Two Photographs of George Bergstrom by New Haven, Connecticut Studios; One in Uniform and one at Age 12

Update: a reader feels that this is the George Bergstrom who lived from 1876 to 1955, presumably meaning George Edwin Bergstrom, whose FindaGrave memorial has a photograph in late middle age. There is a resemblance with the childhood photograph.

Two photographs of George Bergstrom, by different New Haven, Connecticut, photography studios:

• as a young man in a uniform, by Chipman's Studio
• as a 12 year old, by the Bundy-Filley studio.

Hopefully a reader will recognize the initials on George's hat. They look like POS?A, with the question mark representing what might be an "m" or "w".

 George appears remarkably at ease.

George may have been Charles George Bergstrom (1886-1995), son of Swedish immigrants Carl E. Bergstrom and Edna Amalia (Svensson) Bergstrom of New Haven, Connecticut.  George worked as a telephone repairman.

Reverse of the photograph of George in uniform

If you recognize George from your family photographs as either the Charles George Bergstrom mentioned above or another George Bergstrom, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Reverse of the photograph of George at age 12

Calling Card of R. W. Fasken, County S. S. Missionary, 332 East St, Newton, presumably Iowa

Calling card of R. W. Fasken, S. S. Missionary, of 332 East St., Newton, presumably Newton, Iowa.

He may have been Robert William Fasken (1880 or 1881-1974), a native of Paris, Ontario, who settled in Iowa and married Evangeline Lydia Pierce (1875-1931) in 1904. They're buried in the Big Grove Cemetery in Benton County, Iowa.

If you have more information on Robert William Fasken or if you feel that the calling belonged to another R. W. Fasken, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

In case it applies, below is a map of Newton, Iowa.  I'm not sure 332 East Street in Kellogg, Iowa is correct, but perhaps a reader in Iowa can clarify.

1900 Photo of Mother and Child: Elizabeth Florence (Armstrong) Griffin and newborn Palmer Armstrong Griffin (1900-1945); Massachusetts and Maine

Photograph of mother Elizabeth Florence (Armstrong) Griffin (1864-1932) and her son Palmer Armstrong Griffin (1900-1945); taken by the Ideal studio at Leominster, Massachusetts.

Palmer was born at Boston, Massachusetts, on 16 June 1900. By 1910, the family was farming at Kingman Township in Penobscot County, Maine. I believe Palmer spent his working life as an electrician and mechanic in his own business. I

In 1927 at Danforth, Maine, Palmer married Blanche Helen Boyington. They would have several children, at least one of whom did not survive to adulthood. Palmer died before his time in 1945.  Blanche Helen later married Lawrence Everett Lowell.

If you have more information on the Griffin or Boyington families, bearing in mind the privacy of people who may be living or recently deceased, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Photograph of Two Children IDed as Guilbert and Russell Stanard

Photograph of two young children identified in ink on the reverse as Guilbert and Russell Stanard. 

No studio mark to give an idea of locale.  Different writing in pencil, that appears to have been from the photographer, indicates that the child at left was a girl. 

The children may have been Russell Ely Stannard (1897-1980) of Ivoryton, Essex, Connecticut, and a sister or cousin.  The "girl" may also have been a boy dressed in the attire of that period.

Interestingly, a list of veterans from Essex, Connecticut shows a Russell Stannard and a Gilbert Stannard, but they may not have been contemporaries, as the lists covers wars from WWI to Vietnam. 

Hopefully a reader can shed more light on the children's identities.

In case it applies, below is a map of Ivoryton, Essex, Connecticut.

Photo: 5 Young Adults; by Gorham, Maine, Studio; One IDed as Cora Lyons, possibly Cora M. (Peterson) Lyons (1878-1967)

Photograph of five young adults, 4 women and one man; taken by the Marshall studio of Gorham, Maine.

One of the young women is identified as Cora Lyons, who may have been Cora M. (Peterson) Lyons (1878-1967) of Scarborough, Maine, daughter of Danish immigrants John Peterson and Helen (Olsen) Peterson and second wife of Stephen A. Lyons, whom Cora married in 1912. I believe Cora and Stephen had three children.

If Cora Lyons is Cora M. (Peterson) Lyons, I believe the photograph was taken before her marriage, with the identification written after her marriage.

