Another page from Georgie’s Autograph Album signed by Georgie’s sister Irene Schenk on Dec. 12, 1916.
When rocks and hills divide us
Author: Lark
Mary’s children
This is a photo of four of Mary’s children, probably taken the summer of 1910 or 1911. Left to right, they are Irene, Christie, Evelyn and my grandmother Georgiana Frances (probably known at that time as “Georgie”). Valentine Dora was born later, in 1914.
I think my grandmother was probably named after her father, George. When she was young, her parents referred to her as “Georgie”. However, in her autograph album dated 1915/1916, most of her friends referred to her as “Frances”. As an adult, I remember most people referring to her as “Fran”.
Undated postcard from Mary’s cousin Irene
Dear Cousin Mary:
I don’t know whose turn it is to write yours or mine. I never received a letter from Francis. I just returned from my vacation of two weeks which I spent in the country. This picture was taken while there on the farm. It is very cool here though we did have very warm weather. We need rain. How are you all? I expect the children will soon be out of school. We are well. Mama has been working hard, cleaning house, working garden, etc. I have been busy working since I came back to make up for lost time. How are all the children and everybody? Write soon.
Irene
Irene (born Irene Louise Ehrhardt) was Mary’s first cousin – their mothers, Christena and Eva, were sisters.
Nearly twelve years younger than Mary, Irene was born January 25, 1890 [1], the daughter of Charles Ehrhardt and Christena Specht. She had one brother, Edward Sebastian Ehrhardt, born December 7, 1888 [2].
1898 – John and Willie Rumping and Dog Team
This photo of Mary’s brothers, John and Willie, was taken on Grand Street in Marysville, just down the hill from the school house.
Photo back reads as follows:
John and Willie Rumping and dog team
1898 – Marysville – Mont
Prince, Fido, Curley & Nero by the side
Jim O’Brien[1] bot Curley & Nero from Mrs. Jno Rumping and took them to Alaska for his dog train in 1897 [2]
[1] Jim O’Brien. A search at Ancestry.com resulted in the location of a 1900 census record for a 36-year-old man named “Jim O’Brien” who lived in Belmont with his wife Mamie, a 3-year-old daughter Katie, and a 2-year-old daughter Alice. His occupation was listed as “quartz miner”. Year: 1900; Census Place: Belmont, Lewis and Clark, Montana; Roll: 912; Page: 16B;Enumeration District: 0162; FHL microfilm: 1240912
[2] took them to Alaska for his dog train in 1897. In all likelihood, Mary is referring here to the Klondike Gold Rush which took place between 1896 and 1899.