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A Christmas Eve Gift of Love: G.W. Helbling to Anna May Beerbower Helbing, 1916

 

Cover of a Christmas card from G. W. Helbling to his wife, Anna May (Beerbower) Helbling, Dec. 24, 1916. (Click to enlarge.)

Helbling Family, Beerbower Family (Click for Family Tree)

As many are ‘wrapping up’ their holiday shopping today, one of our ancestors helps to put gift-giving into a different light.

Gerard William “G.W.” Helbling (1882-1971) was a talented artist as well as a very loving husband. He married Anna “May” Beerbower (1881-1954) on November 24th, 1904.

Drawings done by Gerard William “G.W.” Helbling as frames for pictures of himself and the love of his life, Anna May (Beerbower) Helbling. They both appear to be pretty young- maybe high school age? (Click to enlarge.)

G. W. had a sign painting business during his younger years and then again in later years of his life. He also made beautiful cards, paintings, and even scrapbooks for his grandchildren. Within all he painted for family, his love came through, most especially in those treasures for his dear wife.

It would be wonderful to have the color version of G.W.’s card so that we could better tell if it was a manufactured card (the flower section does look pre-printed) or if he had painted part of the image; we also do not know what was inside the card or on the back of it. We are, however, grateful to have this black and white copy of the card front, and the letter inside, from an early, miraculous contraption called a “Xerox machine.” (Introduced in 1959, these copiers were not widely available for individual use for another 5-10 years, and copies were expensive when one was finally located.)

What was the Helbling family tradition as far as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and gift giving? Devout Catholics, it is likely they attended a Christmas Eve church service and again another on Christmas morn. Did the two exchange their own gifts within the sweet adult quiet later on Christmas Eve, when the children were in bed, or wait until the morning when their children, 8 year-old Edgar Bradley Helbling (1908-1994), 5 year old Anna “May” Helbling, later Reilly (1911-1985), and 3 year old Viola Gertrude Helbling, later Carrigan (1913-1971), would excitedly unwrap a gift or two stashed under the decorated tree? Perhaps they waited until the children were engrossed in their new toys and then G.W. and May could share a moment together.

From left: Vi Helbling, May Helbling, and Edgar Helbling, in front of their home at 5136 Page in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 14, 1917. (Click to enlarge.)

G. W., or “Dard” as May called him, would have handed this envelope sweetly to his beloved wife:

Envelope from a Christmas card and letter from G.W. Helbling to his wife, Anna May (Beerbower) Helbling, Christmas Eve, 1916. (Click to enlarge.)

“Merry Christmas

to my dear pal”

May would have pulled the card out of the envelope, feasting on the beautiful card that was a gift in itself.

Inside the card was something even more precious- a sweet letter detailing G.W.’s gift for Anna:

A Christmas letter/gift from G.W. Helbling to his “darling wife” Anna May (Beerbower) Helbling, Christmas Eve, 1916. (Click to enlarge.)

Here is a transcription of the letter:

G. W. HELBLING

LONG DISTANCE                            UNDERTAKER                       KINLOCH, DELMAR
PHONE                       LICENSED        EMBALMER                      2518-J
MOTOR AND CARRIAGE SERVICE
3930 ST. LOUIS AVE.
ST. LOUIS

                                                                          Christmas Eve 1916

                      My darling wife: ~
I’m wishing you another
Merry Christmas, of the many happy
years we have spent together, I
am bringing to you nothing that
could be less customary as a gift
at such a time, but a gift that
I feel will better suffice to show
my love for you, and the tenderness
and protection which it is ever my
one thought to surround you with.

Living, I love you, and beyond-
thus it is that my Christmas greeting
to you this year will be an additional
$1000. Insurance policy in your name.

Again, dear pal. Merry Christmas
and happy New Year.

always your
Dard

The family did not have much income for holiday presents and even daily expenses, but G.W. knew that the cost of a life insurance policy would help to provide peace of mind for the unthinkable- his death. Working as an undertaker at that time would have likely influenced him to choose his “less customary” gift. The policy was one of the best gifts he could give his wife, especially as their family grew. What a loving husband!

