Knowing this information made it even more exciting for me and I was very sure I knew which family it was and that one of their members (Frederic Schroeder) was KIA during WWI.
Fortunately one of his relatives had found my web page over the last year and provided me with quite a bit of information on this family which made it possible for me to connect the E-bay item with that family.
This is one of the more important aspects of preserving history. So many people think that by having an old item or a digital image of it is preserving the history of that item but if there is no/little background information, then it's only something old and really has no particular value historically.
Fortunately I had some background information in my database and one of my Manning helpers found some more obits and other information to add to the connections.

The Home Store

Now many obits won't have the detailed information that shows a Manning connection but fortunately this calendar proves the Beebe connection to Manning.
When I find out more facts, I will include them in the obituary...in this case as additional notes at the bottom of the obituary.
These extra clues may help a relative/descendant or researcher fill in the blanks as to why they may have something "Manning" in their possession.

He was born near Modale, Iowa, February 19, 1867, son of Henry and Mary (Winter) Beebe, and was united in marriage to Miss Anna Cutler of Modale, January 7, 1895.

He is survived by his widow; two children, Mrs. Thomas A. Cherry of Omaha, and Lt. Henry C. Beebe, of the Navy of Boston, Massachusetts; three grandchildren; and a sister, Ora (Mrs. H.B.) Wagner, of Los Angeles.

Two daughters preceded him in death, Helen in 1914, and Vesta in 1932.
Daily Nonpareil, Council Bluffs January 14, 1945

Note: In 1914, Charles had "The Home Store" at 417 Main Street, C.L. Beebe, & Company, proprietor, which was owned/operated by various individuals over a number of years in Manning.

Fortunately I had this obituary that provided more proof of Charles' connection to Manning.

The little eight year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. and Anna (Cutler) Beebe passed away Sunday night, following a week's illness, during which every possible effort was exerted to alleviate her suffering and save her young life.

Helen Amelia was born September 14, 1906, in Mondamin. The family moved from there to this place about four or five years ago, Mr. Beebe going into business here in Manning. Little Helen has filled the home with sunshine with her cheeriness this short span of years and the sadness coming by reasons of this vacant place in the family can only be imagined by us on the outside.

Sympathy in full measure is given out to the afflicted ones though this cannot go far toward healing the wound.

Helen with a class of boys and girls united with the Methodist Church here last June on Children's Day, and was baptized with the class. She has always been enthusiastic in Sunday School and Junior League work, her earnestness being an inspiration not only to other girls and boys with whom she was associated but to those older as well.

Flowers in large numbers were brought and laid upon the casket beautifully typifying the young life that was given in exchange for the life everlasting that is to be hers through eternity. The funeral service conducted by the pastor Rev. Graves was held Tuesday afternoon, the pastor being assisted by Rev. Cross of the Presbyterian Church.

The funeral was largely attended by friends of the family. Interment was in the Woodbine Cemetery.
Woodbine Twiner

Here is the back & forth information from the seller about the Schroeder connection.

Hello, I'm the Manning, Iowa, historian and always like to find out the background of old Manning items.
Did you purchase this at an estate sale?
If so, do you remember the family name?
Where/when the sale was, etc.
This type of information might help me figure out how it got out to South Dakota.
Manning had 3 different railroads, all with passenger service between 1880 through the late 1930s, so lots of people came through here and moved in/out of this area - many to the Dakotas and then on out west.
Dave Kusel

Hello Dave, I bought it an auction. The name of the person having the auction was Schroeder. I believe he was from Flandreau SD.
E-bay: buddscoolstuff

This is exciting for me, because I'm sure I know which Schroeder family that moved from here to the Egan and Flandreau area.
Do you remember the first name of the Schroeder where you purchased the item?
If it is the same Schroeder family that Frederic is in, then this item will have extra-special historical significance.
I seldom pay this much for Manning items, as it all comes out of my own pocket, but this is also something I have not seen before and with all of the connections I have about it now, I'm glad to get it.
I even know the location of that business which had a number of owners.
I also have an obituary for Charles Beebe's daughter.
One of my Manning helpers will look for the parents obits and also a George & Lucretia Beebe.
So things are starting to come together for me.
Thanks,
Dave

Yes sale for Virtus about a month ago. They must have kept his stuff around.
E-bay: buddscoolstuff

Hi again,
I've come in contact with a relative of Virtus Schroeder and they told me he passed away in 1999.
I guess I wasn't thinking to ask you roughly when you purchased the item and that fellow's family was having an estate sale.v Anyway, if you can confirm this was the estate sale of Virtus and can remember roughly when you purchased it and other items, that will help me make sure I definitely have the right Schroeder family.
Sorry for bugging you so much but as a historian, having more information about an item is very important, otherwise the item is just something old.
Thanks again,
Dave

On Oct 30, 2023, at 8:31 PM, David Kusel wrote:
Hi Jennifer,
I recently purchased an old Manning item on E-bay and the seller told me he bought it, along with other items from a Vertus Schroeder who he thought was from Flandreau and something about Eagan, also.
Do you know this Schroeder and/or which family he is in?
If so have you been in contact with him?
I'd like to find out if he might have other Manning/area items and old pictures that connect to Manning.
Thanks,
Dave

Hi Dave,
Virtus passed away in 1999. He was my grandma's cousin. I never met him, but he was well known in Flandreau/Egan.
Virtus was the son of Louis Schroeder who was born in Crawford County near Manning to Heinrich and Anna Schroeder, my GG Grandparents. Louis moved to the Flandreau/Egan area around 1910 with many of his family members. Egan is smaller than Flandreau… about 3 miles from Flandreau. Louis ran the hardware store in Egan with his brother Henry after their youngest brother, Frederic, died in WW1. The hardware store was originally Henry and Frederic"s store.
May I ask what the item was that you purchased?
Jennifer

Now just a little background on Frederic Schroeder (KIA WWI).

Private Frederic Carl Schroeder

Born November 23, 1895 in Crawford County
Died September 30, 1918

361st Infantry Regiment, 91st Division
Buried Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, Lorraine, France
The Frederic Carl Schroeder Legion Post in Egan, South Dakota, is named in his honor.

Son of Henry & Anna (Schröder) Schroeder - they lived in the Manning/area and retired in Egan, South Dakota, in 1918. The Schroeders were the parents of nine children. They are Herman and August of Flandreau; Louie, Henry and Mrs. Irving (Emma) Stombaugh, Egan; Mrs. John (Augusta) Vinke, Mrs. Herman (Alfrieda) Jahn, and Johannes of Manning, Iowa. One son, Frederic, gave his life during the first World War.
The American Legion Post 97 in Egan, South Dakota, is named in honor of Private Frederic C. Schroeder.