Category: family

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Lloyd Hublers 1911 Postcard: A Valentines Day Prank?

From: Unknown To: Lloyd Hubbler, 1911

Oh you kid: I’d enjoy another dance with you like the one I had at the Dickeyville dance. Would like to make a date with you, “You Honey Bunch”. Will try and be out for the 15th. Hope you will be there, dear. Will show you another good time. Oh honey I am so lonesome. From – you know who.

(flipped) Look under the stamp honey bunch. xxxxxxx

This is my picture honey.

(On front) I am ready xxx. From your sweet little wife. S.W.A.K

God am so home sick for a x x

Lloyds sweet wife ha ha

I can’t express to you how much I am obsessed with this card. Every inch of it is filled with writing. X’s dot the landscape of both the front and the back and someone added additional rouging and eyeliner to the image on the front. This postcard SCREAMS of some sort of joke, and I am absolutely here for it. So, let’s drop the card into history.

1911 sees the disaster of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York, the invention of Crisco, and the founding of the first movie studio. However, I have to wonder if the news of these events hit the small village of Potosi. Situated in the southwest corner of Wisconsin, modern day Potosi boasts a population of just over 600 people. Like many small towns, it was originally founded as a mining and farming village. Now, it hosts an annual catfish festival and fish fry the second weekend of August.

In 1911, Lloyd Hubler was a few months shy of his 20th birthday, and at least according to Family Search, still unmarried. He had one brother, who was 8 years his senior. Although the card puts Lloyd’s last name as “Hubbler”, I’m pretty sure it was “Hubler”. The Lloyd I found has a father named “William Scott”, but he’s listed as Scott W. in the census records. Seeing as the card was sent “c/o Scott Hubbler”, and the Hubler’s lived in Harrison County (where Potosi is located), I’m fairly certain I have the right man.

But birth days, death days, draft registrations, and the marriage index provide only the barest amount of context for a life. Who sent this card to Lloyd? Why? There are a few clues that we can use to point us in the right direction. Or at least to make some fun and semi-guesses.

First, the card was sent on February 16, two days after Valentines Day. My mind immediately goes to two scenarios. First, maybe there was a Valentines Dance for the surrounding area. Here, Lloyd met a girl and made the gravest mistake: he told his friends about her. Looking to pull a prank, they put together this card and sent it to him, care of his FATHER for added embarrassment.

Second, Lloyd’s older brother was 28 at the time. It’s possible he sent the card as a practical joke, but why would he misspell the name? While I think it’s possible he had something to do with the card, I doubt it was entirely done by the brother.

So, poor Lloyd had to deal with the embarrassment of being sent this provocative card. Because it was a postcard, everything could be seen by everyone. Not only could his father see and read it…but so could the postman, the postal workers…you get the idea. What did poor Lloyd do to deserve this humiliation? We will never know.

Lloyd did end up finding his “sweet” wife. In 1918, he married Leora Hinman. They went on to have three children. She outlived her husband by a decade, but I hope that their life together was S.W.A.K.

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Education family History parenting Photographs Postcards Teaching Vintage World War II writing

Two Wives, a Botanist, and a Ghost Ship…Oh My! (The Lawrence’s Part II)

From: Ida To Mrs. Dana Lawrence

If you haven’t read my blog post from yesterday, I’d recommend going back and taking a gander. Though part 1 is not entirely necessary, you’ll have more context for this post because I’m going to basically jump right in.

Yesterday, I explored the story of Ida’s postcard and the complicated legacy of the dropping of the Atomic Bombs as well as Victory over Japan day (known as VJ day). As the world entered the Nuclear Age…Ida went on vacation to Natural Bridge.

But what about Mrs. Dana Lawrence, the recipient of the postcard? The more I searched, the more I found, and honestly the stranger it got. So, I’ll go in chronological order and start at the beginning: with Dana Lawrence.

Dana is the patriarch of the family. Born in 1875, he married his first wife, Helen Ethelwyn Briggs in 1897. Their marriage lasted until Helen’s death in 1906. She was 18 when she married, and only 27 when she died. Their union produced three children; Marion Louise, Robert Parker, and Leonard.

