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Guarding Lincoln: Private Bruno Albaugh, Co. K, 150th Pennsylvania Infantry

Mary Todd Lincoln, Robert Todd Lincoln, and Tad Lincoln surround Abraham Lincoln. A portrait of Willie, the Lincolns' deceased son, hangs on the wall. 1 I've been noodling about my Aunt Sharon's family tree the past few weeks, extending her family back a couple of generations. This week, I discovered an unknown family story: that of her great-grandfather, Bruno Albaugh , a German immigrant from Meadville, Crawford Co., Pennsylvania.  Bruno, born about 1836, enlisted in the Union Army on 15 August 1862 in Meadville. 2 He may have seen notices like the one shown below pasted around town and like many other men of his age and condition, 26 years old and unattached, he heeded the call to arms. Perhaps it was patriotism that spurred him or a longing for adventure away from his farming life in Meadville. Maybe he wished to join forces with  his friends and neighbors who also enlisted that day from his community or felt passionate about the Union's cause. The bounty offere...
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GENEALOGY CHALLENGE 2021 - Art & Craft: Needle & Brush


GENEALOGY CHALLENGE 2021

Art & Craft: Needle and Brush -  January 27th entry of a 31-day challenge to post a document, photo or artifact on social media every day in January.  

by Nancy Gilbride Casey

 

Each person makes their mark on the world. Sometimes that mark is a beautiful piece of art or craft which they leave behind. Each piece is a product of their imagination, their skillful hands, their time and patience. It is also a record of their desire to bring forth beauty in the world, and so reflects their character as well.

Our family definitely has its share of creative members. As a couple, my husband Jim's paternal grandparents left many pieces of their artwork for their descendants to enjoy.

Harold Edwin Casey (1915-2009) and Claretta Hall Casey (1917-2000) were married over 60 years. Family, faith, and running businesses filled up their lives, but when they had time, needlepoint and painting were hobbies they enjoyed.

Harold's primary artistic pursuit was needlepoint. According to my father-in-law Jim Casey, Sr., his mother Claretta taught his father this craft while he was recovering from a back injury in the 1950s.1 It was a hobby he enjoyed well into his 90s. His lovingly-crafted needlepoints were professionally framed when finished and given as gifts. 

I think of him whenever I see the lovely depiction of tiny birds on snowy branches (above), which he stitched. It combines his two great interests: needlework and birdwatching.2 The couple's rural home in Collinsville, Oklahoma was surrounded by birdfeeders, and I have heard tales of the passion both he and Grandma Casey had for feeding and watching birds. In fact, we have inherited several bird books which we use quite a bit now that we, too, live in the country.

When Harold became a widower, he moved to Texas to live with his son, so we had a tiny extended family of me and my husband, our two children, and my husband's father and grandfather. Our children were fortunate enough to be able to spend nearly 10 years with their great grandfather—whom they called GrandPapa— in their lives, and with whom they shared a special friendship. The lovely young lady below was a gift from GrandPapa to his great granddaughter Anne.

Grandpapa Casey was in his 90s when he stitched this for his great granddaughter. 


Another favorite stitched piece is this yellow rose:



Meanwhile, Claretta Hall Casey, Jim's grandmother, enjoyed painting and embroidery. Among my favorites paintings are these two tiny ones, each not more than 4" x 6" or so. They are simple and sweet.



We enjoy having these tangible reminders of our family members now gone, which bring a bit of beauty to our home and world.


NEXT UP: Art & Craft II - Hooked


1 James D. Casey, Sr., email to Nancy Casey, 26 January 2021, "Quick Question," Leaves on the Tree Project folder, N Casey [address for private use].
2 Ibid.


 



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