The young people in the photograph may have been classmates, perhaps at Gorham Teachers College, now known as University of Southern Maine at Gorham, as Cora M. (Peterson) Lyons was a teacher before her marriage.

They could also have been siblings or cousins.  Hopefully a reader will have more information.

If you can shed light on the identities of these young people, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Photograph of Thomas D. Black (1823-1908) and Janet (Garven) Black (1833-1920) of Greensboro, Vermont; Natives of Scotland

Photograph of an elderly couple, identified on the reverse as Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Black of Greensboro, Vermont.










Pasted to the reverse of the photograph:

Thomas Black, Greensboro Vt. 
Born - 
Died at Greensboro Jan. 15th at 1 o'ck 1908.
Funeral at Greensboro Jan 17th 1 p.m.







The couple in the photograph were Thomas D. Black (1823-1908) and Janet (Garven) Black (1833-1920), both natives of Scotland.

The 1880 Census shows two sons living with them, James and John. James George Black (1859-1937) is buried with his wife, Susie A. (Macomber) Black (1866-1945) in the nearby East Craftsbury Cemetery at East Craftsbury, Vermont. John B. Black (1864-unknown) is buried in the Greensboro Village Cemetery with his parents.

If you have additional information on Thomas D. Clark and Janet (Garven) Clark and their family, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Photograph of Catherine (Wund) Golding of New York, New York; photo by a Saint Louis Studio.

Photograph of a woman identified on the reverse as Catherine (Wund) Golding, wife of Steven Golding, with more information on her family.  Taken by a studio in Saint Louis, Missouri.

On the reverse: "Catherine Wund married Steven Golding - they had 3 boys & 3 girls, lost twins. We called her Aunt Kate; had brothers interested in politics - Eldest brother Jake, Charlie 2nd brother. Jake had daughter."

From brief online research, hopefully correct - corrections and additions gratefully received:

About 1874, Catarina Wund (1851-1924), "Catherine", married Christopher Stephen Golding (1844-1923). According to the photograph, Catherine had 3 sons and 3 daughters and lost twins.  It may be that she lost one child each from two sets of twins, rather than losing both children from one set, but perhaps a reader has more insight.

And, hopefully, a reader will have an idea of how the photograph happened to be taken in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Children I found: 9 listed, so either a mistake in the photograph or in my research

• Stephen Wund Golding (b. 18 May 1874)
• Thomas W. Golding (1875-1941)
• Charles William Golding (1875-1895)
• Stephen Golding (23 Jan 1877)
• Catherine W. Golding (1877-1924)
• Florence Louise Golding (1879-1933)
• Ethel Golding (1881-1904)
• Edwin S. Golding (1883-1926)
• Mabel Elaine Golding (1890-).

Although Catherine had several other siblings as well, the two mentioned on the reverse of the photograph were:

• Jacob C. Wund (1846-1927)
• Charles (1853-unk)

If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

In the 1900 Census, the family was living at West 22nd Street in Manhattan, New York.

May Entries in the 1900 Diary of John Foss & Isabelle (Huff) Foss of West Hollis, Maine

May entries in the 1900 diary of John Foss (1860-1934) and Isabelle (Huff) Foss (1869-1929), "Belle", who farmed at West Hollis, Maine.  From the entries, it's plain to see that they were a hard working couple.

The couple made use of a blank diary for 1894 to record their 1900 entries.  Fortunately, the days match up.

John and Belle, who married in 1890 at Hollis, Maine, had two daughters:

1. Myra Helene Foss (1892-1976), who would marry George Woodbury McKenney 
2. Annie Evelyn Foss (1900-1988), who would marry Lewis Isaac Woodman

From a collection of five of their diaries covering 1899, 1900, 1902-1904 and John's 1913 account book.  See an overview post that features:

• family history of the Foss family
• links to entries for the rest of January 1899 and other diaries from 1900, 1902, 1903 and 1904
• an alphabetical list of surnames in the diary and an approximation of how many different people of that surname were mentioned in the diaries
• an alphabetical list of individual people mentioned in the diaries, some countless times

1894 diary used for 1900 entries

The person making the entry is identified in brackets.  Throughout the diaries, John made occasional entries, but Belle made the majority of them. 

People mentioned in the entries below are identified or tentatively identified the first time they appear. If you have corrections, alternate identities or additional information on anyone mentioned,  please leave a comment or contact me directly.

 April 28, 1900 - [John]  Went over to James Benson with wood.

