Amanuensis Monday - Clinton Ostrom's Autograph Book

Dear FOLKS,

When Clinton Ostrom, son of Oscar and Anna (Brekke) Ostrom, was a young boy, perhaps age six, he was given an autograph book.  He began to ask his family to sign his book. As was the practice of the day, each would leave a rhyme or greeting for him. The actual book is 5-1/8”w x 4-5/8”h. Depending on the pen and ink used at the time, some signatures are very easy to read and others are very faded. I am pleased to share this with you.

My comments are surrounded in square brackets [ ].

------- transcription begins --------

SCHOOLDAY MEMORIES

OF

Clinton Ostrom

SCHOOL

Cleven

CLASS

 2^{nd
_____________________________}

AUTOGRAPHS

To all who sign their

Names in here,

I’ll ever hold their memory dear.

-Clinton Ostrom
_____________________________

Douglas N. Dak

Nov 28, 34

Clinton, Dear.

May your life be long and Happy.

And your sorrow and troubles few.

Is the wish of your.

Mother

[mother - Anna Brekke Ostrom]

_____________________________

Douglas N.D.

Jan 14, 1938

Dear Clinton

I wish you Health

I wish you Wealth

And lots of Happiness

Your Father

[father - Oscar Ostrom]

_____________________________

Douglas, N. Dak

November 24, 1934

Dear Brother Clinton,

   Here’s a wish Im going to wish,

   As a wish for you,

   First you wish youre Dearest Wish,

   Then Ill wish that youre wish comes true.

Your Sister,

Mae Belle

[Mabel Ostrom Heer, daughter of Oscar Ostrom]

_____________________________

McClusky, N. Dak

Nov Day of Sale

Dear Cousin Klinty

In your chain of friendship, Please

Consider me a link

Your friend, Toline

[Toline Ostrom Kensmoe,

daughter of Theodore Ostrom]

_____________________________

Kief, ND

12-2 34

I love meny

Trust few

Always padle my own canoe

Your Uncle Theodore

[Theodore Ostrom, brother of Oscar Ostrom]

_____________________

Kief, No. Dak.

Dec 2, 1934

Dear Cousin Clinton

   When you get married and

Live by the sea bring your

Wife and children and come and

See me.

Your Cousin, Chester

[Chester Ostrom, son of Theodore Ostrom]

_____________________________

Douglas N. Dak

Nov. 27, 1934

Dear Clinton,

When you marry 

And live on a farm

Write me a letter

As long as your arm.

Orrin

[brother – Orrin Ostrom, son of Oscar Ostrom]

_____________________________

D. U..S.

Dear Clinton

Shall just half

Of the day Good

Bey.

Your friend

Paul Ostrom

[uncle – Paul Bertil Ostrom, brother of Oscar

Ostrom]

_____________________________

Kief N. Dak.,

Dec. 2, 1934

Dear Clinton,

   When twilight draws a

curtain and pins it with a star.

   Remember you may have a

Friend though you may wander far.

Your Cousin, Evelyn

[Evelyn Ostrom Running, daughter of

Theodore Ostrom]

_____________________________

-------- transcription ends --------

This was fun to present to you. I could imagine the excitement of a young second grader with each signature he received. I also enjoyed the various rhymes the folks were writing and while reading one, I looked forward to what the next would contain. I hope it was the same for you.

I noted with interest the page written by cousin Toline Ostrom Kensmoe was dated "the day of the sale." Made me wonder if it was the same sale where I transcribed the auction book.  A link to the project for that book is here. Then I had to change my mind as the location for that note states McClusky, North Dakota. The sale I was thinking of was held near Douglas, ND, a little over 70-75 miles northwest of McClusky, ND.

A visitor from Canada is also implied, because uncle Paul Bertil Ostrom was living in Saskatchewan at this time. In July 1934, grandma/mother Toline Ostrom died at her home in Elbow Lake, Minnesota. It is known that Paul B. Ostrom traveled from Canada to attend his mother's funeral service. Perhaps he stayed in the U.S. until November, 1934; visiting his brother and sisters at their various homes in Minnesota and North Dakota before returning to Canada.

Another thing I noticed is that an adult most likely completed the blanks on the cover and title pages. The writing doesn't appear to match any of the writing found for family members. I am considering the first two pages were possibly filled out by his school teacher when she gave him this book.

I needed help telling about this autograph book. Luckily family members came to my rescue. My thanks for their help in publishing this post:

    -- Clinton Ostrom for permission to post his autograph book.

    -- Cousin Arley for the digital images he provided of this book.

[last name withheld for PRIVATE USE]

Thank you all for stopping by. I appreciate your interest in family history. Information regarding the lives and events of ancestors can come from many places. Today's article was a good example of an item that we may frequently overlook. Information doesn't always come from reports and formal documents.

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Please comment regarding this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then use the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Or contact me by email at dsteff4246[at]gmail[dot]com. Thank you.

Copyright (c) 2017, Darlene M. Steffens