Sunday, April 28, 2013

1900s Autograph Album of Carthagenia Hannah McCormick of Wamego, Kansas.


1900s autograph album of Carthagenia Hannah McCormick, "Genia" of Wamego, Kansas.  

Many of the pages are inscribed to "Sweet Heart" or "Sweetheart", even by teachers, so it wasn't just a nickname within Genia's family or circle of friends.



The album is approximately 6-3/4" x 4-1/4" with puffy velvet covers and contains the sentiments of over 70 people, some of whom signed more than one page.  Many people signed pages that had already been signed by others at a different point in time.

An alphabetical list of the signers appears at the end of this post.

Genia pasted part of a sash on the inside front cover and wrote her name on the title page.





Genia tucked her calling card into the album.



From online research, hopefully correct: [corrections and additions welcome!]

Carthagenia Hannah McCormick, was born 2 December 1892 at Kansas City, Kansas, the daughter of James F. McCormick and Carthagenia (Hill) McCormick.

A James F. McCormick signed a page in Genia's album but didn't identify himself as her father.



Genia's brother James Telford McCormick signed a page at Wamego, Kansas on 8 November 1902.



I'm not sure of the names of Genia's paternal grandparents, but one of her father's brothers was John McCormick, who also raised a family in the area.

John's daughter May McCormick inscribed a page to her cousin Genia at Wamego, Kansas on 30 July 1903.



Genia's maternal grandparents were John Anderson Hill and Hannah (Howell) Hill.

Another cousin, Edward, who didn't sign his last name, signed a page at St. Marys, Kansas.



Genia's maternal uncle T. C. Hill, Telford C. Hill, signed a page at Valley Falls, Kansas, on 31 March 1901



One page in the album was signed by one if not two of Genia's teachers.  Nellie M. Ansel signed at the Harrison School on 31 May 1907.  Alma Louise Bell signed at Wamego, Kansas.  E. G. Foster, Harrison School teacher and principal, signed 28 May 1907.  



Teacher Mary Patterson signed a page on 2 January 1901.



Genia married George Albert Greider, son of, I think, William H. and Emily Greider.  Genia and George received a marriage license in January 1920, but I don't know the date of their marriage. They were living at Topeka, Kansas in 1925, with two young children, according to a Kansas State Census.  By the time of the 1930 Federal Census, they were living at Tulsa, Oklahoma, where George was the proprietor of a tire and battery store.

If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, or information on any of the signers listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!

Another item tucked into the album was a teakettle shaped invitation to the home of Mrs. George Trout for a spot of sewing and tea on 5 November 1896.




Alphabetical list of signers: [Note: given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]


