Joe and another friend

Click on the picture below to enlarge it. Select the back button on your browser to return to the post.

Subjects: Edwin Soel and Joseph Frank Forrai(age 16 years).
Date: 1929.
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Father.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. Since my father's side of the family was poor and large, there are not many photographs from my father's youth. In the next few weeks, I will be posting the few that I have. The Bockay/Forrai's could not afford to make copies, so snapshots were shared. Therefore, they have been scattered amongst the family.

If my father looks unhappy in these photographs, it is because he did not have an ideal childhood. His biological father, Louis Forrai, passed away in 1919 from the Flu Pandemic. The Hungarian community arranged the marriage between Paul Bockay and Rose Forrai. My father did not have a good relationship with his step father.

I was hoping to get some additional information from my relatives on the lives of my Step-Grandfather and Grandmother during this time. I have limited knowledge. I do know that my Grandparents ran a boarding house on Holmes Avenue in Cudahy, Wisconsin. In this photograph is Edwin Soel who was a boarder at the house. My father and Edwin were friends, but that is about all the information I have.

Later in life, my Grandmother rented the upstairs apartment in a residential home on Holmes Avenue. I remember as a child visiting her there.

Best Friends

Click on the picture below to enlarge it. Select the back button on your browser to return to the post.

 
Subjects: Steve Holasek and Joseph Frank Forrai(age 15 years).
Date: 1928.
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Father.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. Since my father's side of the family was poor and large, there are not many photographs from my father's youth. In the next few weeks, I will be posting the few that I have. The Bockay/Forrai's could not afford to make copies, so snapshots were shared. Therefore, they have been scattered amongst the family.

If my father looks unhappy in these photographs, it is because he did not have an ideal childhood. His biological father, Louis Forrai, passed away in 1919 from the Flu Pandemic. The Hungarian community arranged the marriage between Paul Bockay and Rose Forrai. My father did not have a good relationship with his step father.

This is the earliest photograph that I have of my father and his best friend, Steve Holasek. They remained friends throughout their entire lives. My dad told the story that Steve's dad was a moonshiner during prohibition. He eventually got caught, and was jailed. This put an economic hardship on Steve and his mother.

The Holaseks did have more money than my father's family. While my father longed to attend and graduate from college, this dream never did come true. Steve, on the other hand, attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison and obtained a Bachelor's degree. I remembered that Steve was married, but I believe they had no children. When I graduated from High School, Steve provided me with a very generous gift that help pay for my college education. Perhaps in a way he felt bad that he was able to attend college, but his best friend never had the chance.

Road Trip

Click on the picture below to enlarge it. Select the back button on your browser to return to the post.

Subjects: (Left to Right): Paul Bockay(age: 47 years), Joseph Forrai(age: 15 years), George Bockay(age: 45 years), and Rose Forrai Bockay(age: 40 years).
Date: 1928.
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Photographer: Unknown.
Automobile: 1925 Hudson.
Relationship to me: Step-Grandfather, Father, Step-Grand Uncle, and Paternal Grandmother.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. Since my father's side of the family was poor and large, there are not many photographs from my father's youth. In the next few weeks, I will be posting the few that I have. The Bockay/Forrai's could not afford to make copies, so snapshots were shared. Therefore, they have been scattered amongst the family.

If my father looks unhappy in these photographs, it is because he did not have an ideal childhood. His biological father, Louis Forrai, passed away in 1919 from the Flu Pandemic. The Hungarian community arranged the marriage between Paul Bockay and Rose Forrai. My father did not have a good relationship with his step father.

My father started his first year of high school. I am unclear whether he ever completed it. At this time, the family was lacking money, so my father went off to work at Patrick Cudahy Meat Packers in the mail room. I have never found a high school diploma or GED. It is unclear whether my father ever finished high school.

He eventually worked his way up at Patrick Cudahy to traffic manager, and that was his job when I was born. The company changed hands in the early 1960's, and that was when my dad left. From there he pursued real estate and construction. He was a licensed broker as well as realtor. Eventually he partnered, and ran a new residential home construction company until he retired at age 65.

School Days

Click on the picture below to enlarge it. Select the back button on your browser to return to the post.

