Laurel Cottage Genealogy
Genealogy Services, Old Photos, Postcards, Trade Cards, Etc.

River View, Menominee, Michigan

Posted on May 6th, 2015 by

River View Menominee Michigan pc1River View Menominee Michigan pc2

Undivided back, used postcard. Postmarked from Menominee, Michigan on August 1, 1906. Incoming postmark at Fort Sheridan, Illinois on August 2, 1906. Publisher:  The Rotograph Co., New York City, NY. Series or number:  A52588. Made in Germany.

Availability Status:  SOLD

“River View, Menominee, Mich.”

“Dear Mrs. Henning: – We are having a very pleasant vacation. I am very glad you find your new home so pleasant. Miss Wilkins[?]”   Addressed to:

“Mrs. O. Henning, Ft. Sheridan, Ill.”

The city of Menominee is located at the southernmost tip of the Upper Peninsula, on the shores of Green Bay of Lake Michigan, and the banks of the Menominee River, which makes up part of the Michigan-Wisconsin border. This postcard is the last one in the Dr. Oswald Henning Collection, but we hope to come across more.

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Categories: Boats and Ships, Postcards, Postcards Used, The Dr. Oswald Henning Collection, Undivided Back

Père Marquette Depot, Bangor, Michigan

Posted on May 5th, 2015 by

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“Dare Cousons I thought wood send you card to let ya now I am picking haye[?] now I am will [well] and having good time – from Eathy to Milson.”

This Real Photo Postcard, circa 1910, shows a train at the Bangor, Michigan train depot, and some people waiting to board and/or having just disembarked. The caption on the postcard is in reference to the Père Marquette Railroad (later Railway) named in honor of the French Jesuit missionary and explorer, Père Jacques Marquette (1637 – 1675).

This particular Bangor is Bangor Township, a civil township in Van Buren County, and located west of Kalamazoo and close to the shores of Lake Michigan; not to be confused with the charter township of Bangor in Bay County, Michigan.

Several references were found online for the publisher. From a 1912 publication on the history of Van Buren County,  “…the Wagner Drug Company, has a large and flourishing trade throughout the village of Bangor and vicinity.”  This is in reference to Fred W. Reams, who in 1901 entered the drug store business with his father-in-law, H. D. Harvey, continuing with him for seven years. ….Looking further, we find reference of L. R. Wagner taking over from Harvey in 1909…. L. R. is Leonard R. Wagner, on the 1910 Federal Census, occupation Pharmacist, owning his own store, born in Michigan, about 1880; wife’s name Hattie (Dekruif) Wagner.

Divided back, Real Photo Postcard, unused with writing. Circa 1910. Publisher:  Wagner Drug Co.

Price:  $4.00

Sources:  Jacques Marquette. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Marquette. (accessed May 5, 2015).

Rowland, Capt. O. W. (1912). A History of Van Buren County Michigan, Vol. 2. (p. 797). Chicago:  Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, 1912.

Biographies of Van Buren Citizens. “L. R. Wagner” U.S. GenWeb Project (Ancestry.com) Web accessed Mary 5, 2015.

Year: 1910; Census Place: Bangor, Van Buren, Michigan; Roll: T624_676; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 0149; FHL microfilm: 1374689

Pere Marquette Railway. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pere_Marquette_Railway. (accessed May 5, 2015).

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Categories: Postcards, Postcards Unused With Writing, Real Photo Postcards, Trains

W. S. Darling, the “Indian Curio Man”

Posted on May 4th, 2015 by

Postcard Header W S Darling

This is the beautiful postcard back header that appears on a 1908 card that shows the following publisher information:

W. S. Darling, the “Indian Curio Man” Harbor Springs, Michigan.

It’s unknown whether this header was exclusive to W. S. Darling, or whether other publishers may have used it. (A 1909 offering, currently for sale elsewhere online does show a different header for him.)

Willard S. Darling was born in Jackson, Michigan on December 2, 1870.

