Another local author I found was a woman I was very familiar with: Martha Frances Surghnor. She was a contemporary of Sidney and Annie Saunders and wrote about Sidney's tomb in her diary. "Sid Saunders, the fire bug, has a monument that would almost do for a US president, but it will only perfect his … Continue reading Uncle Tom of The Old South →

September 10, 1889:  "Yesterday Mrs. McFee' last son George was so badly scalded that he died last night and has just been buried.  He was the victim of a railroad accident as was Frank who died August 22nd, or 23rd, 1887 just two years ago.  Their father G.W. McFee was killed by being thrown from … Continue reading The Diary of Martha Frances Surghnor Part III →

March 6th, 1887:  "Since last writing, John McFee, the twin brother of Frank who was killed August 23, has died.  It was just six months after Franks death,.  He died in San Antonio Texas.  Strange that both died away from home."   "Ada Vanderburg is going to marry Walsten in June.  Will probably do well." … Continue reading The Diary of Martha Frances Surghnor Part II →

Long ago, someone typed a transcript of the diary of Martha F. Surghnor.  She lived in Monroe and was buried in the Old City Cemetery.  She details the comings and goings in Monroe during this time and I'll share some of the interesting genealogical tidbits I found over the next few days: "Since I have … Continue reading The Diary of Martha Frances Surghnor 1886 – 1899 Part I →