The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1

RATELLE, Marguerite (née Dion) (1829-1923) and Joseph (1820-after 1900)

Marguerite Ratelle, at one time a neighbor of the Whites in Battle Creek, Michigan, is mentioned in Ellen White's 1859 diary. At the time, the young Ratelle family was poverty-stricken, two children had died, Mrs. Ratelle's health was “very poor,” and she had begun to “spit blood.” Ellen and other neighbors assisted with clothing for Mrs. Ratelle's baby. Ellen White also gave a Bible to Elmira, the oldest daughter, age 10. Although Marguerite Ratelle never became a Seventh-day Adventist, she recalled in her old age that her friendship with the Whites had been “a pleasant one despite their religious differences.” Her daughter, Elmira, on the other hand, became a lifelong and active Adventist. 1EGWLM 881.5

See: “In Battle Creek Over 63 Years: Mrs. Marguerite Ratelle, Who Is 90, Recalls Early Day Experiences,” newspaper account, Oct. 2, 1919, in Ross Coller Collection, Willard Library, Battle Creek, Michigan; “Aged Resident Dies in Indiana: Mrs. Margarette Ratelle, 94, Receives Call,” newspaper article, Jan. 24, 1923, in Ross Coller Collection, Willard Library, Battle Creek, Michigan; “Mrs. Chapman, B. C. Resident 82 years, Dies,” newspaper article, Mar. 12, 1937, in Ross Coller Collection, Willard Library, Battle Creek, Michigan; 1910 U.S. Federal Census, “Marguerite Ratell [sic],” Michigan, Calhoun County, Battle Creek, Ward 3, p. 4B; obituary: “Mrs. Elmira Chapman,” Lake Union Herald, Mar. 30, 1937, p. 10; Ellen G. White, Ms 5, 1859 (Feb. 28, Mar. 1 entries). 1EGWLM 882.1