Dad's Merchant Marine Days Part 4 Family Photos

Family photos were affixed throughout dad's 'Merchant Marines' album.  They followed no chronological order and I've put them basically in the same order here as they were in the album.  Identities provided are either known by me or they were included on the reverse sides of the photos.  Years were included on some photos and a couple others were estimates shared with me by family members.

My dad about 1945

Russell Westcott 1944

Vivian Eleanor Schnack Cope

Vivian Eleanor Schnack Cope

Marie Linnaberry

Marie lived next door to Grandma and Grandpa Schnack in Milford.  It's my understanding that my father had somewhat of a 'thing' for her before he met my mom.  Marie was no relation to the family but I included the photos because they were in the album.

Marie Linnaberry

Marie Linnaberry

Edward and Daisy's 25th Wedding Anniversary

This photo would have been made about 1948.  Kneeling in front from left to right is Jochim Walter Schnack, Edward Alexander Schnack, Katharine Rose Schnack Hammon, Anna Catharine Ella Schnack Mower, Helen Schnack Westcott.  Standing from left to right is Charles Mower, Olive Letha Rose Schnack, Edward Schnack, Jr., Marcia E. Schnack Hodges, Daisy D. Montana Schnack, and Marianna Ellen Schnack Hodges.

Vivian Eleanor Schnack Cope

Charles Elbert Rose and Walter J. Schnack 1944

Charles Elbert Rose 1948-1949

Elizabeth Ann Olmsted Rose 1952-1954

Charles Elbert Rose and Elizabeth Ann Olmsted Rose 1952-1954

Charles Elbert Rose 1952-1954

Olive Letha Rose Schnack

Is this Katharine Rose Schnack Hammon?

Do you know who this is?

Do you know this dog or this toddler?

Olive Letha Rose Schnack with Thomas Alan Cope        August 1952

Vivian Eleanor Schnack Cope with Thomas Alan Cope  August 1952

Harry Donald Cope with Thomas Alan Cope   November 1952

Harry Donald Cope and Vivian Eleanor Schnack Cope

Katharine Rose Schnack Hammon

Olive Letha Rose Schnack

Edward Alexander Schnack

The following is a group photo and I've included a scan of the reverse side of the image.  The names written on the reverse side have no meaning to me.  Does anyone know who they are?

I recognize Harriet Julia Camp Baird on the far left and Milton George Camp is peaking around from behind a young woman standing beside Harriett.  The tall man is Leonard George Camp and the woman on the far right is Beatrice May Rose Camp.  Any help with other identifications is appreciated. 

Written on the reverse side is the location of the photo.  Secret Caverns and Howe's Caverns at Howe's Cove were, and still are, popular recreation areas in Schoharie County, New York.  I linked to both because I thought this group might have visited one or the other while in Howe's Cove, New York.

Beatrice May Rose Camp

I recognize a John Deere tractor when I see one but does anyone know whose house is in the background?

Lorraine 1945 

I have a Lorraine Hastings (born in 1936) in the family tree.  She is the sister of Donald Hastings who married our cousin Doris (Rose) Hastings. Could this be the same Lorraine?

left to right: Vivian Eleanor Schnack Cope, Edward Alexander Schnack, Walter J. Schnack 1940

Doris Van Husen 1946 

I don't have Doris Van Husen in my family tree.  Can anyone tell me if, or how, she's related?

top photo from left to right: Jochim Walter Schnack, Olive Letha Rose Schnack, Vivian Eleanor Schnack Cope, Edward Alexander Schnack in Montreal, Canada

Harriett Julia Camp Baird

Milton George Camp

Milton George Camp

Leonard George Camp and Beatrice May Rose Camp

Jochim Walter Schnack

Updated 9 Mar 2014, 1:41pm, with additonal positive identifications.

1942 7 21 Beatrice Camp to Olive Schnack

'B.' was the author of this letter.  The names and relationships to her, in the order of appearance, are:

• 'Olive' Letha Rose Schnack, Beatrice's sister
• 'Katharine' or 'K' Rose Schnack Jones Gall Hammon, Olive and Walt's daughter, Beatrice's niece
• 'Walt' was Jochim Walter Schnack, Beatrice's brother-in-law
• 'Vivian' or 'V' Eleanor Schnack Cope, Olive and Walt's daughter, Beatrice's niece
• 'Junior' was Walter J. Schnack, Olive and Walt's son, Beatrice's nephew
• 'Eddie' was Edward Alexander Schnack, Olive and Walt's son, Beatrice's nephew
• 'Miltie' was Milton George Camp, Beatrice and Len's son
• 'Flo' was Florence Alice Rose Lawler, Beatrice's sister
• 'Len' was Leonard George Camp, Beatrice's husband
• 'Harriet' was Harriet Julia Camp Baird, Beatrice and Len's daughter
• 'B' was Beatrice May Rose Camp, Len's wife and Olive's sister

Laurens, N.Y.
July 21, 1942

Dear Olive,

I'm glad you and baby are doing well.  I am awfully anxious to see Katharine.  I'm glad Dr. Clark put her in an incubator.

