Ada B. Briscoe, Westfield, Illinois 1880

Ada B. Briscoe, June 1880

Ada Belle Briscoe was the eldest daughter of Dr. William Thomas Briscoe, a physician and politician, and his wife, Rosanna Keller. She was born in Clark County, Illinois, on May 15th, 1858. She had one older brother, Heber, and two younger sisters, Zouie and Hester.  

In 1880, the year this photograph was taken, 22-year-old Ada was living at home in Westfield, Illinois with her parents and sisters. (This photo was taken in Terre Haute, Indiana, not too far from Westfield. My best guess is that Terre Haute was simply where the nearest photo studio was.) In 1887, a notice in the Bloomington, Illinois Pantagraph stated that Ada and a Miss Stella Callen had rented rooms and started "an establishment for commercial and legal shorthand business." Stella Callen was a steographer and court reporter, and it is possible Ada was as well, though I could find no further information about their business. 

In 1891, 66-year-old Dr. William Briscoe was in declining health. After a bout of flu, Dr. Briscoe overdosed on morphine and died on May 1st of that year. His wife, Rosanna, died three years later. By 1900, Ada and her sisters were living together, along with 16-year-old farm laborer, Russell Umbarger. The three women, now in their 30s, are all listed as farmers in the census. After a long illness, Zouie Briscoe died in a private sanatarium on March 9th, 1904 at the age of 42. Her sisters continued to manage the farm. In 1906, the Briscoe sisters recieved $10,000 (equivalent to over $372,000 in 2026) from the Ohio Oil Company for 80 acres of their land. According to The Effingham Democrat, this was the "highest bonus yet paid for a lease in Westfield Township, being $125 an acre." I have to imagine that Ada and Hester lived quite comfortably after this.

1916 Map showing land owned by Ada and Hester in Clark County, Illinois.

Ada Belle Briscoe died just days before her brother, Heber, on February 4th, 1922 at age 63. Hester Briscoe lived to the age of 80, passing away on March 30th, 1944. The Briscoes are buried together beneath a beautiful family monument in Maple Hill Cemetery in Westfield, Illinois.

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Max and Clark H. "Jack" Sturgeon, 1940s

"Max Sturgeon
(the tall one) w/ friend"

"Jack Sturgeon
Camp Stewart Ga. 1942"

These snapshots capture a moment in the lives of brothers Max and Jack Sturgeon as they served in World War II.

Max Eugene and Clark H. "Jack" Sturgeon were the sons of Clark Henry Sturgeon, Sr. a baker, and his first wife, Margaret Sybil Seass. Clark Sr. and Margaret had three children. Their eldest, Thelma, was born in Brown County, Indiana, in 1920. She was followed by her brother Jack in 1922 and Max in 1924. 

In 1925, Margaret died at age 26 of septicemia due to a pregnancy. Just a week later, Margaret's sister, Flora Seass Ledbetter, filed a petition to have "J.A. Webb" named as the guardian of her niece and nephews. It seems her petition was successful; a 1939 notice in The Decatur Review states that J.A. Webb was discharged as guardian of Thelma but would continue to act as guardian of Jack and Max. Regardless of their legal guardian at the time, the Sturgeon children were living with their father and stepmother, Roxa Beryl Dayhuff (whom he married in 1927), in Brazil, Indiana, in 1930. Clark and Roxa's marriage was short-lived, and in 1932, he married his third wife, Bertha Maude Lowery.

In 1940, the Sturgeons were living in Paris, Illinois, where Clark worked as a farmer, Thelma worked as an office clerk, and Jack and Max attended school. 

In June 1942, following the United States' entry into World War II, 18-year-old Max enlisted in the army. In September of the same year, 20-year-old Jack enlisted as well. Unfortunately, I can find little on Jack's time in the war beyond the fact that he was a Private First Class. We know that he spent time at Camp Stewart, Georgia, in 1942, as this is where his photo was taken. The camp was used for training and as a holding place for German and Italian POWs. Jack's service ended on November 5th, 1945.

