This vintage divided back real photo postcard features an adorable little boy. He is identified on the reverse of the card as William August Raichle. He was 1 year and 14 days at the time of this photograph. His story is a sad one. He appears in the 1920 US census as an 8 year-old. He was born in 1912 in Washburn, Wisconsin. In 1920 he and his family lived on Bryce Street in Webster, Wisconsin. He lived with his father, Carl A Raichle, mother (Lydia E.), and two sisters, Geneva P. (age 6), and Alvira E. (age 4). Carl worked in retail. Carl died in about 1927. By the time of the 1930 US census, William had an additional sister (Arlene). The year 1934 was a tragic year for the Raichle family. That was the year that William died in a car accident near Rochester, Minnesota. He was riding in a car with three other young adults that collided with a snow plow and overturned. The snow plow had no lights and the accident took place, according to a newspaper account, in a “treacherous sleet storm”. Although there were other injuries, William was the only fatality. William appears to have been an “All American” kid. He was an eagle scout and had worked as a State Park Guide. It is so unfortunate that William’s life ended so tragically. His funeral took place at the Zion Church in Galesville, Wisconsin. He was buried in Pine Cliff Cemetery in Galesville. This postcard has a Noko stamp box. This stamp box indicates that the postcard was published sometime between 1907 and 1929. This is consistent with the 1913 publication date of this postcard. (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 