• James Benson - James Benson worked occasionally for and with John; married Maud Nelson

April 29, 1900 - [John]  Settled with Had this morning. Went up and payed Mrs. Manson for the lading.

• Mrs. Manson - either a Mrs. Manson as spelled, or perhaps Mrs. Mason, owner of the Mason place

April 30, 1900 - [John]  Hauled manure and went up to Elmer's.

• Elmer - possibly one of the following: postmaster Elmer E. Abbott; Lewis Elmer Burnham, if he went by his middle name; Elmer Haley; Elmer E. Tufts of Waterboro; Charles Elmer Warren

May 1, 1900 - [John]  Plowed in the morning; went up to the Mason place.

May 2, 1900 - [John]  Went to center today, got some grain.  Planted peas. Settled with Ceas 

• Ceas - presumably Cecil Leighton Haley

May 3, 1900 - [John]  Rained hard all day. I piled wood in the shed.

May 4, 1900 - [John]  I went over to Will Deering and got 20 dollars of what he owed me.

• Will Deering - presumably William Brooks Deering

May 5, 1900 - [John]  It rained in the morning. I went up to C. W. Smith; went up to the Mason place in the afternoon; Planted potatoes. It snowed some.

• C. W. Smith - possibly Charles W. Smith
• Mason place - the farm and woodlot that John either leased or worked 

May 6, 1900 - [John]  The ground froze last night. It was very cold for the time of year.

May 7, 1900 - [John]  Planted potatoes. It was cold. Painted the sleds. My trees come in the afternoon.

May 8, 1900 - [John]  Set out apple trees and spread manure up on the Mason place.


May 9, 1900 - [John]  It has rained this morning. I set my peach trees.

May 10, 1900 - [John]  Went to West Buxton; got Dot shod. Went to the Ctr in the afternoon. Got my springs.

• Dot - John's draft horse

May 11, 1900 - [John]  Plowed for James B. all day 

• James B. - presumably James Benson

May 12, 1900 - [John]  Laid down the orchard up to the Mason place. Uncle George came today.

• Uncle George - presumably John's paternal or maternal uncle or by marriage

May 13, 1900 - [John]  It was warm today. We went to ride.

May 14, 1900 - [John]  I carried Uncle George to the Center.

May 15, 1900 - [John]  Hauled manure and harrowed.

May 16, 1900 - [John]  plowed for Huff all day.

• Huff - presumably referring to the place of George P. Huff and Sarah E. (Bean) Huff, parents of John's wife Isabelle (Huff) Foss, "Belle"

May 17, 1900 - [John]  Laying down ground to home today. We had a thunder shower tonight.

May 18, 1900 - [John]  It rained last night and this forenoon. I went up to the Mason place and hauled rocks. We had a thunder shower.

May 19, 1900 - [John]  It has rained hard all day. There has been the most rain fell today that we have had for some time.

May 20, 1900 - [John]  It was pleasant today. I went up to the Mason place.

May 21, 1900 - [John]  There was a thunder shower today. I planted sweet corn.

May 22, 1900 - [John]  Went to West Buxton and harrowed for James.

• James - presumably James Benson

May 23, 1900 - [John]  Got James Benson's woman and picked rocks

• James Benson's woman - presumably Maud (Nelson) Benson

May 24, 1900 - [John]  Picked rocks all day. B. Gilpatric and Jed.

• B. Gilpatric
• Jed - presumably John's draft horse

May 25, 1900 - [John]  Harrowed all day.

May 26, 1900 - [John]  Been to the Ctr and got Jed shod today.  There is a meeting up here today.

May 27, 1900 - [John]  It was warm today. Quarterly meeting up to the meeting house.

 May 28, 1900 - [John]  I worked for Ed Tarbox today.

• Ed Tarbox - presumably Edward A. Tarbox, husband of Jennie B. (Hooper) Tarbox
• Mrs. Hill - presumably Hannah (Seaver) Hill, daughter of James and Mary (Bean) Seaver and widow of Jeremiah Hill. Mrs. Hill would die on November 7, 1903, as noted in the 1903 diary.

May 29, 1900 - [John]  Planted up in the Mrs Hill field.

May 30, 1900 - [John]  Planted up on the Mason place.

May 31, 1900 - [John]  Planted up on the Mason place.

June 1, 1900 - [John]  Went to Clarks' in the morning. Built fence in the afternoon.

