David Sherman lived in Lebanon, the bustling center of steel production and food processing in central Pennsylvania.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon,_Pennsylvania
In earlier postcard stories related to Lebanon, we looked at the Reading Railroad station and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (endowed by iron baron, Robert Coleman.)
David’s residence at 740 Walnut Street is no longer extant – there is a vacant lot at East Walnut Street, and a mini-mart at West Walnut Street.
In December of 1915, David received a Christmas postcard from Mrs. Church and Robert.
The postcard was mailed from Linglestown, a lovely census-designated place in Lower Paxton Township of Dauphin County in central Pennsylvania.
The community was developed by Thomas Lingle in 1765; he sought to create a place of work and study for newly-arrived European immigrants.
Lingle called the community, “The Town of Saint Thomas” – but after his death, the popular use of “Lingle’s Town” prevailed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linglestown,_Pennsylvania
The city of Lebanon is about 20 miles east of Linglestown, although driving would require about 26 miles.
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The face of the postcard is a medallion drawing of a cluster of wooden structures before a stand of tall evergreen trees.
A blanket of snow covers the fields and the buildings.
Streaks of pastel colors, yellow and blue, represent convincingly the sky in winter.
The frame of the drawing is adorned with sprigs of mistletoe and holly.
“Christmas Greetings” is printed in gold letters.
The postcard was “Made in Germany” – one of the last examples of the vast transatlantic production that ended with the outbreak of the First World War.
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On the reverse, Mrs. Church has affixed a 1915 Christmas sticker of the American Red Cross.
A large face of Santa is surrounded by banners proclaiming “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year” – along with the name of the organization.
The only inscription relays the simple message: “From Mrs. Church and Robert”.
There are no clues about the relationship between the correspondents.
One hopes that David, Mrs. Church and Robert, and all those close to them, enjoyed a wonderful Christmas.
