The Journals of Miss Minnie Ranslow: Taney County Pioneer

At a young age, Emma Ranslow encouraged her daughter Minnie, to write a journal of her life. These journals, written on school tablets, provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of a rural Taney County, Missouri pioneer family from the late 1800's to the mid 1940's. In 1904 a tragic fire destroyed their home and seriously burned George Ranslow. These injuries limited his ability to work the farm and chores fell on children Court and Minnie. Rheumatoid arthritis forced Court to spend the last few years in a wheelchair or bed and Minnie to take care of the farm for the last nineteen years of her life. Minnie was devoted to her family, Christian life, friends and neighbors. She loved the many flowers she grew, and reading, often several times, her large collection of books. Financially, Minnie struggled. Her livelihood depended on the sale fruit, cream, eggs, timber, and the sale of land to the government. She had long periods of loneliness, especially in the later years. Her last known journal entry was October 31, 1948, almost nine years before her death.