Monthly Archives: February 2024

Clara Louise McDonough and Her Sister, St. Louis, Missouri

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Oval photo, circa 1865, St. Louis, Missouri. Photographer unknown.

Price including wooden frame (not shown):  $40.00

Size of photo:  About 6 and 3/4 x 4 and 3/4″

Two beautiful young girls, Civil War Era…..

This photo was an unusual find at a Goodwill store in Salinas, California. In tracing the lineage of the girl on our left, we believe we’ve possibly uncovered the identity of the unnamed sister on the right, and believe them to be the daughters of James McDonough, former Chief of Police for the city of St. Louis, Missouri. See Find A Grave’s entry for him below, in Sources.

Displayed in a wooden oval frame and behind glass, the photo surely must of hung on someone’s wall for a number of years. It appears to be a copy, albeit an older one, and is held in place by small diamond shaped metal tabs, which are called points. The back of the photo has no writing but does have a bit of an aged look to it, as does the cardboard backing which, as shown above, gives the name of the girl on our left, Clara Louise McDonough. One look at the photo and we immediately think Civil War time-frame due to the dress and hairstyles for the girls, and this agrees with the family member’s estimate written on the back as “186?”.

Frances “Fanny” McDonough…..

Though the sister’s name in the photo is not given, a death record was found for a Frances McDonough, single, age 32, who died in St. Louis, Missouri, May 31, 1890. This record fits with the 1860 Federal Census for St. Louis which shows a Fanny McDonough, age two, daughter of James and Mary Jane McDonough. Other children in the household are Mary C., James R. and Clara K. McDonough, age three months. Unfortunately, the 1860 census did not contain the question of occupation for the head of household.

James R. McDonough on the above-mentioned 1860 census record is significant in supporting Frances “Fanny” as the sister in our photo:  In former St. Louis’ Chief of Police, James McDonough’s obituary, a surviving son is listed, James R. McDonough (a Sergeant for twelve years on the force at the time of his father’s death). Also listed is surviving married daughter, Mrs. E. J. Peckham, who we know to be Clara Louise (McDonough) Peckham. Clara K. McDonough on this 1860 census is believed to be Clara Louise:

Clara Louise…..

Possibly, Clara K. on the 1860 census, died very young and the parents had another daughter that they named Clara Louise. However, it seems more likely that there was one Clara and the parents changed the middle name for her in infancy, or that it had just been recorded incorrectly on the census. To support this, the children’s mother, Mary Jane (Waters) McDonough died November 5, 1861 of consumption (not childbirth) and Clara Louise’s 1900 census record shows she was born in April, which matches Clara K.’s age of three months on the 1860. Note:  Years of birth on Clara’s census records vary (which is not unusual) and the 1900 Federal census was the only one that recorded the month the person was born in (the month being most often correct). The 1870 census, which would certainly be helpful, has never been found.

Clara Louise McDonough married Edward J. Peckham on June 21, 1886 in Coles County, Illinois. Their record of marriage shows she was born in Missouri, about 1862, and her parents were James McDonough and Jane Waters. Edward was born in England, about 1851, and his parents were Henry Peckham and Elizabeth Brode. If Clara is about five years old in this photo, then the approximate date the original was taken would be about 1867.

By 1910, Edward and Clara Peckham have a daughter, Clarissa E., born in Kansas, about 1888. The family are living in Cheyenne, Wyoming. By 1920 Clara is widowed and living with daughter, Clarissa; son-in-law, Charles Lawrence; and granddaughter Charlotte. Charlotte, who married Robert George Fergusson, died in 2013, in Pebble Beach, Monterey County, California. (See the last entry in Sources below.) It’s likely then, that our photo, in its wooden frame, came from her estate.

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Sources:  “Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KFKX-MHC : accessed 18 January 2015), Edward J. Peckham and Clara Louisa Mcdonough, 21 Jun 1886; citing Coles, Illinois, United States, county offices, Illinois; FHL microfilm 1,301,518.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7387314/james-mcdonough: accessed 06 February 2024), memorial page for James McDonough (16 Mar 1816–21 Mar 1892), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7387314, citing Bellefontaine Cemetery, Saint Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri, USA; Maintained by Tim (contributor 46772461).

