John G. Walter Photo

Just in time for Veterans Day, here is an old, framed photograph of John Walter, Company D, 151st Division. John was killed in action in France on July 28, 1918.

Update, March 11, 2009: Since my last post, I've learned a little more about Pvt. Walter. This is what I found at the American Battle Monuments Commission website:

Private First Class, U.S. Army 151st Machine Gun Battalion, 42nd Division

Entered the Service from: Pennsylvania

Died: July 28, 1918.

Buried at: Plot B Row 21 Grave 29 Oise-Aisne American Cemetery Fere-en-Tardenois, France.

And from http://www.genealogybuff.com/misc/ww1/il-ww1-ago-casualties25.htm , I've learned that you were from Lancaster, Pa.

Somebody loved you, John...they kept this old photo of you until they died. You were taken so young, you never had a chance to have a family of your own. You've been gone now for 91 years, but there are still people who honor your memory, John. I am proud to be one of those people.

See this on Wigix

Old Roosters... by L. Lee Layton, Jr.

Old Roosters... by L. Lee Layton, Jr.
Originally uploaded by imsobob.

Written on March 3, 1942 by Dover businessman and famous Sussex Countian, L. Lee Layton, Jr, this short analogous article compares young men and old men to Roosters and Broilers in wartime America. Four pages in pamphlet form, Mr. Layton's article was a call for people on Delmarva to get to work supporting the armed forces, and he used the poultry industry here as an example. And remember, there were no magnetic yellow ribbons in 1942.
Mr. Layton was born in Georgetown in 1889 and was well known in the Dover area for his strong and very public opinions. He was married to Marianne Layton.

Grandpa and Grandma Starner

"Henry Starner, Art Starner Jr's Grandpa and Grandma Starner." Henry Starner lived in Idaville, just south of Starners PA in what is now Adams County. The photo was taken by Mumper photogarphers of 27 & 29 Baltimore St. in Gettysburg PA, around the time of the Civil War.

Learn more about the Starner Family on Rootsweb or on the Starner Family Web Site.

See this old photo on Wigix

Henry Phillipps of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Henry Phillipps of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

An old AZO real photo postcard taken in Pittsburg PA probably beween 1904 and 1911. The AZO is no older than 1904 and the spelling of "Pittsburg" reverted to "Pittsburgh" in 1911. On the reverse of the card has been written "Henry Phillipps dressed up for Halloween." Henry's name could also be the more common spelling of Phillips.

Luthersburg PA Holiness Convention

Holiness Convention

An old poster inviting folks to the holiness convention at the M.E. Church in Luthersburg Pennsylvania. Held under the auspices of the Armstrong County Interdenominational Holiness Association, and presenting Mr. and Mrs Mark R. Smith, Evangelists and the Reverend A.O. Tillotson, Pastor in Luthersburg. This old thing looks to be circa 1920's. The Holiness movement originated in America way back in 1850 or so and was an endeavor to preserve the teachings of John Wesley.

Luthersburg PA is in Clearfield County. The poster tells you how to get there... Luthersburg is six miles from DuBois on the B.R. & P.R.R. (Buffalo Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad).

William J. Plank Ditch Digging Machine

plank

Harve Kauffmans mailed this old postcard to Amos Jay Miller in Topeka Indiana back on October 14, 1949. The old print features a contraption known as William J. Plank's ditch digging machine. This may have been the William Plank of Elkhart Indiana, related to the families Schrock, Zook, Mishler, Plank and Miller.

If you can help me identify Mr. Plank, or if you are a family member, please leave a comment.

Iron Bitters

Iron Bitters

An old trade card, circa 1880, encouraging moms to keep their children healthy and strong by giving them Iron Bitters. Made by Brown Chemical Company in Baltimore, this medicine contained cocaine.

Touted for curing indigestion, dyspepsia, fevers, belching and loss of strength, a couple of swigs of the famous Iron Bitters was guaranteed to provide energy and add new life to the nerves.

Happy Easter to the Jenkins Family

Happy Easter to the Jenkins Family

Mrs. J.W. Downham of Viola Delaware mailed this old Easter postcard to Mary Jenkins of Woodside Delaware on April 4, 1908. Springtime, new life and the wonder of it all adorns this old beauty. Not much of a sentiment on the reverse though... Mrs Downham had invited Mary to "a special display of millinery in my parlor". Maybe that was the Victorian's version of a Tupperware Party. Do they still have Tupperware Parties?