  • Name looks like Luceyl F., signed at Wamego, Kansas.  Not sure of surname initial.  Written in a young hand.
  • Alma, signed at Wamego, Kansas, in July 1903; she may be the Alma Louise Bell who signed another page, or a different Alma
  • Fred, signed at Wamego, Kansas on 3 January 1900
  • Cousin Edward, signed at St. Marys, Kansas; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Robert Hill
  • L. M. S.; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: James Telford McCormick
  • Zella
  • Flossie, signed at Topeka, Kansas, on "2/12/07"; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Paul Vanderbloemen
  • Chase, could be given name or surname; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Will Killough
  • M. S., signed at Topeka, Kansas, on "4.12.07"; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Gertrude L. Childers
  • Pearl Adams, signed 7 December 1906; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Georgia Bollman
  • Nellie M. Ansel, signed at Harrison School on 31 May 1907;  also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Alma Louise Bell and principal E. G. Foster
  • Fromie [?] Iris Armstrong, signed 16 November 1906; she signed another page where her first name is still hard to read.  Also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: James F. McCormick
  • Galda Beebe, or Golda Beebe, or Yalda Beebe, of Wamego, Kansas
  • Alma Louise Bell of Wamego, Kansas; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Nellie M. Ansel and E. G. Foster
  • Ruby Benton, signed at Wamego, Kansas, on 6 June 1901; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Walter W. Davis and Mazie Weekly
  • Esther Benton; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Dietrich Daneke
  • Paul Berry, signed 7 March 1907 at Topeka, Kansas; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Ruth Crawford and Mrs. Gertrude Jessup Berry
  • Mrs. Gertrude Jessup Berry, signed 7 March 1907;  also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Paul Berry and Ruth Crawford
  • Georgia Bollman; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Pearl Adams
  • Rachel Boyd, signed at Wamego, Kansas on 27 December 1900, to "Sweet hart"
  • Flore Brock ?, signed at Wamego, Kansas, on 2 January 1901
  • Nellie Chadwick, signed at Wamego, Kansas, on 7 March 1901
  • Ruth Chapman of Wamego, Kansas; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: E. F. Doughty
  • Gertrude L. Childers, signed 24 September 1901; possibly Genia's teacher.  Also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: M. S.
  • Flossie Cooper, signed at Topeka, Kansas, on 12 February 1907; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Josephine M. Townsend
  • Claude Corkadel of Valley Falls, Kansas; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Ray Oliver
  • Ruth Crawford;  also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Paul Berry and Mrs. Gertrude Jessup Berry
  • Anna Crawford; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time :Kenneth Jessup
  • Leo Nancy Croff, or Cross, signed at Wamego, Kansas 28 December 1900; also siging that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Mazie Weekly  
  • Dietrich Daneke, signed at Topeka, Kansas, on 12 February 1907; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Esther Benton
  • Walter W. Davis, signed on 7 December 1906; also signingn that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Ruby Benton and Mazie Weekly
  • Tillie Detrick, signed at Wamego, Kansas
  • E. F. Doughty, or C. F. Doughty, signed 2 December 1906;  also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Ruth Chapman
  • E. G. Foster, teacher and principal, signed at Harrison School on 28 May 1907; not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Nellie M. Ansel and Alma Louise Bell
  • Telford C. Hill, Jr. of Valley Falls, Kansas
  • Robert Hill of Valley Falls, Kansas;  also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Genia's cousin Edward of St. Marys, Kansas
  • T. C. Hill, signed at Valley Falls, Kansas, on 31 March 1901; presumably Genia's paternal uncle Telford C. Hill
  • John Hill of Valley Falls, Kansas, "your little friend"
  • Miss Etta Holly of Wamego, Kansas, signed on 30 September 1902 [or 1912]
  • Golda Jacobs, Room 4, signed at Wamego, Kansas, on 22 September 1902
  • Kenneth Jessup, signed at Topeka, Kansas, on 13 November 1906;  also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Anna Crawford
  • Anna Kamm, signed at Valley Falls, Kansas, "Room 1"; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Lee Samuel
  • William Kelch, signed at Topeka, Kansas, in 1907; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Isabelle Rogers
  • Will Killough, signed at Wamego, Kansas, on 6 November [no year written]; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Chase
  • Harry King, signed 28 May 1907 at Topeka, Kansas; not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Glen Tyson
  • Lenora Lehr; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: John G. Saxe
  • Carthagenia McCormick of Wamego, Kansas; album owner.  She signed the first end paper, the title page and a page of sketched boxes where most people signed just with initials, dated 18 November 1906
  • May McCormick, signed at Wamego,Kansas on 30 July 1903; Genia's cousin, daughter of Genia's father's brother John McCormick
  • James Telford McCormick, Genia's brother, signed at Wamego, Kansas, on 8 November 1902; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: L. M. S.
  • James F. McCormick, signed at Wamego, Kansas on 9 November [no year written]; perhaps Genia's father.   Aso signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Fromie[?] Iris Armstrong
  • Emma McCoubry, signed at Topeka, Kansas, on 12 November 1906
  • Mandy Mishey, signed at Wamego, Kansas on 5 November [no year written]; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Charles S. Sturtevant
  • Marie Mullen, signed at Wamego, Kansas in March 1901
  • Glen O'Brien, signed at Wamego, Kansas on 20 February 1901
  • Ray Oliver, signed 28 May 1907; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Claude Corkadel
  • Mary Patterson, Room 2, signed on 2 January 1901; Genia's teacher.  Inscribed "Dear Sweetheart"
  • Francis Pierson, signed at Wamego, Kansas, on 6 June 1901; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Elizabeth Smith
  • Susie Proper, signed on 26 March 1903 [surname looks to have another letter after the second p, but I found a Susie Proper in Wamego, Kansas]
  • Isabelle Rogers, signed at Wamego, Kansas, on 22 September 1902; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: William Kelch
  • Minnie Root, signed at Wamego, Kansas in March 1901
  • Elsie Ruchman
  • Lee Samuel; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Anna L. Kamm.  Lee signed another page as well
  • Inez Samuselson, signed 28 May 1907; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Maude Whearty
  • John G. Saxe; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Lenora Lehr
  • Isador Scrinopskie [?], signed at Topeka, Kansas on 11 May 1904; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Lee Samuel
  • Mrs. K. C. Smick, Room 1, perhaps Genia's teacher, signed at Wamego, Kansas, on 2 January 1901
  • Elizabeth Smith, 109 Topeka Ave., Topeka, Kansas; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Francis Pierson
  • Charles S. Sturtevant, signed at Topeka, Kansas, on 28 May 1907; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Mandy Mishey
  • Josephine M. Townsend, signed at Valley Falls, Kansas.  Very faint, so not positive of surname.  Also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Flossie Cooper
  • Mrs. George Trout created teakettle shaped invitations for sewing and tea at her house on 5 November 1896.  One of the invitations was tucked into the album.
  • Glen Tyson, signed 28 December 1900 at Wamego, Kansas; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Harry King
  • Paul Vanderbloemen of Wamego, Kansas; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Flossie
  • Mazie Weekly, signed 18 November 1906; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Leo Nancy Croff.  Mazie signed another page as well.
  • Maude Whearty, signed at Wamego, Kansas, in 1902; also signing that page, not necessarily known to each other or signed at the same time: Inez Samuelson