 

 

Notes, Sources, and References: 

  1. Family treasure chest of photos and ephemera. It is unknown where this copy came from, or where the original is today. If someone reading this has the original, we would love it if you would share a color copy, and let us know more about the card itself. Thanks in advance!
  2. G. W. Helbling was sometimes listed instead as William Gerard Helbling, especially in his earlier years. His paternal side was German, and in many German families it was very common for a person to use their middle name on a daily basis, rather than their first given name.
  3. Thankfully May never had to use the insurance policy (unless they cashed it in) as G.W. survived to father three more children with her (their first child had died in infancy). Anna May passed away in 1954, and G.W. lived another 17 years.

 

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Original content copyright 2013-2021 by Heritage Ramblings Blog and pmm.

Family history is meant to be shared, but the original content of this site may NOT be used for any commercial purposes unless explicit written permission is received from both the blog owner and author. Blogs or websites with ads and/or any income-generating components are included under “commercial purposes,” as are the large genealogy database websites. Sites that republish original HeritageRamblings.net content as their own are in violation of copyright as well, and use of full content is not permitted. 
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Wordless Wednesday: Wrabbits and G. W. Helbling

G. W. Helbling with his son Edgar and their pet rabbits, about 1919 in their backyard in St. Louis, Missouri. The young girl could be his daughter (Anna) May Helbling, who would have been about 8 in 1919, or Viola G. Helbling who would have been about 5 in 1919. Edgar was about 11. (Click to enlarge.)

Helbling Family (Click for Family Tree)

[Those of us ‘of an age’ will remember cartoons and commercials with ‘rabbit’ pronounced more like it is spelled above; seems like as kids a lot of us said it that way too. And it alliterates better with “Wordless Wednesday.” Sorry.]

G. W. Helbling with his rabbits Bill & Gicky, May 1923. (Click to enlarge.)
G. W. Helbling with his pet rabbit, about 1934. (Click to enlarge.)

 

Notes, Sources, and References: 

  1. Family treasure chest of Helbling photo albums.

 

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We would love to read your thoughts and comments about this post (see form below), 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.

Original content copyright 2013-2018 by Heritage Ramblings Blog and pmm.

Family history is meant to be shared, but the original content of this site may NOT be used for any commercial purposes unless explicit written permission is received from both the blog owner and author. Blogs or websites with ads and/or any income-generating components are included under “commercial purposes,” as are the large genealogy database websites. Sites that republish original HeritageRamblings.net content as their own are in violation of copyright as well, and use of full content is not permitted. 
Descendants and researchers MAY download images and posts to share with their families, and use the information on their family trees or in family history books with a small number of reprints. Please make sure to credit and cite the information properly, i.e, reference this blog.
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Matrilineal Monday: Easter, 1914 with the Helblings

“Easter 1914” Anna “May” (Beerbower) Helbling and her children, Edgar B. Helbling (right), Anna “May” Helbling (standing on left), and baby Viola G. Helbling on 12 Apr 1914. From Helbling Family Album. (Click to enlarge.)

 

Helbling Family (Click for Family Tree)

Easter came very early this year (and on April Fool’s Day since it was April 1st!), but in 1914 Easter Sunday was on April 12th. The Helbling family would have dressed in their very best clothes for the special Catholic church service. They later enjoyed their Easter baskets on the porch of their home, likely at 4927 St. Louis Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri.

“Easter 1914” Anna “May” (Beerbower) Helbling and her children, Edgar B. Helbling (right), little Anna “May” Helbling standing in back, and Viola G. Helbling (baby) on 12 Apr 1914. From Helbling Family Album. (Click to enlarge.)

These pictures are so sweet and innocent!

“Easter 1914” Edgar B. Helbling and “May” Helbling on 12 Apr 1914. From Helbling Family Album.  (Click to enlarge.)

 

Notes, Sources, and References: 

  1. The 1914 St. Louis City Directory lists “Helbling Gerard W. with Ellis Undertaking Co 727 King’s Highway boul [boulevard] r[esidence] 4927 St. Louis.”
  2. Helbling Family photo album.