I was able to find more on Max, who served as a Private in Company K of the 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division. He served 11 months overseas before becoming wounded in France in Spetember 1944. His hospital admission card notes that he sustained injuries to his hands, face, and neck due to artillery shell. While in the hospital, he was also diagnosed with rheumatic cardiovascular disease. Max was discharged on medical leave on April 23rd, 1945. On June 2nd of that year, Max married Faye Robbins, an employee of the Naval Air Station in San Diego, California. According to their wedding announcement in The Knoxville Journal, Faye wore "a blue suit with white accessories and a corsage of white roses" to the small ceremony. The couple made their home in San Diego, where Max worked as a welder inspector at the Ryans Aircraft Factory. By 1950, the young couple had left California for Urbana, Illinois. They went on to have three sons: Bruce Wayne, Max Clark, and Gregory. 

Max Sturgeon died on January 7th, 1956, at just 31 years old. His cause of death was hypostatic pneumonia, which is caused by prolonged immobility and is common in those with chronic illnesses and injuries that require bedrest. It is possible that Max's injuries during the war ultimately led to the decline in his health. He was laid to rest in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky. His headstone inscription states that he was a recipient of a Purple Heart, which is awarded to those who are injured or killed while serving with the U.S. military.

Jack Sturgeon went on to marry Gertrude "Trudi" Waschitz, with whom he had a daughter, Jackie Lynn. The couple also had a son, Lawrence Wayne, who died shortly after birth in 1954. Jack died on June 1st, 1990, at age 68. He was laid to rest in Marshall Cemetery in Marshall, Illinois. 

If you recognize these brothers, please let us know in the comments!

John D. Davis, Newton, Illinois, 1910

Inscription reads:
"Kedron school
John Davis
Teacher"

On December 8th, 1910, the students of the Kendron School in Jasper County, Illinois, gathered for a photo. Beside them stands their teacher, a young man who doesn't look much older than some of his pupils.

The young teacher is John D. Davis. He was born in Newton, Illinois, on October 9th, 1892, to parents George and Naomi Davis. He had two older sisters, Ethel and Margaret, and one younger, Agnes. There was also one older brother, Rollie, who died at age 8 in 1893.

In 1910, 17-year-old John was teaching at the local Kedron School, seven miles west of Newton. His 14-year-old sister, Agnes, was likely one of his students. By 1917, 24-year-old John was employed by the office of the Chief Nursery Inspector as a stenographer and clerk. 

His career was put on hold when the U.S. entered the First World War. John served in France as a sergeant in the United States Army Ambulance Service (USAAS). Many of these ambulance drivers were college students, graduates, and university faculty. The assignment was a dangerous one; 182 enlisted soldiers in the USAAS were killed in action or died of wounds, while 320 others were wounded or gassed. 

John returned home from France on May 19th, 1919. In the 1920 Census, John is living with his parents while attending university. Unfortunately, I do not know which school he attended or what he studied there.   In the 1930 Census, a man who may be the same John D. Davis is living in a boarding house in Cartersville, Illinois, working as a coal miner. He is listed as "married," though I can find no evidence that John ever married.

John's father, George, died in 1937. By 1940, John and his now-80-year-old mother were living together in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Census lists no occupation for John, though it notes his residence in 1935 as Panama City, Panama. I wish I knew what he was doing there! His 1942 WWII registration card does not reveal much else. He had by then returned to his hometown of Newton, Illinois, with his mother. His employer is listed as "self." 

Naomi Davis died in 1949 at age 89. There is little record of John's later life. He passed away on June 8th, 1975, at age 82 and was laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery in Newton. Though John had no children of his own, his niece Anna Mae Warfel (daughter of his sister Margaret) applied for his military veteran headstone. 

If you know who this may be, let us know in the comments!

Sister Mary Lucida Kollmann and Jr Meister, Damiansville, Illinois, 1910s

Writing on back reads:
"Mary Kollmann, Clem's girl
Jr. Meister"

The young lady in this faded photograph stands outside in a white dress, a simple string of beads, and a bow in her hair. Her smile is small and shy. She is identified as Mary Kollmann, or "Clem's girl." Mary stands beside a young boy, who is identified as "Jr. Meister." Unfortunately, I was not able to find anything else about him.

Mary Kollman was born on August 18th, 1908, in Damiansville, Illinois, to Clemens Kollman, a German farmer, and his wife, Josephine. Mary was the eldest of their nine children. Her sister, Anna, was born in 1910, followed by Rosa in 1912, Joseph in 1913, William John in 1915, Herman in 1918, Hermina in 1920, and Theresa in 1921. In 1922, Josephine gave birth to a baby girl, Katherina, who died shortly after birth. Josephine passed away days later on December 23rd, 1922. Mary was only 14 when she lost her mother and infant sister. Tragically, in March of the next year, she lost her father as well. Both parents were laid to rest in Saint Damian's Cemetery in Damiansville.

