DEAR BROTHER

I am participating in 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, a writing challenge encouraging genealogy researchers to write about their ancestors. The challenge is hosted by genealogist, blogger and podcaster Amy Johnson Crow.

Here's my catch-up post for Amy's Week 31 prompt: Brother

By Nancy Gilbride Casey


We forget, in this day of instant communication, that there was a time when relating family news was a time-intensive process. If we lived far from family, the process might involve gathering up paper, ink and pen and writing, or sitting down at a typewriter, and picking at the keys to draft a letter. We might have to then put on a hat and coat, in order to be presentable in public, and walk down to the local post office to mail it, since at-home service may not have been available. In 1911, the postal route from Illinois to upstate New York—a distance of over 900 miles—was likely aided by rail transport, but even still, it could have taken several days or perhaps a week for a letter to arrive.

Imagine awaiting news of a loved one who was sick, or even worse, had died? The news may have been received in the few lines of a telegram or in an all-too-brief, long-distance phone call. Longing for the details, the wait seems interminable until that letter arrives.

William D. Taylor received such a letter 1 written on 22 Aug 1911, by his brother Frederick M. Taylor. William was then living in North Bangor, New York, while Frederick—Fred in the letter—was writing from a hotel in Bloomington, Illinois. 

"Dear Brother," it begins.


"Although, I presume mother has written you something of Henry's death, I will give you the details as Gert and I found them for I know you will be interested to know the situation."

Fred then relays the unfortunate details in the death of their younger brother, Henry Orlando Taylor, one of my husband's second great-grandfathers.

A conductor on the Midland Valley Railroad, Henry had been working the line between his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Fort Smith, Arkansas, when he was taken ill with appendicitis. Though operated on at the MVRR's hospital in Fort Smith, he died shortly after, on 11 Aug 1911. He was just 45 years old, a widower, and left behind four children, ranging in age from 3-19 years old.

As the letter unfolds, we read about the complex arrangements required to bring Henry from Arkansas to his place of burial in Kansas, as well as desperate arrangements for the care of his two youngest children, Clara and Lawrence Taylor. We meet "Nellie," Henry's oldest daughter, and her husband "Mr. Casey" (Stephen H. Casey), who will become the children's guardian. We also meet "Mr. Davis," Henry's father-in-law, and "Floyd," Henry's eldest son, another railroad employee. "Florence," Henry's late wife, is also mentioned.

In this poignant letter, one brother reaches out in shock and sadness to another, as he contemplates the ripple effect Henry's death will have on their aged parents, Edwin Alonzo Taylor and Minerva Cushman Taylor.

It is best to let Fred's words speak:

Until next time...


1 Franklin County Historical & Museum Society, "Letter from Frederick M. Taylor to W.D. Taylor," (1911); folder: "Taylor" surname, vertical files; The Schryer Center, Malone, New York.