Divided back, unused with writing, Real Photo Postcard. CYKO stamp box. Circa 1912.

Availability Status:  SOLD

This postcard was addressed to,  “Mr. Albert Beardsley, 100 Empire St., Freeport, Ill.”  and the sender wrote:

“Hello Albert. How are you. we are all well. Hope you the same. I promised you a picture long ago. I did not have any taken until now. I go to school. I like it out here. write to me. My address is now, with love Fred Demmel. Humphrey Nebr. R.R. No. 1.”

An Albert Beardsley was found at the address given on the 1912 city directory, and listed as,  “Beardsley Albert, paint I C, rms 100 Empire st.”  I. C. stands for the Illinois Central Railroad. Now, whether this is Fred’s friend Albert or Albert’s father perhaps, is unknown.

Fred was then found on the 1900 Federal Census for Ridott Township, which is about ten miles east of Freeport, Illinois. He appears there at about age three, with his parents Phillip and Maggie Demmel; boarder Archie Hockman; and Maggie’s father, Alexander Pierce. The WWI Draft Registration card shows Frederick Edward Demmel, born February 20, 1897, Ridott, Illinois. So, if this postcard was written in 1912, Fred would have been about 15 in this photo.

Sources:  Freeport Journal Printing Co., The Annual Directory of the City of Freeport, 1912. p. 44.

Year: 1900; Census Place: Ridott, Stephenson, Illinois; Roll: 346; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0104; FHL microfilm: 1240346. (Ancestry.com)

Registration State: Iowa; Registration County: Pottawattamie; Roll: 1642992. (Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918)