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Portage, Wisconsin, Box 356, Feb, 21, 1882. Dear John, I gladly received your letter of January 2d telling us of your
welfare, also of your family and home. From what you write I think you are preparing to stay more at home than you have done
heretofore, and I am glad of it. I trust your little girl will be spared to be ever a joy and happiness to you all. Your
father came home about Christmas and stayed until Joanna and Walter Brown came, to make us a visit on their way South, and
when they left he accompanied them. His health is quite good, although he is still quite lame. Letters from Joanna tell us
of their safe arrival there and all well. Their house is ready for them, but their furniture had not yet arrived. I think
I must give you a little information concerning Mr. Brown's business. He is one of a company of wealthy men that have bought
largely of pine lands, and have erected a sawmill, a store, and boarding house, and employ over 20 men. There is no settlement
very near them. They have applied for a postoffice, and expect one soon. I hope they will succeed in their new undertaking
as well as they expect. We have had a visit from Willis Hand. He had business at Madison and Milwaukee, and could not stay
long in Portage. Mary Hand and the boy are very well. The teacher in the school in Sarah's district took sick, and Annie
has gone to finish up her term. This leaves me quite alone for a few weeks, but I have very near neighbors and a very comfortable
house, and am not lonesome either by day or night. I have a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. We had an article
of yours printed in the Register, paper of Portage, last week. It was written at Plover Bay, Siberia about the coal mines
and about the Point Barrow Station. It was very interesting and many of our friends are much gratified, Joanna among the rest,
as they take that paper. I sent you a Christmas card, but I rather think it has not reached you. Mr. Parry is again a member
of the Legislature at Madison.He gets home Friday nights and goes off again Monday mornings. This keeps David in the store
very closely, but he is very well at present. Our friends are well as usual.Hoping to hear from you soon, and with much love
to you and your wife and daughter; hoping God's blessing will ever rest upon you all, Lovingly, Mother 525