An American Family History

Gilles Joseph Bertrand

In De future.
Go your Best.

[The postcard features Teddy Roosevelt]

I got here all right. things look good for me. I will write as son as I can. J.E.S.

[other side] I didnd see this till I turned the card over write soon

Mr. Elmer Smith
R.F.D. no 3
Essex, Iowa

Eliza Fox Smith

Well Emma i will be home for the 4 of July you bet so good By to all.

Well i got to Collins all rite and that is all Papa

Mrs. J. E. Smith
101 Market St
Red Oak

Viola Long Bertrand

1909

Chariton

Hello how are you this morning we are well & hope u are the same. Am so sorry your dish & Pitcher got Broke but glad u got a house and straitened up so soon but that must be a funny house all up stairs u had better turn it upside down. The mail man said he left 2 cards at Smiths Tuesday morn for u so send them u address if u haven’t yet. mother

Mrs. J.E. Smith
200 Market St.
Red Oak

Viola Long Bertrand

1909

Chariton

Hello up there Rec U card yesterday glad u are well we are well. Pu & clair are at Humeston all week  Say dident u get a card from Auntie Powell telling u to meet her last Monday week. She was a a trifle Disapointed u had better go for u mail carrier she did no the number but put it Mrs. Emma Smith will write letter soon mother

Mr. Elmer Smith
Red-Oak, Iowa

Mrs. Williams

[perhaps Nora Williams McGinnis's] mother

Mrs. J. E. Smith
101 Market
Red Oak

Viola Long Bertrand

1909

Chariton

Hello up there how are u this morning. Thought I would write ua a few lines to tell u Essie has a big girl. Auntie Powell is in Harlan. Papa is in Humeston this week. Say if we decide to have the Reunion at Sams the first of sep can u folks arrage to be there to let me no when u write Did u get papers have sent 2 times your quilt I do cost $1.50 what do u think of that Love to both mother

Mrs J. E. Smith
101 Market St.
Red Oak

Viola Long Bertrand

1909

Friday morn July 30 1909
Hello how are u. My My whsent yesterday a Scorcher. Mr Harry Miller is very low Don’t think he can possibly live. Was there most all yesterday my he looks bad. Keep him under influence of morphene Sick a week last wensday He don’t seem to no what is the matter. Look for Francis Sunday Common no 1 Francis will leave here on No 3 Sunday so look out for her.

Viola Long Bertrand

Mrs. J. E. Smith
200 Market St.
Red Oak

Viola Long Bertrand

1909

Chariton, Iowa

Hello up there are u asleep or what is the matter with u have only heard from u once & that was weeks ago Cora is Raving because she has not heard from u. oh dear Smick are gone went Thursday Eve on no 2. mother

[Rev. S. S. Smick was pastor of the United Brethren church]

Mrs. J.E. Smith
200 Market St
Red Oak

Viola Long Bertrand

1909

Chariton

Hello up there how is everbody we are well & hope urs are to. Papa has bin in Collins 2 weeks Monday I don’t know how soon he will be home. Oh my it is thundering  oh so dark & cloudy yesterday was such a lovely day oh it is Raining this very min. Do u think u wont be down till xmas. Oh yes did you get card from ND informing you of the arrival of Lura Eldora Shafer Oct 8 her pu Birth Day. Mother

Mrs. J. E. Smith
200 Market St
Red Oak

Viola Long Bertrand

1909

Chariton

Hello kidos how is the family we are Ok hope u are the same No Cora isn’t getting married well I don’t know about the turkey xmas but will try and have something to fill u up on will send u a turkey for thanksgiven  but don’t quit Eating for a week before for I am afraid it wont be good Eating ?? write when u have time the new minister took Dinner with us Sunday (drawn heart) mother

Mrs. J.E.Smith
200 Market St.
Red Oak

Viola Long Bertrand

1910

Papa is getting along fine write & let me no by wensday if u are still going to Stay in R N of A am very busy will try & write  let Sun & tell you all the news all well Marie is home hope u are all well in haste mama

Mrs. J. E. Smith
200 Market St.
Red Oak Iowa

Viola Long Bertrand

1910

Dear Emma & Elmer papa is doing fine. Dr. was here this morning & said he could see big improvements in his heart since St. but still wants him to stay in bed will be back Sat the rest are well hope us are both the as Ever Mama B.

