The Diary of Edna Clair Ferris - Born May 6, 1878
Daughter of John Charles Ferris and Elizabeth Anne Bagly


What Has Gone Before

Edna Clair Ferris, born May 04, 1878 is the daughter of John Charles Ferris and 
Cynthia Ann Eliza Bagley (AKA Elizabeth Ann Bagley).  John Ferris married her in 
Utah.  Cynthia Ann Eliza Bagley is the dauthger of Edward Cyrenus Bagley and 
Julia Ann Grant and was born in Southhampton, York, New Brunswick, Canada. 

Edward Bagley became interested in the Morman religious movement (And I think, 
particularly the multiple wifes part.) The family headed out for Utah and 
suffered the hardships and when almost there, Julia Ann Grand died. This was 
just before the last descent into Utah.  

Edna Clair Ferris, "mother" in this diary, never forgot these events and it made 
her a strong and independant woman. She finally kicked John Charles Ferris out 
of the house when she had had enough. That is why he is not mentionied much in 
this diary.

William Sidel, Edna's first husband, was killed in a railroad accident
while she was pregnant with his son. His body was badly damaged in the
accident. Edna starts this diary as a widow with a new born baby. (EHM 3)

An account of William Sidel's death.

July 21, 1905
     William Sidel Jr. born March 4, 1905 at 10:30 or 10:45 a.m., for it was
nearly noon when I looked at the clock. He was such a pretty baby, weighed 8
lbs before he was dressed, had short black hair and his head was cut on the
forehead and he had a big bump on the back and top of his head which stayed for
nearly seven weeks. He weighed eleven lbs in four weeks and took his first
outing when he was eight weeks old.

     At the time he was born, there was in the house, his grandmother and Aunt
Finette, Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Powers, and everyone rejoiced when at last he came
all safe and all right. Dr. and Mrs. Powers came at 11:00 p.m. Friday, and they
stayed until noon or after. During that time, the Dr. went out to R.F. Shaffer
and a little girl was born, and he came to our house from the country where
another little girl was born, so he took care of three mothers inside of twelve
hours.

     Dr. J. C. Powers appears here as a close friend and trusted physician.
By the time I remember events, he was one of the other side in the small town
enemy-friend relationship. The change seems to have come about after the death
of his first wife and his remarriage. It was later intensified by the medical
rivalry between Lutheran hospital and staff and the Hampton hospital and staff.
The latter, much smaller, sent most serious cases to Mayo if possible. (EHM
II)

     He was a little Inauguration Day baby, having been born on the day
Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated President of the United States. Up to the
present time, little William has received a number of pretty presents:

     A pretty circular wrap and a pair of felt shoes from Mrs. Jennie Kruger

     A blue kimona from Mrs. J. R. Moore, Emmetsberg

     A nightgown from Mrs. J. E. Dodge, Algona

     A pair of booties from Mrs. C. J. Miesser, Kalo

     A little shawl from his cousin Mrs. Alice Franklin

     A silver spoon from Mrs. E. M. Franklin, Hampton

     A silver baby spoon from his cousin Mrs. Retta Turner,
     Murray, Utah

     2 yards of beautiful embroidery from his cousin Mrs. Mae
     Dawson, Los Angeles

     2 yards of pretty crocheted lace from Mrs. F. C. (Webb)

     Most of the gift givers have faded from view long ago, being Sidel and
Ferris connections and relatives. The list shows a closer and more intimate
family and social life than prevailed in my time. (EHM II)

     On May 1st, he went up to Barret's and had his first picture taken at the
age of eight weeks, and his first outing was a trip up to Dr. Powers, where he
stayed to dinner.

     The baby grew from the first week and always has been an extraordinarily
large baby, weighing twenty pounds before he was four months old. He has never
been sick and is always so sweet and smiling. His dear little hands and feet
are always flying in the air and he coughs when things don't exactly please
him.

Aug. 3, 1905
     My little baby will be five month's old tomorrow and just now he is tied
in his cart out in the kitchen with his uncle Frank. He is so sweet and smiling
and he wakes up every morning at 5 o'clock and begins to kick and crow.

     He went up to Frank's Saturday morning to stay all day and was just as
good as gold all day and never cried a bit all day.

Aug. 11, 1905
     William's little cousin, Wayne, was over to seem him yesterday. He is a
nice little cousin, but our dear baby is the larger.

