Look-A-Likes - Magdalina Herr Pudwill and Martha Herr Werre

Recently, a cousin of mine (who I am so thankful to have connected with), sent me a photo of my 2x Great Grandfather's siblings (except he happened to not get in the photo!)

The photo is great - it's of all of his siblings seated together in one row and then the others are standing behind the seated ones. They all have the typical stern faces you'd see in photos from that era, but some had little smirks on their faces, too.

This picture was likely taken around 1905-1906.

One of the siblings is my great, great grandfather's sister, named Magdalina Herr Pudwill. She was born in 1886, however, lived to be only 21 years old, and passed away in childbirth in 1907. I am not sure if that child survived, but it's very sad that she did not live longer.

Magdalina's brother, Jacob (my great, great grandfather), had a daughter named Martha Herr in 1898. She is the one pictured on the right, circa 1904, at age 6.

When I saw Magdalina's photo, I instantly thought she resembled Martha, her niece.

I decided to put their photos side by side, and although there are differences, they look like they are definitely related.

Throwback Thursday - Then and Now

Ida Roehm - My Great, Great Aunt (2nd Great Aunt)

Ida Roehm was my Great Grandfather's sister, She was born August 15th, 1890 and married Ezra Bastien in 1925. It appears they did not have children. She lived in Illinois most of her adult life until she passed away in 1987. 

Here are two photos from when Ida was young and one photo when she was much older. I cannot locate any of her between this time. However, I hope to find some photos of her when she was more middle-aged. My Grandma said she was a nice lady. I will have to find out more about Ida. I'd like to keep her memory alive. 

 Ida Roehm in Wishek with a cat and her dog. This appears to be where her brother (my great grandfather, George) and his wife (Lydia Herr), lived. This was likely taken sometime between 1915-1920.

Ida Roehm, Lydia [Herr] Roehm and a friend, showing off the men's hunt for the day, circa 1920-21. 

Lydia [Herr] Roehm Murphy with her sister-in-law, Ida Roehm Bastien, in Illinois, circa 1981.

Fearless Females - {Birthday Edition}: Lydia Herr Roehm Murphy - Born March 20th - Part 2

Lydia's life, in retrospect, may have not had a lot of impact in the sense that she won an Academy Award or the Nobel Peace Prize, however, she did impact many people's lives who loved and adored her.

Moving to California after living 46 years of her life on the Great Plains must have had to have been a big transition. Interestingly, many of her children had already moved to California, presumably for more work. The only child of hers that remained in North Dakota was Doris, who stayed back with her husband and daughter, but would visit California occasionally. At one time, Doris did live out here and had a job working for the Kaiser shipyards as a secretary, but it appears she went back with her husband and child to live in Valley City, ND.

When they traveled to California, Lydia had all of their furniture and large items shipped by train. They then paid a friend $700 to drive them to California. Annette (my grandmother), said she had to leave many items behind when they moved, including one of her favorite dolls.

On their way to California, the car finally gave out in Idaho and they had to get it repaired. Their friend who was driving them, who had little money, looked to George and Lydia to help pay for the cost of repairs, and so they did. Finally, they got to California. They had to live with their daughter Izetta for a few months before their home in Richmond was completed. Once the home was completed, Lydia and George were amazed to have indoor plumbing, a true luxury for those who came from the Great Plains to a metropolitan city. It was a brand new home and Lydia wanted to keep it that way. Annette recalls her father used to get so dirty working in the shipyards, that when he'd take a bath, he'd leave rings in the bathtub and Annette would have to scrub them out.

Making the move more complicated, Lydia was pregnant with her last born. He was born in November 1942, sometime after they came out to California. When James Roehm was born, he had Down Syndrome. Back in those days, this was often misunderstood. Unfortunately many babies born with Down Syndrome were institutionalized. At the doctor's urging, George and Lydia were advised to do just this with their newborn. Lydia refused to put him into an institution and so they took their baby home.

