young frank purcell's autograph book
The donor's name has been temporarily misplaced and will be added here.
Her father owned this book. He kept it in a desk drawer for many years, and liked to take it out once in a while. He had no connection to Table Rock. "He loved auctions and bought many things. I think this was just something he bought that was so pretty to look at, and felt nice to hold," she said. After her father died, she herself kept the book in her desk drawer for many years. Then one day she decided google Table Rock. She discovered we have a historical society. "It belongs with you," she said. And we are pleased to have it. It joins places with the autograph albums of young Olga Sochor Rabstejnek and of the beautiful album of Malvina Ward.
The album will be scanned in full, but it all takes time. Here are a few teasers, though.
Her father owned this book. He kept it in a desk drawer for many years, and liked to take it out once in a while. He had no connection to Table Rock. "He loved auctions and bought many things. I think this was just something he bought that was so pretty to look at, and felt nice to hold," she said. After her father died, she herself kept the book in her desk drawer for many years. Then one day she decided google Table Rock. She discovered we have a historical society. "It belongs with you," she said. And we are pleased to have it. It joins places with the autograph albums of young Olga Sochor Rabstejnek and of the beautiful album of Malvina Ward.
The album will be scanned in full, but it all takes time. Here are a few teasers, though.
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Frank Purcell was born in Table Rock in 1871. His parents were pioneers-- Sam Purcell, a veteran of the Indian Wars, and Martha Fairbanks Purcell. He had three siblings, Jennie, Charles, and Elizabeth. His mother's parents - Asaph & Hannah Fairbanks -- are buried in the Table Rock Cemetery. The family left Table Rock at some point. In 1908, Frank married Myrtle Harper in Billings, Montana; they had only one child, who did not marry. Thus, there are no direct descendants to enjoy seeing this little book. He died in 1947. He is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Gooding, Idah.
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more about frank's family on his mother's side
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In 1855, Hanna E. Whitcomb Fairbanks, with her husband Asaph and their three surviving children moved from Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts to Alden (Hardin County), Iowa. They were among the very earliest settlers, and they were Frank Purcell's grandparents and the move took place about 15 years before Frank was born.
Hanna and Asaph's firstborn, Charles, born in 1836, had died in Massachusetts as a baby. Their son Asaph Waldo was born in 1839, their son Joel Whitcomb (known as Whitcombe) in 1843, and their daughter Martha in 1845. Before the end of the year 1855, Frank's grandpa Fairbanks, was killed by a falling tree. When the Civil War came, Frank's Uncle Whitcomb enlisted in the 12th Iowa Infantry; he died at Shiloh on April 6, 1862, and was buried on the banks of the Tennessee River; he was 18. His grave is now in the Shiloh National Military Park, FAG memorial 9299417. In 1871, Hannah applied for a mother’s pension based on his service, which she received. On September 24, 1862, Frank's mother, Martha Fairbanks, married Samuel M. Purcell. They both were of Aldin, Iowa. In 1867, the extended family moved to Table Rock -- Hannah along with her son Asaph and her daughter Martha and Martha's family. In 1869, Frank's Uncle Asaph Fairbanks died at the age of 30, leaving Frank's mother Martha as Hannah's only surviving child. Asaph is buried in Table Rock. Hanna died in 1892 at the age of 73. She is buried in Table Rock. Franks parents, Sam & Martha Purcell, moved to Idaho at time uncertain. Frank's autograph book bears names of Table Rock people dated in the late 1880s, so it was probably then or after. Perhaps it was after they lost the anchor of Hannah in 1892. Sam (1831-1906) and Martha (1845-1910) are buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Rathrdrum, Idaho as is Frank's brother Charles (1865-1917) and Charles' wife. Frank's Aunt Lizzy (1869-1954) married John Fellers of Table Rock (1867-1908). John was a son of pioneer Andrew Fellers. Lizzy and John had at least four children; she is buried in Alaska, he in Washington state. Frank's Aunt Jennie (1875-1908) married A. Houck and presumably died in childbirth or of causes related to childbirth, as she is buried -- also in Rathdrum, Idaho -- with an unnamed infant who died the same year. This summary was prepared by Sharla Cerra, in part from the book “Genealogy of the Fairbanks Family in America, 1633-1897,” available for free on Google. |
Photo 1092, Frank's mother Martha Fairbanks with Frank's sisters Lizzy and Jennie.
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some pages of the book
Mamie Sutton's autograph in 1887. "It is a good old maxim, and often should be preached, Don't cross the bridge before you Until the bridge is reached. Your schoolmate and friend, Mamie Sutton." Mamie was 16 when she wrote this in 1887. She went on to graduate from Table Rock High School and then taught at the Bunker Hill country school for several years. She taught math and English at the high school for a year. Then, in 1894, she married Charlie Wood and they had four kids: Charles,George,Emma Wood Cunningham, and Mary Wood Law. Mamie died in 1957 at age 75. She is buried in the Table Rock Cemetery.
A. F. Davis of Table Rock. We don't know who he (or she) was. There was an Ambrose D. Davis living here, a Civil War veteran born in 1841 (buried in Iowa). Perhaps Ambrose D. had a son Ambrose F. Otherwise, the Davis names appears here and there. There was the family of Luther & Purmille Davis, with children Urah, Frank, Elezer, and Rubin (Rubin was born in 1870). There was William F. Davis, with sons William, and twins Byron and Myron (born 1874 and 1880) and daughters Melissa and Minerva (born about 1873 and 1877). There was Sarah Davis, born in 1878 (married Thomas Cooper, buried in Table Rock Cemetery). Perhaps it was a brother or cousin of one of those Davis families.
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From Minnie Jennings in 1885: "May all your troubles be light as the beautiful rose, And be carried beyond the clouds on the wings of love. Your friend, Minnie Jennings." Minnie was the daughter of the ineffable Captain R. P. Jennings, late of the Confederacy, and lovely and genteel wife Susan. Minnie was 17 when she wrote this beautiful verse. Four years later, she married William McClure. The next year, in March 1890, Minnie died in child birth. . She was 21. The baby, Milford, died five months later.
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Lida M. Abbott. "Friend Frank, Some little of regard You wish for me to claim But as time is pressing hard I will but sign my name. Your friend, Lida M. Abbott." We don't know anything about Lida. She is not listed as a graduate by the alumni association (there are no Abbotts at all) and she is not listed in the 1880 or 1900 census for Table Rock.