     Cousin Wayne is the son of Earl Ferris of the Earl Ferris nursery still
extant. Wayne later managed the nursery after Earl's death for a long time and
is well remembered in Hampton. (EHM II)

     Little Bowser was killed Aug. 8. I was sorry, he was given to me and I
thought he would be nice for my baby boy, but I could not keep him. Little
Bowsie, he was so cute when we had him home and he had his red pillow to play
with. I can't help but to feel bad to lose him.

     The reference to William going up to Frank's, and my mother not being
able to keep the dog Bowser, indicates my mother had a home establishment away
from the west side Elizabeth Ferris house. No other information is available.
Whether Frank's indicates yet a third establishment is unclear. Bowser
evidently was at the old Ferris house, as Aunt Nettie recalled him and told me
of the dog. My mother at some earlier time had a huge Newfoundland dog and a
picture of her and the dog remains. After the dogs death, this dog's hide was
made into driving gauntlets presumably by Gramp. This was not appreciated by
all, but details are lost. (EHM II)

     Little William's hair is beginning to grow long. It is so soft and shiny
black. It isn't enough yet to curl. I hope it will be curly. He hasn't a tooth
yet either, but he certainly is teething.

     Fred and Irma Harriman have twins since yesterday, girls Elizbeth and
Fredricka

     The Harriman family are still known by Harriman Park, their gift to the
city. The ornamental gateway was made from the stone of the Harriman mausoleum
after it deteriorated. Also, some may remember the Harriman Hall building on
the east of the court house square. (EHM II)

Aug. 9th, 1905
     In six weeks time when my baby was born, six little boys were born, all of
them first babies. Little Wayne Ferris, Feb. 21, Little William Sidel, March 4,
Frand Beed's baby, Lyle, March 14, Frank Procter's baby, Forrest, March 17,
Fred Field's baby very soon after and little Edwin McCaulif baby on April 12.
But my little baby is perfect to me and to all of us. He was five month's old
the other day, and I bought him a bath tub and his little pottie. He is getting
into things all the time, dear little man.

Sept. 6, 1905
     Baby cut his first teeth at six months and two days old, and in a few days
another little one came through. The two lower front ones were the first. They
have not made him cross, although he does not seem quite so well.

Sept. 19, 1905
     Baby said mama several times for the first time. He said it for each one
separately before we were convinced.

     I am not sure he likes circus parades. He went today and was afraid,
although he did not cry, he put up his lip so pitiful that I carried him and
pushed the go cart. I moved my things home this week. Now we have a nice room
and our own things.

Sept. 30, 1905
     Baby lost an admirer when Fred Harriman lost his life Sept. 18 at 10
o'clock in the evening in an automobile accident, his little girls not two
month's old and left so sadly no one can take his place in this town. Poor
Irma, I am sad for her. Fred was very kind to us. He never passed little baby
love all summer without he stopped and spoke to him or helped with the cab. It
is with sorrow that I write this in your book, my little son.

     The Harriman death was the first auto death in Iowa. It occurred on
what became U.S. 65 and a monument and sign may still exist. They did all
through my time in Hampton. (EHM II)

Dec. 5, 1905
     William's first Christmas began at 6:00 a.m. by going up to say "Good
Morning Uncle Frank". Little son is past 9 month's old now. He has five teeth
now, three above and two below. He stands alone, he "pat-a-cakes" and says
"bye" and waves his hand byebye and is so sweet and good and pretty and his
hair waves on his dear little head. It is too short to curl yet.

     At 10 o'clock this morning, Uncle Frank and mama took little son down to
Aunt Jennie Krugers in a cracker box nailed onto Uncle John's sled. At dinner,
William woke up just when dinner was half over. He ate turkey and white grapes
for dinner, sat in his high chair and his eyes were so bright and his cheeks
were red as roses. After dinner, we took him uptown and when we came back,
Ernest and Mrs. Banta and Jennie came to see us and stayed until supper time.
Now I am writing in Boy's Book. Bless our baby, may he be here next year. Baby
William Sidel's first Christmas presents:

     Shoes and stockings and a rubber man from Grandma.

     A silver cup and locket and chain and zephyr ball from Aunt
     Nettie.

     Bibs and Bootees from mama.

     Rubber pigeon from Grandpa.

     Wooley dog from Mrs. Banta.

     Beaverskin coat from "Fred Harriman's twins".

     Knit-leggin drawers from Jennie Kruger.

     Ivory rattle from his "Aunt Nita" Wheeler.

     Rubber doll from Armstrong baby.

     Mittens from cousins Mac and Lori.

