This is my great-grandmother Hammer, born Mary Amaryllis Bower. This photo was made in 1908 by Matzene, Chicago. Below is the home built by her husband, a judge in Chicago. Written below the picture is this description:
"our old home on Grand Boulevard -
North-west corner of 37th Street.
Built by D. Harry Hammer."
The picture is on a card with a message inside: "Season's Greetings from Miss Camille Badger Henry and Mr. William Wirt Henry." Apparently the Henry's owned the house after my great-grandmother sold it, which I believe was after Judge Hammer died.
Moving to an even earlier time, we have this marvelous image of my grandfather as a boy. A handwritten legend says "D. Harry Jr. at Hlghlands 1895?"
My grandfather was named David Harry Hammer, Jr. after his father, but was called Harry most of the time. He had an older sister named Hazel, whose daughter Hazel Lou Humphey established the Humphrey Memorial Park and Museum in Colorado.
I have more pictures from my mother's family of origin plus two boxes of photos and mementos from my father's family. Let me know if you are interested in seeing more.
I drive past that house every day on my way to work. It's beautiful but abandoned now. Fun fact: Harold Washington started his mayoral campaign there. It's in a beautiful area and rises up. You can't miss it.
ReplyDeleteHello! Thank you so much for sharing these precious heirlooms. Do you have any photos of the interior of the mansion in the above photo? Im having a hard time finding any online.
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