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Wealthy Viola FURBUSH

Wealthy Viola FURBUSH

Female 1844 - 1933  (89 years)

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  • Name Wealthy Viola FURBUSH 
    Born 8 Feb 1844  Rockland, Knox, Maine, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 31 Oct 1933  Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried 3 Nov 1933  Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • When John and Viola Lowell left Mukwa Township, Waupaca County, Wisconsin, to head to Dakota Territory, women friends quilted a “friendship” quilt for Viola. The background was cream and each square was red, with the signature of the friend stitched in the center of the quilt. The following women stitched squares in the quilt [Note: names in brackets are from the 1880 Federal Census]:
      Mrs. H. Thompson
      Mrs. S. A. Thompson [Sarah A. Thompson, Mukwa]
      J. L. Wirham (sp.?)
      K. A. Klinghert [Catharine Klingert, Mukwa]
      M. Gifford
      J. H. Dillon
      E. J. Elmore [Eliza J. Elmore, Mukwa]
      Jessie Thompson [Mukwa]
      M. A. Faskel [Mary Faskel, Mukwa]
      Lucia Crowns [Mukwa]
      S. Smith
      B. Ballheim
      L. Lindsley [Lucy Lindsley, New London, Waupaca Cty]
      Mrs. Will Thompson
      L. M. Moezer
      S. Broullette [Susan Broullette, Fremont, Waupaca Cty]]
      M. Carter
      M. L. Feathers [Mary Feathers, Little Wolf, Waupaca Cty]]
      D. Mayo [Delphine Mayo, Mukwa]
      Mrs. John Shaw
      S. Henry
      E. A. Delano [Elizabeth A. Delano, Mukwa]
      Mrs. Amelia Shaw [Mukwa]
      M. Straub [Mary E. Straub, Mukwa]
      A. Koezer (sp.?)
      M. Johnson
      S. Winans
      Agnes Reed
      E. Kelley [Eizabeth Kelly, Mukwa]
      Mrs. J Nims [Jeannette E. Nims, Mukwa]

      "My grandmother, after having lived in S. Dakota all those years, still talked quite "New England". I can remember her saying: “Geowge, take off your hat when you come in the house. Remember, you are a Lowell.”

      "Dad has visions of her sitting in the rocking chair with a shawl around her and a dickey around her neck. She was a very stately person. One of the last things before she passed away she had Flora get her a new dickey that she wanted to be buried in.

      "She died of old age.

      "My grandmother would go out to the farm where her daughter, Minnie, lived, and Flora would be coming home from school. Grandma Lowell would go out there to clean the house up from dirt and cats. One time, Grandma was chasing them out the back door and the hired man Jones was shooting them. Granma was the matriarch and called the shots.

      1900 Census, listed with John Lowell in Wall Lake Township, Minnehaha Cty, South Dakota.

      News article, Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 19 Nov 1924, Wed. under Twenty Years Ago Today (i.e. 1904):
      “Mrs. John Lowell takes exception to a recent item in the Argus Leader regarding the price of turkeys. She claims that the farmers are not the ones to keep up the prices. She says that the local market men will not pay the farmers a proper price which accounts for the shortage of the Thanksgiving bird on the local market.” (I am assuming that the Mrs. John Lowell is Viola but it could also be Freda, John Russell Lowell’s wife.).

      Sioux Falls SD City Directory 1909 lists Lowell, Viola (wid John) r.1024 W. 9th.

      1910 Census: SD: Minnehaha: Sioux Falls, 1024 9th Street:
      Lowell, Violet, head, 64, wid., has had 2 children, both living, born in ME, father’s birthplace listed as un, mother’s birthplace listed as un, own income;
      McCartney, Minnie, daughter, 45, wid., has had 1 child, still living, born in WI, father’s birthplace listed as Un, mother born in ME, own income;
      Flora G., granddaughter, 19, single, born in SD, father’s birthplace listed as un, mother born in WI.

      News Article: Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 30 Jul 1910, Sat.:
      "C. C. Clason has purchased the C. O. Bailey house at 745 South Phillip avenue and B. Landers and family will remove from this number to the Mrs. Lovell house [sic], 926 West Ninth street, Mrs. Lovell will go to California to spend the winter."

