To: Mr. O.P. Markman July 4, 1913, Flatbush, Brooklyn

Question

Hi Wikitreers,

I have in my vintage antique post card collection another favorite titled “Mess Hall At Camp Wopowog” we need collaboration in finding the genealogy behind the post card

Bio reads: “This is some place to really enjoy life”

The postage date appears to be July 4, 1913 which is set to the backdrop of World War I 

Who was the recipient? A Mr. O.P. Markman who lived at 1616 Newkirk Ave, Flatbush, Brooklyn? Is there a 1920 census? What was his first name? 

Who was the sender a Lester Peper? Maybe a friend? A family member?

Any collaboration is appreciated 

Thank you

Note: closest match in FindAGrave is https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/200035700/otto_p-markman

Answer 1

Andrew:

     Here is a draft registration card for Otto P, Markman of 1616 Newkirk Avenue, Brooklyn, New York:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9J6-77L

He lists his birthplace as East Haddam.

                       Roger

Comments

He is listed in the 1910 Census at the same address:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRKS-R7W?view=index&personArk=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AM5WW-KD1&action=view

And his Findagrave is the one that you found:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/200035700/otto-p-markman

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And he served in the 106th Infantry in World War I:

https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/455550:3030

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Thank you Roger

This is really great to connect the dots! I’ll follow up more soon…

The 106th in WWI is ironic as the 106th NY is my interest in civil war history!!

It appears he lived with his brother

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Hi Roger

I’m updating his profile appears he was a plumber or worked in a plumber store. He was single apparently all his life from the sources and per WWI draft reg card supported his mom. He lived with his brother who apparently married himself later in life. I believe the parents were immigrants to America but needs connecting still.

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I believe this is his mothers memorial she was a widow in 1900. German immigrants? Otto was age 12 in 1900 must of been hard and he took the role of supporting his family and mother as his WWI draft card shows 

Ottilie Markman 1850-1918

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/200035719/ottilie-markman

Answer 2

Andrew:

   Maybe a possibility.  There is a Lester Peper at 735 E 22nd, Brooklyn, New York, in the 1912 Brooklyn City Directory. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/126309097:2469.   There are no other Lester Pepers listed in that directory and Google Maps says that address is 6/10 of a mile from 1616 Newkirk.

                         Roger

Comments

He is listed in the 1910 Census at the same address:

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/sources/G99C-4FB

He was born ca. 1886.  Maybe a friend?

Here is his profile on FamilySearch:

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G99C-4FB

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This seems highly likely an unusual surname so I would agree the sender…I’ll see about creating his profile. A good find 

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Here is his profile now on Wikitree Lester Peper (1886 - 1969)

In the 1910 census he is a 23 yr old student maybe college? 

His parents (father was German born); father worked in trucking for mattress company it appears 

Jumping ahead a bit here but their son was a a veteran and POW in WWII his bio on his Findagrave memorial is really amazing https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67300637/arthur_donald-peper

Answer 3

Looked up Camp Wopowog and it was a popular summer Resort.  

https://www.easthaddamstories.org/camp-wopowog

Comments

Thank you for sharing the link. It’s a very special place it gave so many good memories.