Year: 1860; Census Place: St Louis Ward 5, St Louis (Independent City), Missouri; Roll: M653_651; Page: 193; Image: 197; Family History Library Film: 803651. (Ancestry.com).

Year: 1880; Census Place: Saint Louis, St Louis (Independent City), Missouri; Roll: 733; Family History Film: 1254733; Page: 174B; Enumeration District: 335; Image: 0710. (Ancestry.com).

“A Big Chief.” The St. Joseph Weekly Gazette (St. Joseph, Missouri) March 24, 1892. Thursday, p. 2. (Newspapers.com).

Year: 1900; Census Place: Perth Amboy Ward 1, Middlesex, New Jersey; Roll: 984; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 0048; FHL microfilm: 1240984. (Ancestry.com).

Ancestry.com. Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925.

Year: 1910; Census Place: Cheyenne Ward 3, Laramie, Wyoming; Roll: T624_1746; Page: 16A; Enumeration District: 0084; FHL microfilm: 1375759

“United States Census, 1940,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K943-2WQ : accessed 18 January 2015), Clara Peckham in household of Charles Lawrence, Carmel-by-the Sea, Monterey Judicial Township, Monterey, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 27-25, sheet 3B, family 110, NARA digital publication T627 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012), roll 268.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124188417/charlotte_elizabeth-fergusson: accessed February 7, 2024), memorial page for Charlotte Elizabeth Lawrence Fergusson (–), Find a Grave Memorial ID 124188417, citing United States Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, Orange County, New York, USA; Maintained by SLGMSD (contributor 46825959).

Publisher Julius Pollak

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Julius Pollak, (1856 – 1948) postcards, greeting cards and novelties, New York, NY. Photo from 1920 U. S. passport application.

Hungarian native, Julius Pollak, was a successful postcard and greeting card manufacturer whose New York City-based firm spanned over five decades and three generations. Numerous advertisements, articles and snippets are seen online. Given these many references, we were surprised at the apparent absence of a write-up for the publisher. As always, more research could be done, but for our website purposes, we’ve pieced together and offer the following rough timeline, from 1906 – mid-1960’s:

1906 – Emigration to the U. S. – Born December 25th or 26th, 1856, in Bátaszék, Hungary, Julius emigrated to the United States in February or March, 1906. He and wife, Isabella, had three children: Blanche, born in Budapest, Hungary; and Robert and Alfred, born in Vienna, Austria.

1910 – Federal Census, Manhattan, NY – occupation manufacturer of postal cards. Home address St. Nicholas Terrace, Manhattan.

1920 – Federal Census, Manhattan, NY – occupation manufacturer of post cards; sons Robert and Alfred are assistant managers. Home address St. Nicholas Terrace, Manhattan.

Two examples of the company’s publisher logo appearing on bottom left, front of cards, circa early 1920’s, and a design used on the reverse (divided back line extends to the bottom of the postcard). See prior posts, “The Whole Year Through,” and “The Best of Health…” This postcard’s reverse design we’ve seen from other publishers, so it was not exclusive to Pollak.

1920 and 1921 – According to his 1920 U. S. passport application, Julius Pollak was associated with the G. E. Zeltmacher Manufacturing Company, importers and manufacturers, address 50-52 Franklin St., New York, NY. This info we’re privy to by way of Mr. Zeltmacher having submitted a typed character reference for his friend’s application process. The Franklin Street address shows up in earlier ads, including the one below from a Buffalo, New York, Polish language paper, April, 1921:

The following is a rough translation of the above from Google.com. A possible explanation for big “shots” is big “lots” i.e., the large amount of items that had come in at one time:

“Imported big shots for sale. The best imported silver jewels, silver trinkets, colored pendants, metal gems and beads in a given order. If you are interested write for samples and prices. In response, please refer to Dept. C.”

