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Description
Mary Jane Hall (1846-1932) was born in La Grange, Missouri and married William Newton Monroe in Omaha, Nebraska. They had five children (Milton Sanders, George Otto, Myrtle Mignonette, Jesse Lee, and Mabelle Huntington). The youngest was born in May 1883, so when the Monroes first saw Monrovia in April 1884, bought property and camped here shortly thereafter for months as their first cottage was built, Mabelle was just a year old. Mrs. Monroe was surely a hardy soul. Once their residences were established Mrs. Monroe was hostess to many. "From the time W. N. Monroe built his handsome home known as "The Oaks," until the first Hotels were erected, he kept open house, and both he and Mrs. Monroe earned the reputation of being a most gracious host and hostess. Visitors to the locality were entertained for weeks, and in some cases for months at a time, and their home was as free to the public as it was to themselves. All early Monrovians are lavish with praise for the free open-handedness of these pioneer settlers. People of wealth and distinction were entertained by them and induced to take an interest in Monrovia. Among their guests could be named Colonel Samuel Keefer, who built La Vista Grande Hotel; J. M. Studebaker, the well-known wagon maker; and J. I. Case, the threshing machine manufacturer and owner of the famous racehorse that bore his initials. " John L. Wiley History of Monrovia 1927 p 52-53.
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