Sumner, Iowa, November 1, 1878

"Today for the first time since my marriage, I turn to my journal, or begin a new one, rather, for my old one is among the things that were, with all its recorded joys and sorrows, hoped and fears. Scenes from childhood, girlhood, maidenhood and womanhood, which were too choice for anyone but my dear journal were freely given there in a girlish, maidenlike and womanly way as years added strength of mind and body.

"Born among the beautiful hills of northern Ohio, of poor, but industrious and intelligent parents, a romping, rollicking, laughing and taking the word of others, winning and loving child and miss. Being bright, or quick to receive instruction, I was always kept by my fond parents, in the very best schools in our village (Kirtland), there being a Seminary as well as select and public schools. Loving study as I did I became a fine scholar for my age, a model for my teachers and the pride of my parents. Never, till I became a mother did I appreciate the work, care and anxiety of my dear mother who used to toil early and late (a tailoress by trade)... to help pay our tuition and feed us. There were five of us, three brothers and we two girls.

"At the age of fourteen, my parents decided to sell their little village home and move to Wisconsin, where my brothers, Comfort and James were then living. We found a home for the winter with brother Comfort, who was married, in a little village of Attica, Green County, Wisconsin. The next Spring we moved to Exiter, three miles away. Riches did not come to us very fast and I, at the age of fifteen was obliged to do something for myself, and ere I to teach the school three miles from home, in the township of Monticello, District Number 7. Amos Perry sub director, $7 per month and Board around.

Oh! That first day as school mistress! AN encouraging word from anyone would have started me for a good cry on Mother's bosom and a prayer to be released from the contract which held me three long months! But I was obliged to put my shoulder to the wheels, and by the time I got it to rolling smoothly and evenly I was charmed with the work and won a reputation for earnestness, faithfulness and competence unrivaled in the township. Indeed, I was proud of my summer's work, and I will say justly proud, for young as I was, baby as I was, Romp as I was, it seemed a miracle almost that I did succeed. I did not teach the ensuing winter. Father said I was too young. I attended the village school taught by John C. Beede, a young man from Vermont. My first lover. Ex-parte.

"The next summer I taught in a school adjoining my first district, at the wonderful sum of $8 per month and boarding round. As before, I succeeded beyond my expectations, receiving a prize awarded by the Township Superintendent for being the best teacher in said Township. I taught in the Norwegian Settlement the following winter getting $12 a month and board in one family. My next call was from Leavenworth City, Kansas, where brother Comfort then lived. The offer was to me a fortune, being $35 a month and board. Our folks had bot a farm in Oran, Fayette County, Iowa, and with Brother James removed hither to improve it. I came with them, not having decided upon the Leavenworth offer. In fact, my parents would not consent to my going alone and not until Brother James decided to try his fortunes for a few months in the same city, did I decide to go.

The engagement was a failure financially and in everything but my part of the contract, which was to teach in the Primary Department of the Leavenworth Institute to the best of my ability. Public school "busted" said Institute and in consequence a great share of my pay, and I returned home in July 1858, a tired, sick, but wiser girl.

Ague (a fever) shook me up well the remainder of the summer and autumn, but I taught the winter in Knowlton District, Oran Tw't. Oh, how many times have I shook with the ague while hearing my classes in the little back room in Uncle Dan Knowlton's house, and when school was out, though burning with fever, have walked a mile before I could receive the kindly attentions offered my by the good people of the district...

"Thus life went on, with but little change. Taught in Fairbanks for six years and in West Union three years in grade work.

"On November 1, 1868 the few words spoken by Judge Hawkins of West Union made me Mrs. W.W. Quivey, the wife of a good man, poor, but honest and industrious. Our field of labor being the same, we worked on together in the village of Auburn, for two years, he as a Principal and I as a primary teacher. But, in this as in everything else, circumstances alter cases, and I found it quite proper and convenient to "drop the ferrule" and prepare for the entrance of a new page in my life work.

"Will had engaged the school at Fredericksburg and we moved there, and on the 28th of March 1870, a little son, weight 10 lbs, was given us. Of course he was remarkable, for whose boy, especially the first is not remarkable! But, certainly our little Arthur was a beautiful child. Dr. Olmstead said he had the largest and best shaped head he had ever seen in a newborn babe. Large black eyes and perfect features make him an attractive child today, and they were just as much so in infancy.

