McNear Sr., George Plummer (1857 - 1947)(2 of 3)
/Frederick H. Bushnell’s Portrait Photograph of George Plummer McNear sr.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: Frederick H. Bushnell
Photography Studio: Bushnell Photography Studio, 1508 and 1510 Market Street, San Francisco
THE SITTER:
Name: George Plummer McNear Sr.
Description: This cabinet card was taken of George Plummer McNear Sr. when he was forty-eight years of age. He sits in a regal, hand-carved chair fit for a member of the aristocracy, and he is dressed in full, formal dinner jacket attire typical of the American upper class at the turn of the century. His left hand, which is adorned with a large pinkie ring, sustains a stiff, peculiar gesture, and, in an unusual pose, George, with crossed legs, turns his body to his right, but his gaze and head turn to his left. This adds a twist to the composition which heightens George’s presence and lends an air of energy and dynamism to the portrait.
Biographical Note: Following in the footsteps of his famous, Petaluma, pioneer father, John August McNear (1832-1918), George Plummer McNear Sr. was a prominent Petaluma citizen and successful businessman. He invested early in the community’s poultry industry, served on the Sonoma County National Bank board and was Vice President of the Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railroad. He was also a generous philanthropist, donating sections of his extensive land holdings to accommodate the community post office, fire station, McNear Park and McNear School.
Family Affiliation: George Plummer McNear was the only child of Petaluma pioneers John Augustus McNear (1832-1918) and his first wife, Clarinda Damsen Williams McNear (1837-1866), to survive to adulthood. George’s first wife was Jennie Otis McNear (1857-1883) who died tragically at the age of 26. Together George and Jennie had one child, Clara McNear Leppo (1881-1979), named in honor of George’s mother. George’s second wire was Ida Belle Denman McNear (1859-1949). Together they had four children. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/105717995/george-plummer-mcnear.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: Within a dark matte frame with a cream border, this cabinet card features the subject seated on an ornately carved, wooden chair. In the background appears to be a backdrop which depicts a drape falling from the top right corner and on the right boarder appears the edge of a table and wall mantel. An oil painting portrait of George Plummer McNear Sr. by S. Seymour Thomas (1868-1956), with a format very similar to this photographic portrait of George, is on loan from the McNear Foundation to the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum. It is prominently displayed in the Petaluma Pioneer Parlor.
Description, back: The back of this cabinet card is either empty or contains only an accession number.
Date: 1905
Condition: This cabinet card is in good condition.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 2006-273-1010
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