Gid Higgerson letter to
William D. Russell Sr., dated 28 Sep 1896

Campbell Hill, Illinois
September 28 1896

Mr. Russell
Dear old friend.
          Having received your welcome letter a few days ago I will write a few lines in answer to it.  This leaves us all reasonably well at present and we hope you are enjoying health.  We have had a splendid rain here I have eleven acres of ground harrowed down both ways and rolled and tis still raining.
          Lucinda and I spent a week over in Perry County, Missouri and went to the fair two days at Brewersville and met lots of people they were all very friendly over there they didn't have much stock but a terrible crowd of people.  I took dinner one day with Mr. Bishop a stockman, I also made a trip to Perryville the county seat and I think it is as pretty place as ever I laid my eyes on.  I met with Willis Gale, he lives at Perryville, he is marshal and runs a team.  Well Bill, I had a talk with an old man over there who is 72 years old and has ever been anything else but a Democrat in his life.  he says he never drank a glass of beer in his life and has always been close observer of government affairs.  He thinks if we vote against Gold standard we vote against the constitution of the U.S.
          Well Bill I would like to see you and have a long talk with you before the election comes off and refer to the constitution of the U.S. on the principal on which it was adopted.
When I was over in Mo. I found any amount of corn for sale at 20 cts per bushel.  When I  get done sowing wheat I would like to come down and see you and you and I take a trip over to Williamson County.
          Well Aunt Mary how did you stand the trip home and going to the big show.
          Henry Rosendolls are all well but Perham, he has a severe cold.  Jim and Belle were over there yesterday, Chas and Jas are both working at Willisville.
We are fixing to sow wheat now right away want to begin Wednesday.
          Well Bill that is all I have to say at present.  I remain your old friend.,
Gid Higgerson
Write soon.
(William) Gideon Higgerson, son of Wiley Higgerson and Hester Ann Soper, was born April 12th, 1841 and died January 3rd, 1913.

William D. Russell Sr., son of William Russell and Mary Harris, was born September 19th, 1832 and died April 15th 1918.  He lived near present day Willisville until the 1890s when he moved to Desoto, Jackson County, IL.

Lucinda McKenzie, wife of Gid Higgerson.

Willis Gale, son of Jacob Gale and Matilda A. Morgan, was born about 1863.  Jacob and Matilda were neighbors of Wm. D. Russell.

Mary E. Guymon,  daughter of Thomas J. Guymon and Frances Killgrove, was born August 19th 1837 and died October 28th, 1899.  She was the wife of Wm. D. Russell Sr.

Henry Rosendohl was born Jun 27th 1848 and died April 1st 1932.  He was married to Nancy J. Russell the daughter of Wm. D. Sr. and Mary Guymon.

Perham Robertson Rosendohl, youngest child of Henry Rosendohl and Nancy J. Russell, was born March 30th 1893 and died April 27th 1975.

James M. Higgerson, son of Gid Higgerson and Lucinda McKenzie, was born August 10th 1867 and died in August 1930.

Nancy Mabel "Belle" Higgerson, daughter of Gid Higgerson and Lucinda McKenzie, was born May 31st 1875 and died November 3rd 1962.

Charles Edward Higgerson, son of Gid Higgerson and Lucinda McKenzie, was born September 2nd  1869 and died March 12th 1953.
A copy of the above letter is in my private collection....Joel S. Russell