Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 46

This card is from a collection of postcards dated between 1908 and 1914 that was found in the Sierra Madre, California home of Warren Brown after his death in 2015. Warren’s mother, Edythe Grace (Sisson) Brown (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, and is now in my possession.

12555 Central School, Hammond, Ind.

Postmarked October 22, 1910, in Hammond, Indiana

Addressed to:

Mrs. Chas. Sisson

408 Marcy St

Ottawa

Illinois

Hello Aunty Sisson,

Well I have been very

busy and had not much

time to do anything but

go to school. How is ever

thing down their. I hear

the Ohme's have lost 

some school. Well I

guess I will close I have

to go and see Dad 

off.    Milan S.

Written by one of the sons of Edith's former neighbor and close friend, Carrie Stiles. The Stiles family had recently moved to Hammond, Indiana because of their son Teddy's health. This is one of many cards sent to Edith after the family moved. The Ohme family was another neighbor on Marcy Street whose children had been close in age to the Stiles children. 

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 44

Masonic Temple, Hammond, Ind.

This card is from a collection of postcards dated between 1908 and 1914 that was found in the Sierra Madre, California home of Warren Brown after his death in 2015. Warren’s mother, Edythe Grace (Sisson) Brown (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, and is now in my possession.

The Stiles family were neighbors and very close friends of the Sissons in Ottawa, but moved late in the summer of 1910 to Hammond, Indiana. George and Carrie Stiles had two sons; Milan Arthur "Art" Stiles was born in 1894 followed by Teddy Aussem William Stiles in 1897. The family had moved to Hammond because of son Ted's health and remained there for several years. This is a note from Ted to his "Auntie" Stiles in October, 1910.

A card featuring the Masonic Temple may have been chosen because of Mr. Sisson's association with the lodge in Ottawa. Teddy would have knowledge of Charles Sisson's affiliation and, perhaps, his own father was also a Mason. This temple was the first in Hammond, Indiana, and had been recently completed. 

Postmarked October 13, 1910 in Hammond, Indiana

Addressed to:

Mrs. Chas Sission

408 Marcy St.

Ottawa,.

Ill.

Dear Auntie

Am sitting

up now. Hope to

get to school. Nurse

went to night.

Hope you people

are well.

Ted.

P.S.

Write and tell

me when they get

another case of beer

Ted recovered eventually and went on to live a normal life and have a family of his own. Whatever the illness, it was serious enough to force the family to move and employ a private nurse. The reference to another case of beer is a mystery. I think it hinted at an inside joke and showed that even in his sickness, Ted Stiles maintained a sense of humor.

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 43

Postcard number 43 in this collection features the Nickel Plate Depot in Hammond, Lake County, Indiana. Here is an excerpt published in 1897 from The Intelligence, Vol. 17 , page 397:

"A trip over the Nickel Plate between Chicago and New York or Boston

 is decidedly entertaining and pleasant. Leaving Chicago, the trains

 pass through an interesting part of the city, especially the commercial

 centre, thence through Hammond, Ind., across the fine prairies

 of Indiana, to the enterprising city of Fort Wayne..."

It goes on to tell of the marvelous sights and experiences as the train travels the rest of the way to either Boston or New York. A quick search on google brought up loads of sites featuring this exact same postcard, now in the hands of collectors across the country. That tells me that there were a lot of postcards purchased as travelers passed through this area. Most of the postcards in my collection are rare enough that I only find one or two, if any, when I do a similar search.

Nickel Plate Depot, Hammond, Ind.

This card is from a collection of postcards dated between 1908 and 1914 that was found in the Sierra Madre, California home of Warren Brown after his death in 2015. Warren’s mother, Edythe Grace (Sisson) Brown (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, and is now in my possession.

The Stiles family were neighbors and very close friends of the Sissons in Ottawa, but moved late in the summer of 1910 to Hammond, Indiana. George Stiles married Carrie M. Aussem in 1891. Son Milan Arthur "Art" Stiles was born in 1894 followed by Teddy Aussem William Stiles in 1897. The family moved to Hammond because of son Teddy's health and remained there for several years. This is a note from Art to his "Auntie" Stiles in October, 1910.

