Sunday, September 23, 2012

Someone Else’s Treasure–The Autograph Book of Miss Helen Sundquist–Part 1


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Helen
When sitting in the twilight
Reflecting on the past
Remember you have one kind friend
Whose love will always last.
--Your Friend,
Madalia Johnson
Bishop Hill
Jan. 1st, 1885
holly-blooms
The best wishes of your friend, Ida M. Johnson.  Bishop Hill.  Jan. 1st, 1885
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Earnest Van Osdel
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Friend Helen – Honor thy father and mother. Your Friend, Charlie S. Perry. March 2, ‘85 Toulon, Ills.
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Helen [no excuse for me] Compliments of Adelle Trickle. Feb. 12, ‘88. Toulon, Ill.
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Mrs. Herbert Smith.  Larimore, N. D.
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Compliments of Theresa Volgamont.  Toulon.  School days 1888, March 5.
pink-blue-butterfly
Dear Helen
When years and months have glided by
And on this page you cast your eye
Remember ‘twas a friend sincere
That left this kind remembrance here.
With best wishes for your future cheer!
Your Friend,
Mary Christy
2-25-1886
woman-green-dress-fruit
Dear Helen,
When far away and friends are few, think of me and I will you.
Yours Truly,
Lizzie Gemmell
Feb. 11, 1886
god-is-love
Dear Helen
Some boys are pleased with your Brilliant eyes
But ‘tis your worth and polished mind I prize.
Eva Edwards
Toulon, Ill.
Feb. 11, 1886
holly-blooms
Dear Helen
In twining your wreath of friendship, please twist in a bud for me.
Best Wishes of Jennie Ryder
Toulon, Illinois
January 7th, 1885
romantic-pink-roses
May your life be as pure as these pages as unshadowed as these lines are.
The best wishes of Bessie W. Marsh
Toulon, Ill.
Jan. 7th, 1885
pink-blue-butterfly
Dear Helen
Be true to your friends and you will never be friendless.
Katie Anderson
La Fayette, Ills.
Oct. 15, 1885
woman-green-dress-fruit
Dear Helen
So short our existence a glimpse at the most
Is all we can have of the few we hold dear
And oft ever joy is unheeded and lost
For the want of some fond heart to echo it near
Ah well may we hope when this life is oer
To meet in a world of more permanent bliss
For a smile or a grasp of a hand hastening on
Is all we can have of each other in this.

Maggie Brady
Toulon, Feb. 12, ‘89
god-is-love
Friend Helen

Look how we can sad or merrily
Interpretation will misquote your looks.
Harry Whittaker
Sunday School days of 1889
holly-blooms
Friend Helen, Remember me.  Chas. Bacmeister, Toulon, Ill.
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Eddie Henderson, Toulon, Ill.  Feb 10th 1886
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Remember your school-mate.  Alice Berfield, Toulon, Stark Co, Ill.
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Compliments of Flora Gelvin.  Mar. 6/’88.  Stringtown, Ill.
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Lines to Helen.  Florence McClenahan
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May your life be full of sunshine.  Yours Very Truly, Mardell Lyon
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Helen, Ever your Friend, Minnie Trickle.  Feb. 12, ‘89
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Compliments of Your Friend and Schoolmate, Esta Cole.  Toulon, Ill.
god-is-love

Friend Helen

Among the many who claim a kind remembrance
I too would add my name.
Your Friend
Flora Smith
Toulon, Ill.  Stark Co.
Feb. 14th, 1887
holly-blooms
Helen

Tis sweet to court but O, how bitter to court a boy and then not get him.
Your Friend
Ada Walker
Toulon, Ill.
1885
pink-blue-butterfly
Dear Helen
Remember me and my best wishes,
When your at home washing dishes.
Your Friend,
Effie Holmes
Toulon, Ill.
Jan. 31, 1890
romantic-pink-roses
Helen
Remember me when far far off
Where wood chucks lie with whooping cough.
Frank S. Price
Toulon, Ills.
Feb. 17, 1885
woman-green-dress-fruit
Helen
Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you.
Jimmy A.Nowlan
Toulon, Ill.
Feb. 17, 1885
god-is-love

4 comments:

  1. What a treasure. It's too bad it's not one of your ancestors (at least that's what I understand from the title). Don't you love the old sentiments? Lovely.

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    1. No, not one of my ancestors, but I was hoping to find one of them in it (struck out there too!) It is a beautiful old book nonetheless. :)

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  2. I've had some fun with autograph books of both of my grandparents as well as my great grandmother. In fact, one of them looks so similar to yours here I had to go back and compare.
    http://who-knew-it.blogspot.com/2012/04/may-i-have-your-autograph.html

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    1. That's exactly what my (actually Helen's) autograph book looks like! I see yours was from the same time period. You don't hear of a lot of girls having autograph books these days (at least I haven't). I wonder if it's time has come and gone? Sad. What wonderful keepsakes they are! Thanks for sending your link. :)

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