Music • Photography • Writing
Louie
And Louise
Early Years
Teens
Twenties
Thirties
Forties
Fifties
Sixties
Seventies
Eighties
The Teens
The Poltevecques weren't photographers during Louie's childhood, so the next photo we have of him is as a young man, looking sharp in a checked suit and starched collar, which in those days was not part of the shirt. Louise wears beads or irregular pearls and looks like a confident, independent young woman.
`
In Chicago, Louise had an active social life with her sisters Emma and Alvina, who also had moved to the big city, and with numerous friends. In this photo she carries a tennis racket, though she may have picked it up just for the picture. Through much of her youth she seems to have enjoyed fairly good health despite the injury to her leg, though it's doubtful she played tennis much. Emma's seated in front of her. This is probably the earliest handheld "snapshot" photograph in this collection.
Louie (in the center of the photo) and Louise seem to have had an active social life. Louie seems to be scowling a bit while Louise smiles shyly at the camera. Contrast Louie's attached collar to the stiffer, rounded, old-fashioned starched collars on the fellows on either side of him.
Louie and Louise found time to enjoy each other's company. This photo was taken in the backyard of a friend's house. There are no wedding pictures for Louie and Louise but this photo must have been taken around the time they were married.