aunt Minnie in a.m. Earl up for dinner. In p.m. Stoddards people, Aunt Mary and Mable were up here. Mama felt real good all day. Papa and Aunt Minnie went over to Aunt Louise's to get the butter and look at the cow. Did not get any milk from Chilt's. Earl up again in evening.
Wednesday, September 2, 1908
Washed all a.m. In p.m. I walked downtown and Belle, Mertie, and I went to the ballgame between Byron Masons and Corunna M. and we got beat quite bad. Stayed at Belle's all night. In evening went to the theatorium and Earl came up there afterwards. Saw "Willie" Soper and Aunt Minnie in the drugstore. Played pedro and fought for the sporting sheet.
Thursday, August 13, 1908
M. and I went over to Owosso in p.m. In eve we drove down after the boys and had a circus. "Curtains, sofa pillows, and candy." "Rat." Donald came home with us to do the chores and we took him back. Aunt Minnie and children and Grandma stopped for a few minutes towards evening. Chilt over in a.m. and told our fortunes. Great.
Thursday, Jan 2, 1908
Drove downtown in the afternoon and got Della. Talked with Will C. over the phone in evening.
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Transcriber's notes:
I searched the Corunna Journal archives around this date but did not find reference to anyone named Della coming to visit.
Will C. is most likely to be Will Cook. Will Cook has been a friend of the family's for at least a few years now. I have letters written from Grace's paternal grandmother (Ann Crandall Rose) to Grace, in 1906, when Ann was living with her daughter Minnie Rose Towler. Will is mentioned several times in those letters, and once, Grandma mentions that she would really like to see Will and Grace become closer. Will lives in Vernon, about 8 miles away. In the 1910 census, there is a William Cook renting a room in Vernon. That Will Cook is about Grace's same age, so I assume he is our Will Cook. In 1908 when Grace is writing this diary, it appears that Will Cook is also a boarder in Vernon, as she mentions once visiting him with friends, "in his room".
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