JOHNSON, Blanche (Cambridge, IL)

BLANCHE L. JOHNSON

Identification on photo: Blanche L. Johnson, age 13
Photo taken: C.V. Roberts Studio, Cambridge ILL, circa 1932
Purchased: Feb 2020 South Florida Fairgrounds Antiques Show

The family is found on the 1920 Census for Weller, a township about 8 miles south of Cambridge Illinois.

1920 Census > Illinois > Henry County > Weller
JOHNSON, Carl E., head, 39, born in Ill of Swedish parents, Yew farmer
JOHNSON, Millie L., wife, 38, born in Ill of Swedish & Illinois parents
JOHNSON, Myrtle E., daughter, 11, born in Illinois
JOHNSON, Blanche L. daughter, 2mo, born in Illinois

In the 1930 Census, the family is reported pretty much the same, except that Myrtle (who would be 21 at this time) is no longer in the household. Myrtle married Clarence Peterson in 1927.

Blanche married in 1940 to Russell H. Charlet (1919-2009, son of Barney Charlet and Bernice Atwell) and had children:
 - Frances (b. abt 1944)
 - Larry (b. 1945)

In 1956, father Carl Ed Johnson died at age 75 in Cambridge.

Blanche died at age 79 on 24 Mar 1999 in Illinois.

ALSENE, Ben and Augustus (Illinois)

BEN ALSENE

Identification on photo: Ben Alsene
Photo taken: St Louis Gallery, Elmwood IL, circa 1900-1905
Purchased: Feb 2020 South Florida Fairgrounds Antiques Show

This is Algot Carl (or Carl Peter Algot) "Ben" ALSENE (22 Apr 1878 - 12 Oct 1932) who was the son of Samuel Peter Johansson Alsene (b. in Sweden 27 Mar 1849, d. 4 Sep 1925) and Eva Louise Johnson (b. in Sweden 1 Feb 1847, d. 27 Jan 1929). These parents are buried in Mitchell, South Dakota.

 Ben Alsene married Selma C. Thorslund and had the following children:
 - 1912 - Florence
 - 1914 - Eleanor
 - 1916 - Doris
 - 1919 - Louise C.
 - 1924 - Edgar Samuel

This insert from 18 Sept 1913, The Mitchell Capital (Mitchell, SD) proves that Ben lived in Illinois and that his father is S.P. Alsene of South Dakota.

AUGUST ALSENE

Identification on photo: August Alsene (there is also scratched out name Arthur Alsene, who is his brother)
Photo taken: Root Studio, unknown location, circa 1905
Purchased: Feb 2020 South Florida Fairgrounds Antiques Show

This photo was found in the same booth as the photo of Ben Alsene (above), and these two  men are first cousins; their fathers are brothers.

August is found at times as ALSENE and ALSEN. His daughter Beverly appears to have used ALSEN as her surname.

I have found a tree on Ancestry which shows the male line of August W. Alsen as follows. This patronomic naming pattern is typical in Sweden.
 - father - Carl Augustus Johansson Alsen (born 1854 in Sweden)
 - grfather - Johan Petter Samuelsson
 - gr-gfather - Samuel Danielsson
 - grgr-gfather - Daniel Samuelsson
 - 3xgr-gfather - Samuel Norstrom

Above is an article from The Dispatch (Moline Illinois) 2 Apr 1931, in which August Alsene is announced as the assistant cashier at the Farmers National Bank in Cambridge. It also gives more on his employment background.

August Walfrid Alsene (1885-1958) m. Grace Myrtle Rogers (1888-1990) and had daughter Beverley (1923-1981). 

Beverly (shown at right, from high school yearbook) married Delmar Norman.

GANGLER, John and Gus (Aberdeen WA)

GUS and JOHN GANGLER

UPDATE - This photo of John Gangler has been claimed by a great-niece and has gone home!

Identification on photo: Gus & John Gangler
Photo taken: McKinzie Photos, Aberdeen WASH, circa 1913-1915
Purchased: 2020 Feb South Florida Fairgrounds Antique Show

I don't know if the inscription "Gus & John Gangler" means Gus Gangler and John Gangler, or Gus "some other surname" visiting with his friend John Gangler.

1920 Census > Washington > Grays Harbor > Aberdeen (lodger at Hotel)
GANGLER, John M., 42, born in Illinois of German & Ill parents, barber

John "Jack" Michael GANGLER was born 27 Feb 1877 to parents Peter Gangler (b. 1841 in Germany or Holland) and Louisa Seiferman.