Florence sent this Easter card from Dover Delaware to Mary Jenkins. The embossed card distorted the postmark, but it looks like it was sent in 1908 or 1909. Agnes is Mary's daughter.

Another old Easter card, this one sent to Glancy Jenkins on March 25, 1910. Glancy Jenkins would grow up and he and his wife, Elsie would take over operations at the Jenkins Store in Woodside.

Blue Coat Inn

Blue Coat Inn
Soon to be another nostalgic image of Dover, DE... the Blue Coat Inn. I liked the Blue Coat, it was a nice restaurant, most times. I have to add the disclaimer because this the very place that holds my personal record for the longest wait for a table, 2 hours and 30 minutes on February 14, 1996. Valentines Day, I know...I know, but a friend of mine had a coupon and he talked us into it. Anyway... We miss you Blue Coat Inn.

Here's an old postcard by A. Ken Pfister of Dover Delaware advises on the Reverse: Blue Coat Inn & "Sailing Eagle" Tavern on Silver Lake in historic Dover, Delaware. Once a private home, the inn today offers the publick a varied BILL OF FARE in Countri-style dining. Meetings and Parites also accomodated in distinctive lake-front rooms reflecting themes from Delaware's early history. Phone 674-1776.












Another postcard from A. Ken Pfister of Dover, this one featuring "The Independence Room" Blue Coat Inn on Silver Lake in historic Dover, Delaware. The painting depicts Colonel John Haslet's Delaware Regiment, whose uniform inspired the name Blue Coat Inn, marching from Dover Green to join General Washington's troops in the summer of 1776. Dining daily except Mondays.

Here's what it looks like now (May 16, 2007).

The Jenkins Store

Once, in Woodside Delaware, there was a general store known as the Jenkins Store. This little shack played a central role in the goings-on in Woodside, providing necessities and a gathering place for the locals until 1988. A classic American general store, the Jenkins Store now sits at the Delaware Agricultural Museum in Dover, Delaware... in a place called Loockerman Landing. You can see it in this article by delawarewoman.

The store opened in 1865* (when the name of the town was still Fredonia) and was first known as the Reed General Store after proprietors John and Jane Reed. Their daughter Mary Jane Reed and her husband Phillip Jenkins took over the store when the Reeds retired, and ran it until 1947. After that, son Glancy Jenkins and his wife Elsie operated the store. After Glancy died in 1967, Elsie operated the old place until it closed.

*According to Woodside, A Bicentennial Commemorative, published by the Town of Woodside in 1987, the store opened in 1865.

You can find a lot of old postcards to and from the Jenkins family on this blog.

USS Pennsylvania

Here's an old postcard, mailed free in 1944 from Bainbridge Maryland. The card has a U.S. Navy postmark and was mailed by A/S Herman G. Moore to his son, Hiram Moore, in Felton Delaware. Mr. Moore told his son that he was sorry that he had missed his birthday and asked him to be a good little man.

The wartime postcard features the big guns of the Flagship Pennsylvania.

The U.S. Navy Training Center at Bainbridge was established in 1942 to train Navy recruits during World War II. To learn more about the center, visit the USNTC Bainbridge Association.

St. Patrick's Day from Ellen H. Clapsaddle

Ellen Clapsaddle was a wonderful artist, and is a postcard art legend. Her work was first noticed in 1900 and by 1906 she was illustrating for the Wolf Company in New York. One of the very few women illustrators of her time, she soon became the sole illustrator and designer for Wolf. Most postcards of the day were printed in Germany (as were these) and Ellen found herself in Germany for business in 1914 at the outset of WWI. She was trapped there, a displaced person unable to return to America. After six months, one of the Wolf brothers made his way to Germany and found her wondering the streets penniless and mad. She and the Wolf company lost all of their money, and Ellen lost her mind at the peak of her career. She died in 1934, desolate, broke, and forgotten.

We love you Ellen Hattie Clapsaddle (1865 - 1934).