Subjects: First row, 4th from left, Joseph Frank Forrai(age 14 years).
Date: 1927.
Occasion: 8th Grade Graduation.
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Father.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother.  Since my father's side of the family was poor and large, there are not many photographs from my father's youth. In the next few weeks, I will be posting the few that I have. The Bockay/Forrai's could not afford to make copies, so snapshots were shared. Therefore, they have been scattered amongst the family.

I believe this is the 8th grade graduation photograph from my father's class. I know that dad continued school and was in high school. He would tell me stories that he excelled and was placed in higher level classes. He never told me whether he graduated. I have never found an actual high school diploma, nor any record of his graduation.

The story my father tells, is that he left school to work in the mail room of Patrick Cudahy, a meat packer. He eventually worked his way up to traffic manager, and that was his job when I was born. The company changed hands in the early 1960's, and that was when my dad left. From there he pursued real estate and construction. He was a licensed broker as well as realtor. Eventually he partnered, and ran a new residential home construction company until he retired at age 65.

Norma and George, Summer 1924

Click on the picture below to enlarge it. Select the back button on your browser to return to the post.

Subjects: (Left to Right): George Daniel Waswo Jr.(age: 7 years), and Norma Elsbeth Waswo(Forrai)(age 3 years).
Date: Summer 1924.
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Mother and Maternal Uncle.

This photograph was not in the album that my mother fashioned, I remember as a child during the 1970's, my mother found this photograph and put it in a frame. It hung on the 'wall of relatives' in our hallway.

This has always been one of my favorite photographs. I am sure a street vendor came around with a goat and cart and took photographs. I am so glad that my grandparents had this photograph taken.

The handwriting at the bottom is of my Grandmother Lucy Traulsen Waswo.

George Daniel Waswo, Jr. - 1926

Subjects: George Daniel Waswo Jr.(age: 9 years).
Date: 1926.
Occasion: School Photograph.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Maternal Uncle.

I have very little information regarding this photograph. This photograph was in the album that my mother fashioned. This is one of the few photographs that I have of George in his youth.

The Waswo's

Subjects: (Left to Right): Lucy Traulsen Waswo, Norma Elsbeth Waswo(Forrai)George Daniel Waswo Jr., and George Daniel Waswo Sr.

Date: most likely late 1920's.

Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Most likely, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Mother, Maternal Uncle and Maternal Grandparents.

I have very little information regarding this photograph. This photograph was not in the album that my mother fashioned, I did find it on the back of another family photograph framed and hanging on the wall. This is one of the few photographs that I have where the entire Waswo family was photographed together. Because of the grocery store, it was very rare that all four were together for an outing. In this photograph, it appears they are all dressed up, so it must have been a special occasion. Usually 2 of the 4 stayed home to tend the store. Even if the store was closed, if someone knocked on the door, they were not turned away, but provided what they needed. You don't find that kind of service these days!

My Grandparents were preparing for a trip to Europe in 1930 or 1931. I think by this time, they knew my Grandfather was failing in health. They wanted to make the trip to visit the relatives in Germany before my Grandfather's health failed to the point he was unable to travel. My grandmother made sure there were all photographed. Travel was not always safe, and in the back of grandmother's mind was the thought they might not return. Grandmother was a planner, so she wanted to make sure there were photographs just in case the worse happened.


George and Norma

Subjects: (Left to Right): George Daniel Waswo Jr.(age: 6 years), and Norma Elsbeth Waswo(Forrai)(age 2 years).

Date: 1923.

Occasion: Unknown.

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Photographer: Unknown.

Relationship to me: Mother and Maternal Uncle.

I have very little information regarding this photograph. Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother.

This photograph was not in the album that my mother fashioned, I did find it in a box with other photographs. From last week's post, you can see that the outfits are the same. I am sure that this was from the same photo shoot. It appears that Norma was ready to have this thing over, I love her expression. If you note the sock monkey doll in the photograph, these dolls were made by my Grandmother Lucy. I remember Grandmother making one for me when I was a small child.

Lucy and the children.

Subjects: (Left to Right): George Daniel Waswo Jr.(age: 6 years), Norma Elsbeth Waswo(Forrai)(age 2 years) and Lucy Traulsen Waswo(age 32).

Date: 1923.

