Ellen Imogene Robinson Edmiston

is honored with a Medium Paver from Kelly E. Callen, Robert K. Edmiston, Mary Anna Martinez, and Kathie E. Massey.

Ellen lmogene Robinson Edmiston was born October 15, 1877, to Kansas pioneers in Benton, Kansas. She graduated from Wichita High School in 1896, and at a time when few women chose to attend college, Ellen was among the vanguard by attending Fairmount College. Upon graduation in 1900 (the second graduating class), she began a teaching career in Benton, Kansas where she married, had two children, divorced, and was on her own before the age of 35. Later in Murdock, Kansas, Ellen became its first and only high school teacher (all grades in one room). When declining enrollment caused the closing of the high school, Ellen went to Mound City, Kansas in 1917 to begin anew, leaving her beloved son and daughter with her mother in Murdock.

Tragically, before she could send for her children, Ellen contracted the flu during one of the many epidemics of the day and died on October 24, 1917 in Mound City. Her own mother was so grief-stricken she could not attend her daughter's funeral. A family friend in Murdock offered, "Ellen died so young because she was too good to live."

In her shortened life, she was able to instill in her children, E.K. Edmiston and Roberta Edmiston (Lowe) a love of learning and, particularly, music that was passed to generations she knew not.

Though we did not have the opportunity to know this remarkable woman or know very much about her life, her grandchildren wish to honor her memory and salute her courage. She has been and always will be a big part of the lives of those who come after her.

Submitted by Robert K. Edmiston, Kathlien Edmiston Massey, Mary Anna Lowe Martinez, and Kelly Edmiston Callen

September 5, 1998