Stella May Murdock was born on November 29, 1872, in Spartansburg, Crawford County, Pa. She was the youngest of three children, brothers Irving Franklin and William Ellsworth were 12 and five years older, respectively. Stella’s parents settled down in 1860 to farm with the rest of the Murdock clan. Owning around 1,000 acres, they grew buckwheat, corn, oats and hay in the fields, fruit in the orchards. They also bred dairy cows, horses and hogs. Winters at the Murdock farm brought, for Stella, organ lessons, popping corn, sleigh rides and viewing Christmas trees at a church in the nearby village of Britton Run. With spring came tapping maple trees for syrup and Easter egg hunts. Summers were filled with picking berries and fruit, gardening and Fourth of July picnics. In the fall chestnuts were gathered and Thanksgiving celebrated. And, of course, there were school and church activities year round. The only unhappy event in Stella’s childhood was her mother’s death in 1883. By 1892, Stella had finished high school, was single and the last of the Murdock children left on the farm. She signed up to pick grapes at Southside Vineyards in Brocton, N.Y., where she met Norman Wilson Ingerson. She must have liked him and shared her feelings with her girlfriends. Their letters to her have hearts and Norman’s initials scribbled in the margins. But with Norman, she was reserved. The above excerpt is a reply to the first of Norman’s letters where he laid his feelings for her on the line. She never mentions Norman’s display of emotion. They had only known each other for two months. Did he overstep his bounds?

Was very glad to hear that you arrived home all safely and hope that your visit was a pleasant one. Irva said he intended to have seen you again before you went away. I received a letter from Pa the other day, he is not well yet but was feeling better than he did while here. Lulu has been sick but I guess will be able to go to school again to-morrow. Well this week has seemed somewhat longer than last week did. I did not go up to the store to work the day you went away but helped Eliza wash. How did the lunch you took with you stand the journey? was sorry you didn’t have more. The church bells are ringing but guess I wont go as Eliza does not want to go with me. I will close for this time excuse this short letter and write soon.