To: Sophronia Troupe – Seneca Co., Fostoria, Ohio
From: Maria Beuchat – Kendallville, IN (Noble Co)
Envelope – yes
Dear Friend, Dec 16, 1875
It is with pleasure that I take my pen in hand to let you know that we are all well. Hoping those few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing.
Well Frona, {Sophronia Troupe} you must excuse me for not writing sooner. For I had no writing paper. But I was glad to hear from you and to get your picture.
Well, I got home at last. I got home last Monday to stay for a while.
Mary Extell buried her youngest boy last Saturday. He was buried at the Western Chapel. It seems hard for Mary to part with Father Huston and child in less time then one year.
Well I have not seen Eliza {Lydia Ann Eliza Hutchins} for a long time but I am expecting her here a Christmas.
Well I seen Manerva Milbern the next week after she come home from there. She told me that she seen you and that you and her had a nice time. I wished that I could been there with you, but I couldn’t be so I hope you will come and see us again.
Father {Francis Beuchat} is going to build a new house next summer and then if you come here, we would have a good visit.
I suppose that you have heard that Barbery (Barbara) Ann Ingler was married about two weeks ago?
I was to writing school last night, but I did not have a very good time for there wasn’t many there.
Well, I hope you will have a good time a Christmas. We are a going to have Turkey and Oysters for our Christmas dinner.
We’ll have a Weden (Wedding?) about two miles from here a Christmas in the Luthern Church but I don’t think I will go.
Well, it is bedtime so I must bring my letter to a close for this time. I will send you my picture if I can get it taken this week. If I can’t get to town this week, I will sent it to you in the next letter.
Excuse my mistakes and poor writing. Write soon and I will try to do better the next time. Write soon. I still remain your Friend. Good bye.
Maria Beuchat to Sophronia Troupe
NOTE: Maria Elizabeth Beuchat was Sophronia’s future Sister-In-Law
Maria married Frank Wiltrout. Later in years, her husband built a round barn on their farm. He died before it was finished so Maria finished it for him. It still stands today. It is located in DeKalb Co, north of U.S. 6 (Corunna, Indiana). Very close to Indian Lake.