Catherine Colorized

Thought I’d try to give her some color. The original photo is on Chris Bremer’s “Bremer Family History” site.  LINK

Catherine Langdon’s 1881 Diary

Thanks to Ginger Westfall! These are multiple page PDF files. Click on the date for a link to the file.

1881 January

1881 February – March

1881 April – May

1881 June – July

1881 August – September

1881 August 22 & 23

1881 October – November

1881 December & Memos

1881 Memos & Expenses

Catherine Langdon’s Quilts 

Thanks to Linda Stoops! Here’s seven photos of quilts made by Catherine and two photos of a quilt made by Anna. Linda writes:

“I thought you might find these interesting.  Catherine Langdon made exquisite quilts.  The detail work and color choices are really lovely.  The artists among us may have wondered who we inherited that trait from…”

The red and white feathered star quilt is being held by Myrtle Stoops and her sister, (Carrie) Belle Jaus, grand-daughters of Catherine.

Quilt for Herbert and Anna Langdon is interesting.  This one has embroidered names of Herbert and Anna Langdon and each of the kids through Blanche, and perhaps birthdates (I can’t remember anymore).  Timing on this would probably be with the time Catherine lived with Herbert and Anna in Oregon.  Blanche was the last born in Oregon-the boys were all born in SD, and none of them are on the quilt except for the oldest, Archie.  The quilt is being held by Jenner Langdon and cousin, Berdene StJohn. Again, Catherine pieced the squares and it was quilted by someone else later.  I’m guessing this was one she may have been working on around the time she died.

Anna Langdon Quilt 

This is a quilt made by Anna Langdon.  It is not especially artistic, but certainly useable.
Another view. It is being held by her daughters, (Carrie) Belle Jaus and Myrtle Stoops.

September 7, 1881- Swiss Bell Ringers 

1885 advertisement from the New York, NY Clipper. The ad touts their triumphant Wisconsin appearances.

8 Sept. 1881 Green Lake Democrat announces the Swiss Bell Ringers will be performing in Princeton on Friday.

Here’s an interesting recollection about the Swiss Bell Ringers from the same time frame.

“According to present standards we indulged in precious little amusement. Entertainments were few. Once in a while a circus came to town, and there were organizations of musical attractions like The Swiss Bell Ringers.”

• Source: A BACKWARD GLANCE AT EIGHTY : RECOLLECTIONS & COMMENT BY CHARLES A. MURDOCK : MASSACHUSETTS 1841 HUMBOLDT BAY 1855 SAN FRANCISCO 1864
  

LINK

Who is Ferdinand in the diaries?

 

The 1880 Census above shows Catherine 3 years after Rufus’ death living in Wisconsin with sons Oscar, Herbert and daughter Alice.  They also have a 15 year old male living with them who is listed as Farm Laborer. His name is Ferdinand Haas.

Ferdinand Haas Buried in Markesan

This looks like him. According to the above census he would have been born abt 1865. He named one of his sons Erwin.

Here’s a link to him in Find-A-Grave:  LINK

Here’s his obit in the “Markesan Herald”, and the “Waupun Leader-News”. His first wife passed in 1918. It looks like he married again after her death. Her Obit is from 1918.

His two sons died in 1906. The first died in January and the second died almost a year later in December. Scarlett fever and diptheria were raging in the area. Here’s a link to an aticle from 4 Jan, 1912.   LINK

Catherine Langdon’s Horrible Year

• Daughter Alice Langdon dies Christmas Day 1880 of typhoid fever. Article is from January 6th, 1881 “Green Lake Democrat”.

• Her son Oscar Langdon falls off a horse. Article is from the July 28, 1881 “Green Lake Democrat”. Later in life he is described as loving horses.

• Same date as the above article, the “Princeton Republic” claims son Erwin Langdon was kicked by a horse and provides gruesome new details. “As we hear, his forehead was so fractured that the brain oozed out.”

• One month later, the “Princeton Republic” reports “Erwin Langdon of Manchester, is prospecting in Dakota, with a view of permanently locating.”   Pretty amazing given the last article.

• On Feb. 10, 1882 Catherine sold land to daughter Mary E. Clark (residence Green Lake, Wisconsin). March 8, 1882 she sold more to son Erwin A. Langdon (Residence Clear Lake, South Dakota). Then March 14, 1882 she sold the Mortgage on her home to Susan A. Walker for $1200.00. Two weeks later she’s reported as sick in Waupun.

• Quit Claim deed from Feb. 10, 1882. It shows Catherine selling land to daughter Mary E. Clark (residence Green Lake, Wisconsin). LINK

• Here’s Catherine in the Clear Lake, Deuel CO., SD – 1888 Methodist Church Records.  LINK