6/13/12

FUTURE FARMER of America in 1909


A future farmer of America? What did the future hold for this little fellow? Too young to have been in World War I, but he would have been in his early 30s when World War II began.

Anna Thompson was out and about mailing this at 7 AM on November 8, 1909. The message does not indicate her relationship to this boy, but she's certainly hoping it gets a response from Dena and Inez Chestem in Nebraska.




Click on either image to see it larger.

I cannot decide what this little guys name is. Perhaps someone with a keener eye will decide what it is. I at first thought the name was Myrrle Clarence, but the double "r" seems strange. Any ideas?

Just imagine, in the not so distant future people will not even be able to read the handwriting on the back of this card because they will not have been taught cursive. It's a stupid choice being made by educators.

UPDATE: Thank you AnyJazz!
Myrole Clarence Thompson was born 9 Mar 1908 in Stevens County, Washington to Merville W. Thompson (1881- ) and Anna Isabell (Brutt) Thompson (1883- ). He had a brother Royall A. (1913- ) and a sister Zelma F. (1912- ). The parents were both born in Nebraska hence the card to friends there. I was also able to find Dena J. Chestem but her sister is shown in the 1910 Census to be Daisy. They were living with their father Olea A. Chestem in Decatur, Nebraska. He was born in Norway. In 1910 Dena was 14 and Daisy Inez was 11.

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous6/15/2012

    One small correction- it is a stupid choice made by POLITICIANS. Educators are the scapegoats. We don't get to choose what we teach anymore. Stop blaming us, please.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand your anger and know that politicians are behind much of the craziness that goes on in school districts these days. That said, I have also read far too many articles from educators that cursive is not necessary anymore and they are choosing to not teach it. I have also spoken to some local teachers who believe time is better spent teaching something other than cursive. I think it's a mistake and have no qualms about calling people out on it. And when I say educators, I didn't specifically call out teachers, they are only one part of education team. Principles and school boards are just as much to blame. Some school districts will continue to teach it while others won't. And if you feel so passionately about this it might have been nicer to sign your name and not use "anonymous."

      Delete
  2. Myrole Clarence Thompson was born 9 Mar 1908 in Stevens County, Washington to Merville W. Thompson (1881- ) and Anna Isabell (Brutt) Thompson (1883- ). He had a brother Royall A. (1913- ) and a sister Zelma F. (1912- ). The parents were both born in Nebraska hence the card to friends there.

    I was also able to find Dena J. Chestem but her sister is shown in the 1910 Census to be Daisy. They were living with their father Olea A. Chestem in Decatur, Nebraska. He was born in Norway.

    In 1910 Dena was 14 and Daisy Inez was 11

    ReplyDelete
  3. Felix0912/03/2012

    I agree 100% about the stupidty of not teaching cursive. It is no less relevant today than any other subject. And it's educators that politicians will listen to before the man in the street.

    ReplyDelete