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Excerpts from Francis C. Waid's Third Souvenir Submitted by David M. Waid |
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In October I gave eighteen copies, six to each of my three sons, to distribute. My wife also distributed some; the addresses of all are not given, and since my return home from the West, January 1, 1891, I have distributed as follows:
Jan. 8, 1891...... E. R. Wilson, Meadville, Penn. 10, 1891...... Lyman Davidson, Titusville, Penn. 15, 1891...... Christena Flickner, Meadville, Penn. 15, 1891...... James Burns, Meadville, Penn. 15, 1891...... W. A. Wolcott, Savanna, Ill. 15, 1891...... Mrs. Thomas Brown, Lake City, Minn. 15, 1891...... C. B. Brown, Selina, Dak. 15, 1891...... Cena Rodgers, Lake City, Minn. 15, 1891...... Mathias Dilly, Lake City, Minn. 15, 1891...... Zachariah Dickson, Lake City, Minn. 15, 1891...... Mrs. H. M. Reed, Lake City, Minn. 15, 1891...... J. F. Cunningham Ionia, Iowa. 15, 1891...... William Franklin, Winona, Minn. 15, 1891...... W. H. Botsford, New Albin, Iowa. 16, 1891...... D. S. Ploof, Blooming Valley, Penn. 16, 1891...... O. B. Cravens, Randolph, N. Y. 16, 1891...... J. N. Gray, Buffalo, N. Y. 16, 1891...... E. M. Gray, Hornersville, N. Y. 23, 1891...... Mary Humes, Knapp Creek, N. Y. 23, 1891...... Della Thurston. Corry, Penn. 23, 1891...... William McCullough, Blooming Valley, Penn. 24, 1891...... George H. Miller, St. Charles, Minn. 24, 1891...... Willard Weeks, St. Charles. Minn. 24, 1891...... F. A. Howard, Sibley, Iowa. 24, 1891...... L. A. Cutshall, Sioux Falls, So. Dak. 24, 1891...... N. E. L. Chambers, Fort Atkinson, Wis. 24, 1891...... J. H. Chapman, Rochester, Minn. 24, 1891...... To a friend, Minneapolis, Minn. 26, 1891...... Emma Brown, Cochranton, Penn. 26, 1891...... Floyd Fleming, Cochranton, Penn. 26, 1891...... John Weller, Meadville Penn. 26, 1891...... William Adams, Meadville, Penn. 26, 1891...... D. L. Kinney, Marion, Minn. 26, 1891...... A. Holsburg, Norwood, Kas. 26, 1891...... John Slaven, Norwood, Kas. 26, 1891...... John Cavinee Beagle, Kas. 26, 1891...... Arvilla Ewing, Cochranton, Penn. 26, 1891...... Alexander Kightlinger, Black Ash, Penn. 27, 1891...... David McCasland Adams, Salem, Kas. 27, 1891...... Warren Francis Peters, Sycamore, Ill. 27, 1891...... Elias C. West. Sycamore, Ill. 27, 1891...... Louise West, Sycamore, Ill. Feb. 3, 1891...... Edwin Baldwin, Edinboro, Penn. 3, 1891...... Cornelius Benson, Laclede, Mo. 6, 1891...... Rev. I. P. Darling, Randolph, N. Y. 6, 1891...... Augustus Draker, Monroe, Ill. 6, 1891...... Ansil Baldwin, Sprague, Wash. 6, 1891...... Charles H. Jones, Brookfield, Mo. 6, 1891...... Ex-Gov. A. R. McGill, St. Anthony Park, Minn. 6, 1891...... C. C. Minton, Ottawa, Kas. 6, 1891...... Joseph Marsh, Ottawa, Kas. 6, 1891...... J. Nelson Henry, Galva. Ill 9, 1891...... Mr. and Mrs. John Roudebush, Blooming Valley, Penn. (Golden Wedding). 