Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 56

Postcard 56, like the last one, was sent from Lyle Green to his sister-in-law Edith (Duffield) Sisson to update her on the condition of her little sister Eva following an operation.

City Hall and Court House, Chicago

The Cook County Building, which houses the City Hall offices and the County Court House, is still in use today. The building was designed by Holiburd & Roche, Architects, and constructed in 1910.

Postmarked April 6, 1913, at 1:30 AM in Chicago.

Addressed to:

Mrs. Edith Sisson

Ottawa

Ill

408 Marcy St.

Dear Ede,

Everything all O.K.

Eva started to eat 

to-day appetite good

and pains growing

less every day.

Lyle

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 55

This postcard is the 55th in order by date from the collection of Edith (Duffield) Sisson, my husband's great-grandmother. The collection was saved by Edith's daughter, Edythe (Sisson) Brown, and after she died, her son Warren became the caretaker. When he passed away, I was lucky to have the chance to rescue many family treasures from being tossed out, including this great collection.

Edith's little sister Eva (Duffield) Green has authored a several of the postcards in this collection so far (3, 28, 29, 30, 31, 41, 45, 49). This one and the next are penned by her husband, Lyle Green. It seems that Eva has had an operation and Lyle is sending updates. The Green's lived north of Ottawa in the community of Dayton and operated a dairy farm. They must have been in Chicago, however, for Eva's surgery. Both postcards are postmarked in Chicago and feature subject matter of the city.

WHALEBACK STEAMER CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS ENTERING HARBOR, CHICAGO
No. 809, V. O. Hammon Pub. Co., Chicago

The S.S. Christopher Columbus was a steamship designed by Scottish immigrant Alexander McDougall, inventor of the whaleback hull shape. It was the longest Whaleback ever built and the only one built for passenger service. At the time of this postcard, 1913, it was running a daily service from Chicago to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Postmarked in Chicago, Apr 3, 1913, 3:30 PM

Addressed to:

Mrs. Chas Sisson

Ottawa

Ill.

408 Marcy St.

Eva is getting along

all right. had the operation 

at 8:30 yesterday morning.

She is in considerable

pain but that is to be

expected for a few days.

Will write again in 

a day or two.

Lyle

The Isaac Baumgardner family of South Ottawa, Illinois

Isaac Baumgardner and his wife, Barbara (Shank), moved from York, Pennsylvania to South Ottawa township, LaSalle County, Illinois about 1856-1857. Their daughter Mary was almost 4 years old and baby Sarah was born as they traveled to their new home. Isaac and Barbara would welcome two sons, Albert and Harry, and another daughter, Daisy, in Ottawa. The family made many friends among the residents in the community, including the Duffield family. 

Edith A. (Duffield) Sisson kept in close contact with the family and considered them her dear friends. She received a postcard from Mrs. Baumgardner in 1912 after the death of Sarah's husband Charley. She mentions an upcoming visit from her friend "Mrs. Challis from Ulysses, Nebraska" in a 1922 letter. And when Isaac died in 1918, he had added Edith Sisson to his will to receive $100 in appreciation for the many and valuable favors in the past years (Illinois Wills and Probate Records, Ancestry.com). Learning of these relationships, it was no surprise to find the following photographs in Edith's collection. 

Sarah E (Baumgardner) Challis

Sarah Eve (Baumgardner) Challis, (1856-1942)
Photographed in Ulysses, Nebraska,
From the collection of Edith Sisson.

 Charley Challis

Charles H. Challis (1853-1912),
husband of Sarah E Baumgardner.
Photographed in Ulysses, Nebraska.
From the collection of Edith Sisson.

 Guy Challis, front

Baby Challis, believed to be Guy Challis (1880-1882), son of Charles and Sarah.
Photographed in Ottawa, Illinois.
From the collection of Edith Sisson.

 Guy Challis, Back

Labeled Baby Challis, believed to be Guy Challis (1880-1882), son of Charles and Sarah.
Photographed in Ottawa, Illinois.
From the collection of Edith Sisson.

