Hollywood Nights

My parents, Frank and Harriet Claycomb, moved to Hollywood California in 1939 – in time for their first born child to have that glamorous birthplace.  I think this was an exciting time in my parents’ lives.  They were in their early 20s and Hollywood star power was at a peak.  The Wizard of Oz was released that year and Gone With the Wind in 1940.  Mom said she often saw big stars at local stores.  It was almost a small town atmosphere.

Dad was a salesman for Anaconda and often entertained customers at night clubs.  These are souvenir photos from two of those evenings.

Folder for Florentine Gardens.

(about 1942) L-R: __, Sally Chamberlain, Frank Claycomb, Harriet Claycomb, __, Blair Chamberlain, __, __.

On the reverse of the Florentine Gardens folder, it states one can write for additional copies from Hollywood Nite Club Photos – $1.00 each plus 10 cents for mailing.

February 1940. L-R: Frank Claycomb, Cele Snow, W. E. Sprackling, Harriet Claycomb, Herbert Hawks, Win Snow, Mrs. Hawks, E. A. Casey, Mrs. W. E. Sprackling.

Duncan English Smith & Byington

Sounds like a law firm, but it’s just more photos from these families.  Previous photos here.

Samuel English, father of Lyman and Frank English. Frank is seated and his brother is standing.

Mamie English and Allen Smith

Allen & Mamie Smith with their sons, Myron English and Harold Allen

Belle English and John Byington.

Front: Harriet Byington and Eliza Duncan English. Back: Belle English and John Byington.

Eliza Duncan & Frank English Family

Eliza Duncan is the daughter of our immigrant ancestors, Eliza Cation and Thomas Duncan.  She married Dr. Frank English.  They had two daughters, Mamie and Belle.  Mamie married Allen Newcomb Smith (two sons: Myron English and Harold Allen).  Belle married John Edward Byington (no children).  Myron provided these photos.  Part of his story is here.  The family lived in the Dixon, Illinois area.

Eliza Duncan English

Dr. Frank English

Frank, Eliza, Mamie, and Belle English.

Mamie and Belle English

Mamie and Belle English

Mamie English

Barb’s Coats

In Aunt Barb’s walk-in closet by the front door, she hung all her coats – car-coats, dressy coats, light jackets, in red or brown or green or black.

And in the pocket of each coat was a pair of matching gloves, 35 cents, two pieces of hard candy, and a handkerchief.

1957 Telegram

My mother, Harriet Duncan Claycomb, was in Illinois with her father – I don’t know the details of why she was there, but it appears it was at his request.  She’s sending me birthday greetings, updating Dad on her sister Barbara’s plans, and adding a little romantic closing.

Claycomb Farm House, Wayne, Nebraska

This is the residence at Cedarhurst, home of my grandparents, Ruth Bressler and Amos Claycomb in Wayne, Nebraska.  The photo was taken about 1920.  I think the car is their 1919 Cadillac.  I cannot identify the children or the horses, a failure I must admit.  Update:  the children on the horses L-R:  William von Seggern, Jr., John Claycomb, and Bill Mellor.
I wrote about the fate of this house here.

Jeanie and Me

Out by the clothesline at the house on Oak Drive:  my glamorous big sister and me.  And kitten.  Jeanie is classy – she wears shoes.  Early 1950s.
Lakeside, California, USA.

Harriet Duncan and Her In-Laws To Be

This is from one of Mom’s first visit to the Claycomb farm in Wayne, Nebraska, probably 1935 or so.
John Claycomb, Barbara Claycomb, Richard Claycomb, Harriet Duncan, Frank Claycomb, and George Claycomb.  Have to say, I just don’t recognize George – I put his name by elimination.

Harriet Duncan 1935

This is my mother, Harriet Duncan, about 1935.  She was dating my father and they married in 1936.

Eleanor Pierce Townsend

Eleanor Pierce Townsend (1839 – 1904) and her offspring.  And our best guesses at their names.