THE LIFE HISTORY IN PART OF NETTIE LINDLEY (LuNettie (Nettie) Lovewell)

THE LIFE HISTORY IN PART OF NETTIE LINDLEY (LuNettie (Nettie) Lovewell)

Some 96-odd years ago, a young man and his bride from Ohio, had taken a claim near Des Moines, Iowa. The young man was William (Bedell) Lovewell and his wife was Martha (Morris) Ogden. She was a widow when he married her with four girls and one boy.

The claim, in Ringgold Co., consisted of hilly grassing ground cut thru by Grand River. William being a carpenter constructed a fairly good frame house for his family. He bought cows and sheep. He built a mill on Grand River and ground the grain for the surrounding neighbors. He also used the water power to cut huge blocks from the native wood. These were made into shingles. The country was wild being inhabited with wolves and Indians. Of course, the Indians were mostly civilized. The women picked wild berries and would go from house to house selling them the white people. They also sold or traded beads. The Indians lived in log cabins with puncheon floors (made of split logs, flat side up).

The first child born to Martha and William was Elizabeth. Auburn haired, blue eyed and quick tempered. (The temper was a cause of much grief both to herself and others) Three years later, 1854, LuNettie (later called Nettie) was born. She had dark brown hair and blue grey eyes. Her disposition was like her mothers; patient and unselfish and very ambitious. One of the Indian women, seeing the pretty white baby, wanted to trade her papoosie for her. Nettie was joked about this incident as she grew up. Martha had three more children: Mary, Frank and Harriet. With her last a boy, Landford, she died and the baby also.

William worried along with his little brood with the help of the older children for a time. He then married red haired quick tempered, Matilda Wise, She was very young and the responsibilities of a large family made her irritable. The children didn’t see much pleasure but were made to help with the work. Young Nettie, always a lover of the out of doors, helped round up the cows and sheep. Also she helped her brother Frank cut and carry the wood for the fireplace. One time as the family was going down to the mill, Nettie exclaimed as it came in sight, “Oh! There’s the damned old mill”; meaning, of course, the old mill dam, as they called it. This was occasion for much laughter.

The Civil War (or War Between the States as some call it) broke out. William had to leave his little (or rather big) family for four or more years. During this period they had many hardships. They worked hard to make a living and a cross step mother wasn’t much help.

The pumpkin and squash was cut in rings and dried on long poles. In the winter it was soaked and boiled much as we do dried apricots. They roasted their coffee themselves. It was often Nettie’s job to keep stirring the coffee so it would roast evenly. Nettie often went and helped grandma Wise (Matilda’s mother) with her house work, as she had all boys at home after Matilda’s marriage. Nettie had a little pot lamb. Being a runt she claimed it and took special care of it. She named it Pet. She pulled apron-full’s of tender plants and grasses and fed to it as it followed her about much like a dog would.

The little school house far over the hills was once an Indian hut. Nettie, being younger than the other children, was often left behind on the way to school. She would run until worn out and cry woefully in fear. On this account she didn’t get to go much and got behind with her education. Lizzie’s ambition was to learn to sew but Matilda denied her the use of a needle. Consequently, whenever Matilda was absent, Lizzie would sneak a needle and try to sew. One day in her effort to reach the desired needles, the top to the keg on which she was standing slipped, letting her foot down into the molasses. This was a calamity. She couldn’t eradicate the traces and so received a severe whipping. These punishings didn’t stop her, however, and she kept trying. In later life she became a dress maker.

When William came home after the long war, he was restless and discontent.

Many folk were going on west to Missouri and Kansas, so when his wife’s people decided to move on, he too, to humor Matilda, planned to move on. Five caravan wagons drawn by horses were made ready. The cows were tied behind the wagons. William had at one time owned more land than any one else in Ringgold Co. but sacrificed it to go west. Many difficulties were encountered along the way. The Godfreys (Matilda’s brother and wife) lost their baby and all had to stop at a small town for the little ones funeral. A kind lady gave them a cypress wreath for the grave. Nettie had never seen cypress before and was impressed by the delicate little flowers. (She grew lots of it herself in later life).

In one small town a house was being moved. As it passed under some wires bricks from the chimney were dislodged and several pieces fell on Nettie’s head as she was chasing the cow around the house. She was knocked quite unconscious. William carried her to the wagon where she remained ill for some time. She was impressed with the crossing on the Ferry at St. Joseph, Missouri. The wagons and horses and cows were loaded onboard the first deck and the people went up a flight of steps to a second deck for the crossing.