13, 1891...... A. G. Johnsnn, Long Stand, Penn. 13, 1891...... Ella Clark, Williamsport, Penn. 13, 1891...... Leander Blackman, Rockford, Ill 13, 1891...... Cris C. Tyler, Galesburg, Ill. 13, 1891...... Horace R. Bennedick Galesburg, Ill. 13, 1891...... Seward Summers, Monroe, Ill. 13, 1891...... Mrs. Elenor Kelsey, Evanston, Ill. 13, 1891...... Dr. E. J. Johnson, Rockford, Ill. 13, 1891...... H. Sherman, Ottawa, Kas. 13, 1891...... Riley Sweet, Monroe, Ill. 13, 1891...... George Blackman, Alexandria, So. Dak. 13, 1891...... Willie Washburn, Milwaukee, Wis. 19, 1891...... Hattie Howard, Jamestown, N. Y. 25, 1891...... Fletcher Ellsworth, Jamestown, N. Y. 25, 1891...... Samuel Ogden, Olean, N. Y. 25, 1891...... Parker Miller, Frewsburgh, N. Y. 25, 1891...... J. Stratten, Olpe, Kas. 25, 1891...... Helen Gibson, Evanston, Ill. 25, 1891...... Lewis Love, Sycamore, Ill. 25, 1891...... D. A. Sphon, Sycamore, Ill. 25, 1891...... James Walker, Sycamore, Ill. 25, 1891...... Copy given to stranger. 26, 1891...... Mrs. Samuel Barrett, Meadville, Penn. 26, 1891...... Addie Boap, Monroe, Ill. 28, 1891...... Y. M. C. A., Galesburg, Ill. Mar. 3, 1891...... Names of persons given copies at State Road Sunday-schoo1 intended as rewards for faithful attendance: Fred Galey, Ina Reynold,; Rachel Hampson, Lizzie Galey, Walter Hampson, Grace Bradshaw, Letitia Bradshaw, Mable Burns and Clarence E. Judd. 3, 1891...... William Armstrong, Wayland, Penn. 3, 1891...... George Bradshaw, Washington, D. C. 4, 1891...... Lysander Wheeler, Sycamore, Ill. 6, 1891...... Catharine Luper, New Castle, Penn. 6, 1891...... T. A. Duneka, World editorial rooms, New York City. 12, 1891...... M. F. Riley, 91 South Edwards Hall, New York City. 12, 1891...... J. J. McCanlis, 6 Wall street, Princeton, N. J. 12,1891...... Thomas S. Hasky, Albany, N. Y. 12, 1891...... Charles H. Pennypacker, West Chester, Penn. 12, 1891...... Charles Dens, 30 Ninth Avenue, New York City. 13, 1891...... William Kelby, 170 Second Avenue, New York City, for the New York Historical Society. 18, 1891...... Mr. and Mrs. Laban Smith, Blooming Valley, Penn. (Golden Wedding.) 19, 1891...... Daniel S. Keep, Ellendale, No. Dak. 19, 1891...... Jackson Braymer, Maquoketa, Iowa. 19, 1891...... George Wilson, Blooming Valley, Penn. 24, 1891...... Hon. Samuel B. Griffith, Mercer, Penn. 25, 1891...... Hon. S. S. Menard, Mercer, Penn. 25, 1891...... Rev. Isaac E. Ketler (Pres. Grove City College), Grove City, Penn. 25, 1891...... C. B. Colgan, Addison, N. Y. 25, 1891...... P. N. Edwards, Sterling, Ill. 28, 1891...... James Walker, Sycamore, Ill. Apr. 3, 1891...... H. H. Hatch, Nashville, Tenn. 3, 1891...... George E. Foster, box 822, Ithaca, N. Y. 3, 1891...... F. O. Boswell, Montesano, Wash. 3, 1891...... J. T. Waid, M. D., Ridgway, Penn. 10, 1891...... Theron D. Davis, Ithaca, N. Y. 10, 1891...... D. L. Moody, Northfield, Mass. 10, 1891...... Willard F. Mallalien (Bishop of M. E. Church), 1428 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans. June 24, 1891...... Mettle M. and Albert E. Sherman, Jamestown, N.Y.; my wedding gift Souvenir, along with a Bible. Aug. 26, 1891...... My gift at wedding of Lena M. and Frank C. Simmons, Busti, N.Y.-Bible and Souvenir.
[ N.B.--Some copies have been given to libraries and individuals without receiving their addresses.]