      News Article: Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 11 Aug 1916, Fri:
      "Miss Flora McCartney of this city, who, with her grandmother, Mrs. John Lowell, are spending the summer in the east, has entered Columbia university where she is doing some advanced work."

      1920 Census for Fort Scott City, Kansas, Bourbon County, lists:
      Viola Lowell, head of household, rents, age 75, widowed
      [Flora taught at Fort Scott City, but couldn’t find any record for Flora. Viola accompanied Flora at her various teaching positions.]

      1930 Census: is listed as living with her granddaughter, Flora Luker, in Gainesville. See Luker entry for census information.

      Newspaper Article The Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 10 Feb 1929, Sun:
      "Grandma Lowell Observes Birthday Anniversary-
      At the John R. Lowell home, North Lincoln avenue, a group of elderly women gathered Friday to help Mrs. Viola Lowell celebrate her 85th birthday.
      The afternoon was passed recalling reminiscences by the many who had lived here in pioneer days.
      In the dining room where refreshments were served a beautiful pyramid cake was the centerpiece and was lighted with 15 candles.
      After serving the table was cleared and Grandma Lowell was presented with many gifts and greetings which she opened and read, also acknowledging the gifts as they were passed to her by the donors."

      Death certificate lists age at time of death as 89 years, 8 months, and 23 days and name of father as Abraham Furdesh born in Canada and name of mother as Nancy Peterson born in Maine.

      Obituary from Sioux Falls newspaper--
      "AGED WEST SIOUX WOMAN SUCCUMBS
      Mrs. Viola Lowell, Resident of Community 49 Years, Dies at Her Home

      Mrs. Viola Lowell, 89 years old, 1201 North Lincoln Ave., West Sioux Falls, died today at her home as a result of complications resulting from the infirmities of age. Mrs. Lowell had been a resident of this vicinity for 49 years and was the widow of John F. Lowell.
      She was born, February 8, 1844 in Maine, and came to this section of the country when she was 40 years old. The body is at the Miller Funeral home pending the completion of plans for final rites. Present arrangements include the services of Dr. John F. Robertson, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, as the officiating clergyman, with interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.
      Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Minnie L. McArtney, Tea, a son, John R. Lowell, West Sioux Falls; a brother, Frank L. Furdesh, Massachusetts; four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren."

      Obituary from Sioux Falls newspaper--
      MRS. V. LOWELL'S FUNERAL FRIDAY
      Rites for Pioneer to Take Place at Miller Chapel--Interment in Woodlawn

      Funeral services for Mrs. Viola Lowell, 89 years old, a resident of this vicinity for nearly 50 years, will be held at 2.30 o'clock Friday afternoon at the Miller chapel. Rev. John F. Robertson, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church, will officiate.
      The funeral hymns will be sung by Norman Mathers, accompanied by Mrs. C.B. Van Ausdall at the pipe organ. The pallbearers will be A. Erskine, Grant Bartram, S. Munson, S. Smith, Edward Shotwell, and Matt Krell. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, beside the grave of her husband, who preceded her in death 25 years ago.

      Death Occurred Tuesday
      Mrs. Lowell died Tuesday morning at 4.15 o'clock after an illness of six weeks, at the home of her son, J.R. Lowell, 1201 North Lincoln ave.
      She was born February 8, 1844, at Rockland, Maine, the daughter of Abraham and Nancy Furbish, the fourth of a family of seven children. In 1863 she married John P. Lowell [sic], at Farmington, Maine, and immediately thereafter the couple took up their residence in Wisconsin, where Mr. Lowell was engaged in the lumbering business.

      Moved to Vicinity in '84
      In 1884 the family moved to this vicinity and lived for 15 years on a farm situated 12 miles west of the city. Then the Lowells took up their residence in Sioux Falls. In the latter part of her life, Mrs. Lowell spent considerable time in the milder climates of California and Florida, as well as various other parts of the United States.
      She is survived by a son, John R. Lowell of North Lincoln avenue, and a daughter, Mrs. M. L. McCartney of near Tea; four grandchildren, Mrs. Flora G. Luker, George, John, and Charles Lowell; two great-grandchildren, Jimmie and John Lowell, all of this vicinity, and a brother, Frank Furbish, Graniteville, Mass."

