52 Photos Week 1: Beginnings
Ivy Belle Porter was the first child of Martin Miller and Mary Dutcher Porter. She was born August 17, 1884, in Momence, Illinois, making them parents for the first time. Ivy went to Momence rural schools and graduated from Momence High School in 1903, one of the first graduating classes.
Ivy's graduation picture
Ivy attended Northwestern University and Indiana State Normal University and became a teacher, teaching in Illinois and in Newton County, Indiana, also in Lake Village and Kentland, Indiana.
The above picture is dated February 1, 1912, and is Ivy's wedding picture to Harry D. Brunner of Kentland. I think we are on a third or fourth new beginning.
Ivy and Harry had their first child, Margaret Virginia on April 7, 1919. I am sure they were thrilled to death with their new baby girl, but on March 20, 1920, Margaret died. Their second daughter, Margaret was born September 7, 1922.
All of this time, Ivy and her husband were moving around, farming property that they did not own.
It was after the 1940 Census when they were finally able to purchase their first home near LaCrosse, Indiana. From there they moved into LaCrosse where they were living in October of 1958 when Ivy became very ill and died on December 9, 1958.