Monday, May 31, 2010

Photo Number 209


I like this photo..in the background a lady has an apron on and is carrying a pail, perhaps with cream in it or chicken feed. A little girl has both of her hands held up to her face. I will guess that this photo was taken in the 1940's or 1950's.
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Saturday, May 29, 2010

Photo Number 208

This is the saga of the straw hats...I believe this is the same little boy in all three photos.  I believe he is related to or was a friend of the lady in the chair yesterday, she was sitting by these same vines.
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Friday, May 28, 2010

Photo Number 207

Someones Grandma relaxing among the Grape Vines.. this could be from the 1940's or the 1950's, didn't most little old ladies wear those black shoes back then?  I know my Grandmother did.
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Thursday, May 27, 2010

Photo Number 206

This carriage is marked on the side Yellowstone Park Transportation.  On the back someone had written "Our Stage Coach".  I  have no idea if it was used for transportation when this photo was taken, it certainly could have been used, they used coaches like this one from 1881 to 1917.  I wonder what year this photo could have been taken.. from the one lady's hat I will guess the 1920's?  There is an old car off to the left..a Model T or a Model A.  I am no good with old car identification. 
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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Photo Number 205

Someone is contained..does he look like a troublemaker to you?  No guessing on the date on this one it was developed in June of 1956.  Remember these play pens, they were heavy to carry around and I think the bars were too far apart. 

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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Photo Number 204

Today we are going to enter the world of everyday old photos..photos taken of kids and people and places..if it was important enough to take a photo of..it should have been important enough to keep...but these are the forgotten ones..

A little girl with her wheelbarrow..playing in a pile of sand in a yard with a white picket fence.
She apparently had a baby brother..I will guess that this photo was taken in the 1940's.  If you have any input on the year, please leave a comment!
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Monday, May 24, 2010

Photo Number 203

The name was cut off of this photo..Love..who?  Note the shoulder pleats on the dress and that really large bow..I wonder what color it was..perhaps red!  I will guess that this is a photo from the 1920's.
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Update: From Norkio 
The gigantic bow and hairstyle intrigue me. So, I took a look at my favorite fashion history site and I'm going to guess that this photo is from the 30s. The hairstyle, with the waves over the ear, was very popular in the early 30s. Plus, the 20s fashions featured a flat, de-emphasized chest for women, whereas this big bow draws all attention to the chest. The wide-shouldered Marlene Detrich look of the 30s seems to be more in line with this inspiration.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Photo Number 202

This is a photo all the way from Boston, Mass. I cannot make out the Photographers name.._____ and Co. That is it for this lovely little photo, the entire card is 2 3/4 inches by 4 inches.  The photo itself is 1 inch by 1 1/2 inch..it is very tiny.  I wonder how it traveled all the way to Minnesota? In a trunk, on a train, in a buckboard or buggy?   I will guess that this photo was taken around 1910.  I purchased this photo in an Antique Shop in Park Rapids, Minnesota. There are no names on this photo.
It seems to me that  people wore dark colors in photos until 1900.  Then in about 1910 they switched and white or light colored clothing became more fashionable for women to be photographed in.
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Friday, May 21, 2010

Photo Number 201

This one I call three sisters. I believe they are the Niska girls.  This is a photo taken by J. Tessman in Wadena, Minnesota.  I emailed the historical society over there about the photographer..this is what they said.


The J Tessman Photo business started in 1899 and Tessman Studio owner #2 in 1909.  It was terminated in 1910.     We do have Isaacson's buried in the cemeteries in our data base.  We show that Amanda N. Niska married Charles S. Isaacson in Menahga 1900/1-17 by H. J. Haarala Justice of Peace. 


So I can probably date this photo at right around 1900. Amanda is probably the oldest sister on the right. 
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Thursday, May 20, 2010

Photo Number 200

This is Nancy Jean Ensrud or Ensreed or Evsrud or Evsreed.  The last name is hard to make out.

I chose this photo today, it was probably taken in the 1960's.  The era of the shaggy rug that lots of the photographers used  in their baby photo shoots.  You still had to take your child into a Photographers Studio to have this photo taken..this was before photographers came into the local malls or K-Mart to get as many young mothers to bring their children in for the 99cent specials.  These were not really specials, you got one photo for 99 cents..the others cost you.  I always tried to take the girls in for the specials, I don't think they ever went into a studio to have their picture taken professionally until their Graduation photographs.

