Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Green resided in South Haven, a city on Lake Michigan in Van Burn County of southwest Michigan.
This area was a center of lumbering and saw mills in the second half of the 19th century.
The lumber was shipped by steamer to Chicago and Milwaukee, the cleared forests were devoted to orchards.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Haven,_Michigan
In May of 1914, Benjamin and his wife (Katherine) became parents.
In the RESEARCH NOTE (below), we learn that the child was Benjamin G. Green, Jr.
The new parents received a lovely postcard of congratulations.
A smudged postmark makes it difficult to identify the place in Michigan where the postcard was mailed.
The face of the postcard displays an ornate design of entwined vines and flowers in an Art Nouveau style.
Within the wreath of foliage is the image of a baby.
Beneath the drawing is a printed blessing:
“My greetings to you and your baby…
May it (sic) grow and prosper
And bring you constant joy,”
On the reverse, we find written message from Agnes F.
Agnes writes:
“Just received a letter from Florence and want to send my hearty congratulations.”
I am certain that “Agnes F”, is Agnes French, the niece of Benjamin G. Green.
Benjamin had a sister, Elcena A. Green (married to Milford French) and Elcena had a daughter, Agnes.
The postcard must have pleased the Greens – it was preserved in very good condition for more than a century.
One hopes that Baby Benjamin grew up to become the “constant joy” of his parents.
RESEARCH NOTE
On October 5, 1867, Benjamin G. Green was born in South Haven, Michigan.
He was the son of Gilbert L. Green (1837-1912) and Agnes Noble Green (1839-1911).
Benjamin had an older sister, Elcena A. Green (1861-1936).
In February of 1909, Benjamin married Zelma Ballvenue Dow (1878-1962).
This first marriage did not endure – Benjamin married Katherine Bell Marsh (1881-1966) in October of 1911.
Unfortunately, the (unnamed) first child of Benjamin and Katherine died in infancy in 1912.
Benjamin Gilbert Green, Jr. was born In South Haven on May 10, 1914.
This is the baby that was welcomed by the postcard from Agnes.
Benjamin Jr. was an only child; his father, Benjamin Sr. died (aged 67) in 1934 when Benjamin Jr, was 20.
Benjamin Sr. and his second wife, Katherine, are buried together in the Lake View Cemetery in South Haven, MI.
Benjamin Jr. (age 86) died in Arizona in 2000.
Benjamin Jr. is buried with his parents in South Haven.