(Grandma) Annette and (Great Grandma) Lydia with brother James Roehm, circa 1942-1943

George Sr with James Roehm, circa 1944-45

George Jr. with James "Jimmy" and (Grandma) Annette, circa 1944-1945

George Jr with James, circa 1944-45

George Sr with James Roehm, circa 1945

George Sr with James Roehm, circa 1945-46, at home in Richmond, CA

George Sr with James Roehm circa 1945-46, at home in Richmond, CA

George and Lydia continued to raise their family, which now only consisted of daughter Annette and James Roehm. Annette left home right after her high school graduation from Richmond Union High School in 1947 and married Frank Connors of El Cerrito, CA, son of Frank Sr and Annie (Bridget), a popular and fun-loving Irish-Catholic family in the El Cerrito/Berkeley/Albany area.

In 1948, George Roehm suffered a heart attack while working in Linden, CA, with his daughter's father in law, Bruce Purviance. His heart attack proved fatal and he died two days after his birthday on October 18th, 1948.

Lydia continued to live in Richmond, but I am sure there was a sense of loneliness inside of her, despite the fact that she was involved in many groups and clubs, especially the Rebekah lodge. Now that her youngest daughter was married and had children of her own, Lydia had to raise James alone.

(Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge - shortly after it's completion in 1936 -  San Francisco is in the forefront, Oakland is in the background, with Mt. Diablo seen hovering over the East Bay)

Sometime after, Lydia started going out again and living a little. She went to some dances in Richmond and Oakland. At these dances, she met a man named Bill Murphy, who was living in Oakland, with his mother, who also had passed on around this time, in 1949. Bill was likely helping take care of his mother, along with his siblings, whom some also lived in the area. Bill was a confirmed bachelor. He never had married (that we are aware of) and did not have any children.

By meeting Bill Murphy, Lydia's life would take on a whole new twist. Not only was Bill Murphy a nice and gentle man, but he also owned lots of land in the town of Brentwood, land that was very valuable to the area. Lydia and Bill were married in 1950. With this marriage, Lydia had to leave behind her home in Richmond and move to the country with Bill. However, Bill let her design her own home and let her have it built custom to her own specifications. The home was completed around the end of 1950 and 1951.

From now on, Lydia was not without want. She was going to be well taken care of, and the kindly Bill Murphy also took on in helping raise James.

With a new home and beautiful land to wake up to everyday, Lydia was not one to keep this to herself. She opened her home to all. She had a basement that was as large as the main house floor, which is where she'd often invite all her children and grandchildren, cousins and nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers - and of course, her lodge friends. Also, as she got more familiar with the area, she quickly became good friends with the locals. There were a few fun eccentrics living nearby her. One was Mrs. Edith Ordway. Mrs. Ordway was a wealthy San Franciscan who purchased land in the Los Vaqueros area (behind the Black Hills of where Lydia lived). However, Mrs. Ordway loved to play cowgirl and shoot off her rifle when she had the chance, you know, just for fun.

Edith Ordway in 1938 at Ordway Ranch

(Source: http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/9924285) 

Another family she also befriended were the Cakebread family. The Cakebreads owned land near Lydia and became close to her as well.

The following photos demonstrate that parties were even happening before the house was finished, circa 1951 (note the plaster on the drywall and unfinished windows).

 Ross Sr, Ross Jr., Alberta Roehm, Bud Wolf, Diane Connors, Frank Connors, Penny Connors, Annette Connors. Front: Ronnie Wolf and Vernette.

 Bill Murphy, Lenora Roehm, Lydia Roehm, Hank Wolf, Alwin Roehm, Frank Connors (standing), Ross Sr (smoking) and Penny Connors with Vernette Roehm.

Hank Wolf with Ronnie Wolf, Bill Murphy, Doris Jean Wolf with Diane Connors, Joyce Wolf, Annette Roehm and Bud Wolf.

The Ranch almond trees, looking towards what is now Round Valley Regional Park, circa 1950's.

When Bill and Lydia lived on the ranch together, Bill took care of the Ranch, using the tractors and corralling cattle, keeping chickens in the coops, maintaining the old big Barn, the tack house, bunk house and various other duties of the land. Lydia settled into a somewhat retirement, taking up new and enjoyable hobbies - learning to cook and design complicated cakes and decorating them herself. Her wedding cakes were used in both my Aunt's and mother's weddings. They were some of the most elaborate wedding cakes I ever saw. Lydia also enjoyed selling greeting card sets that she mail ordered. She hung onto many of the sets that never got sold.

During this time, Lydia also started to travel outside of California more. She went back to North Dakota several times to visit with her family and her daughter, Doris, who had recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Doris would pass on in 1963, at the young age of 48.

