I'd Like to Meet

 There are many ancestors I'd like to meet. If only to ask them questions about names and dates. How many children did you have? When and where were they born? Where did you live? Who were YOUR parents? But, if I could only pick one, or two, it would have to be Ulrika Johansdotter and Harriet Mabbs.

Ulrika Johansdotter is Malvina Anderson Henrickson's mother. Ulrika has such an interesting journey. She was born to two parents who were labeled as "farmers/peasants." Her parents were older and neither was in good health. Her father dies when Ulrika is only 2 years old. Ulrika continues to live with her mother, who is blind and cannot work. They are still living in poverty. Older brothers and sisters are helping to take care of the family. When Ulrika is 7 years old her mother dies. Ulrika is partially taken care of by the parish. Her older sister moves back and helps to take care of her. Older brothers and an older sister also help look after Ulrika. Without this family support Ulrika would have been sent to foster care. That would have involved hard work and starvation. She was lucky to remain with her siblings. When she was older she obtained jobs as a maid on farms and worked her way up and across Sweden. She made her way to Stockholm where she married Carl Johan Andersson. After some hard times in Sweden they made their way to Michigan. With much hard work, and some luck, they were able to purchase 80 acres of land and start their family. They raised 3 children, but unfortunately lost a young daughter to a devastating train accident. Despite this Ulrika carried on. She and Carl gave back to the community in many acts of charity. My grandfather Ray Henrickson remembered Ulrika as a nice grandmother who used to give him cookies when he'd come over, calling him her "little beggar boy." Ulrika started off in such poverty, losing her parents, but made her way to raising her own family and seeing her many grandchildren thrive and succeed in America. I would love to hear her stories and how she dealt with all the obstacles in her path. 

Harriet Mabbs Truman was born in 1850 in Michigan. Her father had immigrated to America with his family from England when he was 9 years old. Harriet married when she was 18 years old and had 5 children with her first husband, Madison Truman. They also moved the family from Michigan to Arkansas and then back to Michigan again. Some time between 1877 and 1884. Madison died when Harriet was only 33 years old. She remarried 3 years later and had 5 more children with her second husband. Her last child was born when she was 45 years old.

I can't imagine moving from Michigan to Arkansas back in those days. It would have to have been by horse and wagon. And then moving back. Also, Harriet effectively had 2 families. She had one family with her first husband, and then a whole new family with her second husband. She passed away in 1929, when she was 78 years old. She saw a lot of technological changes too, from 1850 to 1929. Traveling by horse to travel by car and airplane. From candles to electricity. The telegraph, the telephone, moving pictures, radio. She saw a lot. I would love to get her thoughts. 

2 women who lived through a lot of personal ups and downs, but seemed to keep going. They also lived through great societal and technological changes too. I'm sure they'd have great stories, and advice, to give.

Who would you want to talk to?

Harriet Elizabeth Mabbs

 This week I'm writing about Harriet Elizabeth Mabbs. Harriet is Mildred Bellinger Strand's maternal grandmother. Harriet is my great, great, great (3x) grandmother.

Harriet was born June 27, 1850 in Hudson, Lenawee, Michigan. Her parents were William Mabbs and Martha Patty Warner. William was born in London, England but came to America as a child with his family.  I haven't been able to find Harriet yet on the 1860 or 1870 census. In fact, I don't have much information on her childhood at all. After her birth, the next record I have of her is her marriage to Madison "Elwin" Taylor Truman on April 22, 1869 when she is 18 years old. However I can only find Taylor Truman on the 1870 census working as a farmhand for a married couple. On March 18, 1870 Harriet gives birth to her first child, a boy named William Henry Truman. He is named after both his grandfathers. He's born in Jefferson, Michigan.  About 1872 Harriet has her next child, a daughter named Isabel Truman.  On March 2, 1873 Elnora Truman is born. Elnora is Mildred Bellinger Strand's mother. The next child, another daughter, is born in 1877. HIllsdale, Michigan. Mary E. Truman.

Sometime between 1877 and 1880 Madison and Harriet move their family to Arkansas. Their last child, Judson Elwin Truman is born May 28, 1880 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  The family didn't stay long in Arkansas, though, as at some point they moved back to Michigan. Madison died at the age of 34 on January 2, 1884 in Ransom Township, Hillsdale Michigan. I found a report of his death in a newspaper, but I haven't found the exact cause yet. Sadly for Harriet her father William died later that year in October. 

Harriet entered the next phase of her life on November 25, 1886 when she married Albert Bush in Montcalm, Michigan. Harriet was 36 and Albert was 42, It was the second marriage for both. I haven't been able to find out if Albert's first wife died or he was divorced. 

About 6 months later on May 2, 1887 Harriet and Albert's first child is born, a boy named William Joseph Bush. In 1889 a daughter named Dorothy is born. In 1891 Harriet has a baby born but it dies as an infant. In 1893 Nellie Eltah is born and in December 1895, at the age of 45, Harriet gives birth to her last child, a daughter named Georgiana Bush.

The 1900 and 1910 censuses find Harriet and Albert living in Montcalm, Michigan. On both census records Harriet lists 10 children as the number of children she gave birth to. On the 1910 census she lists "Laundress" as her occupation. She must've taken in washing from other families for extra income. 

In April of 1912 Albert passes away. He was 68. Cause of death was "Epithelioma under the left arm." I'm guessing it was some form of skin cancer. Harriet was 61.

The 1920 census finds Harriet living in McBride village of Day Township, in the county of Montcalm, Michigan. Harriet lists "Laundress" as her occupation. She reports that she owns her own home and owns it free and clear, with no mortgage. She knows how to read and write and she lives with her daughter, Nellie Bush. Nellie lists no occupation.

Harriet died on June 21, 1929. Death certificate lists cancer of the breast and something else as the cause of death. Senility is also listed as a contributing factor. According to the death certificate Harriet was only seen by a doctor for 10 days before her death. She passed away 6 days before her 79th birthday. 

I wish I knew more about Harriet, especially her early life. She married at 18 and had 5 children with her first husband. Moved her family to Arkansas in a horse and wagon, and then back to Michigan again. Lost a husband. Married again, and had another 5 children with him. I don't have any pictures of her, but I do have pictures of her oldest son, William, and her daughter Elnora. 

 The first picture above is William and his wife Eltah. The second picture is William on his farm in Trowbridge. The third picture is of Elnora with her husband Charles. Parents of Mildred Bellinger. Elnora is in the center. 

Harriet lived until 1929 so it's quite possible there may be a picture of her out there as an older woman. If anyone knows anything or has any pictures, please let me know. Thanks!

Please add any questions, comments or recollections in the comments below.