• Clark - presumably the establishment of lumber dealer Charles Franklin Clark (1844-1917)

June 2, 1900 - [John]  I have been harrowing and hauling rocks. Bought a Cow of Ed Tarbox $25.


Again, if you have information to share on any of the people mentioned, including the Foss family itself, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Advance to June 1900 or return to April 1900. 

April Entries in the 1900 Diary of John Foss & Isabelle (Huff) Foss of West Hollis, Maine

April entries in the 1900 diary of John Foss (1860-1934) and Isabelle (Huff) Foss (1869-1929), "Belle", who farmed at West Hollis, Maine.  From the entries, it's plain to see that they were a hard working couple.

The couple made use of a blank diary for 1894 to record their 1900 entries.  Fortunately, the days match up.

John and Belle, who married in 1890 at Hollis, Maine, had two daughters:

1. Myra Helene Foss (1892-1976), who would marry George Woodbury McKenney 
2. Annie Evelyn Foss (1900-1988), who would marry Lewis Isaac Woodman

From a collection of five of their diaries covering 1899, 1900, 1902-1904 and John's 1913 account book.  See an overview post that features:

• family history of the Foss family
• links to entries for the rest of January 1899 and other diaries from 1900, 1902, 1903 and 1904
• an alphabetical list of surnames in the diary and an approximation of how many different people of that surname were mentioned in the diaries
• an alphabetical list of individual people mentioned in the diaries, some countless times

1894 diary used for 1900 entries

The person making the entry is identified in brackets.  Throughout the diaries, John made occasional entries, but Belle made the majority of them. 

People mentioned in the entries below are identified or tentatively identified the first time they appear. If you have corrections, alternate identities or additional information on anyone mentioned,  please leave a comment or contact me directly.

 March 29, 1900 - [John]  Went over on Johnson and cut wood today. Came around by Tarbox as he had a nice cow.

• Tarbox - perhaps James Blaisdell Tarbox (1841-1917) or a relative

March 30, 1900 - [John]  Cut wood for Cecil. We cut two cords down by Joseph Gilpatric.

• Joseph Gilpatric - perhaps Joseph Googins Gilpatrick (1832-1908) or Joseph Henry Gilpatrick (1874-1924)

March 31, 1900 - [John]  Cut wood for C H.  It was cold and the wind blowed.

• C. H. - possibly Cecil Leighton Haley

April 1, 1900 - [John]  It has been warm today. I went up and carried Nell home this morning. I have been over to James B this afternoon.  

• James B. - presumably James Benson

April 2, 1900 - [John]  It is warm today. I have been to the center and got 3 axes upset and got some pork.

April 3, 1900 - [John]  It rained this morning and snowed some in the afternoon.

April 4, 1900 - [John]  We have been cutting wood for C.H. It has been warm.

April 5, 1900 - [John]  Have been cutting wood for C. H.  

April 6, 1900 - [John]  Have been cutting wood on the Mason place.

• Mason place - a farm and woodlot which John may have leased 

April 7, 1900 - [John]  Cutting wood up on the Mason place.

April 8, 1900 - [John]  It was pleasant. I went over to Johnson.

• Johnson - either the Johnson home or the woodlot, which John occasionally leased

April 9, 1900 - [John]  We cut wood up on the Mason lot. It was cold.

April 10, 1900 - [John]  We have been cutting wood today for C. H. It has been warm.  Went to Clarks' and got sawdust in the morning, cut wood in the afternoon.

• Clark -  presumably the business of lumber dealer Charles Franklin Smith (1844-1917)

April 11, 1900 - [John]  Went to Portland to see the steamers and had a good time.

April 12, 1900 - [John]  Went to the center and got some grain.

April 13, 1900 - [John]  Went up to Corn Smith and bought a barrel of flour and some meat.

• Corn Smith - presumably store owner Constine D. Smith (1851-1917)

April 14, 1900 - [John]  Went up and helped Len Saw wood in the forenoon and went up to the river to see about the logs in the afternoon.

• Len - 

April 15, 1900 - [John]  Turned in logs all day. We had 60370 feet.

April 16, 1900 - [John]  I have been grafting today.

April 17, 1900 - [John]  Cut wood today. It rained in the afternoon.

April 18, 1900 - [John]  Went up to Had's this forenoon. Cut wood in the afternoon.