Photography certainly has come a long way!  Thanks for stopping by, do come again:)
Update: 
We can date this photo 1953 or 1954 most likely. 
Abra had good luck finding Nancy Jean, I have her phone number and I left a message for her this evening..she lives in Illinois.  Hopefully she will call me back.  I try not to scare these people half to death.."Hi I found your photo in an Antique shop..." 
Update: June 30, 2010  I left another message on her cell phone..we discovered her name is Nancy Jean Ensrud Butler. I case someone happens by this post while searching for a name..contact me through my email address in my profile:) 

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Photo Number 199

This is a CdV or Cartes-de-visite, it is a small card, 2 1/2 inches by 4 inches. This photo was probably taken by Austin H. Wildman..he was a photographer in the 1880 's in Monticello, Illinois.  He was a Civil War Veteran who suffered some hearing loss. He was born in 1844 and died in 1923.  He had two children William T who was 12 in the 1880 census and Maude who was 14.  He had two wives,  Hannah and Margaret.

Since this is forgotten old photos..we don't know who the child in this photo is. If we are to follow the hair rules..a part on the side would indicate a boy.  This must have been a special chair in which children were photographed.  This small child has bracelets on both arms and is holding a bell.  I will guess that this photo is from the 1880's.
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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Photo Number 198


This is a Real Photo Postcard, it is a Azo and has triangles pointing up and down in the corners, so it is from 1918 to 1930.  A very somber looking couple, she is wearing a beautiful blouse with some very fancy stitching.  She is also wearing three pieces of jewelry..her locket, a necklace and a broach.  This is a postcard that I purchased at Aunt Ellie's Attic in Bemidji, Minnesota.
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Monday, May 17, 2010

Photo Number 197


This was probably taken by John Stolt, he was an early photographer in Calumet, Michigan. I will guess that this photo is from right around 1900.    Michigan history is confusing..Calumet was called Red Jacket, and a nearby town of Laurium was called Calumet until 1895.   My Great Grandparents were from this area of Michigan, my Great Grandfather was a miner in the Copper Mines before he gave it up for land and farming in Minnesota.  So what ever info I can learn from the area they lived in is interesting to me.
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Sunday, May 16, 2010

Photo Number 196


This is another photo that I purchased at Aunt Ellie's Attic in Bemidji, Minnesota.  It is a real photo postcard, it is an Azo that has squares in the corners where the stamp goes so it is from 1925 to 1940.  I will guess that it is from the late 1930's.

Sometimes the photographers are as interesting as the people.  Charles A Kukkonen came from Finland to America in 1903.  He learned to speak English and to take photographs.  In 1912 he opened his own studio.  He was well known in the Hancock, Michigan area.   His studio was continued by his son Carl until 1990.
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Saturday, May 15, 2010

Photo Number 195

This is a cabinet card, on the back it is marked. Nellie and Mae McMahan.  The photographer was M. Belgum of Stephen, Minnesota.   The Minnesota Historical Society has a list of Minnesota Photographers, I use it to date some of the photos that I have found.  I found a M M  Bergum who was in Stephen from 1898 to 1899.  It must be a case of a misspelled name, an R is really an L.    This photographer was an unknown..even to them.  I sent them a copy of this photo and I received this back.

Hi Connie,
Thanks for your note and question about this photographer.  It's always fun to hear how people are using our Photographers' database. I checked our records and don't see that we have any images in our collection by either Belgum or Bergum. We also don't have a photographer's file for either name. My hunch is that you are correct in guessing they are one and same photographer, by the name of Belgum.
I did some census research and found an M. Belgum in Warren, MN, age 20, in the 1895 State Census. By the 1900 US Federal Census, M. Belgum, identifying himself as a photographer, is living in Cooperstown, Griggs County, North Dakota. At that time, he gives his birth date as July, 1867 and age 32. He was born in Norway and immigrated to the US in 1892. In 1910, he's living in New Rockford, Eddy County, North Dakota, still single and gives his age as 46 (now shows his birth date 'abt 1864'). He still identifies his occupation as 'photographer'!  So, I think you can say, with some certainty that our database needs correction and your cabinet card was made by a photographer who made a good, long profession of it.
Diane ( Curator) 


So I will still date this photo 1898 to 1899.  I wonder what happened to the McMahan girls..this photo must have been taken before either of them married.

