17 Comments
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Marian Beaman's avatar

These are rugged individuals, paving a better life for those to come.

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Marian, She was amazing! She didn't have much of a childhood working all those long hours. But to be remembered that way - so sweet.

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Lisa Maguire's avatar

If only the world had more people like Anna.

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Yes. It made me think about what people would say about me after I'm gone. Her obits were wonderful tributes to her.

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Cynthia Boatright Raleigh's avatar

She was a wonderful lady.

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Cynthia, She sure was. Wish I could have known her.

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Nanette Zeller's avatar

Lovely synopsis of Anna's life.

A number of years ago I visited Boott Cotton Mills Museum in Lowell, MA. Your post brought back memories. These young women had very hard lives, working long hours in the mills, many living far from family. Definitely touching to read Anna's story.

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Nanette, Glad it brought back some memories. Yes, they had hard lives, bad working conditions. Thanks for reading.

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

What an amazing, and I would say, strong woman Anna was Lynda. She also sounds like she was very kind. I enjoyed reading her story.

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Jennifer, Thanks.

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Jane Chapman's avatar

She sounds like quite a remarkable woman. Sad that she died at such a young age. I suppose 59 was not that young in those days but it seems far too young to me. Given her generosity she would have been missed by many, I expect.

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Jane, I felt it was young even though my mom died at the age of 56 in 1972. I wondered how working in that factory back then might have caused her early illness and death. I wish I could have found out more about her. Her daughter died in 1976 and didn't have any children.

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Jane Chapman's avatar

Sorry to hear you lost your Mom at such a young age. As for Anna, the lost childhood replaced by hard work at such a young age must have taken some sort of toll ...

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Jane, Thanks. Yes, it had to take a toll on her and all the other children who made up the work force. I found a lot of history on the mill including all of the child labor lawsuits. That could be a story in itself!

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David Shaw's avatar

Was John Simpson tied in to the Simpson's from Preble Co. Ohio?

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Lynda Heines's avatar

David, No. He was my great grandfather, coming from PA when he was a child with an unrelated family, settling in Evansville Indiana.

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Jean, Thanks for the restack!

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