Mary Caroline (Mortensen) Armitage (abt. 1859 - abt. 1950)

Born about 1859 in Denmark

Wife of George Byron Tripp — married 2 Apr 1895 in Battle Creek, Calhoun, Michigan, USA

Biography

From 'Adventist World'

Willie White’s wife, Mary, had died the year before (in 1890), leaving him a widower with two small girls, Mabel and Ella, aged 5 and 9. Since White knew the assignment would be no longer than two years and that he would be doing extensive traveling, he decided to leave the girls behind in the United States under the care of Mary Mortensen. She was a young woman in her early 30s, responsible and loving.

George Byron Tripp (who went by Byron) was born in New York, but moved to Minnesota with his family as a young man. He met and married Amanda McDonald in 1883. By 1886, they had had three children, twins who died shortly after birth, and a son, George. Tragically Amanda died in 1891, leaving Byron to raise his son alone. He went into the ministry working in Minnesota, and eventually accepted a call to become president of the Virginia Conference.

The expected two years had grown to almost four for Ellen White and her son, Willie. Still engaged in the work in Australia, Ellen White had hired a young woman, May Lacey, as her assistant. It was soon evident that Willie was quite smitten with the young woman—she, only 21 years of age, and he, now 40. After a brief courtship, most of which was spent apart, Willie proposed to May. They were married on May 9, 1895.

During the four years apart Willie was a faithful father, writing letters to his two young daughters, as well as to Mary Mortensen. A letter from General Conference president O. A. Olsen reveals that Mary and the girls largely misunderstood the letters from White. Mary believed that the girls’ father was expressing an interest in her that would lead to marriage. She shared this with the girls, who were thrilled, as they had grown very attached to her in the years they had been with her.

When a letter arrived sometime in February 1895 telling of Willie’s engagement to May, his daughters were distraught. So much so that 13-year-old Ella made an appointment with the GC president to tell him of her heartbreak. Olsen describes her as “almost frantic” at the thought of losing Mary.*

The letter from Olsen to White brought an immediate change of plans. Mary, who was to accompany the girls to Australia and work for Ellen White, was now not to come. The girls would travel with other companions, leaving in early April 1895.

In 1894 the way was opened in Africa to establish a new mission station. At the General Conference session in February 1895 Byron Tripp was asked to be the superintendent of the new Matabele Mission. Worried about the care of his son in Africa, Tripp paid a visit to GC president O. A. Olsen. His question to Olsen was “Do you know of someone who might consider becoming my wife?”

Olsen, fresh from his dealings with Mary and the White children, immediately suggested Mary Mortensen. Byron thought the suggestion a fair one, so he proposed. She accepted immediately, and they were married in April 1895, just days after Mabel and Ella White left Michigan for Australia to meet their new stepmother.

Days after the wedding, Byron, Mary, and George sailed for Africa with another couple, W. H. Anderson and his wife. They finally arrived at the mission station in late July and set to work. Dr. A. S. Carmichael soon joined them. In September 1897 Frank B. Armitage, his wife, Anna, and daughter, Violet, age 9, arrived, completing the small group of missionaries.

Three months later, in December, malaria hit the small company. Dr. Carmichael died in February 1898. Byron Tripp died a week later. Soon Anna Armitage died, as did Tripp’s son, George. Left to do the work were the Andersons, Mary Tripp, and Frank Armitage.

Both Mary and Frank desired to continue their service in Africa. In February 1899 Mary Mortensen Tripp and Frank Armitage were married. They continued to work 26 more years in Africa, working in Bulawayo, Somabula, Cape Province, and South Africa. In addition to Violet, they added two daughters of their own.

In 1925 they returned to the United States because of Mary’s failing health, spending eight more years of active work in northern and central California, United States. Mary died in April 1950, having given most of her life to mission service.

https://www.adventistworld.org/three-men-two-marriages-one-mission/

Marriage record of Geo B. Tripp and Mary C. Mortensen

Age (Expanded) 40 years

Birth Year 1855

Birthplace New York

Spouse's Name Mary C. Mortensen

Spouse's Age (Expanded) 35 years

Spouse's Birth Year 1860

Spouse's Birthplace Denmark

Event Date 02 Apr 1895

Event Place Battle Creek, Calhoun, Michigan

Father's Name Geo W. Tripp

Mother's Name Nancy J. Moore

Spouse's Father's Name Jas Mortensen

Spouse's Mother's Name Carrie

Witness Tillie A Mortensen of Battle Creek

Sources

• "Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQ39-PR7 : 4 December 2014), Geo B. Tripp and Mary C. Mortensen, 02 Apr 1895; citing Battle Creek, Calhoun, Michigan, v 1 p 310 rn 3098, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2,342,500.

[McArthur-306 : Ian McArthur - 7 Mar 2018]