Mary Monroe

Notes:

Ref: "History and Genealogy of the Lexington, Mass. Munroes", 2nd ed. by R. S.
Munroe - Florence, Massachusetts (1986) -13-8/11-81

b. 8 Nov. 1837, eldest child of Judge J.R. and Fanny (Rawson) Monroe. d. 20 Sep 1872. (Typhoid fever)

Family/Spouse: J. Rinaldo Foote. J. was born about 1835; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: "History and Genealogy of the Lexington, Mass. Munroes", 2nd ed. by R. S.
Munroe - Florence, Massachusetts (1986) -13-8/11-81-1

Oliver was only twelve years old when his mother Mary Monroe Foote died of typhoid fever in September 1872. J. R. Foote, Oliver's father, became incapacitated so Oliver went to live with his uncle C. J. Monroe in South Haven. In 1876 at age sixteen, Ollie, as he was called, went to work at his uncle's bank. Charles Jay Monroe, it is said, looked upon his nephew with all the affection of a father. Another uncle, L. S. Monroe, only nine years older than his nephew was also very fond of him. Oliver Foote was said to have been a splendid young man in every respect. Oliver did very well at the Bank of South Haven. His proud uncles were grooming their favorite for a top managerial post there when much to the sorrow of the entire community Oliver R. Foote was drowned in Lake Michigan in July 1882. Oliver was an expert swimmer and boat handler. When the small rowboat in which he had escourted Miss Kittie Underwood, a young lady visitor from Aurora, Illinois capsized, Oliver went to the rescue of Kittie. When the waves carried the boat beyond their reach, their fate was sealed. Oliver was one of the most popular people in South Haven. His tragic death in the twenty-second year of his life was a bitter blow felt by the whole community. It had a profound effect on the Monroe family for many years.