History, Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Its cities, towns, resources, people

              1122 HISTORY OF AYINNEBAGO COUNTY.
happy years, after Avhich they returned to Oshkosh to make a home ne^r their parents and among old friends.
Their oldest child, Alaria Melvina, the wife of Charles Curry Chase, was born in Fond du Lac. They made tbeir home Avith her parents until the year 1903. Philetus Horace SaAvyer, born in Oshkosh in 1873, also remained Avith his parents until the fall of 1907, AA^hen he remoA^ed his family to his ucav residence on adjoining ground.
Senator Philetus Sawyer resided Avith his son most of the time after the death of his Avife in 1888, and died there in 1900.
This many-sided family filled the old house to the brim and entailed many responsibilities upon its head. Having come, however, through a long line of Ncav England housekeepers, she carried the burden lightly, and AA^hatever else may have been lacking, the essential element of a happy home harmony ever prevailed. This Avas not due to the tact of the hou.sekeeper altogether, but by the bonds of affection, unusually strong, by AA^hich the faniily ties were knit together.
In 1890 Airs. Sawyer became the president of the reorganized Florists' Society under the title of '^The Oshkosh Florists' Club." This club was composed of florists, commercial and pri- A^ate, of Oshkosh and the surrounding cities, and such Avoinen as Avere interested in its Avelfare. For scA'^eral years the Avork Avas carried on most successfully, an annual flower show being held in November. Chicago and Alilwaukee florists and many of the large commercial groAvers of the country exhibited at these shoAA^s. Premiums Avere offered, and the financial side of the shoAv rested entirely in the hands of the ladies of the or¬ ganization. It Avas the week of the year in Oshkosh and drew many strangers to the city. '^Nothing can take the place of the floAver show as an educational factor for the young," said the late President Albee, of the Oshkosh Normal School, to the president of the Florists' Club.
Airs. Sawyer's conservatories Avere rifled of their beauties, and rare palms and exquisite ferns, with plants of high degree and lineage old, lent their charms to grace the occasion.
In 1893 Mrs. SaAA^yer Avas appointed regent by the state regent of the D. A. R., and commissioned to organize a chapter.
The Oshkosh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revo¬ lution, with its membership of between one and two hundred, is the result. '^She is a charter member of the society of Colonial Dames, and last, but not least, is a eharter member of the Order