Austin, Arkansas
January 16, 1918
Editor Press:
As I have never made an attempt to write to the Pink Press before, I will try to write a few lines, as probably some of the families and friends would be glad to hear from me.
It was about twenty four years ago in February, when my father moved to Sumner, on Tick Ridge and worked for Capt. Davis that year and then moved to T. L. Jones’s son’s farm, where Oscar Fyffe did live and probably does yet.
I was married to Laura Nadine, of West Salem, when my father lived there, and then he moved away, but I remained there three years and then moved to what was called the John Bryan farm and later bought the Uncle Neddy Heath farm later selling it, I bought the Dave Delong place, on the county line, which I sold to Otis Klingler and moved to Olney, buying stock for A. L. Odor one year and then I purchased a farm of 160 acres of land and in Lonoke County, Arkansas, and with my family of my wife and three children, moved here in November 1911, and afterwards a girl baby was added to the family, but from some cause, a death Angel came and claimed her at the age of 1 year and 10 months old.
All of the family with that exception has had good health here and like the country fine.
We have a nice home here, have built a new house and a barn.
One year ago I traded my Olney property for 80 acres in Lincoln County, Arkansas. I have not any claim on Illinois at all now.
I farm and also work at the carpenter trade too, and have more work than I can do and never run out of a job. As this is my first attempt to write the Pink Press I will close.
Sincerely,
John Z. Gorbet
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Norris City, Illinois
January 22, 1918
To the readers of the Sumner Press:
I was born and raised in Lawrence County, two and three-quarter mile southeast of Chauncey, and lived there until I was married to Frank Gray. We then moved to Norris City and bought us a little home of 50 acres, which we can now call our own. It is nicely located southeast of Norris City about two miles.
We have several close neighbors who are very good to as. We have lived here nine years in the spring and like it very much.
Have two dear children-Beulah May, age 8 and James Benjamin, age 6, who are in the second grade at school.
I have made a visit to my old home once every year since moving away. You will all remember me as Frances Haines, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Haines.
We wish one and all many blessings and prosperity the next year.
Yours respectfully,
Frances Gray
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(John Z. Gorbet)
Biographical Note:
John Zachary Gorbet was born January 2, 1879 in Jackson County, Indiana to Benjamin J. and Elizabeth (nee Foss) Gorbet. Om March 31, 1899 he married Laura Isabell Nadine daughter of Frances and Mary Elizabeth (nee McManaman) Nadine, born on January 16, 1879. According to census records four children were born: Berlin Floyd (b. May 1900); Gladys Irene (b. abt. 1903); Ralph (b. abt. 1907); Ida Laura (b. 1912 d. 1914). John Died on April 18, 1951. Laura died December 15, 1966. They are buried next to their young daughter in Oak Grove Cemetery Lonoke County, Arkansas.
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