To facilitate reference to the many letters and testimonials I have received, or extracts therefrom, I have arranged them in the following alphabetical order: Joseph McCasland Adams writes from Lebanon, Kas., as follows: "I have the pleasure of writing you to inform you of the receipt of your book. I am the son of David McCasland Adams, to whom you sent your welcome Souvenir. My father did not live to see the book, as he died January 16, 1891, from a stroke of paralysis. He was fifty-five years, ten months and twenty-six days old, and was born in Saegertown, Crawford County, Penn., February 22, 1835; was married in Cass County, Neb., in 1861. In 1874 he moved to Smith County, Kas., and settled in White Rock Township, where he lived till his death. He leaves a widow and two children. Mother's name is Elizabeth Adams; my sister is Frances Adams. Father's oldest sister, Elizabeth Adams, is living with mother. As you requested father to send the names of any friends he might think of who would want your book, let me take the liberty to say I would like one; my sister wants one. We are married and have families. There have been four deaths since we moved to this State, first my sister's child; then father's brother Charles Adams, in 1890; then I lost a son in 1891. They are at rest in the Salem Cemetery, two-and-a-half miles from where we live. Father's brother, Fred, wants a book. Emily Buchanan wishes one if money would buy it. She wants to know what they are worth." [I have already had occasion to say that I have frequently been asked to sell copies of my SOUVENIR, but I invariably refuse, I accept friendship, which to me is a treasure far better than pay, and something we all can give.--F. C. WAID.] From E. R. Allen, Meadville, Penn.: "Please accept my sincere thanks for the copy of your Souvenir. It is a splendid book, and I take great pleasure in reading it; also regard it as a keepsake from a true friend. It is a work of merit, and a credit to the author." Mrs. Lucia E. Allen, of Applegate, Campbell Co., Dakota, writes: "I thank you a thousand times for your nice book you sent me. I take a great deal of comfort in reading it, as it seems just like revisiting our old home in Pennsylvania." From Cousin F. A. Allen, of Athens, Penn., comes the following: "Your letter came to hand some days since, and with it your Second Souvenir, truly a surprise, as it was not expected. Many thanks for so valuable a present." Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Atkinson, of Emporia, Kas., kindly write the following: "Please accept our best thanks for your highly valued gift--the Souvenir." From Edwin Baldwin, Edinboro, Penn.: "I received your, Souvenir, for which accept my sincere thanks. I have taken great pleasure in reading it. It is a review of the past, better than a visit from a friend, as it remaineth with us to recall many things we may have forgotten." Professor Samuel P. Bates, of Meadville, writes as follows: "I have received a copy of your beautifully published Second Souvenir, which you were kind enough to send me. Be pleased to accept my thanks. In looking through its pages many events are brought to mind in which you and I have been actors, and I am vividly reminded how humble my own part has been compared with what it might have been. Permit me to express my gratification in reviewing with you the past, and to congratulate you on your having accomplished so much." From Cornelius and Vallie Benson, of Laclede, Mo., comes the following: "Please accept our thanks for the Souvenir you so kindly sent us. We highly appreciate your kindness, though we may be weak in expressing our thanks." From George W. Blackman, Alexandria, Dak.: "I received your Souvenir in due time, for which accept my thanks. It is very interesting, and I shall take pleasure in reading it." F. P. Boswell writes the following from Montesano, Wash.: "I received the book you sent me, and allow me to thank you kindly for it. I shall keep and hold it dear, and spend many a lonely hour reading it. It brings back to my mind the thought of old Pennsylvania, where my mother and brother and sisters live. I am alone here." Mrs. Katie Boyles, of Blooming Valley, Penn., says: "The beautiful present--a book containing the life of yourself and your devoted wife--has been welcomely received. I am sure both deserve great credit, as it is a book elegantly gotten up, and one that will be prized highly by all who read it. I am wonderfully delighted with it, so please accept my sincere thanks." From George Bradshaw, of Washington, D. C., come more encouraging words: "I thank you for sending me a copy of your Second Souvenir. I have not been in Crawford County for so long that I did not know but what my friends had forgotten me; but I find your memory is not short. The book is one that ought to be appreciated by your friends. Very few persons could, and still fewer would go to the trouble and expense you must have gone to in preparing and publishing such a fine book for their friends." Acknowledgments front Charles Breed will be found in letter from his daughter, Mrs. W. M. Hubbell, of Union City, Penn. My niece, Julia Brennesholt, of Corry, Penn., in an interesting letter says, among