Browse Items (8893 total)

45lb Catfish

Postcard of Carl and Gust holding a 45lb catfish. The back of the postcard says: "Carl and I caught this fish the 15th of July, and butchered him the 19th of July. It weighed 45lbs. How is that for fish - Gust". The postcard is addressed to Mr.…

Carl Besalke's Family

Postcard of Carl Besalke and his family standing in front of a house.

Mr. and Mrs. William Besalke - Colorized Photo

Photograph of William and Augusta Besalke standing in front of their house at 1611 E. Locust St., Decatur, IL .

William Besalke

Photograph of William Besalke standing in front of a house.

William and Fred

Photograph of William Besalke and Fred Benell, who are brothers.

William Besalke Retires from the Wabash Locomotive Shops

Photograph of William Besalke taken on June 14, 1945 when he retired from Wabash locomotive shop after working there for more than 46 years as a blacksmith welder.

"Papa" Besalke and the Men

Photograph of William Besalke, William Derr, Otto Smith, Wilifred Smith, Carl Molin, Eddie Ernst, William Johnke, and Martin Michalboeck standing in a field in June 1939.