Armstrong, George J. (1857-1925)
/J.M. McMurry’s Portrait Photograph of
George J. Armstrong and Maybelle “Belle” Church Armstrong
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: J. M. McMurry
Studio Location: Port Townsend, Washington
THE SITTERS:
Names: George J. Armstrong and Maybelle “Belle” Church Armstrong
Description: In this double portrait, George J. Armstrong sits on a rustic, broken chair while dressed in businessman’s attire. He wears a vested suit and a white, banded collar. A watch fob attached to his vest button hole drapes across his belly. He sports a walrus mustache. In a stilted pose, his wife, Maybelle “Belle” Church Armstrong, stands at his side with the knuckles of her right hand resting on her cheek and her elbow resting on a post. In her left hand she holds an ornate, feathered fan. She is dressed in an elegantly draped skirt and matching, front-buttoned, corseted, Basque jacket. Her lapels, collar, cuffs and skirt are trimmed in a darker color fabric. Her collar and cuffs are trimmed in white lace. Unusual for the time, she wears her hair in a short “boy cut” style.
Biographical Note: George J. Armstrong was born near Chicago, Illinois on May 26, 1857. As a young man, he moved to California and worked in poultry and ranching. He later worked as a machinist, businessman, and politician. He served Sonoma County as a supervisor for two years, but in 1909 the Grand Jury of Sonoma filed an accusation against him alleging misconduct. Proclaiming his innocence, Armstrong tendered his resignation and moved to Oakland. Soon thereafter, he moved to Oregon and re-entered politics and served as a Commissioner of Bandan County. Towards the end of his life, Armstrong returned to Petaluma living his final years at 27 Webster Street.
Family Affiliation: George Armstrong was married to Maybelle Church Armstrong in 1887. They had two sons, Harry George Armstrong (1886-1950) and Samuel Walter Armstrong (d.1942), and one daughter, Gladys Louise Armstrong (1894-1905).
Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier, Nov. 30, 1904, p. 1; Sept. 28, 1925, p. 4 (obit). Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, Feb. 10, 1908, p.2; Jan. 8, 1909, p. 3; Jan 11, 1909, p.3; Jan. 12, 1909, p.3; March 13, 1909, p. 3; Nov. 28, 1910, p. 3
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, Front: This portrait was taken in the studio of J. M. McMurry to appear as though it was taken out-of-doors. The painted backdrop depicts an open-sky landscape with a single tree on the left and a dilapidated fence on the right. Even the studio chair in which George sits was constructed to appear rustic.
Description, back: This card was a gift, undoubtedly, to Maybelle’s brother, Walter A. Church (1856-1923) and his wife, Minnie Belle Warders Church (1864-1958). Handwritten in cursive in pencil at the top of the card is written, “for Walter & Minnie”. Below this is written, “George and Belle Armstrong”, and “married March 31 - 1887”.
Date: J. M. McMurry operated his studio in Port Townsend between 1886 and 1902. Given the inscription on the back of this cabinet card, this portrait may have been taken while George and Maybelle were on their honeymoon. This assumption would date the portrait to spring 1887.
Condition: There is extensive foxing on the bottom third of the front of this card. The back side is stained extensively and the right edge has been exposed to light.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1979-425-03-p19-p11, Church Family Album
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