Bess Whiteley

Notes:

Bessie was the daughter of Henry and Luella (Piper) Whiteley. She adopted the name Bessie Kennedy Whiteley from a loved minister. She was called "Grega" by her grandchildren. It was the closest approximation to the word grandmother by her oldest grandson when he began talking.

The following is from a column written by her brother Hal Whiteley at the time of her death. It appeared in the Presque Isle County Advance on 18 Jul 1963.

The recent death of my sister Bess Monroe brings back many memories. I was the youngest member of the Whitely family. I had curls until I managed to cry them off after quite a struggle. Father and Mother and all the other children, my brother Harry, my sister Grace and my sister Bess, all poured their love on the youthful child, Harold. Now they are all gone. I am the last of the family.

My sister Bess and I were the youngest of the Whiteley family. I remember when we came to Millersburg we roamed the woods and followed the streams to the lakes. It was an easy trip up the Ocqueoc River to the Bernhart Lakes. Bess was a good shot with a 22 rifle. We ran logs together on the river when the drives were coming down.

We were sent to Howe, Indiana to go to school and lived there with elderly Aunt Ellen. Schools in Millersburg at that time were not too hot. Bess graduated from high school. I had to quit after finishing the eleventh grade as our father had passed away and I had to go to work.

Bess was quite a rebel, a non-conformist. She probably caused more trouble to the Howe school system than they have ever had, before or since. I remember that in her senior year as she was about to graduate she was expelled from school. Bess and another girl in the class initiated what was perhaps the first skip day. The entire class took off without leave and went on a picnic. the ring leaders were called on the carpet by an irate board of education.

The president of the board called upon my Aunt Ellen to tell her of the dreadful thing her niece had done. He ran right into a buzz saw. Maybe Aunt Ellen didn't approve entirely but she wasn't going to let anybody trample on her kin. I remember (I was behind the door listening) that she remarked, "When you were young didn't you ever have a desire to rattle the old bones a little?" All the members of the school board had whiskers enough so they didn't have to wear neckties. The board president left with a red face, the two girls were reinstated and graduated, and no doubt the board was relieved when Bess left for good.

I think that all the Monroe children will remember their home as one filled with love, laughter and other children. Frank Ware, who lived in the neighborhood, said to me the other day, "I always remember the Monroe house. All the kids in the neighborhood could, and did, go there and were welcome."

In later years as the children went out on their own and the family circle grew, the Monroe house was still large enough for all. It was that way to the end. Happily, Bess was not alone. Beth was always with her.

In the evening of life she had a long illness, but it was one in which she suffered no pain and no anxiety. When the call came it was gentle, while she was asleep.

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Bess married Neil Campbell Monroe, M.D. on 5 Sep 1905 in Millersburg, Presque Isle Co., Michigan, USA. Neil (son of Hugh Cowan Munro and Nancy Ferguson Campbell) was born on 10 Dec 1870 in Aldborough, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada; died on 26 Feb 1949 in Rogers City, Presque Isle Co., Michigan, USA; was buried on 1 Mar 1949 in Cass City, Tuscola Co., Michigan, USA, (Elkland Township Cemetery). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Neil Campbell Monroe was born on 16 Aug 1906 in Millersburg, Presque Isle Co., Michigan, USA; died on 27 Oct 1906 in Millersburg, Presque Isle Co., Michigan, USA; was buried in 1906 in Millersburg, Presque Isle Co., Michigan, USA.
2. Donald Mortimer Monroe was born on 2 Nov 1907 in Millersburg, Presque Isle Co., Michigan, USA; died on 10 Apr 1962 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan, USA; was buried on 14 Apr 1962 in Rogers City, Presque Isle Co., Michigan, USA.
3. Margot Grace Monroe was born on 11 Sep 1910 in Millersburg, Presque Isle Co., Michigan, USA; died on 22 Jul 1991 in Rogers City, Presque Isle Co., Michigan, USA; was buried in Jul 1991 in Rogers City, Presque Isle Co., Michigan, USA.
4. Beth Monroe was born on 1 Jul 1912 in Millersburg, Presque Isle Co., Michigan, USA; died on 6 Jan 2004.
5. Robert Whiteley Monroe was born on 11 Jan 1914 in Millersburg, Presque Isle Co., Michigan, USA; died on 31 Dec 1973 in Wyandotte, Wayne Co., Michigan, USA; was buried on 4 Jan 1974 in Flat Rock, Wayne Co., Michigan, USA, (Michigan Memorial Park Cemetery).

Notes:

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA