More on Selma's Vacation Trip to Zanesville

Monday:
In the afternoon Emma went with me to buy my coat, we went to Webers but did not get to see Mr. Sam Weber so did not get much of a cut price on it.  The coat cost me $50.00 and it was not anything extra either.  I met Florence (Bischoff) and went to her house for supper.  After supper she took me to the show "The Great Love", it cost 25 cents a piece, and then I treated her at Bailey's Drug Store.  While I was waiting on the street car I saw Edith Howard, a girl who I used to play forward with on the basketball team, and we had a nice long talk together, the Mrs. Schmid comes and talks to me and pays my way on the car.

Downtown Zanesville 1935

Woodlawn Ave in Zanesville with Street Car Tracks
down the middle of the street
Decade the Teens

Family Picture Friday: Selma and Emma Louise

One of the highlights of Selma's vacation in Zanesville was spending time with Emma and Walter's daughter, Emma Louise.  Selma speaks often in her diary about this cute little girl.

This was taken 1914

Selma, Emma and Emma Louise

July 1917
Louise, Selma and Emma Louise

Selma's Diary: More on her vacation to Zanesville in 1918

Monday:
When I got up and dresses and ate breakfast, it did not take long before I went to Emma's.  Emma asked Victor how he liked Florence and he said that she was too much of a lady...




Tuesday
Emma wanted me to go down town and pay her light bill, which I did and bought several trivial things....At the table Walter suggested that Emma take me to a new show called "The Liberty".  He did the dishes and Emma went with me to the show and paid my way, which I did not like very well.  She also bought a quart of ice cream, she paid 40 cents for it, in Akron, a quart of cream costs 50 cents.  The show was real good and enjoyed the evening.  Walter was very nice when we arrived home again, and tonight I got to stay all night at Emma's house.


Friday
Emma went to the Dollar Sale and bought several house dresses , 50 cents a piece, and bought me some handkerchiefs.  In the afternoon, I went to Heinle's where I had been invited to supper, I bought a petticoat for a dollar, 2 pairs of white silk gloves for a dollar and gave Emma a pair.  Anna treated me very nice and they had a good supper.




When I mentioned the Ice Cream prices to Ray, he told me that Lawson Dairy was selling a double scoop for 10 cents and quart was 22 cents (when he was a kid).  He said that Lawson was hated by other dairies for his prices and was fired bombed at some point.

Selma's Diary: Her vacation to Zanesville this week in 1918

Reading this, I can picture Selma on her journey to Zanesville and how excited she must have been to returning to Zanesville and to spend time with old friends and her beloved sister, Emma.


Saturday:

I left for Zanesville, I was overflowing with happiness at the prospect of going back to the little town, which I have not seen for nearly a year.  Linda walked to the station with me, and carried my "truck", which was very kind of her.  I do not know how she carried it so far.  My ticket to Canton was 59 cents, it seemed a long time before I arrived to Canton, and in Canton I had a wait of about two hours.  From Canton to Zanesville cost me $2.75, I arrived in Zanesville about 3 o'clock in the afternoon.  There were a few changes that I had noticed but not many.  I was a little disappointed when nobody was there at the station, when my train pulled in, for I was thinking that my cousin Victor would be there.  I boarded a street car, the fares were now a nickel straight, ask for transfer for the Greenwood car line.  The town seemed very quiet to me to my surprise for this was Saturday.  I formerly when I lived there I always thought the streets to be very crowded on Saturday.  When I was coming from the Greenwood car line, I saw running out of the house to meet me, she told me to stay at her house all night, and that I should bring my clothes to her house, which I did.

I could not wait until I arrived at Emma's house.....

Sunday:

...Victor preached the same sermon he had preached in Akron, but the Zanesville congregation gave him $15.00, he had also preached an early morning sermon in German.  Emma had a splendid dinner, and the whole family of Schmids were over, and they also stayed for supper, we played cards in the afternoon, but it was not a very interesting game...After supper we all went down the street for they had a big doings about the Third Liberty Loan, all there was down the street were lots of people and I can see that in Akron.