Postmarked October 7, 1910 in Hammond, Indiana

Addressed to:

Mrs Chas Sisson

Marcy St

Ottawa Ill.

Hammond, Ind.

10/6  1910

Auntie Sisson.

Ted is about the same

He has had no convulsions 

since 1 AM to-day

The Dr say ever hour

that they are kept away

the better his chances

Let those know of

the old neighbors

that may be interested

Will let you know when there is a change

Art.

I know that Teddy survived his affliction and went on to live a normal life and have a family of his own. I'm still curious as to the nature of his illness and why the family was forced to move to Hammond. Perhaps there will be more information in postcards to come since this is only about halfway through the collection.

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 42

Postcard number 42 revisits the Stiles family in their new home in Hammond, Lake County, Indiana. George Stiles was born in 1866 in Massachusetts and moved with his family as a child to LaSalle County, Illinois. There he married Carrie M. Aussem in 1891 and they began their family. Son Milan Arthur Stiles was born in 1894 followed by Teddy Aussem William Stiles in 1897. While living in Ottawa, the Stiles were neighbors of Charles and Edith Sisson. Carrie and Edith were very close friends and their children called the other woman Aunt. In 1910 the family moved to Hammond and remained there for several years, welcoming son George Jr. in 1913, before finally settling in Chicago by about 1917.

View in Harrison Park, Hammond, Ind.

Postmarked September 30, 1910 in Hammond, Indiana

Addressed to:

Mrs. Chas. Sisson.

408 Marcy St.

Ottawa.

Ill.

Dear Friend,

We are about

settled. I have a 

bad cold & Teddy

is getting along

nicely. I dont seem

like home but

I guess I will have 

to get used of it.

Give to the girls my.

Lovingly Mrs. Stiles.

upside down across the top she added her address:

47 Doty St.

Hammond, Ind.

Without being completely whiney, it's still clear that Carrie isn't loving Indiana so far. She must miss the house she was used to and all her friends back in Ottawa. The family moved because son Teddy was very ill. I'm not sure if there was better medical care there, or the climate was different, perhaps. That part is still a mystery. But I'm happy to see that he was doing well.

This card is from a collection of postcards dated between 1908 and 1914 that was found in the Sierra Madre, California home of Warren Brown after his death in 2015. Warren’s mother, Edythe Grace (Sisson) Brown (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, and is now in my possession.

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 40

Postcard number 40 features the Hammond Public Library. Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was the new home of the George and Carrie Stiles family. George Stiles was born in 1866 in Massachusetts and moved with his family as a child to LaSalle County, Illinois. There he married Carrie M. Aussem in 1891 and they began their family. Son Milan Arthur Stiles was born in 1894 followed by Teddy Aussem William Stiles in 1897. In 1910 the family moved to Hammond and remained there for several years, welcoming son George Jr. in 1913, before finally settling in Chicago by about 1917.

Public Library, Hammond, Ind.

Postmarked September 29, 1910 Hammond, Indiana

Addressed to:

Mrs Chas. Sission

408 Marcy St

Ottawa

Ill.,

Aunty,

I am feeling

well. How are

you getting 

a long. Like

the place well

Ted.

47 Doty St

Hammond, Ind

This card is from a collection of postcards dated between 1908 and 1914 that was found in the Sierra Madre, California home of Warren Brown after his death in 2015. Warren’s mother, Edythe Grace (Sisson) Brown (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, and is now in my possession.

In an earlier post titled Edith's Marcy Street Neighbors, I wrote about the Stiles family and their move to Hammond, Indiana. Ted was close in age to the daughters of Charles and Edith (Duffield) Sisson and considered Edith an Aunt, though there was not a familial relationship. I'm not sure of the nature of Teddy's illness, but it seems to be the primary reason for the move to Hammond. There were many postcards from Stiles family members and several of their photographs in Edith's collection. 

Teddy survived his illness and went on to marry and have a family of his own. In 1922 he and Grace Bailey were wed in Cook County, Illinois. A daughter, Alice, arrived in 1925, followed by a son, Bruce, in 1927.

