Terry - Mary Jane Turner
Karen, this is my (N. Netter) gr,gr, grand mother. None of this information is sourced in the way of newpaper citation, but were taken from family notes and letters. Letter of Introduction To Tom Bremerman (possible local radio personality) written by Anna Terry Baumhofer
Dear Tom Bremerman, I am presenting an old lady who I hope you will consider as a good neighbor. She will be 90 years old on Sept. 19 (this month). She had a family of 9 children and in addition to raising them, doing all of her work she had time to help her neighbors. She has helped bring a large number of children into the world and on one occasion helped deliver one neighbor's child and walked across fields to help at anothers birth. Another time she took a 6 month old baby and nursed it along with one of her own. She has helped lay out the dead many times. Now she is old and hasn's been very well since last spring, but a week doesn't go by but some relative or old neighbor's child, now grown, comes to see her and usually with some gift and talks over old times. Such as "Aunt Jane" I remember the home made bread and butter or the cookies you gave us to eat. She was always willing to lend what she had in her home or of her time. Mr. Bremerman I present my Mother, Mrs. Mary Jane Terry # 1 Ladoga Ind. Sincerely, Mrs. Anna Baumhofer
Hand written Obituary
Mary Jane Turner was born Sept. 19-1854 in Montgomery Co. Va. She was married to John Hardin Terry, May 17, 1876 at Christiansburg Va. They came to Montgomery Co. Ind. in June and lived in and near Ladoga the rest of their lives. To this union 9 children were born. One daughter Olive Riley preceding her in death several years ago. Mr. Terry died Aug. 27 1937. Survivors are eight children, Mrs. Pearl Bymaster, Mrs. Anna Baumhofer, Mrs. Gwen Van Devander and John Terry all of Indianapolis, Hulan Terry of Logansport and Mrs. Grace Mangus, Mrs. Nellie Clark and Paul Terry all of Ladoga. In addition, she is survived by 33 grandchildren 29 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grand children of who seven grandsons and two great grandsons are in the armed services. "Aunt Jane Terry" as she was affectionally called was well known to a great many people young and old. She had an alert mind and a keen interest in all the happening around her. Her many acts of kindnesses thru her long life will be remember by many. She became a member of the Methodist when she was 18 years old and affiliated with the Ladoga Church around the year 1880. Her belief in God as her heavenly Father was an abiding faith thru out her life and a strong arm in her last sickness. Life we have been long together Thru bright and storming weather Tis hard to part when friends are dear Perhaps it will bring a sigh, a tear. Then take thine own time, give little waring Say not good night, but in some fairer clime Bid us good morning.
In family notes of Robert Terry, son of John Milton: John and Mary came up to Indiana from Virginia after they had married. They traveled by a covered wagon. One night while traveling a hard rain came up. There was a lot of mud and this made their progress very slow. Mary Jane told of looking back the next night and could see the last nights camping place. Mary Jane said that after that she never looked back because this made her feel sad.
Oral History from Janet Sue Kern: Anna Baumhofer would take Janet Kern with her to Grandma Terry's for a weekend or visit. Janet remembers her having no electricity or running water. She had a wood stove that had a reseverior for hot water. She used oil lamps for light. She was offered by her children several times to put in electricity, but she never wanted it. The only "modern" item she had was a radio that ran off a car battery. Mary Jane Terry's Home was less than a quarter mile west and north of the Railroad tracks in Ladoga, Indiana. On the day of her funeral the Train stopped by her home. A sign of respect for her.