On the WWI Draft Registration, he lists closest relative as his brother Joseph M. Gangler of Port Angeles WA. Joseph was a banker, and operated The Toggery, a gentleman's clothier, in Port Angeles. He was married to Mary Emaline Shoultes in 1915. They had children:
1916 - Frank Norman Gangler
1919 - Catherine Gangler
1921 - James J. Gangler
1923 - Phillip Gangler

By the time of the 1940 Census, John was retired and living in Plympton, Multnomah County, OR, with his wife Mattie Emily Dennis and niece Irene Hess.

John Ganger died in Dec 14, 1942 and is buried at Lincoln Memorial Park, in Portland Oregon, next to his wife Mattie who died in 1951.

John's siblings are:
Emma (b. 1875) m. Joseph George Erker
Joseph Michael (b. Jun 1879 - Apr 1, 1971) m. Mary Emaline Shoultes
Annie M. (b. Sep 1881)
Christina (b. Dec 1883) m. George Bauer
Frank (b. Apr 1886)
Mary E. (b. Jly 1889)

I see no evidence that John Gangler had any descendants of his own.

STEFFENS, August "Gus" (Hutchinson, KS)

AUGUST STEFFENS

Identification on photo: August Steffens
Photo taken: Sawyer Studio, prob. Kansas, circa 1905?
Purchased: 2020 Feb South Florida Fairgrounds, Antiques Show

August "Gus" Steffens (25 Feb 1882) born in Wisconsin to parents John Peter Steffens (1842-1915) and Suzanna Ternes (1851-1917).

Around 1905 he married Emma Catherine Knebler (1992-1948) and had children:
 - John J Steffens (1906-1939) m. Frances Joan Petrik
 - Clarence Willard Steffens (1909-1977) (of Hutchinson) m. Opal Leona Fulton
 - Victor Joseph Steffens (1911-1969) (of San Leandro CA)
 - Augusta "Gussie" Steffens (1921- ) m. Andrew VanBibber

This note was found in the "Cheney Sentinel", Cheney Kansas, 25 Sep 1908

Gus was the manager of the Hutchinson Oil Company in Cunningham KS.

Died August of 1948 in Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas.

DEMAREST, Hattie Brand (Fremont MI)

Identification on Photo: HATTIE BRAND DEMAREST

Photo take: Noble's Cottage Studio, Fremont MI, circa 1900

Purchased: 2020 February South Florida Fairgrounds, West Palm Beach Antiques Show

(Click for larger image)

After a bit of survey-taking regarding what that last name actually said, and considering everything from Duvarest, Denarist, and variations thereof, it was finally determined that the inscription said "Hattie Brand Demarest."

Hattie is often a nickname for Harriet and Hannah, so when I tried those at Find-a-grave, one came up that looks perfect.
       https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73532697/harriet-demarest

Harriet Brand, 1848-1926, born in Canada to parents Jonathan Brand (born in England) and Pamela K. Ford. She is from a rather large family - her siblings are: Lavina E., Edward J., Pamela, George W., Charlotte and William Henry Brand. This is per the 1851 Canadian Census for city of Hope, Durham County, Ontario.

Hattie was the second wife (married in 1883) of George Demarest (1834-1893), following the death of George's first wife Elizabeth Edmunds in 1881 of heart disease. George by that time, had two grown sons Stephen (b. 1862) and William (b. 1864).

Hattie is buried at Big Prairie, Newaygo County, Michigan.

SUMMERS Photo Album (Winchcombe, ENG)

UPDATE - This album has been sent home to the Winchcombe Museum in Gloucestershire, England.

This old photo album was purchased yesterday at the Hillsboro Antique Mall (which is located inside the Festival Marketplace) in Pompano Beach, FL.

The album measures about 5" x 4" x abt 1.75" thick. The back cover is a light-colored polished wood. The spine is leather. And the front cover appears to be maybe wood covered in leather with an image "stamped" in the center. The image is a view of Broad Street, in Hay-on-Wye (Wales) and bears the label "Broad St. Hay".

Here is a close-up of that image, next to a photograph of the same view, dated 1904.

There are several photographs inside the album, none of which appear to be identified. The album pages are fragile and I did not wish to try removing any of the photos to look at the back, as I felt this might damage the pages.

However, there were two items tucked between the pages which make identification a bit easier.

The first is a handwritten note from "M. Swinburne" to "Walter". Dated 24 Dec 1901, it bears the word "Corndean" at the top; assuming this is a location. It reads: Walter, I enclose your 10 pounds as a Xmas present and hope you will have a Happy Xmas and New Year. Believe me yours sincerely, M. Swinburne".

Google search reveals that "Corndean is a hamlet just southwest of Winchcomb Parish, and Corndean Hall is the seat of Thomas Ward Swinburne, Esq."