Family Picture Friday: Group Picture

Selma identified this picture from 1912.  She shows herself and Lydia labeled along with her three younger brothers.  I have no idea who the older boy and girl are as well as the little girl between Elmer and Karl.  I have other pictures with the children in the same clothes.  I imagine it was taken when family visited them in Zanesville.  

This picture looks to be from the same "photo op".  I cannot read the name on written in on the girl on the right.  Mark studied it for a long time and is sure it is Ro something, probably Roch.....
I cannot figure out who this might be.  It is likely that the girl is the eldest child of the family visiting, followed by the boy and then by the little girl with the pig tails.  I don't think they are from the Long family as none of Emma's siblings children fit into this pattern (as they either had all girls or all boys). 


Do my readers have any ideas?

Selma's Bathing Suit

I was looking through Selma's diary and found that she purchased her bathing suit for $4.98 on August 15, 1918 from Akron Dry Goods.  I just discovered an interesting resource on Ancestry.com.  They have scanned in what looks like every Sears Catalog from 1896 through 1993.  In the picture I posted of Selma swimming earlier in the week, you couldn't really see what her bathing suit looked like.  Here is the only page of bathing suits from the Spring 1918 catalog.  I imagine that Selma's suit would have looked very much like these:

Here are pictures of more fashion-forward suits from 1918, not likely that the conservative Brueggeman's would have allowed (or could have afforded) these suits.

300th Post and Family Picture Friday

Well, I've made it to 300 posts....When I started this blog 9 months ago, I am sure some wondered if I'd run out of things to post about.  The readership of the blog grows every week as more and more Rileys and Brueggemans find out that it exists. I hope that more of you will contribute stories and photos to share with others.  One of the best compliments I have received was from Chris in San Diego (a Benhoff) is that I've taught her that family history is more than names and dates on a piece of paper.  I depend on all of you to help me out.  Just a little thing can make an interesting post.  You can contact me via email  lynner4 @ aol dot com or by leaving a comment at the bottom of any post.


Family Picture Friday
I was looking through Selma's pictures this week, looking at them enlarged.  I found what I thought was familiar face or two (unlabeled). 

Did  Charles and Louise Long (Lange) come to visit their daughter, Emma Long Brueggemann.  He died in 1902.  I am confused about the labels.  Selma looks too old to be that tall in 1902 and Karl and Elmer, too old in this picture.  Compare the photo to known photos of Louise and Charles and see what you think.  Is this the Zanesville house?  If that is really Selma, then who are these people?  Lots of other unknowns in the picture as well.

close up from this photo

known photo of Charles and Louise

Louise from this photo

Selma in the Summer

Here are three of the Brueggeman girls, Linda, Lydia and Selma, at a lake or swimming hole in their bathing costumes.  I am sure they were fashionable at the time, but can you imagine swimming in outfits like these?  My guess this is 1918 or 1919.

Linda and Selma

Lydia and Selma

Today is the 112th Anniversary of Selma Brueggeman's Birth

Selma was 6th child of Ernst August and Emma Brueggeman,  She was born between Linda and Lydia.  In their youth they were called "The Triplets".  Selma was born while EAB was a pastor in Hilliard Ohio (Franklin County).  She was blond but most of the children were known for the dark, dark hair.

circa 1901-1902

Letter from Selma to her older sister, Emma

Selma would often keep copies of letters she sent in her diary.  This letter is dated July 1, 1918.  Letters are a great source of information as the writer tends to share the going ons of their life:


