Phillip and Judy Desenis, College Years.

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Photograph provided by Jen Johnson.

Photograph provided by Jen Johnson.

Subjects: Top: Phillip A. Desenis and Judy Landa Desenis.
School: For Phillip, Elmhurst College
School Location: Elmhurst, Illinois
Year: 1948.
School: For Judy, University of Illinois
School Location: Urbana, Illinois.
Year: 1956.
Occasion: College Yearbook.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Maternal Second Cousins.

These photographs were given to me, by my fellow family history buff, Jen Johnson. We both have been trying to hunt more information on the Allen side of the family. Since Allen is a common name, this has been a difficult task. Phillip and Judy are currently still living, and are the children of the late Neil G. Desenis and Florence E. Allen Desenis.

I have many fond childhood memories of my first cousin Florence, and on occasion met my second cousin Judy, whom at the time lived on the East Coast. I also have been introduced to Phillip, who lives in Illinois and is a retired Minister.

I welcome any additional comments or information from family and friends about these photographs.

George Daniel Waswo Sr. & Lucy Helen Traulsen

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Subject: Left to Right: George Daniel Waswo Sr.(age 31), and Lucy Helen Traulsen(Waswo)(age 24).

Date: March 28, 1915.

Location: 5328 Leland Avenue, Chicago, IL.

Occasion: Engagement.

Photographer: Unknown.

Relationship: Maternal Grandmother and Grandfather.

In the next few weeks, I am going back in time so to speak, to post pictures that I have found in boxes. To date, I have pretty much followed the timeline from the photograph album that my mother, Norma created for me.

Since my maternal grandfather passed away years before I was born, I asked my mother when I was in my late 20's if I could have a picture of grandfather and grandmother. Mom found this photograph and gave it to me. I framed it and it hangs next to my desk where I am typing this. I find comfort having imagines of my ancestors close by while I work.

My grandparents were married on August 19, 1915. This photograph has always been attributed as an engagement picture. It was taken at the home of my great grandmother, George's mother, Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann. There are many posts and photographs of Great Grandmother Giermann, that you may explore.

If you look closely at George on his left lapel, you will see a shiny button and chain. During this era, this was how men wore their pocket watch. If I do say so myself, my grandfather was very handsome and grandmother so very pretty. The both look very fashionable for the era.

The Waschers

Subjects: (Left to Right): Elfriede, Ernest and Alma Waswo Wascher.

Date: 1915.

Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Maternal Grand Aunt.

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.

Alma Waswo Wascher was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1883. She married Ernest Wascher on June 7, 1905, and they had two children Ernest Jr. born in 1908 and Elfriede born in 1909. Alma passed away on January 14, 1968 and is buried in the Beverly Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.

Judith's father was Ernest Wascher Jr. She wrote the following about the family:  William Moeller(husband of Minnie Waswo) was the uncle of Ernest Wascher Sr.  William Moeller was the brother of Anna Elizabeth Moeller who married a Wascher.  William and Ernest Sr. were not only uncle and nephew, but also brothers-in-law as they married sisters (Minnie and Alma).  Their children, therefore, were related on both their mothers' side and their fathers' side of the family.

I am in contact with Judith, and perhaps she will be able to provide additional information.


Last Known Photograph of Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann

Provided by Judith Jacob

Subject: Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann.
Occasion: Unknown.
Date: 1934 - 1935.
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. This is the last photograph of Grandma Giermann that I have. 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, 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.

Grandma Giermann, circa 1910's

Provided by Judith Jacob

Restored Portrait by Joseph Frank Forrai

Subject: Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann.
Occasion: Unknown.
Date: Unknown, about the 1910'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.

In the next few weeks, I will be posting photographs of Grandma Giermann. Most have been provided to me by my Cousin Judith.
 
Today, I have provided two photographs. The top one was provided by my Cousin Judith. The bottom one is the same photograph that was restored by my father, Joseph in the 1970's. Obviously, there were multiple copies of this portrait. You may ask, why the photograph was restored?
 
My mother found a fragile copy of the portrait at my Grandmother Lucy's house in the late 1960's. My father had built a townhouse, we lived on one side and Grandmother Lucy lived on the other side. Mom and dad helped her move from Richard and Ring to the townhouse. This was the only portrait we had of Grandma Giermann. My dad made several copies. Mom framed one, and it hung on the 'wall of the relatives' in our home.
 