The other item tucked into the album is a Certificate of Registry of Birth, for one Frank Walter Summers, on the 1st of July 1882. It was dated 24 Aug 1882 and signed by the registrar Charles Tovey of Guiting sub-district.

I was able to find evidence of a Summers family living in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, England, which appears on the 1881 Census. (Winchcombe is a town nearby Guiting.)

  SUMMERS, Walter (born 1854)
  SUMMERS, Emily (born 1844)
  SUMMERS, Helen (born 1880)
  SUMMERS Charles E. (born 1881)

There is also evidence at Ancestry.com of a birth record for Frank Walter Summers, born 1-July-1882 at Winchcombe to parents Walter and Emily Summers.

Interesting note - there is a street in Winchcombe called Summers Street. There is also a Corndean Lane just south of Winchcombe.

I also find a record of Estate duty papers being filed in 1907 for Matilda Swinburne, deceased, of Corndean Hall, Winchcombe, Glos. She was born in 1833 and appears with her husband Thomas W. on the 1881 Census, residing at Corndean Hall. Matilda's parents were John Remington Mills and Louisa Matilda Trueman.

I have also found a Military service mention, dated 28 Feb 1906, stating his ship was named Dominion.

I believe the owner of the album was the aforementioned Frank Walter Summers, who may have gone by the name Walter. It is easy enough to think that he carried his Birth Certificate with him as it may have been required for travel identification.

HORMELL Family (Crawfordsville IN)

HORMELL FAMILY

Identification on Photo: JOHN HORMELL
Photo Taken: A.D. Willis Studio, Crawfordsville IN, circa 1888-1900
Purchased: Jan 2020 Traditions Antique Mall, Wildwood FL

These images of the John Hormell family are cabinet cards, framed in heavy cardboard mats which were clearly cut out of an old photo album as the backside of each also has a slot for inserting a similar-sized cabinet card.

John Hormell (16 Mar 1844 - 10 Jun 1926) is buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Wingate IN.

 He is a son of William Hormell and Mary Bobo.

Identification on Photo: BELLE LINVILLE HORMELL
Photo Taken: A.D. Willis Studio, Crawfordsville IN, circa 1888-1900
Purchased: Jan 2020 Traditions Antique Mall, Wildwood FL

(Click for larger)

Margaret Belle Linville was born in 1856 and was the second wife of John Hormell. She is a daughter of William Linville and Margaret Peavler (obit says Pezler.)  

This obituary for Margaret Belle was found in the Lafayette IN Journal and Courier, 02 May 1935. 

It states the family moved to Florida circa 1910.

Identification on Photo: VERN HORMELL
Photo Taken: A.D. Willis Studio, Crawfordsville IN, circa 1889-1890
Purchased: Jan 2020 Traditions Antique Mall, Wildwood FL

Vern Carlton Hormell was born 28 Feb 1888. In 1917 he registered for the WWI draft, and served. By the 1920 Census he was working as farm labor at the home of his brother-in-law Howard Anderson who was married to Vern's older half-sister Hannah Hormell. By 1923 he is living in Florida with his parents. 

By the time of the 1930 Census, he was married and living in Winter Haven FL with wife Lena Belle Elder and working as a citrus grower.

He was married twice, first to Lena (who died 2 Nov 1951) and second to Melissa Eidt (m. in 1954).

Vern died Sep 1964 in Polk Co. FL.

TOLLE, Joseph Augustus

JOSEPH AUGUSTUS TOLLE

Identification on photo: Joseph Augustus Tolle
Photo taken: Johnson Studio, Springfield IL, Dec 14, 1906
Purchased: 2017 Wildwood Antique Mall, Wildwood FL

Inscription identifies the child as "A yearling" and was clearly taken on the occasion of the boy's 1st birthday.

Joseph Augustus Tolle was born Dec 14 1905 to parents Harrie Fisk Tolle and Caroline Editha Hills. His siblings included Corning, Robert, Martha and Mary.

His occupation is clergyman. In 1927 he married Elizabeth Pearl Gates (1907-2010) and they had at least five children.

Ancestry.com had among its records this photograph of Joseph A. Tolle in 1960, taken from a passport or travel application. (At left, I do not possess this image and show it here for comparison purposes only).

Joseph died in 1981 in the Tampa FL area.

TAYLOR, Olga, Russell & Helen (Cedarville, Cal)

OLGA TAYLOR

Identification on photo: OLGA TAYLOR
Photo taken: E & N Snelling Studio, Cedarville CA, circa 1905
Purchased: 2016 Springfield OR, Antique Peddlars

These two photographs of OLGA TAYLOR, taken at different points in her life were both acquired at the same Antique Shop in Springfield Oregon.