Lydia is second from right (with Sister Sophie next to her). Sophie's family is pictured here in North Dakota. Christina Herr is standing with scarf on, circa 1959.

 Visiting Doris in Valley City, North Dakota, having a picnic, July 1959. Lydia is second from right.

Lydia is in the background, in white, with her oldest daughter Doris to the left of her. Annette Roehm (now Purviance), looking at camera in front. Daughter Penny is behind her. Valley City, North Dakota, 1959.

While on this trip, Lydia and the family stopped into Montana to visit some of the Roehms, who were living there at the time. When visiting with them, they were deciding if they should stay or leave, but Lydia was adamant they stayed, having some kind of premonition that the alternative would not be good. So, they stayed overnight with cousin Arlys [Roehm] Hunt to have a large earthquake wake them up at 12:30 am. It ended up being a very large earthquake in Hebgen Lake, MT which put homes underwater and killed over 20 people. Lydia and the others were very surprised, because they would have been traveling right through that route if they had not stayed the night. Many believed Lydia had a sixth sense due to this. This wasn't the only time she had such a premonition. There were to be more.

When not traveling, Lydia was highly involved with the Byron and Rio Vista Rebekah lodge orders. Even her children would get involved, but she was the most involved of them all - and she had a strong group of friends because of this.

Lydia is second from right. Lenora Roehm (her daughter in law) - Mrs. George Roehm is behind Lydia and Carol Roehm, was also her daughter in law - Mrs. Alwin Roehm, is first from front left)

George Roehm Jr., Lydia Roehm and Alwin Roehm.

Lydia is in the front, second from right, circa 1962.

Lydia, circa 1962, age 66.

Lydia is second from left on the top photo, circa 1962.

You'd think that by now, well into her 60's, Lydia would have slowed down a bit, but she was just revving up. The late 1960s and most of the 1970s, she'd spend more time on the road than at home. She went and saw many family members, most who'd she see for the last time. 

Part 3 of this installment on this incredible "Fearless Female" will look into Lydia's many travels with her youngest daughter Annette (my grandma) and Lydia's last days here on earth.

Source: Visit Lisa Alzo's great blog, which is the source for the Fearless Female blog prompt, http://www.theaccidentalgenealogist.com/ 

Fearless Females - {Birthday Edition}: Lydia Herr Roehm Murphy - Born March 20th - Part 1

A special lady in our family was born on this day; the matriarch of our family, shall we say. So many people have always had such wonderful things to say about Lydia. She has been remembered fondly by many family members and friends alike, and boy, did she have friends! She was truly someone special, she gave of herself in so many ways and was very generous of her time and monetary donations to those in need.

Lydia Herr (she did not have a middle name), was born on an early Spring day on March 20th, 1896. She was a first generation American in her family, as both of her parents who were of German descent, came to America from Russia in their youth.

Her parents were said to have met at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, as seen below:

At the moment, there is no record of their marriage, however, they were married sometime between their meeting and Lydia's conception, probably sometime in mid-1895.

Jacob and Christina Herr had their first born in Ashely, North Dakota, just a few miles from where they'd end up making a permanent home in Wishek.

When Lydia was born, she was jaundice. Someone thought quick on their feet and put her inside their kitchen oven. Lydia survived!

Here is a picture of baby Lydia, the oldest known picture we have of her and her parents, from circa 1897:

Even though we are not 100% sure if putting Lydia inside the oven would have been the cause of this for her, but she had poor eyesight her whole life, and began wearing glasses at a very early age.

Lydia grew up on the family farm in Wishek with her siblings, helping out on many of the chores, such as milking the cows, feeding the chickens and many other household duties. She also made time for school, but only graduating from the 8th grade.

Here's a few photos to capture these moments:

Lydia (back middle), with Martha, Sophie and baby brother Arthur, circa 1904.

Lydia grew up in this home in Ashley, ND. When she was around 8 or so, she daringly climbed up the windmill all the way to the top. I have a feeling she got in trouble for doing so!

Lydia (on right) with a friend, Summer of 1914

Lydia with her cousin, Donald Herr, circa 1914

Lydia working outside, doing laundry and farm work, circa 1914-1915

Lydia only stood 4'11'' and had hazel eyes with light brown hair. 