 Blanche Challis

Labeled Little girl Challis, Blanche E. Challis (b. 1882). Married Lloyd Jackson.
Photographed in Ulysses, Nebraska.
From the collection of Edith Sisson.

Albert Baumgardner, front

Thomas Albert Baumgardner (1858-1927). Married Anna Nistel.
Photographed in Ottawa, Illinois.
From the collection of Edith Sisson.

 Albert Baumgardner, back

Thomas Albert Baumgardner (1858-1927).
Photographed in Ottawa, Illinois.
From the collection of Edith Sisson.

Harry Baumgardner, front

Harry P. Baumgardner (1866-1890).
Photographed in Ottawa, Illinois.
From the collection of Edith Sisson.

 Harry Baumgardner, back

Harry P. Baumgardner (1866-1890).
Photographed in Ottawa, Illinois.
From the collection of Edith Sisson.

Daisy Baumgardner, front

Daisy Maude Baumgardner (1872-1948).
Photographed in Ottawa, Illinois.
From the collection of Edith Sisson.

 Daisy Baumgardner, back

Daisy Maude Baumgardner (1872-1948).
Photographed in Ottawa, Illinois.
From the collection of Edith Sisson.

Daisy Baumgardner

Daisy Maude Baumgardner (1872-1948). Married W S Hayward.
Photographed in Ottawa, Illinois.
From the collection of Edith Sisson.

Please contact me if you are a descendant of Isaac and Barbara Baumgardner and would like to have these photos.

Duffield/Sisson Postcards, No. 54

This next postcard from the collection of Edith (Duffield) Sisson illustrates that, in 1912, friendships endured over distance, families stuck together when times got tough, and being neighborly was the right thing to do.

BIRDS-EYE VIEW   56  ULYSSES NEB.

Postmarked Jun 3, 7 PM. The year and post office city didn't show up.

Addressed to:

Mrs Charls Cisson

Ottawa

Ill

south side 

(The Sisson's lived in South Ottawa)

Ulyses Neb

Jun 2 -12

Mrs Sisson

We are still here trying to 

sell evry thing I am so tired 

of the place Sarah is going to 

live with us she must sell 

evry thing it takes time to get 

rid of it I know you are tired 

taken care of hour home but 

we did not inteng to stay so 

long but will try and come home 

midle of next week if arangements 

can be made Love to all

From Mrs Baumgardner

Mr. & Mrs. Baumgardner lived a short distance away from Edith (Duffield) and her husband Charles Sisson in Ottawa, Illinois. The Baumgardner and the Duffield children had grown up attending the same schools. Sarah Eve Baumgardner, born in 1856, had married Charles Henry Challis in 1879 and moved to Ulysses, Nebraska. Charles was the editor and publisher of the Ulysses Dispatch until his unexpected death in May of 1912. These photos of Sarah, Charles, and their children were found in Edith's collection, and I know the families kept in touch even after Sarah moved to Nebraska. She was almost nine years older than Edith, but it seems they were friends despite the difference in age. In one of Edith's letters written in 1922, she mentions that Mrs. Challis will be coming to visit.

Sarah (Baumgardner) Challis,
Photographed in Ulysses, Nebraska,
From the collection of Edith Sisson.

Sarah's parents were about 80 years old when they traveled to Ulysses to help her settle the household after her husband's death. Edith stepped in to care for their home in Ottawa while they were gone. This note tells us that Sarah was planning to go back to Ottawa to live with her parents. She probably helped her parents a great deal until their deaths. Her mother died in 1917, followed soon after by her father in 1918. After their deaths, Sarah moved to Scotts Bluff, Nebraska to live near her daughter, Blanche, and son-in-law, Lloyd Jackson. Sarah died in 1942 in Scotts Bluff and was buried next to her husband in Ulysses.

Before Mr. Baumgardner died, he made an addition to his will. His five surviving children would inherit his estate, but he also wanted to leave $100 to Edith Sisson in appreciation for the many and valuable favors in the past years.

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 53

The Pillars of Hercules, on the O. R. & N.

From the back of the postcard:

The Pillars of Hercules, on the O. R. & N.

