Margaret Elizabeth "Pearl" Osborne Page (1879-1943)

Pearl circa 1910

My great-aunt Margaret Elizabeth Osborne was known as Pearl. My mother absolutely adored her Aunt Pearl and talked about her all the time. Evidently the love was mutual; by all accounts, Pearl, who had no children, doted on her nieces and nephews and celebrated every little triumph in their lives and commiserated with them over every little tragedy. Pearl was also very generous. I suspect that my mother was able to have the wedding of her dreams thanks to Aunt Pearl, and I know that Pearl slipped my parents the occasional cash gift when they were struggling newlyweds.

Margaret Elizabeth Osborne,
circa 1880

Margaret Elizabeth was born in Laramie, Wyoming, on November 3, 1879. She was the first child born to my great-grandparents Maggie and Mac Osborne. She had a built-in big sister in Alma, Mac’s daughter from his first marriage. Pearl’s was followed by that of her two little 

From left clockwise: Julia, Pearl, Alma,
Georgia Osborne, circa 1890

sisters—my grandmother Julia Ella Osborne in 1881 and my great-aunt Georgia McDowell Osborne in 1885. Pearl’s dad Mac died tragically in a railroad accident right before Georgia was born. Soon after Mac’s death, Maggie, still pregnant with Georgia, moved the family to Silver Plume, Colorado, where Maggie’s mother and sister were living. Eventually the family moved to Los Angeles to start a new life.

As I’ve written before, the Osborne sisters were extremely close throughout their lives. They all married but continued to live close to each other—all the better for the many joyous family gatherings, usually at Alma’s house.

Maggie Osborne, Pearl and Ralph Page,
circa 1925

Pearl married Ralph Page in 1916 when she was 37. I don’t know much about their relationship, but from what I know about Uncle Ralph, I’m not sure he made Pearl very happy. He was known to have a roving eye—particularly for the young girls—which must have been a terrible trial for Pearl. I have no doubt that she knew. Perhaps I’m imagining it, but in the later pictures of Pearl, I see a tinge of sadness, like a passing shadow on a sunny day. She certainly never let on anything about what burdens she might have carried. Her letters to my mom, as the years went by and my physical distance intervened, are filled with expressions of love for her family and an abiding faith in God’s blessings in her life.

Pearl died of breast cancer on July 3, 1943. I’m sure the family mourned deeply at the loss of their beautiful sister and aunt. I think the world was a better place for her having been in it for 63+ years, my dear Aunt Pearl of the sweet countenance.

Warren Alfred Robinson (1899-1994)

Throwing back about 100 years: My second cousin 1x removed, Warren Alfred Robinson (1899-1994). I don't think I ever met Warren, so I had to consult Ancestry.com to figure out more about the adorable little boy on the left and the handsome soldier on the right. Warren was born in Colorado to Harry Robinson and Margaret Lucy Roberts, my first cousin 2x on my mother's side. He was a student at the University of Colorado during WWI, according to his draft card. By 1920, he had moved to South Pasadena, CA, to join his parents and the rest of my mom's large, welcoming clan of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Warren joined the service in 1923 and became a career Army man. During his Army years, he and his family lived in Bellevue, Nebraska, and Hilo, Hawaii, according to the 1930 and 1940 censuses. Eventually Warren moved back to California, living out his last days in Riverside. I have no idea what kind of many Warren was, but if these pictures are any indication of the soul of the man, I think I would have liked him very much.

Roberts Family Picnic

Throwing back to around 1910 or so, below Troutdale, CO. Not sure who everyone is, but I know that my 1st cousins 2x removed Ruth (standing) and Maggie (sitting) Roberts are in the middle of the picture. Looks like a fun-loving group.

Grandma's Peaches

This one's from 1908 in South Pasadena: On the left is Dot Grier, my mom's first cousin; on the right is Alma Grier, Dot's mom and my mother's aunt. The picture was made into a postcard, evidently a common practice back in the day, and Alma's sister Pearl has written something about "Grandma's peaches" on it. I'm not sure I've ever seen peaches grow on a vine, but Pearl was a truthful soul, so I'll take her word for it.

Another Family Gathering

Throwing back to circa 1928: A family gathering of Griers, Croziers, Majors, Osbornes, and Pages. That's my mom on the far left. On the far right are Aunt Alma and Uncle Ed Grier (my great-aunt and great-uncle). Uncle Ed owned a cannery, and he and Alma loved to gather the family together at their place in Pomona, CA. There is hardly a picture to be found of the Griers that doesn't include a dog. The dog in this pic is NOT dead, by the way. He's probably worn out from all the attention from my animal-loving family.

John George Long

Uncle John c1876

Uncle John c1890

My great-grand-uncle John George Long (1854-1916) was born in Missouri and grew up in Kansas. Uncle John spent much of his life working gold mines in Wyoming and California. He also worked for a while on the streetcar line in Los Angeles. Like so many of my relatives, he ended up in California after moving around from place to place, always chasing the American dream.