You might think these are two separate portraits because Grandma Giermann is facing the opposite direction. My dad reversed the negative and printed the restored portrait with Grandma facing both directions. Dad and Mom decided they liked the above portrait the best. I guess you can consider it poetic license of the restoring photographer.

Grandma Giermann through the years.




Photograph provided by Judith Jacob

Subject: Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann.
Occasion: Unknown.
Date: Unknown, about the late 1800's early 1900'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.

In the next few weeks, I will be posting photographs of Grandma Giermann. Most have been provided to me by my Cousin Judith.

In an email, my Cousin Judith wrote:

"Regarding Johanna, ten kids is a lot of kids and  losing your first two and two more after that must have been tough.  Add in the difficulties with the Allen marriage, children, and deaths, the suicide of her husband at age 49 in 1896 leaving her with a large building to manage, the saloon and the sausage business  to deal with, and several kids still at home, she really had to be a strong woman to get through all that.  To top it all off, her father also died in the fall of 1896 ....no wonder she looks a bit hardened and stoic in her later pictures!  And she lived to 80 something.......a lesser woman would have been undone by the vicissitudes of life.....God bless her."

Inside Grandma's House

Photograph Provided by Judith Jacob

Subject: Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann's House
Occasion: Unknown.
Date: Unknown.
Location: 5328 Leland Ave, Jefferson Park, Chicago, IL
Photographer: Unknown.

Last week we had a view of Grandma Giermann's house from the outside. Today we have a view of the inside, the front parlor. This picture was provided to me by my Cousin Judith.

If you look carefully, you will see a gentleman sitting in a chair on the left side of the picture. The picture is too fuzzy to make out who it is. My guess would be either Robert or Albert Waswo.

It is a grand looking home, and I would love to have Thanksgiving dinner there.

Grandma's House

Subject: Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann's House

Occasion: Unknown

Date: 1913
Location: 5328 Leland Ave, Jefferson Park, Chicago, IL
Photographer: Most Likely, George D. Waswo.

I thought with being November and the holidays fast approaching, most people remember family and friends. The song over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go, comes to mind. So this week and next, I will post pictures of Grandmother Johana's house.

With the leaves on the trees and two young men on the porch in shirt sleeves, I doubt very much this photograph was taken in November. Mostly likely during the Spring or Summer of 1913. I zoomed in on the two young men on the porch. The resolution is poor, but I can tell neither of the two men are my Grandfather George. I am guessing the one standing is his brother Robert and the one in the back ground Albert. If you remember from earlier posts, Albert was a breached child. While he was able to work, he could not care for himself on his own. Initially Grandmother Johana cared for him until her death in 1935. After that his sisters Minnie and Alma cared for him until his death in 1948.


George Daniel Waswo

Subject: George D. Waswo
Age: 29
Location: Jefferson Park, Chicago, Illinois
Occasion: Unknown
Date: May 31, 1914
Photographer: Unknown

My plan was to post the wedding pictures of George Daniel Waswo and Lucy Traulsen in August; as August was the month of their marriage. However, while going through some boxes, I found additional photographs from this era of my grandfather and grandmother. My mother, Norma, gave me these photographs years ago. I forgot I had them. Near the middle of September the wedding photographs will be posted.

I know very little about this photograph other than the date and location. This was written on the back in my grandmother's handwriting. I am unsure whether he was dressed for work or to go out. The date is very close to Decoration Day, or Memorial Day as we now call it. Decoration Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as ordinary people visited the graves of their deceased relatives, whether they had served in the military or not. So perhaps George is dressed up to pay his respect towards the family members that passed on.

I love looking at these pictures of my grandparents in their youth. It amazes me to see the family resemblance between Grandma Lucy and my mother, Norma, and Grandpa George and my Uncle George, Norma's brother.

George Daniel Waswo with his mother's cat

Subject: George Daniel Waswo with his mother's cat.
Age: 29
Location: Jefferson Park, Chicago, Illinois
Occasion: Unknown
Date: May 31, 1914
Photographer: Unknown

My plan was to post the wedding pictures of George Daniel Waswo and Lucy Traulsen in August; as August was the month of their marriage. However, while going through some boxes, I found additional photographs from this era of my grandfather and grandmother. My mother, Norma, gave me these photographs years ago. I forgot I had them. In the following weeks I will post photographs of my grandparents from their courting days. Finally, near the end of September the wedding photographs will be posted.

