Note: Many of the events mentioned lack specific dates. This timeline is organized by estimated year, assuming Edna's memories written in the 1980s are largely accurate.
Early 1860s:
1861-1865: The Civil War takes place. Elizabeth Melville Goddard (Edna's future mother), around four years old, witnesses Native Americans passing through New Madrid, County on their way to reservations.
1880s:
1887: Macedonia Methodist Church is organized.
1890s:
1890: Edna Williams is born in Scott County, Missouri.
1890: Macedonia School is organized.
~1895: Five-year-old Edna attends a large interdenominational religious camp meeting near the Marquette Plant, south of Cape Girardeau.
~1895-1896: Edna’s family is visited by a mysterious man on Christmas Eve who claims to have seen their Christmas tree from the road.
Early 1900s:
1900: Edna’s younger brother, Myrl Claude Williams, is born.
1903 or 1904: Edna, around 14, enjoys a memorable Easter picnic to Graysboro with fellow members of the Macedonia Church.
1904:The town of Edna, Missouri (later Fornfelt, now Scott City) is founded. It's named after Edna Fornfelt, granddaughter of a pioneer citizen.
The first school in Edna is held in the city hall, with Edna's sister, Lois Williams (later Mrs. Grover Smith), as the first teacher.
Illmo, Missouri, is founded, its name derived from "Illinois" and "Missouri."
The first businesses are established in Edna, including a jewelry store owned by Mr. Pickhorn and a general store called A & D Schiefer, owned by brothers Ed and Dana Schiefer.
Dr. Shell Hutton arrives from Kelso and Dr. G.S. Cannon from Grays Point to practice medicine in Edna.
1905:Edna moves to the town of Edna.
Edna drives a mule-drawn wagon full of women to pick blackberries in a lane near the Krieger farm.
The Weilputz Bros. opened a bakery in Edna.
The Scott County Kicker reports on various events in Edna, including a burglary at the Baudendistel store.
Illmo is incorporated.
1906:The town of Ancell, Missouri, is founded.
A skating rink opens in Illmo.
M.F. Roth and Mr. Eifert establish a grocery store in Illmo.
1907:The first New Year's Eve party is held in the new school building in Fornfelt. Edna attends, witnessing the popularity of the "Two-Step" dance.
A memorable Easter Sunday service is held in a small white frame church on a hillside in Fornfelt.
1910s:
1910: The skating rink in Illmo closes, replaced by a moving picture show.
1911:Ancell is incorporated.
St. Joseph Catholic Church is organized in Illmo.
The first Methodist Church of Illmo is organized.
1912:The "Ark" building is constructed in Illmo by J.P. Lightner.
The Illmo town hall burns down.
Two furniture stores operate in Illmo: one owned by J.C. Drake and the other by Mr. Scroggins (later sold to Billingham, then Boardman).
B.E. Wadley starts a pressing shop in Illmo.
1916:M.F. Roth repurchases the grocery store he co-founded in Illmo, renaming it the Model Grocery.
Illmo Christian Church is organized.
1920: The Kroger Baking and Grocery Company opens a store in Illmo.
1920s:
~1922: Edna’s daughter, Valma Drexler, graduates from Fornfelt High School.
~1924: Edna’s daughter, Ruth Drexler, begins her teaching career.
1926: Macedonia Methodist Church disbands.
1930s:
1930: Gebhart Martin's bakery in Illmo is destroyed by fire but rebuilt soon after.
~1933: Edna’s sister, Elizabeth “Libby” Melville Goddard Williams, passes away.
1934:The parsonage of the Methodist Church in Illmo burns down and is rebuilt.
Edna writes a note about the pioneer log cabin on her farm near Illmo.
1939: Edna writes a letter to the Everyday Magazine of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch expressing her admiration for Eleanor Roosevelt.
1940s:
1947: William Mark Anthony Drexler, Edna's husband, passes away in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
1980s:
1980s: Edna writes letters to the editors of local newspapers The Jimplicute and The Scott County Democrat, sharing her memories of early life in Scott County.\
1986: Edna Williams Drexler passes away in Evansville, Indiana, at the home of her daughter, Valma Cabage.
1990s:
1997: Edna's son, Claude Drexler, passes away in Scott County, Missouri.
2000s:
2002: Edna's youngest daughter, Ruth Drexler Komis, passes away in Evansville, Indiana.
2008: Edna's oldest daughter, Valma Drexler Cabage, passes away in Crown Point, Indiana.