Brown, Thomas H.(b. 1855)
/Hugh S. Anderson’s Portrait Photograph of Thomas H. Brown
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
HUGH S. ANDERSON was born in 1826 in Scotland and died in 1900 in San Francisco, California. He was active in Petaluma as early as January 1872, and he departed Petaluma in December 1873. His Sunbeam Gallery was located, “At the Old Stand, Opposite H. C. Taft & Co.’s”. (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: Thomas H. Brown
Description: This portrait was taken of Thomas H. Brown when he was between 17 and 18 years old. He is attired in a sack coat with large lapels and contrasting collar, a high-collared white shirt, and a chevron- shaped necktie that was ineptly colorized. Color has also been added to his cheeks producing, along with his tender gaze, the appearance of an innocent young man.
Biographical Note: Thomas H. Brown was born in New York and traveled with his parents to California. The family arrived in Petaluma around 1865. When his family moved to Alameda, Thomas remained in Petaluma working for the Western Union Telegraph Company until 1889 when he left for San Francisco. He eventually moved with his wife to Reno, Nevada where he served as the manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company for many years.
Family Affiliation: Thomas H. Brown was the eldest son of Petaluma pioneers John K. Brown (1820-1902) a riverboat captain, and Helen W. Walter Brown (1837-1892). He had one sister, Ida Brown Coffin (b. 1858 or 59). He had three brothers: William W. Brown (d. 1905), George W. Brown (b. 1868), and George H. Brown (1869-1922)
Bibliography: Nevada State Journal, May 1, 1891, p. 3; July 14, 1905, p. 5; Oct. 1, 1915, p. 8; August 27, 1930, p. 8. Petaluma Argus-Courier, July 14, 1905, p. 5; Jan. 10, 1933, p.5. Petaluma Courier, Dec. 7, 1887, p. 3; April 3, 1889, p. 3. Petaluma Journal and Argus, Dec. 28, 1865, p. 2. Petaluma Weekly Argus, Dec. 28, 1865, p. 2. Reno Gazette-Journal, April 1, 1901, p.5; Dec. 21, 1901, p. 7.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This head-and-shoulders portrait has been set within a vertical oval.
Description, back: Hugh Anderson’s imprint appears in the center in red ink.
Date: January 1872 - December 1873
Condition: All four corners of this carte de visite have been clipped. Both sides are slightly soiled.
Owner: Private collection, 2024-760-02, digital copy by permission.
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.