Ellen was a first cousin to Paul Kreft (1893-1975), the first husband of the now Mrs. Stratford.
Letter transcription:
Portland,
Oreg
Oct
5th, 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 30th. 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.
