Mr. J. D. Hall lived in Hubbard, a small city in Trumbull County of northeast Ohio.
Settled by farmers from New Jersey in the early 19th century, the agricultural community grew with the development of coal and iron industries in the 1860’s.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubbard,_Ohio
Near the border of Pennsylvania, Hubbard had a population of about two thousand residents in 1912.
In April of 1912, Mr. Hall was celebrating a birthday.
For the occasion, he received a bright postcard from his mother.
The postcard was mailed from Enon Valley, a borough in southern Lawrence County of west-central Pennsylvania.
Near the border of Ohio, Enon Valley had a population of about 350 people in 1912.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enon_Valley,_Pennsylvania
Hubbard, Ohio is about 28 miles northwest of Enon Valley, PA.
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The face of the embossed card displays images of correspondence – pens and envelopes – beneath the heading: “For a Bright Birthday”.
One of the envelopes, sealed with red wax, bears the message, “Best Wishes”.
Two grey birds with russet heads appear to be bearing sprigs of blue forget-me-nots.
A quatrain in multi-colored letters, expresses a birthday blessing:
“Fair Fortune follow / and bless / the coming year / with happiness”
The postcard is “Number 894” in the “Birthday Series” published by J. J. Marks of N. Y.
The image was copyrighted in 1910.
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On the reverse, Ma notes properly her location and the date.
After greeting “Dear Son”, Ma writes, “I wish you a happy birthday and many more.”
The message concludes, “We are all well”.
Mr. Hall preserved the postcard throughout his life, although there was deterioration of the margins and a torn corner.
One hopes that he had a wonderful birthday, and exchanged many more postcards with his mother.
In the Research Note (below) we learn that this was Jesse’s 34th birthday.
We know that Ma must have been visiting Enon Valley as her home is identified in Hubbard on every state and federal census after her childhood.
RESEARCH NOTE
On March 28, 1878, Jesse David Hall was born in Hubbard, Ohio.
He was the son of William H. Hall (1844- deceased) and Ester (sic) Jennie Dunkerley (1850-1931).
Jennie Dunkerley Hall is “Ma” of the postcard story.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/details/L564-R56
The Family Search site includes a thumbnail photo of Ma:
Jesse was the fourth of five children, although he may have never known his oldest brother (first-born) who appears to have died in childhood.
Jesse’s younger brother, Robert, also appears to have died in childhood.
Two older sisters, Alice and Eva, outlived Jesse.
All of the Hall family members spent their lives near Hubbard in Trumbull County.
In February of 1910, Jesse married Mina E. Clark (1880-1956) of Lawrence County, PA.
Jesse and Mina had a son and two daughters, all of whom lived to adulthood.
In July of 1947, Jesse died at the age of 69.
After living as a widow in Hubbard for nine years, Mina died in 1956 at the age of 76.
Jesse and Mina, with Jesse’s parents, sister, and one daughter are buried in the Corner House Cemetery in Trumbull County.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/210387308/jesse-david-hall
A newspaper article cites this place as a pioneer burial ground and notes that the land was first bequeathed by the Hall family.
https://www.vindy.com/news/local-news/2020/09/hubbard-cemetery-rededicated-for-founding-hall-family