With three young children at home, I imagine Dana may have been looking for help. In 1908, Dana married Anna Maria Mathewson. THIS is our “Mrs. Dana Lawrence.” I’ve talked before about how women are often obscured in the historical record because they are referred to by their husband’s full name. This is one of the many times I’ve had to trace the man first and hope to uncover the woman.

Anna was 25 when she married Dana and bore two children: Lucy and George, and THIS is where it got interesting!

George Hill Mathewson Lawrence was actually the first member of the family I found, because apparently he was a somewhat famous and well thought of botanist! This is the first “famous” connection I’ve run across with one of my postcards and while it’s only niche famous, it’s still a pretty cool find — at least I think so.

I know for sure that George entered the military during World War II, serving as a Lieutenant in the Navy. I don’t know where he served, but seeing as Ida specifically asks if Anna had heard anything from the “boys since August 14,” I suspect it was in the Pacific. If you remember yesterdays post, Japan informally surrendered on August 15. So, the greeting makes sense.

Now, I’ve also promised you the Queen Mary, and don’t worry, I’ll deliver! Leonard Lawrence (youngest son of Helen) has an interesting attachment to his record. It’s the passenger list of the RMS Queen Mary. He took the liner from Southampton to New York City between April 25-April 29 of 1951. Apparently he traveled first class as well. The ship now anchors in LA as a popular tourist attraction, and is considered one of the most haunted places in America. But probably not with any of the Lawrence clan.

There are plenty of other tidbits I found, but not as interesting as the ones I’ve shared. Anna died in 1959, at which point I assume this postcard was boxed, shuffled around, sold, sold again, and so on and so forth until it made it into my hands. Once again, it’s the friendship between two women that uncovers a part of family history.

Thanks for reading!

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Education family History Photographs Postcards Vintage World War II writing

“First Holiday in Four Years”: The Complicated Legacy of VJ Day and the Strange History of the Lawrence Clan, Part I

From: Ida To: Mrs. Dana Lawrence 1945

VJ Day 1945

Any good news of the boys since Aug. 14th?

Yesterday we drove thru (sic) Shenandoah Valley, Luray, New Market, Staunton to Natural Bridge — First holiday in 4 years except Xmas day — Return by way of Charlotteville tomorrow.

Love to all,

Ida

I’ve been waiting to post this card until September 2, which in 1945 was celebrated as “VJ” day, or “victory over Japan” day. I planned to do a post that discussed the complicated legacy of the United States’ victory over Japan which resulted in utter destruction and death in Nagasaki and Hiroshima. That message is still at the heart of this post. However, the research into this postcard took twists and turns that brought me to a second wife, a famous botanist, and even the illustrious RMS Queen Mary.

Therefore, this post will be part one of two. To honor those men and women who fought and died in World War II, as well as the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I will discuss VJ day in today’s post. Tomorrow, I will discuss the strange and winding tale of the Lawrence clan.

September of 1945 finally brought an end to the brutality of World War II. The war remains the bloodiest conflict in human history, with the deaths of an estimated 15 million military personnel and 38 million civilians.

Although Hitler met his demise on April 30, and by May 8 of 1945, the war in Europe was over, the US and her allies were still fighting the war in the Pacific against Japan. That war continued through the Summer and in weighing the death estimates of a full land invasion, President Truman made the decision instead to drop two atomic bombs. The United States dropped “Little Boy” on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and “Fat Man” on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. These two bombs laid waste to the cities, and resulted in upwards of 200,000 deaths. More, if you count those who’ve died in the years since the bombings.

By August 15, Emperor Hirohito announced the unconditional surrender of Japan to the Allies. This agreement was formally signed on September 2, 1945 — hence the term “VJ Day.” This is likely the history you know, or at least partially know.

There are many conflicting opinions on whether or not the bombs should have been dropped. I, personally, am in the “should not have dropped it” camp. However, I am a cultural historian and I primarily studied the colonial United States. I can give you in depth information about the color “Haint Blue“, but if you ask me about military history I often come up short. All this to say, I’m not here to argue for or against one side. I think Truman’s decision was wrong, but I understand others may vehemently agree with me.

What’s clear is the atomic bombs not only quickly brought an end to the final stages of World War II, they also leapfrogged us into the nuclear age, cold war, and mutual assured destruction. History was forever and irrevocably changed in the few moments that it took to release those bombs on a civilian population. Humans of the world must live with those consequences, and we can’t ever go back.