other things: "I went down to mother's [at East Branch, Warren County, Penn.] last Friday, and found that you had left one of your Souvenirs for me, for which please accept my thanks. It is very interesting for us to read, and my husband, as well as myself, enjoys it very much. I had never had a full account of Aunt Eliza's death until I read it in your book, in fact I turned to and read that the first thing." From Mrs. Sarah J. Brooks, of Evanston Avenue, Chicago: "The Souvenir you sent me has been received, and would have been acknowledged much sooner had I been at home when it came, but Mr. Brooks and myself were both at Lake St. Claire at the time. I take this first opportunity, after reaching home, to thank you from my heart for the book. It is to me like a visit from a dear friend at home, after an absence of twenty-seven years. I read and reread it with the greatest pleasure, and seem to live over again, in imagination, a part of my younger life, both sad and happy. The names mentioned in the Souvenir are nearly all familiar to me, and many of their owners were intimate friends of mine. It brings to me many pleasant memories of the past. I well remember attending revival meetings at the old State Road Church, when a child, with my mother. I very much enjoy looking at the view of that church in your book, as well as the familiar faces of your family and the home residences. There are no people in Blooming Valley or on State Road whose faces I remember better than your own and that of your first wife. I am happy to know that you found so nice a wife in your second choice. I can see by her picture that she is lovely and good." Mrs. Angeline Brown writes the following from Titusville, Penn.: "I thank you for remembering me so kindly by sending me a copy of your Second Souvenir. It is pleasant to read about so many friends I knew and places I used to go to, bringing up incidents and scenes that I had forgotten almost. I shall always prize the book." My cousins, Cyrus and Martha Brown, write from Sanford, Penn.: "It is some time since you and your brother, George, made us a very welcome but much too short visit, bringing us your Second Souvenir. We have read it, and found many things which interest us very much; we think there is a great deal of good advice in it, and hope it may do much good. Many thanks." Mrs. A. T. Brown, of Cochranton, Penn., writes for herself and husband a cheering letter: "Please accept our sincere thanks for your Souvenir, which we have received. It was a great surprise to us, and we could have appreciated nothing better than that. It will be a precious keepsake to us, and especially to myself, as I am acquainted with a great many of whom it speaks, some of them quite intimately. As I look over its pages it recalls to my memory much that reminds me of my school days at Blooming Valley, which were amongst the happiest days of my life. Your Souvenir will certainly do a great amount of good in the world, for it is so interesting one can not help but read it through, and, reading it, one can not help being greatly impressed by it, for it is so full of good advice and sound doctrine. The portraits of you and your first wife are perfect. It seems to me that I can see her now, for I used to think when I saw her, when I was a little girl, that she was the most lovely woman I ever met. That pleasant countenance I shall never forget. May you live many years yet to still continue in your good work; and at last, when you are called to receive your reward, may you have given you a crown with many stars." H. Adelaide Bryant, an old pupil of mine, writes from N. Amherst the following: "I wish to thank you for the copy of the Souvenir I was so fortunate as to receive a short time ago. Words can hardly express the pleasure I have derived in reading it, and looking at the familiar places and faces. It leads me back to my happy girlhood days: First as a pupil attending school at the old Cowen schoolhouse, yourself the honored teacher, and later when I was the teacher 'boarding around' and was welcomed by 'Uncle Ira and Aunt Betsy,' and you and your dear wife. That 'there is no friend like an old friend' I am more and more convinced every day." From Ellery A. Burch, of Lyona, Penn.: "Your token of friendship, in the shape of your Second Souvenir, has been received, and I would say in reply, that words can not express my gratitude to you for this grand token of remembrance. May the grand instructions and advice therein contained do the good the author has intended it should to all who may have the pleasure of perusing its pages." George Burdett writes as follows from Lenoir's, Tenn.: "Your favor of August 29 received with the Souvenir, which I think is one of the most complete and exhaustive works of the kind I have had the pleasure of perusing." From my cousin, N. E. L. Chambers, Fort Atkinson, Wis.: "Dear Cousin and Friend of long ago:--It is with pleasure I sit down to acknowledge the receipt of the Souvenir you so kindly sent me. It came as a great surprise and greater pleasure. Pardon the seeming negligence in not writing sooner. I first began to read, and then, I must admit, could not take time to write until I had finished