Lettie Greenwell
b 4-27-1885; d. 10-27-1981
Lettie Greenwell and Thomas Hugh Forsythe were married on March 30, 1917, in East St. Louis, Missouri, but started their life together in Mt. Sterling, Illinois. Newspaper accounts described the couple as the most deserving young people. He was a progressive young farmer and stockman, and she was one of the foremost workers in the Sunday School and Young People’s societies of the Christian Church.
The Forsythe family was unusual in their interest in recording their history. The museum is privileged to hold a few items belonging to the family in its collection. Their life as it was lived in the region was similar to many others of the day, and one that illustrated day-to-day life, as well as the impact of significant events on them.
Lettie Jo Tishie Greenwell was born on April 27, 1885, in Cooperstown Township, Brown County, Illinois. She received a High School education and graduated from Mt. Sterling High School on May 12, 1903. A farmer’s daughter, she found her way to work as a bookkeeper for an automobile agency and was also employed as the chief clerk of the Post Office. She was the only female in the office. It was not until 1913 that she started to date Thomas Forsythe. And another five years until they wed.
Thomas Hugh Forsythe was four years younger than Lettie, being born on October 16, 1889, also in Brown County. He had intended to become a minister, but after just two years in the seminary, he was called home to help on the farm. Thomas’ brother had been drafted to serve in WWI and his father could not manage the farm on his own.
Soon after his return home, Thomas acquired 80 acres of his own and a sawmill. A house soon followed. As an established farmer, Thomas must have been an attractive potential husband. A newspaper article reported after a short trip following their wedding in March of 1917, the couple returned to, “…the recently remodeled and refurnished residence…” One could speculate that the long engagement was in part to Thomas’ work to establish himself, and create a home for his wife and family to be.
The museum’s collection includes a dress worn in 1917 by Lettie. It is made of silk and has delicate embroidery, fringe on the sash and other delicate details. At that time, women’s silk dresses would have cost about $10. Lettie’s daughter remembers her mother using a treadle sewing machine and being a very good seamstress, so it is likely Lettie made this dress. The group photograph of the family above includes Lettie on the far left wearing the dress.
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Ten months into their marriage, Lettie and Thomas welcomed a son, William Greenwell Forsythe, who was born on January 16, 1918. Unfortunately, shortly after he turned three, he died on February 13, 1921, of double pneumonia.
In 1918, the families began experiencing Spanish influenza and childhood deaths were far too common. The young couple was faced with a tragic experience, but the newspaper reported an outpouring of support for the family. In response, the young parents wrote a “card of thanks” that ran in the paper that read, “…our sincere thanks for the help given us which lightened our burden through the saddest days of our lives.” The museum has a few items of William’s clothing and a metal toy fire truck that belonged to him.
Just a year later, the young couple welcomed Mary Laura (Stipanowich) on February 14, 1922, and then in 1926, daughter, Elizabeth Anne. The family records incude everyday events of their rural life including raising chickens, gardening and canning their produce, and annual events like making apple butter in the fall.
New technology like the radio become a part of the family’s everyday life. Daughter Mary remembers that their first radio was an Emerson and that her parents used headphones to listen to the WLS National Barn Dance in the evening.
Education continued to be important to the family. Thomas served as Road Commissioner and on the School Board in Brown County, and as Missouri Township Health Officer. Lettie became the president of the PTA and active in the New Salem Christian Church. This inspired their daughter Mary and she attended the Western Illinois Normal School in Macomb and became a teacher.
The family continued to record its history which will no doubt inform future generations about the changes we are facing in our lifetime. Along with artifacts in the museum’s collection, a newspaper once again documented details of the Forsythe family. Thomas’ obituary remembered him as someone who, “…lived in the community where he was born, was one of integrity and honesty, and his thoughtfulness of others, always ready to lend a helping hand, made him a good neighbor, a real friend and one of whom it can truthfully be said: ‘a good man has passed to his reward.’” Lettie passed away on October 27, 1981, in Macomb, Illinois.