Letter from Ellen McIntyre Schantin to Ella Luella Lewis Stratford, 1965

This letter written on October 5, 1965 by Ellen McIntyre Schantin, daughter of Dominick McIntyre (c1856-1932) and Mary McDonald (1868-1936), is in response to an inquiry of Ella Luella Stratford (1898-1993), the first wife of Paul Kreft (1893-1975). Ella and Paul divorced 8 Nov 1924.

Ellen was a first cousin to Paul Kreft (1893-1975), the first husband of the now Mrs. Stratford.

Letter transcription:

                                                                                                                                Portland, Oreg

                                                                                                                                Oct 5^th, 1965

Dear Mrs. Stratford: -

                Am sorry not to have answered your nice letter sooner, but it seems this is the year that everyone decided to visit me.

Had company from Calif, Wisconsin and Virginia and when the tourist season was over found had not even started the things I had intended to do.

I am the youngest (Ellen McIntyre Satantin) of the family (though not young). Am sixty seven and a widow and live alone. I have four children, seven grandchildren and soon will be Great Grandma.

Grandpa McIntyre (Patrick) lived with us for several years, but I was only three years old when he died so of course do not remember him. So about all I know is hear say.

I asked my sister (Sarah) who is six years older than I if she knew Grandma McIntyre’s maiden name and she said it was Bridget Stevens. She did not know what part of Ireland they came from or when they came over. But that they had several (5 children Edward, Bartholomew, Mary, Dominick, Kate) children when they came.

Page 2

The last aunt on the McIntyre side passed away two and a half years ago. But in the last seven or eight years she was very confused and senile. Her name was Ellen Frances Flaherty. They had no children so when her husband died, I was appointed her guardian. I put her things in a closet upstairs and there may be some family pictures among it. If there are I will send them to you. I haven’t gone through her things since she died, but must get at it sometime.

My sister (Katherine), my aunt & husband all died within eight months and it has kept me busy ever since untangling their affairs. My sister (Sarah) and I went to see Bird (Agnes Bertha Mattie Kreft) about a month ago and she was in the Hosp. so we went there and found she had fallen and broken her arm. She used to phone me about every week, but I haven’t heard from her since and hate to call her for fear she might try to answer the phone and fall again.

Page 3

She is very senile and was eighty years old Sept 30^th.  She too is quite confused. My sister says there were no other children in the Kreft family. One named Alice who died as an infant and another named Frances who was killed in a horse and buggy runaway. She also said the one you have listed as “Nettie” was Nellie. Our grandfather McIntyre’s first name was Patrick. She says she recalls hearing Bird say her father (Paul L. F. Kreft) was a seaman in San Francisco before becoming a painter.

We had our first rain in six weeks last night. So I guess our summer is over and it was a very hot one.

I don’t think I have been much help, but it is about all I know not that is hear say.

Sincerely yours,

Ellen Schantin

Notes: 

1. The red inclusion of information was provided by Dolly Kreft Purcell. 

2. The letter transcription was done by Elaine McIntyre Beaudoin.

3. Agnes Bertha Mattie Kreft, nicknamed "Bird," is the sister of Paul Kreft (1893-1975)

4. The Alice referred to in the letter is believed to be the first born child of  Paul (1848-1900) and Kate (McIntyre 1861-1914) Kreft.

Source: The original letter is held by Dolly Kreft Purcell, granddaughter of Ella Luella Lewis. It was scanned and made available on May 26, 2020.  Ellen McIntyre's married name was updated July 12, 2020.