Mrs. J. E. Smith
200 Market St
Red Oak

Viola Long Bertrand

1910

Chariton

Dear Emma rec your card yesterday papa dident get up for Dinner but he had his chicken & nudles just the same he is feeling fine
Jim & Frank was down in afternoon they are going to

Mr and Mrs Elmer Smith
Red Oak Iowa

Louisa and Thomas Long

Merry Christmas and Happy New year
Grandpa and Grandma Long

Mrs. Emmie Smith
Chariton, Iowa
c/o Joe Bertrand

Red Oak
Feb.11.1910
I just received your Postal glad you got there all O.K. but oh that ride on a load of coal. I miss you and old NO you will have to come see no Donald has more all of his rons write and tell me all about your farm ta ta Jessie

109 Market

"Best Birthday Wishes"

open book with pink roses

Emma

Merl Bertrand

Dear Sister Heres to the farmers girl wishing you good Luck.

Mrs. Emma Smith
RR no 1
(Care box 4)

Branch 1284 NALC Goodwin Carrier No 2
A joyous Birth-day be yours.
From Mrs. Dan Barger

Chariton Ia
March 17. .10
Mrs Emma Smith
Wishing you a very happy Birthday.
Mrs. T. J. McGinnis

Mrs. J. E. Smith
104 West Hammond

Viola Long Bertrand

1910

Wed. Hello kiddies how are u we are well & hope u are the same well I suppose Blanch & grandma are cutting up some at the wedding in Minaopelos today or did u no Uncle Frank is to be married today to a Miss Bell. Blanch & Ma started from Pilot Mound Yesterday morn mother
Have 150 chickens

Mrs J.E. Smith
104 W. Hammond

Viola Long Bertrand

1910

Chariton

Hello we are all well Clair is working hope u are well will write letter with love mother

Viola Long Bertrand

Monday Morn
Sep 12 1910
Hello Ever Bobly how are u we are still kicking M & C are moving. Mother goes to Somerset to night N & G go thursday we think Pic fine Mother & ? exp to spend next Sund at Sams we was out to ?essie's yesterday fine time as ever mother Send me a letter to D M gen Delivery after thursday.

Mrs. J. E. Smith
104 West Hammond

Viola Long Bertrand

1910

Norwalk

Monday
Dear Emma Your Letter rec & that was al wrigt about the mon.  I forgot about the $50.00 g drew to go home on I am out to Sams now come sat will go home the last of the week Hop u are all well Love to all
mother

Mrs J.E. Smith
104 W. Hammond
Red Oak

Viola Long Bertrand

1910

Hello up there how are u. we are quite well thank u Hope u are the same we are quite busy bisness is Rushing but cash is Scarce have mad 75 ct Since I came home from D.M. Did you get Pkt I sent by Freight have bin wating to hear from u have u heard from Auntie Powell she must be at Wills by this time she send for u address so she could stop & see u with love mother

Nov 3
Mrs. Emma Smith
Dear Friend
Mother got home all right. She said your baby was so sweet. I am sending her a little hair op shoes[?] [unreadable sentence] Hazel

Write to me when you can Your friend Mary ??? Phee

Dear Sister and all. We are all well and hope you are all the same. Uncle Ike Norris is dead. He died tuesday night and will be buried this after noon Clair and I were over there last night. Aunt Matt ask about you and Elmer also little...

(I hope you will like your tie the white braid is all I had in the house or I would sent another collar.

April 14, 1911
Dear Sister will drop you this card to tell you that we will come to Red Oak this Sat eve on no 9 so look for us Marie

Hello ?.B.

