Mrs. Bert Ellis Lutzenberger

EDITH FRANCES CORCORAN LUTZENNBERGER

Born-Sept, 14, 1888 at Stone Hill, Missouri-Dent Co,

Died-Feb, 13. 19 75 of cancer at Amory, Mississippi

86"Yrs. 6 mo, less I day

Edith was the youngest of 9 children born to William and Mary Ann Elizabeth Ownsbey Corcoran. She had 4 sisters-Mary Elizabeth (Mrs. William McDuffee), Martha Clementine (Mrs. Joseph Reno), Clara (deceased at 4 yrs. 7 mo. 14 days of age), Ida Ann (Mrs. Nathan Reno and Mrs. James Hanson), and 4 brothers- James (died in infancy), William Edward Corcoran (married Minnie Willhite) Michael (deceased at I yr. 7 Mo. 9 days of age), and John Thomas Corcoran, who married Cynthia Ann Parks. Edith was the only surviving member of her family at her death.

She and her brothers and sisters spent their childhood days on the old homestead carved from the Missouri wilderness by her parents in the 1870,s. At that time, the little community of Stone Hill was about 8 miles east of the Salem, Mo. trading point. Located in the beautiful Meramec River Valley, it is just off highway 72, about 12 miles east of the present city of Salem. In those days, Stone Hill was a bustling little village with a post office, 2 doctors-Dr. Crandall and Dr. Ellis, Pemberton and Biggs general store, the Methodist Church, Stone Hill School, a blacksmith shop run by William Corcoran on the branch stream below the farm homestead and various other small business places kept busy by the surrounding farm needs. The Stone Hill Cem. is above the church and many of the family members are still being buried there.

Many happy days were spent in the green woods, on the clear river streams, and refreshing one self from the pure spring waters. These days were recalled with pleasure in her later years, in spite of the hard work in the early days. She loved nature, flowers, and paintings, and was fond of traveling and sightseeing. 8 years of schooling were completed at the little community school before her parents sold the farm and moved to Salem about 1901- 1902. She especially remembered the many baptisms in the creek branch, and their big stone fireplace, where everyone came to dry off.

Her father joined John Reynolds Ray in the cement business in Salem and a home was built which is in the heart of Salem now, but at that time was in undeveloped land with 5 acres of an iron strip mine behind it. William leased this land to the mining companies. He owned a quarry, end he and John Ray's son, Benjamin, cut limestone slabs from this for foundations. The Salem, Mo. courthouse is set on these-done by William and Ben. They also made and engraved tombstones, along with other mason work. Edith completed 2 years of high school at Salem.

Bell Telephone Company was training employees far switchboard work, paying for 6 weeks schooling. Edith took this training, (*went to Chicago August 31, 1912*) and spent 5 years In Chicago working on the west side night crew. The hours were long, and the pay rate low. This was compensated in part by the excitement of the city, and the fun of swimming in the lakes nearby. She worked for the Monroe office of the co. at 35 Sangamon St. and lived at Z514 Washington Blvd. Flat I in Chicago. It was while she was here that she visited with her father's brothers and sister at Joliet, Illinois. She was called home In the Fall of 1912 by her father's illness (*Died January 23^rd, 1913 at 4:05Thursday afternoon*)and soon after her mother broke her hip. She was the only one left at home to care for her parents, and took care of all the burial arrangements for her father. Her Mother's hip did not hea1 right, and she decided to stay to care for her.

Edith met her husband in Salem. He was a brakeman on the Frisco Railroad. He had been born at Sligo, Missouri-Dent Co. June 2O, 1884, the son of George Herman (* Fredrick*) and Julia A. Freeman Lutzenberger. George was also a railroad man, had come from Dayton, Ohio to Missouri. Bert had 2 brothers-George Herman Jr. (married Kate Frazier (*Frasier*), and William W. (married Bertie Young). 2 sisters- Irma (Mrs. A.E. Spiller), and Ada (Mrs. Everett Hawkins). Also one half brother-Roe Monroe. Furry (married Etta Mae Gibbs) (*and half brother Louis Washington Lutzenberger married Sarah Catherine Carter*).

Edith and Bert Ellis Lutzenberger were married Dec. 26, 1917-Salem, Mo. in the Methodist Church by Rev. Finley-2: 00 P.M. Tues. 1917 (*Went with Bert first time in September, 1916. Back to Chicago, then back to Salem in March 1917*). Their witnesses were Harry Selby, Pauline Marlin, and Anvil T. Warfel. They made their home in Salem, Mo., and this house was later converted into the Spencer Funeral Chapel. 2 children were born to them at Salem-Bert Jerome Jan.30, 1919 and Elizabeth Camille Oct.2, 1920.

Bert had began work for the railroad Feb.3, 1911. His schooling had been in Salem, but he quit young to join the railroad. They sold their home and moved to Amory, Mississippi in 1928. He was a conductor and helped build the railroad to Pensacola, Florida. They raised their family in Amory, and Jerome also joined the railroad. Bert retired in 1956 after 45 years with the Frisco Railroad.

Edith worked at the Prairie, Miss Shell Loading Plant 1941-WWII. She enjoyed fishing and visiting, and disliked being inactive as she grew older. Bert concentrated on his rose garden after retirement. They enjoyed their home at 402 2nd Ave. North in Amory, and had many friends. The Frisco 20 Year Club, Senior Citizens Clubs, United Methodist Church and friendly Fellowship Club, and her Eastern Star membership took up much of their time. Their daughter, Camille, a victim of a crippling mastoid operation while going to Memphis State College in Tenn., lived with them. Their son Jerome had married Joan Yvette Armour Aug. 8,1941 in Amory, Miss. and 2 twin grandsons were born, Bert Michael and Jerome Edward-the grandsons presented them with three (*five*) great grandchildren

"EDIE" as she was known by most, had heavy, red wavy hair and Irish blue eyes. 5ft. 10 in. tall-118 to 165 to 130 lbs. An attractive girl, but quite shy when young. She was sentimental and quite close to her family. Her nervous temperment kept her active, and she like going out, and especially enjoyed catfish dinners. Poor circulation, back trouble, and heart trouble limited a lot of her activities in later years. Her last illness began in the Spring of 1974 and was complicated by a fall in which she broke her foot in Dec. of that year. She was moved to Gilmore Mem. Hosp. in Amory, and remained there until her death. Her daughter, Camille was with her when she passed away at 1:00 P.M. Thurs. Feb. 13. Services were held at the Pickle Funeral Home Chapel in Amory sat. with Rev. Truman Brooks officiating, assisted by Rev. G.R. Williams. Burial was made at Haughton Mem. Park Cemetery-Amory. Edith was Greek, Spanish, French, Irish, Scotch on her father's side. German, English, French on her mother's side.

Bert had medium brown hair that receded early. He was thin and fine featurred, with a nice grin and friendly smiling, blue eyes. 6 ft. tall-140 to 180 lbs. He enjoyed people, and although blessed with quite good health, his hearing loss in later years limited his visiting with his friends as he wished to do. He liked to play cards and enjoyed the social activity. He was German and Scotch.

Bert and his daughter Camille remained at their home after Edith's death.

AUTHORED BY EDITH FRANCES CORCORAN LUTZENBERGER, CAMILLE LUTZENBERGER AND LOIS LORRAINE CORCRAN KLEIN. CORRECTIONS BY MIKE LUTZENBERGER NOTED AS * * INSIDE PARENTHSIS.