the reading of your book. I was once more revisiting old familiar scenes, old and valued friends and kindred, going with you to the graves of kindred, schoolmates and acquaintances, but let me say right here--sad pleasure; I think that expresses what I would say: It is like long and anxiously looked for letters from home that have wandered away for a long time, and finally reached their destination, after many days' waiting, doubly dear for the news they bring. With the greater number spoken of in the Souvenir I was once well acquainted, my old home, as you know, was two and one-half miles east of Meadville south of State Road. So the relatives and friends all through that part of the county were well known to me. Then after my mother married Mr. James Smith I was with her at her home near Blooming Valley: was one of your pupils when you taught school in the Cowen schoolhouse at the foot of the hill, below the graveyard. I think that was the winter before Frank (your twin brother) died. How well I remember his happy disposition, always pleasant. Then, as a little girl, how well I remember the many acts of kindness rendered my father during his long sickness with consumption, from your father and grandfather, Uncle Pember Waid! Nor did they forget my mother in her widowed sorrow and poverty, yes poverty, for it was a hard struggle for mother to keep the wolf from the door. We had only a little rocky farm of fifty-two acres, nearly all timber and rocks, with no one to work it, for my brother Sam [afterward judge of the District Court, Dodge County, Minn.] was only fourteen years old when father died, and he was never robust or healthy, good as a student only; and George was only three years old, and we girls for help; no, there is not one act of kindness I do not remember with gratitude. As regards our early life I am very briefly reminded of these lines, especially since reading the Souvenir: 'Friends of my youth, Ye are passing away! Scenes that I loved, Ye are mold'ring to clay.' "I learn for the first time of Eliza's death, and I think: 'One more gone, one less here,' but one more over there, just a little in advance. How little I thought when I stopped for a brief moment at your gate in August, 1884, there talked with you and Eliza, that she would cross over in advance of me! But I am writing a long letter and must hasten. Pemelia gave me the engravings of your father and mother, also the family group. I can not tell as to the boys, but I think the others are most excellent likenesses, especially your father's. Let me thank you for them, and also for your kindness in remembering me. It is my earnest wish that your remaining years may glide on as peacefully and profitably as those already gone, though probably they will not be as many more, as we are drifting down the hill of time and you are only two years in advance of me as years count. And ere long there will be a reunion of kindred families and friends on the other side of the 'evergreen shore.'" From J. H. Childs, Riceville, Penn.: "It is with pleasure I acknowledge receipt of your beautiful book. Please receive my heartfelt thanks. I consider it better than gold, for it is a gift to be remembered--it speaks of the Master's cause. I wish you and yours all the happiness that this world can give, and an abundant entrance into the bright world above." From Mr. Clancy, of Kent, Ohio, comes the following: "I have received to-day, at the hands of Mother Buel, the Second Souvenir which you had the kindness to send me. I find therein that which is instructive and interesting from the past, and a fund of advice that can but be of value in the future. If all men, who have the ability and means, would do as much for their time and age as you have done, they could truly say they had not lived in vain. For your esteemed gift I tender you my sincere and hearty thanks, and I assure you that nothing could have given me more real pleasure than your valuable book." From C. W. Clark, secretary of Pine Valley (Penn.) Sabbath-school: "Received the book sent me by you. At our yesterday's S. S. session I presented it to the school in your behalf. The school tendered you a vote of thanks for the same, showing that they appreciate your hard work and high motives for doing good." Mrs. Ella Clark writes in part as follows, from Erie, Penn.: "I received your Souvenir, which was forwarded to me from Williamsport, and hasten to reply. I am glad you have not forgotten me, and that I still hold a place in your esteem. Your interesting book will be a precious keepsake to us, and especially to me, as I have been acquainted with nearly every one mentioned in the book. It will be a treasure of great value, for it brings back the scenes of my childhood, and I can not help but feel sad when I think of the many friends 'gone before' and of my dear father's death: but he has gone to reap the reward laid up for those that love Him. In his life you were his trusted friend and counselor, in adversity as well as in prosperity, and I feel we can never repay you for your kindness to us when we really needed a friend; but I trust you will receive your reward in Heaven." |
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