Poem in Sister Ernestine's Autograph Book

Also while going through Kimberly Teichert Parker's documents related to Ernestine, I located this poem written by Fred for Ernestine in her Autograph Book. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to date this piece. Fred does not date it, and entries in the autograph book are not made in chronological order, so I cannot find an easy date range to drop it into either. However, perhaps I could look at the beginning of the autograph book and see if the cover, or the first entry has a date. I could at least note that it is past that date. That I will have to do. The entry of the poem reads:

"Our lives are albums written through
With good or ill, with false or true
An as the blessed Angels turn,
The pages of our years, God grant
They read the good with smiles,
And blot the ill with tears.

Your Affectionate Brother Fred."

It is not a very good poem, but it is another instance of where Frederick writes one. It simply notes the contrasting experiences in our lives, and hopes God will be merciful and compassionate in enjoying our good moments and forgiving our ill ones. From surveying Kimberly's documents, Ernestine wrote many poems herself. The autograph book has many other poems written by Fred's family members in it to Ernestine as well. Fred's wife Mary Ella also wrote much poetry, and Minerva Teichert did some herself. It appears to have been a family interest or hobby. Pictures of the Autograph Book and poem are below.

Birthday Card to his Sister Ernestine

Kimberly Teichert Parker has a large chunk of documents relating to Frederick's sister Ernestine, which she has gracefully posted online. While combing through these documents, I found this birthday postcard Fred sent to her. It reads:

"Birthday Greetings for your fourty fifth birthday, from your brother Fred + family and wishing you man more happy birthday's. Your brother Fred."

Nothing too interesting here. We know that the postcard was sent in 1912, since Ernestine was born in 1867 and Fred mentions her 45th birthday. We learn that Frederick was in correspondence with his family at this time. This postcard has no stamp on it, so it must have been sent in an envelope, likely with a now misplaced letter. The card also notes that it was printed in Germany, so he may have picked up this card while on his mission, or equally likely one could purchase cards that were made from Germany in the United States. Besides this, we know that Frederick likely referred to himself as "Fred" amongst his family members. Pictures of the front and back of the postcards are posted below.