Holly Dietz Hoffmaster's Family:Information about Martha A. Allender
Martha A. Allender (b. August 21, 1851, d. March 04, 1915)
Notes for Martha A. Allender:August 2, 1885, Martha wrote to her mother, Mary Jane Leonard, who still ived in Roanoke, IL:
"Our oats was heavy and a wind storm blew them over so they will have to be cut one way.... I had to churn 4 or 5 hours on every churning.... Charley and Lucy and the children all went to Eureka to see Agnes the 4th.She does not like Kansas much as a home for her.... Francie, Fenton and Allender have a little colt that they put a halter on and fasten lines on him and drive about the yard.It is fun for them.... We expect Charley Ledgerwood to come and see us this week."
About 1904, a new larger house was built on the farm for Martha, Allender and Mabel(who were still at home).On Oct. 23, 1904, Martha wrote to her mother:
"We were all very busy all week attending the carnival.We started in on Tuesday afternoon to see the decorated carriages and everything.The one that took second proze was all trimmed in green and white.THe fire department wagon took the first prize.We went all we could.I was there tree afternoons.It was a very merry crowd.
We went up to see Alta and Willie last Sunday.THey were at the carnival.Little Merwin is getting along all right now.
Well, we will have a busy week.We will clean house and set up the stoves.We had a frost last night.We have all our potatoes in the cellar and have fifty bushels.And we were surprised to get so many apples - about twelve or fifteen bushels.
The carpenters are shingling the barn.We will commence husking corn in the morning.O bough a nice double blanket and enough calico and cotton to make two new comforts.We will have to make them now.It is getting cold.
I am making lots of the finest butter now.We are milking three cows.Allender has bought such nice calves.We have about twenty head.Well I believe I will go out to hunt the eggs now.
Love to all of you, Martha A. Woodburn"
Muchof the fruit came form the forty acre Blake Place, which was rented from Amanda Blake, and later purchased in 1913.
Martha Woodburn died of cerebral hemorrhage in 1915. Allender stayed on at the farm until Christmas 1917, when he married Florence Tyler at her parents' home in Gibson City.THey chose to live in town, and the place was rented to the Clines during the 1920's and later to the Blissards, who farmed the land until it was sold in 1981.
More About Martha A. Allender and George Maxwell Woodburn:
Marriage: November 19, 1871
Marriage Notes for Martha A. Allender and George Maxwell Woodburn:Married November 19, 1871 after securing the license from Henry Dent at the old court house in Metamora, Woodford County.THe minister was W. M.Sedore.It is probable that they took over his father's farm at that time, sincehis parents are known to have moved to a small house in Weston, McLean County.
A letter from Sarah Woodburn (George's mother) dated May 29, 1873, asks that they bring "some of her traps," specifying her hoopirt, some carpet, etc.Her husband William did in a few weeks.Her daughter Jennie (Jane Elizabeth Woodburn) Wilson had died May 8.Sarah was gone within a year.Her daughter-in-law, Francis (wife of Charles) died August 5, 1874.
In the spring of 1874, 3 of the Woodburn family made a trip to Newville, PA.Notations of the cost are as follows:
Tickets for 3$73.20
Meals, hack, etc.$6.25
Livery hire from Mansfld $4.00
Bus hire, Chicago$2.00
Livery from Minonk$2.00
There has been no clue found as to who was visited in Newville, but it seems logical that there were still some relatives there.There was no direct relationship or record found by Connie Crowe.
Children of Martha A. Allender and George Maxwell Woodburn are:
- +Godfrey Fenton Woodburn, b. February 03, 1873, Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL, d. June 05, 1949, Ford Co., IL.
- Myrtle Woodburn, b. August 02, 1875, d. February 08, 1877.
- Allender Woodburn, b. November 13, 1877, d. July 01, 1937, Watseka.
- +Alta Maxwell Woodburn, b. July 19, 1881, Ford Co., IL, d. August 06, 1956, Ford Co., IL.
- +Mabel Woodburn, b. February 06, 1885, d. May 10, 1951.