Hello All! I have some newly discovered information on our gggrandmother,
Lucinda HARRISON:
Miss Lucinda HARRISON married John ELDER [b 1841 PA] in Clinton co.,
IN on 09 Nov. 1871. Their sons, Noble Butler ELDER was born [1873] in
Clinton co., IN and John William Henry ELDER was born in 1875.
She left her family in IN around the turn of the century to go to Oakland, CA,
where she wanted to start a hospital. [She wanted John to come with her,
but he absolutely refused.]
She appears in the Oakland city directories beginning in 1903, through 1905,
under this listing: "Mrs. Dr. L.M. HARRISON. Private home for the sick, for
ladies before and during confinement, best of care and everything
confidential; 1772 Goss betw. Pine and Wood, W. Oakland. tel. main 274."
Noble took four of his children by train to visit her ca 1905, including our
grandmother, Mary ELDER. Grandmother remembered visiting Lucinda in a huge,
Victorian style house, the hospital was a home for unwed mothers, and that
Lucinda appeared to be very "well-to-do". Apparently, there was some sort of
a major "falling out" that occurred between Lucinda and Noble, he and the
children left, and he never spoke of her again.
Intriguingly, the entry for 1907 lists a Mrs. Leonora M. HARRISON at the same
address, as do all subsequent entries. The 1907 entry is as follows: "Mrs.
Leonora M. Harrison successor to Syndicate Investment Co., Real Estate and
Insurance 3200 Putnam, Fruitvale; res. 1772 Goss, W. Oak." She also appears
in the 1910 and 1914 directories. In 1914, she was living at 1780 Goss. Then
she disappears from the directories.
According to family, she died in Nov 1914. However, there is no Lucinda
HARRISON or Lucinda ELDER listed in the California death index [1905-1939].
Did she die then or perhaps, just move away? Surely there weren't two female
HARRISON doctors running homes for unwed mothers in Oakland at that time. So
why was she using the name "Lenora"? Do these addresses still exist? How
can I find out more about this "investment, insurance, and real estate co."?
Can I access her medical liscense records? Will colleges release information
on students and if so, did all medical colleges at that time allow female
students?
According to family, she was a niece of President Benjamin HARRISON, and
ggranddaughter of President William Henry HARRISON. Grandma Mary's older
brother, John, remembered visiting "Uncle Ben" when he was small. So far, I
haven't been able to establish this link for lack of discovering who her
parents were. All suggestions are welcome.
Loretta