The thing that strikes me about this postcard is the disconnect between Ida’s tone and the immense world changing events that are happening around her. Yes, she acknowledges that the war is over. Yes, she asks about the “boys” (at least one of whom was deployed and I will talk about tomorrow!), but then she goes straight into a discussion of her vacation. She even sends the postcard from the Natural Bridge landmark. It’s so scarily mundane.

I chose postcards for this little project specifically because they provide a small snippet of information about the life of a person. It’s like peeking into a half-lit window while you’re passing a house at 60 miles an hour. You get a small sense of their surroundings, but not intimate details. I understand that we can’t, and often don’t, get the true feelings or fears or hopes of the sender. However, it seems to me as though the atomic bombings loom much larger for us in 2024 than they did for Ida in 1945.

Instant access to news and information was not an option for Ida. Wartime propaganda and bias would have also influenced what she knew, how much she knew, and even what she thought. News of the bombings and the Manhattan Project was tightly controlled and in the aftermath of the bombings, 85% of Americans responded favorably and believed we should have dropped the bombs. They vividly remembered those lost in the storming of the Normandy beaches, and were glad the war would not claim any more American lives.

So the fact that Ida and her husband chose to take a vacation after 4 years of war was probably not that strange. They were celebrating victory, celebrating life, celebrating the end of the war and reveling in American patriotism. However, I can’t help but get the ick from it. I know this is because I have the benefit of history. But the dropping of the bombs was one thing I truly thought made the world stand still.

But it seems that some Americans went on vacation.

It’s a lot to think about, and I have to wonder what events will be momentous to our ancestors that aren’t truly hitting us yet. Or, perhaps it was too much for Ida to take in, or she felt powerless, so chose to spend time with those she loved? That, I can understand. So many things have happened in the last five years that made me feel powerless to the press of history. But, we keep living and doing what we can to maintain normalcy.

Maybe that’s all Ida wanted.

Stay tuned for part two!

Natural Bridge Virginia

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Education family History parenting Photographs Postcards Teaching Vintage Work In Progress World War II writing

1941 Postcard to Sadie Baris: Cheeky Flirtation or Simple Friendship?

To: Miss Sadie Baris From: S. B. Leuson 1941

Don’t get me wrong – I’m only mailing a postcard.

Regards,

S.B. Leuson

In 1941, FDR was the President, Citizen Cane was released in theaters, Bob Hope hosted the 13th Academy Awards, and the US froze the assets of German, Italian, Hungarian, and other occupied countries. War hadn’t yet reached our shores, but preparations for the war had.

I love postcards that are sent to or from New York City. I’m a girl from the West — used to open spaces, mountains, and warm weather – so I’m always intrigued by the thought of city living. My grandmother grew up in New York City and I often think of her as well when I see these postcards.

This particular card is not so much intriguing as it is…silly? Fun? In my reading of the card, there’s an implied innuendo. The front of the card depicts a bed in the Lafayette Room at Lee Mansion in Arlington (colorized in the above picture). As you’ve read, the note on the back states “Don’t get me wrong – I’m only mailing a postcard.”

Yes, friend, but it’s a postcard with a picture of a bed! If I’d received that card as young adult, I definitely would have read into the meaning. I *for sure* would have gotten our friend S.B. *wrong.* Furthermore, the writer wants to downplay the fact that they wrote a postcard from Virginia and sent it to New York.

Sure, it only takes a few minutes, but typically one doesn’t send a postcard unless you care for the recipient. Also…the fact that there’s a bed on the front and the “don’t get me wrong…” on the back? My girlfriends and I would have dissected that meaning bit by bit in the waning hours after midnight, probably while drinking.

Again, we definitely would have gotten him wrong.

As for our recipient, Sadie Baris, I thought I would have a hard time locating her, but it turns out I got some results. There was a Sadie Baris in New York City who was born in 1909. If this is our Sadie, she was quite an accomplished woman. She became a lawyer in 1933 and eventually became a judge in New York. For a woman in the 30’s this is quite a feat!

