Nelson - Emma Russell
Source: Waveland Independent newspaper, Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana Oct 16, 1914
Mrs. Emma Nelson died at the home of her sister, Mrs. Francis O. Browne, in Indianapolis on Saturday afternoon. The body was brought here and interred in Maple Ridge Cemetery after services at the Christian Church on Monday morning, conducted by Rev. EE Moorman, pastor of the Eaglewood Christian Church in Indianapolis. Mrs. Nelson was the daughter of Dr. Joseph and Mary Penn Russell, and was born in the house on W. Main St. now owned by Albert Elmore, in February 1862. She was educated in the Waveland Schools, and taught for some time. She had great ability as a dramatic reader, and took training to fit her for professional work, but was prevented from doing so by failing health. She was a member of the Waveland Christian Church and was for many years Recording Clerk of the congregation, besides being active in all Church work. She leaves two brothers, David and John, and two sisters, Mrs. AW Groves of Waynetown, and Mrs. FO Brown, of Indianapolis. Among those present at the funeral were: Misses Bessie and Cora Wheat; Mr. & Mrs. FN Johnson; Chalmers Fullenwider and David Groves of Crawfordsville; Mr. & Mrs. AW Groves and daughter, Betty, Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Groves, Mr. & Mrs. Arnett Groves, Mr. & Mrs. Will Groves,, Mr. & Mrs. John Francis, Miss Mary Livengood and Alva Grenard of Waynetown; Mr. & Mrs. FO Brown, Mrs. Fred Hixon and Mrs.Anna Wilhite of Indianapolis.
Source: a poem written by her father, Dr. Joseph P. Russell
"To my daughter, Emma"
My child, my Emma, darling child, to me
More dear than worldly self, or fame or name
To you, dear Emma, you, I will indite
Some treasured thoughts born of parental love
Though distance intervenes, and your firm step's
No longer heard resounding on my floor,
Yet we in patient wait and will abide
Necessity's urgent law, sadly stern
Yet chast'ning us, most truly tempers all
To us, your ruddy face and dimpled cheek
With pouting lip and ever beaming eye
Enhancing cheerfulness, lights up our home
Like household ornaments, these brighten all
Our joys of sense and lighten every grief
These briefly we residn, hope expectant
To reunion points harbinger of love
Your mission holy, high to educate
To bend, to train, expand the infant mind
Duty like this how vast, responsible
The plastic mind the teacher's self receives
Mind moulded thus, the form will ne'er be changed
As tender "twigs are bent, are trees inclined,"
And training of a child's indelible.
Dear Emma, you, a child of larger growth,
In nature's look will find a volume large
In human nature find a labyrinth
Of tangled problems, dark, obscure
May steps of wisdom mark your onward way
And dove-like innocence your soul possess
Wise as the serpent, but without his guile
Your road to be one (I pray) of happiness
Our fortune's oft the fruit of what we plant
The seed we sow the harvest will reveal
The wicked, vicious, thorny beds prepare
By their own acts are madden'd to despair
To holiness the righteous have their fruit
Age lasting life eternal crowns their joy,
Reunion sweet will greet the gathered throng
At the blest day of grand finality.
More dear than worldly self, or fame or name
To you, dear Emma, you, I will indite
Some treasured thoughts born of parental love
Though distance intervenes, and your firm step's
No longer heard resounding on my floor,
Yet we in patient wait and will abide
Necessity's urgent law, sadly stern
Yet chast'ning us, most truly tempers all
To us, your ruddy face and dimpled cheek
With pouting lip and ever beaming eye
Enhancing cheerfulness, lights up our home
Like household ornaments, these brighten all
Our joys of sense and lighten every grief
These briefly we residn, hope expectant
To reunion points harbinger of love
Your mission holy, high to educate
To bend, to train, expand the infant mind
Duty like this how vast, responsible
The plastic mind the teacher's self receives
Mind moulded thus, the form will ne'er be changed
As tender "twigs are bent, are trees inclined,"
And training of a child's indelible.
Dear Emma, you, a child of larger growth,
In nature's look will find a volume large
In human nature find a labyrinth
Of tangled problems, dark, obscure
May steps of wisdom mark your onward way
And dove-like innocence your soul possess
Wise as the serpent, but without his guile
Your road to be one (I pray) of happiness
Our fortune's oft the fruit of what we plant
The seed we sow the harvest will reveal
The wicked, vicious, thorny beds prepare
By their own acts are madden'd to despair
To holiness the righteous have their fruit
Age lasting life eternal crowns their joy,
Reunion sweet will greet the gathered throng
At the blest day of grand finality.
P.S. Dr. Russell's poem book was one of the neatest I've ever read -- there were many in the Waveland community as subjects of his poetry - reminds me of Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology which I LOVE -- kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Monday Oct 12, 1914
Waveland, Oct 12 - Mrs. Emma Russell Nelson, a former resident of Waveland died at the home of her sister, Mrs. Francis Orpha Brown, in Indianapolis late Saturday afternoon after an illness of three months. Mrs. Nelson was born in Waveland in February 1862, and was 52 years old at death. She was a daughter of Dr. Joseph and Mary Penn Russell, both deceased. Mrs. Nelson taught in the schools of Waveland four years and in other schools of the county two years. She afterward became a dramatic reader and gained recognition for her ability in this work. She is survived by two brothers, David and John Russell of Waveland, and two sisters, Mrs. Nora Groves of Waynetown and Mrs. Pauline Brown at whose home she died. Funeral services were held at 2 this afternoon from the Christian Church in Waveland the deceased having been a mamber of this church. The service was in charge of Rev. E.E. Moorman of Indianapolis. Burial was in Maple Ridge Cemetery. -- kbz