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Portage, Sept. 20th, 1880. Dear John: I very gladly received your letter of Aug. 15th from Alaska, and hope you will be
able to make your proposed trip and return home safely. I have been much longer in writing to you than usual, but there has
been so very much going on here -- enough to excuse me. About the first of Aug. Joanna returned home from Hamilton, her father
and Mr. Brown accompanying her. Her marriage took place on the first of Sept., about thirty being present, mostly our own
folk. The Baptist minister performed the service, assisted by the Presbyterian minister. We could not think our company complete
while you and your wife were absent. Joanna and Mr. Brown did not start for their new home until the 11th inst. Your father
went with them. He intends to live with them, but I preferred spending the winter in Portage, so Annie remains with me. Margaret
expects to leave Portage in Oct. for Neb. I feel sorry to have them all leave us. You can have no idea of the fine appearance
of Annie and Jessie -- they are very nice girls and both graduates of the High School, and better still, they are both Christians,
so their influence will be for good wherever they may be settled. Mary has a baby boy two months old, and she has named him
Wheler Gilrye, after his two grandmothers. All the Galloway family were in Portage last week attending the County Fair, only
Sarah staid at home. Anna G alloway got two premiums for apples and bread and her father had three premiums for wheat he had
there. With love to you and your wife, and hoping that God will bless and keep you always, Affectionately, Mother 520