So, was this our Sadie? The postcard is addressed to “miss” meaning that Sadie would have been unmarried in 1941. If this is our Sadie, she would have been 32 in 1941. A bit “old” to be unmarried. However, the Sadie I found didn’t marry her husband (Nathan Turak) until 1943, so I feel fairly confident this is a match. If true, Sadie Baris Turak lived to be 103 years old! She retired from her post as a judge when she was 100! Illustrious indeed.

What about S.B.? I do sort of thing this is a man writing the card – though it could be a woman as well – and I will argue that the card was suggestive in nature. Perhaps I’m so far off. However, it lends a bit of fun and drama and life to the past. But, what do you think? Is this a case of flirtation, or a cheeky note from a family member? Let me know!

Front of Postcard (In original black and white)

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Education family History parenting Photographs Postcards Teaching Vintage writing

Nellia and Lola Frey: A Glimpse into Childhood Innocence

To: Nellia Frey From: Lola Frey Circa 1910-1920

Hollo (sic) Nellia,

What are you doing now days. Answer soon.

From,

Lola Frey

From the “what are you doing now days” (without a question mark) to the childish script so lovingly labored over, childhood innocence spills out of this postcard. In fact, it’s what truly draws me to this particular card in my collection. I get this vivid image of a young girl writing at a small table, her tongue stuck out in concentration, her palms sweaty as she tries to perfect each swoop of the cursive lettering. Truly beautiful.

Unfortunately, there’s no postmark, so it’s hard to say when — or even where — the postcard is from. Based on the handwriting, my guess is that it lies somewhere between 1910 and 1920. However, without a stamp the only thing we know for certain is that it was after 1907 (the divided back strikes again!).

When setting out to research this card, I felt pretty positive I’d be able to find the sender or recipient. I had both names, a place, and some sort of family connection, so I really believed that I’d be able to go down a family line and find Nellia and Lola.

Oh, how naive I am.

Much to my chagrin, I couldn’t find Nellia or Lola at all. Even accounting for the fact that Nellia may be a pet name, and is more likely to be “Nellie” in the records. I immediately found a promising family, but there wasn’t a sister or cousin that I could trace to them. In that research, however, I did find a beautiful Nellie Frey Hagburg. Her photo is blurred, but she’s staring out of the frame with a slight smile on her face and has a Mona Lisa quality to her.

That Nellie is not our Nellia, but she died of consumption at 19, followed the next year by her mother. A pattern of loss that must have devastated the family.

As for Mapleton, it’s a small town located in the southern quadrant of Minnesota. As of 2020, the town only had 1,700 people, 3 full time police officers, and a volunteer fire department. I’m willing to bet that Nellia was of German decent, and was first generation in the midwest.

Without a postmark or stamp I have to wonder how Lola got her card to Nellia. I suspect they are cousins. Perhaps one brother was visiting the other and took the card. Perhaps Nellia and Lola were of the same age, and an older cousin was visiting Lola’s house and took the card. We can’t be sure of any of it. But, the card exists in the record as a memento to the love and innocence of childhood bonds.

Front of Postcard

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Education family History parenting Photographs Poems Postcards Teaching Vintage writing

Ruth’s Glee Club Adventure: A Postcard from 1907-1929

To: Mrs. F.W. Sargeant From: Ruth, circa 1907-1929

It is deeply gorgeous here. The glee club has come to Charlottesville for the day, and we’re driving (or buying?) up all the (?)

— Ruth

This postcard is maddening because the postal mark is in near perfect condition with the exception of the date! I obviously don’t know the exact year, however we can at least put a date range on the postcard if we examine the breadcrumbs left to us by history.

Between 1898-1917 it only cost 1 cent to mail a postcard. We can at least see the 19 on the postmark, and while the handwriting is luscious, it’s not the turn of the century script I’d expect to see in an early 1900 postcard. Our other clue is one we’ve seen time and time again — the divided back! So, the postcard has to be post 1907. That leaves us with a ten year range: 1907-1917. However, I have other postcards from after 1917 that have a 1 cent stamp. So…my instinct says this is closer to the 1920’s. Similar postcards are dated in the late 20’s — which is more in line with the handwriting on the card.

