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For an invalid I've done pretty well to get so far north. Wild and thrilling country
up here2. I had long, happy visits with
Roscoe5 in San Francisco6. I would have made any effort to get those happy
visits with him and his wife7. I went there
for Roscoe and saw no one else, though have many friends
there—some very dear ones. I did not let the Menuhins8
know9 that I was in California10. I have them every winter in New York11. This t
trip was for Roscoe. My hand12 is now out
of its brace13 most of the time, but
pretty stiff, and this is the first letter I have written except a note to Mary Virginia14.
At this time, the Menuhins spent summers at their country place in Los Gatos, CA.
Cather significantly injured a tendon in her right thumb in November 1940 after signing hundreds of copies of her novel Sapphira and the Slave Girl. Her right hand was immobilized for months afterward, and the pain recurred often in later years.
A brace built specifically for her injured right hand by Dr. Frank Ober of Boston in 1941 (#2179).
Sherwood, Carrie Miner (1869-1971). Sherwood, Carrie Belle
Miner (1869-1972) Civic leader; Cather's friend. Born in Waukon,
IA, to James L. Miner and Julia Erickson Miner, Carrie Miner was the eldest
of their children. The family moved to Red Cloud, NE, in 1878, where the
Miner Brothers store became the largest in town. Cather remembered meeting
Carrie there. In 1884, Carrie, her mother, and siblings were confirmed in
the Catholic church. In 1888, she studied music at St. Mary’s Academy at
Notre Dame, IN. She married bank clerk Walter Sherwood in late 1889; they
had two sons. The Sherwoods travelled often in the West, and visited Europe
in 1930. They built a new house at 3rd and Seward streets in Red Cloud in
1908; Cather sometimes sent materials for Carrie to keep in its spacious
attics. Carrie Miner Sherwood led local Red Cross work during the two World
Wars, served on the Red Cloud school board and park commission, and was
active in the League of Women Voters and in the Ladies Guild of Grace
Episcopal Church. Cather corresponded with Carrie Miner Sherwood throughout
her life and dedicated My Ántonia to Carrie, model
for Frances Harling in the novel, and her sister Irene. Carrie was one of
Mildred Bennett’s chief sources for The World of Willa
Cather (1951), and was instrumental in setting up what is now the
Willa Cather Foundation in Red Cloud.
Creighton, Mary S. Miner (1873-1968). Clubwoman; Cather’s
friend from childhood. Born in Iowa, Mary Miner was the second
daughter of James and Julia Miner, neighbors of the Cather family in Red
Cloud, NE. Willa Cather later recalled that when she first moved into town
with her family and enrolled in school in 1885, “Margie Miner was so jolly I
wanted awfully to know her.” They became lifelong friends and
correspondents, and Mary’s sisters Irene and Carrie were equally close to
Cather. Mary Miner wed local physician E. A. Creighton in 1900 and lived the
rest of her life in Red Cloud. She was the prototype for Julia Harling in
My Ántonia (1918).
Sherwood, Carrie Miner (1869-1971). Sherwood, Carrie Belle
Miner (1869-1972) Civic leader; Cather's friend. Born in Waukon,
IA, to James L. Miner and Julia Erickson Miner, Carrie Miner was the eldest
of their children. The family moved to Red Cloud, NE, in 1878, where the
Miner Brothers store became the largest in town. Cather remembered meeting
Carrie there. In 1884, Carrie, her mother, and siblings were confirmed in
the Catholic church. In 1888, she studied music at St. Mary’s Academy at
Notre Dame, IN. She married bank clerk Walter Sherwood in late 1889; they
had two sons. The Sherwoods travelled often in the West, and visited Europe
in 1930. They built a new house at 3rd and Seward streets in Red Cloud in
1908; Cather sometimes sent materials for Carrie to keep in its spacious
attics. Carrie Miner Sherwood led local Red Cross work during the two World
Wars, served on the Red Cloud school board and park commission, and was
active in the League of Women Voters and in the Ladies Guild of Grace
Episcopal Church. Cather corresponded with Carrie Miner Sherwood throughout
her life and dedicated My Ántonia to Carrie, model
for Frances Harling in the novel, and her sister Irene. Carrie was one of
Mildred Bennett’s chief sources for The World of Willa
Cather (1951), and was instrumental in setting up what is now the
Willa Cather Foundation in Red Cloud.