Mrs J.E. Smith
104 W. Hammond
Red Oak

Viola Long Bertrand

1911

Dear Children how are u we are as well as common I have bin under the Dr care for most 3 weeks but have not bin down but had to quit my washings for the winter at least. I don’t know what I will do yet I gess I can go back in the Store in fact I no I can but I hate to be shut up from morn till night for all there is in it. Hope these few lines will find u all well. Heard from B & D this morn they are OK with Love mother

Mrs. J.E. Smith
104 West Hammond

Viola Long Bertrand

1910

Tuesday
Hello  How are U We are well am still in store rec Lura things OK this is a fine day my rooms are all gone etc Man of oh yes I suppose u no Mrs. Einhart was laid to rest a week ago Sun Charley Palmer sick not able to be at store this week mother

Mrs. J.E Smith
204 1st Avenue
Red Oak

Viola Long Bertrand

1912

Iowa

Hello rec u letter was glad to hear from u but sorry u cant come home for the 4 Blanch & Dave will come Home well Auntie Powell has gone & left us we are all sending her comic cards Send her one her address is Mrs. O. E. Payne Copeville Alta Canada will be married Thursday don’t forget to send card of some kind we are all well & will write letter some day mother

Mrs. J. E. Smith
821 Upper W 4th St.
Ottumwa, Iowa
c/o D. Higgins

Viola Long Bertrand

1912

Tuesday
Well Emma I just rec a card from Leon & Gertrude and they would like to have u come to see them if u would & Blanch also said they was OK & had moved their no is 921 E. Main well the man that his wife had left never came back but that other man was back to hims room last night u no the one  has bin here so much. Am going to wash to day good by with love to all mother.
original

Grandpa started home last Tues.

Wishing U a happy Birth Day Sister Lura

Emma

Viola Long Bertrand

1912

Chariton

Hello thought I would send u a card and wish you a happy BirthD. We are as well as common. Hope u are all well got a letter from Blanch to day She say’s She’s anffle home Sick Marie & Clair move out Monday Clara & Todd will move in with me. Marie is moving in G. Tranchers house with Love mother

Emma

Viola Long Bertrand

1912

From Brother Merl

We forgot to send thse Sat but it is better late than never
mother

Mrs. J.E. Smith
405 2nd Ave
Red Oak, Iowa

Mrs. J.E. Smith
405 Second St.
Red Oak

Mr. J. E. Smith
Charition, Iowa% R. Ruddell R- no. 7

Merl Bertrand
RR5
Red Oak
c/o J. E.Smith

Viola Long Bertrand

1913

Braddock

June 8
Hello Kiddo how are u we are fine am on the  train at Oaks 8 o’clock morning this morning we had a lovely visit in Minnaoplis will tell us more about it when I write a leter will ? & mail this on the ? train when we ? it hope u are all well address Braddock write soon Mother

Master Merl  Bertrand
RR5
Red Oak
c/o J.E. Smith

Viola Long Bertrand

1913

Chariton

Wed eve.
What in the world is the matter I haven’t heard from u yet. All as well as usual Hope u are all well Emma write so I can get it before  ? by Set

Emma Smith
502 McKels
Red Oak, Ia

Mr. Mearl Bertrand
502 Nuckols St.
Red Oak, Ia.

1913

Braddock

Hello Mearl and all. Mearl why don’t you write when the folks do And let me know what you are doing. Ma, Frances, and Mr. Mettele will be here for Thursday dinner.

Mrs. J.E.Smith
Red Oak

Viola Long Bertrand

1913

Hello u kidos why don’t u write we are well & hope u are the same well it has bin kind of lonesome to day Francis went to Brad. Yesterday to attend a mask ball last night will be back to morrow. Jerry left for Can last tues my how I miss F & J tday Shafers were here for supper last night Blanch Dave Lura & Frank auto over for 6 o’clock Dinner last Sunday so I had quite a little crowd 7 of us all to gather the sas as was to Blanches for Thanksgiven Write & let me no what u are going to do. Hope u will Be here for xmas.

Mrs. Emma Smith
528 So. 7 St.,
Chariton

Dave marked on the man shooting pool. Written on the side "This is Dr Bair's feet.

Braddock
Hello sis and all.
Will send you a card I suppose you know where it is. Gee weare having nice weather.All the Folks were up for Xmas. And weare all invited to Vie's for New Year dinner.  Well Lura went home Saturday with the folks. I sure miss her. I guess she will be in on the 2 o'clock  train.
Thanks for the things.  Baby's bib is fine.

Mrs. J.E. Smith
Chariton
c/of C.H. Shimp

Viola Long Bertrand

1915

Napoleon

Here’s wishing you a happy Birth Day. This is a very nice winter day we haven’t had snow enough to cover the ground all over this winter Write soon with Love Mother

Mrs. J.E. Smith
Chariton, Iowa
c/o Harry White