I adore that Ruth wrote while she was traveling with the glee club. She sent the card in April, so it’s not necessarily a summer trip, but could still have been a school trip. It’s possible she’s writing to a sister or an aunt or maybe even cousin. I don’t think it’s her mom. The tone of the card is too matter of fact. Sort of like she’s on this trip that she wants people to know about — but she’s not necessarily missing anyone.

So what of our sender and recipient? 741 Chestnut Street still stands in Manchester, NH. It was built in 1895, which lends credence to an earlier date. Like so many other times before, we run into the problem where the woman’s name is erased. “F.W.” is likely Mrs. Sargeant’s husband’s initials. Without either her first name, or her husband’s name, it’s pretty difficult to track down the original recipient.

There were a few promising matches. I found a Forest W. Sargent that I thought might lead to something, but alas I could never match the address to the name. Of course if I paid for property records I’m sure I could find them, but for this amateur postcard genealogist that’s not in the cards for now.

Suffice it to say that Ruth had a lovely time with the Glee club. I imagine that she’s somewhere in her teens or early twenties, traveling with bosom buddies, and living in the bright rays of late spring soaking up her days of youth.

Front of Postcard depicting Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson

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Education family History Photographs Postcards Vintage writing

The Perfect Carriage Ride and a Birthday: Suzie Radley’s 1909 Letter

From: Suzie A. Radley To: Mrs. E.G. Richardson, 1909

Adams, MA. Sept. ’09

This is your birthday. Many returns of the same. Went up this road awhile of weeks ago with Nathan Dickinsons daughter Ruth (17) and son Boyd (13) in a cart with four horses. Such a long winding road in the woods and such a magnificent view from the summit as well as many on the way. William comes in a week. I am not very much better but some.

Yours,

Suzie A. Radley

In September of 1909, news reached the world that both Dr. Frederick Cook and Admiral Peary had reached the North Pole, the United States passed a law that allowed postal workers to skip houses with aggressive dogs, and union members were locked out of their jobs at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company.

It was also E’s birthday. How old she was, or what her first name was, I don’t know. I wasn’t able to find her easily in the records. However, we know that Suzie was thinking of her, which I think is sweet.

On my hunt for information to bring to this post, I really ran into a wall. I couldn’t find a Suzie or Susan or Susannah Radley, I couldn’t find E, I couldn’t even find Nathan, Ruth, or Boyd Dickinson. Usually I can find something, but alas, no luck for me.

Although I don’t have biographical information for our main characters in the post-card, the card itself provides quite a bit of personal and life information. As you can see, the writing was on the front of the postcard, not the back. Again, we have an instance of a transition period postcard. It was legal to split the back, but for whatever reason Suzie didn’t use a divided back card.

Because the photo is so small and because Suzie didn’t have to contend with a divided back, we get a lot of detail about her that we can use to infer other information. The fact that she went on a carriage ride through the woods with a 17 and 13 year old tells us she’s probably somewhere between 15-19. I’d guess she’s closer to Ruth’s age — since that’s who she named first.

The ride through the woods probably took place in the waning days of August. The idea of it is lovely. A warm ride through a shaded wood with the crisp scent of fall on the horizon. Perhaps a bag full of bread and apples, and the joyous chatter of fellow teens to keep you company and a “magnificent” view at the end. What a great way to spend the last bright days of summer.

We also know that Suzie was expecting William. I am guessing he’s a brother or cousin, though I couldn’t find him either. My questions linger on the relationship between E and Suzie. Were they friends, cousins, or sisters? Was Suzie visiting Adams for the summer months, or did she live there? It’s the personal histories that fascinate me. The everyday lives of ordinary people that simply tried to do their best with what they had — it’s heroic. I wish I was able to find more.

But I’ll still bask in the thought of Suzie’s perfect summer day, and hope that E’s birthday brought her much joy and happiness.

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Education family History Photographs Postcards Teaching Vintage Writing Prompt

Elsie Murphy: Blushing Bride Turned Grieving Widow: The Story of Elsie Murphy

To: Mrs. Elsie Murphy. From: Jan, 1950

June 25, 1950

Dearest Honey,

I spose you know by now that I’m in Lancaster for a few days. I left Fri. on the 4 o’clock Zephyr. I leave just as you get home! How do you like that (ha). I’ve got a surprise for you when I get home. Did Dee call you? Or did you call the store? Bet you had fun at Cletek!(?) I got some sandals in Prairie du Chien. I’ll see you Wed. You probably won’t get this till after I’m home! did you go to the prom?

