Henry Adelbert & Mae Beebe McPherson

MCPHERSON BEEBE WATKINS HAY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 9/21/2010 at 21:07:55

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Henry Adelbert and Mae (Beebe) McPherson
By Betty McPherson and Carolyn Christensen Sulsberger

Henry Adelbert McPherson was born March 6, 1868, at Lynxville, Wisconsin, the son of Charles Pettis McPherson and Laura Jane Watkins. When Charles died, October 30, 1977, Laura was unable to look after all of her children. Del, as he was known, was adopted by William and Eliza Sutton. Del came to Woodbury County in the 1880’s. On November 15, 1895, he married Mae Beebe. Mae was born near Smithland, December 1, 1875, to Nathan and Julia (Hay) Beebe. Del and Mae farmed for many years near Sloan.

To this union, seven children were born:

Lottie, born December 21, 1896, died July 11, 1978. Married Herman Christensen, December 24, 1971.

Ernest, born May 20, 1898, living at Parkston, South Dakota.

Glen, born June 11, 1901, died August 21, 1983. Married Ines Johnson, September 5, 1923.

Edna, born March 10, 1903, died March 21, 1928. Married John Metcalf, December 5, 1925.

Vena, born March 5, 1907, died October 15, 1976. Married Glen Gilbert, December 24, 1926.

Violet, born February 25, 1909, died May 3, 1950. Married Hemeth Newhart.

Earsel, born September 22, 1915, living at Parkston, South Dakota.

Lottie remembered her childhood as being filled with hard work, but also lots of fun. As the oldest of seven children she was hanging clothes to dry, helping with cooking chores, and caring for the younger children by the time she was five years old. Father Del was a small man who surprised people because of his strength. He was an early innovative farmer, incorporating the corn stalk residue into the soil rather than burning off the fields as was the practice at that time. Mother Mae kept tight reign on family finances, and limited family members to one egg for breakfast so that there would be more to sell. Fun times involved square dance and neighborhood get togethers. Lottie remembered a special summer treat of strawberry shortcake made with little sweet, wild strawberries.

Lottie left home and lived with a family in Whiting to be able to graduate from high school there. She then attended Cedar Falls College and taught Home Economics at Bronson and Climbing Hill. The teaching contract she signed at Bronson contained many stipulations as was the practice of that day, including mandatory twice-weekly church attendance, no dating, and a list of unsuitable activities for unmarried school teachers. Lottie met her husband, Herman, at a box social when he was the highest bidder for the ‘meal in a box’ she had packed.