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Friday, April 26, 2013

1880s-on Autograph Album of Emma L. Lewis of Paintersville, Ohio


Autograph album of Emma L. Lewis of Paintersville, Ohio, presented to her by her cousin Will P. Middleton.  His given name could also be Wilt or Witt.  Hopefully a reader familiar with the family will leave a comment.



The album is a large one, approximately 8-1/2" x 7" and contains the sentiments of approximately 50 people, some of whom signed more than one page and some of whom signed pages with multiple signers.  There are several illustrated pages, some of which were chosen by the signers.  

Several pieces of ephemera, including a Class of 1895 graduation program at Paintersville, Ohio, which was apparently sent to Emma by graduating senior Wilber A. Rudduck, and various newspaper clippings are tucked inside.

An alphabetical list of the signers appears at the end of this post.



Emma herself penned page of welcome to her future signers on 23 June 1883 at Paintersville, Ohio.




From online research, hopefully correct: [corrections and additions welcome!]

Emma L. Lewis was born 26 September 1864 at Caesar Creek, Illinois, the daughter of Robert Dean Lewis and Angeline (Faulkner) Lewis. 

Emma's sisters Savilla J. Lewis and Louesa F. Lewis signed multiple pages in her album.





Louesa chose one of the illustrated pages for one of her messages.



An especially meaningful page was signed by the three sisters, Emma, Savilla and Louesa.



Additionally, a page was signed by "M." who called Emma a sister.  I don't know if M was a sibling or an in-law.



About 1886, Emma L. Lewis married Joshua P. Devoe, son of George Washington Devoe and Margarette (Ary) Devoe.  He was born 18 December 1861 in Greene County, Ohio.  Emma and Joshua farmed at Jefferson, Ohio, and raised, I believe, five daughters, two of whom apparently found Emma's girlhood album and signed pages in it a generation later.

Hazel Devoe signed a page.



Bertha Devoe signed two pages, one of which already had three other signatures on it from 1885.  Her date was 19 July 1902.





A very sad page apparently written by Emma or Joshua details the short life of their son Emory J. Devoe, who died on 14 October 1901 at the age of 11 months and 26 days.



Several of Emma's cousins signed pages as well.  Please refer to the list of signers below.

Tucked in the album was this 1895 graduation program for what I assume was Paintersville High School.  Inside is a card signed by class member Wilber A. Rudduck.



There are several newspaper clippings from the Paintersville, Ohio area.  Two are obituaries for Mrs. Florenda A. Martindale and Mrs. John Rhonemus.








If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, or information on any of the signers listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!

