Josephine Licher and her husband, Elmer Smith

Last spring, I published several sets of pictures obtained from my mom's cousin, the daughter of Josephine Licher and Elmer Smith.  I also published two letters to Josephine from her father, Albert Licher.  Here are links to those posts:

Licher and Smith Family Photos, Part 1
Licher and Smith Family Photos, Part 2
Licher and Smith Family Photos, Part 3
Licher and Smith Family Photos, Part 4
Letter from Albert Licher to Josephine Smith, Aug. 1933
Letter from Albert Licher to Josephine Smith, April 1935

I see that I haven't yet done a post about Josephine and Elmer, so I thought I'd do that today.  Josephine was my great-aunt & my grandmother, Georgia (Licher) Perry's, oldest sister. 

Josephine Licher - 1st Communion - ca 1900

Josephine Catherine Licher was born 29 January 1893 in Anderson, Madison Co., Indiana.  She was the first child of Albert Licher and his wife, Anna Fricke.  I suspect she was named for her paternal grandmother, Josephine (Moellmann) Licher. 

She was baptized on 5 February 1893 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Anderson.  Josephine is found on the 1900 and 1910 censuses living with her parents and siblings in Anderson, Indiana.  She is also shown with her parents in the 1913 City Directory for Muncie, Delaware Co., Indiana; her parents were living at 1417 E. Gilbert St. by that time. 

On 16 April 1913, Josephine married Elmer Willis Smith at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Anderson.  She was 20 years old.

Josephine Licher and Elmer Smith Wedding Picture, April 1913

Elmer Willis Smith was born 28 April 1892 in Shelby Co., Indiana.  His parents were Arthur O. Smith and Eva M. Arnold.  I have not done any research on Elmer's early life or his family.

Josephine and Elmer had twelve children born between 1915 and 1933.  Since some of those children are still living, I will not go into any details here.

I found Elmer and Josephine living in Anderson on the 1920 census.  About 1923, Josephine and Elmer shared a home in Yorktown with Josephine's sister, Georgia and Georgia's husband, James Perry.  The 1923 city directory for Yorktown lists James M. Perry and wife Georgia on page 951; on page 952, it lists Elmer Smith and wife Josephine and says Elmer is the proprietor of Yorktown Motor Sales.

However, the 1930 and 1940 censuses show Josephine and Elmer back in Anderson and they seem to have lived there most of their lives.  Their home was at 1902 Fletcher Street.

On 19 May 1963, Josephine and Elmer had a celebration for their 50th wedding anniversary.

Josephine and Elmer Smith

On 7 March 1975, Elmer died in Anderson, Indiana.  He was buried in East Maplewood Cemetery in Anderson. 

Elmer Smith's obituary published in the Muncie Evening Press, March 7, 1975, page 16

Josephine lived another 12 years and died in Anderson at age 94 on 23 October 1987.  She was buried beside Elmer in East Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Indiana.

Josephine Smith obituary published in Anderson Daily Bulletin, 24 Oct. 1987 page 2

John Stilwell Jones Postcards - Final Group (I Think)

So I think this group of postcards to John Stilwell Jones is the last.  I believe I will have posted all I have in my possession. 

The above postcard is from "G.H." and is postmarked May 21, 1914 from Bismarck, North Dakota.  This is certainly another card from Genevieve Hoffman.    It is addressed to Mr. John S. Jones, Ripon Wis.  Box 800.  The message reads:  "Dear John: Rec'd your card and am now patiently waiting for the letter.  This card just suits my thoughts tonight.  To see you would make me more than glad.  I am working now for an Attorney General.  He is running for State Senator.  Will tell you more about it when write a letter.  How is college these days?  There is a big circus coming to town June 1st.  Ha! Ha! lets go for fun?  Well this is nearly a letter  good night Send your letter along by fastest mail.  Yours as ever G.H."

