Martha Jane Cunningham was born June 11, 1832 near Williamsport, Indiana to William and Mary Cunningham. She was named after her Grandma Cunningham, but the family called her Jane. She was the 3rd child and first daughter born to the couple. Four more daughters followed her. Because she was the oldest daughter, she probably had a little more responsibility than the others. She had the usual household chores of the pioneer women.
In those days they had to wash clothes by hand, using two tubs for washing and rinsing. Sister Nan was at the first tub and Martha Jane at the second. Jane complained to her mother, "Nan isn't doing a thing - only wringing out clothes!"
Nan answered, "Well, it's so long since I've seen my pretty sister, I just have to stand and look at her!" This story was handed down to my grandmother Martha Jane McIndoo and repeated to me.
Two of her younger sisters died while Martha was at home. Elizabeth Ann, almost 2 years old, died when Martha was only 9, and sister Mary, 4 years younger than Martha, died as a teenager. Martha was probably nearing 20 when Mary died.
Martha was born into a religious family. At eighteen she became a member of the Christian Church near Williamsport.
Martha became acquainted with Harvey L. Roll who lived in the area. They fell in love and were married on April 18, 1853 in Williamsport. Harvey Roll was the son of John and Mary Wesphal Roll. John was born in 1799 and Mary Wesphal was born October 13, 1800 and died in April of 1903. She lived to be 102 years and 8 months of age.
Prior to their marriage, Harvey had made trips to Iroquois County, Illinois, with Russell Search and William Cunningham to purchase land withdrawn from the market by the Illinois Railroad. After some problems with the land sharks he was finally able to purchase land in Section 23 of Iroquois County. He then went home to get his wife Martha and baby Frank. Frank was born March 8, 1854 in Williamsport. Sister Nancy married Russell Search in February of 1855. After the three families all purchased land in Illinois, they all moved there. The land was about 100 miles northwest of where they lived at the time. There were no roads and the families had to build cabins and clear land for crops.
While living in Illinois Martha and Harvey had five more children: John William, Charles Albert, George Washington and Harvey Lincoln.
Their first child, Frank C. Roll, died September 22, 1861 at the age of 7 years. About this time, Martha and Harvey heard of better land in Southern Minnesota, perhaps from Uncle Robert Cunningham who had moved to Olmsted County, Minnesota, in 1861. Martha and Harvey decided to make the move. They took their five children, ages 6, 9, 11, 13 and 15 at the time and moved along with the Morgan Young family. Some accounts give the year as 1872, but if they stayed 5 years, 1871 is more accurate. The Ripley Young family and the John and Caroline McIndoo family also came in 1871, possibly all traveling together. They all came by covered wagon and it was a three-week trip.
While in Illinois, Harvey grew some white corn which he took with him to Minnesota. It was very good corn and gained some fame as seen by this quote, taken from page 59 of "Thirty Years on a Farm in Southern Minnesota" by I. G. Haycraft, 1865-1895. "We planted a larger acreage of corn this year. This fine white corn I have mentioned was a continuation of that famous white corn brought from Indiana to Illinois and from Illinois by Harvey Roll, who rented the Slocum river bottom farm in 1873. Father got some of the first crop, selected its best ears that had matured several days ahead of the main crop, and by careful selection of seed, we had kept it up to high grade corn. We enjoyed a good seed corn sale. Father had encouraged me to save all the good seed possible, and, when we had sufficient for our own needs the money was mine. Some years I did pretty well. Of course, Father passed judgment on all corn that was shelled for seed. Every ear had to be just right before it was shelled. I wish to state right here that this particular variety and type of white dent corn, in the hands of one E. F. McCarthy in later years, has been grown continuously for over sixty years and has taken prizes regularly at corn exhibits of Watonwan County and elsewhere. This corn did make the best meal by far of any I have ever eaten. This year, 1880, we had about 20 acres and it grew well."
In 1876 the Rolls decided to go back to Illinois, probably due to loss of crops by grasshoppers. Martha traveled to Madelia in January of 1884 to visit her parents, William and Mary Cunningham. She was again in poor health, but she hoped that living in Minnesota would improve it as it had done before. On the night of July 15, 1884, she took a turn for the worse and died in the arms of her father. Archibald Law, a friend of her father's, held the funeral service at the house. One of her sons was also with her when she died.
Martha was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Madelia. Her son John and his wife are also buried there not far away.