Mary was a member of the first graduating class of St. Damian's School. According to her obituary, it was here that she became aware of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. She went to Ruma, Illinois, where the Adorers had established a house in 1875. Here she began her religious studies. She took her first vows and became Sister Mary Lucida on June 14th, 1927, at age 19. Two of her sisters, Anna and Rosa, also took their vows, becoming Sister Mary Clement and Sister Mary Sebastian respectively.

For the next several years, Sister Mary Lucida dedicated her life to teaching. She initially worked as a substitute teacher while she completed her own education. In the 1930 Census, she is living in Chester City, Illinois, with three other women, all Catholic school teachers. She taught there at St. Mary's School. Then, in 1931, she was sent with two other Adorers to Dupo to open the Sacred Heart School. In the 1940 Census, she is living and teaching in Fayetteville, Illinois. In 1950, she is in Oran, Missouri, teaching 3rd and 4th grade. She retired from teaching in 1973.

After retiring, Sister Mary Lucida worked at the Clementine Residence in Red Bud, Illinois, caring for senior Adorers. Both she and her sister, Anna (now Sister Mary Clement), celebrated their Diamond Jubilees of religious profession in 1987.

Sister Mary Lucida Kollman lived out her final days at the Clementine Residence. She passed away on January 13th, 1998, at the age of 89. She was laid to rest in the Ruma Convent Cemetery in Ruma, Illinois.

If you recognize Mary and Jr., let us know in the comments!

The Cousins: Claude Neale, Edith Gibson, and Zoula Johnson, South Bend, Indiana 1880

Writing on back reads:
"Claude Neale
Age 8
Edythe Gibson
Age 6
Zoula Johnson
Age 4
Cousins"

These three children, photographed together around 1880, are the children of sisters Jennie, Irene, and Etta Turner.

Benjamin and Mary E. Carter Turner had at least 8 children: Charles (b. 1836), Rebecca (b. 1838), Jennie (b. 1841), Irene (b. 1843), Etta (b. 1850), Emmons (b. 1852), Jay Lee (b. 1854), and Jessie (b. 1856).

Zoula Johnson was born on July 19th, 1873 in South Bend, Indiana to Irene Turner and her husband, Frank Johnson. Zoula was a talented pianist from a young age and often performed at weddings and social gatherings. At her graduation from South Bend High School in 1893, Zoula recited an original poem titled "The Call to Duty," which was published in full in the South Bend Tribune. Zoula went on to study at the Rochester School of Music in Rochester, New York, and later at Northern Indiana Normal School and Business Institute in Valparaiso, Indiana (today Valparaiso University). Here she met Hiram R. Uncapher, a fellow student at the normal school. They were married in the Johnson home in April of 1898. They had one child together, Francis Johnson, born in 1902. The next year, Zoula filed for divorce on the grounds of "cruel treatment, drunkenness, and failure to provide." The divorce was granted. 

Zoula married attorney Dan Pyle on August 17th, 1907, in a small, private wedding at home. Their daughter, Irene Marilla, was born in 1909. By 1910, Zoula was working as a music teacher while caring for her two young children. She also remained busy as an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and other organizations. She appeared frequently in the society articles of the South Bend Tribune until her passing in August 1947 at age 74. Her obituary described her as a "leader in music circles" and noted that "music was her paramount interest and she finally devoted her time to teaching piano until ill health forced her to retire." She was laid to rest in the mausoleum at Highland Cemetery in South Bend.

Edith (or Edythe) Gibson was born in South Bend, Indiana, in 1874 to Etta Turner and John Gibson. Like her cousin Zoula, Edith was musically gifted, though as a singer rather than as a pianist. She was described as possessing "a contralto voice of wonderful depth and range," and sang in many church choirs. In 1893 she began taking voice lessons in Rochester, New York, with a Professor Pabst. While in Rochester, Edith met Spencer J. Stewart. They were married there on June 9th, 1897. It is unclear when the couple split, but at some point, Edith was remarried to a man with the last name "Willard," as that is the name listed in her obituary.

Edith died in New York City in July 1914 at the age of 40. According to her obituary, she had been ill for two years. Her body was returned to her hometown of South Bend and she was laid to rest in the city cemetery there.

