Person:Ellen Downs (2)

Below is part of a letter from Allie Cook Scovill to Helen Ellis Seal. Date is not known. Lottie Marshall was Ellen Downs daughter by her first marriage with Unknown Marshall. It is assumed he died and left Ellen as a young widow since divorce was nearly unheard of in the age and society which they lived. Lottie Marshall never married and was a school teacher. She last lived in Seattle, WA. Allie Cook Scovill was only married the one time and she had one son named Harold Wiley Scovill. She had two full brothers; Jim and Wiley who were older than her. Some of this information is from the knowledge of Helen Ellis Seal.

"I met Uncle Ed in 1916. Cousin David live(s) here at Guthrie (Oklahoma). I met him 1914. His widow is 94, lives at Glenco, Okla. About 50 miles.

Did you remember Lottie Marshall, mother(‘s) daughter by her first marriage? She is 95 now and live(s) in Seattle, Wash. Dad and mother and her and my brother Jim visited your folks in Douglas County 1894 or 1895. Do you remember it? Maybe you were not born then. How many children did your mother have?

My mother died when I was not even a month old. She got up at 10 days, took cold and died. We don't know the day. It was Jan. 1898.

Dad and Mother had Jim and Wiley and I. My dad was married 3 times. There were fifteen of us. Jim died 1972. Wiley lives at Mexia, Texas. I have 2 half brothers and 3 half sisters living. We lived at Willow Springs, MO. I visit(ed) Aunt Alice at Fredericktown, MO on the way to Richmond, VA where uncle John lives. I better close. I hear from Nellie.

Love Allie"

Marriage location for John Cook and Ellen Downs from letter printed below of their daughter Allie Cook Scovill to Helen Ellis Seal. "Mar 5, 1984 Dear Helen

I received your good letter and picture of your Mother. I was so glad to see her picture. But will return it since my son and only child died in 1976. No one else would be interest(ed) in a lot of them so I have been giving to ones that want them. I miss my son so much everyday. I (am) sure you do too. Harold Wiley was 58. All his family live in Florida. He had 1 boy & girl. And four grandchildren. My husband died in 1970.

I spent (spend) a lot of time alone. But not lonesome enough to go to a nursing home until I have to. I have arthritis too.

The picture you sent of you & Gladys. My brother('s) daughter Helen looks like Gladys. I sent it to my sister in Seattle to see it. She will send it back.

I am sorry I didn't get to see your Mother. She look(s) like such a good person.

Today is (it) was 30 this a.m., to be 40. I (will) be glad when it gets warmer.

Our cousin Nellie lived in Okla. City for years. We visit(ed) a lot. She move(d) to Calif. I miss her. She belong(ed) to Uncle Walter.

When you go to Cold Springs, do you go thru Willow Springs, Howell Co.(?) I have two half brothers that lived there. Ed Cook lives on Home Place 1 1/2 miles west of town. Clinton Cook lives in town. They would be glad to see you.

I (would) love to go down home again. I want to see Wiley this spring. I feel better than I have all winter.

I really don't know when Downs come to Mo. Dad homestead(ed) on the Home Place in 1885 from Ky. My mother was born in Ky 1865. My Father & Mother were married in 1892 in Canton, Mo. Then Dad lived in Willow Springs. That is where they lived (when) my Mother died in 1898. I was about 2 weeks old.

Love Allie"

-Posted by Norman Seal on Ancestry.com