• Had - possibly Had Smith or Hod Smith

April 19, 1900 - [John]  In the wood in the forenoon and plowed for Frank Benson in the afternoon.

• Frank Benson - 

April 20, 1900 - [John]  Cut wood in the morning. hauled out in afternoon.

April 21, 1900 - [John]  Went to Ctr in morning, got the horse shod and got some grain and went and got Dot shod in the afternoon.

• Dot - John's draft horse

April 22, 1900 - [John]  Went up to the Mason place.

April 23, 1900 - [John]  Helped Cecil saw wood. It rained some.

• Cecil - presumably Cecil Leighton Haley, but possibly Cecil Frank Clark

April 24, 1900 - [John]  Plowed all day. The wind blowed and it was cold.

April 25, 1900 - [John]  Plowed in the forenoon and went to Clarks'. The wind blowed. I settled up with C. F. Clark.

• C. F. Clark - lumber dealer Charles Franklin Clark (1844-1917)

April 26, 1900 - [John]  Plowed. It was very cold for the time of year.

April 27, 1900 - [John]  Cut wood all day. It was cold.

 April 28, 1900 - [John]  Went over to James Benson with wood.

• James Benson - James Benson worked occasionally for and with John; married Maud Nelson

April 29, 1900 - [John]  Settled with Had this morning. Went up and payed Mrs. Manson for the lading.

• Mrs. Manson - either a Mrs. Manson as spelled, or perhaps Mrs. Mason, owner of the Mason place

April 30, 1900 - [John]  Hauled manure and went up to Elmer's.

• Elmer - possibly one of the following: postmaster Elmer E. Abbott; Lewis Elmer Burnham, if he went by his middle name; Elmer Haley; Elmer E. Tufts of Waterboro; Charles Elmer Warren

May 1, 1900 - [John]  Plowed in the morning; went up to the Mason place.

May 2, 1900 - [John]  Went to center today, got some grain.  Planted peas. Settled with Ceas 

• Ceas - presumably Cecil Leighton Haley

May 3, 1900 - [John]  Rained hard all day. I piled wood in the shed.

Again, if you have information to share on any of the people mentioned, including the Foss family itself, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Advance to May 1900 or return to March 1900.

March Entries in the 1900 Diary of John Foss & Isabelle (Huff) Foss of West Hollis, Maine

March entries in the 1900 diary of John Foss (1860-1934) and Isabelle (Huff) Foss (1869-1929), "Belle", who farmed at West Hollis, Maine.  From the entries, it's plain to see that they were a hard working couple.

The couple made use of a blank diary for 1894 to record their 1900 entries.  Fortunately, the days match up.

John and Belle, who married in 1890 at Hollis, Maine, had two daughters:

1. Myra Helene Foss (1892-1976), who would marry George Woodbury McKenney 
2. Annie Evelyn Foss (1900-1988), who would marry Lewis Isaac Woodman

From a collection of five of their diaries covering 1899, 1900, 1902-1904 and John's 1913 account book.  See an overview post that features:

• family history of the Foss family
• links to entries for the rest of January 1899 and other diaries from 1900, 1902, 1903 and 1904
• an alphabetical list of surnames in the diary and an approximation of how many different people of that surname were mentioned in the diaries
• an alphabetical list of individual people mentioned in the diaries, some countless times

1894 diary used for 1900 entries

The person making the entry is identified in brackets.  Throughout the diaries, John made occasional entries, but Belle made the majority of them. 

People mentioned in the entries below are identified or tentatively identified the first time they appear. If you have corrections, alternate identities or additional information on anyone mentioned,  please leave a comment or contact me directly.

February 27, 1900 - [John]  It has been very cold. 14 below 0. I have been in the woods.

February 28, 1900 - [John]  It has been warmer today. We went to Clarks' with logs. I broke my peavey.

March 1, 1900 - [John]  It has snowed and rained all day. The little peddler was here this morning.

March 2, 1894. [John]  It was overcast all day, but it did not rain. I was to home all day.

March 3, 1894 - [John]  I went to the Ctr and bought a bedstead for Myra and went to West Buxton in the afternoon.

March 4, 1900 - [John]  It has been warm today. We had a little girl born today at eight o'clock P.M.  

• "little girl" - The Foss's younger daughter, Annie Evelyn Foss, born March 4, 1900

March 5, 1900 - [John]  It has been cold today. I went up and got Nell this morning and have been to Clarks' this afternoon with logs. Town meeting today. It went Republican.

