Helen Rowley, Ninth Street, Reading, PA

This photo is of Helen Rowley, she lived in Reading, PA and was a friend of Arlette Koenig and June Reifsnyder.

In 1940 Helen Marie Rowley lives with her mother Peggy and her sister Jean Louise at 134 Ninth Street in Reading. This is in Ward 8. Her mother owns a beauty shop. The mother is listed as married but no husband is listed.

In the 1930 census she is 11 months old, making dob about May, 1929. Her father is William, her mother Margaret. They live at 235 Ninth Street, Ward 9. Her father works on road construction.

She may have attended Catholic Central High School in Reading. She is not the Helen Rowley who married  Francis Chapman, as she is younger and has a different middle initial.

Update: 24 March 2024: Helen's sister Jean Louise was engaged to Paul Reinig. Helen threw her a bridal shower. Article in Reading Eagle dated 29 Aug 1948. They married in September, 1948. Paul J. Reinig and Jean L.Reinig are in the 1950 census living in Reading. They divorced in 1976 in Colorado.

There is a Helen Rowley Hiester,  husband E. Gregory, who had twins (boy and girl) in December 1951 (specific date not listed), at St. Joseph Hospital in Reading. Notice in 22 Dec 1951 Reading Eagle. They had a daughter in Jan or Feb 1962.

Wayne Strasbaugh's 4th Birthday Party

This photo was in a batch of random photos from the Reading, PA area, I bought the photos at Goodwill. It was taken in August, 1953.

I think I found Wayne on Facebook and have sent him a message.

Four Generations, Kershner Family,

 This is a four generation photo of a family that lived in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The oldest member is Carrie Hildebeitel Kershner, she died in 1960. Her daughter is Esther M. Kershner Wolf, who died in 1982. Esther's daughter is not named on this photo but given her daughter is listed as Baby Dar, she has to be Dorothy Wolf Rump, who died in 2012. And sadly, the baby in this photo, Darlene Rump Staudt died in 2021. Darlene was born in April 1941 so this photo must have been taken in the summer of 1941. Darlene was survived by three children so hopefully I can locate one of them and return the photo.

Canadensis, PA Group Photo, August 1950

Canadensis is an unincorporated community in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Canadensis is home to a few small shops, restaurants and churches. The "crossroads", which is the intersection of Pennsylvania Routes 447 and 390, is the center of the community. This is a group photo taken on 8 August, 1950.

Front Row: Mrs. Hetzel, Nan Lovett, Frances Sapiescza, Mom

2nd Row: Tom Lovett, Walt Addis, Mill Ferrari, Nick Ferrari, Lill.

Louisa Endebrock Cummings

This photo is in very fragile condition. I do not know where I got it, probably Goodwill. The writing on the photo has her maiden name as Enderbrock but according to her Pennsylvania death certificate the spelling is Endebrock. She was born in November, 1850, and died 27 January, 1937. She was married to William Taylor Cummings, who died in 1919. They are buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia. I have posted the photo to her Find A Grave memorial.

Fort Knox, Wilder, and Covington, KY; More About Ed Ferring

This photo was taken in 1969 and is labelled Printing Master Craftman Awards. In 1969 Wilbert Rosenthal, president of S, Rosenthal & Company, in Cincinnati was named Outstanding Craftsman of 1969 by the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen, Inc. In the photo it looks like Ed is either handing a certificate to someone or receiving it. The other man is Wilbert Rosenthal, based on a photo I found in the newspaper.

What I know so far: Ed was probably born between 1935 and 1940, he grew up in the Covington, KY area. In the late 1950's he went to boot camp at Fort Knox, and was apparently in the Army reserves rather than regular Army. He has a sister who is about 10 years younger. They had family in Versailles, Indiana. He married sometime between late 1950's and early 1960's. He and his family, with his little sister, went to Miami Beach in 1956. Please refer back to previous blog entries for other photos.

Edited 3/6/2024: The name is Edward Ferring, he was born 10 June 1936 and died in 1987. He did not have a little sister, the little girl who went to FL with him and his parents in 1956 is likely a 1st cousin, whose mother's name is probably Imogene. They lived in Versailles, IN.

The second photo here is an 8X10 from a wedding, no names. 

Edited 3/21/2024: I believe the wedding photo is of Carolyn Spears and Robert Schmerge. I believe they married about 1958.

Fort Knox, Wilder, and Covington, KY: Wilder, KY Fire Station Dedicated

These photos were developed in October 1967. The soldier Ed Ferring is in several of the photos, and is at the podium in one of them.