The Catch Of The Day

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Annieoakley

Here’s a great photo that was found in an antique store in Dearborn, Michigan, showing a man (thirty-something?) dressed in khaki shirt and pants, wearing a beret, and posing for the camera, with fishing pole, wicker basket and holding a pretty good-sized fish. It’s late morning one would think; he’s smiling and squinting a little in the sun. He stands at the edge of a dirt road out in the country somewhere; there’s a barbed-wife fence behind him and some farm buildings off in the distance. Probably the best way to get a good idea of the age of this photo would be by researching the style of fishing pole. Maybe we’ll get some comments on this at some point in the future, but I’m guessing the photo might have been taken in the 1950s or early ’60s.

Black and white photo, circa 1950s – early 1960s. Size: About 4 and 1/2 x 6 and 1/2.”

Price: $8.00

River Girls

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Annieoakley

Here’s an unusual Real Photo Postcard of four beautiful young ladies, in semi-profile, seated at river’s edge, in the tall grass, and looking back at the camera. They may be sisters, cousins or friends or a combination of these; we don’t know, as there is no identifying information for them. However, there appears to be a family resemblance, so our hunch is that they are sisters. There are no clues to the location, it could be any rural area or semi-rural area in presumably the United States. How’s that for a broad range? 😉

Divided back, unused, Real Photo Postcard. CYKO stamp box. Circa 1907 – 1910s.

Price: $5.00

River View, Menominee, Michigan

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Annieoakley

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.

Père Marquette Depot, Bangor, Michigan

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Annieoakley

“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).

W. S. Darling, the “Indian Curio Man”

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Annieoakley

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.

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.

Summer Home, Harbor Point, Michigan

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Annieoakley

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!)

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).

The Promise Of Spring

Posted on May 2, 2015 by Annieoakley

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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Monthly Archives: May 2015