I know very little about this photograph, but it is one of the very few I have of my grandfather in a casual setting. Most of the photographs are professional or of my grandfather in more formal attire.

It even further amazes me to find a picture of my grandfather with a cat. Per my mother, Norma, George did not approve of pets or animals whether they be inside or outside. Norma was always the animal lover and wanted to bring strays home, but her father George was always dead against it.

As an adult, Norma usually had a pet. Even when she lived in one of grandmother's apartments, she had a little dog. Grandmother didn't mind animals one bit, as long as she did not have to take care of them. During my childhood we had a number of pets, one dog and several cats. Norma never cared to have more than one at a time, but I can remember a furry companion through most of my childhood.

So, we have the mystery of this photograph. I will never know the full story behind it.

The Courtship of my Grandparents

Subject: Lucy Traulsen(age 24) and George D. Waswo(age 32)
Location: 5328 Leland Av., Chicago, IL
Occasion: Unknown
Date: March 28, 1915
Photographer: Unknown

This is a very fragile photograph that was given to me by my mother. I had it framed and it hangs on my wall. This is a pre-wedding picture of my grandfather and grandmother taken on a visit to Chicago. On the back of the photograph, is my grandmother's handwriting of the location and date of the photograph. The ink has faded over the years and it is difficult to read.

You can tell that it is a cold spring day with the barren trees in the background and the heavy coats that my grandparents are wearing.

I love looking at these pictures of my grandparents in their youth. It amazes me to see the family resemblance between Grandma Lucy and my mother, Norma, and Grandpa George and my Uncle George, Norma's brother.

Gathering at Minnie's Home

Date: 1913
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Occasion: Unknown
Photographer: George Daniel Waswo

Subject:
Counter Clockwise starting at the top left: Minnie Waswo Moeller, Alma Waswo Wascher, Albert Allen, Albert Waswo, William Moeller, Robert Waswo, Ernest Wascher, Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann.

I have very little information as to the occasion of this photograph. It was a family get together. Judith Jacob thinks this photograph was taken at Minnie Waswo Moeller's home that was located 79th and Throop Street in Chicago. I am positive that this photograph was taken at the same time and location as the photograph posted two weeks ago, Two Brothers. If you look carefully, Robert Waswo is wearing essentially the some clothing, and is sitting on the porch stoop with his pipe.

I scanned this photograph with high resolution, so if you zoom in, there is still excellent detail. I really notice the family resemblance between Grandma Waswo Giermann and my own mother. In later pictures of Grandma Giermann, she loses a lot of weight, and was sickly in her later years.

I also love the stained glass window next to the front door on Minnie's house. My grandmother Lucy T. Waswo, had similar style stained glass on the building she owned on Richard and Ring Streets in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Grandmother Lucy always called it her piano glass. She would tell me a piano should go under the stained glass. Grandmother did not own a piano, and her sofa was beneath the 'piano glass'. I can remember laying on the sofa and watching the sunshine through the 'piano glass" filling the room with color. If we left Grandma Lucy's house in the evening when it was dark, I would look up to see the indoor light illuminating the 'piano glass'. What a beautiful sight it was. That memory will forever live in my mind.

Waswo Family

Date: May 17, 1914
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Occasion: Unknown
Photographer: George Daniel Waswo

Subject:
Top Row (Left to Right): Ernest Wascher, Alma Waswo Wascher, William Moeller, Albert Allen, Minnie Waswo Moeller, Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann.

Bottom Row (Left to Right): Elfrieda Wascher, Ernest Wascher, Walter Moeller, Florence E. Allen.

I have very little information as to the actual location and occasion of this photograph. It was a family get together, perhaps Mother's Day? In the United States, Mother's Day was given official recognition by Congress on May 9, 1914, after efforts by Miss Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This could have also been an engagement or meet the family gathering for my Grandfather George Waswo and Grandmother Lucy Traulsen. My grandparents wed in August, 1915.

Judith Jacob thinks this photograph was taken at Minnie Waswo Moeller's home that was located 79th and Throop Street in Chicago. It could also have been at Johana Waswo Giermann's house. It appears to be photographed in a backyard.

