Leonora M. Sheldon was born in Burlingame on December 30, 1857, the first child of O.H. and Charlotte Sheldon. Known to family and friends as "Nora" she was a popular young woman in the social life of the town. She was a member of the Youth Temperance Association and often provided entertainment at the meetings of that organization, as noted in the Osage County Chronicle. From April 11, 1878: "Miss Nora Sheldon will sing a solo next Sunday at the Y.T.A. at the M.E. Church." From April, 25, 1878: "A quartet composed of Misses Nora Sheldon and Eunice Filley and Messrs. Chatfield and Wright sang a selection entitled "The Badge" at the Y.T.A. meeting at the Presbyterian Church." She also attended the normal school in Emporia, KS for a time.
Nora Sheldon, age 20, and Dick Lyons, age 27, were married on May 15, 1878 in the front parlor of her parent's home in Burlingame, KS, the house that in 2003 now serves as Carey Funeral Home. A note in the Chronicle the following week states: "Thanks for a portion of the wedding cake from Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Lyons. All will unite with us in wishing the happy couple a bright future."
Sadly, the well-intentioned wish of a bright future for the young couple would not come to pass. Nora's newlywed happiness would soon be shattered by the rather unexpected death of her beloved father just three months later.
Tragically, Nora herself died on March 14, 1879, just 10 months following her wedding, at the home of her parents. Her death was due to complications of childbirth. Her baby boy also died.
Her husband Dick was devastated by their deaths. He lived to be 90 years old and never remarried. According to a great-niece who lived with him during the last years of his life, "My Uncle Dick often spoke of his late wife Nora and their baby. It always brought tears to his eyes."
Source: Compiled by Heidi Stromgren, Osage City, Kansas, April, 2003.
Nora Sheldon, age 20, and Dick Lyons, age 27, were married on May 15, 1878 in the front parlor of her parent's home in Burlingame, KS, the house that in 2003 now serves as Carey Funeral Home. A note in the Chronicle the following week states: "Thanks for a portion of the wedding cake from Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Lyons. All will unite with us in wishing the happy couple a bright future."
Sadly, the well-intentioned wish of a bright future for the young couple would not come to pass. Nora's newlywed happiness would soon be shattered by the rather unexpected death of her beloved father just three months later.
Tragically, Nora herself died on March 14, 1879, just 10 months following her wedding, at the home of her parents. Her death was due to complications of childbirth. Her baby boy also died.
Her husband Dick was devastated by their deaths. He lived to be 90 years old and never remarried. According to a great-niece who lived with him during the last years of his life, "My Uncle Dick often spoke of his late wife Nora and their baby. It always brought tears to his eyes."
Source: Compiled by Heidi Stromgren, Osage City, Kansas, April, 2003.
Leonora M. Sheldon was born in Burlingame on December 30, 1857, the first child of O.H. and Charlotte Sheldon. Known to family and friends as "Nora" she was a popular young woman in the social life of the town. She was a member of the Youth Temperance Association and often provided entertainment at the meetings of that organization, as noted in the Osage County Chronicle. From April 11, 1878: "Miss Nora Sheldon will sing a solo next Sunday at the Y.T.A. at the M.E. Church." From April, 25, 1878: "A quartet composed of Misses Nora Sheldon and Eunice Filley and Messrs. Chatfield and Wright sang a selection entitled "The Badge" at the Y.T.A. meeting at the Presbyterian Church." She also attended the normal school in Emporia, KS for a time.
Nora Sheldon, age 20, and Dick Lyons, age 27, were married on May 15, 1878 in the front parlor of her parent's home in Burlingame, KS, the house that in 2003 now serves as Carey Funeral Home. A note in the Chronicle the following week states: "Thanks for a portion of the wedding cake from Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Lyons. All will unite with us in wishing the happy couple a bright future."
Sadly, the well-intentioned wish of a bright future for the young couple would not come to pass. Nora's newlywed happiness would soon be shattered by the rather unexpected death of her beloved father just three months later.
Tragically, Nora herself died on March 14, 1879, just 10 months following her wedding, at the home of her parents. Her death was due to complications of childbirth. Her baby boy also died.
Her husband Dick was devastated by their deaths. He lived to be 90 years old and never remarried. According to a great-niece who lived with him during the last years of his life, "My Uncle Dick often spoke of his late wife Nora and their baby. It always brought tears to his eyes."
Source: Compiled by Heidi Stromgren, Osage City, Kansas, April, 2003.
Nora Sheldon, age 20, and Dick Lyons, age 27, were married on May 15, 1878 in the front parlor of her parent's home in Burlingame, KS, the house that in 2003 now serves as Carey Funeral Home. A note in the Chronicle the following week states: "Thanks for a portion of the wedding cake from Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Lyons. All will unite with us in wishing the happy couple a bright future."
Sadly, the well-intentioned wish of a bright future for the young couple would not come to pass. Nora's newlywed happiness would soon be shattered by the rather unexpected death of her beloved father just three months later.
Tragically, Nora herself died on March 14, 1879, just 10 months following her wedding, at the home of her parents. Her death was due to complications of childbirth. Her baby boy also died.
Her husband Dick was devastated by their deaths. He lived to be 90 years old and never remarried. According to a great-niece who lived with him during the last years of his life, "My Uncle Dick often spoke of his late wife Nora and their baby. It always brought tears to his eyes."
Source: Compiled by Heidi Stromgren, Osage City, Kansas, April, 2003.
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