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Waupaca November 27th 1853
Dear
Brother
I
received your letter a few days ago and am sorry to hear that you have
been so unfortunate and been laid up so long from buisiness but hope you
may be able to get to work soon.
I would
be glad to assist you if it was in my power to do so but I have al that
I can get along with at present having commenced farming on a new and
wild piece of land three years ago last may without one dolar of money
of my own. I Borowed 16 dolars, to buy lumber for floors and doors and
roof of a log house and live in the same house yet and as soon as I got
my family in it I left them and went out to work to get money to pay ?ot
I had borowed and to get provisions to live on wich kepet me away from
home about half of my time for two years and could not make but little
improvements on my place but have now got 26 acres under cultivation so
that I can raise produce enough for my family and some to spare to pay
interest on borrowed money and other expenses.
My land
came in market one year ago this month and I had to borrow two hundred
dollars to pay for it wich I had to pay twelve percent for and pay the
interis yearly and principal and interest at the end of two years wich
wil be very close mark if I make it out. I intend to go in the pine
woods this winter with my oxen to try to earn something and my wife wil
stay at home to feed and take care of the cows and young cattel and
hogs. This is the way we have had to get along in this new country. My
wife has worked out in the fields nearly as much as I have. She has
planted corn howed corn and potatoes, dug potatoes, and husked corn
every year that that we have been here and this fall she has husked nine
acres of corn herself. But we are in hopes that we wil not have to work
so hard many years longer but thought it best to work so until we could
have a home payed for that wil support us.
We have
always had our health wich is one of the greatest blessings of this
life.
We have
not caled a doctor to our house for the last four years. I wish you
was in this country on account of your health if nothing else but you
could get you a good home if you did not have a cent wen you would get
here. Write soon.
Your
Brother
Geo C
VanHorn
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