Exploring 101 Postcards of Mahala Leeper: A Glimpse into Iowa's Early 1900s
- Amy Atkin
- Jul 7
- 2 min read
A Rare Find: A Postcard Album from the Early 1900s
Every so often, we come across something truly special—an unexpected window into the past that feels as though it was meant to be found. This week, that rare find came in the form of a modest-looking postcard album that turned out to be anything but ordinary.
When we first spotted the book, we assumed it might contain a few postcards, maybe even none at all, as is often the case with old albums. But when we opened it, we were amazed to discover 101 postcards carefully preserved inside. One hundred and one messages from another time, spanning across years and family connections.
Among the postcards was also a single photo. We don’t know who these family members are, but they are part of the story just the same.
The Keeper of the Collection: Mahala Belle Leeper
The album belonged to Mahala Belle Leeper, a woman who clearly valued connection, family, and memory. She preserved these postcards, many of which came from her Aunt Cora, Aunt Ada, Uncle Thomas, and sister-in-law Mabel. A few were even addressed to her mother, Margaret. Together, these cards form a patchwork of daily thoughts, affection, and personal news.
The earliest postmarked card we found dates back to October 1909—more than 115 years ago. Each message is a whisper from the past, a voice carried through time.
Mahala was born on December 8, 1900, in Butler County, Iowa, to John and Margaret (Tilford) Leeper. She grew up in rural Iowa, one of at least four siblings and the only daughter in the family. Her father was a farmer, and census records paint a picture of a hardworking life on the land.
A Life in Iowa
On March 10, 1924, Mahala married George Stoppelmoor in Waterloo, Iowa. George, like Mahala’s father, was also a farmer. Together, they built a life and raised a family in rural Iowa. Mahala gave birth to at least four children:
Ruth Lavon
Vern Leeper
John Leroy
Mary Margaret
Mary was born prematurely and tragically lived only seven hours. While her birth certificate was later corrected to reflect her name, her death certificate simply refers to her as the “Unnamed infant of George Stoppelmoor.” She now rests beside her mother and father.
Mahala passed away on February 21, 1951, in Clarksville, Iowa, after a battle with breast cancer. She was only 50 years old.
A Gift of Memory
Inside the front cover of the postcard album is a short, handwritten message:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
To Mahala Belle Leeper
From Margaret M. Hunt (Mahala’s Aunt Margaret)
This simple note tells us that the album was a gift—a gesture of love and care from one generation to the next. And now, over a century later, it remains a powerful gift. A treasure trove of voices, memories, and a glimpse into the beautiful life of an Iowa family long ago.
We feel honored to be the temporary stewards of this collection and hope that, in sharing a bit of Mahala’s story, her memory lives on.
Postcards aren't just pieces of paper—they're pieces of people.
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