Wife of V. C. Durant Jan. 25, 1873 — July 9, 1901
Cedar City Cemetery, Austin, Mower County, Minnesota
Would it have been that difficult to give the poor woman a name on her headstone, instead of just listing her job description? (The top of the stone is engraved with “Watkins,” which is presumably her maiden name.)
ETA: AHA! A little more digging turns up that her name was Elda. She’s in the 1900 census, living with her husband (Claud V. Durant) and his parents at 811 South Warren Street, Mason City, Iowa. And her maiden name is Watkins. She shows up again in the 1880 census, living in Austin, Minnesota, with her parents, Abram and Phebe Watkins and siblings, Frank Watkins (11 years old), Jennie Watkins (9 years old), Laura Watkins (5 years old), and Annie Watkins (1 year old).
There was at least one other sibling, brother Leonard A. Watkins, who was born just after the 1880 census. Another daughter, Margie Watkins (11 years old), is listed in the 1895 Minnesota State Census.
Our Darling Leonard A. Son of Abram & Phebi Watkins, born Oct. 13, 1880 died Aug. 3, 1881
I take this little lamb, said He
And lay him on my breast,
Protection he shall find in Me
And be forever blest.
red paper boat 