      Obituary in Sioux Falls newspaper--
      MRS. LOWELL'S RITES HELD THIS AFTERNOON
      Funeral services for Mrs. Viola Lowell, 89 years old, a resident of this vicinity for nearly 50 years, were held this afternoon at Miller chapel. Mrs. Lowell died Tuesday morning after an illness of six weeks, at the home of her son, J. R. Lowell, 1201 North Lincoln ave.
      Dr. John R. Robertson, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church, conducted the rites. The pallbearers were A. Erskine, Grant Bartram, S. Munson, S. Smith, Edward Shotwell, and Matt Krell. Funeral hymns were sung by Norman Mathers, accompanied by Mrs. C. B. Van Ausdall at the pipe organ. Interment was made at Woodlawn cemetery."
    Person ID I268  Lowell&Block
    Last Modified 3 Feb 2022 

    Father Abram FURBUSH,   b. 14 Feb 1811, Sabattus, Androscoggin, Maine, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Mar 1888, Freeman, Franklin, Maine, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years) 
    Mother Nancy PETERSON,   b. 10 Jul 1817, Jay, Franklin, Maine, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1860  (Age 42 years) 
    Married Jun 1836  Freeman, Franklin, Maine, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F93  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family John Fairfield LOWELL,   b. 17 May 1837, Chesterville, Franklin, Maine, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 Mar 1908, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 70 years) 
    Married 14 Sep 1863  Farmington, Franklin, Maine, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Minnie E. LOWELL,   b. 27 Feb 1865, Ostrander, Waupaca, Wisconsin, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 May 1951, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years)
     2. John Russell LOWELL,   b. 16 Apr 1869, Ostrander, Waupaca, Wisconsin, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 Dec 1956, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 87 years)
    Headstones
    Lowell, John F.  Cemetery plot at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
    Lowell, John F. Cemetery plot at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
    Contains graves of John F. Lowell; John F. Lowell's wife, Viola; John F. Lowell's son, John R. Lowell; John R. Lowell's wife, Freda; John F. Lowell's granddaughter, Flora McCartney Luker; and Flora's husband, Benjamin F. Luker II.
    Histories At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Last Modified 14 Feb 2023 
    Family ID F92  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 8 Feb 1844 - Rockland, Knox, Maine, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 14 Sep 1863 - Farmington, Franklin, Maine, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 31 Oct 1933 - Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - 3 Nov 1933 - Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Lowell, Viola Furbush.
    Lowell, Viola Furbush.
    Lowell, Viola Furbush (right) and unidentified friend.
    Lowell, Viola Furbush (right) and unidentified friend.
    Lowell Family, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Four generations.
    Lowell Family, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Four generations.
    Four generations of Lowells (l. to r.) George John Lowell, holding first son, George James; Viola Furbush Lowell (George John's grandmother); and John Russell Lowell (Viola's son and George John's father.) Taken about 1930.
    Lowell, John R. and Freda Volsch Lowell.  Family.
    Lowell, John R. and Freda Volsch Lowell. Family.
    Sitting on the side porch at 1201 N. Lincoln Ave., Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Picture taken about 1911. L. to R.: George J. Lowell, oldest son of John R. and Freda; Viola Furbush Lowell, John's mother; John Franklin Lowell, John R. and Freda's middle child; John R. Lowell; Charles Lowell, John R. and Freda's youngest child; and Freda Volsch Lowell.

