Dec. 14, 1898 - letter of recommendation for Mrs. N. F. [?] Hamlin

Dec. 14, 1898

To any School Board, Greeting; I trust know the bearer of this, Mrs. N. F. [?] Hamlin, to be a teacher of long and successful experience in our public schools. During my *** as principal of the San Luis Obispo City Schools she had charge of the Primary Dept when she proved herself as a primary teacher of a high order of merit. She was patient and painstaking, and thorough in every detail of her work, in addition to which she has the faculty of managing and dealing successfully with the little ones. As a lady and a teacher, and especially of primary grades, I fully & cheerfully commend her.

W. M. Armstrong

Ex. Co. Supt of Schools

of San Luis Obispo Ca

1863 Simeon Hamblin district treasurer

In brown ink on faded lined paper pulled from a spiral notebook.
July the 16 A.D. 1863
To P. J. Houk County Treasurer

Please pay Simeon Hamblin treasurer of district township of Monroe in the County of Monroe and the State of Iowa the amount of taxes levied and collected on account of said district for teachers funds and schoolhouse fund up to this date July the 16-1863
J W Thompson, Secretary

Hamblin Cemetery; Madison, Iowa

In case you're interested, here's a link to the Hamblin Cemetery in Iowa.

http://www.interment.net/data/us/ia/madison/hamblin_cemetery.htm

It's where Simeon & Elinor are buried. There is information at the top of the page about how the cemetery was started.

So, it looks like this will be more than just the letters.

~Kathy

1890 From [maternal] Grandma Thomson to Frank & his mother Halie [Mahala] Hamblin

McPherson Iowa Oct 31st 90

Dear Grand Son

I rec your very welcome letter some time was not able to answer it then but will try to now

We are all well at this time of writing hoping this may find you all enjoying good health we have had a poor dry season have not raised very good crops and our hay crop was almost a failure.
We cut the grass from 40 arcres of meadow and had only about ten tons of hay so you see that was next thing to a failure we drove forty head of cattle to Union ? and got them pastured and the rest of our cattle and horses we have had to feed them corn for about two months we only had four bush of apples when we gathered them the corn crop is generally poor through I’a and else where it was the driest summer we have ever known in I’a stock water was very scarce

There is a considerable sickness around through the country. John Steel[,] Kate Cochrans husband has been very sick with Typoid Fever for over a month and as not considered out of danger yet. Frank Cochran has very poor health he has kidney disease is not able to labor any has been sick over a year I fear he will not get well his sickness was caused by a fall he is a nice boy

Emma [Frank B's sister b.1871] was over to your aunts ?? not long ago they were all well the rest of your relatives are well Frank it does seem so good to get a letter from you I often get that little letter that don’t
you remember printing one it was nice Grand Pa and me when you lived in Oswego I think it is awful nice I would not like to part with it I do hope that you will write often you and Emma. I would so well like to see you both in fact all of you I will have to draw my letter to a close by wishing you good night much love to you all write often

Your Grand Ma L C [Lydia Charlotte] Thomson

Dear Halie [Mahala, Frank B.'s mother] I thought I could not finish this letter without writing some to you concerning those nuts and roots owing to the late frost in the spring and the dry summer There was no mast [nuts?] we hunted every where and inquired of a gret many that came to the Office and others they all said there was no nuts in the country so we done the next best thing, those walnuts grew on the walnut trees that you and I [planted] east of the north orchard they were the only ones I knew of in the country and they were only a few. I commenced to wrap them up in the rags but pa thought they would be better to plant with the hulls on so we sent them that way we did not save any plum seed so we sent you some plum sprouts the weaver plum they are nice plum almost eaqual to a peach we sent you some [?] Black berries some red raspberries we fetched them from Sam Hemsted also some Black caps Rasberries and some currants a Peony a flowering almond, a Lilac Thre kind of lilies the ones that was in one end of the box looked like potatoes is a Lillie, that I got from Aunt Sarah Mamby all of these are perfectly hardy live out doors all winter with little protection I would mulch them some there was one Lillie had rather a long root it is a house plant it will grow out doors in

Halie I sent you two plums seeds that I had planted they are the weaver plum I think that they will grow for I plant plums [?] all and those little red berries in the package are asperagus seeds the girls say that you must name the rose bushes after them.