Lydia was a photographer and developed her own photos in her own darkroom. One postcard I found verifies this info, as the sender of the card asked how Lydia's photography was going. And, one obvious piece of evidence is the amount of photographs she kept and took! The little Brownie camera must have inspired her! 

She was also a master seamstress, working not only on her own clothes, but also her siblings and later her children's and husbands. She would often ask her family what they'd like to have sewn, and she'd make it special for them. 

Lydia started working at her father's mercantile store in town, which was a large store that carried everything from clothing to eggs. It even had a soda fountain! Lydia worked in the dry goods section, often dealing with materials and sewing items. She worked mainly as the seamstress and became friends with many  people in town. She was friends with Lucy Roehm, who came from a family of Germans who were from Northern Germany and immigrated out of Berlin. 

Lucy had an older brother named George, who became acquainted with Lydia, most likely during this time. Lydia and George went to dances together and Lodge meetings. Somewhere along the way, they must have become smitten with one another, because on December 25th, 1914, they were married. There were rumors that some boys were after Lydia because she came from a wealthier family than others in town (mostly due to her father owning part of the Herr Mercantile Store). 

George was a tall, dark and handsome man, with blue eyes and dark brown hair, with a nice tan. His rugged good looks complimented Lydia's softer, lighter features.

Here are a few photos of them during their courtship and after their marriage.

George after a day's hunt, Wishek, ND, circa 1914.

George and Lydia on far left, with friends and family (they look like they are Roehms)

George taking a break while building, circa 1914.

George bailing hay, circa 1914 (I think Lydia took these photos of him because she was truly in love with him and wanted to have something to remember him by - if it were not for her, we may not have many younger photos of either one of them)

George and Lydia in center, with friends in woods, circa 1914

Lydia and George on their wedding day, December 25th, 1914. Lydia designed and made her own wedding gown. 

Shortly after their marriage, George worked hard and quickly to get a home built for them; one that would provide in creating a family and a place of rest. And, that family started quickly - George and Lydia had their first born daughter, Doris, in September of 1915.

 Lydia taking down the frozen laundry outside. She would often do this and then take it in and let it dry on a rope during the winter, circa Winter of 1914-1915. George wrote on the back of this photo, saying he took it and caught her by surprise. I thought that was kind of cute that he did that.

Lydia & Doris, about 1916

Martha Herr Werre, George Roehm and baby Doris Roehm, on a boat, circa Winter of 1915/1916.

Doris Roehm and Joyce Roehm, circa 1918 (I think Lydia was pregnant with her daughter Izetta, based on her stance and the shape of her dress)

George and Lydia would have a total of seven children: Doris, Joyce, Izetta, George Jr, Alwin, Annette and James, the last being born in 1942.

During the latter half of the 1910's, America was facing a World War. George was drafted, however, he was able to get out of the draft, due to being the sole supporter of his growing family. His brothers, though, all served. 

During the 1920's, the family prospered and continued to grow, however, at the end of 1929, George and Lydia, like all Americans, could not avoid the effects of the Great Depression. Even Lydia's inheritance from her father's death in 1926, could only last them so long. However, Lydia's philanthropic side used her money to help put George's sister, Lucy, through nursing school.

At the beginning of 1929, came the birth of their last daughter, Annette (my grandmother). Annette would be their last born child for 13 years, until James "Jimmy" Roehm was born in 1942.

During the Great Depression, the family scraped on by, but work seemed to finally have ran out for George by the time 1942 came around. He had been a superintendent on building the Wishek Civic Auditorium for the WPA, but that wasn't enough to get them through the end of the Depression, especially in a town that was not quite growing at the momentum that America's larger cities were growing. 

Like many did during the Depression and during the onset of World War II, the Roehms went west to California. Both of their sons were of age to be drafted. Alwin was drafted very much right out of  graduating High School in 1942. George Jr was 21 when he was drafted. Alwin went to California to work for a bit and possibly train. During this time, he sent money home to help prepare the family to come to California. Finally the time came. Lydia had most of their belongings put on a train and sent to California. They then drove to California and lived temporarily with their older daughter, Izetta, until their home was done being built in Richmond. Sometime in 1943, the family had a new home in a new neighborhood in Richmond, CA. 

Richmond was one of the main hubs of ship building during World War II. The Kaiser shipyards are where George took up helping build the many ships that they produced. "Rosie the Riveter" was a famous term for the women who also worked in these ship yards.