Alphabetical list of signers: [Note: given names within specific surnames may not be in alphabetical order.]
  • Emma's friends Will and Ida, one of whom sketched an intricate bird
  • H. Y. Z., signed 28 May 1885
  • Mik Jot [?], signed on 26 July 1886
  • "Greeley, Cy", signed at Paintersville, Ohio, on 15 August 1896
  • C. D. L. [not sure of initials]
  • Mary Anderson, signed at Xenia, Ohio, on 2 September 1883.  She chose an illustrated page
  • Walter S. Arndt signed a page at Dayton, Ohio on 21 July 1885, shared with three other people.
  • Hallie E. Arnold, signed on 22 April 188 [can't read last digit]
  • Viola Ary, shared a page with multiple signers, signed on 25 March 1886
  • J. E. Bailey of Port William, Ohio, signed on 24 March 1886
  • Charlie Beal of Port William Ohio, signed on 22 April 1886
  • S. L. Beal of Port William, Ohio
  • Anna Blocher, shared a page with multiple signers, signed on 25 March 1886
  • Emma's cousin Cora M. Bragg of Paintersville, Ohio, signed on 26 July 1883.  I believe her mother was Elizabeth A. Lewis, who may have been the sister of Emma's father.
  • Sue Chandler, signed at Paintersville, Ohio, on 8 October 1884
  • Marilla Conklin of Lumberton, Ohio, signed on 17 June 1883
  • Myra Conklin of Lumberton, Ohio, signed on 23 March 1884
  • Alvaro Conklin of Lumberton, Ohio, signed on 13 June 1883
  • Etta M. Cork, signed at Bainbridge, Ohio, on 14 September 1886
  • Emma's daughter Hazel Devoe
  • Emma's daughter Bertha Devoe.  She signed another page on 19 July 1902 that had already been signed by three people in the 1880s
  • Sad page.  "Emory J. Devoe.  Son of Joshua and Emma Devoe.  Departed this life October 14, 1901.  Aged 11 mon 26 days.  At 8:30 o'clock A.M."
  • Laura Doyle, signed at Port William, Ohio, on 23 February 1886.  She chose one of the illustrated pages.
  • A. L. Fisher of Paintersville, Ohio, signed on 24 February 1884
  • Leila Jackson, shared a page with multiple signers, signed on 25 March 1886.  She signed an individual page as well.
  • Mary E. Johnson of Bloomington, Ohio, signed 23 June 1883
  • Nettie King, signed on 26 July 1885.  She also signed a page with multiple signers on 25 March 1886
  • Minnie King, shared a page with multiple signers, signed on 25 March 1886.
  • Ella King, signed at Paintersville, Ohio, on 26 July 1885
  • S. L. King, signed at Paintersville, Ohio, on 26 July 1885
  • Lillie Lane, signed 10 May 1891; she chose one of the illustrated pages.
  • Emma L. Lewis, album owner.  She penned a welcome page to her future signers, on 23 June 1883
  • Louesa Lewis of Paintersville, Ohio, in Green County.   Emma's younger sister. She signed other pages as well.
  • Savilla J. Lewis of Paintersville, Ohio, signed 7 May 1894; Emma's younger sister.  She signed other pages as well.
  • Emma's sister M., signed on 10 May 1891.  I don't know if M was a sister or a sister-in-law
  • Louie Lewis, signed on 10 May 1891
  • Emma's cousin Will Lewis, signed on 4 July 1883
  • Emma's cousin Alice Lewis, signed on 16 June 1886
  • Page signed by Emma Lewis of Paintersville, Ohio; Louesa F. Lewis; and Savilla J. Lewis, who dated her signature 24 March 1884.  They were Emma L. Lewis and her two sisters.
  • Emma's cousin Lydia Lewis, signed on 8 July 1883
  • Miss Clara Lucas of Washington, Ohio, in Fayette County, signed on 16 June 1886.  Page has stains from newspaper clippings tucked inside.
  • "Compliments of Sim Sim, Jem Mason, April 22/86"
  • Fannie Mason, signed at Paintersville, Ohio.  Fannie chose an illustrated page.
  • ? Mason signed a page on 21 July 1885; middle initial might be C.  Shared the page with three other people.
  • Irving McKay of Lumberton, Ohio, shared a page with three other people.  He wrote "'89 of O.W.W."
  • Mary E. Medsker, signed at Lumberton, Ohio, on 13 June 1883
  • Per the presentation page, Emma's cousin Will P. Middleton, or Wilt P. Middleton, presented the album to her on 27 May 1883.  He signed another page farther along in the album, dated 26 May 1883, at Montfort, Ohio
  • Louie B. Oglesbee of Port William, Ohio, signed on 18 February 1886
  • Stephen Powers of Paintersville, Ohio, signed on 9 March 1884
  • Tucked in the album was a Class of 1895 Paintersville, Ohio, graduation program and attached card signed by class member Wilber A. Rudduck
  • Minnie Semans, shared a page with multiple signers, signed on 25 March 1886
  • Cora Semans, signed on 11 November 1883 at Wilmington, Ohio
Paintersville, Ohio


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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

1888 Autograph Album Memento of a Donkey Party given by Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Parker of Fletcher, Ohio


Autograph album that was used as a memento of a "donkey party" hosted by Mrs. and Mrs. J. W. Parker of Fletcher, Ohio, on 29 December 1888.   