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Update from Abra:


I found a lot of information over the last two days, but still can’t connect these two ladies to anyone living. There seem to be many childless marriages, late in life marriages, or unmarried in the succeeding generations. For now, here is what I know:

Mae & Nellie are two of four daughters of Thomas B. (T.B.) and Theresa B. McMahan. There are also 2 sons. In 1870, the family is living in Reads Landing, Wabasha Co. MN with children Bertha(2) & Fred (3 mos). In 1875, they are still in Wabasha Co. and have added baby George (0). In 1880, they have moved to Andover, Polk County. They have Bertha (12), Fred (10), Richard (5-quite possibly George from 1875 census – same age), and Nellie has joined the family (2). There are also 3 servants, & father is a farmer. In June 1885, the family resides in Tamarac Twshp, Marshall County. MN (P.O. Stephen). TB is 39, Theresa 38, Bertha 17, Fred 15, Richard 10, Nellie 8, Cora 6, Mary (May) 3. This will be the completion of their children. In 1895, only Fred has moved away, but Berth has taken on a husband & has a 7 year old daughter.

I’ve mostly tracked the girls marriages, but since I haven’t yet found any heirs in their lines, I will need to do more on the brothers’ lines. Bertha married John R Walters on 4-8-1886 and had one daughter, Theresa. Theresa would later marry William Lyon. At age 42, in the 1930 census, Theresa had still not borne children. They lived in Crookston. I could not find death date for Bertha.

Nellie Adel McMahan married Greeley E Carr on 12-28-1898. They lived in Stephen for a short time (he was a lawyer). They moved to Minneapolis by 1905, where I find them in the census, as well as 1910. I haven’t been able to find them in 1920. Greeley died in 1923. They had no children. In 1930, I find Nellie A. Car, widowed, living in Minneapolis, working as a grocery store clerk. Nellie passed away 15 Jun 1967.

Cora Elizabeth McMahan was the next to marry, on 10-31-1901, to James Jacob Peters. In 1905, they are living in Stephen, and her husband is a barber. In 1910, they are living in Ramsey County and are listed in two different census sheets, taken 10 days apart. They may have been in the process of moving, as the children are the same, but one location lists one boarder (possibly Lexington Ave—hard to read), and the next location(Winifred St.) lists 3 boarders. “Jacob” is listed an insurance agent in both. The children are: Dale (3), Dorothy (2), Thomas (9-10 mos). In 1920, the family is living in Shelly, Norman County. Jacob is a barber again. Dale is no longer listed in the family (There is a Dale Peters listed in MN Death index for Feb 28, 1912 in Marshall County, no age listed, but I assume it is him): Dorothy (13), Tommy (11), Lyle (7), Thessie (3). By 1930, the family has moved to Greenbush, Roseau Co., MN. Jacob is a pool hall proprietor. Dorothy is no longer listed. (I did a lot of searching, with a possible late-in-life marriage, so I’m thinking no heirs from her). Thomas, 20, is a helper in the pool hall, Lyle is 17, and Tessie is 13. I could find no concrete information that Thomas was ever married or had children, Lyle was never married, and still working on a couple leads for Tessie, so it may be possible that she has heirs.

Mae Adelaide McMahan married Alvin John Lovestrom on 4-15-1906. (Alvin was a printer in 1905, living in Akely, Hubbard Co., MN). In 1910, the couple are neighbors to Mae’s parents and he is an editor. By 1920, he is the postmaster of Stephen and she is the assistant postmaster. In 1930, the census states he is a postal clerk and she is the postmaster. Mae & Alvin have not had children. Alvin died in 1939 & Mae in 1944.

I still need to do some searching on Mae & Nellie’s brothers. I guess since it has been easy to find this family, but hard to find heirs, this might help explain why the photos became forgotten old photos.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Photo Number 194

This is still one of the photos from the huge box that I first bought in Park Rapids, Minnesota at an Antique Shop.   A young lady..complete with dark stockings which must have been very warm, entertaining a small child with a piggy back ride.  A row boat is behind them at the edge of the lake.  This must have been taken in the 1940's sometime.
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**Update: Marlu says that this may be a 1920's photo..

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Photo Number 193

This is a photo that I purchased at Aunt Ellies Attic in Bemidji, Minnesota.  It is a Real Photo Postcard.   I liked it for the horse and buggy and the child sitting in the buggy all alone..what was the driver of the horse thinking..he must have really trusted this horse...or perhaps he was an idiot.

Johnny was apparently the idiots name..as it was his racer mare.  Grace knew the idiot Johnny.  This real photo postcard is from 1904 to 1918, because it is an Azo card that has triangles all pointing up in the four corners where the postage stamp goes.

