We’ve been uploading thousands of images from our Hostetler Studio glass negative collection to the Upper Mississippi Valley Digital Image Archive since 2004! Yes, thousands of images ranging from the mid-1890s through the mid-1920s. Did we mention thousands of images yet?
The latest images we’ve been working on are from the WWI era (1918) and we’ve definitely noticed a transition towards 1920s styles and fashion. Not only are the clothing, jewelry, and hairstyles changing, but the poses have changed as well. The photographer is moving away from head-and-shoulders profile shots to more captivating compositions. The subjects seem to be more comfortable in front of the camera, not as stiff and severe as they were in photographs from earlier in the decade.
Here are a few examples of some beautiful people captured by J.B. Hostetler at his studio, 208 Brady Street in Davenport.
George W. Scott Jr.
George W. Scott Jr.’s WWI Draft Registration Card lists his birth as February 9, 1896, in Davenport and his work as a clerk for the Tri-City Railroad Company. Based on information in his obituary, published in the Times-Democrat on June 1, 1964, George Scott died May 28, 1964, in Wakefield, Michigan.
Sue (Soderstrom) Ryan
The Rock Island Argus newspaper on September 15, 1919 announced that Miss Sue Soderstrom of Moline was engaged to Harold Ryan. As all other articles refer to her as Duella, we assume that Sue may have been a nickname. Based on information in her marriage announcement, published in the Moline Dispatch on September 19, 1919, Miss Duella Soderstrom married B. Harold Ryan at her parents’ home, 1141 Fourteenth Street in Moline. Her obituary, published in the Moline Dispatch on July 20, 1964, states that Mrs. Duella Ryan was born February 15, 1898, in Moline to Mr. and Mrs. Emil Soderstrom. She was a member and past president of the East Moline American Legion Auxiliary and a member of the Short Hills Country Club and the East Moline Woman’s Club.
Felix O. Dupont & Edmond E. Hommel
Based on information in the 1918 Davenport City Directory, Felix O. Dupont worked as a repairman at the Rock Island Arsenal. The Davenport Democrat on February 4, 1919, Felix C. Dupont and Edmond E. Hommel of 122 Park Lane had both returned from service. Soon after, the Davenport Democrat on February 24, 1919, reported that Felix O. Dupont entertained at a farewell party for Edmund E. Hommel of the S.A.T.C., formerly of Boston, who enlisted in the Merchant Marine.
Felix O. Dupont’s WWI Draft Registration Card states he was born on January 1, 1889, in Worcester, Massachusetts. We find from his obituary, published in the Salt Lake Tribune on July 6, 1971, that Felix Oliver DuPont went on to marry Ellen Carrington on May 25, 1937, in Salt Lake City. He was a retired salesman for the Purity Biscuit Co. and a veteran of WWI.
Edmund Edward Hommel’s WWI Draft Registration Card shows he was born February 15, 1898, and worked as a specialist at the Rock Island Arsenal. Based on information in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, Edmund F. Hommel died December 18, 1988.
Ernest Miller “Mex” Henderson
Based on information published in the Davenport Democrat and Leader on July 14, 1918, Ernest Miller “Mex” Henderson, son of Charles R. Henderson, of 227 Forest Road in Camp McClellan was home on 10 days’ furlough from Fort Sheridan. His obituary, published in the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News on November 7, 1969, states that Ernest M. Henderson retired in 1962 from General Motors after 34 years.
Gertrude (Schindhelm) Schmitt
Based on information in the 1920 Census Gertrude Schindhelm (age 22) lived in Oxford, Jones County, Iowa, and worked as a public school teacher. Her marriage announcement, published in The Daily Times on October 6, 1927, states Gertrude H. Schindhelm married Clement J. Schmitt in Houston, Texas. We found in the Texas Death Records that Gertrude Schmitt was born May 21, 1900, in Oxford Junction, Iowa, and died May 31, 1967, in Houston, Texas.
Fritz A. Claussen
Based on information in his World War I Draft Registration Card, Fritz A. Claussen was born December 11, 1895, in Davenport and worked as a Clerk at the Rock Island Arsenal. The 1920 Census found Frederick Claussen (age 24) living with his mother Bertha (age 58) at 2215 West Second Street in Davenport and working as an electrician at the Rock Island Arsenal. His marriage announcement, published in The Daily Times on July 18, 1929, announces that Fritz A. Claussen married Miss Edythe Frances Taylor at the First Lutheran Church in Moline. Based on information in his obituary, published in the Sunday Times-Democrat on December 17, 1961, Fred Claussen had been employed as a maintenance man by McLaughlin Body Co. for 11 years, was a veteran of World War I, and a member of the East Moline American Legion Post No. 227.
