When I first found the old photos of my great, great Aunt Addie, I immediately assumed that she had it all.

She was a stunningly beautiful woman, and in 1896, she married a very wealthy older gent and moved into Lake Mills’ finest mansion.

You know what they say about “assuming” things? If you assume, you’ll end up making an “ass of u & me.”

A short time later, I learned that Addie’s life did not end well. In 1901, five years after marrying Enoch Fargo, she was dead, and her death was not caused by diphtheria (as is stated on her death certificate). According to Mary Wilson’s book (History of Lake Mills), Addie’s own husband shot her dead, and within seven months, he was re-married to Maddie Harbeck, who (coincidentally?) had been living in the Fargo Mansion with Addie and Enoch.

If Addie hadn’t been so beautiful, so elegant and so glamorous, would she (like her sister, my great-grandmother) have lived to a ripe old age?

My great-grandmother lived to be 99 years old. She wasn’t as beautiful or glamorous as her baby sister, Addie.

It does give one pause.

And my favorite photo of Addie, taken in 1894. Look at that tiny waist!

I do believe that's a little mink atop her hat!

Enoch Fargo and his bride, Addie Hoyt Fargo. This is their wedding photo from 1896. Addie was 22 years younger than Enoch. He had two daughters from his first marriage, the oldest of which was four years younger than Addie. Addie died a mere five years after this picture was taken. Addie Hoyt Fargo would have been my great-great Aunt.

Addie was a stunningly beautiful woman. Was that a blessing or a curse when Enoch decided that he wanted to marry her?

Addie was not only beautiful, but elegant and poised.

To learn more about Addie, click here.

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