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Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Life in 1911

postcard_1911_front.jpg This is a postcard sent to my grandmother by her sister in 1911. The picture appears to be hand-painted with some kind of over-coating. The coating has become brittle and is chipping away in places.

The card was mailed 94 years ago today.

My grandmother and her many brothers and sisters were all born in America. German Lutherans, their family somehow made their way from Niagara, New York, to Altamont, Illinois, where they settled for many years. Why they were ever in Niagara, I have yet to learn. Of course, we can all rest easy in the knowledge that they ended up in Altamont because that was the happening place for all good German Lutherans at the time. Probably still is. By 1911, I'm pretty sure they'd all relocated to Springfield.

I think it's fascinating grandma's sister and brother-in-law were waiting six hours to take a train from Ramsey to Fillmore, Illinois. Was life so leisurely back then? It's only 13 miles. Didn't they know they could walk it much faster?

postcard_1911_back.jpg

Posted by Marie at June 15, 2005 5:58 PM

Comments

About an hour after I posted this entry, the granddaughter of the card sender phoned me.

Posted by: Marie at June 16, 2005 10:34 AM

Let me assure you, while Altamont does have others in it, it's still full of good German Lutherans!!! I'm originally from there and my family still lives there...

Mrs TEH

Posted by: at June 16, 2005 1:41 PM

Mrs. TEH, I hope you didn't think I was being sarcastic. I didn't mean to be. Thanks for reading my blog. Have you thought of starting one? Wish you would.

Posted by: Marie at June 16, 2005 10:16 PM

No, I didn't think you were being sarcastic at all. I am not personally Lutheran although I am part German. I grew up in Altamont and had lots of German Lutheran friends. I thought it was quite hilarious the way you presented that part of Altamont and had to drop you a note, that's all.

I don't have a blog. I spend too much time trying to keep up with reading TEH's blog the way it is!

Keep up the good work though - always good to read in other's thoughts. And thanks for the piece of nostalgia. I really enjoyed it and have forwarded it on to family in Altamont!

Mrs TEH

Posted by: at June 16, 2005 10:20 PM