Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 38

This next card in the Duffield/Sisson postcards from 1908-1914 was sent to Mrs. Charles Sisson from her Aunt Jane Cross who lived in Downer's Grove, Illinois in 1910.

The collection was discovered last year in the Sierra Madre, California home of Warren Brown after his death. Warren’s mother, Edythe Grace Sisson (1897-1978), was the daughter of Edith Amy Duffield (1864-1926) and Charles Herman Sisson (1868-1927). Charles and Edith were married in Ottawa, Illinois in 1895. They remained there until the early 1920s when they moved west to Los Angeles, California. Their collection of memorabilia was passed down to Warren, my husband’s cousin.

Going In On The 702, Downers Grove, Ill.

"Going in on the 702". I wonder if the people gathered are waiting to board, have just departed, or are waiting for others to depart. It could be a combination of all scenarios. Most of the people look like businessmen and my guess is that the 702 was a commuter route into Chicago. I love all the hats! I magnified the picture and can only clearly see one young boy without a hat in the whole crowd.

Just a year after this card was sent, Downers Grove opened a new train station for pedestrian traffic and the old station was used for freight traffic only. This was primarily because of the number of livestock that was being transported and a desire to make traveling by train more pedestrian friendly. Looking at the photo, one can imagine how messy it could be if cattle and people were being loaded and unloaded in the same general area. The animals certainly kicked up some dust and likely left waste behind as well. The folks traveling were mostly well dressed and the situation would have been very unpleasant, especially if they were commuters on their way to work in the city.

31 August 1910, Downers Grove, Illinois

Addressed to:

Mrs. Edith Sissne

Ottawa

Ills

408. Marcy St.

Downers Grove

August 31 1910

Dear Edith

I have got home safe

but I have ben sick

I am come to Ottawa then 

I will see you

Anty

Written upside down at the top:

Will I bring my freind

Edith's "Anty" was Jane Wright (Duffield) Cross (1850-1932), youngest child of Robert Duffield (1810-1885) and Mary (Wright) Duffield (1812-1875). Their oldest child, William Duffield (1833-1925) was Edith's father. 

Jane was raised in LaSalle County but moved to Downers Grove shortly after her marriage to Alfred J. Cross in 1874. It was there that they raised their children, Emma (born in 1876) and Alfred (born in 1885). Edith was about 10 years old when her Aunt moved away and it seems that they maintained a close relationship. 

Baby Alfred Cross, Emma Cross is framed in the stylish hat, and their mother Jane (Duffield) Cross is standing in the photo lower right.

Last year I mailed the photos above to a descendant of Alfred Cross. She had never seen them and was thrilled to have them for her family.