On November 30, 1892 he married Bertha E. Stutsman in Harbor Springs. She was born in Indiana about 1871,  the daughter of A.R. Stutsman and Martha Byerly. Willard was the son of Christopher Columbus Darling and Louisa Felshaw. His occupation was Printer on the marriage record.

There are lots of records appearing online for Willard S. Darling but a 1903 city directory, which included Harbor Springs, confirms that he was the “Indian Curio Man.” Below is the entry evidently indicating that he was partners with Henry S. Babcock, under the name of Babcock & Darling. The second entry shows their ad that appeared at the bottom of the same page regarding the Harbor Springs Graphic.

1903 Directory

Ad2

More records…

1910 census, Harbor Springs – with wife Bertha, and their daughter, Maie; occupation Printer at a newspaper;

1920 census, Harbor Springs –  with wife Bertha E., and daughters Maie and Josephine; occupation Oil Inspector for the state.

1930 census, Harbor Springs – with wife Bertha and daughter Josephine; occupation Tax Collector.

1940 census, Harbor Springs – with wife Bertha, daughter Josephine (public school teacher) and lodgers Geraldine Wolfe and Mildred Ives; occupation Rep for the sales tax department.

Willard S. Darling died in Petoskey April 8, 1943, and was buried in Harbor Springs. Occupation given on death record was State Sales Tax Collector.

Sources:  Original data: Michigan, Marriage Records, 1867–1952. Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics. (Ancestry.com)

Polk’s Petoskey City and Emmett County Directory, 1903, Vol. 1, p. 176. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989.

Year: 1920; Census Place: Little Traverse, Emmet, Michigan; Roll: T625_763; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 161; Image: 776. (Ancestry.com)

Year: 1930; Census Place: Harbor Springs, Emmet, Michigan; Roll: 981; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0007; Image: 666.0; FHL microfilm: 2340716. (Ancestry.com)

Year: 1940; Census Place: Harbor Springs, Emmet, Michigan; Roll: T627_1748; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 24-8. (Ancestry.com)

“Michigan Deaths and Burials, 1800–1995.” Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010. FHL 966505. Ancestry.com. Michigan, Deaths and Burials Index, 1867-1995.

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Categories: Publishing Companies - D

Summer Home, Harbor Point, Michigan

Posted on May 3rd, 2015 by

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A small collection…

This is the first of five postcards that were all sent to Ida L. Vance, of Eureka, California. According to the Find A Grave website, Ida was born March 17, 1872 in Humboldt County, CA, was married to Fred C. Hauck, and unfortunately (always sad to read these type) died at the young age of 39, on August 14, 1911. She was the daughter of John McGregor Vance and Sarah Jane (Babbitt) Vance, and one of five children. The 1880 Federal Census lists the parents’ place of birth as New Brunswick, Canada, and John’s occupation as Day Laborer. By 1900, John has made some major career advancements, as this census gives his occupation as Railroad President.

Where is Harbor Point?

Harbor Point is an unincorporated community and peninsula in Northern Michigan, southwest of the Straits of Mackinac. The peninsula is located in the Little Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan, jutting off south from the town of Harbor Springs, and across the Bay from the town of Petoskey. Per Wikipedia, Harbor Point began as a resort in 1878, and was originally called Lansing Resort. We wonder whether the summer home shown here is still standing and in use. (Hoping so!)

Michigan MapHarbor Point Map

Divided back, used Real Photo Postcard. Postmarked September 5, 1908. Publisher:  W. S. Darling, “the Indian Curio Man.” Harbor Springs, Mich. Number 68. Made in Germany.

Price:  $20.00

Sources:  Find A Grave Memorial# 84383715. Find A Grave. Web accessed May 3, 2015.

Year: 1880; Census Place: Eureka, Humboldt, California; Roll: 66; Family History Film: 1254066; Page: 362D; Enumeration District: 032; Image: 0026. (Ancestry.com)

Year: 1900; Census Place: Eureka Ward 4, Humboldt, California; Roll: 86; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 0025; FHL microfilm: 1240086. (Ancestry.com)

Maps of Michigan showing Harbor Point, Location. Google.com.