The above is another postcard from the dentist, George H. Bush.  It is postmarked Ripon, Wis., June 1, 1914 and addressed to "J. S. Jones, Room #5, West Bldg. College, Ripon, Wis."  The message reads:  "G.H. Bush, D.D.S.  Ripon, Wis.   June 1 -1914    Dear Jones  I have heard nothing from Hughes.  Will you please call and help me see Roberts and an attempt to get at him through him  Please bring that Oshkosh circular.  You know I had not done with it.  --  Yours truly    G.H. Bush"

The above card shows a scene from Peninsula State Park, Door Co., Wisconsin.  The card is postmarked Sept. 19, 1914 and addressed to Mr. John Jones, Ripon,Wisc., care of F. R. Munn.   F.R. Munn was the husband of John's maternal aunt, Celia Blanche (Stilwell) Munn.  I have written about them HERE.  John's sister, Marycarol Jones, told me that he stayed with the Munns during some of his time at Ripon College.  Apparently, John S. has been ill and is staying with the Munns while he recovers.  I am not sure of the name of the person signing the card; it appears to be "Delene B." but I am not certain that is correct.  Here is the message:  "Hello John.  Am so sorry to hear you are sick.  Hope you will soon be able to be back at College and help put the freshies in their places.  I saw a lot of them in town Wed. and they looked as green as their caps.  Delene B."

I looked for Getchells in Hankinson around 1914, but did not spot them.  The above card from "Mrs. Getchell" is postmarked Hankinson, N. Dak on Sept. 28, 1914 and addressed to Mr. John S. Jones, Ripon Wis.  The message is:  "Hankinson, N.D., Sept 29, 1914   Dear Friend John:  We think of you so often, and hope that you will soon be better.  With Love   Mrs. Getchell."

The above postcard pictures 3110 Watson Street, Ripon, Wis.  If you look closely on the street, you can see a person in a buggy with a horse.  Google Maps does not show a 3110 Watson Street, but there is indeed a Watson Street in Ripon.  The card is postmarked Ripon, Wis. Sept, 30, 1914 and addressed to Mr. John S. Jones, Ripon, Wis. c/o Frank Munn.  The message reads:  "Hello old sport!  I looked all over & tried to get you by phone.  P.M. said he sent a package out.  phone was too busy.  Am going to wedding tonite so must hustle to get the train.  Hope to see you well soon.  Love Je [unreadable]."  I can't tell if this is "Jerry" or "Jen." 

The final postcard is again from Genevieve Hoffman.

The card shows Castle Rock, Bad Lands, No. Dak.  It is addressed to Mr. John S. Jones, Ripon, Wis. Box 800.  The postmark is Bismarck, N. Dak., Oct. 2, 1914.  The message is:  "1002 Ave. C.  Is this box number correct?  Box 800.  Maybe you haven't been getting my messages on acct. of address.  Dear John:-  Have been wondering how you & the typhoid fever are getting along.  Hope you are getting along alright now.  Did you get my letter I wrote some time ago?  Is your mother still with you?  Have been making out bills all day to-day.  It is not much fun either.  Well I must stop or I'll have to write a letter.  Will write a letter in a few days again.  Hope you are better.  Love, Gen."

From the above card, we learn that John S. Jones had typhoid fever in the fall of 1914 and his mother, Mary Elva (Stilwell) Jones went to Ripon to be with him while he was sick.

Genevieve Hoffman, 1894 - 1928

After doing a number of blog posts about postcards sent to John S. Jones by his friend Genevieve H., I decided to do some research.  I am fairly confident that she is Genevieve Hoffman, since she was living in Hankinson, North Dakota in 1910 and was born in 1894, so she was of the same age as John S. Jones and probably a school mate.

Genevieve was born 14 March 1894 in Floyd Co., Iowa to Abner S. Hoffman and his wife, Susan Hovey.  Gen had younger siblings, Gertrude and Charles.  The family is found on the 1895 Iowa State Census. 

By 1900, the family had moved to Richland Co., North Dakota and was living in the town of La Mars, about 16 miles south east of Hankinson.  By the 1910 census, the family had moved to Hankison.  In 1910, Gen was 16.  The census says her father, Abner, was a music teacher.

The postcards are from 1913 and 1914.  By this time, the family was in Bismarck, Burleigh Co., North Dakota, and Genevieve was 19 to 20 years old.

On 26 June 1919, Genevieve married Morris Pascel Dollens in Burleigh Co., North Dakota.  Morris was born 18 December 1890 in Waverly, Morgan Co., Indiana. 

