Letter: Anna Jones Borroff to Gertrude Seiberling

Letter

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Name/Title

Entry/Object ID

A 2025.12.b1.f7.9ab

Description

[a] The writer starts by wishing Gertrude a happy year. She then explains that she thinks Gertrude fits the description of a person born in January according to a book Irene sent her. She talks about life and having a good attitude regarding problems and finding solutions. She talks about Albert and her children. She explains how she'll leave the children alone to go sing on Sundays. She'll make dinner the night before and the children will warm up the food Sunday so it's ready when she returns from church. She mentions a Miss Larson who teaches the children "many things" in the summer. She describes home life for the children, saying it is happy. She mentions a "beautiful verse" on a Christmas card sent by Franklin and says he is following after Gertrude. She says she thought of the whole Seiberling family around Christmas and describes them as a "truly American family". She wishes she had started earlier and had more children. She mentions Stan Hywet and a housekeeper there that said "Gertrude and Mr. Seiberling are the most wonderful thing about the whole place". She mentions recieving a book from Penfield and Harriet. She also mentions a card from Irene with a picture of herself and the baby. She then talks about her father, who is in poor health. She mentions a program and Henrietta singing. She ends the letter hoping to meet with Gertrude soon. [b] The ink stamp is smudged. On the envelope flap there is a stamped message in purple ink that reads, "Received unsealed at Chicago P.O. M.D. No. 1".

Subject Person/Organization

Borroff, Anna Jones Rankin, Seiberling, Gertrude Penfield

Collection

PERMANENT COLLECTION

Cataloged By

Katrina Neff

Acquisition

Accession

A 2025.12

Source or Donor

Unknown

Acquisition Method

Found

Letter Details

Letter Date

Jan 25, 1926 - Jan 26, 1926

Postmark

Date and Time of Postmark

January 26, 1926 at 11AM

Postmark Place

City

Chicago

State/Province

Illinois

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Stamp

Red, depicts George Washington, and cost 2 cents

Sender

Name

Anna

Addressee

Name

Mrs Frank A. Seiberling

Address

Stan Hywet Hall North Portage Path Akron, Ohio

Primary Language

English

Transcription

Jan. 25th 1926. My dear Gertrude – This is late but full of sincere good wishes for a happy year, and as always, gladness that my life came in touch with yours. You seem to me to fit the description of those born in January. Which is given in a book Irene sent me. The highest type of souls on the earth. All the abilities and great loving hearts. The days come and go and are filled with duties and joys and sorrows – Is it only youth which thinks it can control time and [illegible]? It seems to me that I grow more and more to believe that “Gods’ in his Heaven and Alls [sic] right with the world.” So make fewer plans and take what comes as being best – All of which means that I’m happier and find life dealing fairly with me. Each problem seems to bring its own solution and only my old habits of worry and fear to be trained out of me. Albert is busy and developing into his best and steadiest self. The children are useful and capable – Several Sundays I have sung as a Substitute and left the three here alone On Saturday I cook the dinner in a steam cooker. They warm it up and set the table so we are ready for a comfortable meal when I come home – They can sew and John does nice work in raffia- Miss Larson teaches them many things in the Summer. They are all musical and we have a happy home life. We all love books and the children skate and walk two miles a day to school – I was so happy over the beautiful verse on Franklins [sic] Christmas card. He surely is following in your steps – Your verses were the most beautiful of all your Christmas greetings. I had a lovely time imagining you and Mr Seiberling with the children and the grand children [sic]. You have a truly American family and will counterbalance the large family of some foreign born people. Sometimes I wish I had begun earlier and had more. Your house was built to shelter and give strength to so many people. They go out with a fine spirit to help the world. For as your housekeeper said You and Mr. Seiberling are the most wonderful thing about the whole place – We had a beautiful book from Pen and Harriet at Christmas written by Pen’s roommate – It surely is charming and was appreciated coming from them – They are two fine people. Irene’s card with hers and the dear baby’s picture was a joy. Isn’t it splendid she is having the normal experiences of a woman – It seems to me the only thing to put people in tune with this life. My father has had a very hard and unhappy time since his stroke the last day of October – He has gained some ability to move his arm and leg but has to be helped – can not eat and does not gain strength – He has nursed and one of my brothers Herman the lame one who lives with him is so tender and loving. I weep when I watch him. Father sent me home to my husband and children but the days are long and I wish I could be with him. My sister is there now She hopes he will recover enough go to California - He is 84 in February. Albert gave me the programme [sic] It is splendid that you had Henrietta sing. I hope she continues to do it. Her voice must be lovely now – the whole programme [sic] must have been delightful. With happy memories of all our past acquaintances and hopes for a speedy meeting. With blessings and honors to you I am your loving. Anna -

Transcriber

Cindi Roke

Language

English

Created By

[email protected]

Create Date

February 24, 2026

Updated By

[email protected]

Update Date

September 30, 2026