The storm God of the mountains fashioned these stately 

pillars, and made them the gateway to scenes beyond 

of unspeakable beauty and grandeur. About these 

pinnacles there dwelt the guardian angels of the God 

Coyote.

The Pillars of Hercules pictured here are not in the Straits of Gibraltar but on the Columbia River near Portland, Oregon. The train tracks no longer run through the columns, and the tree on top is gone, but they can still be seen today. The Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company, O. R. & N., provided travelers a gateway to the Pacific Northwest.

This postcard was part of the Gifford Series, published by Benj. A. Gifford, The Dalles, Oregon.
Copyright 1908, card No. 240.

            Postmarked November 4, 1911 at The Dalles, Oregon.

Addressed to:

Mrs Edith Sisson

Ottawa

Illinois

Marcy. St.

Dear Sister Edith-

We are on our way to California at Dalles to day. 

Will leave here for Portland Sun morning we are O.K. 

hope you are all well I will write you again

Lovingly

Sister Mae.

Marie Louise "Mae" Duffield and her husband, Herbert Bragg, moved from Ottawa, Illinois to Long Beach, California between the years 1910 and 1920 according to the Federal Census records. This trip may have been the actual "move" or perhaps was just a pleasure trip that put the thought into their heads. Mae was two years older than Edith, and from her notes seems to have been a practical and to the point type of woman. 

Edith (Duffield) Sisson saved many postcards and letters. I am honored to be the current caretaker of this wonderful collection and keep them in the family.

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 52

In the early 1900s, before automobiles were parked at nearly every home, travel of any distance was typically by train. Postcards featuring trains and the depots were very common. Train depots were often elaborate buildings, making them an attractive postcard subject. Travelers who wanted to let the family back home know how their trip was going would purchase a postcard at the depot while the train was in the station and send an update. Postcards were also used to pen quick notes, such as this one from the collection of Edith (Duffield) Sisson.

This card was sent as a thank you note by a woman named Daisy Haywood. It features a depot in Kinsley, Kansas for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF). This depot was built in 1887 and was used first for the AT&SF and later the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. The small building next to the depot was used a freight house. The buildings were demolished in 1999.

A. T. & S. F. Depot, Kinsley, Kans.

Postmarked in Kinsley, Kansas, September 1911

Addressed to:

Mrs. Edith Cisson

Marcy St.

Ottawa

Ills.

9/2/1911

Mrs. Cisson,

Dear friend: - I rec'd a letter from

the folks telling how pleased they 

were on finding things so well taken

care of in their absence and I

take this way in thanking

you, which is but a weak

way of putting it, for the kind-

ness that you have shown

them. We all fully appreci-

ate the kindness.

Your friend Daisy Haywood

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 51

I got sidetracked from this collection several months ago after posting #1-50. That was only the first half of this wonderful collection of postcards saved by Edith (Duffield) Sisson (1864-1926). The postcards were found in the Sierra Madre, California home of her grandson, Warren Brown, after his death in 2015. They were stacked and tied up with string, then tucked away in a box of photos and other memorabilia. This one is extra special because the note on the back was from her husband, Charles Herman Sisson (1868-1927).

65. Interior of Big Pavilion, - Saugatuck, Mich.

The Big Pavilion was built in the Spring of 1909 as a dance hall to entertain the families vacationing for the summer in Saugatuck. It was situated on the banks of the Kalamazoo River and not far from Mount Baldhead (if you wanted to climb more than two hundred steps to the top). Wealthy and upper-middle-class families flocked to the resort from Chicago, St. Louis and the surrounding areas for vacations. Some very wealthy drove themselves, but most came by train or by boat across Lake Michigan. They could then either drive or rent a horse and carriage to take them to the beach on Lake Michigan. Some families rented canoes and paddled the river, or fished from the docks. Many, though, came for the dances and concerts in the Pavilion. Saugatuck was in the "dry" county of Allegan, so refreshments at the pavilion were limited to soda, lemonade and perhaps an ice cream or some popcorn. Young men wishing to meet and dance with unescorted young ladies had to first be introduced by the Master of Ceremonies.

