Category Archives: Photos

Clinton V. Postiff 1931 – Elvis had nothing on this guy’s hair!

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Clinton V. Postiff, Plymouth High School, 1931

Clinton V. Postiff, Plymouth High School, 1931

I do love Clinton V. Postiff’s hair! This is a photo of 18 year old Clinton – born in Michigan in 1913 to a college educated farmer, Walter James Postiff and his wife Mabel Shayman. Walter and Mabel lived in Michigan all of their married lives and had 5 children in all; Clinton was the second oldest and second son. In 1940, the entire family still lived at home with the exception of Clinton. He had married Dorothy and was farming on his own. Dorothy had a 2 year old son, listed as Clinton’s step-son in the census. Zary Owens.

Farming, or something, took the Postiff’s to California. Clinton died in Los Angeles in 1971 at only 58 years of age. His wife would outlive him by more than 30 years, passing away in 2005. Several sibling died out there too, so the move must have been a family affaire. Both brother Allen and sister Mildred died there; Allen in 1935 and Mildred in 2002. I don’t know where they are buried, but Dorothy’s obituary indicates that she and Clinton had at least 4 children – some of whom are hopefully into genealogy research and will enjoy the photo.

Good luck Clinton!

Ralph Spitzer of Chicago, another son of German immigrants who fought the Germans

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Ralph Spitzer in 1931

Ralph Spitzer in 1931

Meet Ralph Spitzer, a classmate of Thomas Wirth from St. Michael’s Central high school in Chicago. Ralph was born in Illinois in 1913 to Max Spitzer and Sophie Mawicke. Max and his parents were all from Germany and immigrated to the US in the mid 1870s. Sophie’s parents were also German, but she was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ralph was the youngest of 5 siblings (Loretta, Florence, Dorothy, Robert, and Ralph). The family appears to have all lived and died in Chicago.

In 1931, the year of this photo, Ralph was in high school. After graduation he continued to live at home and worked as a shipping clerk for a clock manufacturer; he did not attend college it would appear. His mother died in 1939, and, with the war in full swing, Ralph joined the army in 1942. He married Rose in 1948 (the same year his father died), although I don’t know if they had any children. I hope they did, so there will be some descendants who care about this photo!

According to several sources, Ralph Spitzer died in Chicago in July of 1981. His parents are buried in Saint Boniface Cemetery in Chicago, but I’m not sure where or if Ralph is buried.

Best of luck Ralph!

Harvey J. Segnitz in 1931 (any Michigan researchers wanna take this one on?)

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Harvey J. Segnitz, in 1931, The Plymouth High School class

Harvey J. Segnitz, in 1931, The Plymouth High School class

Handsome Harvey J. Segnitz, with possibly the rarest last name in the US! When you search for Harvey Segnitz pretty much only he and his dad (also named Harvey) come up. Good and bad news. Good, I’m VERY sure it’s him. Bad, there’s more questions than answers.

Harvey John Segnitz was born on October 4, 1912 in Indiana to Harvey Charles Segnitz and Clara Mohr. He had several older siblings Magurite and/or Beatrice (who apparently died young), Leroy (1911-2000) and Ramona (1910-1992). He also had a much younger brother, Aurthur, who was born in 1930! No trace of him since the 1940 census.

The family lived in Plymouth, Wayne county, Michigan during the 1930 census and Harvey was attending Plymouth High School (hence the photo). His father was a commercial “sailsman” according to the census taker who needed a remedial spelling lesson. Five years later, Harvey married Lucille Moss. They would have at least 2 children, maybe more, William and Richard. Harvey owned “Segnitz & Rodman” filling station in Oakland county, Michigan and worked there as an attendant according to local city directories.

Then in 1958, at the age of 46, he died. I’ve found no record other than the Social Security death index; no obituary, even Find a Grave doesn’t know where he’s buried just that he’s dead. He wife apparently died (either without remarrying or without changing her name) in 1982. No one is searching for the family through Ancestry or other online trees. I hope Harvey J. can find a descendant.

Blanche Rambo, lost in Kansas (and yes I did just like the name)

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Blanche Rambo, 1908

Blanche Rambo, 1908

Blanche Rambo is number 18 on the nicely identified high school class picture in Seneca, Kansas, 1908. (You can see the full photo in this post.) Her known story is a short one, I’m hoping others can fill in the blanks.

Blanche was almost the only child to Elmer Elsworth Rambo and Jessie L. Richards. She was born in Nebraska in 1891 and was without a sibling until 1908 when younger sister Lucile was born the year this photo was taken. The small family lived in Seneca during the 1900 and 1910 census where Elmer was a brakeman for the railroad. In 1900, Blanche’s maternal grandfather Francis Richards lived with them.

It’s likely that Blanche married and moved on shortly after this photo but no evidence of her marriage, residence, or death can be found. The same is true for sister Lucy. Her parents and Lucy continued to live in Seneca through 1920. But, at least by 1929, maybe sooner, Elmer and Lucy had moved back to Nebraska where they had married in 1889. In 1930, the elder Rambos were both working in Gage County, NE for the Nebraska Institute for Feeble Minded; Elmer as a shoemaker and Jessie as a laundress.

I certainly hope you find some descendants Blanche!

John Maks of Illinois

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John Maks of Illinois

 

A wonderful picture. I was hoping the name and place stamp would lead me to an identity. Unfortunately there are far too many John Makes in Illinois to have any hope of narrowing in on which one this man might be.

Homer

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Homer Lee Bullard

Homer Lee Bullard, according to the back of this photo, was born on March 31, 1917. And the picture dates to about 1924 or 1925 (again, according to the back).

Here’s what I’ve been able to find out about young Homer. He likely lived in Linsday, Oklahoma in 1920 and 1930. The son of William H. and Ethel Bullard. He had at least one brother, Thermone/Thurman. By 1940, Homer had taken a wife, Katherine, and was living in Colorado.

A death date matching the name and birthday was found for December 1, 1979 in Houston, Texas.

I’ve not found anyone searching directly for Homer, but will continue to search.