Withee, Louisa A. Wood, 1841-

Diarist of La Crosse, Wis.

Louisa A. (Wood) Withee of La Crosse, Wis. and Helen Adelia (Wood) Manville were sisters. Helen Manville toured Europe and sent many letters home to Louisa (1890). Louisa's son, Haskell, also travelled in Europe at time Manvilles were there and corresponded with Louisa. Helen's daughter, Marion, married Charles Pope, an American businessman working in South America. Much of Mrs. Pope's correspondence is from Chile and Argentina (1909-1913). Subject matter is chiefly family homes, Chilean earthquake (1909) and American business prospects. Both Helen Manville and her daughter were published authors. Mrs. Manville published "Heart Echoes" (1875) under name Nellie A. Mann. Marion Pope published "Over the Divide and Other Verses" (1888), "Up the Matterhorn in a Boat" (1897) and "Between Two Goals" (1917).

Biography

Ancestors of Louisa Withee's husband were farmers in Wisconsin and it is of interest that a town in that state bears their name. Louisa Withee remained in Wisconsin her entire life. Louisa's sister, Helen Wood Manville, and Helen's daughter Marion, were widely-traveled published authors. Helen Manville's (1839-1912)collected poetry appeared as Heart Echoes (1875). Marion Manville Pope (1859-1930)published Over the Divide and Other Verses (1888), Up the Matterhorn in a Boat (1897) and Between Two Goals (1917). In 1891 Marion Manville married Charles Pope, an American businessman working in South America, and Helen Manville moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Chile. In 1911 Pope concentrated his business activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Charles Pope made lengthy business trips to New York and London on some of which his wife and mother-in-law joined him. Most of their contact with Louisa Withee and other Wisconsin relatives, however, was by mail. It is not clear from this correspondence what Charles Pope's business was, although one might guess that he was involved in the import trade. Helen Manville seems to have been torn between living with her daughter in South America and remaining in Wisconsin near family. This issue was resolved only by her death (1912). Louisa Withee's son, Haskell, also figures in the correspondence since he was spent some time in Europe with the Popes.