Mother's Books were designed to let parents record the details of the "physical, mental, and moral growth" of their children. The book from which this picture was taken recorded the life of Harrington Shortall, born in Chicago on February 25, 1895, to one of Chicago's oldest elite families. His great-grandfather John Staples built the first house on Prairie Avenue. His grandfather John G. Shortall was one of the founders of Chicago Title and Trust. His father, attorney John L. Shortall, his mother Mary, and his two sisters lived with his grandparents and servants such as Frances E. Meseroll (seen here with Harrington) who cared for them in the family home. Had Shortall's book continued into his adulthood, it would have noted that he fought in World War I and became a musician, teacher, and composer whose most famous work was entitled "Fanfare for Those Who Will Not Return."

Author: Mary Shortall
Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-38213)