West Traverse Township. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Traverse_Township,_Michigan (accessed May 3, 2015).

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Categories: Houses, Postcards, Postcards Used, Real Photo Postcards, The Ida L. Vance Collection

The Promise Of Spring

Posted on May 2nd, 2015 by

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Trade card, circa 1898 – 1908.   Size:  About 3 and 3/8 x 5″  Condition:  Poor with folds, tape and some staining.

Price:  $4.00

Since we were in Detroit for the last two posts, this one had to be next for the following two reasons:  Lilies of the valley always remind me of my hometown; we had them in the backyard when I was growing up. And we just passed the month of April, and April in the D is often subjected to that one last snow or ice storm. Ha, yep, was it a week or two ago when the Tigers were playing in 38 degrees and snow flurries? So, I’m not lying! But what a beautifully designed trade card for the W. M. Hoyt Company. There’s a small lake in winter, with the dawn reflecting yellow off the water, the trees showing bare and the ground still covered with snow. But inserted through the side of this tableau is a promise of spring:  a small offering of lilies of the valley with their leaves, and a small sprig and leaf showing from underneath on the opposite side. If you didn’t notice right away, look again and you’ll see the pin drawn in at the top of the “paper.”  And one thing that we’re getting used to noticing (but is always wonderful) is how the shadows are carefully drawn or painted in. The back shows, in part:

“W. M. Hoyt Company, Proprietors Fort Dearborn Coffee and Spice Mills, Nos. 1 to 11 Michigan Avenue, Chicago.”

“Why you should buy Hoyt’s Standard Coffee.”

“Because of its flavor delicious and sweet,

Because of its strength, which none can beat.

Because it is fresh, healthful and sound,

Because of its cheapness, its goodness and worth

Because ’tis the best for the money on earth.”

W. M. Hoyt Co. with an address of 1 Michigan Ave in Chicago, shows up on the 1908 commercial city directory, under the heading of Grocers – wholesale.

But the 1898 city directory reveals more information:  The W. M. Hoyt Co. was William M. Hoyt, president; Robert J. Bennett, vice-president; Arthur G. Bennett, secretary and treasurer; Albert C. Buttolph and Graeme Stewart directors. Address 1 – 11 Michigan Ave, and 1 – 9 River Ave.

Sources:  The Chicago Association of Commerce’s Membership Directory, June 1908, p. 115. (Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989.)

The Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1898, p. 873. (Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989.)

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Categories: Flowers, Trade Cards and Advertising

Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Detroit, 1909

Posted on April 30th, 2015 by

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“St. Mary’s Catholic Church, on St. Antoine street, is the pioneer German Catholic church of Michigan. It is especially notable for the excellence of its organ. Adjoining are the parochial residence and school.”

Constructed in 1884 in Victorian Gothic style, this is the present day complex that replaced the earlier 1841 church. Old St. Mary’s is the third oldest Roman Catholic Church in Detroit, and the city’s first German church. It is located in Greektown at 646 Monroe St. and referred to as Old St. Mary’s to avoid confusion with other churches.

The unknown sender of this postcard wrote:   “Best wishes to you”  and addressed the card to:

“Mrs. B. Willmouth, 648 Taylor St., Sandusky, Ohio.”

From the 1900 Federal Census for Sandusky, the addressee would be Bridget Wilmoth, born April 1845 in Ireland. She is married to Thomas Wilmoth (head of household) born December 1845 in Ireland. This record indicates the couple had been married for 30 years, and that Bridget is the mother of nine children (eight living). Children on this census are Anna, William; Thomas, Nellie and Johana, all born in Ohio, and age ranging from 29 to 16. The address at this time is 650 Taylor St, with a different family living next door at 648 Taylor.

