I just love old photos, and this is one of my favorites. It was posted to the “Casbon Family” Facebook group several years ago by Michael Casbon, grandson of Herbert.[1] The two subjects are Donald Glen Casbon (1913–1990) and Herbert “Herb” Aylesworth Casbon (1910–1989). Both were sons of Amos James (1869–1956) and Carrie Belle (Aylesworth, 1873–1958) Casbon.
There are so many things I like about this photograph. Unlike most snapshots, it is taken close up, so we can see wonderful detail in the faces, the clothing and the automobile. Are those freckles? We don’t have those on my side of the family. I wonder where they came from? I’m almost certain the car is a 1926 or 1927 (the last two production years) Model T four-door sedan. Don and Herb are both wearing identical overalls and shirts and they look like they are either getting ready to start, or just finishing the day’s work. Herb has the hint of a smile, a self-assured look, like he’s happy to have his photo taken. Don – well, maybe he’s had a long day, or wasn’t in the mood for a portrait! At least it looks like he brushed his hair back for the picture.
The photo is undated, but my guess would be the early 1930s. Don would have been 17 in 1930 and Herb 20. Don looks like he’s in his late teens, but he could be in his early 20s. Both were still living on their parents’ farm in Porter Township, Porter County, Indiana, when the 1930 census was counted.[2] That’s probably where the photograph was taken.
The photo reminds me of so many pictures taken during the United States’ dust bowl years of the 1930s (even though the dust bowl wasn’t in Indiana). As a matter of fact, it reminds me of a very specific symbol of those times. Did anyone else have this impression?
The straps on his overalls are a little different, but otherwise Henry Fonda is wearing the same outfit as Herb.
If anyone has favorite memories or stories about Don and Herb to share, I would love to hear them!
[1] Michael Casbon, posting at “Casbon Family,” Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3626508547088 : accessed 23 April 2018), photograph of Donald & Herbert Casbon.
[2] 1930 U.S. Census, Porter County, Indiana, population schedule, Porter Township, enumeration district 64-19, sheet 5A, p. 180 (stamped), family 108, Caston, Amos; imaged as “United States Census, 1930,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RH7-F18?i=8&cc=1810731 : accessed 14 April 2017), Indiana > Porter > Porter > ED 19 > image 9 of 20; citing NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 622.
Great photo!
I agree. Thanks, Ilaine.
To me Dad (Don) looks like he was about 15 or 16 here and Herb 18 or 19. They both helped with aarcheological dig at a Mound builders site in Porter County. This may have been taken at the end of a long day of digging.
Thanks for the additional info, Carol! I’ll browse the Valpo newspaper to see if I can find out anything about the digging.
Yes Uncle Herb had a lot of freckles and so did Aunt Neva Casbon Dinsmoore. Redheads! My mom Marilyn Albertson Houston also inherited the red hair and freckles. I believe Carrie Belle herself had red hair
Thanks for the comment. I wondered it they came from the Aylesworth side. I’m descended from Adaline Aylesworth, but apparently no freckles or red hair were handed down.
Wow, talk about a family resemblance!
Love this photo! Makes me think of Walker Evans’ and Dorothea Lange’s Depression-era photographs. https://livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/water_14.html
Yes. I agree. Thanks.