Tag: Maria Louisa Brandenburger

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Mystery Monday: Aiken? Family in Colorado in the 1920s

Unknown children on the trail with donkeys, probably in Colorado circa 1920.
Unknown children on the trail with donkeys, probably in Colorado circa 1920.

These images were in an old photo album with Lee family ephemera. We believe the primary woman in the photos with the flat-topped hat is Dora J. (Russell) Aiken, as there is a postcard from there written to “Mrs. Samuel Lee,” who would have been Dora (Aiken) Lee. It was signed “Mother.” Alternatively, it could be Louisa M. (Brandenburger) Lee (1859-19340) sometimes called Maria Louisa Brandenburger (German folks swapped first and middle names back and forth), Samuel J.’s mother who married Samuel Lenton Lee (1849-1932), but we do not have a known image of her to compare. Seems like if it was Louisa, she would have included her son and written to “Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lee.” So I am betting on Dora J. Russell being the woman in these pictures.

If anyone has these same or similar pictures, please use our “Contact Us” form or leave a comment so we can compare and share! We are very interested in more information about these photos.

Click on any of the images to enlarge.

In Yellowstone Park, Aug-Sep 1921:

Unknown Lee or Aiken- possibly Dora (Russell) Aiken in Yellowstone Park, Aug 1921.
Unknown Lee or Aiken- possibly Dora (Russell) Aiken in Yellowstone Park, Aug 1921.
Aiken or Lee relatives? Sep 1921.
Aiken or Lee relatives? Sep 1921.
Aiken or Lee Family- Colorado? Aug 1920.
Aiken or Lee Family- Colorado? Aug 1920.
Aiken Family? Yellowstone Park, 10 Aug 1921.
Aiken Family? Yellowstone Park, 10 Aug 1921.
28 Aug 1923- Denver Lookout Mountain. Aiken family?
28 Aug 1923- Denver Lookout Mountain. Aiken family?

Buffalo Bill’s gravesite was a popular place to visit:

Buffalo Bill's Grave, Colorado. Aiken family?
Buffalo Bill’s Grave, Colorado. Aiken family?
Buffalo Bill's Grave, Colorado. Aiken family?
Buffalo Bill’s Grave, Colorado. Aiken family?
Buffalo Bill's Grave, Colorado. Aiken family? Looks like Claude Aiken.
Buffalo Bill’s Grave, Colorado. Aiken family? Claude Aiken at fence?
Possibly at Buffalo Bill's grave in Colorado, Aikens? Possibly Dora J. (Russell) Aiken on right.
Possibly at Buffalo Bill’s grave in Colorado, Aikens? Possibly Dora J. (Russell) Aiken on right.

Unknown places in Colorado(?):

Probably Colorado around 1921.
Probably Colorado around mid 1930s, and possibly Lloyd Eugene “Gene” Lee with his son, Bobby Lee.

 

Notes, Sources, and References: 

1) Family photo treasure chest.

 

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Copyright 2013-2014 by Heritage Ramblings Blog and pmm.

 
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Amanuensis Monday: Lee-Russell Postcard from Golden, Colorado, 12 July 1922

Pahaska Teepee, Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum, Lookout Mountain, Colo.
Pahaska Tepee, Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum, Lookout Mountain, Colo.

Buffalo Bill’s memorial was a popular place. The back of the postcard description states,

“PAHASKA TEPEE ATOP LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, COLORADO

The Wm. F. Cody “Buffalo Bill” Memorial. Erected by the City and County of Denver, in honor of the noted Scout and Indian fighter, 1921. The “Tepee” contains the many relics and paintings of the famous frontiersman and was opened to the Public May 29th, 1921. From May to November 1921, 70,000 people from every corner of the globe wrote their names in the register and 280,000 visitors passed through the Museum.”

 

Postmarked Golden, Colorado July 1922, -PM, the card is addressed to Mrs. Sam Lee, or Dorothy Adele Aiken (1884-1953), called “Dottie” by family and friends. The Lees were living at 1038 Grandview, St. Louis, Missouri, at the time.

The note is signed, “Mother,” and if it was Dottie’s mother, she would have been Dora J. (Russell) Aiken (1864-1955); if Sam Lee’s mother, it would have been Maria Louisa (Brandenburger) Lee. I am inclined to think that if was addressed to both, “Mr. and Mrs. Sam Lee” it might have been written by Maria, but since it is only addressed to Dottie, my hypothesis is that the writer was her mother, Dora J. (Russell) Aiken.

 

Reverse of Buffalo Bill Memorial Postcard, 1922
Reverse of Buffalo Bill Memorial Postcard, 1922

The card reads:

“Wed-12. Lookout Mt

I am sending you this card from this building up pretty high but a wonderful ride up here. am feeling fine. We are leaving Friday for Estes Park. I do not know when we will leave for the Springs or Manitou. will write soon.

love, Mother”

 

NOTE: The handwriting under the address is my note from the 1980s that “Mother” was probably Dora Russel per Gene and Vada Lee as we looked through family treasures and discussed them. I am so thankful we did that back then!

 

 

Notes, Sources, and References: 

1) Manitou was a mineral resort and at the foot of Pike’s Peak.

 

Please contact us if you would like higher resolution images.

Copyright 2013-2014 by Heritage Ramblings Blog and pmm.

 
We would love to read your thoughts and comments about this post, and thank you for your time! All comments are moderated, however, due to the high intelligence and persistence of spammers/hackers who really should be putting their smarts to use for the public good instead of spamming our little blog.