I've "rescued" an old letter written by Lester W. WHEATLEY of Anita, Iowa to his cousin Herman WHITE of Williamstown, Massachusetts in 1872. The letter reads: Letter to: Mr. Herman WHITE Williamstown, Mass Dated: February 4th, 1872 at Anita Cousin Herman: I received your written in Williamstown, so you got froze out in Chicago. I thought you would get sick of it before spring when I was there, it must have been rather cold. Working out side being on the Lake Shore it has been rather cold here it has been the worst winter so the old settlers say for ten years. They are having a nice winter in Wisconsin so they say at home. I got a letter from John last week, he said he saw M and had a chance to ? which he kindly accepted. I suppose you remember the time we was to Christmas that was what I had refferenced to the same M you called. So you can just imageon he is one of the lost sheep of Isrel or going to be. O you wanted to know if there was any old Lager to be had, there was when I came, it is shut up now the men did not have enny license and they was aprocicated and had a fine to pay. So you see there is one thing we are wiser of. I am going to school we are leavin a very good school ther is a good deal of enjoyment for yong folks their was a leap year party a few nights ago. I got an invitation from a yong lady in town a mer Chants daughter. I tell you what Herman we had fun they firnished team and Bugy came and got the boys. Just done things up Brown. I enjoy myself mutchly. I aint at all sorry for coming out here. I guess they miss one constantly at home especty Orange in the Lumber woods. Why dont harrison write to me the way he promised in when he left Ellisville. Did you get my letter in Chicago. All news is getting rather scarce give my respects to Anta and harrison, be a good bow and keep your knose clean, write soon. Lester W. WHEATLEY what appears where Ive noted ? doesnt look to be letters, but rather a symbol of some sort Based on limited research I believe that the author of the letter was Lester Warner WHEATLEY b. 18 Sept 1853 in Hardwick, Vermont and d. in Atlantic, Iowa. Lester was the son of John Andrew WHEATLEY (b. 1816 in Hardwick, VT and d. 1891 in Marne, IA) and Charlotte E. SKINNER (b. 1827 in Bakersfield, VT and d. 1905 in Marne, IA). Lester Warner WHEATLEY had 6 siblings including Mary Jane; Lottie Etta; Summer Hale; Lydia; John Otis; and Orange W. WHEATLEY. Four of the WHEATLEY children were born in Hardwick, VT and the other 3 in Montpelier, WI. Lester married Laura SHEFFER (b. 1854 in Mercer Co., PA) at Manitowoc Co., Wisconsin and had 12 children including, Ida Ann; Lottie Mae; Etta Blanche; Frank Lester; Lester Harrison; Joseph Henry; Jennie May; Deane M.; Susan Jane; John McKinley; Walter Benjamin; and Grace Laura WHEATLEY. All 12 WHEATLEY children were born in Atlantic, IA between 1874 and 1898. The 1880 census of Brighton, IA included Lester W. WHEATLEY and his wife Lorah WHEATLEY along with two sons, Frank (age 5) and Joseph (age 2), and one daughter, L. WHEATLEY (age 2 months). Lester lists his parents as born in CT and MA respectively with Lorah's parents noted as both having been born in PA. I also find Herman L. WHITE b. 1 July 1845 at Williamstown, MA to parents Timothy Gove WHITE and Arvilla SKINNER. Herman married Kate MOORE on 28 Jan 1872 at Pownal, VT, Kate was b. 1849 at Pownal, VT and d. 27 Jan 1906, Herman died 15 May 1891 in Boston, MA. Herman & Kate had a son Herman L. WHITE II b. 19 June 1874 in North Adams, MA. I'm hoping to locate someone from one of these families so that this wonderful old family letter can be returned to the family. If you are member of either family or know someone who might be, please contact me. Thanks, Shelley