Hall, Mary Louise Brown (1860-1932)(2 of 3)

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Harry Fowler ROBERTS’ Portrait Photograph of mary louise brown hall

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

HARRY FOWLER ROBERTS was born in 1869 in Mankato, Minnesota, and died in February 1907 in Colfax, California, at age 38. As early as 1892 he opened a photographic studio on Petaluma’s Main Street across from the American Hotel. The exact date Roberts closed his studio in Petaluma has not been determined; however, it may have been as late as 1895. (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: Mary Louise Brown Hall

Description: In this portrait, Mary Louise Brown Hall strikes an elegant standing pose dressed in her Sunday best. Fashionably corseted, she wears a white Basque waistline dress printed with widely spaced sprigs of flowers, and her hem, cuffs, and neckline are embellished with a wide ruffle. She wears a Victorian picture hat with chin strap, a short brim, and a crown containing both dark and light embellishments. She holds the end of a parasol trimmed in dark lace in her right hand.

Biographical Note: Mary Louise, or Lulu as she was called, was the first of twelve children born to the early Petaluma Pioneers, Daniel and Annie Brown.  She was born in Petaluma on March 5, 1860, and attended the Brick School and Petaluma High School.  Lulu graduated from high school in 1878 along with five other students including her future husband, Gilbert Hall.  Two years later on May 29, 1882, Lulu and Gil eloped to Marin County and were married there by a Justice of the Peace.  The next day the Brown parents arranged for them to be married in a Catholic ceremony in their home.  The Hall couple settled in Petaluma and for a few years resided in Santa Rosa while Gil was acting as Sonoma County Auditor and Recorder. From girlhood and throughout her adult years, Mary Louise was active in St. Vincent Church events.  At one time she was photographed driving a horse and buggy down Main Street with a friend while collecting donations for a Catholic fair.  The tintype still exists.

The marriage of the Hall couple lasted almost fifty years.  Gil died on January 24, 1932, and Mary Louise followed on August 25th of the same year.  Five daughters survived the Hall couple, Aletha, Evelyn, Kathleen, Geraldine, and Dorothy; one son died at birth.  Gilbert and Mary Louise lived at 325 Post Street in Petaluma and were buried together in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

*This biographical note was written by Annie Alexis Ferguson Brown’s descendant, Kathleen O’Brien Balestrini.

Family Affiliation: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42046382/mary-louise-hall. Search this archive and the Sonoma County Library photograph archive for additional portraits of the Brown family.

Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier: August 25, 1932, p. 3 (obit); August 27, 1932, p. 3. Petaluma Daily Morning Courier: July 29, 1911, p.1; August 28, 1911, p. 5.

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm

Medium: gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: The background of this standing portrait is elaborate. On the left is a roughly stuccoed, light-colored wall, and on the right is a backdrop depicting a deep-perspective, grand, architectural interior. On the floor is an oriental carpet and a fur rug.

Description, back: The back side of this cabinet card is blank or contains only an accession number.

Date: 1892-1895

Condition: This cabinet card is in good condition.

Owner:  From the collection of Kathleen O’Brien Balestrini, 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.

Weyler, Rena Church (1890 or 1891-1918)(1 of 2)

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Harry Fowler ROBERTS’ Portrait Photograph of Rena Church (Weyler) and Lorin Jasper Church

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

HARRY FOWLER ROBERTS was born in 1869 in Mankato, Minnesota, and died in February 1907 in Colfax, California, at age 38. As early as 1892 he opened a photographic studio on Petaluma’s Main Street across from the American Hotel. The exact date Roberts closed his studio in Petaluma has not been determined; however, it may have been as late as 1895. (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: Rena Church (Weyler)and Lorin Jasper Church

Description: In this cabinet card, Rena Church (Weyler) and her older brother, Lorin Jasper Church, appear as miniature adults. Rena is attired in a full-length dark dress with a scalloped lace collar. She sits attentively beside her older brother, placing her left arm behind him. Lorin stands stiffly with his right thumb in his jacket pocket. He is attired in a matching jacket and knickers.

