Maude Ester Emerson

Maude E Emerson was born December 21, 1882 Keithsburg, Mercer County, Illinois. She was the first child of Albert Linden Emerson born August 19, 1857 in Keithsburg, Mercer County, Illinois and Emma Viola Wirt born August 19, 1858 also in Keithsburg, Mercer County, Illinois.

Albert and Emma were married December 24, 1879 in Keithsburg, Mercer County, Illinois.

When Maude was eight years old, her parents were embroiled in what would ultimately become a bitter divorce. (see Emma Viola Wirt history for details)

Maude left Keithsburg at the age of 22 with her mother on December 22, 1904 for California. She settled with her mother and siblings in Pomona, California. In 1907 Maude traveled with her sister, the Hardin’s’ and Whitehead’s to Saskatchewan, Canada. On June 27, 1907, she married Elmer Evan Hardin.

Maude gave birth to 4 children: Sidney Donald Hardin born September 05, 1908 in Saskatchewan, Canada, Emma Lena Hardin born March 07, 1910 in Saskatchewan, Canada, Robert Emerson Hardin born July 02, 1913 in Pomona, California, and Ester Maude Hardin born January 16, 1916 in Brea, California. Ester died as an infant.

Because of Maude’s husband’s health, she and Elmer moved to Rosamond between 1936 and 1938. In their final years, they lived at Burton’s Camp, a small mining community about five miles west of Rosamond. After the passing of husband Elmer Evan Hardin October 07, 1961, Maude moved into a small house in Rosamond. Shortly after May 10, 1963 when her daughter Emma Lena Hardin passed away she took on the responsibility of raising and caring for her 14-year-old granddaughter Phyllis Ann Sutton.

Maude E Emerson (Hardin) passed away on June 21, 1966 at the age of 81.