The 1920 census shows Genevieve and Morris living in Morgan Co., Indiana.  The couple had at least two children, Morris Scott Dollens, born in 1920 and Charles Russell Dollens, born in 1922. 

I found the following article in the Bismarck Tribune for June 15, 1922:

June 15, 1922 article from the Bismarck Tribune, Bismarck, ND

Genevieve (Hoffman) Dollens died 26 May 1928 in St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota.  She was 34 years old.  She is buried in the IOOF Cemetery, Waverly, Morgan Co., Indiana. 

Her husband, Morris, died in 1944.  Her son, Morris, died in 1994.  And her son, Charles, died in 2004.

I have not found a picture of her, but would love to have one to add to this post.

Here are links to the postcards:
Postcard: Genevieve to John S. Jones, Sept. 1914
More Postcards to John S. Jones, Oct 1913
More Postcards to John S. Jones, Nov. 1913
Postcard to John S. Jones, Dec. 24, 1913
Postcards to John S. Jones, December 1913
Postcards to John S. Jones, 1914

More Postcards to John S. Jones - 1914

Continuing my posts of the group of postcards in my possession that had been sent to John Stilwell Jones.  This batch is from 1914.

The postcard above is postmarked Jan. 17, 1914 from Bismarck, North Dakota.  It is addressed to "Mr. John S. Jones, Ripon, Wis.  Box 800"

The message reads:  "Dear John:-  Just a line, as I am down town.  How's the world using you these days?  B.H.S. played a hot old game last night with Jamestown score 43 - 16 in favor of Bis.  Yours Gen.  100 Ave. C"

This is another postcard from John's friend, Genevieve, who may be Genevieve Hoffman.  See my note Here.  "B.H.S."  seems to be Bismarck High School.  Jamestown is probably Jamestown, N.D., a town about 100 miles east of Bismarck.

The next postcard (above) shows the Lion Bridge, Lake Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The card is addressed to "Mr. John S. Jones, Ripon, Wisconsin.  Box 800."  It is postmarked Jan. 23, 1914 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The message reads:  "Hello Jones:-  I arrived here Wednesday morning.  I am having one great time of my life.  You ought to be here.  My little cousin Bobby which is three years old told me to send this card to Johnie Jones, because he said you would like the lions.  I am just six blocks from this Park.  I will write more next time.  answer soon.  From____.  L. S."

The next postcard (below) shows a view of Humbolt Park, Milwaukee.

The card is postmarked from Milwaukee on Feb. 6, 1914 and addressed to "Mr. John S. Jones  Ripon, Wis.  Box 800."  From the handwriting, I think this is from the same person as the card above it that pictures the Lion Bridge, a person named "Lillian."  The message reads:  "Hello John S: - I am having a fine time down here.  You ought to be here.  I am geting [sic] pretty sore because you don't write  You had better keep your Promise.  I will expect a card or a letter from you Monday with out fail.  From Lillian.  Please ans. so I will know you got the cards."

The next postcard is also from Lillian and shows a picture of the Conservatory at the National Soldiers Home in Milwaukee.  It is also postmarked Feb. 6, 1914. 

Lillian wrote:  "Hello John: -  I am having a good time down here.  Why in the dickens don't you write.  Please keep your promise or I will be sore.  From -- I will look for mail from you Monday.  Lillian."

The next postcard - also from Lillian S. - shows "Third Street, North from Sycamore at Night, Milwaukee, Wis."  I found another postcard on-line that shows the same scene in daylight HERE.

Lillian is still waiting for a letter from John S.  He must not have been much of a letter writer!  This card is also from Milwaukee and is postmarked Feb. 18, 1914.  Here is what Lillian wrote:  "Hello Jones:-  I am having a real good time here.  I would like to get one card from you while I am here.  Please write me on card.  I know you are still alive because I heard it from Miss Richmuth.  I will be home March first.  I remain your friend as ever.  L.S."

The final postcard for this post is postmarked Bismarck, ND on Feb. 28, 1914 and is again from Genevieve.

The message reads:  "1002 Ave C.  Sat afternoon:  Am down town & happened to think of you owing me a letter.  Please abide by the other side.  Genevieve"