There is not much I know about Nellie Gaisford. She was the eighth child of Charles and Henrietta Gaisford, born in 1883 just a year after my Great Grandmother Cora. Nellie never married, and didn't have an occupation in 1910 at the age of 26, but she was able to read and write.
The Ellis news columns in the Beatrice Daily Sun often told of Nellie and her older sister Mamie going to visit with other siblings and their families. Mamie was 13 years older than Nellie. One of those mentions in 1914 even tells that they "drove" to a sister's place. What did they drive? Did someone in the family have a car in 1914? Checking for an operator's license is pointless, they weren't required in Nebraska until 1929. I wonder if Nellie was involved in the womens suffrage campaign. She didn't live long enough to see women win the right to vote. With no more than I know about her, Nellie appeared to live a carefree life doing as she pleased.
And then in flu enza.
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| Beatrice Daily Express, Jan. 11, 1919 |
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| Beatrice Daily Express, Jan. 11, 1919 |
Laura this is a very timely and poignant reminder of how devastating a pandemic can be and how families are touched by every loss to an out of control disease. I am linking to your post in this week's Saturday Serendipity. Best wishes. Stay well and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you, John! It will be a blessing when we get passed this awful mess.
DeleteI have several from my family tree who died in Oklahoma of influenza. My grandmother helped nurse some and caught it herself but fortunately for me, she recovered. \
ReplyDeleteIt's possible where the article said "drive" that it meant with a horse and carriage.
Yes, I'm sure it meant they were "driving" horses in some way, Virginia. My thoughts were wandering writing this post. Thanks for reading!
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