Dear Emma: 
      I received your letter and we all were glad to hear from you.  We were also glad to hear that your babies are all well.  Emma can't you and Walter come to Akron with darlings sometimes this summer?  We'll pay your way if you can manage to come.
      We did not go to Cleveland yesterday but are going there for the fourth.  We went to Miller's farm yesterday afternoon, and in the evening Art and I, Lydia and Harold, Linda and our Walter went to the Liberty.
      Mama made Rhubard (sic) and Pineapple Marvelaid last week.  Mrs. Loose gave her the Rhubard (sic), Walter and Louise went to the Fish Fry last week which the choirs gave, it cost a dollar a plate, and then they went in the hole.  Walter was told to come so he did not have to pay, he could not get over it.  He said "I thought I was still in Zanesville".
      Last Wednesday Night the young people of the Concordia Lutheran church gave a "lawn fete" or ice cream Social.  The boys on my team helped me make a stand and I got off in the afternoon, then in the evening I sold the tickets and on the side sold thrift stamps.  I sold almost $25 worth.  I was afraid this would cause hard feelings with the other teams but instead they told me they thought it was a pretty good stunt, and wish they would have thought of it.  I now have $51.00, and have a $50.00 order.  I am now ahead in our thrift stamp campaign and I hope I will stay ahead.
     Last Friday afternoon the Commissioners gave the other girl in our office and me complimentary tickets to go to the Horse Races at the Fair Grounds.  The races were very good.
      We also received a letter from Papa and also one from Edna Burhenn.  Papa is now in Baltimore and said he was having a good time.  They also sent two pictures, one of which is Edna Burhenn dressed in a Red Cross Costume, the other is one of Rev. dressed in an uniform.  Beside his work, he preaches at one of the camps.  Papa wrote he went to the camp with him and was treated like an officer that is Rev. Burhenn was also saluted by the other.
      Our minister will do that work.  Next Sunday will be his last sermon for a long time, will also have communion. Last Saturday we received a letter from Victor Brugge (I guess that is the way it is spelled.  It seems so funny to write the name like that) is in Cleveland.  He said he was working during the week so the only time in which he could come up was on Sunday and would be much obliged if we would arrange a date for him to preach here either in English or German, but he preferred to preach English
      Next Sunday our Sunday School class "Live Wire" are going out to Springfield Lake and have supper at Mable Buerhle's cottage.
      I am enclosing a picture of Art and I, Lydia and Harold, and Linda and Cletus Lohr.
Your loving sister
Selma

Hilliards School House

In pictures that Selma left was this picture.  I had overlooked it until today.  It is such a great picture of the school house that the Brueggeman children attended.  Selma frequently only labeled her father, herself, and one or two of her sisters.  

Be sure to double click on the picture to look at it bigger.  I am sure the picture includes some, if not all, of her older siblings.  I would guess the boy on the far right side in the dark shirt is Gus (August) as his hair surely looks like "Brueggeman hair". Selma was born in 1899 and if she attended school at this time, this would make the picture from around 1905.    We should be able to find Louise (approximately 15-16), Emma (14-15), Edwin (11-12), and Gus (9-10).  Linda is marked and she would be approximately 7-8.  Ernst August looks so young standing next to the bicycle.

Graduation Time

Since we are in Graduation time, I thought I'd share a picture of Thomas Roberts Riley II and Sid and Selma at his graduation from Medical School/Ohio State.

Here is a picture from 1960 when he was an intern:

Happy Birthday to Me

Looking for something to blog about tonight and I am going to cheat and do an easy posting.
Today is my birthday.  I was born in the same hospital as both my parents, Akron City Hospital.
I have always said I was born under a lucky star- great, great parents.

Here is a picture of me with my Grandparents:  Eunice and Dwight Cork and Sid and Selma Riley.

Family Picture Friday: The Rileys

I want to share this picture of Sid and Selma,  It was probably taken in late 1930 or early 1931 as the baby is Mark Andrew Riley, born in October.  I wonder what the occasion was, maybe Mark's baptism?  The boy on the left is David, right is Norman.  Sid is holding Ron and Selma is holding Mark.

1930 Census Sidney Riley

Sidney and family were living on Harcourt Drive at the time of the 1930 Census.  Here is a recent picture of the house:

He was listed as a Department Manager for Auto Bodies.  The house was listed as owned by them with a value of $8800 and that they did not have a  Radio Set.  He was listed as having worked in the last 12 months and was a veteran.