 

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We would love to read your thoughts and comments about this post (see form below), 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.
 

Original content copyright 2013-2017 by Heritage Ramblings Blog and pmm.

Family history is meant to be shared, but the original content of this site may NOT be used for any commercial purposes unless explicit written permission is received from both the blog owner and author. Blogs or websites with ads and/or any income-generating components are included under “commercial purposes,” as are the large genealogy database websites. Sites that republish original HeritageRamblings.net content as their own are in violation of copyright as well, and use of full content is not permitted. 
Descendants and researchers MAY download images and posts to share with their families, and use the information on their family trees or in family history books with a small number of reprints. Please make sure to credit and cite the information properly.
 Please contact us if you have any questions about copyright or use of our blog material.

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Tuesday’s Tip: Look Beyond the Subject in a Photo: The Helbling Family

1929- Mary Helbling with the family dogs, the pups of their beloved Midge: Babe, Spot, and Boy.

Helbling Family (Click for Family Tree)

This image was just posted recently, but there is more to it than just Mary and the family dogs.

Tuesday’s Tip: Look beyond the subject of a photo to learn more about the event and the family.

Looking at the above photo, we notice that there is a shadow at the bottom, obviously of a person. The shape of the shadow suggests, by the silhouette of the hairstyle, that it was a woman taking the picture. We cannot be sure, but most likely it was little Mary’s mother, Anna “May” (Beerbower) Helbling (1881-1954), taking the picture. That shape of shadow would not have been cast by Mary’s father, Gerard William “G.W.” Helbling (1882-1971). In 1929, young women were cutting their hair- and their skirts!- short, but since May was 48 years old that year (she was 43 when she had Mary), she wore her hair a bit more old-fashioned, as she did in the nineteen-teens. The Edwardian styles were poufy on the sides and flat on the top so they could wear the big hats of the day. The shadow reflects (actually the opposite?? Wordsmithing is fun.) that style.

Analyzing the picture further, we also note the woman in the background, at the screen door. (No air conditioning in those days!) Too bad we cannot see her face, but that woman was most likely Mary’s beloved maternal grandmother,  Anna Missouri (Springsteen) Beerbower  (1854-1939).  Why do we think that? We found Anna Missouri in Indianapolis, Indiana, with her husband Edgar Peter Beerbower at the time of the 1910 census. He died in 1916 but we cannot find her in the 1920 US Federal Census- not in Indianapolis, St. Louis, nor with her other children. There is a picture of Anna holding her granddaughter Mary as a baby (see previous posts) so she was at least visiting in 1925, if not living in St. Louis with the family. We do find her listed with her daughter and son-in-law and their family (including Mary) in 1930, the year after this picture was taken, at the house at 5154 Page Ave., St. Louis, Missouri. So checking censuses can help us learn more about what is in the background of the photo.

Anna’s son, Edgar Springsteen Beerbower (1876-1940) lived with them too as he was divorced. He was Mary’s “Uncle Edgar.”

That must have been a very full house at 5154 Page Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri! The Helbling house appears to have been since demolished, (see Google Maps link below) but neighboring houses are about 2,000 sq. ft. Zillow lists the one next door as multi-family, with 2 bathrooms. The lot size is about double the size of the house, at just over 4,000 sq. ft. In the 1930 census,  the residents of the house were G.W. and May Helbling (who is listed as age 46, not 49), their children Edgar B. Helbling, the oldest at age 22; Anna “May” Helbling; Viola G. Helbling; Robert “Bob” Helbling; William “Bill” Helbling; and Mary Helbling, age 5. Anna Bierbower was listed as G. W.’s mother-in-law, and Edgar Bierbower is listed as his brother-in-law (his wife’s brother). Emma Johnson was their servant. (They definitely were not ‘rich’ money-wise, but May had health problems- likely diabetes before there was insulin, so needed help at home.) So there were 10 people in that house and since it was built in 1895, at that time there was likely only one bathroom. A 2,000 sq. ft. house is considered a ‘starter home’ in the suburbs today, but is the norm for many city areas. The home was very near Forest Park, and even back then was considered city.

