Harvest Dance, 4 August 1882.

An unusual item, an invitation for a harvest dance held at Griner & Brother's Hall.

Two Himes photographs marked "Cor. Front & Park Himes Traverse City, Mich."  R. B. Himes operated his studio in Traverse City between 1894 and 1900. The two photographs were purchased at the same time and likely were family members or friends. The sofa appears in both photos.

Written on back: Mable Shelder

Mabel Shelder was born on 10 August 1881 in Paradise township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan, daughter of Charles Shelder (born Canada) and Sarah Duffey (born Ohio). Her parents were living in Paradise township in June 1880. She had two older sisters, Marion A. (born 30 August 1877) and Ada V. (born circa 1878/1879), and a younger brother George Walter (born 12 August 1883).

Mabel's sister Ada Shelder was married on 1 April 1896 in Paradise township to Adam F. Chappel. Adam was born circa 1854 in Perth, Canada, son of William H. Chappel and Susan Westerdirck. Adam had been previously married to Margaret Elizabeth Sly, who died in 1892. Adam and Margaret were the parents of Emma, Edward, James, Franklin, Charles, and Adam. Adam and Ada were the parents of William and Benjamin.

Written on back: Florence and Edward Chaple Travers City Mich.

Edward was born on 20 June 1874 in Paradise township, Michigan. He died on 12 January 1940 in Garfield township, his death certificate noting that he was divorced. Edward was married first on 25 April 1904 in Grawn, Grand Traverse County to Julia (Seymour) Bartz. Julia was born circa 1874 in Michigan, daughter of Harlow Seymour and Sarah Anthony. By 1920, Edward was married to Annie (--?--). Annie was born circa 1886/1887 in Canada.

Florence remains unidentified. There was a Florence Chappel working as a servant in Traverse City in 1900. She was born in May 1882 in Michigan, to parents born in New York. It is uncertain (and probably unlikely) that this is the Florence in the photo. 

Sidney Atwood Mills and Lucia Holliday Mills, May 1894.

Sidney and Lucia Mills were the children of John Payson Mills (1846-1905) and Margaret "Maisie" Bell Vance (1849-1907).  Sidney was born on 26 May 1889 in Michigan. Lucia was born about 1879 in Illinois or Michigan.

Lucia was married on 27 May 1902 in Flint, Monroe County, Michigan to Otto C. R. Peles. She died on 14 October 1943 in Monroe, Monroe County, Michigan.

WEST UNION STREET, E. N. Moblo, TRAVERSE CITY MICH.

Unidentified man. Back of photo does not have any writing. Note the stand behind the man, used to help hold him still while the photograph was taken.

UNION STREET, E. N. Moblo, Traverse City, Mich.

The Moblo studio operated from about 1893 until after 1913.

Anthony John Maresh and Mary Ilene Nemecek. These photographs were purchased on Ebay at separate times.Unfortunately, I haven't kept track of who I was buying photos from. It was only after I laid my photos out that I realized three of them were of Mary (Nemecek) Maresh.

The first photo is almost certainly their wedding photograph. Anton Maresh, age 27 and the son of Jacob Maresh and Mary Eskstoyn,, was married on 5 June 1899 to Mary Nemecek, age 24 (her parents were not listed on the marriage record). The wedding took place at Provemont, Leelanau County, Michigan. Both were natives of Bohemia. Anton worked as a farmer and lived at Gills Pier, while Mary was a housekeeper living in Traverse City. Alex F, Zugolder, a priest, conducted the ceremony, which was witnessed by John Kolarik and Mary Novotny of Gills Pier.

Back of photo reads:

Mary Ilene Nemecek

Anthyony John Maresh

married @ PRUDMONT

June 5, 1899

Bradshaw, Traverse City, Mich. (late 1890s) Nothing written on the back, but this is clearly Mary (Nemecek) Maresh.

Bradshaw, Traverse City, Mich. (late 1890s) Nothing written on the back, but this is clearly Mary (Nemecek) Maresh.

Anthony Maresh was born in June 1872 and died in 1957. Mary (Nemecek) Maresh was born on 13 October 1874 and died on 3 June 1973. They are buried in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in Gills Pier.

Mary's obituary appeared in the Traverse City Record Eagle on 4 June 1973, page 6, column 4.

Two unidentified pictures. Neither have writing on the back.

Unidentified woman. Wm. Boswell, Photographer, Traverse City, Mich. (circa 1996-1906)

Unidentified man. Boswell, Artist, Traverse City, Mich. (circa 1900-1906)

Unidentified woman. McManus Bros. Traverse City, Mich. Nothing written on back of photograph.