Here are a few photos of the family slightly prior and after their move to California:

George Jr, George Sr, Annette and Lydia, circa 1940. Not too many years away from leaving the only home they knew to the sunny shores of California for a new beginning.

Making it in California, Lydia and George's children have grown up and began families of their own - Alwin, Joyce and Doris with father George, circa 1944.

Ross Sr, unknown, George Roehm and his brother Richard Roehm, who was a chemist in Anaheim, CA.

Joyce Wolf, Doris Thvedt, Izetta Purviance with Cheryl Thvedt - George Sr is holding Ross Purviance, Jr.

California must have felt a million miles away for Lydia and George, but they adapted fairly easily to the beautiful, mild weather of the Bay Area, making a home in the San Francisco  -East Bay Area.

The second part of Lydia's life only gets better. Her life is too interesting to keep it all contained in one post - so I will resume the second half on the anniversary of her actual birthday, March 20th.

Source: Visit Lisa Alzo's great blog, which is the source for the Fearless Female blog prompt, http://www.theaccidentalgenealogist.com/ 

Sunday's Obituary - Charles (Karl) Roehm

I have an actual obituary for Charles Roehm (my Great, Great Grandfather), however, I cannot locate the digital version of it at the moment. Instead, I will post it at a later time, but here is a biography about him, which was published about 20 years after his death. It was written in the "Ashley 1938 Jubilee." 

These Jubilees were often published during certain anniversaries that towns celebrated after their incorporation. Most that I have seen are for 50, 75 and 100 years. They are like yearbooks for towns that are celebrating their existence and the history and people that made the town what it is today. It's a lot of fun to read through them. I am sure it was lots of work to make them, as they are chock full of very personal accounts and biographies; they are also full of facts, photos, school photos and advertisements. They truly are a treasure. For any town that produced even just one or two over the 100+ year existence of their town, is sure to leave a lasting record for future generations.

"Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success." Judging the life of Charles Roehm from this standard, his was a most successful one. He was loved, honored and respected by all who knew him. Never did he seek that prominence which in a large measure brings the individual before the public eye. His neighborhood was the scene of his activities. There his kindly generous spirit was continually extending out with a full measure of sincere helpfulness toward all. Without invidious distinction it may well be said that no man in McIntosh county was better loved than Charles Roehm.

Charles Roehm was born at Zetel in the Grand Duchy at Oldenburg, Germany, November 1, 1852. He acquired his education in the graded schools of Germany. Here he grew to manhood doing blacksmith work in the ship yards for a livelihood. He left his native land and came to America in 1880 and located at Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, where he and his brother George became co-partners in the blacksmith trade. In 1882 he married Miss Rebecca Stegemann of Parkers Prairie, Minn. She was of German ancestry having came to America with her parents at the age of fifteen. They remained at Parkers Prairie until April, 1886, when they packed their meager belongings and family, then consisting of two small children, namely John and Anna, into an ox-cart, and started far the west with Bismarck as their destination. After three long months of plodding along over roadless prairies their team of oxen became exhausted and with only $1.50 cash left, they were forced to cease their journey, having reached what is now the present Doyle State Park. They had traveled approximately four hundred miles. There they remained and filed on that homestead. Their first form of shelter consisted of a dugout on the south side of a hill with a sod front. Later a sod house was erected. For a living buffalo bones were gathered and hauled by oxen to Ellendale, that being their nearest town or trading post. As soon as finances would permit Charles Roehm opened the first blacksmith shop in McIntosh County, serving the sparsely settled farmers and cattlemen in a radius of twenty-five miles.

Charles Roehm differed from most of the early settlers in that he did not engage in farming and his spirit was deeply grieved in seeing countless acres of rolling prairie turned into sod. He advocated cattle and sheep as a great possibility in McIntosh County and devoted his attention thereto. His herds numbered four hundred and more.

Along the shores of Green Lake in this crude, simple, sod house brightened by the beautiful soul of a most loving and tender mother seven children were born. These children are: William Arthur, Druggist, Enderlin, N. D.; Ida Marion (Mrs. Zra Bastian) Easton, Ill.; Charlie Donald, stockman, Buffalo, Wyo.; *George John, carpenter, Wishek, N. D. (my great grandfather); Frank Waldron, farmer, Wishek, N. D.; Fred G., farmer, Wishek, N. D.; Luciele Marlys, nurse, Eugene, Oregon.