Matilda (Quinn) Wood
Based on information in the 1920 Census, Matilda M. Wood (age 27) was the wife of Albert M. Wood (age 28) and they lived with Albert’s parents in Moline. Matilda’s obituary, published in The Daily Dispatch on January 12, 1949, states that Matilda Louise Quinn was born May 7, 1893, in Columbus, Ohio. She married Albert M. Wood on January 8, 1913, in Moline and she died on January 11, 1949, in Denver, Colorado.
Violet (Shaw) Bruins
Based on information in the Iowa Birth and Christenings Index, Viola Marion Shaw was born on June 10, 1899, to George M. Shaw and Julia (Eggers) Shaw. A wedding announcement, published in the Davenport Democrat and Leader on November 20, 1919, reported that Thomas J. Bruins married Miss Violet Marion Shaw, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George M. Shaw of 1708 Summit Avenue. The Iowa Marriage Records indicates that Thomas J. Bruins, son of J. Bruins and Grace Rerkas married Violet Marion Shaw in Davenport. Based on information in the 1920 United States Census, Thomas and Violet Bruins were living at that time with her parents, George M. and Julia Shaw, and her brother, George R. Shaw. The Daily Times, on September 18, 1942, reported that Thomas J. Bruins was a patrolman for the Illinois State Highway Police. On November 18, 1869 the The Moline Daily Dispatch stated that Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bruins celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Thomas Buins’ obituary, published in the Times-Democrat on March 25, 1970, stated he was born in Morrison, Illinois, was a retired employee of Robinson Hardware in Rock Island, and a veteran of World War I. Based on information in her obituary, published in the Moline Dispatch on July 3, 1988, Violet Bruins was born June 12, 1899, in Iowa. She had been employed at Petersen Harned Von Maur Department store. She was buried in Pine Hill Cemetery in Davenport. See also Image 17195.
Grace (Exline) Kauffman Conda
Based on information published in the Rock Island Argus on October 2, 1918, Mrs. Grace Kauffman and Louis Conda, both of Moline, were licensed to wed in Rock Island County. The Moline Dispatch reported on October 11, 1968, that Mr. and Mrs. Louis Conda were married on October 3, 1918, in Moline. Based on information in her obituary, published in The Daily Dispatch on October 20, 1982, Grace Exline married Louie Conda in 1918 in Davenport, They had been in the restaurant business 40 years, owning and operating several Moline establishments.
Charles & Margaret (Anthony) Mooney
Based on information in their marriage announcement, published in The Daily Times on May 27, 1918, Miss Margaret Anthony of Rock Island married Mr. Charles Mooney of Davenport. His obituary, published in the Times-Democrat on May 15, 1970, stated Charles L. Mooney owned the Mooney Plumbing & Heating Co. and was also full-time stage manager and electrician for the RKO Orpheum, Davenport. Based on information in her obituary, published in the Quad-City Times on February 27, 1983, Marguerite K. Mooney died at Mercy Hospital and is buried at Pine Hill Cemetery.
Margaret (Hickey) Coffee Browning
Based on information in her first marriage announcement, published in the Davenport Democrat and Leader on November 10, 1919, Miss Margaret Hickey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D.J. Hickey married Homer H. Coffee, son of Dr. and Mrs. O.W. Coffee in Chicago. Based on information in her second marriage announcement, published in the Davenport Democrat and Leader on December 30, 1926, Margaret Hickey Coffee, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D.J. Hickey married Joseph H. Browning of the Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California. Her obituary, published in the Davenport Democrat and Leader on October 14, 1946, stated Margaret Hickey Browning was the daughter of Dennis J. and Sarah Cecilia Hickey. She was born in Davenport on May 23, 1898, and graduated from the Villa de Chantal in Rock Island and St. Mary’s college in South Bend, Indiana.
Florence (Freistat) Lee
Based on information in the 1918 Davenport City Directory, Albert W. and Florence A. Lee lived at 922 Kirkwood Boulevard. The Davenport Democrat and Leader on May 9, 1918, reported that Mrs. Florence Friestadt Lee, violinist, arranged a program with Miss Freda Schricker, pianist, in the studio of Mrs. Alice Dufton Atwill on East Second Street. Based on information on Find A Grave, Florence A. Freistat Lee was born November 21, 1886, and died May 18, 1956. She is buried at Oakdale Cemetery.
(posted by Cristina)