Claude B. Neale was born on July 21st, 1872 in La Porte, Indiana to Jennie Turner and her husband, John Neale. John died around 1874, leaving Jennie to care for her son as a single mother. As a boy, Claude delivered newspapers for the South Bend Tribune. The Tribune also noted Claude's childhood illnesses, such as scarlet fever in 1884 and "lung fever" in 1886. 

Claude married Margaret "Mamie" Foulkes on March 26th, 1895. Their first child, George Hallett, was born in 1896. The next year, Claude's mother, Jennie, died of tuberculosis while at his home. According to her obituary, she had been suffering from the illness for 20 years. Another son, Claude Jr., was born in 1903 but died in infancy. The Neales had two more children, Margaret Jane in 1907 and John James in 1911. Claude died suddenly of a heart ailment in 1928 at the age of 56. He was laid to rest in Rice Cemetery in Elkhart, Indiana.

Recognize this trio? Let us know in the comments!

William Blythe, Mary Jane Shores, and Charles Cross, Sturgeon, Missouri 1880s

Writing on back reads: "William Blythe Cross
Mary Jane (Shores) Cross"

William Blythe Cross was born in Howard County, Missouri, on September 18th, 1820. His parents were Sarah (or Sally) Blythe and John Cross, and he was the second of their eight children. Like his father, William became a farmer. In 1850, at age 29, he married 19-year-old Mary Jane Shores. Mary was born on September 27th, 1830, also in Howard County, to Susan Rice Johnson and William Shores. She was the eldest of their three children and their only daughter.

William and Mary had ten children together: John Newton, Susan Catherine, James Thomas, Annie Mary, William Clay, Sarah Cornelia, Mary Jane, Charles Shores, George Samuel, and Marvin Edward. As was unfortunately common at the time, they lost two of these children when they were young. The first was Annie, who died in 1867 at age 8. The second was their son, Charles, who can be seen in this cabinet card.

Writing on back reads: "Charles Shores Cross
d. 1882- Clark
age 16"

There is little information on Charles Cross's brief life. He was born in Randolph County, Missouri, in 1865 or 66. We know from the 1880 census that 15-year-old Charles worked on the farm with his father and older brother and that he attended school. He died on March 4th, 1882, at age 16, and was buried at Chapel Grove Cemetery in Clark, Missouri. I can find neither a death certificate nor an obituary for him that may tell us more. 

William Blythe Cross died in 1895 at age 74. His wife, Mary, followed him in 1898 at age 67. Both were buried at Chapel Grove Cemetery.

If you can tell us more about these folks, let us know in the comments!

Charles Peter Mowery, Circleville, Ohio 1890s

The writing on back says "Charles Mowery." Written below, in fainter letters, is "Nadie R. Mowery," the name of Charles's sister.

Though this portrait of Charles Mowery has become faded and dirty with time, we can still make out a few details: his serious little face, ruffled collar, tasseled cap, walking stick, and the faux tree stump he perches on.

Charles Peter Mowery was born in Salt Creek Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, on October 15th, 1889. He was the youngest of Sarah Elizabeth Myers and Harvey Allen Mowery's children and had two older siblings, Nadie Rea and Willis Ferdinand. Their father was a farmer, as well as the superintendent of the Tarleton Sunday School and a church trustee. 

In 1910, 20-year-old Charles was living with his parents and working odd jobs. In 1917, he married Arista Mae Riffle. Charles's WWI draft card from that same year describes him as being of medium height and medium build with black (or dark brown) eyes and black hair. He worked as a farmer and later went on to become a county road foreman. The couple had two children, Charles Jr. and Joan Mae.

Charles Jr. became a staff sergeant in the Headquarters Detachment of the 37th Division at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and during WWII, served overseas. Newspaper articles give a glimpse into the anxiety felt by the families of those serving in the war. In December 1942, The Circleville Herald reported that a special program was held in Cincinnati where families could hear recorded messages from men in the 37th division. Charles Sr., Arista, their daughter, Joan, and Charles Jr.'s wife were all in attendance to hear Charles's voice for the first time in months. Charles Jr. survived the war and lived to the age of 88.

Charles Sr. was superintendent of Forest Cemetery in Circleville, Ohio until his retirement. Arista passed away in 1971, and Charles followed her the next year. They were both laid to rest in the same cemetery Charles had cared for.

If you know who this may be, let us know in the comments!