Harper, Ora Mae ^{1 2}

   Another name for Ora was Peel, Ora Mae.

   General Notes:

Melvin Eugene Peel & Ora Mae Harper

Excerpt from the book "My Mother's Diary" written by her son Glenn Russell Peel

Ora was born, in 1892, in the log cabin farm home of her parents in Kent County Michigan. She attended a small one-room school near Labarge and later drove a horse and buggy several miles to continue her education. Shortly after her eighteenth birthday she married a young farmer and they went with his family, to live in the state of Delaware: After a few years they returned to a farm in Mecosta County Michigan, where they spent most of their remaining years. At the relatively young age of twenty-five Ora was stricken with the crippling disease, rheumatoid arthritis. She managed to walk for a few years but was finally confined to a wheelchair where she spent most of her days for the next forty-three years until her death soon after her eightieth birthday in December 1972. Ora was an unfortunate victim of disease but she was very fortunate when she married my Melvin. His name is at the very top of my list of unsung heroes. The patient and devoted care which he gave to Ora during all those years has been a lasting inspiration to all of us who knew him.

In spite of her affliction, Ora was able to maintain her personal dignity as she carried on with the task of managing a home and family. In addition, she always had some useful project going which kept her mind and hands busy. She had a constant interest in the current events of the world and it's people as well as a great love for family and friends. She kept a diary for many years; first writing with pencil on scraps of paper and later copying the events of the day into her diary in ink. She was still writing in her "book" after her hands were so crippled that she had to fasten the pen to her finger with a rubber band.

   Events:

• Front 4 Nov 1910, Avondale, Osceola County, Michigan, USA

Click here for a larger view

• Back 4 Nov 1910, Avondale, Osceola County, Michigan, USA

Click here for a larger view

Ora married Melvin Eugene Peel, son of Adelbert Lucius Peel and Elnora Peel, on 31 Oct 1910 in Caledonia Township, Kent County, Michigan, USA. (Melvin Eugene Peel was born on 5 Apr 1887 in Michigan, USA, died on 19 Dec 1966 in Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan, USA and was buried in Wacousta, Clinton County, Michigan, USA, Wacousta Cemetery.)