Dad and Grandpa Cornelius

Here's a picture of my father with my grandfather. He must have been on leave from the Army. Back in February I posted a picture of him with my grandmother. I assume the two photos were taken the same day.

I'm not sure why my grandfather is making such a face!

James Kostal

This is a photo of my great grandfather, James Kostal. I don't know a lot about him. He lived from 1862 to 1948 and was the second husband of my great grandmother, Josephine. Josephine had four children with her first husband -- including my Aunts Anna and Tonnie -- and then four children with James. My grandfather was the second oldest (and the only male) among the second group of four children. James and Josephine, who passed away in 1923, are buried in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Ravenna.

Second wedding anniversary

A few days ago I posted a picture of my parents on their first wedding anniversary. Here's a photo taken when they went out for dinner on their second wedding anniversary. According to the folder, this picture was taken on June 15, 1951 at "The Glass Hat Restaurant" in the old Congress Hotel in Chicago. I don't know if they went out for dinner on their third anniversary. Mom would have been seven months pregnant with me!

William Seborn Cornelius

Here's an interesting picture with my great-grandfather, William Seborn Cornelius. He is sitting in a chair at the far left of the picture and I'm the shirtless little guy standing on the far right. This photo was probably taken in either 1954 or 1955 and the setting is my grandparents' farm near Madrid, Nebraska. Looks like we're eating homegrown watermelon!

My great-grandfather lived in California and came out to visit as his health allowed. He had a long, colorful life and lived almost until the age of 102. He was born in February 1861 (two months before the beginning of the Civil War) and passed away in 1962.

It would be fun to be able to talk with him!

The Chamberlains

This is a photo of my paternal grandmother, May Chamberlain Cornelius, taken with two of her brothers -- Galen Chamberlain (on the left) and Fred Chamberlain. The date and location of the picture are unknown although Grandma was born in 1900 and Galen was born in 1902. Fred was born in 1894.

First wedding anniversary

Picture of my parents on their first wedding anniversary. The picture is dated June 14, 1950 which would have been the day before their actual anniversary. The photo was taken at "Eitel's Old Heidelberg Restaurant" located at 14 West Randolph Street in Chicago. They were married 52 years.

First Communion

This is a picture of my maternal grandmother, Agnes Rogers Kostal and her brother, Clarence Rogers. The writing on the back of the photograph says: "Agnes Rogers and Clarence Rogers on First Communion Day at St. Mary's in Coon Creek, Kansas." The photograph is not dated.

Edward and Agnes Kostal

This is a photo of my maternal grandparents, Edward and Agnes Kostal, after their marriage on May 3, 1922. They were married in Ravenna, Nebraska and drove to Kansas for their honeymoon. This photo was taken in Washington, Kansas.

Is six enough?

This is a picture of my father and five of his siblings. Starting with the top row is my Aunt Elaine, my father and my Uncle Eldon. In the bottom row are the twins Lowell and Wendell (I could never tell them apart) and my Aunt Carol. My Aunt Sandy was either not born yet...or was just a baby when the photo was taken.

Update (May 29, 2005, 6:37 PM CDT): I contacted my Aunt Sandy who tells me that Lowell is the twin on the left and Wendell is on the right. She also thinks this photo was taken about three years before she was born.

Floyde Wilson Cornelius (Sr. and Jr.)

Picture of my grandfather holding my dad who was born in February 1924. I'm assuming this picture was taken sometime in the summer of 1924.