Creighton, Mary S. Miner (1873-1968). Clubwoman; Cather’s
friend from childhood. Born in Iowa, Mary Miner was the second
daughter of James and Julia Miner, neighbors of the Cather family in Red
Cloud, NE. Willa Cather later recalled that when she first moved into town
with her family and enrolled in school in 1885, “Margie Miner was so jolly I
wanted awfully to know her.” They became lifelong friends and
correspondents, and Mary’s sisters Irene and Carrie were equally close to
Cather. Mary Miner wed local physician E. A. Creighton in 1900 and lived the
rest of her life in Red Cloud. She was the prototype for Julia Harling in
My Ántonia (1918).
Cather, Roscoe (1877-1945) (“Ross”). Cather’s brother.
Roscoe was born in Virginia, the second child and oldest son of
Charles and Virginia Cather. After graduating from Red Cloud (NE) High
School in 1895, he taught country school for two years, attended the
University of Nebraska in Lincoln for one year (1897-1898), taught high
school in Carlton, NE, and Oxford, NE, and finally became superintendent of
schools in Fullerton, NE. There he met fellow teacher Meta Schaper, whom he
married in 1907. They relocated to Lander, WY, in 1909, where he opened an
abstract office and where their three children, Virginia and twins Margaret
and Elizabeth, were born. In 1921, they moved to Casper, WY, where Roscoe
became president of the Wyoming Trust Company, and in 1937 to Colusa, CA,
where Roscoe and his brother Douglass had acquired a controlling interest in
the First Savings Bank of Colusa. Roscoe served as president of the bank
until his death. Willa visited Roscoe and his family in Wyoming several
times and shared important travel experiences with them, including a 1926
trip to New Mexico with Roscoe, Meta, and their children and a 1941 San
Francisco vacation with Roscoe and Meta. She also relied on him to handle
family-related business as well as personal financial matters, and he was
one of her chief correspondents throughout her life. Roscoe served as a
prototype for one of the twin brothers in the Templeton family in “Old Mrs.
Harris” (1932).
Cather, Meta Schaper (1884-1973). Cather’s sister-in-law.
Meta Schaper was born in Plattsmouth, NE, the second daughter of
Robert and Julia Ramke Schaper. After graduating from the University of
Nebraska in Lincoln 1903, Meta Schaper taught at Havelock High School in her
hometown of Havelock, NE (now part of Lincoln). She met Roscoe Cather when
teaching in Fullerton, NE, and they married in 1907. They moved to Lander,
WY, in 1909, where she gave birth to three daughters, Virginia and twins
Margaret and Elizabeth. The family moved to Casper, WY, in 1921 and Colusa,
CA, in 1937. Willa visited Meta and Roscoe’s family in Wyoming several times
and shared important travel experiences with them, including a 1926 trip to
New Mexico with Meta, Roscoe, and their children and a 1941 San Francisco
vacation with Roscoe and Meta. Meta and Willa remained friends until Willa’s
death.
Menuhin, Hephzibah (1920-1981). Pianist. Born in San
Francisco, CA, to Moshe and Marutha Sher Menuhin, immigrant Russian Jews by
way of Palestine, Hephzibah began studying piano at the age of four and gave
her first recital at age eight. The studies and career of her older brother,
violinist Yehudi, dominated the family (the youngest child, Yaltah, was also
a pianist). In 1930, the Menuhin family took up residence in Paris, where
Cather first met them in the home of Jan Hambourg and Isabelle McClung
Hambourg and became a family friend; the children called her “Aunt Willa.”
In the 1930s the Menuhin family made the Ansonia Hotel its home base during
their frequent stays in New York City. Cather took the Menuhin children on
walks around Central Park, read Shakespeare with them, and gave them books
as gifts. Hephzibah served as Yehudi’s accompanist; they made their first
recording together in 1933 and often performed together. The family
purchased a ranch in Los Gatos, CA, in 1935. In 1938, after a concert in
London, England, Hephzibah met Australian Lindsay Nicholas, whom she soon
married (Yehudi married Lindsay’s sister Nola). She abandoned her plans for
a solo debut at Carnegie Hall, moved with Nicholas to Australia, and had two
sons, Kronrod and Marston. She continued to perform occasionally in
Australia, including with Yehudi when he toured the country. Although Cather
mentions carrying on a correspondence with Hephzibah after her move to
Australia, these letters have not been located. Cather enjoyed a late life
visit from Hephzibah and Yehudi and their families in 1947. In 1955,
Hephzibah divorced Nicholas and married Richard Hauser. Together, they were
active in human rights advocacy, and Hephzibah continued to perform. She
died in London, England.