Hand-written letters/notes – possibly written by Halie Hamblin? the sister of John Hamlin [Frank B. Hamlin’s father, thus Frank’s aunt]

Arroyo Seco Cala [California]

Oct 10th 1878

Aunt Mary

I have been a reader of the American Young Folks since last February. It is sent to me by my Grandma who lives at McPherson Iowa and I would like to thank her through this column of your paper for I know she is a reader of it. My parents came to Cala [California] from Kansas three years ago. At present we are living on a stock ranch about 30 miles south east from the city of San Luis Obispo. This ranch contains about 30.000 acres. The land in this part of the county is all owned in large tracts or grants. Consequently it is very thinly settled our nearest school is nearly 10 miles away and over two mountain ridges making it impossible for one to go. But my parents teach me at home. We live in a beautiful valley. Surrounded by mountains

* ---------- *

San Luis Obispo Co Cal

This county is bounded on the north by Monterey last by Kern. South by Santa Barbara and west by the Pacific Ocean. It is seventy five miles long. Its breadth will average 60 miles
The population is 9.000. The principal town is San Luis Obispo which is a mission founded on the 1st of Sept 1772 by Father Serra assisted by Father Joseph [Jose] Caballor [Cavaller]. They then blessed and put in place the Holy Cross then they suspended a bell to the limb of a sycamore tree

And thus was founded the mission of San Luis Obispo in a short time a church was erected and the same bell that was suspended from the sycamore limb 106 years ago is still in use at the church at the early settling of this country grizzly bears roamed over the hills and valleys in such numbers that they seemed like bands of cattle

Soldiers

Soldiers were sent to exterminate them. The Indians were greatfull for this act for they had severely suffered from the ferocity of these animals San Luis Obispo soon became a flourishing mission. Schools were established and the Indians instructed in the mechanical arts and so it remained until 1867 when it was surrounded by U. S. Government since that time is has been improving and at present is a flourishing town, containing about 2.500 inhabitants the e other towns are Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Suilta [Suelta] and Arroyo Grand.

1890 From Mary Anderson to Frank Hamlin re: her daughter Evelyn

Santa Margarita [in San Luis Obispo, California]
March 3rd. 1890

Dear Frank

Yours of Jan 29 is at hand. have been looking for a word from you for some time, but attributed the delay to the bad condition of the roads.

This is Sunday and the most pleasant day we have had for some time; we have had so few really pleasant days this winter, that we fully appreciate them when we are so favored.

I am alone for the first time this winter I believe. Mr. Anderson has gone to see Mr. McKennon about some little business, Evelyn and Tommy are ? to Grand Pass?; Emma is out to the Morro, Bill has gone out to see Mr. Rogers, and as I have no company will improve this opportunity in writing you a long letter.

And now my dear boy I am going to explain my little talk with you the evening before you went away; first I will tell you, that I love you all the better for your candor and respect your confidence, which makes it possible for me to speak freely to you upon this subject.

To begin with you and Evelyn, especially Evelyn, are very young to form strong attachments, although I have know[n] very happy terminations of the first attachments of even younger people than you and Evelyn; however ? will perhaps, speak of this later., it is of my conversation with you, that I wish to speak of now.

You see Frank you were often here, during those few months, and we had grown to like you very much, not with a thought of what the future might be; but for your self alone; and believing you in every way worthy, did not hesitate to permit Evelyn to receive your little kind attentions to her, never thinking that you would be more interested in each other, than mere friendship would warrant, and if it had not been for the unkind remarks of Fred Cavanagh it is not likely I should have spoken to you at all. Now I am glad that I did: as it enables us to exchange our little confidences.

When I heard what Fred has said I felt worse than you know and had a real good cry all to my self. I did not like to tell Mr. Anderson for I knew he would not like it. I have not told him yet but will some time, when he will not care about it.

I felt hurt, not because I thought you did not care for Evelyn as much as you seemed is, because I had not thought of your being serious in your attentions: but I had hoped never to have Evelyn’s name kept free from the light way some young men have when speaking of what they call their girls.