     Leggins from Aunt Ida.

     Bowwow spoon from Uncle Frank.

     Mrs. Banta lived in the block south of the Ferris house and was a
little old lady in a little old house right down on the ground in my time. I
have made many visits to Banty's house with Aunt Nettie.

     History records a Harriett Banta Ferris, b CT June 8, 1824, d Galesburg,
IL Dec 31, 1875. Her father, a Scott and a seaman, was shipwrecked and he had
been given up for lost. His wife married again to Tom Ferris. Mr. Banta
returned home, and finding his wife remarried, let it go at that. Harriett
seems to have been adopted by a minister's family and Banta went to live with
Harriett there. She married Elisha Ferris, brother to John C. Ferris (Gramp),
Ben Ferris and Solomon Ferris mentioned in this diary.

     Harriett Banta Ferris made 1000 candles annually. She spun all the
clothing for the family of 12. This must have been quite an undertaking for
such a large family.

     While Banta cannot be this Harriett Banta Ferris, she is perhaps a
descendant or other relation to the family.

     The reference to William being here next year is one of many items in this
record showing the difficulties and anxieties of raising a child in these
medically primitive times.

     The beaverskin coat was of course not as magnificent a gift as it would be
now, but still was quite a gift and shows the closeness of the Harriman
friendship. (EHM II)
Jan. 18, 1906
     On January 9 at 4:30 a.m., baby's Uncle Henry died at Independence without
ever having seen or known of his only little nephew. He was buried Thursday,
January ll. Baby and mama sat upstairs and heard the funeral sermon and the
music. Mrs. Stuart, Mrs. Ridgway, Mrs. Boemihler and Frank sang very sweetly,
and Rev. Thompson spoke of Henry, his talent, his sensitiveness, his gentleness
and kindness. It is very sad, everything concerning him seems sad now.

     If Uncle Frank Ferris was the funeral singer, it is my only knowledge
of a musical gift. So many talents and friendships seem to fade away as this
account goes on.

     Henry's death left a prevailing sadness. I have heard many times Aunt
Nettie say on his birthday, Henry would have been so many years old today. He
was well remembered though little spoken of. (EHM II)

Jan. 18, 1906
     Little William creeps by walking on his hands and feet. He is so large and
well and strong. He has now six teeth, he weighs thirty pounds and is past ten
month's old without having had either a cold or the colic. He goes sled riding
on little John's sled very often twice a day and always once. Today I tipped
him over and bumped his head, and for a wonder he cried, something he seldom or
never does when he is byebye.

Feb. 12, 1906
     Little William began to walk this week, three or four little steps all
alone. He was and is almost as proud as we are. He sits a little way off from
the stove and holds out his little hand and makes round o's of his mouth and
just laughs. He stayed with Auntie and Grandma Saturday all day while mama did
her first work reporting a Boys and Girls Convention. He burned the back of
three little fingers trying to get something off the wood box.

     He is such a little man and grows sweeter every day that goes by.

     This report of the convention is the first mention of newspaper writing
that went on into my time as a correspondent for the town paper. (EHM II)

March 8, 1906
     Sunday was little William's first birthday. He walks everywhere and all
the time. He has eight or perhaps nine teeth and his hair is pretty and soft
and curly.

     Sunday was a pretty warm nice day and baby stayed with Auntie and grandma
while his mama went to church.

     Little Wayne had his birthday Feb. 21, but we haven't seen him very much
lately.

     William had a sore behind his ear that seemed to come from his teeth, it
has all gone now. He says bye and mama and tick tick whenever he sees the
clock, and loves to go bye. Uncle Frank came home to see little love last week.

June 21, 1906
     I left little William for the first time and spent the day at Clareon at
an M.W.A Picnic.

July 3, 1906
     Left lover and went to Oskaloosa, returned July 6. He and Aunt Nettie came
to meet me.

     The trips mentioned are probably connected with newspaper work. (EHM
II)

     He has 14 teeth, but does not talk much, says mama and moo for cow and
meeau for kittie and little words. Is well and strong.

Aug. 18, 1906
     Little William is almost eighteen month's old. He is well even though he
is getting his big teeth and the weather is so warm. He is an affectionate
little boy and kisses everyone when he is trying to coax for anything. He goes
with me over to Raymonds for milk and knows so well when it is time to go. He
is a dear little boy, his hair is so pretty. He has a temper of his own too and
trys hard to have his own way.