Although this information about the home and occupants is not something we directly learn from the photo, the research was inspired by it, to add more to the story. So always analyze more than just the subject of a photo, to understand more about your ancestors.

 

Notes, Sources, and References: 

  1. Google Maps for 5154 Page Blvd– https://goo.gl/maps/TP2PpBgu4dH2
  2. Zillow listing for 5156 Page Blvd, St. Louis MO–https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/5156-page-blvd-st-louis-mo_rb

 

 

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We would love to read your thoughts and comments about this post (see form below), 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.
 

Original content copyright 2013-2017 by Heritage Ramblings Blog and pmm.

Family history is meant to be shared, but the original content of this site may NOT be used for any commercial purposes unless explicit written permission is received from both the blog owner and author. Blogs or websites with ads and/or any income-generating components are included under “commercial purposes,” as are the large genealogy database websites. Sites that republish original HeritageRamblings.net content as their own are in violation of copyright as well, and use of full content is not permitted. 
Descendants and researchers MAY download images and posts to share with their families, and use the information on their family trees or in family history books with a small number of reprints. Please make sure to credit and cite the information properly.
 Please contact us if you have any questions about copyright or use of our blog material.

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Sentimental Sunday: Mary T. (Helbling) McMurray and Her Dogs, Part 1

This entry is part 1 of 3 in the series Mary T. (Helbling) McMurray and Her Dogs
1929- Mary Helbling with the family dogs, the pups of their beloved Midge: Babe, Spot, and Boy.

Helbling Family (Click for Family Tree)

Mary Theresa Helbling (later married to Edward A. McMurray, Jr.), loved dogs, and they loved her. Looking through the old Helbling family photo album, it is clear that she enjoyed them from the time she was very young.

1929- Mary Helbling with one of their puppies in her arms, one at her feet.

She often told her children stories of the pups.

October 1930- Mary T. McMurray ready to go out for a drive.
October 1930- Mary T. McMurray ready to go out for a drive.

Having a series of photo albums is just wonderful. It allows comparisons over the years of people and places, and even dogs.

1931- Mary Helbling, summer, with Shaggy 1 and Babe.

It is interesting to see the progression of pups and how important they were to the family. There are quite a lot of photos in the album that include dogs!

1931- Mary Helbling with their pup Shaggy 1.

Look at those leggings, and note that it was summer in hot and humid St. Louis! Mary did remember, well into her later years, how hot, sticky, and baggy those stockings were. And was she already tired of the photo shoot? Or frustrated because Shaggy 1 apparently was, and just would not face the camera.

June 1934- Mary T. Helbling with her beloved older sister Viola Helbling and their dog Putsy.

The whole family seemed to love their dogs.

About 1935- Mary Helbling with one of their dogs harnessed, another behind, and a lollipop.

Was Mary trying to get a harness on the smaller dog so that they could go for a walk? Mary looks so cute with her lollipop in her mouth and bow on her hairband as she struggles with one of the small dogs.

More to come on Mary and her sweet doggies.

 

Notes, Sources, and References: 

  1. Family treasure chest of photos.
  2. See also “Sentimental Sunday: Mary Theresa (Helbling) McMurray” for more pictures of Mary with her beloved pups.
    https://heritageramblings.net/2014/03/16/sentimental-sunday-mary-theresa-helbling-mcmurray/

 

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We would love to read your thoughts and comments about this post (see form below), 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.
 

Original content copyright 2013-2017 by Heritage Ramblings Blog and pmm.

Family history is meant to be shared, but the original content of this site may NOT be used for any commercial purposes unless explicit written permission is received from both the blog owner and author. Blogs or websites with ads and/or any income-generating components are included under “commercial purposes,” as are the large genealogy database websites. Sites that republish original HeritageRamblings.net content as their own are in violation of copyright as well, and use of full content is not permitted. 
Descendants and researchers MAY download images and posts to share with their families, and use the information on their family trees or in family history books with a small number of reprints. Please make sure to credit and cite the information properly.
 Please contact us if you have any questions about copyright or use of our blog material.

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