The caravan stopped in Kansas near Tonganoxie. The Lovewell family had a log cabin. Matilda persuaded William to get homes for the older children, as money was scare and the cabin was crowded. William wouldn’t bind them out, however, as he wanted them to be able to come back home if they didn’t like their new homes. Nettie went to live with a French family who lived in Tonganoxie. Their name was Chevolier and they had several small children. Nettie’s job was to help with the children and housework. To amuse the children she made an improvised wagon of a soap box and a rope, in which she dragged them about. She also put the children on a hand car and ran it a long way up the track between trains.

She went to school for a short time in Tonganoxie. School was held in the old house of Tonganoxie, the old Indian for which the town was named. He preferred to live out in a tent near bye. The Chevolier children went to school here too but because of their peculiar French dress they were ridiculed by the other children. Thet then refused to go to school. Because they couldn’t go Nettie had to stay at home too. She wanted a better education vary badly and yearned to get someplace where she could go to school again.

Among her few treasures was a paper ten cent piece. She kept these from the children by fastening them up in a wooden box. For a lock she improvised a lock of a piece of tin fastened with a screw. A screw driver was required to open it so it was safe for some time. At last, however, the curiosity of the children was too great and they broke in and destroyed the contents in Nettie’s absence.

Nettie next went to a Mrs. Herd, who ran a men’s boarding house. Here the work was heavy and she had no time for school. Here the work was heavy and she had no time for school. Lizzie the older sister feeling sorry for Nettie planned to help her get away. One time in Mrs. Herd’s absence, the two girls carried the small trunk to the house of a good woman by the name of Mosley. Mrs. Mosley told Nettie she was welcome to stay at her place until she could find a place to live and go to school. Mrs. Herd was vert angry and came and tried to force her to come back. This failing, she opened the little truck and took a new dress out. She had bought the dress for Nettie in payment for services. She took it for her own daughter, Frazzie. (Frazzie later lost her life in the burning home). Mrs. Mosley remarked that perhaps it was her just punishment (the mothers).

Nettie found a place to live and attend Mrs. Harris’ private school. It was held at the home. Here she studied hard to try and catch up with the pupils of her own age.

The Jackson’s had a boarding house on Bridge St. and here Nettie and Lizzie worked as waitresses in their spare time. Later they worked at the Crandall house. Both girls got the measles and were ill for some time.

Nettie got a bad tooth ache and was unable to work steadily. She went to the home of her father and Matilda for a while. William Lovewell, her father, caught the largest fish which had ever been caught in the Kaw River at Lawrence. Just below the dam near the mill on the south side. Her father also made broom, mop and axe handles from native wood along the river. He sold these to customers in Lawrence.

When Nettie was about 16 years old she worked for a widower, Mr. Brown by name. He lived in a brick house south west of Lawrence. (the house still stands on hi wa 59 north side of Hi Wa near No. 6 School House) His sister and two children lived there also. Mr. Brown liked Nettie so well, he proposed marriage. (Her first proposal). She however, wanted to go to school some more. He gave her a silver thimble which she still has among her keep sakes.

She went to stay with Mrs. Fincher in N. Lawrence. Her sister Lizzie, in two months time had fallen in love with John Shaw, a young man who kept toll on the Bowersock Bridge. (It was then owned by Mr. Babcock a weathy resident of Lawrence.) Nettie thot her sister was a bit hasty saying. “Why, Lizzie, you aren’t going to marry that strange man are you?” Lizzie laughingly replied, “He may be strange to you but not to me.”

They bore two children, Will and Stella Shaw. John contracted tuberculosis and died leaving Lizzie with two small children. 1880 census: Elizabeth Shaw F 28 Iowa, United States SON William Shaw M 6 Kansas, United States DAU Estella Shaw F 3 Kansas, United States Nettie worked many and various places always helping the fatherless family. She decided to go to Colorado where they were paying waitresses what in those days was a high wages. The town was Hugo wnere the west was “wooly” in those days. The big hotel fed the railroad men between trains. A few cow boys wandered in once in a while. They would unstrap their guns and throw them on the floor by their tables while eating. Nettie was half afraid of them but no trouble ever took place. They had a chinaman laundryman. He gave Nettie a very beautiful silk handkerchief which came from China. Here she met a young westerner to whom she became engaged. She had been sending all of her wages which she could spare to Lizzie. Now she decided to go back to Kansas to make her wedding clothes.

To earn the money the money for these, she worked at the Clifton House, a N. Lawrence Hotel operated by Levi Horner and his wife Estella. Sister Lizzie had married again and was living in the country. Nettie stayed at her home now. However, this was not to be for a letter came from the west telling Nettie that the young man had taken to drinking pretty heavily. This came on good authority. Nettie couldn’t tolerate drunkenness so broke off the engagement.

She had many other proposals on which I will not dwell.