Copied with permission from "William Cunningham, Pioneer, Patriarch, Preacher" by June Colebank Blanshan, pp. 171-173.
In those days they had to wash clothes by hand, using two tubs for washing and rinsing. Sister Nan was at the first tub and Martha Jane at the second. Jane complained to her mother, "Nan isn't doing a thing - only wringing out clothes!"
Nan answered, "Well, it's so long since I've seen my pretty sister, I just have to stand and look at her!" This story was handed down to my grandmother Martha Jane McIndoo and repeated to me.
Two of her younger sisters died while Martha was at home. Elizabeth Ann, almost 2 years old, died when Martha was only 9, and sister Mary, 4 years younger than Martha, died as a teenager. Martha was probably nearing 20 when Mary died.
Martha was born into a religious family. At eighteen she became a member of the Christian Church near Williamsport.
Martha became acquainted with Harvey L. Roll who lived in the area. They fell in love and were married on April 18, 1853 in Williamsport. Harvey Roll was the son of John and Mary Wesphal Roll. John was born in 1799 and Mary Wesphal was born October 13, 1800 and died in April of 1903. She lived to be 102 years and 8 months of age.
Prior to their marriage, Harvey had made trips to Iroquois County, Illinois, with Russell Search and William Cunningham to purchase land withdrawn from the market by the Illinois Railroad. After some problems with the land sharks he was finally able to purchase land in Section 23 of Iroquois County. He then went home to get his wife Martha and baby Frank. Frank was born March 8, 1854 in Williamsport. Sister Nancy married Russell Search in February of 1855. After the three families all purchased land in Illinois, they all moved there. The land was about 100 miles northwest of where they lived at the time. There were no roads and the families had to build cabins and clear land for crops.
While living in Illinois Martha and Harvey had five more children: John William, Charles Albert, George Washington and Harvey Lincoln.
Their first child, Frank C. Roll, died September 22, 1861 at the age of 7 years. About this time, Martha and Harvey heard of better land in Southern Minnesota, perhaps from Uncle Robert Cunningham who had moved to Olmsted County, Minnesota, in 1861. Martha and Harvey decided to make the move. They took their five children, ages 6, 9, 11, 13 and 15 at the time and moved along with the Morgan Young family. Some accounts give the year as 1872, but if they stayed 5 years, 1871 is more accurate. The Ripley Young family and the John and Caroline McIndoo family also came in 1871, possibly all traveling together. They all came by covered wagon and it was a three-week trip.
While in Illinois, Harvey grew some white corn which he took with him to Minnesota. It was very good corn and gained some fame as seen by this quote, taken from page 59 of "Thirty Years on a Farm in Southern Minnesota" by I. G. Haycraft, 1865-1895. "We planted a larger acreage of corn this year. This fine white corn I have mentioned was a continuation of that famous white corn brought from Indiana to Illinois and from Illinois by Harvey Roll, who rented the Slocum river bottom farm in 1873. Father got some of the first crop, selected its best ears that had matured several days ahead of the main crop, and by careful selection of seed, we had kept it up to high grade corn. We enjoyed a good seed corn sale. Father had encouraged me to save all the good seed possible, and, when we had sufficient for our own needs the money was mine. Some years I did pretty well. Of course, Father passed judgment on all corn that was shelled for seed. Every ear had to be just right before it was shelled. I wish to state right here that this particular variety and type of white dent corn, in the hands of one E. F. McCarthy in later years, has been grown continuously for over sixty years and has taken prizes regularly at corn exhibits of Watonwan County and elsewhere. This corn did make the best meal by far of any I have ever eaten. This year, 1880, we had about 20 acres and it grew well."
In 1876 the Rolls decided to go back to Illinois, probably due to loss of crops by grasshoppers. Martha traveled to Madelia in January of 1884 to visit her parents, William and Mary Cunningham. She was again in poor health, but she hoped that living in Minnesota would improve it as it had done before. On the night of July 15, 1884, she took a turn for the worse and died in the arms of her father. Archibald Law, a friend of her father's, held the funeral service at the house. One of her sons was also with her when she died.
Martha was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Madelia. Her son John and his wife are also buried there not far away.
Copied with permission from "William Cunningham, Pioneer, Patriarch, Preacher" by June Colebank Blanshan, pp. 171-173.