Edith's Marcy Street Neighbors

Edith Amy Duffield was my husband's great-grandmother. She was born November 12, 1864 in South Ottawa Township, LaSalle County, Illinois to William Duffield and Henriette Louise DeSusClades. Edith was the middle child of five and grew up on a small farm near the Illinois River. In 1895 she married Charles Herman Sisson (1868-1927), a carpenter from New York, who promptly built them a home at 408 Marcy Street in Ottawa. Two daughters were soon to join the family; Vera in January 1897 and Edythe in November that same year. 

Edith Amy Duffield Sisson (1864-1926)
Photo from the collection of Edythe Sisson Brown, now in my possession.

Across the street from the Sissons lived the Stiles and the Ohmes families. These three families were comprised of couples that all married and began their families at about the same time.

George (1866-1941) and Carrie (Aussem) Stiles (1870-1930) lived at 403 Marcy Street. George was born in Massachusetts. Carrie, like Edith, was a native of LaSalle County. Carrie's father was born in France, as was Edith's mother. George and his father-in-law, Daniel Aussem, were carpenters and it's likely that the two of them built the house. George Stiles and Charles Sisson, then, had their profession in common. We know that Charles was also an active freemason because of membership cards and artifacts found in the family collection. Mr. Stiles may have been a member of the local lodge as well. 

The Stiles were married in 1891 and had two sons. Milan was born in 1894, followed by Teddy in 1897. Certainly these boys were playmates with the Sisson girls across the street. A collection of postcards saved by Edith from 1908-1914 includes cards from Carrie and both of her sons. Edith also saved some of the Stile's family photographs. Clearly, the families were close and had much in common.

Mr. and Mrs. Ohme lived next door the the Stiles family at 409 Marcy Street. Hans Ohme (1869-) and his wife Engeline (1876-1958) were Norwegian immigrants. He came in 1887, she in 1892. They married in 1896 and were living on Marcy Street by 1900. Hans was a grocer, so the families in the area would have all known him and likely did business with him. Mr. Ohme is also found listed as a cement contractor, so perhaps he had two trades. Cement work may have put him at the some of the same work sites as Charles and George, further cementing the friendships. By 1910 the Ohmes had welcomed 6 children. Harold, like Teddy Stiles and the Sisson girls, was born in 1897. He was followed by Mildred in 1900, Lawrence in 1902, Floyd in 1904, Marie in 1906 and then Donald in 1909.

403 Marcy St., Ottawa, Illinois circa 1910. 
Photo from the collection of Edythe Sisson Brown, now in my possession.

The group photo above includes the Stiles, Sisson and Ohme ladies and some of the children. It looks like it was meant to be a "girls only" picture that one young man may have snuck into. Notice the bicycle leaning against the porch in the background. Teddy may have rode up and jumped into the photo at the last minute! Pictured from left to right, Edythe Sisson, older woman unknown (maybe Carrie's mother or mother-in-law or another neighbor), Mildred Ohme, Carrie Stiles, Marie Ohme, Teddy Stiles, Vera Sisson, Edith Sisson, and Engeline Ohme. I have photos of the Sisson and Stiles families for comparison, but not the Ohme ladies. At least not photos that are labelled as so many in the collection are blank. One important clue in the photo, however, led me to believe it is Mrs. Ohme and her daughters.

In late August or early September of 1910, George and Carrie Stiles moved to Hammond, Indiana. Postcard correspondence between Carrie and Edith confirms the date. In the photo above of the Stiles home, there is a "For Sale" sign posted to the porch column. That was the clue. I believe this is a photo where the women of the neighborhood gathered together for a picture as the Stiles family was preparing for that move. 

The Ohme family remained at 409 Marcy Street until the early 1930's when Hans built a new home on the next block. Edith and Charles made a big move to Los Angeles, California in the early 1920's. The friendships made during the early years of their marriages when they all lived on Marcy Street were surely treasured by all three families.

Sources: 

1900 Federal Census, Ottawa Ward 1, LaSalle, Illinois

1910 Federal Census, Ottawa Ward 1, LaSalle, Illinois

U.S. City Directories, Ottawa, LaSalle, Illinois 1904-1935

Correspondence and Photographs from the collection of Edith Amy Duffield Sisson

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 27

Next in the series of postcards from 1908-1914 is No. 27, View of Beach and Pier, Highland Park, Grand Haven, Mich. These postcards were discovered last year in the Sierra Madre, California home of Warren Brown after his death. They were saved by his maternal grandparents, Edith Amy Duffield (1864-1926) and Charles Herman Sisson (1868-1927), and passed down to Warren, my husband’s cousin. Charles and Edith were married in Ottawa, Illinois in 1895 and remained there until the early 1920s when they moved west to Los Angeles, California. 