This old St. Patrick's Day postcard dates from around 1907 and features the art of Ellen Clapsaddle. The card was addressed to Miss Irene Hendrickson of Washington DC and it was signed "Mother". The Irish character wishes us "The Top of the Morning to You".











The card here was mailed on March 16, 1908 by Hattie in Wilkesbarre PA, and sent to Maw McAnall in Berwick PA. "From the Auld Sod" (Ireland).

Pvt. Wilton Virdin, to Magnolia Delaware

Pvt. Wilton Virdin, to Magnolia Delaware

A great old wartime print of men lining up for chow at the reception center at Fort Dix, NJ. I wonder how many of them are still around today? Private Wilton Virdin mailed this to the folks back home in Magnolia Delaware on February 8, 1943. He sent this card to Mr. Russell Virdin, but I have other Virdin Cards in the collection, including Nettie, Medford and Virginia Virdin of Frederica DE.

Click on the photo for a larger view. You can fill your screen with this photo if you want to see the smiles on them faces.

See another old Virdin (Virden) card posted back in June 06, Right Here!

Big Run PA

Mailed to Mr. Herbert Slichter of Mohnton PA from Big Run back in June of 1908, this old postcard features a nice view from the hills behind the town. This postcard is a bit ragged, but such a nice scene from nearly a century ago. Not much traffic in Big Run, you'll notice.

The Chicago Worlds Fair of 1893

The World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 introduced picture postcards to the American public. Here is a postcard from that Expo... a genuine pioneer era postcard. The Expo showcased the power of the coming (20th) century, electricity, and the Fair also introduced carbonated beverages and hamburgers. A young Scott Joplin worked there, honing his Ragtime skills.

A wildly successful Expo, in my opinion.

Is it love

Four old postcards featuring perspectives on love from about a century ago. Is that a Pittsburgh Pirates Uniform worn by the young lady in the card on the upper left? In May of 1910, that old card was sent by Jack Dixon to Mr. Sheldon Fairchild, 415 Market Street in Wilmington Delaware.

The Johnny on the Spot card was sent to Miss Marian Shakspeare in Marshallton Delaware back in May of 1908.

And in April of 1907, the Holding My Own card was sent to Mr. S.E. Rodgers in Hestle Alabama.

The old postcard featuring an angry lady slapping her husband is unmailed but most likely from around 1910.

Would You Be My Valentine?

Valentines Day

The card on the upper left was sent to Mrs Mary Nelson on Madison Street in Wilmington, Delaware nearly a century ago. The card next to it was sent to Miss Ethel Reynolds of Lumberton New Jersey on February 14, 1907.

Happy Valentines Day!

Would You Be My Valentine?

Happy Valentines Day to one and all.

Happy Birthday President Lincoln

Happy Birthday President Abraham Lincoln.

click on this photo to see a good lithographic print of President Lincoln

East Earl Township PA ... Class of 1911

Here is a Class Souvenir from a school in East Earl Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. These old things were kind of like yearbooks without the pictures, or the signatures. Memories made and meant for safe keeping, and now here it is after nearly 100 years have passed.

The teacher was Sallie V. Bowman and the Directors were Roland Good, David Wenger, John J. High, Clayton Bair, Barton Sauder and Frank Wise.

The list of students for October 1910 through March 1911 include:

Lizzie Weaver, Esther Weaver, Bessie Keiffer, Ada Horst, Bertha Weaver, Francis Martin, Lizzie Sauder, Lizzie Leinbach, Rebecca Horst, Anna Z. Martin, Alice Taylor, Clara Ziemer, Anna M. Martin, Marion Kieffer, Anna Sauder, Susan Gehman, Luella Horst, Moses Martin, Erbie Sauder, Horace Weaver, Eli Zimmerman, Eli Gehman, Adam Crills, Lloyd Sprecher, Raymond Shirk, William Horst, and Horace Ziemer.

Anna and Elizabeth (Lizzie) were certainly popular names of the Day, and just look at how many Weavers and Horsts there were in that small class. Some of the younger pupils may still be alive today ...and I'll bet they still have this little Souvenir booklet from 1911 ... memories made and meant for safe keeping.