Last, but not least, the postcard header contains a distinctive circular design between the words Post and Card. This is clue to the identity of the publisher, which is unknown to us at this time. We’ll keep a look out for others.

Divided back, used postcard. Postmarked October 26, 1909 from Detroit, Michigan. Publisher unknown. Series or number 155 B.

Price:  $10.00

Sources:  “Old St. Mary’s Church, Greektown, Detroit.”  Old St. Mary’s Detroit. Web accessed April 30, 2015.

Year: 1900; Census Place: Sandusky Ward 8, Erie, Ohio; Roll: 1264; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0047; FHL microfilm: 1241264. (Ancestry.com)

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Categories: Churches, Mosques and Temples, Postcards, Postcards Used

Holy Redeemer, Detroit 1910

Posted on April 29th, 2015 by

Holy Redeemer Detroit 1910 pc1Holy Redeemer Detroit 1910 pc2

“Holy Redeemer Church, corner Junction and Dix, Detroit, Mich.”

“Am spending my vacation here. Having a fine time. Very sorry to hear that you were sick but hope you are better by this time.   Ede”  Addressed to:

“Miss Ada Seifert, 601 Murray St., Wapakoneta, Ohio.”

The 1910 Federal Census taken in Wapakoneta for the above address, shows head of household, Alois Seifert, born Ohio about 1847, occupation Laborer at a brick yard; his wife Lena M. Seifert, (Magdaline on the 1900 census) born Germany about 1849; daughters Adaline J. (Ada) Seifert, born Ohio, about 1890, and Gertrude M. Seifert, born Ohio, about 1888. Both girls are employed as Cigar Makers at a cigar factory. (We wonder at the conditions at the cigar factory at this time.) Anyway, Ada would have been about 20 years old when this postcard was sent to her.

Three very different churches

The Most Holy Redeemer church depicted here is the second of three buildings, and was built in the Gothic style, about 1896. The parish was founded in 1880. See the Holy Redeemer Parish website for photos of all three. You can see that the second image (also from a postcard) though cropped and in black and white, appears to have been produced from the same view as the one we have here.

Divided back, used postcard. Postmarked August 23, 1910 from Detroit, Michigan. Publisher unknown, number 1420.

Price:  $10.00

Sources:  Year: 1910; Census Place: Wapakoneta Ward 1, Auglaize, Ohio; Roll: T624_1154; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 0051; FHL microfilm: 1375167

Year: 1900; Census Place: Wapakoneta, Auglaize, Ohio; Roll: 1240; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0032; FHL microfilm: 1241240

“The Church buildings.”  Holy Redeemer Parish. Web accessed April 29, 2015.

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Categories: Churches, Mosques and Temples, Postcards, Postcards Used

Lee T. Lasenby

Posted on April 27th, 2015 by

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Calling card or business card. Circa 1900 – 1910s

Price:  $5.00          Size:  About 3 and 1/8 x 1 and 5/8″

A calling or business card estimated from about 1900 – 1910s; of the very plain but serviceable variety, of simply the handwritten name on a card of appropriate proportions. This was found in Salinas, California, in an antique store. It brings us around again to briefly musing on the unpredictability of finding (or not finding) corresponding records:  This name was a quick match-up, and without other likely possibilities showing up.

Lee Thomas Lasenby was born September 8, 1880 in Mason, Ingram County, Michigan; the son of Thomas Lasenby and Ella Haines. He married Mary L. Lee on August 9, 1905 in Mason. Lee Lasenby’s occupation was Farmer on the 1918 WWI Draft Registration card and on the 1910 and 1920 Federal Census records. By the 1930 census he was listed as a Cattle Buyer for a stockyard. The city directories show that he also worked as the County Road Commissioner from at least 1927 through part of 1939. He died August 25th of that year, in Detroit. Per the 1920 census, Lee and Mary Lasenby had three daughters, Ruth, Margaret and Harriet.

Sources:  Registration State: Michigan; Registration County: Ingham; Roll: 1675755. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918.

