Letter from Hannah Hanson to Celesta (Hanson) Harrell
7 October 1910

This letter was written to my great grandmother Celesta Jane (Hanson) Harrell Hibler
for her 27th birthday from, possibly, her first cousin once removed, Hannah (Macy) Hanson.

Celesta had a very troublesome childhood, with the loss of her mother at the age of 3 years,
having a less than nice step-mother, and a father who abused her horribly.  Through it all
my great grandmother came out a wonderful person, and I am happy that I got to meet
her when she was alive.  This letter is in praise of all of the hardships Celesta has overcome.

Russiaville, Indiana
Oct. 7--1910

          Dear Cousin Lessa, I am going to send you a letter for a birthday present, it seems like such a short time since your mother brought you to our house for the first time.
          I remember just how she looked as she held you in her arms.  She seemed so proud of you and I think what a satisfaction you would be to her if she had lived.
          And I want to tell you that you are a satisfaction to all of us, as we have watched your heroic struggle to build up a beautiful character and under great disadvantages to but gold shines brighter under much polishing you know.
          I want you to go on building round by round, till you have built a ladder that reaches to the skies, and I believe you will.
          The trials of the road will be as nothing when we get to the end of the way.
          No difference how sharp the trials that come to us, we can overcome them.  Remember that it is said To him that overcometh I will grant to sit with me in my throne.
          There is so much to help us on in the road that leas upward and such a great reward at the end of the race.
          Now Lessa perhaps you will wonder why I am writing to you.  I have had it on my mind a long time to write you a letter and I thought as we were going to send birthday cards this would be a good time, and I felt like I wanted you to know how much we as relation appreciate you, and I want to encourage you to go on training your little girls up so that they will be a credit to you and to us all.
          We missed you at the reunion this year.  I hope you can be with us at our next reunion.
          With much love I am your cousin

          Hannah M. Hanson
 

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