Lucille, Daniel and George Waswo

Subjects: (Left to Right) Lucille (age 28), George Daniel III (age 1+) and George Daniel Jr. (age 32).
Date: 1949.
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Maternal Aunt, Nephew and Uncle.

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

The house number above the door reads 2728. I am not sure whose residence this is. On the back of the photograph is printed 1949. Daniel III was born in June of 1948, and to me he looks closer to age 2 in this photograph. It is obvious it was taken during a warm time of the year with George and Lucille in shirt sleeves.

Perhaps some of my family members can comment and provide further details about the Waswo's during this period.

Waswo's Country Store

Subject: Waswo Country Store.
Date: 1947.
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Maternal Uncle's business.

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

In keeping with the family tradition of bakeries and grocery stores, George Daniel Waswo Jr. opened a Deli on National Avenue. During this period, this was country! To the left, you can see the extension, and this was the residence of the Waswo's. With the advent of supermarkets, the deil did not survive. Later George and Lucille went to cosmetology school and opened a beauty shop. Lucille worked the shop until she retired at age 62. George went to work at a bank in the trust division, and the shop was leased to one of Lucille's former employees.

After Lucille passed following a battle with cancer, George hung onto the store and residence. He eventually sold the building and moved into an apartment.

To answer Karen's question (Blogger will not let me comment on my own post): I know the building lasted into the late 1980's early 1990's. When I was back in Wisconsin in 2009, I did not drive by to check it out. I went to google maps, and the building is still standing. It is a photography shop now.

Photo from google maps

Snow Storm

Date: 1947.
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Unknown.

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. On the back of the photograph, it stated this was 7 inches of snow. The picture includes people next to a bus that was stuck in a snow drift. The house in the background looks similar to the home of my grandmother. Notice the street lamp and also the cables and electric lines for the electric street cars. The 'bus' could be an electric street car. Notice the two poles on the right. It is hard to make out, but this was how the car received its power.

Gloria Rae LaPorte

Subject: Gloria Rae LaPorte.
Date: November 10, 1945.
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: My mother's best friend for most of her life.

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. 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 were married 64 years. Gloria resides in Brookfield, Wisconsin.  William Strei passed away April 1, 2011 at age 87. It does not surprise me that the two families shared many photographs.

Waswo - Grulke Wedding

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

Subject: Lucille Grulke.
Date: January 9, 1944.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Wedding.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Maternal Aunt.

This is the last photograph from my Maternal Aunt Lucille's wedding. The wedding took place during WWII, while my Maternal Uncle George Waswo was serving in the US Air Force in India and China. I have little information as to the actual wedding.

This is a stunning photograph and is 8 x 10 inch black and white. I am hoping that some of my maternal family members may be able to shed some light and more information about the wedding.

Waswo - Grulke Wedding

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

Subject: (Left to Right) Norma Elsbeth Waswo, Avis Grulke, Lucille Grulke, Unknown flower girl, George Daniel Waswo, Jr., Three Unknown groomsmen.
Date: January 9, 1944.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Wedding.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Mother.

In the next several weeks I will be posting photographs from my Maternal Aunt Lucille's wedding. The wedding took place during WWII, while my Maternal Uncle George Waswo was serving in the US Air Force in India and China. I have little information as to the actual wedding.

These are stunning photographs and the few that I have are 8 x 10 inch black and white. I am hoping that some of my maternal family members may be able to shed some light and more information about the wedding.

Waswo - Grulke Wedding

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

Subject: (Left to Right) Avis Grulke, Norma Elsbeth Waswo, Two Unknown groomsmen and the Minister.
Date: January 9, 1944.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Wedding.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Mother.

In the next several weeks I will be posting photographs from my Maternal Aunt Lucille's wedding. The wedding took place during WWII, while my Maternal Uncle George Waswo was serving in the US Air Force in India and China. I have little information as to the actual wedding.

These are stunning photographs and the few that I have are 8 x 10 inch black and white. I am hoping that some of my maternal family members may be able to shed some light and more information about the wedding.