It is always nice to see snapshots of well known people, not posing but caught in some action. This little article is about a casual snapshot of Joseph F Rutherford (Judge Rutherford) perched on top of a ladder. It was taken at the 1924 Columbus, Ohio, convention.
The quality is not very
good, but below is the complete picture as found in a photo album belonging to
someone who was there.
The photographer had
written in the book:
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The book belonged to
Lillian C. M. Engelhardt. Her name is written on the cover.
Another photo in the book shows Lillian behind a nice “IBSA” and “Millions” display on the back of a car.
A further photo in the
book shows Lillian with a young man, and the picture caption reads “Us.”
However, on the reverse of the photo are two names – H. W. Carpenter and Lillian’s.
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How could Lillian and
H.W. be “Us?” A check on Ancestry shows they were both single at that 1924
convention. Nevertheless, they viewed themselves as an “item” and were subsequently
married on November 6, 1926. Their marriage certificate shows they were married
by a minister of the International Bible Students Association.
Herbert M Carpenter (1896-1977)
and Lillian Caroline M Engelhardt (1902-1999) were to have one daughter, Rose
Joy Carpenter, born in 1929. Trade directories show them having a clothes cleaning
(laundry) business in Houston, Texas. They have an entry on the Find a Grave
site.
Their subsequent
history is unknown. It may be that, although Joy later married, the direct family
line died out. This could explain how, sadly, their photographic record ended
up with strangers on eBay.
But it does provide us with a nice little candid shot of JFR on top of a ladder!
I don't know if JFR climbed a ladder to speak?
ReplyDeleteThere is no mention of this in WT, but there is another scene from 1925:
“On the sides hung rope ladders; and men had climbed these in order to hear the speaker. When the Judge and his interpreter entered the hall, they were loudly applauded” (GA, August 12, 1925 p. 725). (From Benek).
Hello Jerome, thank you for sharing these photos. Just a little correction: The 1924 Convention was held at Columbus, not Cedar Point. Thank you again for your great work!
ReplyDeleteHi Leroy, Many thanks for that. Have made the alteration in the article.
ReplyDeleteHi Jerome, Interesting article, thank you. Little correction Herbert M Carpenter year of birth 1996? Sorry.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that. The alteration has been made. There's gotta be a moral there somewhere about not relying on your own proof-reading...
ReplyDelete