Rosa Nell3 (Mary R.2 McDonnell, Bridget1 Blaney, DanielA) was born in 32 July 1883 in Austin, Cass Co. MO. [1]
Nellie, sadly, was mentally retarded. The 1900 census noted that 16-year old Nellie could not read or write, although she could speak English. [2] Her father's 1918 will appointed George A. Harger, the executor of his estate, as her guardian, noting that she "is of feeble mind." [3]
Nellie lived at home until her parents' death, keeping house for her father after her mother's death. [4] When she was 22, Nellie gave birth to a child out of wedlock, which undoubtedly further contributed to her parents' sorrows and placed an additional burden upon them. [5] Bennie, too, was a problem child. His grandfather's obituary desribed Bennie as afflicted mentally, and stated that he had virtually wiped out his grandfather's bank account with a wild buying spree. This contributed to the financial worries that caused Alexander McDonnell to take his own life. [6]
Nellie McDonnell died in 1939 and is buried in the Austin Cemetery. [7]
Rosa Nell McDonnell had the following child:
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| i. | Bennie Vastine McDonnell was born 25 April 1907, Cass Co. MO. [8] In 1930, when he was 21, he was boarding with Elizabeth Hodges and working as a laborer at bulk oil station. [9] |