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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Photo Number 192

This is another Meddaugh Cabinet Card photo, taken with the same pom pom chair, but with a different rug.  It was probably taken around the same time as yesterdays photo..perhaps the small child from yesterday is theirs!   With these unmarked photos you never know the story. The lady in this photo has a lovely gown.  I will date this photo 1890 to 1900.
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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Photo Number 191

This a Cabinet Card.  The photographer was Meddaugh on Main Street in Lead, South Dakota.  I got this photo in an Antique Shop in Perham, Minnesota.  Meddaugh was in business from 1862 to 1926, under both the names Robert J or Isaac, it could have been a father and son, so it is difficult to date this photo..I liked the chair..its subtle paisley print and all those pom poms..but look at the rug, it needs to be straightened.  The child, who might just be a boy is dressed beautifully in a gown made from his mothers petticoats! I will date this photo at 1890 to 1900.

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Monday, May 10, 2010

Photo Number 190


This is a photo that I purchased in a small Antique Shop in Motley, Minnesota.  This photo tells many stories.  A Grandmother (I think she is too old to be the Mother)  and a Granddaughter.  The photos to the left are perched upon a photo album, they appear to be a man and a woman and a larger photo of a young man.  Is it a sad story?  Is the largest photo..her husband..or son..perhaps the older woman is in mourning.

Behind her and to the right is a photo of Abraham Lincoln and some other politician..perhaps Johnson..
The wall paper is pretty wild..I found this photo very interesting..what story do you think it tells?
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Update from Norkio:
Yes, that is Andrew Johnson in the photo with Lincoln. He became president after Lincoln was killed. This tells us the lady is likely a Republican/Whig or supporter of the Union, and therefore most likely from a "northern" state. It looks as though they are posed in front of a door, although the large framed picture (?) or mirror (?) above them is perplexing. The woman's clothing is 1870s-1880s.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Photo Number 189

You can just tell how much this child loves this Mother..I thought it was a perfect photo for Mother's Day!
I wish all my readers a very Happy Mother's Day!

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This photo went Full Circle 116 on April 25, 2015

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Photo Number 188

The old tossing the baby into the air!  This was probably taken in the late 1920's or early 1930's.  There seems to be a Model T or a Model A in the background.  I do not know my cars.  
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Friday, May 7, 2010

Photo Number 187

This photo was processed on November 28, 1931.   The stamp that they used is smeared..or perhaps I could tell where the photo originated from.  I don't know, but this looks like a little boy to me..I love the way the Mom has crouched down in the grass to really show off this child..she was obviously very proud of him.
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Thursday, May 6, 2010

Photo Number 186

This is a Real Photo Postcard. An Azo which I can date at 1904 to 1918.  However I can further narrow that down to 1913 because someone wrote on the back.. Mary and Me 7 weeks taken in 1913.

I found this little treasure in a new to us Antique Shop located in Bemidji, Minnesota.  Aunt Ellie's Attic..the owner is a lovely lady who we had a very nice visit with..we will stop by there again one of these days.  It is always nice to frequent a shop where your business is appreciated:)

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Photo Number 185


Well the full circles are caught up with!  Lets look at some Mothers and Children for a few days.  This is a photo from the Antique Shop in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. This is Evelyn and Colleen, Colleen was two months old and she weighed 11 pounds and 14 ounces.  This photo must have been taken in the 1940's sometime.

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Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Full Circle Five

Joseph Francis  Grennan 1887-? 
This is Joe, his last name looks like Grennan or maybe Gremran or Gremnan.  I tried to scan it but the photo backing is dark and  did not scan well..I had to hold the photo to the light to read it. I believe that we have had this type of photo before..the oval glued onto the photo card.  This photo was taken at Haynes in Sterling, ILL.  I will guess around 1910.
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*** Update from Abra:  The name is Grennan. He was living at 606 W 6th ST in Sterling when he registered for the WWI draft. He was born Sept 18, 1887, and he was 29, married & had 3 children when he registered. He was of medium height, heavy build, gray eyes, black hair, & his left arm was off at shoulder. (The rest of the info is blurry & hard to read.) In 1900 he was living Hahanaman & Montmorency Twshps (Whiteside Co. ILL), along with parents Michael(53) & Bridget(42). There are 10 children in the family, ranging in ages from 3 to 23. Also, Thomas Murphy & Frank Fox, but I forgot to check relationships on them. In 1910, the family is living in Sterling (same county), there are only 3 children, with Joseph being 22, & Annie 20, & Katharyn 13. There should have still been 2 others at home (17 & 15), so either they are boarding or they have passed on in that 10 years. (I might be able to find more by searching family trees, but I won't have time right now). In 1920, Joseph is still in Sterling, age 32, and has five children. In 1930, he has 6 children and is living in Amboy, Lee county, Ill. (Della from picture 70 was also born/resided in Lee County--her pic, btw, is now posted with her info in her family tree). I could not find a relationship between Della & Joseph, but I think there must be some common thread between these, due to the residency counties. Perhaps Jinglebob has an idea on this.


