Michalena Birraglio / Lena Nelson

Michalena Birraglio, also, Lena Nelson. May 8, 1890 - November 22, 1924. , Michalena Birraglio was born in Italy and came to the United States with her parents as a small child. After the death of her father, her mother remarried to a man named Moore, who would later be described by placement agent Rev. H.D. Clarke as "worthless". Michalena was placed out by the Children's Aid Society and was the oldest child in the company at thirteen years old. , Michalena was taken in by Sarah Nelson, who had been widowed just a few months earlier. Sarah lived on the family farm run by two of her sons, Sam and Albert. It wasn't long before Michalena Birraglio became Lena Nelson. Sarah took Lena under her wing and taught her to raise prize poultry and pure bred cattle. Lena sold stock and made a tidy profit, which she put in the bank and used to buy Liberty bonds. Rev. Clarke was proud of Lena. Lena's birth mother found her a few years after she was placed out and offered her $200 to come back to New York with her, but Lena flatly refused. She was dedicated to Sarah Nelson, who she called "Grandma." , When she turned eighteen, Lena stayed on with the Nelson's. Lena was a leader in society and an active citizen of Dunlap. She was also in love with Albert Nelson. On the 18th of August in 1923, Lena and Albert were married. Just over a year later, Lena gave birth to a son. The birth didn't go well and Lena required surgery afterward. She died on the 22nd of November of complications. Albert raised their son alone, staying in contact with Rev. Clarke, who said "he worships the boy and he did the mother Lena!" , In loving memory of Keith and Fern Waters who taught us the true meaning of life, friends and family. , Thank you for being such giving and loving parents. , With love, Jeff and Karla Waters, Jim and Jeannie Waters and Eric and Jennifer Swihart.