     The Raymonds family appears for some time. May Rule, wife of R. Rule,
the dentist, and mother of Mary Rule, who graduated in my class, was a Raymond.
(EHM II)

     I went to Geneva Tuesday and came home on the evening train. Grandmother
carried him to meet me with a diaper tied over his head to keep mosquitoes off.
Uncle Frank sent him some new shoes and he was quite delighted. Nothing pleases
him like "shoes" it seems.

Dec. 25, 1906
     Little William's second Christmas and he is past 21 month's old. This has
been a beautiful day. Little son got up at seven, he asked for "candylo" early.
He talks very well now. He asks for a drink of water by saying "choo doo" and
for milk by "doo doo" for good good. He reads a great many letters, he know A U
F W and others. He calls a house a "shouse" and says "perisawl" for parasol. He
has a whole mouthfull of teeth. We curl his hair in in a roll over the top of
his head with a ring held in the back. He took a long nap today and Uncle Frank
took his at the same time.

     Auntie came home from Gary, South Dakota, where she is teaching, to see
little lover. Mama took little one to church last Sunday morning and he was
such a good boy.

     Lover is so interested in all the "coltie colties". He says so many things
twice. He looks at the pictures and says "There's a cat." and "Theres a cat.".
He calls grandma "ma" and Auntie "Ant" and Uncle Frank only he doesn't say it
plain, he says "Fan Fan". Mama left lover and went down to see the Krugers,
Jennie has the rheumatism. Lover got for Christmas:

     A sleeping garment from grandma. A dollie (Pretty Girl) and drum from
grandpa; A silver Napkin Ring from Uncle Frank; A telephone and candy and watch
from Auntie; A Holly Booklet from Mae; Rocking horses from mama; Cambric Book
from "Nita"; Post cards from several.

Jan. 6, 1907
     Auntie went to South Dakota today to teach. She hated to leave baby dear
so bad and it was too bad for he is cute. He tries to say everything. He says
"A little more." and "All through" more than everything else. He is very fond
of Mother Goose. He first was fonder of Little Boy Blue, and "There was a
little man", then for a while he stuck to "Boe Peep". Just now "Sing a Song of
Six Pense" is his favorite. I put him to sleep with stories every night just
after supper. He likes to count and whenever he sees any music he sings "do
do". He knows blocks and likes to look at books. All the girls are "pretty
girls".

     Ida went away today too.

Feb. 1, 1907
     Baby just in bed after a busy day. He is just as cute as ever he can be.
Now he learns so fast to talk. The other day he fell down and he went around
saying "Too bad, too bad, poor boy fall down". He likes to set on someones lap
and name the letters as they point to them. He knows a great many now. He calls
himself "pour soul" when he gets hurt and says "mama town" when he wants to go
uptown.

     He is interested in everything, but just at present, "a load of hay" is
the greatest attraction in the world for him. He sees so many things going by.

Feb. 18, 1907
     Baby says "I'm two in March" and that he is baby "Sidel". He plays "Pig in
a pen" with his blocks. After he goes to bed, I build him a block house in the
window seat and he is always very much pleased to see it in the morning. He
does everything that grandmother does.

March 4, 1907
     Lover's second birthday. He went uptown this afternoon. We met Lou Mallory
and Mrs. Swearingem and Ed Davis. He told them he is "Baby Sidel" and "two
years in March". He says "Dale over dear face". He wants to wear his veil
uptown. We stopped into Mrs. Roses and she played us a tune on her phonograph.
He says "Poor babies --- too bad, too bad" and "Poor boy fall down and cry and
cry". Aunt Nettie sent him $2 and Frank sent him new shoes and grandma gave him
blocks and grandpa gave him a horn and mama gave him some money and put it in
the bank for him.

March 14, 1907
     Lover's Uncle Frank came home this week to see his (Danny) Boy. Grandma is
making mother's black dress and lover is lots of help about sewing. Had other
pictures taken today and bought candles for baby.

May 12, 1907
     Dry and windy, such a late spring. Grandma hasn't finished putting in her
garden even with lover's help. He walks uptown and all over with me, but
(would) rather "play in grass outdoors" than do anything else. He drinks "cow
do do" and eats "two eggs". Mother bought his a white cap and some white goods
for his first "Buster Brown dress".

May 23, 1907
     Lover says "Hello birdies, Hello kittie, Hello Mattie, Hello chickies"
when he gets out in the morning. He said "I kiss you grass" the other day when
he got out to play. He has his first "buster brown" dress, a white one.

