Poems written and compiled by Helen Carson Janssen and poems and sermons by Rev. David Gibson Carson, DD
Helen F Carson (1889-1965) was born in Ohio to David (1852-1924) and Laura Carson. In the 1900 census she is living in Athens and in the 1910 census she is living in Springfield. She was a poet, literary critic, contralto, dramatic reader, professional musician, drama teacher, and choir director. She worked at Coe’s Bookstore. She married Henry H. Janssen (1889-1987) in 1919. She had one step-son Guthrie (1916-1990). Her writings were frequently featured in the Springfield newspaper and she was a speaker at club meetings.
Reverend David Gibson Carson was born in Pennsylvania. He became the pastor at North Sangamon Presbyterian Church in Athens in 1891 where he served for seventeen years. He was pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Springfield for eight years. He was also pastor at the Presbyterian church in Pawnee for four years, retiring in 1922. He wrote a song for the American Legion in 1919. His wife Laura as the president of the Women’s Foreign Missionary Society of the North Sangamon Church.