This is actually the most interesting cabinet card I think I’ve ever come across. Here on the front we have a young man I believe to be William Harvey Meyers, born 18 September 1875 and who died in 1950, having spent his life in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

At the time this picture was taken, he would have been a young 20ish, almost 21 years old.

What makes this photograph so unusual? Look at the back:

Here is a complete list of the Walter School in Milford Township, Somerset, Pennsylvania for the 1895-1896 school year!

The reason I believe this photo is William Meyers is because he was the teacher. Look at the very bottom of the card – “Presented to- – – – – – – by W.H. MEYERS, TEACHER.

It appears that William had his picture taken and perhaps presented these cards to either the fifth graders – who included his 17 year old brother, Edward Jacob Meyers, and his 16 year old sister, Nettie C. Meyers – or maybe to all the students.

I’ve never seen anything like this. So who were the Meyers?

Joseph Meyers and his wife, Elizabeth (Miller) lived in Milford Township and were the parents of five children:

1. William Harvey, born 8 January 1876; died 1950; married Isabella Poorbaugh, 1 January 1905
2. Edward Jacob, born 18 September 1878; died 10 November 1959 ; married Mary Susan Rishel, 2 August 1906
3. Nettie C., born 3 May 1880; died 10 April 1952; married William G. Miller, 16 February 1908
4. Susan Mary, born 1 March 1882; died 27 November 1956; married Alvin Reiman Knepper, 27 September 1902
5. Samuel Abraham, born June 1887; died 20 November 1982; married Mary Magdalene Walker, 17 August 1910

Because of the Walter School information on the back, I’ve donated this photo to Local History Room at the Meyersdale Public Library, Somerset County, Pennsylvania.