"Our home was in Clermont when the gates were left ajar once more and another little angel came to make its home with us. This time a little girl. Grace Greenwood we called her. She weighed 6 « lbs and was all a fond mother could desire. To say we were happy with this new and lovely gift would not express it. None but those who are equally as fond of home and its treasures, as we, have had such precious gems entrusted to their keeping, can know the bliss we then experience, for tongue cannot tell nor words describe.

"Little Grace was born March 28, 1872, a birthday present for Arthur.

"Will was elected County Superintendent and we moved to West Union. May 4, 1875, little Claud was given us. Our little blue eyed boy! It is for the purpose of keeping a biography of my beloved children that I keep this journal, for with a mother's fondness, I might say foolishness, I hope they may tell the world that they have been born, and have lived to some purpose. I know they have ability and if wisely directed and educated, I feel positive they may rise in the scale of human progress and fill stations of trust and honor with credit and renown.

"November 1, 1878. The tenth anniversary of our marriage. Ours has always been a happy home, though not a wealthy one.

"February 24, 1892. Thirteen years ago I tried to write, but tears came so thick and fast I was compelled to stop. Little Claud, our precious baby boy, was taken sick April 10th and died April 16, 1879. He died of inflammation of the bowels. It is so hard to give up our loved ones, that at first "we" refuse to be comforted, but thro' faith in Christ we hope that as we shall bear the image of the Heavenly, and that in that "Cloud of witness that encompass us about" there is a dear, blue eyed little boy, who cannot come to us, but beckons us to him.

"After writing on the foregoing pages, we moved from Sumner to Clermont where little Claud died and was buried. We soon after moved to Oelivein where I taught during the winter of 79 and 80 and Mr. Quivey acted as agent for a book firm. Arthur and Grace both went to school to me. In the Spring following I taught in the Normal Institute at New Hampton, and during my stay at that place (the home of my parents, brothers and sister) my mother passed quietly away, while asleep. She was nearly 79 years of age and was very feeble. Always a loving mother, an intelligent industrious and noble woman, she left behind a memory of nothing but good. If we reflect upon the inestimable value of such a mother we can truly appreciate the beauty of the Psalmist's expression, when he compares himself laboring under extreme grief, to he "who mourneth for his mother".

"After filling my engagement as instructor at New H., I went back to my home at Oelivein and as my husband wished to go farther west to begin the practice of Law, we packed our household goods and removed to Humboldt, Humboldt, Co., Iowa where I secured a position in the public schools, and he opened a law office. Our home there was very pleasant, each taking pleasure in our work, and happy in our love and the love of the two dear children left us.

"Still another trial came soon. I was summoned to the home of my dear father in April 1881 to see him die. I went, taking Grace with me. Dear father's sickness and death was that of a true Christian. He talked of his departure as calmly as if he were going to a home on earth to meet loved ones. After the funeral, I went back to "papa" and Arthur. I resigned my position in school, as I was worn out and sick with watching and sorrowing.

"I taught in the Institute that fall, and did what I could to aid in "getting Ahead", but we concluded we were not far enough West to accumulate property, and in April, 1884 we moved to Neiligh, Nebraska, a poor move throughout. Suffice it to say, we managed to use up all we had and made nothing. Arthur got work in the "Leader" office as typo. Grace improved some in her music and little Zoe, a little darling who was given us March 16, 1883 was like an angel in our home. Why did I pass so lightly over the period of our darling's birth? Never were hearts made more joyful, never was home so blessed, as was ours that cold March morning, when the little mite was place in my arms. And I was again a mother.

"November, 1884. I secured a position as principal of the Plainview, (Nebraska) schools and with Grace and Zoe, took the train for that place, leaving Arthur and papa to bring the goods by wagon. Here papa opened a law office and was very successful, securing the election as County Attorney the following Spring. I enjoyed my work as teacher and became so attached to the people of Plainview that I was sorry to leave, when the duties of my hsuband's office compelled us to move to the county seat, Pierce. I resolved never again to teach, but upon my arrival in Pierce I was besieged by the school board and was almost forced to finish a term as their principal had resigned. I taught ten weeks with good results, and then retired from the work, never again to resume it."

Jane Cynthia Babcock Quivey was "well built" according to her daughter-in-law, Zella Quivey. She weighed in at 183 when she married William W. Quivey and reached 209 in later life. She was the "Poet Laurette" of the family, and was pretty good at prose, as can be seen from the above statements she made concerning her own life. The Quivey family lived in Pierce until 1909 when they made one more move together to Mitchell, Nebraska at the urging of Zoe and her husband, Jacob Ummel. She died of a stroke there on April 1, 1913.

Received from Michael Wilson of Salt Lake City, Utah on 12 March 1997