Martha Jane Cunningham was born June 11, 1832 near Williamsport, Indiana to William and Mary Cunningham. She was named after her Grandma Cunningham, but the family called her Jane. She was the 3rd child and first daughter born to the couple. Four more daughters followed her. Because she was the oldest daughter, she probably had a little more responsibility than the others. She had the usual household chores of the pioneer women.
In those days they had to wash clothes by hand, using two tubs for washing and rinsing. Sister Nan was at the first tub and Martha Jane at the second. Jane complained to her mother, "Nan isn't doing a thing - only wringing out clothes!"
Nan answered, "Well, it's so long since I've seen my pretty sister, I just have to stand and look at her!" This story was handed down to my grandmother Martha Jane McIndoo and repeated to me.
Two of her younger sisters died while Martha was at home. Elizabeth Ann, almost 2 years old, died when Martha was only 9, and sister Mary, 4 years younger than Martha, died as a teenager. Martha was probably nearing 20 when Mary died.
Martha was born into a religious family. At eighteen she became a member of the Christian Church near Williamsport.
Martha became acquainted with Harvey L. Roll who lived in the area. They fell in love and were married on April 18, 1853 in Williamsport. Harvey Roll was the son of John and Mary Wesphal Roll. John was born in 1799 and Mary Wesphal was born October 13, 1800 and died in April of 1903. She lived to be 102 years and 8 months of age.
Prior to their marriage, Harvey had made trips to Iroquois County, Illinois, with Russell Search and William Cunningham to purchase land withdrawn from the market by the Illinois Railroad. After some problems with the land sharks he was finally able to purchase land in Section 23 of Iroquois County. He then went home to get his wife Martha and baby Frank. Frank was born March 8, 1854 in Williamsport. Sister Nancy married Russell Search in February of 1855. After the three families all purchased land in Illinois, they all moved there. The land was about 100 miles northwest of where they lived at the time. There were no roads and the families had to build cabins and clear land for crops.
While living in Illinois Martha and Harvey had five more children: John William, Charles Albert, George Washington and Harvey Lincoln.
Their first child, Frank C. Roll, died September 22, 1861 at the age of 7 years. About this time, Martha and Harvey heard of better land in Southern Minnesota, perhaps from Uncle Robert Cunningham who had moved to Olmsted County, Minnesota, in 1861. Martha and Harvey decided to make the move. They took their five children, ages 6, 9, 11, 13 and 15 at the time and moved along with the Morgan Young family. Some accounts give the year as 1872, but if they stayed 5 years, 1871 is more accurate. The Ripley Young family and the John and Caroline McIndoo family also came in 1871, possibly all traveling together. They all came by covered wagon and it was a three-week trip.
While in Illinois, Harvey grew some white corn which he took with him to Minnesota. It was very good corn and gained some fame as seen by this quote, taken from page 59 of "Thirty Years on a Farm in Southern Minnesota" by I. G. Haycraft, 1865-1895. "We planted a larger acreage of corn this year. This fine white corn I have mentioned was a continuation of that famous white corn brought from Indiana to Illinois and from Illinois by Harvey Roll, who rented the Slocum river bottom farm in 1873. Father got some of the first crop, selected its best ears that had matured several days ahead of the main crop, and by careful selection of seed, we had kept it up to high grade corn. We enjoyed a good seed corn sale. Father had encouraged me to save all the good seed possible, and, when we had sufficient for our own needs the money was mine. Some years I did pretty well. Of course, Father passed judgment on all corn that was shelled for seed. Every ear had to be just right before it was shelled. I wish to state right here that this particular variety and type of white dent corn, in the hands of one E. F. McCarthy in later years, has been grown continuously for over sixty years and has taken prizes regularly at corn exhibits of Watonwan County and elsewhere. This corn did make the best meal by far of any I have ever eaten. This year, 1880, we had about 20 acres and it grew well."
In 1876 the Rolls decided to go back to Illinois, probably due to loss of crops by grasshoppers. Martha traveled to Madelia in January of 1884 to visit her parents, William and Mary Cunningham. She was again in poor health, but she hoped that living in Minnesota would improve it as it had done before. On the night of July 15, 1884, she took a turn for the worse and died in the arms of her father. Archibald Law, a friend of her father's, held the funeral service at the house. One of her sons was also with her when she died.
Martha was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Madelia. Her son John and his wife are also buried there not far away.