Welcome to the World Eleanora Grace Potsko

Eleanora Grace Potsko was born yesterday in Washington to Rachel Riley Potsko and Andrew Potsko.  Eleanora was named for her Great Grandmother, Selma Eleanora Brueggeman.  She will be called Ella.  Congratulations to the new parents!

Selma's Baptismal Sponsors

If you remember, I wondered who Selma's baptismal sponsors were.  

I have worked on who Etta Long was.  As it turns out, Etta was the youngest child of Charles and Louise Long.  She was born in 1879.  She married Fred Heissinger on Christmas Day in 1900.  

She and Fred lived in Rochester, IL (in the same county as Springfield) and had five children.  At the time of Selma's baptism, Etta would have been 19 years old.

Nancy Riley sent me this email:

Uncle Dave says that Eleanora Fladt was a church member contemporary to Grandma Selma's parents.  Eleanora Fladt married Adam Koerner.  Eleanora Fladt went by Nora.  When Uncle Dave came down to OSU in 1949 he was invited to their house for lunch.  Hope that helps.   Aunt Nan

Selma's Diary Easter Sunday 1918

From Selma's diary:


It is an ideal Easter Sunday.  A day which I would have loved to come out with an entire outfit of new clothes, but nothing doing.


As I was getting ready I realized that just six years ago today on a Palm Sunday, March 31, 1912. I was then indeed a very happy girl getting ready for one of the great periods which has already occurred during my life and that is the day of my confirmation.  My thoughts continued along that day.  Linda and I were both in the same class and marched up the aisles together which Papa thought was splendid that we were able to do that because we were usually always found together. To Rev. Burhenn's surprise I was not at all nervous that day, but on the contrary very calm and cool, tried to speak my words in a clear distinct tone, and it seemed to me as if the Lord was with me.  Our song was "Jesus be our Guide", and ever since has been one of my favored songs, and have always been chanting the words silently and hope Jesus shall always be with me.  Linda and I were the only ones that did not miss a question.  We were put through a very rigid examination and to this day I remember almost every question which I was asked.


Although I was very young, only 12 years old, I think I fully realized the seriousness in which the day meant to me, and from then I was considered a member of the Lutheran Church, which I hope I shall, if it is the Lord's will always remain a true member of that church, and that he shall give me the strength to withstand all the world's wicked pleasures and always be safe in his fold.

"The gate is straight, so the way called is narrow,

Where they who enter tread on thorns and sorrow,

And oft 'twill seem so lonely and forsaken,

That men may ask, Why have we undertaken

To walk this way?

Remember, then, amid your doubts and strife,

The Saviour's words, It leadeth into life.

Just before going down stairs to breakfast, I glanced at the picture which was the class, my confirmation class,  It seemed almost impossible to me that at I was the smallest in the class, and now I believe I would tower above all the girl's shoulders.

Selma in her Confirmation dress
Zanesville 1912

Selma ELEANORA Brueggemann

There has been some recent debate over Selma's middle name.  My family thought it was Eleanor as she discussed it many times with my mother, Nori (Elinore).    This week, Uncles Tom and Dave went to Hillards to visit St. James Church.  Dave reports that she was born in the parish house across the street from the church.


They found her baptismal record and found her name was Selma Eleanora.  She was baptized by her father three days after her birth.  Two of her sponsors were named Eleanora.  Their relationship to the family is lost to history.  The third sponsor was Etta Long.  I haven't pieced together exactly who Etta Long is.  I assume that she is related to Selma's mother, Emma Long.  Does anyone know if Etta was sometime short for Elizabeth?  Emma had a sister, Elizabeth, that I really don't know anything about.

It must be Genetic..

While we are in the middle of the NCAA tournament, I thought I'd share the following picture of Selma and her sister.  They were basketball players for Zanesville High School in 1916.

Linda is holding the Kewpie doll

 I know that John Riley (Grandson of Selma) played basketball for Capital University.  I have three nieces  (Mandy, Megan and Emily Raymer) who played/playing high school basketball.   There must be something in the genes or it may have something to do with the girls' father being 6'8".

Emily & Tony Raymer

Mandy Raymer

Emily & Megan Raymer