• Nell - perhaps a family member or friend who came to help with the Foss's newborn daughter Annie Evelyn Foss.  The entry of April 1, 1900 notes that John took Nell home.
• Clark - presumably the establishment of lumber dealer Charles Franklin Clark (1844-1917)

March 6, 1900 - [John]  It has snowed all day and it hails now. Belle is getting well.  

• Belle - John's wife Isabelle A. (Huff) Foss, who had a baby two days earlier

March 7, 1900 - [John]  It has been very windy today. I have been to Clarks' with logs. I went to the lodge. Cecil took his first degree.

• Cecil - possibly Cecil Leighton Haley, who would marry Eva Mahala Smith in 1903

March 8, 1900 - [John]  Went with logs today two times and went up to Coen Smith's tonight.

• Coen Smith - presumably store owner Constine D. Smith (1851-1917)

March 9, 1900 - [John]  Have been to the Ctr with shingle los [logs ?] this morning and went to Buxton this afternoon.

March 10, 1900 - [John]  It has been warm today. We began logging today on mine.
                    

March 11, 1900 - [John]  I went up to had's and over to James Benson's. Elmer West was down today.

• Had - possibly Had Smith or Hod Smith
• James Benson - James Benson (1863-1917); worked for and with John Foss many times; husband of Maud (Nelson) Benson
• Elmer West - perhaps Elmer Frank West (1883-1951) of Waterboro, Maine

March 12, 1900 - [John]  It has been very cold today. We have been to Clarks'. I went over and bought James Ben [presumably Benson] cow tonight.

March 13, 1900 - [John]  Commenced on Cecil today. It has been warmer today.

March 14, 1900 - [John]  It has been warm today. I have been two times with logs.

March 15, 1900 - [John]  It has been pleasant today. We have got done on Cecil's. It commenced to snow at seven o'clock tonight.

March 16, 1900 - [John]  It has rained all day and cleared up tonight and is cold.

March 17, 1900 - [John]  Everything is covered with ice. The fields look like a pond of ice. We went to Clarks' this morning with logs, had hard work to keep in the road.

March 18, 1900 - [John]  Have been over to Benson today. Burt Bradbury came up and got two boxes of butter.

• Benson - perhaps the home of James Benson or his brother Jeremiah Benson or the home of their parents, Joseph L. Benson, perhaps deceased by this time, and Olive (Gilpatrick) Benson), who would die later this month.
• Burt Bradbury - perhaps Burt Allen Bradbury (1877-1949)

March 19, 1900 - [John]  It snowed this morning and cleared off. It was warm and tonight it rains.

March 20, 1900 - [John]  It has been very warm today. The snow has gone very fast. It is getting bare in the road. We finished logging today.

March 21, 1900 - [John]  It has been cold today. We went to the center and got our shingles.

March 22, 1900 - [John]  It has been warmer today. I have been drawing manure to the Mason place. Myra went, too.

• Mason place - a farm of fields and timber that John Foss either leased or took care of
• Myra - John's older daughter Myra Helene Foss, born in 1892

March 23, 1900 - [John]  We have been up and got our logs back today and have left them to Charles Hally [presumably Haley] to turn in.

• Charles Hally - presumably Charles E. Haley (1857-1939)

March 24, 1900 - [John]  It has been cold today. The wind has blowed very hard. I have sold the Benson Cow to W. B. Deering today. He is to pay for her May the 1st $30.

• W. B. Deering - presumably William Brooks Deering

March 25, 1900 - [John]  It is pleasant today.  Olive Benson died at 3 o'clock today.  

• Olive Benson - Olive (Gilpatrick) Benson (1828-1900), widow of Joseph L. Benson]

March 26, 1900 - [John]  Cut wood for Ceas all day. It was warm.

• Ceas - presumably Cecil Leighton Haley

March 27, 1900 - [John]  I have been to Warrens' with Dollie this morning and to West Buxton with corn to grind.

• Warren - several possibilities, but presumably related to Charles Elmer Warren and Frank Warren, who are named in other entries in the diaries.
• Dollie - perhaps a draft horse

March 28, 1900 - [John]  Olive Benson was buried this afternoon. I went to the Ctr this morning and got some grain.

 March 29, 1900 - [John]  Went over on Johnson and cut wood today. Came around by Tarbox as he had a nice cow.

