Rozilla

Rose Gilmore was born 15 Jun 1846. (1) Her mother died when she was 16 leaving Rose to care for her sister Rowena age 12 and Etta 7. Her older sister, Rebecca Jane, died the same month as the mother. Her brother Richard was a young man of 20. Rose had attended boarding school for awhile but since her father did not believe in education for women and she was needed at home, she was not allowed to study further.
She married Sam White when she was 25 and had three sons within a ten year period. (2) The men all worked hard on the farm and it is noted that Rose made four pies every day, one for each man in her family. They did take vacations. In 1800 she and Sam went to Niagara Falls. (3)
In 1900, both her father and husband died within three weeks of each other. (4) Her sons were grown and she finally had the time to pursue her own interests.
Five years after her husband died, her son, Earle, built her a home next to his in Dana, and there she resided next to her grandchildren until she died on 12 Mar 1914. (5). Her grandson, Joe White, once requested a painting of The Last of the Mohicans and she painted a scene especially for him. (6)

Quoting from Martha Helt regarding her grandmother. "I have no recollection of Rose so I can only speculate. Pretty, I think she must have been, as her pictures when she was old speak of well-chiseled features, lovely eyes and a rather determined chin. She believed firmly in sunbonnets. Always wore one outdoors and even made E. O. (Earle White, Martha's father) don one when he was a very little boy.

She had been sent to boarding school at the Academy at Bloomingdale run by Dr. Barnabas Hobbs; but as her father did not believe in education for girls, she was not allowed to study further. After her husband died and her children married, Rose turned her creative talents to painting and writing. She enrolled in courses in Indianapolis and Cincinnati and then would come back and paint like mad. As it was her lifetime habit to rise at four o'clock in the morning to do her housework, she had plenty of time."

Sources

(1) Born: 15 Jun 1846

(2) Married: 01 Sept 1871 Newport, Vermillion Co., IN

Salem Methodist Episcopal Church built in 1848 on land directly across from where Eli Lilly now stands on route US 63. This road leads to the Helt's Prairie Cemetery.

San's songbook

Announcement found in scrapbook kept by Grace Shepard

Marriage Notes
From Local Paper
"For several days the latter part of last week our people were on the ? over an event which it was reported would come off on Sunday evening at the M. E. Church. A number of fine white envelopes containing a sheet of purest paper on which was printed ominous words that were interpreted to mean that there was to be a wedding and that a son of Helt's Prairie was to lead to the hymnal alter one of Newport's fair daughter, at the time and place above named, were quietly passed around. And, on Sunday at the close of the morning services, Rev. W. A. Smith announced the event to his congregation.
Seven P. M. was the hour set for the gathering together of the witnesses and at that hour we repaired to the church only to find it already filled to overflowing, with a well dressed and happy company. The seats in the house were mostly given up to the ladies, while the male portion of the audience sought such accommodation as were to be found in the aisles, against the wall and outside the door. At half past seven, the wedding party consisting of Mr. Samuel R. White, the bridegroom, Miss Rose Gilmore, the bride, with the father of the bride and some half dozen relatives, and friends arrived on foot from the residence of Dr. Gilmore the bride's father, and proceeded up the aisles to the altar, where the Rev. W. W. Smith met them and at once proceeded to unite in the body bonds of wedlock, Mr. Samuel White and Miss Rose Gilmore. The ceremony was short and was listened too with marked attention by all in attendance, At its close the Rev. gentleman uttered a short and impressive prayer, asking the blessing of Heaven upon the happy couple. They then received the congratulations of their friends, after which they returned to the home of the bride's father.
Mr. Samuel White is the son of Mr. Enoch Which, a wealthy farmer of Helt's Prairie, in this county, and is himself a well-to-do farmer.
Miss Rose Gilmore, the bride, is the oldest daughter of Dr. John Gilmore, of Newport, - Well known in this and Park county. May connubial happiness, uninterrupted prosperity and the choicest blessing of Heaven always attend Mr. White and his fair Rose."

Wedding announcement from Hoosier State
Thursday, Sept. 7, 1871

(3) In 1880 Sam and Rose took a trip to Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls

(4)
Her father, John Gilmore, died 4 Oct 1900
Her husband, Sam White, died 26 Oct 1900

(5) Obituary of Rose Gilmore

Rose, daughter of Dr. John and Aurelia Gilmore, was born June 15, 1846, died, March 12th 1914, aged 67 years, 8 months and 27 days.
She was born and spent her childhood on a farm four miles northeast of Dana, Indiana. At the time of her mother's death, being the eldest daughter, the care of her father's household fell upon her at the age of sixteen.
In 1865 she removed with her father to Montezuma, later moved to Newport, where she lived until her marriage to Samuel Ryerson White, Sept. 1st, 1871. To this union were born three sons, Clifton G., Earl O., and Milo G. The first four years of her married life were spent near Summit Grove. Then they went to to the Prairie farm one and half miles west of Quaker.
Her husband died Oct. 25th, 1900. In 1905 she moved to Dana where she remained until death.
While living in Montezuma, she united with the Christian church. Soon after her marriage, she, with her husband joined the Methodist church and continued a faithful member.
Her nature led her to the study of literature and art. While yet a girl she wished to take lessons in art, but had not he opportunity. After her family was grown and she was again at leisure she took up these pursuits and was always busy with them. Though for several years living alone, she was never lonely, nor idle, as her splendid library and beautiful paintings in her home prove. Few people at her age take up these things and spend as much time with them as she did. Surely one is rich who has the power to see the beautiful in literature and art as she saw it.
She leaves the three sons, several grandchildren, one brother, Richard Gilmore, and friends to mourn their loss. She was a loving daughter, a true and loving wife and mother and an adored grandmother.
Funeral services were at the Dana Methodist church Saturday forenoon, March 14, conducted by her pastor, Rev. C. E. Beebee. She was buried by her husband in the beautiful Helts Prairie cemetery miles southeast of Dana.

(6) Paintings by Rose Gilmore

Painting by Rose Gilmore

Rose did this painting in 1913. It is about 8 X 10 inches and in possession of Christy Morgan.

Last of the Mohicans

Rose painted this about 1912 for her grandson, Joe White. He was about ten years old at the time and had asked her to copy of picture in one of his favorite books. Painting in now in the possession of Pam Flemming.

Painting by Rose Gilmore

Painting by Rose Gilmore. Painting now in possession of Marilyn Hobbs.