An 1890s Autograph Album

From Wikipedia:

"An autograph book is a book for collecting the autographs of others. Traditionally they were exchanged among friends, colleagues, and classmates to fill with poems, drawings, personal messages, small pieces of verse, and other mementos. They were popular among university students from the 15th century until the mid-19th century, after which their popularity began to wane as they were gradually replaced by yearbooks."

Below you'll find an autograph book once owned by young woman named Millie, from Lake Park, Minnesota. This is from my collection.

Lake Park, Minn.
Jan 18, 1892

Kind hearts are the gardens,

Kind thoughts are the roots,

Kind words are the blossoms,

Kind deeds are the fruits.

Your friend,

Alpha Carlsen

Dear Cousin,

When the golden sun is setting

And your mind from care is free

When of others you are thinking

Won't you sometimes think of me

Your Cousin,

Caroline Laite

Lake Park  June 15th/90

Lake Park  

October 18th, 1890

Do not this effort criticize

Never view it with contempt

I was compelled by beautious eyes

So mark the rash attempt

-B. O. Bergersen

 Dear Millie--

I only ask this

little spot to

write those words

for-get-me-not.

Your friend, 

Annie Danielson

December 4, 1890

Always be a good girl

and you will grow up

to be a good woman.

Your friend,

B. Stillwell

Lake Park, Minn. 1/17/93

"Lives of great men remind us

We can make our lives sublime

And departing, leave behind us

Footprints in the sands of time."

Charlotte H. Herschell

Lake Park, Minn.

March 14, 1892

Dear Friend Millie --

Remember me when over this

Troublesome world I stray,

Remember me and I will remember

You till my grave is wet with dew

Your dear friend and school-mate,

Lettie Martinson

March 15, 1892

Honor thy father and thy mother.

Your friend, 

Ella E. Hoigley

Lake Park, Dec. 2 '90

 

Lake Park, Minn.

March 14, 1892

Dear Millie:

"I must every day

Be sure that all I say

Is pure and true."

Your friend and school-mate,

Minnie Otillie Martinson

Lake Park, Minn.

Jan. 21, 93

Dear Friend,

When distant hills divide

us and I no longer see

remember it was Clara

that wrote these lines to thee

Friend Clara B.

Trip light over trouble

Tread light over wrong

It will only make it double

If grieving over it long

Your friend,

Minnie Olson

September 14, 1891-

To My Niece:

"Good character is property

It is the noblest of all possessions

Reputation is what man and woman

think of us; character is what God

and the angels know of us."

Your loving Aunt,

Carrie

Dear Friend:

Last in your album,

Last in your thoughts,

Last to be remembered,

And first to be forgot.

Your friend + schoolmate

Ella May Kelley

Lake Park Minn. 

Dec. 8th 1890