• Tarbox - perhaps James Blaisdell Tarbox (1841-1917) or a relative

March 30, 1900 - [John]  Cut wood for Cecil. We cut two cords down by Joseph Gilpatric.

• Joseph Gilpatric - perhaps Joseph Googins Gilpatrick (1832-1908) or Joseph Henry Gilpatrick (1874-1924)

March 31, 1900 - [John]  Cut wood for C H.  It was cold and the wind blowed.

• C. H. - possibly Cecil Leighton Haley

April 1, 1900 - [John]  It has been warm today. I went up and carried Nell home this morning. I have been over to James B this afternoon.  

• James B. - presumably James Benson

April 2, 1900 - [John]  It is warm today. I have been to the center and got 3 axes upset and got some pork.

April 3, 1900 - [John]  It rained this morning and snowed some in the afternoon.

Again, if you have information to share on any of the people mentioned, including the Foss family itself, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Advance to April 1900 or return to February 1900.

February Entries in the 1900 Diary of John Foss & Isabelle (Huff) Foss of West Hollis, Maine

February entries in the 1900 diary of John Foss (1860-1934) and Isabelle (Huff) Foss (1869-1929), "Belle", who farmed at West Hollis, Maine.  From the entries, it's plain to see that they were a hard working couple.

The couple made use of a blank diary for 1894 to record their 1900 entries.  Fortunately, the days match up.

John and Belle, who married in 1890 at Hollis, Maine, had two daughters:

1. Myra Helene Foss (1892-1976), who would marry George Woodbury McKenney 
2. Annie Evelyn Foss (1900-1988), who would marry Lewis Isaac Woodman

From a collection of five of their diaries covering 1899, 1900, 1902-1904 and John's 1913 account book.  See an overview post that features:

• family history of the Foss family
• links to entries for the rest of January 1899 and other diaries from 1900, 1902, 1903 and 1904
• an alphabetical list of surnames in the diary and an approximation of how many different people of that surname were mentioned in the diaries
• an alphabetical list of individual people mentioned in the diaries, some countless times

1894 diary used for 1900 entries

The person making the entry is identified in brackets.  Throughout the diaries, John made occasional entries, but Belle made the majority of them. 

People mentioned in the entries below are identified or tentatively identified the first time they appear. If you have corrections, alternate identities or additional information on anyone mentioned,  please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Sunday, January 28, 1900 - [John]  It has been warm today and I went over to Jed Benson and we went up to James. He was in a peck of trouble. He wants to sell ____

• Jed Benson - possibly a nickname for Jeremiah Benson, brother of James Benson
• James - presumably James Benson, brother of Jeremiah Benson, and husband of Maud (Nelson) Benson

Monday, January 29, 1900 - [John]  It snowed last night and then it rained this forenoon. I have been putting on finish up in Myra's room.

• Myra - John's daughter Myra Helene Foss, born in 1892

Tuesday, January 30, 1900 - [John]  It froze up last night and we went toggin [toboganning or logging ?] today. It has been cold. Paid Ida Sweat board.

• Ida Sweat - presumably Ida Swett or Ida Sweet

Wednesday, January 31, 1900 - [John]  It has looked like snow all day and has snowed some but we have worked all day.

Thursday, February 1, 1900 - [John]  It has been very cold today. The wind has blowed very hard but we went two times. Bryan spoke in Portland last night.

• Bryan - presumably Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska, who would lose to Republic William McKinley of Ohio in the election of November 6, 1900

Friday, February 2, 1900 - [John]  It has been very cold today. I have been three times. It is very good sledding.

February 3, 1900 - [John]  It was cold today but fine sledding. We went three times.

February 4, 1900 - [John]  It snowed today. I have been up to Con Smith today.

• Con Smith - perhaps Constine D. Smith (1851-1917)

February 5, 1900 - [John]  It rained last night and snowed this forenoon and cleared off at noon and I went to center. It is cold tonight. The wind blows very hard.

February 6, 1900 - [John]  It was cloudy in the forenoon and snowed a while in the afternoon. We was logging all day.

February 7, 1900 - [John]  Was fine today. We have been logging. Went three times. Got home at seven o'clock.

February 8, 1900 - [John]  It has been warm today. We have been two times with logs and it rains tonight.