If Evelyn had been older and understood the art of coquetry perhaps I would not have cared so much but when she was so unconscious of causing any remarks – to have him say that she was very much in love with you, and to use Fred’s expression you were making a fool of her, intentionally taking advantage of her innocent trust in you, only to be forgotten soon or made light of after. You can see I would not like to hear that.

Fred Cavanagh may not think it any harm to amuse himself in that way; but I do. If the participants are of equal experience, perhaps it would not be so bad for then it would be diamond cut-diamond, however I consider your case vastly different

If I had thought you guilty of so base a use of my confidence in you, I should not have given you the satisfaction of knowing why; but would straight away have forbidden Evelyn to accept your further company or correspondence.

At first I thought I would say nothing about it to you; but Just tell Evelyn she had better not go to the party, when I found she wished so much to, I told her why – not just in words Fred had used but enough for her to know that Fred had said you were having a little amusement at her expense and that she had better not give you another opportunity.

She burst out crying and said that she knew you did care for her, then I told her she might tell you if she wished. How she told you I don’t know for she feels rather delicate in speaking of you to me, which is very natural, of course.

I do not wish Evelyn to accept the attentions of any young man who has not good morals & I prefer a gentleman in the best sense of the word. You are the only one that I ever allowed to be considered as anything like company for Evelyn; and I hope with all my heart that she may never care to go with any other young man, I hope she may have years of enjoyment, but I want her escort to be either her parents or some dear friend.

We have had examples, of the folly of girls running around with Tom, Dick & Harry as you know, right in our neighborhood. I think it is a bad thing and shall try to make Evelyn so happy and contented, she will not desire it.

Since you have so honestly confided in me I will frankly say that I have no fear for my daughter, from one who can so candidly tell her mother of his love and hope for the future; and if you and Evelyn are willing to work and wait till you are both old enough to be quite certain, that your love is built on a surer foundation than admiration or youthful romance; when Evelyn has finished her education and fitted herself for the wife of a good and noble man, and you have fulfilled the promises of your youth, be assured you will meet with no opposition here.

I have not mentioned the import of your letter to Mr. Anderson, thinking perhaps you would prefer to confide only in me for the present.

I know you hold a high place in his esteem which would not be lessened, if he knew.

And now, my dear if the time should ever come when either you or Evelyn are mistaken and find that your affection for each other now, is forgotten in a greater love for another be as quick to tell me as you have this. I will think none the less of you, for you cannot command your love—it goes where it is sent, and marriage without it, united and strong, ends universally in misery for both.

May God keep your hearts, my children, from going astray and in these years of separation build for yourself, a long and sure foundation, for a long and happy life to-gether.

hoping you will tell me of your plans, and all you wish me to know with out reserve as I shall you; I will say you have my love, and God bless you.

My Sister is much better and if I should go up there at all, will not start before the first of May. Evelyn will tell you all the news, write soon,

Your loving friend
Mary Anderson

[Frank would have been about 22 when this was written to him.]

1873 from S. Hamblin [F.B.'s G'father] to John & Halie Hamblin [F.B.'s parents]

Monroe, January 31/73

Dear children

I once more take up my pen to try & write you a few lines to let you know iam [sic] still among the liveing [sic] with some hope of giting [sic] well. but the turn of the season will likely decide that point. I have quit the Doctors in town & am doctoring with an indian [sic] of the Saraganset tribe & have ben [sic] mending slowly for the last 3 months iam [sic] up about the house the most of the time & have a good appetite but cant [sic] gather much strength til the weather gits warm So ican [sic] git out an exercise in the open air, the rest of the folks are well with the exception of colds; we have had a cold winter so far we have had 22 days that the quicksilver stood below 0 ranging from 2 to 23 degrees & many more days but little above 0 we have not had more than 10 inches snow this winter if it had all fallen at one time; water has never been so scarce Since ihave [sic] lived in iowa we have plenty for our mules & hogs at the well but have to drive our cattle to the branch.---we soald [sic] 16 hogs they brought 160 dollars we got 3 cts gross wheat is worth 75 to one dollar corn & oats about 15 cts bushel butter 15 lb & eggs 2 a dozen [?] is low & we have to sell money is Scarce & hard to get but we have plenty, to eat & wear be us therewith be content.

