Luther Burbank

Some in our lives are just like family even when they are not related. Luther Burbank made himself part of my grandmother's Swanson clan and would like to have joined it officially. His house in Santa Rosa was next door to my great aunt Minnie Swanson Wells, oldest sister of my grandmother, Dora. Younger sister Marie worked at the Burbanks' in many capacities, including taking care of his mother, Olive Ross Burbank, shown here (1906) with Minnie's daughter Irene "Bunnie" Wells.

He was so enamoured of Marie Swanson he proposed, but she, in her wisdom, turned him down over the age difference, observing how her youthful exuberance and playful energies were not a good match for his quiet life. But she continued to work for him until she later married, and the families remained close.

It was Marie to whom he dedicated the Shasta Daisy. I can't help but think it was really Marie he was eluding to, writing his future father-in-law when he later married Elizabeth Jane Waters (1916), "... I have had some success in a small way with the Daisy, but my feeble efforts melt into insignificance compared to the wonderful girl you raised."

It must have been a wonderful sight, having these young women frequenting the fields and gardens, performing little tasks and staying for tea. Here's my grandmother examining some of the blooms.

Luther Burbank gave Marie a cabin on the Russian River, providing for family get-aways in all weather. It had no plumbing, not surprisingly--they hiked the railroad tracks to the river below for water. An early snow covered a tent pitched on the grounds for Dora and her girls awakening one morning. Of the many gatherings at the cabin, this one includes most of the Swanson Family, Luther Burbank, his sister Emma and husband William Beeson, and purportedly guest and close friend John Muir.

When my grandmother, Agatha Deborah "Dora" Swanson Waltz, became ill, my mother spent time staying with Luther Burbank's new family, which now included his wife's niece, Mary Jane Elizabeth "Betty" Waters. Betty's and my mother's birthdays were so close, he held a joint birthday party for them (1923), stringing his favorite tree with paper lanterns. Attending, left to right in back are my family's cousin Cecile Smilie, Luther Burbank, my aunt Jewel Waltz, my mother Patricia Waltz; in front, Betty Waters and his favorite dog:

The John and Amalia Swanson family, c. 1891, with young Marie standing in the center, Ike and Dora behind her, Minnie on the far right. Four little brothers are Paul, John, William and baby Herman. Son Earl was born shortly after Minnie's son Irving.