“Michigan, Marriages, 1822-1995,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCXZ-NTC : accessed 28 April 2015), Lee F. Lasenby and Mary L. Lee, 09 Aug 1905; citing reference p 122, rn 1828; FHL microfilm 977,064.

Year: 1920; Census Place: Vevay, Ingham, Michigan; Roll: T625_771; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 131; Image: 448. (Ancestry.com)

Lansing and East Lansing City Directories, Vol. 27, p. 492. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989

Lansing City Directory, 1939, p. 311. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989

Find A Grave Memorial# 38058306. Find A Grave. Web accessed April 27, 2015.

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Categories: Calling Cards and Business Cards

Something Tells Me That…

Posted on April 25th, 2015 by

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“Sorry You’re Ill.

Cheer up, for something

Tells me that

You’ll soon be well

And getting fat.”

Here’s a nice get well card, which would be very politically incorrect today. 😉

This gardening theme card was signed  “Alice F.”[?] and addressed to  “Mary Ver Throckmorton, City.”  The “City” in this case is Columbus, Kansas.

From the 1920 Federal Census for Columbus, Mary was the daughter of Calvin and Nevada Throckmorton, and would have been about sixteen years old when she would have received this card. She was born in Kansas, as was her younger sister, Helen. (Nevada for the mom’s name is exceptionally cool! An Ancestry tree shows Nevada was Martha Nevada Throckmorton.)

Divided back, used postcard. Postmarked January 17, 1918, from Columbus, Kansas. Publisher:  Owen Card Publishing Co., Elmira, New York. Series or number 163F.

Price:  $6.00

Source:  Year: 1920; Census Place: Columbus, Cherokee, Kansas; Roll: T625_526; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 16; Image: 103. (Ancestry.com)

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Categories: Get Well Postcards, Postcards, Postcards Used

Brunsing, Tolle & Postel Oak Run Whiskey

Posted on April 25th, 2015 by

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Liquor dealer advertisement for Oak Run Whiskey, San Francisco, CA, street scene, 1906, after the earthquake.

Price:  $8.00          Size:  5 x 3 and 3/4″

Here’s an old trade card, of sorts, showing a photo of a street scene described as:

“62.  View showing sink in the street near the new Post Office, San Francisco, Cal., after the earthquake of April 18,  06.”

This is on thin paper, produced from a photo that may have originally appeared in a newspaper or magazine. These types of reproductions were typically not high quality, were sometimes color-tinted, and even sometimes altered somewhat for content. Views of the aftermath of natural disasters were commonly made into postcards, and into advertisements that local businesses could give out, like the one we have here. Stamped on the back is:

“Compliments of Brunsing, Tolle & Postel, OAK RUN WHISKEY, 412-414 Kearney St., San Francisco. 423-425 — 9th St., Oakland.”

Brunsing, Tolle & Postel, wholesale liquor dealers, from the 1907 city directory were:   Peter T. Brunsing (president) Oscar A. Tolle (vice-president) and C. D. Postel (treasurer, Alameda). C. D. Postel is likely Christian D. Postel (wines) from the 1906 Oakland city directory (Alameda County) which shows S. F., (so, cross-referenced, on the S.F. and Oakland directories.) The 1907 S. F. directory also shows D. J. Greger (secretary).

Unfortunately for the company, it was evidently forced to file bankruptcy in or prior to April 1909. But on a happier note, examples of old bottles and labels for B, T & P and their whiskey brand of Oak Run were currently found online, at the time of this post.

Sources:  Crocker – Langley San Francisco City Directory, 1907. pp. 328, 1300, 1582. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989.

Husted’s Oakland, Alameda & Berkeley Directory, 1906. p. 589. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989.

American Bankruptcy Reports, Vol. 22, ed. John T. Cook. Albany, New York:  Matthew Bender & Co.,1910, p. 129. (Google eBook.)

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Categories: Trade Cards and Advertising