| Life Story
|
Margaret Bertha Munson worked at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill from 1900-1950 primarily in the Finishing Department.
Margaret was born on 8 Sep 1880 in Blue Hill, Webster, Nebraska. Her mother, Jane “Jennie” McLellan had come to America from Scotland. Her father, Henry B. Munson was born in Illinois. Her parents met and married in Nebraska. Margaret and her brother, Harry were both born there. Harry was two years younger than Margaret.
The family moved westward and were living in rural Salem, Oregon by 1895. The 1900 census records show the family renting at 381 Mill St. Margaret’s father is listed as carriage maker and her brother as a bottler. Mother Jennie was at home. Margaret worked as finisher at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. Other Spinners from the woolen mill also rented at or next to this address in 1900. They were Anna Gross and Roy Bently.
In 1906 Margaret’s father passed away from heart failure. Margaret continued to work at the woolen mill and is listed as a finisher in the Salem city directories of 1905 and 1909. The 1910 census shows Margaret living with her mother on Mill St, but it lists Margaret as a teacher. Working there 26 months. Another teacher, Mary Childers also boards at Margaret’s home.
In July, 1911 Margaret and her mother received word that Margaret’s brother Harry had drowned in New Orleans. Articles from the newspapers in that area mark his death as a suicide. His body was not able to be sent home and services were held in New Orleans.
The 1920 census shows Margaret at the woolen mill, sewing. She and her mother now live in her mother’s home at 1669 Mill St. Margaret never married. She was an employee of TKWM Co for most of her life. By 1930 the ladies had moved again and lived at 1155 Mill St. Margaret’s mother passed in 1931 and the home became Margaret’s.
Margaret worked for the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill until her death. Her death certificate lists her working as an inspector for the mill.
Margaret was found unconscious from a stroke at her apartment on Bellevue St at 448 University on the 4th of July, 1950. She was taken to Salem Hospital but passed away at age 69. Margaret is buried next to her parents in City View Cemetery in Salem. |
| Salem City Directories |
1905: Munson Margaret, finisher TKWM Co, bds 381 Mill
1909: Munson Margaret, finisher TKWM Co, bds 381 Mill
1913: Munson Margaret B, finisher TKWM Co, bds 1149 Mill
1915: Munson Margaret B, finisher TKWM Co, rms 1149 Mill
1917: Munson Margaret B, finisher TKWM Co, rms 1169 Mill
1934: Munson Margaret, fctywkr TKWM Co, h 1155 Mill
1935: Munson Margaret, fnshr TKWM Co, h 1155 Mill
1936-37: Munson Margaret B, textilewkr TKWM Co, h 1155 Mill
1938-39: Munson Margaret B, textilewkr TKWM Co, h 1155 Mill
1940-41: Munson Margaret B, burler TKWM Co, h 1155 Mill
1942: Munson Margaret B, lab TKWM Co, h 1155 Mill
1945: Munson Margaret B, carder TKWM Co, h 442 University
1947: Munson Margt B, smstrs TKWM Co, h 442 University
1949: Munson Margt B, smstrs TKWM Co, h 442 University |
| Federal / County Census Records |
1895 M B Munson: Birth Place: Nebraska, Estimated Birth Year: 1881, Residence: Rural, Marion, Oregon, Religion: Protestant, Gender: Female, Age: 14 – Additional Household members: Munson H B, age 48 (head), J L, age 42 (wife), H E age 13 (son)
1900 Margaret B Munson: Age: 19, Birth Date: Sep 1881, Birthplace: Nebraska, Home in 1900: 381 Mill Street, Salem, Marion, Oregon, Race: White, Gender: Female, Relation to Head of House: Daughter, Marital Status: Single, Father’s name: Henry B Munson, Father’s Birthplace: Indiana, USA, Mother’s Name: Jennie L Munson, Mother’s Birthplace: Scotland, Occupation: Finisher Woolen Mill – Additional Household members: Henry B Munson 51 (head), Jennie L Munson 46 (wife), Harry E Munson 18 (son)
1910 Margaret V Munson: Age: 28, Birth Date: 1882, Birthplace: Nebraska, Home in 1910: 1159 Mill St, Salem, Ward 4, Marion, Oregon, Race: White, Gender: Female, Relation to HOH: Daughter, Marital Status: Single, Father’s Birthplace: Illinois, Mother’s Name: Jennie Munson, Mother’s Birthplace: Scotland, Occupation: Teacher – Additional household members: Jennie Munson 54 (Head), Mary A Childers 37 (boarder)
1920 Margaret Meinson: Age: 37, Birth Year: 1883, Birthplace: Nebraska, Home in 1920: 1669 Mill St, Salem, Marion, Oregon, Race: White, Gender: Female, Relation to HOH: Daughter, Marital Status: Single, Father’s Birthplace: Illinois, Mother’s Name: Jennie Munson, Mother’s Birthplace: Scotland, Occupation: Mill Worker, Sewing – Additional household members: Jennie Munson 61 (Head)
1930 Margaret B Munsen: Age 49, Birth Year: 1881, Gender: Female, Race: White, Birthplace: Nebraska, Marital Status: Single, Relation to HOH: Daughter: Home in 1930: 1155 Mill St, Salem, Marion, Oregon, Father’s Birthplace: Indiana, Mother’s Birthplace: Scotland – Additional household members: Jennie Munsen 75, (Head)
1940 Margaret Munson: Age: 59, Estimated Birth Year: 1881, Gender: Female, Race: White, Birthplace: Nebraska, Marital Status: Single, Relation to HOH: Head, Home in 1940: 1155 Mill St, Salem, Marion, Oregon, Occupation: Sewer, Woolen Mill
1950: Margaret B Munson: Age: 69, Birth Date: 1881, Gender: Female, Race: White, Birth Place: Nebraska, Marital Status: Never Married (Single), Relation to Head of House: Head, Home in 1950: 442 Bellevue St, Apartment: University, in Salem, Marion, Oregon, USA, Occupation: Seamstress, Woolen Mill |