     Mattie was grandma's cow, and by tradition, the best of all cows. I
believe she was an Alderney, a channel island breed rendered extinct by the
Germans in WW II. Somewhere in these times there was a driving horse, Roderick,
who was apparently all things a horse should be. (EHM II)

Aug. 1, 1907
     Little William now says almost anything. This morning he told me he was
"Baby William, Baby Sidel". He plays around the yard, good now, and upstairs in
Auntie's room.

     He has some lead soldiers he calls "Yankee boys marching thru Georgie". I
sung him to sleep with grandpa and I, so the other night he says "You talking
grandpa in bedie", he says "You talkin Boy Blue, You talkin Bo Peep". He knows
almost every one of the Mother Goose rhymes.

     He calls Minnie and Martha and Millie and Ruth and Carlie, they are all
good friend to him.

Sept. 2, 1907
     Lover fell downstairs today when hurrying down to dinner. It hurt his
feelings and bumped his face. He is very particular not to talk baby talk and
won't let anyone else. Auntie and Martha took him to the mill pond last Sunday
for the first time. Aug. 23, first train run on new railroad, Des Moines, Iowa
Falls & Northern.

     The new railroad became the Rock Central K.C. to St. Paul Shortline. I
have watched many a double header freight cross that bridge from grandma's
kitchen window, and many times gone to sleep listening for the last whistle of
the 9 o'clock passenger train. (EHM II)

     Mr. Spencer returned to Hampton last week hot out Shockey. Grandma has
five little Buster Brown dresses made, Mrs. F. Jennie's two children and mother
went down to the new RR bridge yesterday. Lover cried to go, but was so tired
so stayed home with Auntie.

Nov. 5, 1907
     Alice and Don and their mama left for North Dakota Monday, Oct. 21. Jennie
cried and Alice put her head out the window and said goodby William, take good
care of yourself, tell your grandmother to take care of herself. Don acted like
a little man. Everyone was sorry to see them go. Lover didn't want to come home
and said "Me chop up my house, burn up my house all to pieces" which is his way
of being naughty.

     Grandma had her teeth all out and is going to have some new ones. Lover is
a great boy for stories. He knows several little songs and several little
pieces. He can sing "Old Black Joe. When his head is bending low".

Dec. 25, 1907
     Little William's third Christmas, and I think it has been a happy one for
him. He hung his stockings up on a chain himself, and after breakfast, Auntie
came in and asked him if he thought Santa Clause came in the night. William
said "No", and came running in and saw his presents. He was so pleased he said
"He did! He did! He did come! Santa Clause did come!", and my but he was
pleased. He picked up his teddy bear first and said "Here's my teddy bear."
William has had a cold ever since Nov. He seems well, but his head stops up.
Banta isn't well. I gave her a comb, a gray back comb, and she was pleased. Ma
and lover gave her a chicken. I got a handkerchief and pocket book and mirror,
back comb, sachet and picture. He had a fine dinner too and the nicest turkey
Frank bought. He faired fine, got gloves and ring and sachel chuck toilet set
and manicure set and night shirt.

     Minnie Jensen and Laurence Windelow were married tonight. Nettie and Frank
and I went to the wedding.

     The city block to the north where grandma's garden and pasture were was
eventually sold to a Jensen, perhaps Minnie's father, and friends again became
enemies by my time. (EHM II)

     Auntie took him over to see Banta today and that is all the outing he got,
but he enjoyed the whole day. He did get so many things:

     He got a sled from Grandma and six handkerchiefs.

     Cavalry and post card album and the little Folks Magazine pocket book,
brush and comb from Auntie.

     Teddy bear and large book "Night Before Christmas" and coltie from Uncle
Frank.

     Fire engine from Gramp.

     Mittens and book from Mae Dawson.

     Book and watch from Don and Alice and Krugers.

     Table, bear and elephant and rabbit from mother.

  NEXT ==>

Edna Clair Ferris - Beginnings
Edna Clair Ferris - Raising William
Edna Clair Ferris - Raising William 2
Edna Clair Ferris - Married Again
Edna Clair Ferris - Gene is Born
Edna Clair Ferris - Jud is Born War
Edna Clair Ferris - Peace
Edna Clair Ferris - Sickness
Edna Clair Ferris - The End is Near
Edna Clair Ferris - Epilogue


Preface to these. (Brief)
Ancient history and Introduction. (Long)
Ben Franklin Ferris - Memoir
Edna Clair Ferris - Diary
Mallory Home Page