Love,

Jan

P.S. I got my phone call.

In 1950, World War II still loomed large in the proverbial rear view mirror of the United States. Harry Truman was President, the Korean War was just beginning, Joseph McCarthy — a Senator from Wisconsin — believed that Communists were everywhere, and Albert Einstein warned that nuclear war would lead to mutual destruction. It was somehow both a time of great change and stagnation. Technology was advancing at a frenzied pace, but Americans were frightened of the monsters they so eagerly created and sought ultimate control.

When I read this postcard I was positive it was a letter from a husband to a wife. From the salutation (Dearest Honey) to the squished signature — which I thought was “Jon”. At first glance, it was innocuous. A man sharing somewhat mundane stories and promising a surprise.

But under close examination the signature I thought read “Jon” was in fact more likely “Jan.” Things clicked for me after that. The tone of the card is what I would call “gushing“. There are many incongruent thoughts spilled out over the white space of the card and it’s as though Jan had so many things to tell Elsie that she needed to tell a little tidbit of all of it and spare all the details.

Once I ascertained that the card was from Jan, I started looking for Elsie. I found quite a few Elsie Murphy’s floating around. There was even a promising obituary of an Elsie Murphy with a daughter named Dee, but she lived her whole life in Maine — so couldn’t be our Elsie. Finally, I decided to try Elsie’s name and address, and immediately got a hit on a newspaper article from the Library of Congress. It states:

Shown receiving the Bronze Star Medal awarded to her husband, Cpl Robert V. Murphy, is Mrs. Elsie E.Murphy, 1209 South Cedar Lake Road.

This is, unquestionably, our Elsie. The record is amazing, because for the first time I was able to find an image of one of our recipients as she probably looked around the time she received the postcard. A little bit more digging uncovered the 1950 census reports from Minneapolis. It seems after her husband passed away, or perhaps even when he had been in war, Elsie lived with her parents in the Cedar Lake Road house. In 1950, she was listed as 31, Widowed, and working full time as a typist at a publishing company.

Now that I had Elsie and her husband’s name, I started searching for him. It seems Robert V. Murphy was killed in action in Germany during WWII. He was born in North Dakota and only went to Minneapolis in May of 1942. Did he meet Elsie there? How long did they have together before he deployed? Like so many other young couples, did they have a heated romance and marry quickly because of the threat of war?

And who was Jan? A friend Elsie met at her job as a typist? A school friend? A cousin? What was the surprise Jan had for Elsie? What was Jan’s phone call?

All of this from one little postcard. The story is fascinating, and I have a deep desire to find Elsie’s obituary. Despite all the Elsie’s I looked at, I don’t believe I found our Elsie. This tells me she likely remarried and was not buried under the Murphy name. I have to wonder how she managed to press on in her grief. Especially because Robert’s body was never recovered. She’d become a blushing bride only to become a grief stricken widow. I know I’ll be thinking about Elsie, her life after the war, and Jan’s sandals for a long time to come.

Front of Postcard: Grant County Court House, Lancaster Wis.

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Education family History Photographs Postcards Vintage Writing Prompt

The Enigma of Miss Laura Hanson’s Wintery 1909 Postcard

Miss Laura Hanson, 1909

Hello kid,

How do you like this wintery weather, I don’t like it one bit. I am in Atwater now just reddy to go home.

As ever —

By November of 1909, William Howard Taft was President, the NAACP had been founded, and the United States chose Pearl Harbor as a military site. The Progressive Era was in full swing with politics aimed at making life a little easier…for some.

Despite long remembered political events, everyday life continued to plod forward for the citizens of the country. Such is the case for Miss Laura Hanson and the mysterious sender of her postcard. The card indicates wintery weather — which I interpret to be early(ish) cold, ice, and snowfall.

Atwater is a small town in the middle south of Minnesota settled by Scandinavian and German emigrants. In 1909, it was a bustling railroad town, though it’s commerce also relied heavily on farming. By November, it would have been time to hunker down, warm up, and get through the cold. This attitude feels apparent in the card. On the weather, our sender indicates “I don’t like it one bit.” Perhaps that’s why they chose the colorful farming scene — to remind them of warmer times.