February 9, 1900 - [John]  It has rained all day. I have been to home. Joseph Dyer was over this forenoon.

• Joseph Dyer - perhaps Blacksmith Joseph A. Dyer (abt Aug 1850-July 19, 1904), son of Joseph A. Dyer and Jane (Gerry) Dyer and husband of Eldora (Gilpatrick) Dyer.  His death and burial in July 1904 are noted in the 1904 diary.

February 10, 1900 - [John]  We have finished logging up to [Bea's/Ben's/Bid's ?] today. It has been very pleasant today. Had is sick. Joseph Linscott chopped for us today.

• Bea/Ben/Bid ?
• Had - possibly Had Smith or Hod Smith
• Joseph Linscott - presumably the same Joseph Linscott who would go hunting with John in November 1900; presumably related to the Clara Linscott mentioned in the diaries

February 11, 1900 - [John]  It has been cloudy today. I went over to Johnson and up to Benson.

• Johnson - perhaps the same Johnson who sold timber stumpage to John
• Benson - presumably related to brothers Jim Benson and Jeremiah Benson, who frequently worked for John

February 12, 1900 - [John]  It has rained all day. I have been over to William Gilpatrick to see if I could buy his timber. I went in to Edgecombs'.

• William Gilpatrick - perhaps William Gilpatrick (1843-1920) of Hollis, Maine
• Edgecomb - perhaps related to Sarah Edgecomb, mentioned elsewhere in the diaries

February 13, 1900 - [John]  There has been the most terrific rainstorm that has passed over here for two years. It has come by the pails full all day. The snow is about all gone.

February 14, 1900 - [John]  It has been a warm day but the wind has blowed very hard. It is all ice in the road. I went over and bought W Gilpatrick's timber this morning.

February 15, 1900 - [John]  We began cutting the Gilpatrick timber today. It was fair this morning but it snows tonight. Had helped this afternoon

February 16, 1900 - [John]  I commenced hauling Gilpatrick's timber in the forenoon and went up to see our logs in the afternoon. The river was high. Some of the logs had gone.

February 17, 1900 - [John]  It has been very pleasant today. I have been to the center and got some grain.

February 18, 1900 - [John]  It has been a very bad day. It commenced snowing last night at ten o'clock and has snowed all day and the wind blows bad tonight. It is the worst storm we have had.

February 19, 1900 - [John]  Broke roads in the morning and went to moderation in the afternoon.

February 20, 1900 - [John]  Hauled manure today. It was pleasant.

February 21, 1900 - [John]  Have been to Clarks' with logs and am going down to the lodge tonight to give Cecil the [grad hop ?]

• Clark - presumably lumber dealer Charles Franklin Clark (1844-1917)
• Cecil - possibly Cecil Leighton Haley, who would marry Eva Mahala Smith in 1903

February 22, 1900 - [John]  It has snowed and rained all day. There is six inches tonight. I went up to Con Smith today.

February 23, 1900 - [John]  It has been overcast today and warm. We have been to Clarks' with logs and brought back boards.

February 24, 1900 - [John]  It was warm and pleasant and we went to Clarks' with logs. Edgecomb was taken sick. The Tompson house blowed tonight.

• Tompson - could be Thompson

February 25, 1900 - [John]  It rained very hard last night, thundered very heavy. The snow went very fast. It is all slop today.

February 26, 1900 - [John]  It has been very cold today. The wind has blowed very hard. I went up to Huffs' and went with the team to Clarks' with logs. I have cut wood this afternoon.

• Huff - presumably referring to Belle's parents George P. Huff (1830-1913) and Sarah E. (Bean) Huff (1841-1909)

February 27, 1900 - [John]  It has been very cold. 14 below 0. I have been in the woods.

February 28, 1900 - [John]  It has been warmer today. We went to Clarks' with logs. I broke my peavey.

March 1, 1900 - [John]  It has snowed and rained all day. The little peddler was here this morning.

March 2, 1894. [John]  It was overcast all day, but it did not rain. I was to home all day.

March 3, 1894 - [John]  I went to the Ctr and bought a bedstead for Myra and went to West Buxton in the afternoon.

March 4, 1900 - [John]  It has been warm today. We had a little girl born today at eight o'clock P.M.  

• "little girl" - The Foss's younger daughter, Annie Evelyn Foss, born March 4, 1900

Again, if you have information to share on any of the people mentioned, including the Foss family itself, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

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