J. J. W[?] Starr was cleard after the jury hung one knight & part of the day's on the ground that thare was no malice between the parties at the time the hogs was shot.
There is no doubt in my mind but the sheriff got some of the Starrs friends on the jury but be that as it may the district Court of Ioway has decided that any poor cuss that has no property the law will take for debt can shoot as much stock as they please & all that is required is just to say there was no malice & the debt is settled ithink such desisions will soon prove the neceseity of self protection & ihave but one thing to regret & that is friend Starr is gone iwould like to have him for aneighbour one year & ithink the lacking point would not be wanting & the next jury might do him justice

Rob is goeing to school in winter[?] this winter ihope he will make good use of his time & try to continue for a few terms.

I have put my farm into the market at 25 dollars per acre Newlon [?] has until the first of Sept; idoe not much expect him to find a merchant as times are verry dull but chance of seling this summer; if isell i intend to look for a warmer climate if I am able to look at all & if not I think it would be better for mother to put the money at interest than to be bothered with a farm to rent and keep in repair; ishould like to leave next fall if we can & if we cannot ishall sell all the stock but my teams & 2 cows & a few hogs so we will not have much choaring to do & take it as easy as ican until we doe sell.

Joe is living on his farm he has offered for sale & says he will go south he has written 3 letters to you & has not got any answer he would like to have a letter from you & hear from his oald neighbours his health is quite poor he is troubled with catarrh in the head. Rachel is doeing verry well the last year if she had done as well the 3 first years it would have ben two thousand dollars better for them at this time but the past is among the thing that was, but to continue in welldoeing ma [may] ameliorate there condition hereafter time will show how long She will holdout, they Still have something to goe on--

I will now tel you something abut your money igot one hundred dollars of Rudy about one month ago & have not had any chance to send for acheck until now that is 180 dollars paid on the last note & Rudy had hard work to get that & says he don't think he can pay the balance before fall it is interest & will be about 20 dollars itold him iwould not make any cost on the note before that time he is a poor like the rest of us but doeing the best he can--

oald uncle Herb Harris died very Suddely this winter he was at James Bolings on a visit, he slipt on some ice by the corner of the house & felldown they asked him if he was hurt he not in the least & went into the house. This was in the afternoon he commenst reading the newspaper & in a few minutes his hands begane to jerk he then lay down on the bed & in a few minutes began to vomit & died before night John Moors wife is dead & family of 9 children are on the county [dole]

This is [?] the 2 & as the quicksilver has raised above 0 ithought iwould finish up this sheet [?] to have it ready for the mail in the morning & that is the best ican do at this time; the reason ihave not written this winter was my nerves was so unstrung icould not handle the pen & you can See they are verry steady at this time but are much improved the young folks are tending literary once a week they have avery good one this winter Seth & Nat edit the papers this week they will give the Society some spicy pieces boath in poetry & literary reading. Hannah has been going to school part of the time but had to stop on account of cold weather hur lungs are to weak to stand the bleak winds of town we will not send hur any more until the wweather gets warmer so she will losse half the term atleast--

Tell Frank he ma [may] make up his mind to come & live with me when isellout & come down there as ihave no littleboys now to git up in the morning & build a fire for me & grandma; & drive the mules I will have Some jentle enough that he can ride them to water & drive them when hitcht to the waggon & do lots of other things So we will have good times jenerally--

I will now have to close as it is geting dark & the oald Rocking chair is begining to fell hard as it wanted to rest--Please write Son & let us know whether this check gits through all right

from your father S. Hamblin
to John & Halie Hamblin
["F.B.'s Grandfather"-written in another ink & another hand]

PS: I have found that S. was Simeon & that this letter was written from the farm in Monroe, in Iowa. I'll have another post with other details but Simeon died 1/10/1874 at 58 - a year after this letter was written. Elinor died 5/27/1898 at 80. Frank was born in 1868 so he was only 5 when his grandfather suggested Frank come live with him & help with the mules.