View of Beach and Pier, Highland Park, Grand Haven, Mich.

Postmarked 27 Jun 1910, Railway Mail Service.

This is an unusual postmark because it wasn't stamped at a traditional post office. The RMS stamp next to the date stamp signifies "Railway Mail Service". The RMS was a separate department of the US Post Office, operating on a passenger train in a designated car. Mail was sorted en route to the destination, receiving a cancellation the same as it would have at a Post Office. "TR. 7", under the date, may have been the train number, or route number, and the lettering around the cancellation probably denoted the route or name of railroad. I looked around to see if I could match up the part of the stamp we can see, but it will take some more research to nail it down.

Addressed to:

Mrs. Chas. Sisson.

Marcy St.

Ottawa,

Ill.

Message:

Dear Friend,

Having a 

swell. did

not get sick

at all. Lovingly

C. M. S.

The initials and handwriting identified the sender of this card as Carrie Stiles. She mailed several other postcards to Edith and it seems they were good friends. Perhaps Carrie was concerned about motion sickness on the train, but thankfully there was none of that. The beaches in Michigan were popular vacation destinations in the summer. It's not known if Carrie was on her way there, or on her way back, but she was having a swell [time]. 

The image below is a modern one of the lighthouse on the end of the pier as found on Wikipedia. It looks much the same as it did in 1910 and is still very busy with beach-going vacationers every summer.

• 
  
• CC BY 2.0 File:Grand Haven MI South Pierhead Light and inner lighthouse.jpg, Created: 25 April 2007

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 24

This is 24/100 in a series of postcards from 1908-1914 discovered last year in the Sierra Madre, California home of Warren Brown after his death. The collection of memorabilia was saved by his grandparents and passed down to Warren, my husband’s cousin.

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.

Boat House, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Ill.

Notice the canoes on this card form the shape of a flower or star on the water.  A small group is enjoying a picnic in the shade on the lake shore. The elegant boathouse building still exists today as Cafe Brauer, a seasonal restaurant.

circa 1910 postcard mailed from Hammond, Ind. to Ottawa, Ill.

Postmark:

Hammond, Ind.

Jan 20, 1910

To: Mrs. Chas. Sisson.

Marcy St.

Ottawa. Ill.

Dear Friend,

I am having

a nice time. Was

to Chicago to the 

theatre & am going 

to-night again.

Lovingly.

Mrs. Stiles

This card was penned by Carrie Stiles, also the sender of cards 13, 14, 20, and 22. She addresses them to "friend", but I haven't yet researched further to find out more about Mrs. Stiles. 

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 22

This is 22/100 in a series of postcards from 1908-1914 discovered last year in the Sierra Madre, California home of Warren Brown after his death. The collection of memorabilia was saved by his grandparents and passed down to Warren, my husband’s cousin.

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.

WEDRON ILL

FOX RIVER

Postmarked 21 Oct 1909? in Wedron, Illinois

Addressed to

Mrs. Chas. Sisson.

Marcy St.

Ottawa.

Ill.

Have a swell time hunting eggs.

Carrie

I think this is the same "Carrie" that sent card #20 and in that one she addressed the card "Dear Friend". I still don't know anything more about who she might be. The reference to "hunting eggs" must be an inside joke, since it's October and not early Spring. I don't have a clue!

This card is interesting in that it appears to be just a reprint of a photograph, with no colorization or touch-up other than the added text. Old photographs from this time period often have the same type of writing on them. There isn't any publisher information anywhere on the postcard, so it probably was produced locally.

Until I saw this card I had never heard of the city of Wedron. A quick Wikipedia search gave a bit of info. It's a small unincorporated community, also in LaSalle County. It's a little bit north of Ottawa and sits along the Fox River.

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 20

This is the twentieth in a series of postcards from 1908-1914 discovered last year in the Sierra Madre, California home of Warren Brown after his death. The collection of memorabilia was saved by his grandparents and passed down to Warren, my husband’s cousin.

