Very little is known about Isabelle before her marriage to Horace Thomas Mecum. This is what we do know about her. Isabelle was born September 2, 1857. Her maiden name was Ashabranner. It is not known if that is the correct spelling of her last name. And, it is not known who her parents were. We do know that she lists her father as having been born in Missouri and her mother as having been born in Illinois.
One story that has been passed down took place around the time of the Civil War. When Isabelle was a child, soldiers came to her family home and demanded that Isabelle and her mother leave. Isabelle's mother asked if she could first bury her husband. Her wish was granted. Instead, she filled the bottom of the wagon with salt, first. Then, packed their belongings on top. Isabelle's mother told Isabelle not to tell anyone about the salt, as that would be their money. Apparently, salt was a rare commodity in those days.
Eventually, Isabelle and her mother made their way to California. She married her husband, Horace Thomas Mecum August 9, 1877 in Germantown (now, Artois), Glenn County California. They married in the only church in town; which was a Baptist church. Together, they had ten children: Francis E. 1878-1879, Vivian 1880-1995, Henry Otto 1882-1917, Ray 1887-1892, Ethel 1887-1954, Philip Cohen 1890-1959, Emma Luemma 1892-1966, Cora 1895-1941, Cecil 1899- 1975, Eugene 1899-1981.
One of Isabelle's granddaughters remembers Isabelle sitting in a rocking chair with a huge bible on her lap. She would read to her two granddaughters from that bible; which was the "Book of Jehovah."
Another story tells of a time when Isabelle was living in a cabin, in the mountains above Chico, Butte County, California. One time when Isabelle was hiking down the Steamboat Trail, to visit a friend, cockleburs attached themselves to her dress. She wound up staying too long at her friend's cabin and had to walk back up the trail before dark. On her way up, she felt tugging at her long dress. When she arrived home, all of the cockleburs were gone.
Isabelle knew how to make lye soap from animal fat. She felt that bear fat made the best soap. She knew how to make watermelon rind candy, pine gum from the sap off of pine trees, and she knew how to make witch's brew out of herbs to drink as a tonic.
Isabelle filed for divorce from her husband, Horace Thomas Mecum, June 29, 1915 for desertion and abandonment.
Horace counter sued for mental cruelty and threats on his life. Isabella "Belle" won. She won custody of the twin sons and $100 a month. It was finalized June 2,1917. (according to the divorce papers)
Isabelle died at the age of 91, January 24, 1949 of heart disease.
One story that has been passed down took place around the time of the Civil War. When Isabelle was a child, soldiers came to her family home and demanded that Isabelle and her mother leave. Isabelle's mother asked if she could first bury her husband. Her wish was granted. Instead, she filled the bottom of the wagon with salt, first. Then, packed their belongings on top. Isabelle's mother told Isabelle not to tell anyone about the salt, as that would be their money. Apparently, salt was a rare commodity in those days.
Eventually, Isabelle and her mother made their way to California. She married her husband, Horace Thomas Mecum August 9, 1877 in Germantown (now, Artois), Glenn County California. They married in the only church in town; which was a Baptist church. Together, they had ten children: Francis E. 1878-1879, Vivian 1880-1995, Henry Otto 1882-1917, Ray 1887-1892, Ethel 1887-1954, Philip Cohen 1890-1959, Emma Luemma 1892-1966, Cora 1895-1941, Cecil 1899- 1975, Eugene 1899-1981.
One of Isabelle's granddaughters remembers Isabelle sitting in a rocking chair with a huge bible on her lap. She would read to her two granddaughters from that bible; which was the "Book of Jehovah."
Another story tells of a time when Isabelle was living in a cabin, in the mountains above Chico, Butte County, California. One time when Isabelle was hiking down the Steamboat Trail, to visit a friend, cockleburs attached themselves to her dress. She wound up staying too long at her friend's cabin and had to walk back up the trail before dark. On her way up, she felt tugging at her long dress. When she arrived home, all of the cockleburs were gone.
Isabelle knew how to make lye soap from animal fat. She felt that bear fat made the best soap. She knew how to make watermelon rind candy, pine gum from the sap off of pine trees, and she knew how to make witch's brew out of herbs to drink as a tonic.
Isabelle filed for divorce from her husband, Horace Thomas Mecum, June 29, 1915 for desertion and abandonment.
Horace counter sued for mental cruelty and threats on his life. Isabella "Belle" won. She won custody of the twin sons and $100 a month. It was finalized June 2,1917. (according to the divorce papers)
Isabelle died at the age of 91, January 24, 1949 of heart disease.
