Notes for Anna Katherine Gesslein: The story is as a young girl Anna was sold into slavery for 5 or 7 years as payment for passage to the United States. She worked as a maid. One day John Center McLean saw her over a fence and fell madly in love with her. He was very persistent and Anna caved in to marring John. This upset her family as they were very strong Catholics. To John's pleasant surprise Anna told her family that he made her happier than the Catholic Church.
Anna was loved by all her grandchildren, daughter-in-laws, and son-in-law. Her daughter, Leona, spoke of one time Anna playing a joke on Gene Morgan when he came to visit. Apparently she gave him a beer in a glass that leaked. Gene had no idea that the glass was leaking... he could not figure out how he ended up with beer all over his shirt. Leona said Anna just loved it and got such a big kick out of that joke that she played on Gene.
Anna also lost her hearing at a very early age. The cause of this is unknown.[OldFamily.FTW]
The story is as a young girl Anna was 'indentured servant' for 5 or 7 years as payment for passage to the United States. She worked as a maid. One day John Center McLean saw her over a fence and fell madly in love with her. He was very persistent and Anna caved in to marring John. This upset her family as they were very strong Catholics. To John's pleasant surprise Anna told her family that he made her happier than the Catholic Church.
Anna was loved by all her grandchildren, daughter-in-laws, and son-in-law. Her daughter, Leona, spoke of one time Anna playing a joke on Gene Morgan when he came to visit. Apparently she gave him a beer in a glass that leaked. Gene had no idea that the glass was leaking... he could not figure out how he ended up with beer all over his shirt. Leona said Anna just loved it and got such a big kick out of that joke that she played on Gene.
Anna also lost her hearing at a very early age. The cause of this is unknown.
Roberta Schultz brought back to memory of stories about Grandma McLean making her own beer in the basement and how the tops of the bottles would start popping off. (this was during Prohibition) I wouldn't be surprised if this was some of the beer the boys would take to their Grandma McLean.
The Roundup Record Tribune, 8/14/1957 MRS. ANNA McLEAN DIES HERE MONDAY, FUNERAL TODAY
Mrs. Anna McLean, mother of Mrs. Russell Phair, died Monday morning of a heart aliment at the Grandview Nursing Home. She had been in failing health for some time.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 P.M. Thursday afternoon in the Roberts Funeral Home with the Rev. R. N. Johnston officiating. Interment will be in the New Miners Cemetery.
Mrs. McLean was born Dec. 12, 1878 at Spitzberg, Germany, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gesslein. She came to the U. S. with her parents at the age of 5 and they settled in Kansas. They came to Roundup in September, 1914. Mr. McLean died May 10, 1952.
In October 1952 Mrs. McLean went to Los Angeles to live with a son, O. F. McLean and returned to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Phair, in Roundup in January of this year.
Besides Mrs. Phair she is survived by 5 sons, Fremont and William of Los Angeles, DeWit McLean of Denver, Charles McLean of Guernsey, WY. and Jack McLean of San Francisco; also 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
More About Anna Katherine Gesslein: Burial: August 14, 1958, New Miners, Roundup, Montana.
Children of Anna Katherine Gesslein and John Center McLean are:
Anna Katherine Gesslein (b. December 12, 1878, d. August 11, 1958)
Notes for Anna Katherine Gesslein: