This week I was cleaning out my library of some books, I no
longer had any interest. I took them to
my local used bookstore, which I frequent often to trade them in on something
new. I love going to used bookstores,
finding many hours quickly pass by as I peruse the shelves. On this occasion, I found myself on the aisle
of books for young adults. In among the spineless, and cloth torn, well read older books was a treasure, a book
well taken care of and wrapped in a clear celluloid plastic book dust cover to
protect it. This quickly caught my eye,
and I eased the small little red book from the shelf. The price was right, just $7.00. Then I noticed the title and author: “Ungle Ben” by: Oliver Optic.
As you can see the typographical error right on the front cover of the book. The title is actually "Uncle Ben." I knew this was the fifth book of the series: “Riverdale
Stories.” On the inside, cover was a
stamp: from the library of Dr. C. J. Hamme.
The title page also contained that it was presented to Mary’s Sunday school
as a donation for a book sale. Presented
by: E. C. Smyser. The book sale was won
by Fairy E. Smyser June 12, 1898 for 150 tickets. In parenthesis, it says that she is the
mother of (Ralph Hamme). Therefore,
that brings us back to the library of Dr. C. J. Hamme. Upon further genealogical sleuthing, I found
that Dr. C. J. Hamme was Dr. Curtis John Hamme (1884 – 1957). His spouse was Fairy E. ‘Smyser’ Hamme (1886 –1959). Their son was Ralph Eugene Hamme
(1912 – 2002). E. C. Smyser was Edward
Calvin Smyser (1863 – 1943).
Photo Created by: Sherlocks Cousin.
Record added: Sep 30, 2012
Find A Grave Memorial# 98019276.
While the
rest is my pure speculation, and deduction, the dates appear to support this. Since I know the book was published in 1862,
and I can see from the headstone, that Edward Calvin Smyser was born in 1863 it was probably his first
book.
His daughter Fairy obtained the
book when she was 12 years old, and then at some point passed it on to her son
Ralph Eugene Hamme. Dr. Ralph Hamme had
two daughters. The book then ended up in
the possession of his daughter Gail M. Kay who just recently passed away here in
Austin Texas
March 03, 2013. For three generations
this 150-year-old book was taken care of very well by this family.
I was planning on today’s blog post to reflect on the life of my second cousin William Taylor Adams – (Oliver Optic), author, for who I now am the proud holder of one of his first books pictured above. However, the journey, and prior owners of this book were much more interesting.
I am not related to the families of: Smyser, Hamme, or Kay, but I chose to end this blog, and leave you with the recent obituary of Gail ‘Hamme’ Kay. Whose Great Grand Father Edward Calvin Smyser possibly was the first owner of the book “Ungle Ben” by: Oliver Optic. I will now cherish it in my library hopefully until 2062 when the book will be 200 years old.
I was planning on today’s blog post to reflect on the life of my second cousin William Taylor Adams – (Oliver Optic), author, for who I now am the proud holder of one of his first books pictured above. However, the journey, and prior owners of this book were much more interesting.
I am not related to the families of: Smyser, Hamme, or Kay, but I chose to end this blog, and leave you with the recent obituary of Gail ‘Hamme’ Kay. Whose Great Grand Father Edward Calvin Smyser possibly was the first owner of the book “Ungle Ben” by: Oliver Optic. I will now cherish it in my library hopefully until 2062 when the book will be 200 years old.
