THE BADER 8

Two more sons were born to the Rev. Carl and Edna (Maudie) Bader, bringing the total number of the family unit to eight—the infamous Bader 8!

Carl George Bader Jr. was born Feb 3, 1924 (two years after Jeannie) in David City, NE. I've never found any snapshots of Baby Carl, let alone studio portraits. But when Carl Jr. was born, Maudie's eldest child was not quite eight years old, and her youngest not quite two. No wonder there was no time or energy (or probably money) for formal baby portraits!

Eight years later—almost to the day—Philip Arthur Bader made his appearance, born Feb. 11, 1932, in Falls City, NE. The photos of Baby Philip and Maudie, above, were taken August 11, 1932 ("6 mo. old that day," papa Carl has written on the back, "Wt: 19 lb 9 ounces.")

On the back of this photo (left), Carl writes drily, "A very good, sober one," and adds, "Our house in the background."


 By the time Philip came along, the dust must have settled a bit (his eldest brother, Bobby, was 16 already, his nearest sibling, Carl Jr., was 8), so these two studio portraits were taken.


 They are undated, of course. But the photographer's imprint is "Severson, Scottsbluff, Nebr," and Barbara reports that the family lived in Scottsbluff from 1933-1935, so I guess late '33 or '34.

Here's a rare, candid photo of some of the young Bader kids together. Judging from the apparent age of Baby Philip in the middle (probably not more than two, if that?), I date this photo ca. 1933 or '34. That's Ernie, 14 or 15, on the left, Philip, Jeannie, 12, and Carl Jr., 10. 

The bunnies suggest it was probably Easter. (Although Barbara always said that Ernie was a friend to all stray animals, so for all we know, these were his pets.)

Here's a more wintery shot of big brother Ernie and toddler Philip, probably taken in the same year.




As I said, photos of the Bader kids are rare, but once they get into their teens, there are a lot more to choose from. I'll post some of those next time.