William Grant Lathrop was born April 19, 1885 to George and Rosa Lathrop. On September 5, 1911 he was united in marriage to LaNora McCally. Daughter of Edward and Nancy Rosetta (nee Tumblinson) McCally. Nora was born July 24, 1886 in Sumner. To this Union the following children were born: William George (b. Apr. 1913); Leland Delbert (b. Apr. 1915); Harold Eugene (b. Oct. 1920); Donald R. (b. abt.1923). Nora died January 7, 1951 and William died may 5, 1948 and they are buried in the Sumner Cemetery.
Editor’s Note:
In 1916 William sends another letter to the Press. "The most interesting things are, of course, our blue-eyed boys, Goerge Edward, approaching three and Leland, nine months old, having made his appearance since the
last Pink Press. Both are big fat husky chaps. Both are, as usual,
enjoying the bet of health. Of course they had a touch of the grippe, but the visit to Lawrence County' s holiday mud is partly responsible, even if there has been more grippe here than there.
..But the most interesting subject of this letter is my wife-my better 3/5's formerly Miss Nora McCally daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. S. McCally of NE Christy. She takes care of the little home, looks after the boys and gets something to eat for all of us. I work 18 hrs a day, but hope that 1917 will see an end of the 18 hour work. All goes well at the University. There are 6000 students enrolled, between 4000-5000 here and the rest in the Chicago division. All Lawrence county students are making good as far as I know."
(L. W. Lent)
Biographical Note:
Louis Willet Lent was born on January 19, 1854 and grew up in Lawrence County the son of William B. and Martha (nee Benton) Lent. On November 21, 1875 Louis was united in marriage to Sarah Ellen Combs, daughter of A. J. and Eunice (nee Baird) Combs. Sarah was born on September 29, 1853 in Bridgeport. To this union the following children were born: Euerdge (b. Jun. 1883); Zazell (b. Sep. 1892). Louis was a Millright. Sarah died January 31, 1936 and Louis died September 11, 1919. They were laid to rest in the Lawrenceville City Cemetery Mausoleum.
Editor’s Note:
Superannuated:
Retired with a pension
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(Molly Mallison)
Biographical Note:
Mary E. “Molly” Hoopes was born on March 10, 1855 to Caleb and Margaret (nee Denison) Hoopes. On September 7, 1905 she married Calvin John Mallinson. The following children were listed in census records: Josie J. (b. Jan. 1882); Nellie M. (b. Jan. 1885); Joseph (b. Dec. 1887); Heaton V. (b. Jun. 1891); Emma N. (b. Mar. 1897). Calvin died on June 22, 1928. Molly died on August 21, 1919 and is buried in the Sumner Cemetery. She united with the M. E. Church Sumner and at an early age lived a consistent Christian life. She was of a cheerful happy disposition and greatly loved by all who knew her.
Editor’s Note:
I am a subscriber of the Sumner Press and have taken it ever since I came to West Salem to reside 10 years ago. I took it for every week and enjoy reading it and yet each week contains the death of old friends and acquaintances, which makes me sad. It keeps me posted on what is transpiring in and around my old home town.
Mrs. C. J. Mallinson
Metropolis, Illinois
January 10, 1915
Gentlemen:
I have noticed you expected to turn out an edition of the Press composed, as nearly as possible, of letters from former residents of Sumner. I do not know of anything to tell our many friends and relatives of interest only I am still running a flour mill, but as we have been here 17 years, must begin to think about getting superannuated. Our only living son, Euerdge, is married and living at Centralia Illinois, is traveling for the Huttigs Sash and Door Works, of St. Louis. He is “making good.” Our daughter's Zazel, is completing her fourth year at Eureka College from which she will graduate next June. I have been a subscriber to the Sumner Press since its first issue by W. E. Mock about the year 1876. It has been sent me at Bridgeport and LawrencevilleIllinois, Vincennes, Petersburg, Dillsborough, Indianapolis and Franklin, Indiana, then for something over four years got it through the post office at Sumner. For the last 16 or 17 years I have received the paper here.
We still own property in Sumner and expect if I do not die in harness to fix it up or build on the lot and come "home" to Sumner to finish out the time I have to stay.
Will write a few lines for special edition of the Sumner Press. I am always glad to see my old home paper.
I was a resident of Sumner for 43 years. My father, Caleb Hoopes, moved to Sumner when I was seven years old. There have been many changes. When we went there it was a very small place, no church there, we had church in the school house and big and small scholars were all in one room together and one teacher to instruct them.
All the old people who would be 80 years and more, if living, are all sleeping with the sleep that knows no awakening in the cemetery on the Hill. Mr. Clark, whose body was brought back for burial, was living there when we moved there.
My home is now West Salem, Illinois, a very nice town. Have been a resident here for nine years. I visit my old home once or twice a year. While I miss many old friends who have passed away, yet I meet other friends whose familiar faces I am always glad to see.
Very respectfully,
Mrs. Molly Hoopes Mallison
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Chicago, Illinois
January 11, 1915
To the Editor:
Although I am not an “old-timer” and had no reminiscent stories of early days to offer, I wish to write a line or two, if only to wish you the best of success with the Pink Edition, which I consider a highly commendable effort. Also as I look forward to it, hoping to hear from some old friends and schoolmates whom I have lost track of, perhaps someone may be interested to know what has become of me.
I was born on what is known as the Malone farm, 3 1/2 miles southeast of Sumner and which at that time belonged to my father, William Malone.
I am now married and living in Chicago for the past seven years. Have been in the employ of Sears, Roebuck and Company.
My reminiscences are mostly of boyish pranks. In those days they raised fine watermelons in Lawrence County. I remember one time I had been to Vincennes with a load of hay. Having had no supper, on my way home I felt pretty hungry. I passed a fine patch of melons and boy-like decided to satisfy my hunger, never worrying about the right or wrong of helping myself to other people’s melons. I had just picked out a couple of fine melons and with one under each arm was proceeding to the hay rack when I heard a gun click and heard the farmer say "I've got you this time". I said "I guess you have." He then proceeded to lecture me and said, “Suppose young man, as you went along to town I had taken a bale of your hay, what you would have said, and how much would you like that?” To which I replied, "If you had been as hungry as I and wanted a bale of hay to eat, I'd have said take it and welcome." The farmer, a big, broad minded man, saw the point laughed and pick me out the finest biggest melon he could find, sending me on my way rejoicing, but with this sage advice, “Young man, when you are hungry and want a melon, go and ask for it and do not help yourself." I wonder if he will see the story and remember.
My heart always has a warm spot for Lawrence County and friends and companions there.
Wishing the Sumner Press continued success, I am
Clement E. Malone
128 South Hamilton Avenue
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Sullivan, Indiana
January 15, 1915
Dear Readers of Old Reliable:
Following the custom adopted, I now in response, say we live near Sullivan, Indiana, our former home was near Sumner, in Christy Township. We live in this location for about 40 years. Many friends did we gain during that period of time.
It is a great recreation for a person's mind to wander back to old home and friends.
One October 24, 1914, we bade farewell to Sumner and left for our home here. On arriving we found our friends and acquaintances from (here) greet(ed) us with hearty welcome.
Our nearest neighbors, Mr. Nesbitt's, are nice and accommodating people. He often comes to your town to buy horses.