Since the sender didn’t sign a name, it’s impossible to know who they were or what their relation to Laura might have been. I did find a Laura Hanson born in a different city in Minnesota in 1896. It’s feasible that her family moved to Atwater after her birth. The timeline also fits, as this Laura would have been thirteen in 1909. The “Hello Kid” moniker feels appropriate for a younger family member. Perhaps the sender was an older cousin or family friend?

Though, I find it interesting that the card was *sent*, especially since the sender is in Atwater. The entire tone of the card is conversational and familiar, but there’s seemingly no meet-up planned. Was the sender a railroad worker only in for a night or two before leaving? Surely if the post could get to Laura, the sender could have gotten to Laura, unless of course they were working and had no time. It’s a bit of a mystery to me, because the sender is well known enough to leave off their name, but also is sending a card in lieu of a visit. Maybe it’s her father?

Is the Laura I found our Laura? Was she friends with the sender or family? I suppose we will never know. But, I can imagine her reading the postcard in the cold blue light of winter and wishing for spring to come again.

Front of Postcard

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Education family History Photographs Postcards Vintage Writing Prompt

“Dear Uncle Gust”: A Charming Glimpse of Innocence and Family Ties

To: Mr. August Fry. From: Donna. 1924

Blakeslee Ohio

May 3, 1924

Dear Uncle Gust,

How are you and Aunt Tillie? I like school very good. I like my teacher very well. I was very sick yesterday. I thought I would not to get to my first communion.

So good bye.

From,

Donna

In the United States, the 20’s were a relatively prosperous time. World War I was over, our production was booming. Movie stars graced the silver screen, roads began to stretch across America, and shopping became an experience. On May 4, 1924, the Summer Olympics opened in Paris — a fun coincidence since the games have returned to Paris 100 years later.

At the time that Donna wrote her card to “Uncle Gust,” Calvin Coolidge was president, Adolf Hitler had begun his jail term for the Beer Hall Putsch (he would serve 9 months), and the Soviet Union was in the process of becoming recognized as a nation. Though things were looking bright, there were ominous signs on the horizon.

But, not for little Donna, eight years old and living in Blakeslee, Ohio. For her, the glittering lights and industry hadn’t reached Blakeslee, Ohio, a small village of primarily German and French immigrants in the Northwest corner of Ohio. Currently, it houses some 100 odd people. In 1924, it was much the same, though it grew because of the railroad that went through town.

There’s something perfectly sweet about this postcard. Here we have a young niece not far from her uncle (roughly ten miles), but still far enough that a postcard is warranted. Further more, she calls him “Uncle Gust” which is adorable. AND, she has an Aunt Tillie? Fantastic. This postcard holds all the innocence of childhood: school, sickness, fear of missing something important, stilted, yet careful writing. It conjures an image of a little girl sitting in her room carefully and dutifully writing out the postcard, perhaps with her tongue sticking out of her mouth, maybe by candlelight. Even in the 30’s most rural spaces had yet to be strung up with electricity.

I’ve also had quite a stroke of luck in researching our sender and recipient. I found August AND Tillie Fry (or at least their graves). According to find a grave, August was a veteran of World War I, and raised dairy cows on a farm in Montpellier, Ohio. In 1924, he was 35 years old and Tilli 34. According to their find a grave, the two were married in 1922 and went by “Gust and Tilli.” There are pictures on the website, and they look like a beautiful couple.

And I even found Donna! This is a first for me, as I’ve never been able to find everyone listed on a postcard, however after some digging through the family tree, I found our postcard writer. She was blood related to Tillie. Her mother, Viola Elizabeth Walley Wherle, was Tillie’s older sister. Donna was an only child, and raised on a farm in Blakeslee. Donna grew up to have two children and was beautiful. I’ve linked her information a few times, but if you are interested, you can do a deep dive on her family tree here.

It’s so rewarding when I’m able to find a bit of information about my senders. I feel so privileged to be the custodian of Donnas hopes, worries, and childish scrawl, and I know I will continue to think of her writing a postcard to her Uncle Gust and Aunt Tillie.

Front of Postcard. A beautiful watercolor.