The inscription on the back of this photograph identifies the location as “bed of Rio Grande River” at El Paso and Juarez. It identifies the woman on the left “(Juarez side)” as Claudia Meader (now Mrs. Eli Sanger) and the woman on the right as my great-grandmother Helen D Spiegel “(American side)”. It does not give a year, but this is most likely in the … Continue reading Down on the Border
The photograph is of my great-grandmother holding my grandfather. This was taken in Dallas in 1902. I have now gone through all the photographs and there is one thing that is missing… a picture of the photographer. I believe that the photographs in Dallas and in Mexico in the 1900s and 1910s were taken by my great-grandfather, James M. Dobbs, Sr. He probably used the … Continue reading Baby Dobbs & Daddy
I received a packet of photos from a distant cousin. All of these relate to my maternal grandfather, James Monroe Dobbs, Jr. He was an only child who lived a life straight out of a Southern Gothic novel. There were several surprises. There are two photos of my great-great-grandfather, George C. Spiegel. He was a cigar maker who lived for a time in Savannah, GA … Continue reading George C. Spiegel
There were two very surprising finds in the package of photos. 1) A photo of my great-great-grandmother, Sophia (?) Spiegel. Her maiden name is unknown (or is it?) Picture was taken in Savannah c. 1870 2) And what appears to be a photo of Sophia’s father! What I know about Sophia is that according to the US Census of 1870 Sophia’s birthplace was New York … Continue reading Breaking Through the Brickwall
Photo of my great-grandmother Helen Spiegel (R) and Cassie Spiegel (L) sisters, Dallas, Texas c. 1877. Continue reading Sisters
This photo is marked: Helen Von Spiegel (left) and Annie Meker(?) (right) Mineral Wells (Texas) Aug 1908 The city is named for mineral springs in the area, which were highly popular in the early 1900s. Mineral Wells is most famous for its Baker Hotel. Mineral Wells also hosts a variety of paranormal hauntings and ghost tours including the Baker Hotel, the Crazy Water Hotel, close … Continue reading Helen & Friend
Most of the photos I received yesterday were never before seen. However, one photo I recognized immediately. It is a copy of a photo that hung in my bedroom when I was a kid. The picture is of my grandfather, Monroe James Dobbs (before he changed his name to James Monroe Dobbs, Jr.) The picture was taken in 1917 when he was 15 years old. … Continue reading Preppy
The back of this photo says, “Spiegel Family – Dallas, Texas” and does not give a year. And I am going to make some conjectures here: The man leaning against the tree on the far left is my great-great-grandfather, George C. Spiegel. He was a cigar maker in Dallas, Texas. From census records, I have two street addresses for the family. One on San Jacinto … Continue reading Spiegel Family – Dallas, Texas (c. 1900)
This is a photograph of my grandfather James M Dobbs and his first cousin Christine, daughter of Evan Prothro Dobbs and Margaret Hulda Hahr. Evan was a brother of my great-grandfather. Both James and his half-sister, Emita, lived with their uncle Evan when their father was traveling overseas. In fact, Emita spent practically all of her childhood living in the household of her cousins. Emita’s … Continue reading Georgia Cousins
This one is of my maternal grandfather, James M. Dobbs, Jr., taken when he was a teenager in the late 1910s. The inscription on the back reads: “Taken in street in front of Uncle Clif’s house in 1917 or 1918.”“Uncle Clif” refers to Herbert Clifton Dobbs, younger brother of my great-grandfather. While my great-grandfather spent a number of years in South America, Herbert stayed close … Continue reading Jimmy Dobbs (1917?)
Gathering Leaves 