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.

Sheridan Road looking North from Wilson Ave., Chicago.

Postmarked 24 September 1909 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Addressed to:

Mrs. Chas. Sisson.

Marcy St.

Ottawa.

Ill.

Dear Friend.

Having a nice time on the train for Dixon (?).

Yours as ever

Mrs Carrie.

I don't know anything about the sender of this card. I did look up the intersection on google maps and today there is a McDonald's restaurant instead of what looks on the postcard like a beautiful big home on the corner.

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 16

This is the sixteenth in a series of postcards from 1908-1914 discovered last year in the Sierra Madre, California home of Warren Brown after his death. The collection of memorabilia was saved by his grandparents and passed down to Warren, my husband’s cousin.

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.

SOUTH BOSTON, Mass.

Head House and Beach City Point.

U. S. 600

Postmarked in Boston on 23 August 1909.

Addressed:

Mr & Mrs Chas Sisson

Marcy St

Ottawa

Ill

Message:

Having a good time

Art & Ted

I haven't identified the authors beyond those first names at this time. Maybe something will come up in later correspondence that helps.



Duffield/Sisson Postcards No.14

This is the fourteenth in a series of postcards from 1908-1914 discovered last year in the Sierra Madre, California home of Warren Brown after his death. The collection of memorabilia was saved by his grandparents and passed down to Warren, my husband’s cousin.

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.

#482 View of Harrison Park, Hammond, Ind.

Postmarked 20 August 1909 in Hammond, Indiana

Addressed to:

Mrs. Chas. Sisson.

Marcy St.

Ottawa.

Ill.

Dear Friend,

Rec'd your nice

letter sorry Vera has

been sick. Well I guess

I will be home Sat. got

a card that Art would

be home so I must

come have had a good

time.

Lovingly

Carrie Stiles

This is the same sender as card No. 13, a friend of Edith's. Carrie was probably vacationing on Lake Michigan.

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 13

This is the thirteenth in a series of postcards from 1908-1914 discovered last year in the Sierra Madre, California home of Warren Brown after his death. The collection of memorabilia was saved by his grandparents and passed down to Warren, my husband’s cousin.

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.

Chicago - Schiller Monument in Lincoln Park

Curt Teich & Co., Printers, Chicago. Publ. No. 31

Postmarked in Hammond, Indiana on 18 August 1909

Hammond, Indiana is just east of Chicago across the state line and situated on the southern shores of Lake Michigan in Lake County. Perhaps Carrie had traveled through Chicago on her way to the lake on this vacation trip.

Addressed to:

Mrs. Chas. Sisson.

Marcy St.

Ottawa.

Ill.

I am having a good time. We go to the lake to-morrow

wish you were here to see me in a bath robe! I look swell.

Well I will say good by.

Lovingly

Carrie S.

The next postcard in the series is from the same person and in it she signs her complete name, Carrie Stiles, and it's addressed "Dear Friend". I'm glad I "cheated" a bit and looked ahead! It saved me from searching and searching the family tree for a cousin or aunt named Carrie. She was simply Edith's friend.

Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 12



This is the twelfth in a series of postcards from 1908-1914 discovered last year in the Sierra Madre, California home of Warren Brown after his death. The collection of memorabilia was saved by his grandparents and passed down to Warren, my husband’s cousin.

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.

City Hall, Dixon, Ill.

Postmarked 14 August 1909 in Dixon, Illinois

Addressed to:

Mrs.Charley Sisson, 408 Marcy St; OttawaIll.

The message:

I have nearly forgot all my friends. I like place but

not the things to eat it is rotten. We changed our

rooms from the hotel to a private house

this morning.

from,

MILAN.

The sender is not known to me. It isn't a name that has come up in the family, so probably an old friend or neighbor. Dixon is a town 60 miles from Ottawa and it looks to me like this card was sent from someone who had moved there for some reason "I have nearly forgot all my friends".

In most records I find with persons named Milan, it is a male name. There were a few in Ottawa and Lasalle County in 1900, but I couldn't find anyone with the first name Milan in the 1910 census in Dixon or Lee County to match with. Whoever he was, since he's not still there in 1910 it doesn't appear that he liked the place any better after settling into the private house!