Eno, (Mary) Eltha Crippen Nay (1861-1943)
/George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of (Mary) Eltha Crippen Nay Eno & Edwina C. Crippen
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
GEORGE COLVAINE ROSS was born February 12, 1832 in Edinburgh, Scotland and died in 1893 at the age of 60 in Petaluma, California. Unlike the other nineteenth century Petaluma photographers, Ross lived and worked in Petaluma for many years. He arrived in Petaluma in 1855, and in 1862 he began his profession as a photographer, moving his studio within the city several times as noted on his various carte de visite and cabinet card imprints. In 1869 he was also part of a short-lived photographic studio partnership with Elon D. Ormsby on Main Street in Petaluma. It was reported that Ross stopped working as a photographer soon after he developed a disability in 1888. Ross was among the most prolific Petaluma portrait photographers, and his work was of exceptionally high quality. Ross was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park. (For additional information on this photographer and to view all portraits by him in the collection, click on his name in blue above.)
THE SITTERS:
Names: (Mary) Eltha Crippen Nay Eno & Edwina C. Crippen. When this portrait was taken, Eltha would have been known by her maiden name, Eltha Crippen. Edwina Crippen never married.
Description: This double portrait depicting the Crippen sisters is masterful. The older sister, Edwina, is seated on a one-armed studio chair while her sister, Eltha, six years her junior, stands next to her. With an elegant, confident posture and a self-possessed gaze, Edwina looks directly at the viewer while Eltha glances to the left with an air of apprehension. With a slightly submissive posture, Eltha leans towards Edwina and, with a childlike gesture, places her hand on her sister’s shoulder. Edwina wears a full-length, striped, waisted dress with a hem of six wide ruffles and full-length sleeves that terminate in a border of white lace. A black ribbon defines the yoke of her dress, and a matching ribbon has been tied under her white lace collar. Eltha wears a cuirass bodice over a calf-length skirt. Her short skirt and boots were the apparel of a girl; adult woman at this time wore their skirts full-length. Both sisters wear a thin black choker and dangling earrings. Their shoulder-length hair is curled and restrained with a ribbon headband.
Biographical Note: Eltha was born in Michigan on August 20, 1861, and traveled with her family to Petaluma in her early childhood. She lived with her sister, Edwina, for many years in their family home at 305 Liberty Street. They appear to have been very adventurous; they often traveled long distances together by car when it was unusual for ladies to do so. Their trips were often mentioned in the Petaluma newspapers. Early in her business career, Eltha owned the Woman’s Exchange in Petaluma. She actively managed the store for several years before hiring a manager in January 1922 and selling the business in September 1923. Beginning in March 1922, Eltha was listed in the Petaluma Daily Morning Courier as an authorized member of the Petaluma Realty Board, and for twenty years she worked in Petaluma as a realtor and insurance agent. Eltha died at 82 on September 25, 1943, in Crescent City, California, where she and her husband had recently traveled in hopes of improving her health. She was buried in Petaluma’s Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
Family Affiliation: Eltha’s parents were Petaluma pioneers, Perry W. Crippen (1823-1888) and Harriet Amelia Bump Crippen (1833-1924). She had three older brothers: Everton J. Crippen (1849-1922); Marvin A. Crippen (1854-1910); and Commodore Perry Crippen (1859-1906). She had one sister, Edwina C. Crippen (1855-1939). Eltha married Heber L. Nay in Santa Rosa June 5, 1884. They were divorced in 1921 after he filed for divorce on the grounds of desertion. They had no children. Eltha later married Joseph T. Eno.
Bibliography: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/136412553/eltha-eno, Petaluma Argus-Courier: October 4, 1921, p.8; October 25, 1921, p.2; January 28, 1922, p.2; September 26, 1923, p. 1; May 28, 1938, p.2; September 27, 1943, p. 3; September 28, 1943, p.6. Petaluma Daily Morning Courier: January 27, 1922, p.5. Petaluma Daily Mourning Courier: January 28, 1922, p. 4; March 25, 1922, p.6. The Press Democrat, September 29, 1943, p.5.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: The only background detail in this carte de visite is a horizontal strip of wall molding.
Description, back: George Ross’ imprint is on the center of the back of this carte de visite.
Date: 1870-1875
Condition: The portrait is slightly soiled throughout, and the top edge of the card has been trimmed.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1979-425-01-p33-p21, Church Family & Friends Album
Reproduction rights: The Petaluma Museum Association makes no assertions as to ownership of any original copyrights to the digitized images here reproduced. These images are intended for personal or research use only. Any other kind of use, including, but not limited to commercial or scholarly publication in any medium or format, public exhibition, or use online or in a web site, may be subject to additional restrictions including but not limited to the copyrights held by parties other than the Association. USERS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for determining the existence of such rights and for obtaining any permissions and/or paying associated fees necessary for the proposed use.