Mr. Emerson Woods lived on a rural delivery route outside Apple Creek, a village in Wayne County of north-central Ohio.

The community had a Post Office since 1832.

Located near the Apple Creek, the village had about 400 residents in 1910.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Creek,_Ohio

Sometime around 1911, Emerson received a humorous postcard.

The postcard was not mailed, so we might assume that the sender lived nearby.

(The unusual directions printed on the reverse of the postcard could suggest that the postcard was mailed within an envelope.)

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The face of the postcard is a drawing of a fit pup strutting along a railroad track.

The dog appears happy and determined.

A pointed arrow indicates “Kenneltown 15 miles”.

It seems that our wandering hero is headed home to the kennel at last.

The postcard was published by Schmidt Brothers & Company of Chicago – using a process patented in 1911.

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On the reverse, there is a mark above the address that looks as though a sticker or some other adhesive was applied there.

The postcard received exceptional care, as if is not the highest-quality paper stock and has been preserved in very good condition.

In the Research Note, we learn that the postcard was received near the time of Emerson’s marriage,

It may be that the image of the wandering dog heading for the kennel is a humorous reference to the impending nuptials.

RESEARCH NOTE

On April 6, 1888, Emerson James Woods was born in Wayne County Ohio.

Emerson was the son of Jacob E. Woods (1864-1902) and Mary Frances McClelland (1865-1939).

Jacob and Mary had been married in Wayne County in December of 1886.

Emerson was the oldest of five children, four sons and one daughter.

All of the children lived to adulthood.

In December of 1911, Emerson married Elsie Grace McQuaid (1893-1980).

The couple lived in Wayne County throughout their lives.

Emerson and Elsie had on son, Ralph E. Woods (1934-2024).

Emerson registered for the Draft in Apple Creek in 1917, but he does not appear to have been called – probably due to his marriage.

After Elsie’s death in 1980, Emerson lived as a widower for two years before his death at age 93 in 1982.

Emerson and Elsie are buried together in Paradise Cemetery, Smithville (Wayne County), Ohio.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54341353/emerson-james-woods