Edna's Family:
Edna Williams Drexler (1890-1986): The author of the letters and the central figure in these memories. Edna was a keen observer of life in Scott County, Missouri, with a passion for writing and local history.
Mark Anthony Drexler: Edna’s husband. He was originally from Jonesboro, Illinois.
Pulaski Williams (b. 1855): Edna's father. He worked on the family farm.
Elizabeth "Libby" Melville Goddard Williams (b. 1858): Edna's mother. She was a skilled homemaker and storyteller.
Lois Williams Smith (b. 1887): Edna's older sister. She was the first teacher in Edna (later Fornfelt) and active in the Broadway Methodist Church.
Myrl Claude Williams (b. 1900): Edna's younger brother.
Elizabeth Jane Cunningham (“Aunt Bessie”) (b. 1879): Edna’s adopted aunt.
Valma Drexler Cabage: Edna’s oldest daughter. She followed in her mother and aunt's footsteps, becoming a teacher in Fornfelt, Illmo, and Benton.
Ruth Drexler Komis: Edna’s youngest daughter, also a teacher in local schools.
Residents of Scott County:
Edna Fornfelt: The town of Edna (later Fornfelt) was named after her, though little else is known about her. She was the granddaughter of a pioneer citizen.
Mr. Alden Pinney: The editor of The Scott County Democrat in the years when Edna contributed stories.
Robert G. Whitelaw: Mayor of Edna in 1905.
Bessie Cunningham: Possibly related to Elizabeth Jane Cunningham. Resided on North Sprigg Street in Edna in 1905.
George E. Chappell: Clerk for the City Council in Edna in 1905.
Juanita Losse: Daughter of Al and May Losse, she married into the prominent Tomlinson banking family.
Mr. Bollinger: A butcher who moved his business from Grays Point to Edna.
Mr. Gibson: A shoe repair shop owner in Edna.
The McGaughs: Ran a boarding house in Edna. Nannie and Emma McGaugh attended Sunday School with Edna in 1907.
Al Losse: Ran a saloon and dance hall in Edna with his wife, May.
The Baudendistel Family: Owners of a large general store in Edna that sold a variety of goods. They were also active in the community, with mentions of baptisms and even a new cook.
The Tomlinsons: Prominent family in Edna; ran the local bank.
Mr. Pickhorn: Owner of a jewelry store in Edna.
Emil Steck: A bank teller in Edna, worked in the Emil Hillman building.
The Schiefer Brothers (Ed and Dana): Owned and operated the A & D Schiefer general store in Edna. They moved to Edna from Indiana.
Dr. Shell Hutton: A young doctor who came from Kelso to practice in Edna around 1904.
Dr. G.S. Cannon: A well-respected doctor who moved from Grays Point to Edna and became a community leader, serving on the school board and as mayor.
William Dunger, Sr.: Resident of Fornfelt. His house was located near the site of a former church.
Mr. Rogers: Edna’s Sunday school teacher in Fornfelt in 1907.
Jack and Oscar Estes: Young men who attended Sunday school with Edna in Fornfelt in 1907.
Eva Smith: Attended Sunday school with Edna in Fornfelt in 1907.
Lillian Vasterling: Attended Sunday school with Edna in Fornfelt in 1907.
Clara Ferguson: Attended Sunday school with Edna in Fornfelt in 1907.
The Kriegers: Owned a farm near Edna. The lane leading to their property was a popular spot for blackberry picking.
Jim Greer, Sid Rochelle, Charles Baldridge, Maggie Baldridge, Julia Spradling, Grace Spradling, and Belle Matthews: Young people who participated in an Easter picnic from Macedonia Church with Edna in 1903 or 1904.
Rev. Eaker: A Methodist minister who oversaw the construction of the Broadway Methodist Church.
Julia Spradling Sharp and Bert Sharp: Active members of the Broadway Methodist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. James Finch: Active members of the Broadway Methodist Church.
Mr. Steve Barton: Active member of the Broadway Methodist Church.
Other Individuals:
Eliza Jane Moore Goddard (1822-1904): Edna’s grandmother. Edna read the bible to her.
General Watkins: A historical figure mentioned by Edna in relation to her family's farm. He may have been a previous owner of the land.
Businesses:
Sackman's: Business in Edna in 1905.
Losse Saloon and Dance Hall: Owned and operated by Al and May Losse in Edna.
Coy Drug Store: Located on Main Street in Edna.
The Scott City Bank: Local bank.
Baudendistel's Store: A large general store in Edna owned by the Baudendistel family.
Bollinger Butcher Shop: Located in Edna.
Weilputz Bakery: A bakery in Edna.
A & D Schiefer: A general store in Edna owned by Ed and Dana Schiefer.
The Bank of Edna: Established in 1905.
Illmo Merchantile Company: Early store in Illmo managed by S.R. Fitts.
The State Bank of Illmo: Operated from 1905 until 1927, later reorganized as the Bank of Illmo.
Hubble's Bakery: Established in 1905 in Illmo, later replaced by Martin's Bakery.
Martin's Bakery: Owned and operated by Gebhart Martin, opened in Illmo in 1917, destroyed by fire in 1930 and rebuilt.
O.K. Barber Shop: Established in 1905 by Mr. Cruse in Illmo.
Model Grocery: Grocery store in Illmo, originally co-founded by M.F. Roth and later repurchased by him in 1916.
Kroger Baking and Grocery Company: Opened a store in Illmo in 1920.
Kelso Telephone Company: Telephone company organized in 1906.
Locations:
Scott City, Missouri (formerly Edna, then Fornfelt): The primary location of Edna's memories.
Illmo, Missouri: A neighboring town to Fornfelt.
Ancell, Missouri: Another town near Fornfelt, primarily known as a shipping point.
Commerce, Missouri: The former county seat of Scott County, known for its courthouse grounds where the Scott County Farmers’ organization held picnics.
Grays Point, Missouri: A nearby town from which some residents, like Mr. Bollinger, moved to Edna.
Kelso, Missouri: A town where Dr. Shell Hutton practiced before coming to Edna.
Cape Girardeau, Missouri: Home to the Marquette Plant and a large interdenominational religious camp meeting attended by Edna in her youth.
Graysboro: Location of an Easter picnic attended by Edna and other members of Macedonia Church.
Chalk Bluffs: Bluffs located between Commerce Road and the Mississippi River.
Macedonia Church: A rural Methodist church located on the Commerce Road that played a significant role in Edna’s youth.
Macedonia School: Rural school named after the church.
Broadway Methodist Church: A prominent church in Scott City built during Edna's lifetime.
Thebes Bridge: A railroad bridge across the Mississippi River connecting Illinois and Missouri.
Krieger Farm: A farm near Edna known for its blackberry patches.
These lists provides a glimpse into the community that Edna was a part of and gives context to her vivid memories.