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Surnames: GRISELL IREY BEALL
Classification: Lookup
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/nh.2ADE/695.2
Message Board Post:
The following was transcribed from a microfilm copy of a book by Morgan Milton Lewis &
Mrs. Jessie Gray Emmons, "Genealogical & Biographical Record of Lewis &
Grisell Families 1751-1763 to 1903" (1903 Morgan Milton Lewis, Battlecreek, MI, LDS
Film #1320690), p.350,
"Rachel Grisell was the youngest daughter of Thomas and Elmira Grisell, whose family
moved to Delaware County, Ohio and settled on a farm near Alum Creek. She was quite young
when deprived of a mother's care, yet, with the help of her father, brothers and
sisters, she received an education in the district school and taught for some time in the
public schools. Later on, through the help of her brother William, she was enabled to
enter Oberline College as a pupil, where she was under the influence of President
Fairchild, who has made Oberline wht it is today. Leaving there she took up teaching
again in Ohio, and later went to Jay County, Indiana, making her home with her grandfather
White's family and teaching until her marriage. . . .
Some notes from her diary, now in possession of her daughter, Viola F. Beall, may not be
amiss:--
March 31, 1857. -- Hilles and I had a happy evening together. How much cheerfulness and
smiles smooth the rugged pathway of life.
April 1.--I have been impatient today, was irritated at the children's mischief. O,
the patience and calmness a mother needs.
April 4.--How glad I was today to get sister Elmira's letter.
April 5.--This evening I read a good piece about, "How to make home attractive and
pleasant to children." Enter into their little plays, giving them privileges so far
as right, and get interesting books for them to read when they are large enough.
April 7.--O, how much I want to be a good example to my children. This must now be the
warfare of my life. Far from it, I have been.
October 14. --Hilles and I have been to Father Irey's to gather our winter apples:
They have given them to us. O, how kind they are.
November 1.--I would be happy had I not said something this morning for which I am sorry.
O, when will I learn to guard my speech?
November 5.--Yes, I am glad to live, though there are thorns there are sweet roses too.
November 15.--We have been on a visit to Father Irey's. They were glad to see us
all. O! what nice bread and butter, honey and baked apples. We had a good visit. On the
way home we stopped to see cousins Emily and Martha Lewis. How good it seems to be at
home. "Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home."
December 6.--I felt disappointed today; father and mother Irey did not come. It was too
stormy.
December 7.--The children and I are along. How great is the demand for sympathy,
kindness and forbearance toward them. Their active limbs are always busy, therefore they
should be supplied with entertainment suitable for their active minds.
Give it play and never fear it.
Active life is no defect.
Never, never break its spirit,
Curb it only to direct.
December 15.--It would be a relief to me if I could unbosom my thoughts on paper or if I
had the gift to scatter them in oratory to the inhabitants of the earch. I long to see
truth prevail, mankind purified for a higher life. Joyful thought, that we are to life
forever, near to the fountain of all living truth. I can say with one of old, "O
Lord, cleanse though me from secret faults." O that my life and example may be also
pure.
December 25,--Christmas. Brother Benjamin and wife were here, they stayed the evening;
we had a good time. We ate apples, read and talked about Women's Rights.
Jan 1, 1858.--Mother Irey is sick, I am with her. Hilles is at home along; I am anxious
about him.
January 4.--Hilles came after me Sunday. I did not like to leave mother.
January 26.--Our little daughter came very near getting chocked on a chicken bone. We
were very much alarmed.
February 2.--A deep snow is on the ground, everything is carpented with its white
drapery.
January 14.--Father and mother have not come yet. Hilles had gone down.
January 15.--Hilles and mother came at noon, and O! we were so glad. I wish father would
come and they would stay with us. The children are full of mischief, but as pretty as
ever. What beautiful flowers they are; how could we live without them?
January 17.--Mother is still with us and we are having a pleasant time.
January 24.--How natural for people to despond at times when the brightest paths seem
darkened. I want to resist such feelings. It is right to be thoughtful and sober, but no
sad and gloomy, for that causes others to be unhappy. We should try to be cheerful, not
only for our own happiness, but htose with whom we associate.
June 13.--The clouds are dispelled, the orb of light appears, the birds sing their
sweetest songs, the green trees seem to wave a gentle welcome as their foliage spreads
above the dripping earth.
March 29, 1862.--Five years ago I attempted to keep a diary, but increasing care
prevented after two years. I am now thirty years of age and the mother of four darling
children.
. .
Soon after the last date Hilles Irey enlisted in the civil war. . . . She managed the
farm, with the help of neighbors, saving the money which he sent home and adding it to the
sale of stock until Mr. Irey was mustered out at the close of the war. The next year they
sold the farm and opened a store in Pennville, where they lived several years. . .