Addressed to:

Mrs C. H Sisson

Dear Madam this is

from your old man

Fennville Mich July 31 -11

Dear Edith i got here

safe and sound also 

right side down, at

two oclock in the

morning. Had a nice 

trip the lake was 

as smooth as glass

the smoothest i ever

saw it. the folks are

all well this is all this time

P(ea) S(oup) i think i will be

Home thursday

night on the CRI

There isn't a postmark, full address, or a stamp, so I think it's safe to say that this card was sent in a package or another envelope. The Sissons lived in Ottawa, LaSalle County, Illinois. His message offers a glimpse of Charles's personality. The "Dear Madam this is from your old man", "right side down", and "P(ea) S(oup)" for postscript are all fun little touches that show he was a good-natured man. 

Charles parents, Luther and Mary Jane (Bassage) Sisson, lived just west of Fennville, Michigan. In 1910, they had two grown children, James and Dora, living with them, too. James helped his father with the farming on land that they owned.  The town of Saugatuck, with the Big Pavilion pictured on this postcard, was less than ten miles from the farm. 

About 1900, Fennville, Michigan
Left to right: Belle Adora "Dora" Sisson, Dora's daughter Beulah, Mary Jane (Bassage) Sisson - seated, Emma Lucinda (Sisson) Buchanan, James Sisson, Luther Sisson - seated, and Emma's daughter Lizzie.

Charles traveled across Lake Michigan by boat, probably from Chicago, on his trip to Fennville. He likely returned the same way, but then had to get from Chicago to Ottawa. We know from his postscript that he planned to take the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, called the Chicago Rock Island, or the CRI, for short. His old lady may have been waiting for him at the station that Thursday night.

October 30, 1922 - The last letter to Chicago

Addressed to:

Mr. G. Rayson Brown.

1468 East 67th St.,

Chicago,

Illinois.

5009 Whittier Blvd,

Los Angeles, Calif.

From E. G. Sisson.

5009 Whittier Blvd.,

Los Angeles, Calif.

Loftus Land Co.

Los Angeles, Cal.,

October 30 - 1922

Dearest Rayson:

I wanted to write to you yesterday dear, but we had company all day and so I will write this morning. This is a beautiful morning, the sun is shining brightly and so warm and nice.

Friday we had our first rain and it turned so cold. It always does when it rains here and the next morning we could see snow on the mountain tops, fifty miles away. Thats close enough, too I think.

Saturday the gas company laid the pipes for the gas on our street and they will soon start digging. It begins to look as though we might have paving yet before the real rains commence. We will live in hopes anyway.

Yesterday Father and Billy finished the new house all except putting on the plaster board, and Father will do that this week.

We were just getting dinner when the McCaffreys and Mr & Mrs Dick Pyle came. They were on their way to Sante Fe Springs. Mr Pyle has some oil stock invested there. They didn't stay long.

Later in the afternoon the Noack family came and stayed all afternoon. We had just remarked afther they left that we thought everyone we knew had called when who should drive in but the Yost girls and their uncle and cousin. Poor Evelyn was so glad to see us, she is so lonesome and homesick out here.

We told Aunt Mae we would be over one day last week. We planned to go Friday but could not on account of the rain and so we just picked up and went Saturday. We had a nice visit with her but had to leave early in order to get home before dark as we had no tail light. We did some speeding too, made the trip in an hour and five minutes, thats the best we have done yet.

I will look for your mail dearest at the land office and so don't worry at all about that. I imagine there is mail there now as Father didn't call for it Saturday.

I am so sorry dear for the poor fellow at the hospital. It is hard to leave anyone like that too. He will look forward to receiving your letters now for that is all he will have. Yes dear it would be fine of you to write to him, it will only take a few minutes and will make him happy.

Vera and I will go to town this afternoon. She is going to buy dishes for the new house. There is a sale on them at the fifth street store today. We are getting as bad as the Yosts' for running to bargain sales. Sometimes it pays.