Very little is known about Isabelle before her marriage to Horace Thomas Mecum. This is what we do know about her. Isabelle was born September 2, 1857. Her maiden name was Ashabranner. It is not known if that is the correct spelling of her last name. And, it is not known who her parents were. We do know that she lists her father as having been born in Missouri and her mother as having been born in Illinois.
One story that has been passed down took place around the time of the Civil War. When Isabelle was a child, soldiers came to her family home and demanded that Isabelle and her mother leave. Isabelle's mother asked if she could first bury her husband. Her wish was granted. Instead, she filled the bottom of the wagon with salt, first. Then, packed their belongings on top. Isabelle's mother told Isabelle not to tell anyone about the salt, as that would be their money. Apparently, salt was a rare commodity in those days.
Eventually, Isabelle and her mother made their way to California. She married her husband, Horace Thomas Mecum August 9, 1877 in Germantown (now, Artois), Glenn County California. They married in the only church in town; which was a Baptist church. Together, they had ten children: Francis E. 1878-1879, Vivian 1880-1995, Henry Otto 1882-1917, Ray 1887-1892, Ethel 1887-1954, Philip Cohen 1890-1959, Emma Luemma 1892-1966, Cora 1895-1941, Cecil 1899- 1975, Eugene 1899-1981.
One of Isabelle's granddaughters remembers Isabelle sitting in a rocking chair with a huge bible on her lap. She would read to her two granddaughters from that bible; which was the "Book of Jehovah."
Another story tells of a time when Isabelle was living in a cabin, in the mountains above Chico, Butte County, California. One time when Isabelle was hiking down the Steamboat Trail, to visit a friend, cockleburs attached themselves to her dress. She wound up staying too long at her friend's cabin and had to walk back up the trail before dark. On her way up, she felt tugging at her long dress. When she arrived home, all of the cockleburs were gone.
Isabelle knew how to make lye soap from animal fat. She felt that bear fat made the best soap. She knew how to make watermelon rind candy, pine gum from the sap off of pine trees, and she knew how to make witch's brew out of herbs to drink as a tonic.
Isabelle filed for divorce from her husband, Horace Thomas Mecum, June 29, 1915 for desertion and abandonment.
Horace counter sued for mental cruelty and threats on his life. Isabella "Belle" won. She won custody of the twin sons and $100 a month. It was finalized June 2,1917. (according to the divorce papers)
Isabelle died at the age of 91, January 24, 1949 of heart disease.
One story that has been passed down took place around the time of the Civil War. When Isabelle was a child, soldiers came to her family home and demanded that Isabelle and her mother leave. Isabelle's mother asked if she could first bury her husband. Her wish was granted. Instead, she filled the bottom of the wagon with salt, first. Then, packed their belongings on top. Isabelle's mother told Isabelle not to tell anyone about the salt, as that would be their money. Apparently, salt was a rare commodity in those days.
Eventually, Isabelle and her mother made their way to California. She married her husband, Horace Thomas Mecum August 9, 1877 in Germantown (now, Artois), Glenn County California. They married in the only church in town; which was a Baptist church. Together, they had ten children: Francis E. 1878-1879, Vivian 1880-1995, Henry Otto 1882-1917, Ray 1887-1892, Ethel 1887-1954, Philip Cohen 1890-1959, Emma Luemma 1892-1966, Cora 1895-1941, Cecil 1899- 1975, Eugene 1899-1981.
One of Isabelle's granddaughters remembers Isabelle sitting in a rocking chair with a huge bible on her lap. She would read to her two granddaughters from that bible; which was the "Book of Jehovah."
Another story tells of a time when Isabelle was living in a cabin, in the mountains above Chico, Butte County, California. One time when Isabelle was hiking down the Steamboat Trail, to visit a friend, cockleburs attached themselves to her dress. She wound up staying too long at her friend's cabin and had to walk back up the trail before dark. On her way up, she felt tugging at her long dress. When she arrived home, all of the cockleburs were gone.
Isabelle knew how to make lye soap from animal fat. She felt that bear fat made the best soap. She knew how to make watermelon rind candy, pine gum from the sap off of pine trees, and she knew how to make witch's brew out of herbs to drink as a tonic.
Isabelle filed for divorce from her husband, Horace Thomas Mecum, June 29, 1915 for desertion and abandonment.
Horace counter sued for mental cruelty and threats on his life. Isabella "Belle" won. She won custody of the twin sons and $100 a month. It was finalized June 2,1917. (according to the divorce papers)
Isabelle died at the age of 91, January 24, 1949 of heart disease.
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