The first is of a young girl around 9 years old. The inscription on the back of this photo identifies Olga Taylor, but also says "Mrs. J W Taylor, Eagleville Cal, near Mrs. Lowry" and was perhaps destined to be delivered to Mrs. J W Taylor.

She is found in the Census of 1910 with her parents.

1910 CENSUS > California > Modoc > Dewey
TAYLOR, John W., head, 45, born in NY of English parents, farmer
TAYLOR, Lola, wife, 42, born in CA of Missouri parents
TAYLOR, Olga M., daughter, 14, born in CA
TAYLOR, Helen C., daughter, 12, born in CA
TAYLOR, Russell V., son, 4, born in CA

An interesting note is that the next household on the census is the Lowry family.

The other photograph was taken when Olga was around 17 or 18 (best guess).

She married George Eschtruth (1893-1988).

1940 Census > California > Santa Clara > San Jose
ESCHSTRUTH, George, head, 46, born in Oregon, (no occupation given)
ESCHSTRUTH, Olga M., wife, 43, born in CA
ESCHSTRUTH, Paul J., son 6 mo., born in California

City Directories show that from at least 1932 through at least 1972, George and Olga lived in the same house at 243 S. 18th Street San Jose CA.

Califoria Death Index shows:
Olga Maude Eschstruth, born 2 May 1896, died 6 Nov 1981. Father J W Taylor, mother Lola Vaughn.

Her son Paul Taylor Eschstruth (b. abt Oct 1939). In 1957, he was named National merit scholar as a student at San Jose High School.


UPDATE - From the same booth at Antiques Peddlars came these two photos which also bear the surname TAYLOR. These turn out to be Olga's siblings which are listed with her on the 1910 Census in Dewey California.

RUSSELL VAUGHN TAYLOR

Russell was born 10 Oct 1905 in Eagleville CA, to parents JW Taylor and Lola Vaughn.

In 1940 Census for Gerlach, Washoe County, NV, he is listed with wife Dorothy (Brannon or Barron) and a daughter Gwendolyn who was born abt 1933.

Russell died 9 Jan 1983 in Nevada.

HELEN TAYLOR THRASHER

Helen Taylor was born in 1898 (died 2001). She is shown in the image at right. --->

She married John James Thrasher, a native of Arkansas (1909-1956). They had a daughter named Ruth Thrasher.

THOMPSON, Frank, Lizzie & George

THOMPSON FAMILY - Frank, Lizzie & George

UPDATE - this photograph has been claimed by a relative and is going home!

Identification on photo: Frank THOMPSON, son George THOMPSON and 1st wife Lizzie BATEMAN
Photo taken: Nugent Studio, Chillicothe OH, circa 1897
Purchased: 2015 Burlington KY Antiques Fair

Inscription on back: "Frank Thompson (son of Elijah and Emma Morrow Thompson), his son George and first wife Lizzie Bateman, Union township, Ross County, Ohio" then at the bottom it is signed "by Dorothy Proctor Paul, May 21, 1984"

This photo was taken around 1897, as the boy in the image appears to be around 6 or 7 years old, and he was born in 1890. Also, the mother in this image died in 1900, so it could not be any later than that.

Frank Thompson was born in Clarksburg OH, May 27, 1870. He was a farmer in Ross County OH.

His first wife, Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bateman was born 17 Jan 1871, the daughter of William Bateman and Rhoda Morrison. She married Frank Thompson in Ross County OH on Oct 31, 1889, at age 19.

Lizzie died of tuberculosis on 22 Jun 1900 in Charlevoix County Michigan, where the family was living at the time. Her death certificate remarks that she was the mother of 3 children, of whom 2 survived her.

Their first child is George Morrow Thompson, who is pictured with them in the photo. He was born Aug 4 1890 in Union Township, Ross County, OH.  His sister Helen was born in June of 1899, also in Ohio. George married Pearl Hildenbrand on 11 Oct 1911 and had a son Edwin R Thompson in Oct 1914. 

George and his family appear on the 1920 Federal Census. George lists his occupation as Laborer at a Tin Shop. George died fairly young at age 32, 24 Feb 1923.

After Lizzie's death in Michigan, father Frank moved his family back to Ohio, and soon re-married to Nancy Fogle (a niece of his older sister's husband.) They had at least 2 sons; Herman and Carvel.

One more thing … the lady who wrote the inscription identified herself as Dorothy Proctor Paul. I have been able to identify her as Dorothy Proctor (1922-2001) a daughter of William Proctor and Clione FOGLE.  Clione was a daughter of Enos Fogle and Frank's older sister Addie THOMPSON.