The Yosts's sold their place accross the street from ours on Marcy St., to a young couple from Michigan. That young couple will find out later how badly they were taken in.

You remember dear the 'funny hat' I wore home? Well I have improved it a little by putting a little color on it. Two Henna colored pheasant feathers and some yarn to match. Also the hat I wore to the little church on the corner that night, I have managed to make look quite good again. Don't know when I'll wear them though as I just cannot get used to wearing a har. They give me a terrible headache.

Has there been anything more heard from Mr Rice? He seems to keep his distance doesn't he dear? I wish that he would soon put in his appearance for I am so lonesome for you dear and wish that you were here with me.

Chris is laying here on the rug, just had a bowl of milk and has gone to sleep. Thats the best thing he does is sleep. He and the cat next door go tearing across lots and break off the geraniums. It makes Mrs Slowinski wild.

Well dearest lover Vera is hurrying me to get ready and so will close for this time. Mother sends her love to you and hopes you will soon be coming.

Goodbye for this time, write soon dear and take good care of yourself. With all my love for you and you only, I remain,

Lovingly yours,

Edythe.

For links to all the letters in this collection, go to https://ordinaryancestors.blogspot.com/p/edythe-and-rayson-love-letters.html where they are organized by date written.

October 22, 1922 - Aunt Mae has a heliotrope started for Mother.

Addressed to:

Mr. G. Rayson Brown.

1468 East 67th St.,

Chicago,

Illinois.

From E. G. Sisson.

5009 Whittier Blvd.

Los Angeles, Calif.

Los Angeles, Cal.,

October, 22 - 1922.

My Dearest Rayson:

I received another of your wonderful letters Saturday evening and was so glad for I was not expecting one before the first of the week.

This was surely a beautiful day. I wish that you might have been here. There was no fog this morning and the sun came up bright and clear. We could see the mountains quite plainly and that is "very unusual" for that time of the day. Some days we do not see them at all. Later in the day it was quite warm and the air seemed smoky. Some say that is caused from dust or sand storms in the desert. Tonight it is warm enough out of doors to sit without a coat.

There is a pretty new moon tonight hanging over in the south west. I hope dear that you will like this country. It is beautiful by moonlight, when the moon is at its fullest, it seems as though you could reach up and touch it and twice as bright as it is back there.

Billy and Father worked on the house all day. Father put in the windows and Billy wired for lights. Vera calls it her "chicken coop".

After dinner I shampooed my hair but it wasn't very satisfactory as the water is so hard. I will have to look for some castile soap.

Tomorrow the folks are thinking of going to the city shopping and Tuesday Mother, Vera and I are going to drive to Long Beach to see Aunt Mae and spend the afternoon with her. She has a Heliotrope started for Mother. That is my favorite flower. It grows as high as the eaves of the houses here and back home if it grew to be a foot and a half high we thought it wonderful.

Well dearest heart I suppose you are in Ottawa today to see the folks. Write and tell me whether you saw Aunt Vic and give my best regards to Blanche when you write to her. I should liked to have seen her before I left but you know how busy we were.

Have you received the box of pepper berries dear? Vera picked a big box full and sent them to Mrs Armstrong. They make a nice bouquet for winter there.

Last night we three went over to Whittier Blvd, to do our Sunday buying and on our way home we stopped into the dancing pavillion. Vera likes to dance but I am sorry to say that I cannot dance anything but a waltz any more. We didn't stay long but when we started home a heavy fog had lowered and you couldn't see ten feet from you. We became lost, quite naturally, but finally managed to get home all right side up with care. Mother was glad to be home again and Father and Billy were surely relieved when we arrived. It was something terrible, just like London fog.

Mother bought a lovely white ivory bed downtown for twenty dollars, complete. Wasn't that a splendid buy? Down at a store on the boulevard they are selling whole bedroom outfits for seventy five dollars. This includes bed, dresser, chiffonier and chair. I think she intends buying one.

How does it happen that Anna Devore is going with Isabel? I thought Isabel and Bessie Maxwell were inseparable. Nothing that she says can ever worry me dear, I shall just pretend that I don't hear it. That is the best way.