Judith Jacob also shares this tidbit of family history: "It is Ernest Wascher Sr. who is in the picture. My(Judith Jacob) father was Ernest Wascher Jr. By the way, Bill(William) Moeller was the uncle of Ernest Wascher Sr. Bill(William) Moeller was the brother of Anna Elizabeth Moeller who married a Wascher. Bill and Ernest Sr. were not only uncle and nephew, but also brothers-in-law as they married sisters (Minnie Waswo and Alma Waswo). Their children, therefore, were related on both their mothers' side and their fathers' side." This certainly makes tracing the family tree a little easier when one shares more relatives!

And if you are wondering how the Allen children fit into this photograph as well as the family history, Judith Jacob relates the following. I asked why Frederick William Waswo committed suicide, and below is Judith's answer. I have added the information contained in the ( ).

"Fritz(Frederick Waswo) committed suicide for a couple of reasons...depends on who is telling the story. First of all, he had major business reverses in the tavern and in the sausage making business. He had a number of customers who couldn't pay their bar tabs and therefore stopped frequenting his establishment. A worker in the sausage factory sabotaged a whole year's worth of sausage which had to be thrown out. What tipped the scales, supposedly was that Edith (aka Ida Waswo) Allen got a social disease from her husband David Allen. The way Grandma(Alma Waswo Wascher)told the story was that when David Allen (always known from Grandma(Alma Waswo Wascher)as "That rotter, Dave Allen") asked for Edith's hand in marriage. Fritz(Frederick Waswo), knowing of David's reputation, asked him if everything "was all right." When David assured him it was, Edith and David got married(September 18, 1896 in Milwaukee, WI). Shortly after, Edith discovered the problem. According to Grandma(Alma Waswo Wascher), David thought the whole thing was quite funny. Fritz(Frederick Waswo) was so distraught and depressed at all this, he shot himself on April 2, 1896. He left a note saying he was going to do the deed on April 1, but he didn't want to be an April Fool. My grandmother(Alma Waswo Wascher), about age 12, and your grandfather George(George D. Waswo) about age 11, discovered their father's body(Frederick Waswo). Supposedly all was in the newspapers, but I have been unable to find any evidence of that.

Edith and David went on to have several children, at least three of whom were born without any problems one would think they would have if their mother had a social disease. Florence(born: December 28, 1903)(married Dr. Neil Desenis, a dentist), Albert(born: June 4, 1897)(married Marguerite) and George(born: June 1898) (married Margaret.) I would have to check my records to make absolutely sure of the names and dates of all this.

After Edith died(August 15, 1909), David Allen also committed suicide(in 1909). As there were many people out to get him because of his bad behavior, he stood in a window across from a fire station in full view of many firemen and put a gun in his mouth(he did this so no one would be accused of murder). Without parents, the three children were split up. Florence went to live with Bill(William) and Minnie Waswo Moeller. One of the boys, I think Albie(Albert), went to live with his grandmother Johanna Lueth Waswo. George went to live with the Allen family(in-laws). Supposedly Florence and Albie(Albert) had it pretty good, but poor George had to work very hard even as a young lad with the Allens."

I remember hearing essentially the same story from my Grandmother, Lucy T. Waswo and Florence E. Allen Desenis. However, Florence related that both her and Albert went to work at a very early age to support the family. This was customary during this era.

I have also heard the story that David Allen and Edith Ida Waswo eloped to Milwaukee for the wedding before Frederick Fritz Waswo could change his mind about the marriage. David and Edith's marriage certificate is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

A Young Lady

Subject: Lucy A. Trualsen
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: 5328 Leland Avenue, Chicago, IL
Date: March 16, 1913
Photographer: Unknown.

This photograph was taken in the late winter/early spring of 1913. My best guess for the photographer was George D. Waswo. This was the courtship era for my grandparents, and the occasion most likely was a visit with the future in-laws and family. Lucy was 22 years old in this photograph.

I have several photographs of my grandparents from this time frame, and they will be shared over the next several weeks.

When viewing these photographs, I am impressed with the style and finesse of the clothing my grandmother was wearing. I always have memories of my grandmother 'dressed up'. I think from early in her life she always enjoyed dressing up and looking as good as she could. Of course, she was probably trying to win the love and affection of my future grandfather!

It would be great to have written down what grandmother had to say about each of these photographs, as there always was a story involved. Unfortunately, the story is lost, but these photographs reveal a brief imagine of what life was like in years past, and of our family when they were young.

Note in the photograph that the trees were beginning to leaf, and the flowers blooming in the grass. All of this was the signs of spring.