I’m adding another blog called About 70 Years. I’m creating a space for the more personal writing: essay, opinion pieces, book reviews, memoir, maybe even some fiction and drawings. Check it out – thanks.
Another Blog – Getting Personal
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Monthly Archives: January 2015
William McKinley Autograph
At the June,1896 Republican convention that nominated William McKinley as their presidential candidate, my great grandfather, John Tannehill Bressler, was part of the group chosen to inform the nominee of that decision. This was back in the day when the nominee did not attend the convention, but waited in a nearby hotel for the results.
Later Grandpa Bressler received this cabinet card with photos of Mr. and Mrs. McKinley with the nominee’s autograph on the back. It would appear that some accident happened to the card and it was repaired with Bressler’s address labels.
Sycamore Illinois High School Class 1905
The Class of 1905 Sycamore High School, Sycamore, Illinois. The only person I can identify is my grandfather, Amos Townsend Claycomb, top left.
Northern Illinois Teachers College DeKalb 1933 Commencement
My mother, Harriet Duncan (Claycomb), got her 2-year degree from Northern Illinois State Teachers College in DeKalb, Illinois in 1933. This is the Commencement program.
District #14 School Wayne Nebraska
District #14 School, Wayne, Nebraska about 1950. Corner E 21st & Centennial Road.
In 1882 John and Almeda Lake sold land for $25 to the School District #14 of Wayne, Nebraska. Here is the deed that was entered by Enoch Hunter, a Wayne pioneer.
The school house was very close to the family farm. It was demolished many years ago.
And in case you would be interested in teaching at this school, here is an 1896 teacher’s contract – $28 a month to teach, keep the school house in good repair and provide fuel.
For me the most important part – this is where my father, Frank Claycomb, started first grade in 1920. His teacher was Mrs. Barlow.
University Admission Certificate
In 1905 my grandfather, Amos Townsend Claycomb, was accepted for entry at the University of Illinois, Urbana. For this he received a certificate – with a gold seal! Just for being accepted. I think it’s nicer than my degree certificate. 
Civil War Calling Cards
I’m calling these Civil War calling cards. They belonged to men who served in the war with Thomas Cation Duncan in the Wisconsin 1st Cavalry. I’m not positive that’s the proper name for these, so if you know a better name, let me know.
One is for W. H. Tripp of Milan, Missouri and the other for S. W. Harrington of Hull, Iowa.
Business Cards Dr. T. C. Duncan
These business cards for Dr. Thomas Cation Duncan would have been printed about 1900. He died in 1902. I like that he has hours for being at home (perhaps he did consultations at home) and that one of the phone numbers is for long distance.
Edith Moses Chubb (1882-1972)
This is another set of photos that have survived away from its family. The Chubbs were friends of the Bresslers. The first two photos are labeled “Edith Moses Chubb.”
Edith Moses Chubb, 1904.
This one is labeled “Mr. Chubb, 1356 4th Ave., Davenport, Iowa.” Chubb is not a frequently heard name, so I’m guessing there’s a connection.
I found her birth (Nebraska) and death (Texas) dates online; her father was F. E. Moses; her son Niles was married to Dr. Dorothy Brewer. I haven’t documented this properly, just offer it as a possibility. I would love to return these photos to Edith’s family.
Idaho Homestead 1911
Photos taken in Hollister, Idaho, June 1911. The John Bresslers and the Charles Cravens of Wayne, Nebraska are homesteading in Idaho. Charles Craven was the local photographer in Wayne and I think he took these photos (he’s not in any of the photos).
Charles M. Craven homestead, Hollister, Idaho, June 1911. In doorway: Mrs. Hattie Craven. L-R: Ruth Bressler, Mrs. Julia Fair Bressler, Dorothy Bressler, Ruth Ringland, Joe Ringland, Mrs. Harvey S. Ringland, Harvey S. Ringland, and John T. Bressler. Ringland was an officer in the Bressler bank in Wayne, Nebraska.I have posted photos of the Bressler house in Wayne here. You can see they are used to more luxurious surroundings. Within a year of this picture, Ruth Bressler had married Amos Claycomb and moved to Illinois. I believe the Bresslers did not complete the requirement for homesteading. I don’t know much about the Craven family.
Hollister, Idaho, June 1911. Ruth Bressler shack. Dorothy Bressler in hat.John Bressler was a banker and politician (unpopular combination) – This is him standing at an irrigation gate. Dressed very nicely for working in the fields.
These are the families in front of the Bressler homestead with their wagon. Ruth Bressler’s ‘shack’ (her words) marked with a blue check behind the wagon; a barn is at the far left. The barrel on the wagon is to transport water.
John T. Bressler homestead, Hollister, Idaho, June 1911.L-R: Mrs. Hattie Craven, Mrs. Julia Fair Bressler, Dorothy Bressler, Ruth Bressler, John T. Bressler.
Here two of the women are leaving for Idaho Falls. Some are actually staying. That looks like a bleak existence. And how many trunks of clothes did they bring so that they could dress like this? The houses must have been full of trunks.
Holllister, Idaho, June 1911. Mrs. Julia Fair Bressler and Dorothy Bressler leaving for Idaho Falls.L-R: John T. Bressler, Dorothy Bressler, Mrs. Julia Bressler, Ruth Bressler, and Mrs. Hattie Craven.
This I Leave 