A Glimpse into the Past
Documents

Here you will have the opportunity to view biographical sketches, letters, records, and other miscellaneous items. Items marked with will require Adobe Reader to view the file. If you do not have it, you can download it for free here.

If you would like to contribute to the collection, please email me.

Biographical Sketches

Biographical Sketch of Norman Green Bentley: Petersen Collection

Biographical Sketch of Mary Amelia Bentley: Petersen Collection

Biographical Sketch of Clarissa Swain: Petersen Collection   

The Bentley Book: Book of Record of the Bentley Family and Their Intermarriages from Thomas Bentley of Canaan, Columbia County, New York to the Last Heard from by R. T. Bentley (Russel Thomas Bentley)    Petersen Collection   

This is a large pdf file and should only be downloaded with a broadband  connection. It is one of the seven hand-written accounts of the Bentley family distributed by Russel Bentley. This one was copied by Alice Carey Bentley in 1892 for Russel and sent to his brother, Norman Green Bentley.

Russel T. Bentley's Note: This is the note Russel T. Bentley wrote to his brother, Norman Green Bentley, about the The Bentley Book.

Ole Jenson's Story: The Story of the Life of an American Pioneer of Freeborn County, Minnesota: Petersen Collection. This is the biographical sketch written by Oley Odin Jensen. He tells the tale of hardships crossing the Atlantic, landing in Boston and still being shuttled to New York. He spends some time in Ole Bull's Colony in Pennsylvania, then on to Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Death Certificates

Amasa Wheelock Harding's Death Certificate: Contributed by Stephanie Osmachenko

Johnnie William Williams' Death Certificate: Contributed by Kathleen LaMear

Sophia Harding Lafferty's Death Certificate: Contributed by Kathleen LaMear

Letters and Post Cards

Letter from A. W. Harding regarding the death of Lyman E. Harding: Petersen Collection

Letter from Alice (Ramesbothom) Gibbs to her sister-in-law, Millie Ramesbothom:  Petersen Collection   
The letter gives marriage dates for two of her children, Millie and Willard Gibbs.

Letter from Belle Hall regarding the death of Gladys Hall: Petersen Collection

Letter from Blanche Harding regarding the death of Sarah (Stotts) Wheelock:    Petersen Collection   
Combining this letter and the postcard from Viola Harding, the reader can assume Sarah Wheeelock's death date as 22 Sep 1913.  

Letter from Carrie Harding regarding the death of Lyman E. Harding: Petersen Collection

Letter from Dulcie Blakley: Petersen Collection   
Tells about her husband, Benjamin Franklin Blakley, being sick and hospitalized.

Letter from Florence Geneva Hewitt: Petersen Collection   
Tells the names of her living children, the ages of her grandchildren, names of her great-grandchildren and where she lived.

Letter from Harriet Lucretia Irwin to Martin and Lucretia Chase: Petersen Collection   
Harriet (Hattie) is the granddaughter of Lucretia A. Pike and Rufus P. Irwin.

Letter from Minerva Poplin: Petersen Collection   
Gives information that Ida Pease died six weeks after arriving in Eckley, Colorado.

Letter from Thomas W. Irwin to Martin and Lucretia Chase: Petersen Collection   
Thomas is the son of Lucretia A. Pike and Rufus P. Irwin

Letter from Viola Harding regarding the death of Amasa Wheelock Harding: Petersen Collection  

Post card from Susie Chase regarding the death of her son, Orestus:    Petersen Collection   

Post card from Viola Harding regarding the death of Sarah (Stotts) Wheelock: Contributed by Kathleen LaMear

Marriage Certificates and Records/Wedding Invitations

Minerva Chase and James Poplin's Marriage Certificate: Petersen Collection

Della Jenson and Fred Steiber Wedding Invitation: Petersen Collection