Pearl Snell

Pearl Snell, ca. 1910

I found this “real photo” postcard on Ebay while searching for Racine, and because it had a name and an address on the back, I bought it.

This young lady is Pearl Snell, who apparently lived at 1110 14th Street in Racine. I looked up this address on a map and it is now a bare lot facing Johnson Wax’s movie theater, the Golden Rondelle.

The Social Security Death Index says that there was a Pearl Snell who lived in Racine, born in November 30, 1896, and dying in May of 1973. Her social security number was 391-16-9339.

If this postcard is from about 1910, then Pearl would be about 14 years old in this picture. She seems to be dressed up in her best clothes, including a brooch and a fur hat.

Here is Pearl in the 1915 Kipikawi yearbook from Racine High School:

Pearl Snell, Glee Club president, 1915 Kipikawi

Pearl Snell, Glee Club president, 1915 Kipikawi

Hecate, from Pearl Snell, 1915

Hecate, from Pearl Snell, 1915

I found a mention of Pearl’s activities here, on a Racine Masonry History Page:

RACINE MASONRY HISTORY AND PAST ASSOCIATES Page 9 The meetings were held in Winter’s Hall on the third Wednesday of the month until after the fire of the hall when the meeting place was changed to the woman’s Club Hall, and meetings were held on the first Tuesday of the month. When the New Masonic Temple was completed the meetings were changed to the first and third Tuesday of the month. The shrine meets in the Egyptian Hall. The Officers for 1923 were: W.H.P., Mable Fancher ; W. of S., Earle J. Aber ; N. Prophetess, Jennie White ; W. Scribe, Lydia Hanson ; W. Treas., Clara Bagnall ; W. Chaplain, Ella Schulz ; W. Shepherdess, Franc Evans ; W. Guide, Ollie Gauss ; W. Herald, Eva McCaughey? ; Wise Men, F. L. Fancher , DeWilton? Dow , T. S. Rees ; Hand Maidens, Irma Johnson , Eugenia Lewis , Amy Jones ; King, Elmer R. Durgin ; Queen, Thyra Christensen ; Organist, Lillian Beck ; W. Guardian, Elsie Williams ; W. Guard, Emily Hassold ; Queens Attendants, Pearl Snell , Flower Girl, Elsie Hanson , Anna Jensen , Valborg Knudson , Marion Knudson , Lillian Evans , Olga Rassmussen ; Truetees, T. W. Leslie , Helen Blythe , Grace Harding . The Shrine has had a steady growth as the present membership is 380 members and has members in Kenosha, Sturtevant, Union Grove, Burlington, Silver Lake, Basset, and Wilmot. Jennie White is the present H. Priestess and Earle J. Abner Watchman of Shepherds.

A Milwaukee Journal from September 12, 1948, says that Pearl became the Vice President of Racine’s First National bank.

Racine Journal Times Bulletin, August 23, 1964, Pearl Snell entertains at her house on 1219 N. Wisconsin.

Find-a-Grave photo for Pearl Snell, 1896-1973

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