Menuhin, Marutha Sher (c. 1892-1996). Mother of Yehudi, Hepzibah and Yaltah Menuhin. Born in Russia, Marutha Sher married Moshe Mnuchin, a Hebrew teacher, in 1914. After brief stays in Palestine and New York City, where son Yehudi was born, they moved to San Francisco, CA, in 1917 and changed their surname to Menuhin. Their daughters Hepzibah and Yaltah were born in San Francisco. They educated all three children at home and sought out musical instruction for them when each was a small child. However Yehudi’s career as a violinist was given top priority. With the support of Yehudi’s patron Sidney Ehrman the family moved to New York City and Paris to advance Yehudi’s musical studies. In 1930, the Menuhin family took up residence in Paris, where Cather first met them in the home of Jan Hambourg and Isabelle McClung Hambourg. Cather evidently approved of Marutha’s parenting of her gifted children, and they became friends. In the 1930s, the Menuhin family made the Ansonia Hotel its home base during their frequent stays in New York City, and Marutha encouraged Cather’s growing relationship with her children. The family purchased a ranch in in Los Gatos, CA, in 1935, which became Marutha’s primary residence when she was not on tour with her children. Her relationships with Yehudi and Hepzibah remained strong as they emerged into adulthood, but Yaltah rebelled against her mother’s authority and the two became alienated from one another. Although only one brief letter from Cather to Marutha Menuhin is known, they evidently carried out a regular correspondence. Marutha Menuhin died in Los Gatos.
0171
Menuhin, Yaltah (1921-2001). Pianist. Born in San Francisco,
CA, to Moshe and Marutha Sher Menuhin, immigrant Russian Jews by way of
Palestine, Yaltah began studying piano at the age of three. The studies and
career of her older brother, violinist Yehudi, dominated the family (their
second child, Hepzibah, was also a pianist). In 1930, the Menuhin family
took up residence in Paris, where Cather first met them in the home of Jan
Hambourg and Isabelle McClung Hambourg and became a family friend; the
children called her “Aunt Willa.” In the 1930s, the Menuhin family made the
Ansonia Hotel its home base during their frequent stays in New York City.
Cather took the Menuhin children on walks around Central Park, read
Shakespeare with them, and gave them books as gifts. The family purchased a
ranch in Los Gatos, CA, in 1935. As Yaltah grew older and wanted to pursue
her own musical career, her relationship with her mother grew
difficult—Marutha supported Hepzibah’s role as Yehudi’s accompanist
but believed a solo career inappropriate for a woman (even though many
recognized that Yaltah was the most gifted musician of the three children).
In June 1938, just shy of her seventeenth birthday and apparently under
duress from her mother, Yaltah married William Stix, a lawyer from St.
Louis, MO, who worked in Washington, DC; Cather attended the wedding. In
1939 Yaltah first separated from and then divorced Stix. In 1941, she eloped
with U.S. Army officer Benjamin Rolfe. Her parents publicly disavowed the
marriage and she and her mother stopped speaking to one another. The Rolfes
had two children, Robert and Lionel. None of Cather’s extant letters to
Yaltah mention the turmoil surrounding her marriage, divorce, and
remarriage, however. Yaltah’s final marriage to American pianist Joel Ryce
was long and happy, and during it she pursued a performing career. According
to her son Lionel Rolfe, she treasured her letters from Cather and often
reread them. She eventually gave them to him so he could sell them and use
the funds to support his aspiration to become a writer.
Menuhin, Yehudi (1916-1999). Violinist and conductor. Born in
New York City to Moshe Mnuchin and Marutha Sher Mnuchin, immigrant Russian
Jews by way of Palestine who changed the spelling of their surname and moved
the family to San Francisco in 1918, Yehudi started violin lessons at age
four and made his first public appearance in 1922. His two younger siblings,
Hepzibah and Yaltah, studied piano, although his parents prioritized the
musical career of their son over their daughters. With the support of patron
Sidney Ehrman, the Menuhin family followed Yehudi’s teacher Louis Persinger
to New York City. Ehrman also sponsored Yehudi for a year of study in Paris,
France, with Georges Enesco. Yehudi began attracting national attention in
1927 and recorded and toured the U.S. in 1929. That year at Carnegie Hall,
his performance of concertos by Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms with Bruno
Walter and the Berlin Philharmonic inspired Albert Einstein to proclaim “now
I know there is a God in Heaven”; Cather was also in the audience for this
concert. In 1930, the Menuhin family took up residence in Paris, where
Cather first met them in the home of Jan Hambourg and Isabelle McClung
Hambourg and became a family friend; the children called her “Aunt Willa.”
