Eleanor Lee Swisher

Ethel Jacob Eleanor Lee Swisher

Eleanor 'Lee' Jacob Swisher at 95 years young knits together her memories and the original published writings of her mother, Ethel Ben Wildman Jacob. Ethel's drawings and poetry captures a fleeting era of American history, while her words ring true for the souls of the people of today. Ethel Ben Wildman Jacob, was an amazing person filled with life and vitality. Her original book, Fruit of a New Land, was published by J& C Transcripts in 1970 and I have taken this book, added things I remember growing up, recipes from the depression and paintings she completed the last twenty years of her life. She died about four months shy of 102 years young and was still showing little grey hair. My mother's writing offers insight into the wild prairie, local farming, frugality and friendship through pioneering, wars and the great depression. It embraces the small growing Anoka, Minnesota community. My mother, Ethel Ben Wildman, was born in LaBelle, Missouri in 1890 and moved with her family in 1900 to the then Oklahoma Territory. The family had a large successful cattle ranch where she loved the freedom of the land. She was an artist, actress and musician and she loved animals. The stories, art and poetry of my mother is lost to time. Her work shines in the strength of character of a people who believed in faith, family, education, and value of community. Shall we begin...