Walt was up last night.  I hope you had some visitors.  I know how long evenings can be.

Isn't it funny that we don't hear from Emilee?  I am going up this week I guess.  I can't imagine  whether she has moved, is moving, or is away, or whether she didn't get my letter.  I almost always put my address on.

Vivian made me a lovely cake and her ice cream was delicious.  I asked her not to do it but, I saw she was going to be hurt so, I told her all right.  And, then it was that terrible hot day.  You were supposed to have a sample of cake.  Did you get it?  I hear you don't get enough to eat.  In as much as you aren't nursing Katharine, you don't need so much.  It will help you get your girlish figure back.  Ha ha.  Vivian had the house looking good.

Junior is working up here now.  He was here

yesterday.  I think that will help V. out some.  Eddie was up for the first time to stay any length of time.  He and Miltie had a good time.  I thought I'd write before this but I ran out of envelopes.

I had a pretty card and linen handkerchief from Flo yesterday a.m.  It's the first I'd heard from her.  I worry about her.  Isn't it nice to have her come to see you.  She says K. is fine.

I usually can get quite a bit of writing done before anyone is up.  Len gets me up the have coffee with him before he goes to work, but Harriet got up at 6:30 this a.m.  She is fine.

Mary called Margaret Sunday a.m. and Margaret said she was going to the hospital and take Castor oil and quinine.  So we ought to be hearing from her soon.

Viv let me read notes you wrote her when I was down.  What's the matter with your arm?  In as much as your not nursing K, Clark would probably give you something to sleep on if you don't sleep good.  Anyway, it won't be long now before you're home.  I may not write again.  If it is necessary to leave K. in an incubator you might better do it than to move her too soon.  I'm sorry you didn't have the nighties sooner.  V. forgot to give them to Walt,  They were ready Thursday.  Take it easy.  This is your vacation.

Love,
B.

1941 6 24 Beatrice Camp to Olive Schnack

To see the relationship of the people in the letter, please go to the Names page.  In order of their first appearance in this letter are family members:

• 'Olive' was Olive Letha Rose Schnack
• 'Flo' was Florence Alice Rose Lawlor
• 'Harriet' was Harriet Julia Camp Baird
• 'Miltie' was Milton George Camp
• 'Aunt Lu' might have been Lulu Peck Louden
• 'Aunt Lu' might have been Louella Rose
• 'Walt' was Jochim Walter Schnack
• 'Lena' was Lena Mae Carrington Rose
• 'Len' was Leonard George Camp
• 'B.' was Beatrice May Rose Camp

Laurens, N.Y.
June 24, 1941

Dear Olive,

I was pleased to get your note from Mr. Lalot.

I know you are very thin but you will soon gain.  You are thin and I'm fat.  I weighed 120 1/2 pounds when I came home.  Is your stomach better?  Maybe you have jaundice again.  I wish I could come see you again.  I don't see why Carson didn't come in to see you Sunday.  He was in the hospital when I was.  Flo said you were better yesterday.  I'm so glad!  I can't wait for you to get home.  I wish you were here, too.  I could stand some help but if you were just here to look at Harriet once in a while and tell me she looked good, I'd feel better.  I get awful nervous sometimes.  I know she must be all right, though.  She eats like a pig; her bowels are good - not watery - she sleeps good - of course, like all bottle babies, she has lots of gas and sometimes regurgitates with gas.  She weighed 5 lbs 3 3/4 ounces Sunday a.m.  I haven't weighed her since.  This darned typhoid business makes me nervous, too.  I still

haven't heard from Miltie's specimen.  The one that was supposed to go today, I got out too late for Sam.  I have to step on it a.m.'s.  I thought Aunt Lu was going to help me a couple days but she hasn't shown up.  Dr. Murray was awful afraid I was going to roast her.  She didn't like my outing flannel diapers.  She wants me to get heavy cheese cloth.  Aunt Lu said she'd get it and make them.  I get awful tired.  It takes all my time to feed both, wash clothes, and fix formula.  I haven't got organised yet.  Dr. Murray was swell.  One of the nurses had knitted her a white bonnet.

I haven't heard from you or Walt today.  If I weren't so tired, I'd go down and see Walt and call Flo.  I was glad to see her last night.  She was in an awful hurry.  She made the basket, that Lena had and left torn and dirty, look like new.  I was glad as Dr. Murray made me bring it right up to the nursery.  I want you to see Harriet.  I think she is awfully cute.

Yes Olive, I have realized all too well that we have needed each other.  I have felt so helpless.  I have

had to practice good psychology.  I couldn't help you and I didn't want to hurt by baby.  If you were only better, how happy I'd be now.  So please don't worry; don't eat the food that you know isn't good for gall bladder and hurry up and come home.

Do you enjoy your radio?  Flo is good isn't she?

I must close now.  I have to put up Len's lunch and feed Harriet.  She gets fed 10 - 2 - 6 at night; 9, 12, 3, and 6 daytimes.

Would you like to have me come see you again?  I could come between the 12 and 3 feedings if you would like to have me.

Please hurry and get well.

Love,
B.