Copied with permission from "William Cunningham, Pioneer, Patriarch, Preacher" by June Colebank Blanshan, pp. 171-173.
In those days they had to wash clothes by hand, using two tubs for washing and rinsing. Sister Nan was at the first tub and Martha Jane at the second. Jane complained to her mother, "Nan isn't doing a thing - only wringing out clothes!"
Nan answered, "Well, it's so long since I've seen my pretty sister, I just have to stand and look at her!" This story was handed down to my grandmother Martha Jane McIndoo and repeated to me.
Two of her younger sisters died while Martha was at home. Elizabeth Ann, almost 2 years old, died when Martha was only 9, and sister Mary, 4 years younger than Martha, died as a teenager. Martha was probably nearing 20 when Mary died.
Martha was born into a religious family. At eighteen she became a member of the Christian Church near Williamsport.
Martha became acquainted with Harvey L. Roll who lived in the area. They fell in love and were married on April 18, 1853 in Williamsport. Harvey Roll was the son of John and Mary Wesphal Roll. John was born in 1799 and Mary Wesphal was born October 13, 1800 and died in April of 1903. She lived to be 102 years and 8 months of age.
Prior to their marriage, Harvey had made trips to Iroquois County, Illinois, with Russell Search and William Cunningham to purchase land withdrawn from the market by the Illinois Railroad. After some problems with the land sharks he was finally able to purchase land in Section 23 of Iroquois County. He then went home to get his wife Martha and baby Frank. Frank was born March 8, 1854 in Williamsport. Sister Nancy married Russell Search in February of 1855. After the three families all purchased land in Illinois, they all moved there. The land was about 100 miles northwest of where they lived at the time. There were no roads and the families had to build cabins and clear land for crops.
While living in Illinois Martha and Harvey had five more children: John William, Charles Albert, George Washington and Harvey Lincoln.
Their first child, Frank C. Roll, died September 22, 1861 at the age of 7 years. About this time, Martha and Harvey heard of better land in Southern Minnesota, perhaps from Uncle Robert Cunningham who had moved to Olmsted County, Minnesota, in 1861. Martha and Harvey decided to make the move. They took their five children, ages 6, 9, 11, 13 and 15 at the time and moved along with the Morgan Young family. Some accounts give the year as 1872, but if they stayed 5 years, 1871 is more accurate. The Ripley Young family and the John and Caroline McIndoo family also came in 1871, possibly all traveling together. They all came by covered wagon and it was a three-week trip.
While in Illinois, Harvey grew some white corn which he took with him to Minnesota. It was very good corn and gained some fame as seen by this quote, taken from page 59 of "Thirty Years on a Farm in Southern Minnesota" by I. G. Haycraft, 1865-1895. "We planted a larger acreage of corn this year. This fine white corn I have mentioned was a continuation of that famous white corn brought from Indiana to Illinois and from Illinois by Harvey Roll, who rented the Slocum river bottom farm in 1873. Father got some of the first crop, selected its best ears that had matured several days ahead of the main crop, and by careful selection of seed, we had kept it up to high grade corn. We enjoyed a good seed corn sale. Father had encouraged me to save all the good seed possible, and, when we had sufficient for our own needs the money was mine. Some years I did pretty well. Of course, Father passed judgment on all corn that was shelled for seed. Every ear had to be just right before it was shelled. I wish to state right here that this particular variety and type of white dent corn, in the hands of one E. F. McCarthy in later years, has been grown continuously for over sixty years and has taken prizes regularly at corn exhibits of Watonwan County and elsewhere. This corn did make the best meal by far of any I have ever eaten. This year, 1880, we had about 20 acres and it grew well."
In 1876 the Rolls decided to go back to Illinois, probably due to loss of crops by grasshoppers. Martha traveled to Madelia in January of 1884 to visit her parents, William and Mary Cunningham. She was again in poor health, but she hoped that living in Minnesota would improve it as it had done before. On the night of July 15, 1884, she took a turn for the worse and died in the arms of her father. Archibald Law, a friend of her father's, held the funeral service at the house. One of her sons was also with her when she died.
Martha was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Madelia. Her son John and his wife are also buried there not far away.
Copied with permission from "William Cunningham, Pioneer, Patriarch, Preacher" by June Colebank Blanshan, pp. 171-173.
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- USA Roll or Cunningham
- Find a Grave Roll or Cunningham
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