in the family. As these guests were destined to influence at least one generation of the family, the ones whose personal history is outlined in this narrative, it would seem appropriate to mention some of them here. Among the earliest of these was Uncle Hugh Murdock, Mother’s youngest brother. Uncle Hugh married late, but like Father he was especially interested in the sheep raising industry. We know as a young man he spent a great deal of time in the home and around the farm, until he went south and married, and reared a family. Another one of the relatives who was attracted to the farm at this earlier period, was James Little, a nephew of Father’s whose good looks and genial disposition made him a favorite with “Uncle Jim” and “Aunt Martha,” until he left for the west to become a traveling salesman. He later returned to spend most of his declining days at the old homestead. Still another of the “sojourners” was Joseph P. Caldwell, a nephew of Father’s, who found the farm a strengthening influence in his later years. He was the son of Father’s oldest sister (Aunt Betsy) and was almost as old as Father. He was called “Uncle” by the younger children as a mark of affection. Uncle Joe made his home at the farm for more than a dozen years, and became more closely identified with the family than any of the outside relatives. He was friend and mentor to the younger children, and came to love us as though we were his own children, and we had the same filial affection for him. There are others, not members of the family, whom it is a pleasure to remember. 0. N. Potter came to the ,farm, if not by invitation, yet with the approval of Fred, who knew him as an honor graduate of Monmouth College, and who later became a newspaper man in Iowa. In some respects 0. N. Potter was one of the most unique and guileless characters that one could possibly hope to meet. He had reached middle age when he came to the farm and had read everything and had seen everything, yet for some reason, he did not seem able to fit himself into any reasonable scheme of things. His dozen or more years on the farm were perhaps ithe best adjusted tperiod in his life, and therefore the happiest. While able to sit at the head of the table, he was content to sit at the foot, while able to lead, he was content to be led. Here, too, the farm and its pervading influence, could be seen 38
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