1924 – Another ad, this one from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 11th, was the earliest found for the enticing offer of work from home, a method that Pollak used for many years, and here showing an address on Greene St., between Bleecker and W. 3rd:

1928 – A September 1928 announcement in Printed Salesmanship for the company’s Christmas cards. Business address 194 – 200 Greene St., NY. Note the statement that they’ve been making Christmas cards for a quarter of a century, which is prior to Julius’ emigration to the United States. This may have been simply an exaggeration to promote sales (no doubt not uncommon in the business) or it could have been accurate:  Since Julius was almost fifty and listed as a merchant when he emigrated, it’s possible he may have been involved in manufacturing cards prior to coming to the U. S.

1930 – Federal Census, Manhattan, NY – occupation president, greeting card manufacturer. Home address 225 Central Park West.

1938 – Earliest mention found of the company incorporated as Julius Pollak & Sons, Inc.

1942 – Below, from The Billboard weekly magazine dated February 14, an article mentioning Julius Pollak & Sons’ “morale cards” for the war effort at home during WWII:

1947 – In business news, from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, November 7, detailing the challenges that businesses encountered with employees working from home. This information was from a New York Department of Labor case study for Julius Pollak & Sons:

1948 – From J. P. Pollak’s death certificate index:

Born December 25, 1856, Hungary. Age 91, widowed. Address:  225 Central Park West, New York, NY. Died July 13, 1948 at Hotel Alden, Manhattan, NY. Buried July 15, 1948 at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Occupation:  Retired manufacturer of greeting cards. Parents:  Jacob and Isabella Pollak. Son:  Robert Pollak. Informant and executor:  Son, Robert Pollack (spelled here with a “c”). (Note regarding date of birth:  The 1920 passport application shows December 26th.)

1951 – Julius Pollak & Sons, Inc, greeting card manufacturer, moved from former location of 14 E. 25th St., Manhattan, NY to 45-35 Van Dam St., Long Island City, NY. Grandson, Allen Pollak joined the firm in January.

1961 – U. S. patent filed by Julius Pollak & Sons, Inc., Long Island City, NY, March 2nd Google.com book search.

1966 – From the monthly magazine, The Writer, Julius Pollak & Sons, address 425 Underhill Blvd, Syosset, NY (on the north shore of Long Island). “At the present time we publish only Christmas cards, and 90 per cent of our line is in prose form.”

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Sources:  National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 – March 31, 1925; Roll #: 1145; Volume #: Roll 1145 – Certificates: 10876-11249, 08 Apr 1920-08 Apr 1920.

Year: 1910; Census Place: Manhattan Ward 12, New York, New York; Roll: T624_1025; Page: 1b; Enumeration District: 0640; FHL microfilm: 1375038. (Ancestry.com).

Year: 1920; Census Place: Manhattan Assembly District 13, New York, New York; Roll: T625_1208; Page: 40B; Enumeration District: 952. (Ancestry.com).

“Importowany szych na sprzedaz.” Dziennik Dla Wszystkich, Buffalo, New York. April 18, 1921. Monday, p. 5. (Newspapers.com).

“Women wanted to work at home.” The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 11, 1924. Tuesday, p. 14. (Newspapers.com).

“Announcing….A New and Unusual Christmas Greeting Card Line for 1929.” Printed Salesmanship, January 1929, p. 481. Google.com book search.

Year: 1930; Census Place: Manhattan, New York, New York; Page: 18B; Enumeration District: 0447; FHL microfilm: 2341291.

“Publicity Break for Novelty Firm.”  The Billboard, February 14, 1942, p. 50. (books.google.com.)

Roessner, Elmer. “Homework System Found to Be More Costly Than Factory.” St. Louis Globe-Democrat, November 7, 1947. Friday, p. 19. (Newspapers.com).

New York City Department of Records & Information Services; New York City, New York; New York City Death Certificates; Borough: Manhattan; Year: 1948. (Ancestry.com).

Geyer’s Topics, Vol. 113, p. 74. (1951) Google.com book search snippet view.

Feb 1962, Vol 775. Official Gazette of the U. S. Patent Office. United States Gov’t. printing office, Washington DC. (Google.com).

Hills, William Henry; Luce, Robert. (Eds.) (1966.) The Writer, Vol. 79, 41. Google.com book search snippet view.