Update: Jan 21, 2010 
I spoke with a gal by the name of Kay,   she lives in Springfield, IL  Joe in photo number seventy-eight is her cousin ( Thrice removed..but still a cousin) ..she was thrilled to find the photo..I will mail it off tomorrow.. another photo headed home!! She has assured me if she finds anything else out about Joe or perhaps how he lost his arm that she will leave a comment here:) Connie



Update: Feb 10, 2010  I received a note from Kay thanking me for the photo.  ( No news on the arm yet.) She also included a small check to defer the cost of postage.   So I cashed the check and promptly went to the Antique Shop and purchased a few more old photos with names on the back! 


Update: May03, 2010  Abra sent me an email saying that Joe's photo has now appeared on the Ancestry site.     So this photo goes full circle today! 
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Monday, May 3, 2010

Full Circle Four



Photo Number 149                     Photo Number 30 

May 03, 2010
A few weeks ago, I obtained a phone number for Bob. So I called him up!   He lives in Nebraska. He is in his eighties, he never married.  His sister Joyce is still living in Norfolk, Nebraska.  She suffered a small stroke the week that I talked to Bob, he said that she should recover completely.  Bob was a Cattle Feeder his whole life, and never found anyone that he liked well enough to marry. 

He told me a story about three brothers that settled in Fremont, Nebraska, one wasn't married.  The brothers all went to the United Brethren Methodist Church which is now the United Methodist Church.  Anyways, the presiding elder at the church suggested that the bachelor visit a family with six daughters at Hoskins.  So the bachelor went a calling with a team and a wagon at dinner time one night, picked one out and they were married the next day.   They lived together for years, then the wife died and he required some care so Bob's Mother cared for him, one day he up and died.  Bob said "He died from loneliness, he loved her so much."

Bob has lived in Stanton, Nebraska all his life.  He talked my ear off, he said  "This is the weirdest phone call I have ever got in my entire life."   He said, that yes I could mail him the photographs that he would give them to his sister, he himself didn't have much use for them, perhaps his niece would like them.  

I was correct in my assumption and so was Abra, he is related to the Vogues and to the Meirherys that live here in Minnesota at Deer Creek.  He said he thinks his cousin Marlys lives in Park Rapids, which is very near me..but he cannot remember her last name.   He also said that Fred Vogue was an avid photographer. 

With nothing else happening with these photos I declare them full circle. 
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November 30 2017.  I received news today that Bob died on November 27 2017.
His friend Ed shared this photo with me.  Rest In Peace Bob
A Celebration of Life for Robert W. Freiberg, 94, of Stanton, will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 2, 2017, at the Stanton United Methodist Church. Reverend Lydia Dayton will officiate. Burial will be in the Stanton Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, from 12:30 p.m. till service time at the church. Home for Funerals of Norfolk is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Freiberg passed on Monday, November 27, 2017, at the Stanton Health Center.
Robert was born on June 7, 1923, in Stanton, the son of William and Lucille (Voge) Freiberg. He attended rural school before graduating from Stanton High School. Following his education, Robert returned to the family farm, which was homesteaded by his parents.  He became a true Steward of the land while it was under his care.
Although he loved farming, Robert’s greatest passion was fishing. He delighted in teaching his niece and nephew how to fish. He took every opportunity, year-round, to go fishing. Robert enjoyed all of his friends that partook in the sport he enjoyed so much.
He not only cared for the land, he also took care of his mother following the death of his father.
Robert is survived by his sister, Joyce Meilike, of Lincoln, NE; his niece, Linda Meilike, of Papillion, NE; his great niece, Heather Buss and his great nephew, Garrett Buss.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother-in-law, Don Meilike, and one nephew, Mark Meilike.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Photo Number 181

Isn't this young lady beautiful?  I thought so, is it any wonder that she has a ring and a locket on a chain. I read where sometimes teachers would get married secretly, and wear the ring on a chain around their neck.  I wonder whose photo is in the locket?   This is another unknown from the Antique Shop in Park Rapids, Minnesota.  I will date this 1910-1913.

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Saturday, May 1, 2010

Photo Number 180

Sisters?  Perhaps. Friends?  Maybe.   This came from the Antique Shop in Park Rapids, Minnesota. I will guess that this is from the late 1880's.. they almost have bangs..the dresses or blouses seem to be heavily pleated in the front.
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Update from Norkio: 
Big plaids like that also tell us this lady had some means, as matching plaids on a dress required extra fabric. The sleeves with their puffed shoulders are fairly typical of the late 1880s to 1890s.