Anna Ayres and Joseph Gulde married on May 30, 1921

Joseph Gulde left the US for Europe towards the end of World War One.  He remained there as a soldier long past the war as nations bickered over the doomed Treaty of Versailles.  During his time in Europe, he maintained correspondence with a beautiful young woman named Anna Ayres of Raysville, Indiana.  They met before the war at a party in a home near Knightstown, Indiana, where Joseph was playing the piano.  The two fell in love and upon his return to the US, he proposed marriage to her.  Although his prospects at this point in his life remained unclear, Joseph decided that he would leave his family's hometown of Madison, Indiana and move north.

Joseph Gulde courting Anna Ayres in 1921 in Raysville, Indiana

Marriage License for Joseph Gulde and Anna Ayres--1921

Small blurb in Rushville Republican about the wedding.

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and Rectory, Cambridge City, Indiana in 2012

For a short stint, he rolled cigars in Cambridge City, Indiana, and maintained his music career both performing and giving private piano lessons.  His sister Mary Newbold Gulde lived in Rushville, Indiana and so Joseph and Anna decided to call that community home.  Before they moved, they married in the rectory next to St. Elizabeth's Church in Cambridge City on May 30, 1921.  Anna was not yet a Roman Catholic so the couple would not have been allowed to marry in the church.  It would be many years before she would convert.  Her father was a Quaker and her mother belonged to a couple of different Protestant churches.

It was a solid marriage as they remained together until Anna's passing in 1982.  Joseph died months later in 1983.  Below are a few photos and documents that record their courtship, marriage, and subsequent anniversaries.

Newspaper article in Rushville Republican, 1971

Anniversary Invitation--1971

60th wedding anniversary announcement in Rushville Republican, 1981

Gulde family celebration, Rushville Republican, 1981

Gulde Girls Enjoy Playing Outside--1926

Joseph Gulde (1896-1983) and Anna Gulde (1900-1982) lived in four houses in Rushville, Indiana. In 1926, they dwelled at 312 East 8th Street with their three daughters Josephine, Barbara, and Marjory. Eventually, Joseph Gulde, Jr. would arrive on East 8th Street as well. Soon the house on East 8th Street grew too small for the growing family and they moved to East 7th Street before finally moving to 330 East 6th.

In these photos Josephine, Barbara, and Marjory enjoy spending time outside and posing for both winter and summer photographs. The houses featured in these photos sat and still sit at the intersection of North Willow and East 8th St. in Rushville as of 2012.

Rare Photo of Catherine Leineweber Gulde

Catherine Leineweber Gulde (1857-1943), the wife of Eusebius Gulde, (1858-1954) poses with two grandchildren perhaps in the 1920s. So few images of her exist. She grew up in China, Indiana (Jefferson County) among the German speaking Leinewebers. Her family attended the Catholic Church in China and for a while the young newlyweds even lived there. In the second half of her life she was beset by health problems and she became a somber person. Her grandchildren noted that she stood in stark contrast to the vibrant and sunny Eusebius. He was devoted to her, however, and when she called his name for help, he would be there at her side. More research is needed on the Leinewebers. Thankfully, we have a few pictures of Catherine including this ghostly image.

Carl Gulde in Happier Times

Carl Gulde (1898-1954), although known for his humor and sunny disposition, suffered from injuries or effects from World War I upon his return home. He and his wife Henrietta also grieved over the loss of two babies. These two photos, likely taken in the 1940s, show Carl and perhaps Henrietta Gannon Gulde's family having a good time. It looks like these were taken at the Veteran's Home in Lafayette, Indiana. Take a look at his shoes!!

Early Photo of Anna Ayres--c.1912

Anna Ayres pauses to pose on what looks like a nice summer afternoon for this photo. She is dressed in men's clothing! This would not be her last time to do this. The photo was likely taken near Raysville, Indiana around 1912.

Earliest Known Photo of Joseph Gulde--c.1908

This tiny photo found in the Gulde family collection is the earliest known photo taken of Joseph Gulde (1896-1983). His sense of humor is quite evident with this picture as he poses in a bonnet. I am not sure he could have imagined a day with blogs where everyone could see his light-hearted prank, but I hope he would find it funny that his family kept this little gem for over one hundred years.

Joseph Gulde in World War I

Joseph Gulde (1896-1983) served his country during the Great War. He arrived in Europe towards the end of the war. He guarded German prisoners and played the bugle each morning to awaken the troops. At the conclusion of the war, he along with the other doughboys, were kept in Europe throughout the wrangling over the Treaty of Versailles. Like many soldiers, he longed to go home, but he also took advantage of the opportunity to explore his environments. In this photo he and a buddy stand on a hill overlooking the Rhine towards the city of Coblentz, Germany. He spent many months near this city. He attended Catholic mass in the main cathedral of the city and he collected postcards and photos of his time there. The photo was likely taken in 1919. Joseph is standing to left.