From a reference online, a donkey party was a party where people played "pin the tail on the donkey".



The guests at the party each took a page to write his or her name.  Only one person, J. F. Lane, added the date.  No one except the hosts mentioned a town.



The album is approximately 7" x 4-1/4" and contains the names of about 60 adults and children.  An alphabetical list of the signers appears at the end of this post.



I had difficulty reading some of the names and will show the images below in the hopes that a reader with knowledge will leave a comment.

Is the name below Jennie Donp?



Is the name below Jennie Suber?  There was a signer named E. T. Suber, [possibly Edwin T. Suber], which made me think that Suber was Jennie's surname as well.




Is the name below Maggie Canan?



Is the name below Lillie Ralston?  Interestingly, if Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Parker were James W. Parker and his wife Sarah K. Parker of Fletcher, Ohio, it happens that Sarah's maiden name was given in an online tree, whether correct or not, as Ralston.



Is the name below Rellie Murphy?



Is the name below F. G. Carmony?



Is the name below Charity Strickler?



I think the surname below is Potts, but I can't make out the first name.  Junior?  



Is the name below Jake Kemp?  I'd like corroboration of the first name.



Is the name below Albert Maxim?



Is the name below Mr. Aberam Davis?



The signer below refers to the Covault family.  What is his or her nickname?



If you have information on Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Parker, who were possibly James W. and Sarah K. (Ralston) Parker, or information on any of the guests listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.   

Alphabetical list of the guests: [Note: given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]


  • Albert Maxim or Albert Maxen or ?
  • Mrs. Jennie Adams
  • Nellie Adams
  • Emmett Adams; he was listed on a page of the children attendees
  • Lulu Beamer
  • Dr. J. B. Beamer
  • Mrs. J. B. Beamer
  • Tillie Berryhill
  • Mrs. S. F. Berryhill
  • S. F. Berryhill
  • Carl Berryhill; he was listed on a page of the children attendees
  • Maggie Canan
  • F. G. Carmony
  • Mrs. P. L. Carter
  • Charlie Covault
  • Preston Covault
  • Bert Covault
  • James Covault
  • Preston M. Covault
  • Bert Covault
  • Mr. "Jolia" of the Covault and Co.  Not sure of first name.
  • Mrs. L. Dabus
  • Eva Dabus
  • Mr. Aberam Davis; perhaps Abram Davis?
  • Jennie Donp
  • Mrs. G. F. Fryling
  • G. F. Fryling
  • Genie Hill or Gerrie Hill
  • Jake Kemp; not sure of given name
  • Dan Kiser
  • Mrs. D. Kiser
  • Frank Lane
  • J. F. Lane, signed on 29 December 1888
  • Mr. Oscar Lane
  • Cora Luce
  • Hattie Luce
  • Carrie Luce
  • Carrie E. Luce
  • Twila Luce; she was listed on a page of the children attendees
  • Albert Maxim or Albert Maxen or ?
  • Mrs. H. B. McClure
  • Matie McLure; [last name probably McClure; first name Mattie?]; she was listed on a page of the children attendees
  • R. L. Mitchell
  • Emma Morgan
  • Charlie E. Morgan
  • George Murphy
  • Rellie Murphy; not sure of first name
  • George Murphy
  • Fern Murphy; listed on a page of the children attendees
  • Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Parker of Fletcher, Ohio; they apparently purchased the album for the guests at their 29 December 1888 donkey party to sign 
  • Harrie Parker; he was listed on a page of the children attendees
  • Tomy Parker [sp?]; he was listed on a page of the children attendees
  • Surname is Potts; first name might be Junior or Julia
  • Lillie Ralston
  • George Simmons
  • Mr. H. Smith
  • Charity Strickler
  • Jennie Suber
  • E. T. Suber; possibly Edwin T. Suber
  • Joe Toohey
  • Maggie Toohey






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