With educational facilities lacking in a thus new country the father and mother did not lose sight of the necessity of school for their children. Another wing was constructed on their sod shanty, a private tutor hired, and there, their and their neighbor’s children received their first rudiments of an education.

Many were the hardships encountered by these sturdy pioneers but with their armor of courage and faith in a Higher Being they found their way ahead. Stories of Indians attacking a neighboring community bringing thoughts of fear and horror to them were not uncommon. Prairie fires were a constant threat. Coyotes howled around their shanty at night and the noises of the wild geese on the lake were responsible for many a sleepless night. There being no doctor in the county all forms of ailments and sickness were treated by a few simple home remedies. In the winter of 1898 came the first sadness to this pioneering family. They became the victims of a diphtheria epidemic. The father never failing his family, and turning his back to all dangers he might be encountering felt that alcohol was needed for medicine and he walked through snow up to his waist in below zero weather to Hoskins where the same was obtained, returning with it the same day. The lives of all the children were spared except Anna who died January 16, 1898.

Charles Roehm prospered financially and acquired considerable range land. In 1899 he purchased the present Frank Roehm farm for $1.50 per acre and moved his family there in 1902. Where the farm buildings now stand is a historical site in the county, in that before the days of the railroad, it was the townsite of Youngstown a little trading point and post office. where a Mr. Young was postmaster and O. F. Bryant of Napolean drove stage.

From this new location Charles Roehm extended his cattle and sheep business and built himself a fine set of buildings which have since been completely wiped out by prairie fires. In this new home another son, Richard Robert, was born July 27, 1904. He is now a chemist and resides at Anaheim, Calif.

In the fall of 1907 the health of Mrs. Roehm gave way to the severe strain of pioneering and on February 18, 1908 she died at the early age of forty seven. Her death marked the passing of one of McIntosh County’s real pioneer mothers, who not only knew but endured its countless hardships. Her deeply religious nature, patient suffering, loyal devotion and untiring efforts for her family stand as an inspiration for good in the hearts of all who knew her. She was of Lutheran faith. Internment was made in the Wishek Cemetery.

In 1910 Charles Raehm broadened out his business enterprises and established himself in a meat market in Wishek. He acquired several other business establishments in Wishek which were later sold and his attentions centered on his ranch.

Mr. Roehm did not assume any active part in politics but he was always an advocate and a staunch supporter of the principles of the Democratic Party.

On March 26, 1915 the earthly record of Charles Roehm closed, rounding out an earthly life of 62 years, 4 months and 26 days. Burial was officiated from the Lutheran Church in Wishek with Rev. Willms pastor, and internment was made in the Wishek cemetery along side of his wife

Cold Days Ahead

The coldness of North Dakota, I heard from my Grandma, was at times unbearable. She used to have to share her bed with her sisters and one of the sisters would always take the sheet away from my Grandma. Then there was the outhouse. During the cold months, I can only imagine how difficult it was for her to have to go out in sub-zero weather and attempt to use the rest room. I am sure she tried to not do it.

These were still the pioneering days in the 1920's and 1930's and also the Great Depression. Living out in the middle of nowhere meant modern day conveniences for even that time were not readily available.

Here are a few photos showing some of the cold winter months in North Dakota from our family collection.

I have a better photo of this picture somewhere, but this was the only copy I could locate. This is my Aunt Doris, sometime around 1925, playing in the snow.

This is my Grandma (second from left) with her Babitzke cousins and their dog, Swifty (the cutest dog name and dog ever!!)

My great Aunt Martha (aka Mart) and cousin Donald Herr on a very simple looking boat on what could be Red Lake, near Wishek, ND.

Another photo of Mart and Donald (cousins)

A closer up, studio shot of Martha and what looks like a very warm coat and cute hat, circa 1915

Great Aunt Mart, George Roehm and Lydia with their newborn and first born, Doris, in 1915. These are my great grandparents. My grandma would come many years later.

Great Aunt Mart attempts to shoot something in the great plains of ND, circa 1915.

George Roehm Jr., Izetta Roehm, one of the Herr children, Doris and Joyce Roehm and possibly Babtizke cousin, circa 1927-28