For years I have had this pictures in my desk drawer, with a paper clip holding the paper cover with the names of the young men and women listed below, written upon it. I thought that it might be time to help out those whom may need a look at a younger version of one of these individuals. Some here would marry like Alex Buist and Bertha Sorensen, others were cousins all were friends. This photograph was taken in front of the home of Peter Sorensen, a location of 35 South 100 West in Mendon today, will take you to the location of the house that replaced this one some 12 years ago. At least you can see in your minds eye the pride of Mendon, frozen in time for us below in this timespace setting.
This photograph could have been taken on a May Day, or other such celebration, for it was still quite a big deal to have photographs taken at this time. The hats full of flowers and the coat Jane Rose, or Rose Jane Hughes, I have seen it both ways, is wearing tell me of a time when summer is not quite here, early spring could or would be a good guess. This photograph is hand dated to 1898 and as I worked up the names and ages from my PAF database, I noted that we will lose one of the members of this group in 1902. Alfred Irvin (Irwin) Gardner died of pneumonia and left a wife and one child.
Left to Right Back Row: John J. Ladle, Minnie Gardner, A. W. Richards, Anna Sorensen, Alex Buist. Middle Row: Ida Gardner, Nephi Sorensen, Minnie Sorensen, Jack Buist, Janlie Sorensen. Front Row: A. N. Sorensen Jane R. Hughes, Jacob Sorensen, Mary Ann Hughes Bird, Irvin Gardner and Bertha Sorensen.