Wordless Wednesday - Postcard from McNoel, Illinois in 1914

This postcard was mailed to Frank Taylor, Springfield, IL from Elmer Barnwell, McNoel, IL on 4 Sept 1914. Elmer is looking for work. The photograph on the front of the card demonstrates the type of work Elmer had done in the past for the C.B & Q.

This postcard is looking for a good home. The card will bring joy and memories to the right family, genealogical or historical society.

Please write Selma Blackmon with your details if you are interested in adopting this card.

Wordless Wednesday - platter brought by wagon train from New York to Illinois 1857

On Thanksgiving, November 1856, was this serving platter used? Who were the other families that traveled by wagon with the Elisha T. COUCH family? The families traveled from Oneida County, New York to LaSalle County, Illinois arriving January 1857.  This plate is in the MOREY family collection. Family tradition is that it survived the wagon ride.

Wordless Wednesday: 1870’s. Illinois. Kankakee. Dunham and Couch family. Voss photographer.

Please help identify my family.

 The back of the photo reads: Great-grandfather and great-grandmother Dunham. Grandma Couch’s mother and father. The “great” has been added at a later date. The writing resembles Nettie Couch (1884-1965). Nettie Couch is my maternal grandmother.

Kankakee, Illinois, was both a vacation destination and major train route during the late 1800’s.

According to the city directories, Charles E. Voss was a photographer in Kankakee during the turn of the century. With a studio located near the train depot, his business thrived on travelers. 

According to the 1898 city directory, Carrie Sarah Couch (1857-1927) worked for C. E. Voss as a retoucher. Her skill may account for Mr. Dunham’s even beard and the lack of aging on their faces even though their hands are wrinkled. 

The photograph has been dated as circa 1870. The edge of the card and embossing are in a gold color. The back of the card lacks the fancy embossing characteristic of the 1880’s. 

Sources:

Kankakee County Museum, www.kankakeecountymuseum.com.

Kankakee Public Library, genealogical collection maintained by Kankakee Valley Genealogical Society, www.kvgs.org.

Taylor, Maureen, “Photo Detective,” www.photodectective.com or www.maureentaylor.com.

Wordless Wednesday: Schuler Memorial at the park district Lockport, Illinois

 

Living Memorial to the Schuler Family of Lockport, Illinois

 

 These four oak trees are located across from the tennis courts and along the track at Dellwood Park.

http://www.lockportpark.org/park_locations.php?p=11&c=1