1941 6 20 Beatrice Camp to Olive Schnack

•  Didies is defined as diapers.  
• 'Aunt Lu' might be Lulu Peck, a sister of Beatrice's mother-in-law, Mirinda Peck.

Laurens, N.Y.
June 20, 1941

Dear Olive,

I was down to see Junior just before supper.  I was awfully glad to see him.  I was sorry to find Walt sick, also to hear you don't feel so good.  I hope you can see to read this.

I am going to Cooperstown to see Harriet Sunday p.m. and think I will stop and see you on my way up.  I was hoping to see you here at home.

One of the nurses, Miss Monopoli (do you remember her?) sends me a card most every day to keep me posted.  I didn't hear yesterday and was just about sick thinking but this a.m. I received a card saying she was OK.  They are gradually taking her out of the incubator.  Oh boy, when she gets used to being out of the incubator, I'm going to try to get her home.

Aunt Lu went home yesterday a.m. with a bad cold so I've been trying to get meals.  Harriet will be 3 weeks old tomorrow

night and I don't feel too rugged.  It never took me so long before to get over it.  I am so anxious to get good and strong.  I am trying to go easy on coffee and cigarettes and drink milk.  I'm going to pasteurize my milk as soon as I'm able.  No more raw milk!  Dr. Murray says it is very foolish to use raw milk.

Remember me to Mrs. Groff.  I liked her an awful lot when I was a patient.

Christine was up here for supper last night.  I had a small mess of Swiss chard out of the garden.  Also, some lettuce I picked from some that is suppose to head.  Does it hurt it?  The other kind isn't ready yet.  The garden looks a lot better since the rain.

I hope you can read Miltie's letter.  He doesn't separate his words enough.

Aunt Lu made Harriet some nighties and some didies.  She has fared well for such a tiny girl.  I'm awfully anxious to get her home but don't want her to have any set backs.

Love,
B.

1941 6 20 Miilton Camp to Olive Schnack

Milton George Camp was 10-years old when he wrote this note to his 'Auntie Olive', Olive Letha Rose Schnack.   I don't know the identity of 'Aunt Lu'.  Please leave your suggestions in the comment field below. 

 

Jun 20, 1941

Dear Auntie Olive,

I am 4 feet 2 inches tall.  I passed my grade.  Hurry up and get well.  I was a good boy and helped Aunt Lu while Mama was in the hospital.  I gave my dollar to Harriet.  She is tiny.  Christine is going to make her a dress.

Love,

Milton George Camp

1941 6 9 Beatrice Camp to Olive Schnack

See the Names page to know how the people mentioned are related.

M.I.B. Hospital
Cooperstown, N.Y.
June 9, 1941

Dear Olive,

Daisy and Ella stopped in to see me yesterday.  I was surprised.  Today is my ninth day and I hope in a few days to feel almost human.  I just started to dry up my breasts.  I've been trying to get milk for the baby but didn't have half enough and anyway, Dr. Peckham thinks it will be a long time before baby would be strong enough to nurse.  The baby seems to be gaining.  Dr. Peckham says she has a very unladylike appetite.  For the first time, I held her in my hands yesterday.  My, she is so tiny but of course I think she is cute.  I think she looks like Len.  The nurses and doctors seem to think she is a vigorous preemie and that she stands a chance.  She is in the incubator all the time except when they feed her and I think now they have discontinued the oxygen but she was getting it

continuously.

The night nurse just brought me a dose of salts so I know I'm going to have a grand time today.  Hope I can get the pan when I need it.

I'm writing this before breakfast, am I not smart?  Last night makes the 3rd night I've slept good for the first in 8 months.  It seems good.

I hope you will be coming home soon!  It seems years since I've seen you.  Just as soon as I can, I'll come see you.  I think they are going to make me leave the baby here for a while.

Poor little Jr.  How is he?  I haven't dared think about you and him.  It makes me sick and I have felt so useless.

I'm so glad Vivian and Eddie have Aunt Hattie to take care of them.  I know they have good care.

Emilee has been coming to see me every day.  I don't know what I'd have done without her.

I have an awful sore rear end!  It is covered with great big pustules.  It is painful to sit on.  I'm going to get out of bed tomorrow for a half hour in the a.m. and a half hour in the p.m.

Do you get good care?  I'm very satisfied.  I feed a preemie that is over 4 weeks old for the nurses so that gives the nurses more time to feed mine.  Harriet gets fed every 3 hours; the others every 4 hours.

They tell me you are quite prophetic; that you knew I had a girl before anyone else.

Well, I'll be coming home Saturday.  I hate to leave my baby.  If she doesn't have to be in the incubator, I don't see why I can't take her.  I could hire Hattie for what it would cost for her here and I'd have lots of time to fuss with her.

I'm afraid you'll be all tired out trying to read this.

I have to lie on my side to keep off my sore rear.

I had the sweetest card from Vivian and Eddie.

I have written Miltie a letter.  I'm lonesome for him.  Now I have to write to Aunt Hattie.  I don't suppose you are able to write.  Try to eat a lot and get your strength back.

Hope to see you soon.

Love,
B.