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!