Mrs. Mary Graham, 90, died July 2 after a long illness.
Born in Germany, she came to Michigan when a baby with her parents and was married in 1884 to Albert Adrian.
They lived in Alpena, Michigan until 1912 when the family moved to Secretan, Sask., to take up land. Mr. Adrian died in 1915 and in 1920 she married John Graham, who died a few years later. In 1934 Mrs. Graham came to Rocky Mountain House to live with her daughter, Mrs. W. Teskey. Another daughter, Mrs. Albert Rodgers lives in Rocky, one in Secretan, one in Crescent, B.C., and two in Alpina, Michigan. There are four sons, Fred and Albert Adrian of Rocky Mountain House, one in Nebbs, Sask., and one in Secretan.
Excerpt from The Calgary Herald, July 27, 1954, page 10

Alberta Death Index
Name: M. Sophie Graham
Death: 02 July 1954; Rocky Mtn. House
Birth: 18 May 1864; Germany
Reg. #1954-08-004812∼Mary Sophia Arlt, daughter of Johann Arlt and Henriette Von Koch was born 18 May 1865 in Röskau, Kreis Karthaus, West Prussia. The Mirchau, Kreis Karthaus, West Prussia parish records [Film # 0208443] show Marie Hermine Sophie Arlt was baptized 27 May 1865. Godparents: Johann Friedrich Podewitz, Hermine Domrock from Röskau, Sophie Koch from Mirchau.

The next year, she with her parents emigrated from Prussia to America. The family settled in near Alpena, Michigan. In the 1880 U.S. Federal Census, 15 year-od Mary is listed as "servant girl" in the home of Hugh and Annie Gordon.

On 02 Oct 1884, Mary was united in marriage with Augustus 'Gus' Karl Heinrich Adrian, son of Karl and Karoline (Klee) Adrian, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alpena, Michigan. They made their home in Long Rapids Township, Alpena County, Michigan. The Lord blessed the farm couple with eleven children, but one passed away at birth.

Early in 1907, Gus became seriously ill and despited the attention given by doctors, he passed away on 26 Feb 1907 at the age of only 45 Years, 1 Months, 15 Days. He was buried next to their infant daughter Maria Caroline in the Long Rapids Township Cemetery.

The following article appeared in the "Alpena News" in July, 1910:

"Mrs Mary S Adrian and seven children, ranging in ages from five years old upwards, and her daughter, Mrs William Teskey and baby, all of Long Rapids Township-- ten persons, all of the same family, in the party--started Saturday on a long journey to their future home in the province of Saskatchewan in the Canadian Northwest.

"Henry Adrian and William Teskey, son and son-in-law of Mrs Adrian, have been out in that country since May 14th last, preparing farm homes for mother, wife, and the little ones. They have taken up government homesteads in that country, said to be the richest and most promising agricultural district in the world, and have sent for their families. At the present time, we presume, that is a wild and unsettled country, and being transplanted from Long Rapids, it will be a lonesome place for them or a time.

"But, we are told, that country is settling up rapidly mostly by Americans, where the government land is free to the homesteader with prospects of bounteous harvests, and that a network of railroad systems are already building throughout that country which will soon afford the pioneer inhabitants of Saskatchewan a convenient outlet to civilization and the markets of the world, inspires the adventurous immigrant with high hopes for the future.

"Mrs Mary Adrian is the widow of Gus Adrian who died in Long Rapids about four years ago, leaving her with a house full of children to mourn the loss. But, fortunately for Mrs Adrian she has good boys, full of life and strength and hopeful ambition, who promise to stand by their mother and the little ones to the end, or until their efforts in braving the hardships and privations of frontier life shall be crowned with success and happiness.

"Their post office address, in that 'Land of the Midnight Sun', is Mortlach, Saskatchewan."

Mary passed away on 02 July 1954, in Clearwater County, Alberta, Canada. Her body was laid to rest in Rocky Mountain House Cemetery, Alberta, Canada.