Occasion: Unknown.

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Photographer: Unknown.

Relationship to me: Maternal Grandmother, mother and Uncle.

I have very little information regarding this photograph. Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother.

I remember seeing this photograph often as a child in my Grandmother's home. I always thought my mother looked like Shirley Temple in photographs during this era. My grandmother would tell me what beautiful blond hair my mother had as a young child, as mother aged her hair colored darken to brown. If blonds have more fun, then these years must have been a blast for mom.

The other thing I loved about this photograph as a child was my Uncle in the sailor suit. Might have been, because I had a sailor suit as a young child too, and one of these days you may see it posted on this blog!





Gloria and Helen LaPorte

Subjects: (Left to Right): Gloria(age: 6 months) and Helen LaPorte.

Date: 1925.
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Johannes, Milwaukee.
Relationship to me: Maternal Friends of the Family.

I have very little information regarding this photograph. Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother.

This picture is of my mother Norma's best friend Gloria LaPorte Strei and her mother Helen. The LaPortes have been close family friends for many years. Helen LaPorte was best friends with Lucy T. Waswo, and Helen's daughter Gloria was Norma's best friend. Gloria married William F. Strei and they have been married 64 years. They reside in Brookfield, Wisconsin. It does not surprise me that the two families shared many photographs.

Elizabeth Forrai Schelonka

Subject: Elizabeth Forrai Schelonka, age 15.

Occasion: Unknown.

Date: Summer 1926.

Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin.

Photographer: Unknown.

Relationship to me: Paternal Aunt.

I found this photograph in a box after my mother had passed away. On the back of the photograph was written Elizabeth, summer 1926, in my Grandmother Rose's handwriting.

This is one of the few photographs that I have from my father's side of the family, especially during this era. I do remember seeing this photograph as a child. If memory serves correctly, I believe my Aunt was off to work.

It is my hope, after posting this photograph, that one of my relatives may be able to shed additional information.



Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann, the later years.



Photograph provided by Judith Jacob

Subject: Minnie Waswo Moeller, Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann and Alma Waswo Wascher.

Occasion: Unknown.

Date: Unknown, about the late 1920's.

Location: Chicago, Illinois.

Photographer: Unknown.

Relationship to me: Maternal Great Grandmother.

Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann was born August 18, 1848 in Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. She married Frederick William Waswo on October 10, 1869 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois by Pastor T. Grosse. Frederick committed suicide on April 2, 1896. I have no information when she married Mr. Giermann, but the two had no children. Mr. Giermann preceded Johana in death. Johana passed away on May 18, 1935 at age 86 in Chicago, Illinois.

I apologize for the poor quality of the photograph. This was a photocopy provided by my cousin, Judith Jacob. These are the only photographs that I have of Grandma Giermann in her later years. In the next few weeks, I will post these remaining photographs of Grandma Giermann. Judith believes that all of these photographs were taken at Grandma Giermann's home located at 5328 Leland Avenue, Jefferson Park, Chicago, Illinois in the late 1920's to mid 1930's.

Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann

Photograph provided by Judith Jacob

Subject: Back row: Unknown, Ernest Wascher Jr., Albert Waswo.
Front row: Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann.
Occasion: Unknown.
Date: Unknown, about the late 1920's.
Location: Chicago, Illinois.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Maternal Great Grandmother.

Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann was born August 18, 1848 in Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. She married Frederick William Waswo on October 10, 1869 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois by Pastor T. Grosse. Frederick committed suicide on April 2, 1896. I have no information when she married Mr. Giermann, but the two had no children. Mr. Giermann preceded Johana in death. Johana passed away on May 18, 1935 at age 86 in Chicago, Illinois.

On the back of this photograph was written: "Poor ma's face shows suffering, don't it". Grandma Giermann passed away on May 18, 1935 at age 86.

I apologize for the poor quality of the photograph. This was a photocopy provided by my cousin, Judith Jacob. These are the only photographs that I have of Grandma Giermann in her later years. In the next few weeks, I will post these remaining photographs of Grandma Giermann.  Judith believes that all of these photographs were taken at Grandma Giermann's home located at 5328 Leland Avenue, Jefferson Park, Chicago, Illinois in the late 1920's to mid 1930's.