Mrs. Hornor had a brother, Will, recently made a widower when his wife Anna (Reece) died of T.B. Nettie had known him for several years, also his parents Martha and Alfred Lindley who lived in Bismark Grove. Nettie now 27 years old decided to marry Will. Lizzie was now being taken care of, so she thought, and she had always wanted a home of her own. Will had a little home in N. Lawrence all furnished. They bought some new things for the house also new wedding clothes and were married Sept 14th, 1881 by probate judge at the Lawrence National Bank ( Building still stands). In this little home their two first children were born. Lora in 1886 and Fred in 1890. Will was a machinist at Kimballs Machine Shop. He then got a job as Engineer at Haskell Insitute. He had to drive each morning and night, so decided to move closer. They rented their home and moved to a two room apt near Haskell. They lived here one winter then moved to the Green Farm one half mile west of Haskell. It was called the green farm because formerly the green vegetables for the school had been raised here. They had a driving horse and a cow. Nettie built a lean to on the barn for a chicken house and they also had chickens.

In 1895 another girl Stella, was born.

They owned 20 acres of farm land in Franklin east of Lawrence. One day a large hole in the ground was discovered. It proved to have been the hiding place for an old iron pot of gold coins. The prints of them were in the rust of the old lid and pot or kettle. It was never known just who planted the loot or why.

Nettie and Will lived frugally and saved enough to buy the present home at 1912 R. I. St., Lawrence. It was then a five acre tract of land. With the big square house set well back among pines and a fruit orchard. This was about 1898. They improved the place, tearing down the old barn and building a new one. There was a windmill on the place. The cover to the old well is still in the sidewalk on R.I. St. Will still worked at Haskell but very soon bought three lots corner of Mass and Banks St, (now 19th) and built a small lumberyard. This he enlarged as his profits would permit.

The Indians came to see the family bring hand made gifts to them and the children. Among them were a mantle chip with sails anchor and even beer keg. A book paper weight carved from a single piece of wood also a picture frame composed of tiny light and dark pieces glued together. A jewel case of tiny sea shells and satin heart on hinged lid was among the prettiest gifts.

Will and Nettie built two cottages on the south east corner of the tract which they rented. In 1907 Lora was married to William Eudaly and they lived in the second one of these. Will then had the tract divided into city lots and gave each of his children a lot. Lora’s was 1915 Barker where they built a nice two story house. They lived here when their son Willfred was born and his foot prints are in the cement walk tet.

Will and Nettie built three more houses and bought two others on the tract. Nettie had her cows chickens, little calves, garden and fruit orchard as well as doing all her own house work. She was a very busy person. She adored Willfred and made him many little cakes and pies. He loved to be with her and play in the big shady yard with his playmates.

When he was 14 he and his mother came to live at the old home. He learned to drive the family car and later got a job as chauffer for Old Judge Norton. Willfred graduated from Lawrence Memorial High School and shortly after was married to Lucille Westerhouse of Eudora. A son was born to them in 1937. Warren Lee Eudaly, Nettie’s only grand child is quite a favorite with her. She cultivates yellow flowers because he loves them.

Will died at the age of 84 in Jan 29th 1934. After Will’s half of the estate had been divided among the children, Nettie built a rental house at 19110 Barker with her remaining cash. They had built a house at 1913 Barker Ave. Willfred and family now live there so as to be near Nettie, the dear old grandmother. She is now near 93 years old but very active. She cooks, washes dishes, cares for her person and has a small garden each spring. She is a familiar sight to the neighbors, going about with her basket picking up sticks and trash paper from the spacious lawn. If they do not see her for a day or two they call up to inquire if Grandma is ill. She is still very alert mentally and takes an interest in world affairs. She furnishes flowers which she raises herself for sick neighbors and friends. She enjoys being helpful to each and all.

She has been the home loving type; never caring to mingle in society. She is a member of the Methodist church. She never attended much but God will not forget her for her actions have spoken much louder than words.

Her Brother, Franklin L. Lovewell:

From Lisa Lovewell

“Thanks so much for the story of Nettie Lovewell, sister of Franklin L. Lovewell.

My late father-in-law, Darvle Franklin Lovewell, his grandson, told me the rest of the story:

When William Lovewell's first wife (Martha Morris) died, the second wife did not care for boys, and was cruel to step-son, Franklin Lovewell. According to the dates that William was gone with the Civil War, it seems that while he was gone, the new wife gave or sold Frank to a neighbor at age 8 to work. Apparently, the neighbor was also cruel, and when young Frank had had enough, he pulled a gun on his new master and left town.

He was out in the world at 8 years old and became skillful at saw-sharpening and eventually met his wife and started a family.”

Found this bio on Ancestry.com

Here's the link http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/14460788/person/110326585

It was posted by 'vicki1685', as was the picture of Nettie.