Downtown Pittsburgh ... 1905

Here is an old view of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, featuring the Farmer's Bank Building. You can see the trolley cars and the bustle on the street below. There is a large sign painted on the side of a building advertising Eisner and Phillips Outfitters where you could order a suit for just $15.00 cash money.

This is an old, real photo post card, as we collectors call them. It was mailed from Pittsburgh on September 21, 1905 and sent to Miss Leak Blankley of Philadelphia. The post office didn't allow anything but the address on the reverse of any post card sent during this era... so folks usually penned a short note on the front, as did Harry on this occasion. I can't find any human name of "Leak" so this card may have been sent to Leah Blankley.

I'm always amazed that a fragile little piece of paper, with it's little message, survived so many years. And I wonder how many more it will endure. I will have it a little while and then it will continue its journey, I hope.

As featured on eBay.

Mary Leaman, 17 years old ... about 1905

Today, I received a comment from Jane on my earlier Leaman blog from November 30, 2006.

Jane said...
wow, can i see the picture with Mary Leaman? I wonder if they are from Paradise PA...i've been reading about her from the book, Queen of the Dark Chambers.

Well, here is the photo of Mary Leaman (age 17), Dr. Leaman (age 66) and Aunt Mary Leaman (age 69). This was taken in Gettysburg Pennsylvania about 1905, according to the inscription on the reverse. It's not a good photo, I'm sorry to say, but I'd enjoy hearing more about Mary and Queen of the Dark Chamber.

Steam Tractor

This isn't your father's John Deere, that's for sure. This is an old steam traction engine. Too big and too heavy to be very mobile on soft soil, it was often strategically located on (or near) a farm field and its engine used to move or drive other equipment. Sometimes two of these behemoths were used... one pulling a plow to one side of a field and another pulling it back the other direction. I'm not a farmer, but these farm workers may have been using the steam engine to drive a wheat thresher which is out of the photo. Whatever they were doing at the time, they've been immortalized in this old AZO real photo postcard from the 1904 - 1918 time period.

The area pictured is as flat as Felton,Delaware so the photo may have been taken around these parts (Lower Delaware, Maryland Easter Shore). I think this old contraption may be a Case Corporation or a Peerless steam tractor, but I've not been able to find a match. If you recognize this old beauty, please leave a comment to identify it for us. Other possible manufactures may include Best Manufacturing, Ransomes, Fordson, Advance Rumely, Peerless, and Deering Harvester.

ADDED January 22, 2007: Thanks to some good advice from our friends at Yesterday's Tractor Magazine, this old tractor is very likely a Peerless steam traction engine, manufactured by the Geiser Manufacturing Company of Waynesboro, PA.

A Woman Without a Hat

Victorian beach wear, modeled by a nineteenth century woman when modesty was the style of the day. It's tempting to look back and wonder "what were they thinking". Recognize that someday, somebody will be asking the same question about you.

Cousin Mollie mailed this old postcard to Mrs Fermor Stouffer of Greencastle Pennsylvania back in March 1909. Contrary to the risque pose featured on the front, the reverse has a short message about the improving health of a sick child in Five Forks Pa.

Downingtown High School class photo

These high school students send us greetings from their class trip to Gettysburg, early in the last century. In their Sunday best at Devil's Den on that warm spring day, you can see the hope and confidence shining on their young faces. Filled with aspirations and dreams and with a lifetime in front of them, they stood there in the sunshine and captured that moment in time.

The photographer has marked the photo as DHS at Devils Den. I found this old photograph postcard in with a bunch of postcards from or to the Larkin family in Downingtown Pennsylvania, so DHS very likely stands for Downingtown High School. The postcard itself dates from sometime between 1907 and 1920, and I believe, based on the dates of the other postcards, that the photo was probably taken around 1910 or so. These other Larkin Family postcards include cards to Jessie Larkin, Rachel D. Larkin, Elizabeth Larkin, Martha Larkin, Mrs. Edgar Larkin and Dr. E. D. Larkin as well as cards to or from other family or friends including Norman Rodgers, Mary Rodgers, Ruth Thompson, Mrs. Jessie L. Rodgers, Mrs E. A. Speakman (the Barclay, West Chester, Chester County PA), Elizabeth Speakman, M. A. Parsons (a soldier in France 1919) and M.P. Dewees