    Documents
    Death. Lowell, Viola.  Funeral Home Document.
    Death. Lowell, Viola. Funeral Home Document.
    "Personal and Statistical Particulars" sheet completed by Miller Funeral Home for Viola Lowell, who died on 31 October 1933. Information was provided by Viola's granddaughter, Flora G. Luker. Several mistakes appear in this document: 1) Full name was Wealthy Viola Lowell; 2) date of death was 31 October 1933; and 3) Name of Father was Abram Furbush who was born in Maine.
    Death. Lowell, Viola.  Receipt for Woodlawn Cemetery plot purchases.
    Death. Lowell, Viola. Receipt for Woodlawn Cemetery plot purchases.
    Wills.  Lowell, Viola.  Probate documents.
    Wills. Lowell, Viola. Probate documents.
    Wealthy Viola Lowell died on 31 October 1933. Her granddaughter, Flora G. Luker, was appointed Administratix. Final discharge of probate occurred on 13 June 1934. Viola's two children, Minnie Lowell McCartney and John Russell Lowell, inherited Viola's estate.
    Land Records.  Family Farms in Wall Lake Township, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, 1913.
    Land Records. Family Farms in Wall Lake Township, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, 1913.
    Farms displayed for John R. Lowell, Viola Lowell, Minnie McCartney, and Joachim Volsch. Township map publication data: Atlas and Plat Book of Minnehaha County, South Dakota. Containing... Compiled from Latest Data on Record. Published by Getty & Wagner, Sioux Falls, S. Dak. Copyrighted 1913 by The Kenyon Company, Map Makers, Des Moines, Iowa.
    Land Records.  Family Farms in Wall Lake Township, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, 1929.
    Land Records. Family Farms in Wall Lake Township, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, 1929.
    Farms for John R. Lowell, Viola Lowell, Minnie McCartney, Max Miller, and Louis Volsch displayed. Township map publication data: Atlas and Farmer's Directory of Minnehaha County, South Dakota. Containing Plats of All Townships with Owners Names... Compiled from latest data on record. Published by The Farmer, Webb Publishing Company, Publishers, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 1929.

    Histories
    Correspondence. Furbush, Electa Edmonds.  Letter to sister-in-law, Wealthy Viola Furbush Lowell.
    Correspondence. Furbush, Electa Edmonds. Letter to sister-in-law, Wealthy Viola Furbush Lowell.
    Written 2 Apr 1888. Announced the death of Viola's father, Abram Furbush.
    Correspondence. Furbush, Frank L.  Letter to great niece, Flora McCartney Luker.
    Correspondence. Furbush, Frank L. Letter to great niece, Flora McCartney Luker.
    Written 26 September 1933. Expressed concerns about the health of his sister and Flora's grandmother, Wealthy Viola Furbush Lowell.
    Correspondence. Furbush, Frank L.  Letter to great niece, Flora McCartney Luker.
    Correspondence. Furbush, Frank L. Letter to great niece, Flora McCartney Luker.
    Written 8 November 1933. Extended sympathy to Flora on the death of his sister and Flora's grandmother, Wealthy Viola Lowell.
    Correspondence. Furbush, Frank L. Letter to great niece Flora McCartney Luker.
    Correspondence. Furbush, Frank L. Letter to great niece Flora McCartney Luker.
    Written 19 October 1933. Thanked Flora for updating him on the health of his sister and Flora's grandmother, Wealthy Viola Lowell.
    Correspondence. Furbush, Frank L. Letter to sister, Wealthy Viola Furbush Lowell.
    Correspondence. Furbush, Frank L. Letter to sister, Wealthy Viola Furbush Lowell.
    Written 8 March 1888. Announced the death of Viola's and Frank's father, Abram Furbush.
    Correspondence. Furbush, Frank.  Christmas Card.
    Correspondence. Furbush, Frank. Christmas Card.
    Christmas Card to his sister, Wealthy Viola Lowell.
    Heirlooms.  Lowell, Viola Furbush.  Quilt.
    Heirlooms. Lowell, Viola Furbush. Quilt.
    Quilt presented to Wealthy Viola (Furbush) Lowell by her friends in 1884, when she, her husband John Fairfield Lowell, and their two children, Minnie and John Russell, left Mukwa Township (Waupaca Co.), Wisconsin to settle in Dakota Territory. There are 30 names on the quilt. Quilt was presented to the Wisconsin Historical Society in 2011. More information on the quilt is available at the Wisconsin Historical Society's Wisconsin Historical Museum Online Collections.

    The museum's official description reads: "Quilt, pieced, signature, red and white cotton, "Courthouse Square," 1884."
    Correspondence. Furbush, Frank.  1931 Christmas card to sister, Viola Furbush Lowell.
    Correspondence. Furbush, Frank. 1931 Christmas card to sister, Viola Furbush Lowell.