Minnie pictured here in 1900, in Redfield, South Dakota and LaGrande, Oregon respectively. Minnie Eliza Wentworth was the daughter of George Washington Wentworth and Eliza Jane Towne. Minnie's ancestors were the Wentworth and Towne families, who came to America c 1630, and settled in New England, their descendants migrating westerly as early as the 1770's.
In the early days of her marriage Minnie helped her husband William Thomas Patten run their mercantile in Redfield, South Dakota c 1905. Minnie had a son named Glen William Patten and a daughter named Edith Minnie Patten, and she was the consumate mother. The family moved to LaGrande, Oregon where Minnie lived at 2507 Spruce Avenue. Minnie was an artist who worked in many mediums including oil, pencil, mosaic and later she created beautiful dolls.
On the left is Minnie in 1918, while the family was still living in LaGrande, Oregon and on the right Minnie in c 1935 after the family moved to Sacramento, California. Minnie also had primary care of her four grandchildren, including my father, William Glen O'Neall Baker, because in 1930 her daughter, Edith Minnie Patten O'Neall became a single parent who had to find work outside her home. Minnie took over the care of Edith's children Mildred, Billy, Patty and Charles O'Neall, until Edith married Frank Baker in 1937. Minnie spent many hours drawing with her grandchildren Patricia and Charles. Minnie told Charles to "draw what you see in your mind" and in 1935 Charles was drawing futuristic rocket ships, which included plans for making them fly. Charles died tragically at age 14, this event had a tragic toll on the family. Patricia Anne O'Neall Baker became an outstanding painter, sculpter and artist in Sacramento.