POSTCARDSThese cards cover a period of time in the family of John Carl Koehn and Louise Voss Koehn. They lived in the town of Newfane, Niagara County, NY. John was a farmer and the children had helped on the farm until these years, when they moved out and started a new life of their own. Augusta, the oldest daughter, turned 18 in 1908 and moved to Lockport, NY, a short 10 miles away, but communication was still done by the "penny" postcard, during weekdays. While the postcard was important, so was the church. They all assembled together on Sunday at Trinity Evengelical Lutheran Church at the corner of Sexton and LaGrange Streets in Lockport, NY. In 1913, when Frank Koehn turned 18 years of age, he left for Buffalo to go to work with the railroads. Buffalo was a hotbed of activity for the rails at that time, and landing a job was a certainty. The postcards from both Augusta and Frank reflect these facts. Carl, a young teenager was a recipient of some of these cards along with their mother, Louise.
Lena Linderman Koehn sent this to Louise Voss Koehn on November 7, 1908, from Lockport, NY, to Burt, Town of Newfane, NY.
READS: Come down to our house Saturday night the 4th We are going to have a birthday party on Will. Yours, Lena K.
NOTE: "Will" refers to William Koehn, brother-in-law of Louise Koehn.
PICTURE SIDE Trinity Lutheran Church, Lockport, NY
Augusta Koehn sent this to her brother, Carl, on May 21, 1909, from Lockport, NY to Burt, Town of Newfane, NY.
READS: With love from your sister Augusta
PICTURE SIDE Pine Street Bridge over the Erie Canal, Lockport, NY
From Augusta Koehn to her brother, Frank. Sent on March 30, 1909 from Lockport to Burt, Town of Newfane, NY.
READS: With love and best wishes from your sister Augusta.
PICTURE SIDE Hodge Memorial Hospital, Lockport, NY
From Augusta Koehn to her mother, Louise Koehn, or Mrs. Carl Koehn. Sent on April 6, 1910 from Lockport, NY to Burt, Town of Newfane, NY.
READS: Dear Mother, Am well and glad to hear the same of you all. I will be busy all of this week, but try and come up in the afternoon as I must to see you. I have some news to tell you. I am going to a party tonight. It is ?---?---?. Hasn't it been warm today. Must close. Love to all from all. Augusta
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Written in the German language from an unknown person in Lockport, NY to Burt, Town of Newfane, NY, probably to John Carl Koehn on September 9, 1910. Likely that it was Carl Sr. and not Carl Jr.
PICTURE SIDE View of the Locks of the Erie Canal at Lockport, NY
Sent from Augusta Koehn to her mother, Louise Voss Koehn on October 17, 1911, from Buffalo, NY.
READS: Dear Mother. Am still in Buffalo and think I will be here til Thursday, so if you come up town don't come til after-noon and then I may not get back from Buffalo till late. The woman who is coming will not get here till noon. Will soon see you all. Best love and wishes to all. Augusta