I had a long letter from Irene Cole, Saturday, also. She and Paul and Catherine and Ed Jacobs have been to Detroit, Mich for a couple weeks. When they returned every one thought that Irene and Paul were married. She said Paul did want to get married but she knew her folks would not like it if she were married away from home and so she wouldn't. She had a lovely time and is wild about Detroit.

Well dear this old month is drawing to a close quite swiftly and none to quickly to suit me, for dearest mine, with every little week that slips by brings us nearer together. Mother says it will not be long now, please write and tell me when.

I must close dear heart as it is getting very late and I shall have to be up early tomorrow. Write soon dear and take good care of yourself. With all move and kisses for you, my dearest lover, I remain as ever and forever,

Lovingly your,

Edythe.

For links to all the letters in this collection, go to https://ordinaryancestors.blogspot.com/p/edythe-and-rayson-love-letters.html where they are organized by date written.

October 15, 1922 - Father, Billy, Mr .Roani & Mr. Noack build a house for Vera

Addressed to:

Mr. G. Rayson Brown.

1468 East 67th St.,

Chicago, 

Illinois.

Return address:

E. G. Sisson.

5009 Whittier Blvd.,

Los Angeles, Calif.

c/o Loftus Land Co.

Los Angeles, Cal.,

October, 15 - 1922.

Dearest Rayson:

I was wondering whether or not I would hear from you again this week and surely enough Billy brought home another wonderful letter. It made me so happy dear and I am so glad that you are well. Although I might have promised not to worry, you know dear that seems to be part of a woman's "make up", so to speak. We just cannot seem to help worrying.

It is Sunday again but you would never know it around here. Have to work just as much as any other day. Mr Roani and Mr Noack came over early to help Billy and Father build the house. I was down to the place this noon myself and it is really a nice location. Mother and I got dinner for the men and have just finished doing dishes. If you were here dear, you would most likely be putting them away. I can hardly wait until you come, I will be so happy.

It was nice of Harry to ask you there and I am glad you had a nice time. If we happen back there some day we will surely stop and see them.

Now dear, if I had thought for one minute that you would feel that way I would never have mentioned building on to the house. It is not on youre account at all. The truth is, when Father built this place he forgot all about clothes closets and consequently we must have more room to put our clothes. Just at present most of ours are in the garage, still packed. The neighbors around here think I only have one dress, I guess, as I always wear the same one. But then they don't bother me as I don't know any of them any way and a part of them I don't care to.

We drove to Alhambra one evening for a ride. Do you remember the Gualano's in Ottawa? Vincent and Fortunato are operating a music store in that city. They invited Vera and Billy to see them but they haven't gone yet.

I picked a few berries off the pepper trees here and am going to risk sending them in this letter although they may get crushed. The trees look awfully pretty, just hanging full of red berries.

And another thing if we ever want to sell here, it will sell quicker when there are improvements. The way it is now, no one would care for it. It can be made awfully nice in time.

You should see the pen I am writing with but it writes better than anything around here. It is a pen Father bought for me in Ch'go when I was a little girl. It is only seven inches long and as fat as a match. I have a hard time holding on to it. 

I asked Father about the mail being delivered here and he doesn't know how soon it will be, and so dear you had better give the Whittier Blvd., address and we can see about it when you come.

Billy and Father have just come home from the new house. They used all the lumber they had and so had to call it done for the time being. They most part of it is done, all that is left is the roof, plaster board walls and hanging doors and windows. It is a cute little place, only two rooms. When they build on, these two rooms will be turned into bed rooms.

Well dearest lover it is supper time and I must help Mother. She sends her love to you dear, as ever. I have no more news and so will close. With all the love in the world that I possess, for you dear I remain as ever yours only and lovingly,

Edythe.

P.S. - Dear, Mother thinks it best not to send the berries in the letter so will send them separately. Someone might tear this open and you would not get it.

For links to all the letters in this collection, go to https://ordinaryancestors.blogspot.com/p/edythe-and-rayson-love-letters.html where they are organized by date written.