In the 1930s, the Menuhin family made the Ansonia Hotel its home base during
their frequent stays in New York City. Cather took the Menuhin children on
walks around Central Park, read Shakespeare with them, and gave them books
as gifts. Yehudi’s sister Hepzibah accompanied her brother on piano; they
made their first recording together in 1933 and often performed together.
The family purchased a ranch in Los Gatos, CA, in 1935, and after a world
tour that year, Yehudi withdrew from performing for 18 months and stayed at
the ranch with his family. He returned to the concert stage in 1937 and met
and married Nola Nicholas in 1938 (Hepzibah married Nola’s brother Lindsay).
Yehudi and Nola had two children, Krov and Zamira. Cather enjoyed a late
life visit from Hepzibah and Yehudi and their families in 1947. Cather
corresponded regularly with the adult Yehudi, giving him personal advice,
although only one original letter has surfaced. In 1947, Yehudi and Nola
divorced and he married British ballerina Diana Gould, with whom he had two
more children. Living in Europe, he continued his career as a performer and
also became a conductor, established a school in England, and became a
British citizen. He died in Berlin, Germany, while on tour.
Menuhin, Moshe (1893-1983). Russian-American teacher of Hebrew.
Born in Russia into a distinguished religious Jewish family, Moshe
Mnuchin moved to Palestine with his family as a child. In 1913 he moved to
the U.S., where he married Marutha Sher in 1914. After the 1916 birth of
their son Yehudi and Moshe’s 1917 graduation from New York University, they
moved to San Francisco, CA, where their daughters Hepzibah and Yaltah were
born. They changed their surname to Menuhin in 1919 when they became U.S.
citizens. While Moshe taught Hebrew, Marutha supervised the musical
education of their children, which later took them to New York City and
Paris. Cather first met the Menuhin family in the Paris home of Jan Hambourg
and Isabelle McClung Hambourg in 1930. In the 1930s, the Menuhin family made
the Ansonia Hotel its home base during their frequent stays in New York
City, and Cather developed strong bonds with the children and Marutha
although apparently less so with Moshe. The family purchased a ranch in Los
Gatos, CA, in 1935, which became their primary residence. Moshe Menuhin was
a prominent voice for anti-Zionism within the U.S. Jewish community.
Williams, Nola Ruby Nicholas Menuhin (1919-?). Australian socialite Born in Australia, daughter of George and Ruby Nicholas, Nola Nicholas met Yehudi Menuhin in London, England, in 1938; they were married two months later. Nola’s brother George Lindsay Nicholas married Yehudi’s sister, Hephzibah Menuhin. Yehudi and Nola had two children before divorcing in 1947. She subsequently married Wing-Commander Anthony Williams.
Mellen, Mary Virginia Auld (1906-1982) (“Virginia,” “M.V.”).
Cather's niece. Born in Red Cloud, NE, to Jessica Cather Auld
and James William Auld, Mary Virginia graduated from Red Cloud High School
in 1924 and then spent a year at Dana Hall in Wellesley, MA, to qualify for
admission to Smith College in Northampton, MA. In 1929 she received an A.B.
in psychology from Smith and then moved to New York City, where she found
work at Lord & Taylor before telling her aunt of her arrival. In 1930,
probably with Willa Cather's help, she secured a position in the Circulation
Department of the New York Public Library. In 1931, she entered the
library's internal training school and in 1932 was assigned to the Tremont
branch library in the Bronx. After Mary Virginia’s parents divorced in 1933
Cather took a quasi-parental role. She paid for vacations and when, in 1935,
Mary Virginia married Richard (Dick) Mellen, a graduate of Harvard Medical
School and roommate of her brother William Thomas Auld at Amherst College,
she supervised wedding arrangements. After Dick was commissioned as a doctor
in the Air Force, Mary Virginia—much to Cather’s
regret—accompanied him to Chattanooga, TN, where he was assigned. In
Cather's will, Mary Virginia was designated a beneficiary of the literary
estate.
© 2004-2023, Willa Cather Archive. Emily J. Rau, editor. Updated 2023. The Willa Cather Archive is freely distributed by the Center for Digital Research in the Humanities at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.