Unknown Relative or Friend, about 1913

Subject: Unknown Relative or Friend
Age: 22 - 24
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Occasion: Unknown
Date: 1913
Photographer: Perdieu, Milwaukee

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, in September the wedding photographs will be posted.

This photograph is very unusual. It is tall and narrow. The name of the photographer is embossed in raised letters in the lower right hand corner. The photograph is glued to a gray card, with a fold similar to a pamphlet. In fact, it resembles a book marker.

It is my opinion, this photograph was given to my grandfather so he would have a picture of my grandmother while he was on the road selling yeast.

Updated information.

Let's clarify this directly so there is zero confusion!

Using her confirmed 1906 graduation photo as our absolute baseline, here is the verdict on those two questionable photos:

1. Woman with Flowers on Chair

• Is it Lucy? NO.

• Who is she? Someone else.

• Why: Look at her face compared to 1906 Lucy:

• Her face is narrow and oblong with a sharper jawline.

• Her eyebrows are thick, dark, almost straight, and set low near her eyes.

• Her nose is narrow and pointed at the tip.

2. Milwaukee Leaning Cabinet Card 

• Is it Lucy? NO.

• Who is she? Someone else.

• Why: Even though it has a great backstory, when you compare her features to 1906 Lucy:

• Her eyebrows bow high in the center and pull down sharply at the nose bridge.

• Her nose bridge is broad and wide at the nostrils.

• Her mouth is significantly wider with a prominent toothy/gummy smile that doesn't match Lucy's mouth shape in 1906, 1913, or 1915.

Summary Table

Photo	Verdict	Key Reason
Graduation (1906)	CONFIRMED LUCY	Baseline for her high arched brows, round face, and gentle mouth.
Sitting with Flowers	NOT LUCY	Narrow face, low straight brows, sharp nose.
Leaning Cabinet Card	NOT LUCY	Broad nose tip, differently shaped brows/eyes, wide toothy smile.

Bottom line: Neither of those two mystery portraits are your grandmother Lucy—they both belong to other relatives, in-laws, or friends!

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.

The State Capitol of Wisconsin

Taking a little break from photographs of my family members, I decided to share this photograph of the State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin. The photograph was taken in 1914, and my best guest of the photographer is my grandfather, George D. Waswo, Sr. Of course back then, he wasn't the senior yet! It is still one year before the marriage to my grandmother, Lucy A. H. Traulsen.

This photograph was taken on King Street from the beginning of the 100 block. If you look carefully, you will see the Majestic Theater on the Left. The address of the Majestic is 115 King Street. If you view the photograph carefully, you can see that the trees have leaves and the people are in their shirtsleeves. Being very familiar with Wisconsin weather, my guess would be this photograph was taken in late Spring or Summer. My guess would also include, that my grandfather took this photograph on one of his sales trips. Unfortunately, I do not have any other photographs from this era to provide additional details. It could have been a day outing for the courting couple.

There is some history involved with not only the State Capitol, but also from the Majestic Theater. From the Majestic Theater website, I have provided the following information:

The Majestic Theatre is Madison, Wisconsin’s oldest theatre, opening on December 15, 1906 as a vaudeville theatre. Over the years, everything from silent movies to the shows of Harry Houdini have graced this historic stage. There were even a few years where the theatre showed movies that featured the letter “X” rather prominently after the title. After a brief incarnation as a dance club, the Majestic Theatre has returned to its show business roots — this time as a world-class live performing arts venue.

Yes, the Majestic along with the Capitol still grace Madison, Wisconsin.

Two Brothers

Subject: Robert Waswo
Age: 38
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Chicago, IL (appears to be the front stoop of Minnie Waswo Moeller's home)
Date: 1913
Photographer: Unknown.

I have very little detailed information on Robert Waswo. He was the older brother of my grandfather, George. Robert was born in 1875 in Chicago, Illinois. He is recorded on the 1880 census as residing in Chicago. He married Anna Heith, and had two children Helen and Fred. Robert passed away on October 5, 1944 in Chicago and is buried at the Waldheim Cemetery.

As a child and young adult, I remember a Fred Waswo with a residence in Florida. I remember receiving Christmas cards from Fred. I know that my parents visited Fred Waswo during one of their Florida trips. I also remember my Uncle George visiting the Florida Waswo.

Per Judith Jacob, she relates this story about Fred Waswo. Fred Waswo is Bob(Robert) Waswo's son. Fred also had a sister Helen. When Albert Waswo (who was "slow" as a result of oxygen deprivation from a breech birth) died about 1950(May 8, 1948), his will left his estate of about $10,000 to his sisters Minnie and Alma who had taken care of him after his mother Johanna(Lueth Waswo Giermann)died(May 18, 1935). Helen and Freddie sued Minnie and Alma for a share of the estate. They wanted your mother Norma and her brother George to join them in the lawsuit, but they refused, knowing how much time and effort Alma and Minnie put into caring for their brother. Any other family members contacted also refused to join the suit. Helen and Freddie claimed Alma and Minnie had coerced Albert into leaving them his estate (which basically had come from money left to him when Johanna (Lueth)Waswo Giermann died.) Helen and Freddie did win a share of the estate...think each one got about $2000....but what a mess it caused in the family. I know Alma and Minnie and their families never wanted anything to do with Helen and Freddie after that. I was only about 10 years old in 1950 when this all occurred, but I was old enough to know it was not a pleasant time....my grandmother(Alma Wascher Waswo)cried a lot of tears over it.

I remember the story between Minnie and Alma vs. Helen and Freddie. My mom, as well as Grandma Lucy were deeply upset about the whole matter. Judith Jacob's words brought back memories from my childhood. I remember Grandma Lucy also said that the rest of the family was upset that Grandma Giermann left her estate to Albert(because he needed to be cared after). Perhaps that is what precipitated Helen and Freddie going after the estate of Albert. So sad to have greed separate the family.

It is a shame that there is so much greed that clouds the mind. It amazes me that a family member can be so callous, but it continues. This is not an isolated incident in our family history.


Subject: George D. Waswo
Age: 29
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Chicago, IL
Date: 1913
Photographer: Unknown.

As I continue from last week, this is a photograph during my grandparents courting days. This snapshot appears to have been taken by a professional. If you look closely, you will note the artificial background. Perhaps there was a special occasion for this photograph, but the information is lost. George was 29 years old in this photograph. Perhaps, George had this taken as a memento for Lucy. George at this time was a traveling salesman and on the road.

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.