Whitney, Susan Durgin Eastman (1832-1899)
/Lewis Dowe’s Portrait Photograph of Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
LEWIS DOWE was born in 1838 in Hanover, New Hampshire and died in 1919 in Portland, Oregon. He arrived in Petaluma in September of 1875 and set up his photography studio in the rooms formerly occupied by photographer Hugh Anderson. Dowe worked in Petaluma as both a “view” and portrait photographer until he departed the town in March of 1882. (For additional information on this photographer and to view all portraits by him in the collection, click on his name in blue above.)
THE SITTER:
Name: Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney
Description: In this cabinet card, Susan Whitney is portrayed wearing a simple, dark, jacket and a lace jabot. Her hair is center-parted and simply combed back behind her ears, but at the crown of her head appears a prominent hair comb. She also wears pendent earrings, a circular brooch, and a long, gold, chain.
Biographical Note: In 1861, Susan traveled to California by the Panama Route with her four children to join her husband, Albion Paris Whitney, who had been working in the lumber business in Placer County. They settled in Petaluma, and Albion became a well-known and respected Petaluma businessman and California state senator. They were prominent Petaluma citizens, and raised their large family in their fashionable home at 320 Sixth Street. It was recorded that as a widow, Susan managed the businesses her husband had created, and, as executrix of his estate, “carried out his wishes to the letter.” Also, after Albion’s death, Susan became a significant leader in the women’s suffrage movement in Petaluma. She was reputed to have been a very charitable and kind woman and was an active member of the Masonic Order of the Eastern Star and of the Episcopal Church.
Family Affiliation: Susan Whitney was the wife of early Petaluma pioneer and state senator, Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884). She was the daughter-in-law of Olive Parlin Whitney. Her children were: Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Nancy Jane “Jenny” Whitney Morrow, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton, Albion Harvey Whitney and Clara Whitney Spears.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: On the left bottom edge of this cabinet card is the photographer’s imprint in the form of his signature, “L. Dowe”, and on the right is printed, “PETALUMA, CAL”. Significantly, this photographic portrait served as the basis for the oil painting portrait of Susan created by C. W. Bowles in 1881. This painting along with its companion piece depicting Susan’s husband, Albion Paris Whitney, was donated by a descendant of the Whitney family and hangs in the Pioneer Parlor of the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum. Susan Whitney PDF
Description, back: Handwritten in pencil along the top edge of this cabinet card is: “Susan D.Whitney”.
Date: September 1875 - March 1882
Condition: This cabinet card is slightly soiled throughout and the right edge is stained significantly.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-32
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