Biographical Note: Rena was born and raised at her family’s ranch in Two Rock. She attended Walker School in Two Rock and Petaluma High School. The Petaluma Daily Morning Courier reported on August 5, 1907, that Rena was to marry Custer Ward of Cotati. Either the wedding did not take place, or the two were divorced. By 1908, Rena was, once again, referred to in the local papers as “Miss Rena Church”. Beginning in this year, Rena became active in the Two Rock Grange, often attending meetings with her parents. In 1908 Rena was elected to the position of Protector for the Petaluma Temple, No.104, Pythian Sisters, and in 1909 to the position of Manager. In February 1912, Rena and William J. Wesley were the prize winners of a whist tournament held by the Pythian Sisters, and the two married on August 4, 1912. They settled in Petaluma, and William was an employee of the Camp & Hedges Company. Rena died October 17, 1918, at the sanitarium in Redwood City, “where she had been receiving treatment and was recovering when she was taken ill with Spanish influenza and later developed pneumonia which was the immediate cause of death.” Rena died at the age of 28, only three months after brother, Lorin, died on the battlefield in France during World War I. Rena’s ashes were placed in the family plot in the Two Rock Cemetery, and Lorin’s body was buried at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial, Belleau, Department de L’Aisne, Picardie, France.

Family Affiliation: Rena Church Weyler was the second daughter of Walter A. Church and Minnie B. Warders Church, of Two Rock Valley. She was the sister of Lorin Jasper Church, Linnie Church Mack, Flora Church, Ralph Church, Amy Church, Earl Church, and Roy Church. Rena’s husband was William J. Weller, and together they had two sons, Jack Wesley, and Noel Wesley. Click here to be directed to a list of the other portraits of Church family members in this archive.

Bibliography: Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, August 5, 1907, p.1; Dec. 12, 1908, p.3; June 12, 1909, p.2; October 21, 1909, p.3; February 24, 1912, p.2; June 26, 1912, p.1; October 18, 1918, p.4. Petaluma Argus-Courier, July 22, 1909, p.2; October 18, 1918, p.8.

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cabinet card

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: The backdrop of this portrait is a roughly stuccoed wall, and a similarly stuccoed U shape object serves as a bench. The edges of this portrait’s card are scalloped. Handwritten in cursive in pencil along the bottom edge is, “Loren [sic] + Rena Church”.

Description, back: Handwritten in cursive in pencil along the top edge is, “Rena & Lorin Church 1883 about-”

Date: This portrait dates no earlier than 1892 and no later than 1895. On the back of this portrait is handwritten, “1883 about”; however, Lorin Jasper Church was not born until 1889. Additionally, the earliest possible date the photographer opened his studio in Petaluma was 1892. It is possible the writer of the inscription meant 1893.

Condition: The back of this portrait is heavily soiled and remnants of tape appear along the top edge.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1979-425-02-p2-p1

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.

 

Church, Lorin Jasper (1889-1918) (2 of 3)

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Harry Fowler ROBERTS’ Portrait Photograph of Rena Church (Weyler) & Lorin JASPER CHURCH

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

HARRY FOWLER ROBERTS was born in 1869 in Mankato, Minnesota, and died in February 1907 in Colfax, California, at age 38. As early as 1892 he opened a photographic studio on Petaluma’s Main Street across from the American Hotel. The exact date Roberts closed his studio in Petaluma has not been determined; however, it may have been as late as 1895. (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: Rena Church (Weyler) and Lorin Jasper Church

Description: In this cabinet card, Rena Church and her older brother, Lorin Church, appear as miniature adults. Rena is attired in a full-length, dark dress with a scalloped lace collar. She sits attentively beside her older brother placing her left arm behind him. Lorin stands stiffly with his right thumb in his jacket pocket. He is attired in a matching jacket and knickers.

Biographical Note: Lorin Jasper Church was born and raised at the Church family ranch in Two Rock. In 1899, he was listed as a student at Two Rock’s Walker School, and his teacher was listed as Miss Mabel Celeste Black (1874-1966), the future Mabel Black-Putnam and mother-in-law of Petaluma mayor, Helen DuMont Putnam (1909-1984). In 1906, it was reported that Lorin was the Sergeant at Arms of his senior class at Petaluma High School. A member of the Enterprise Yearbook staff, he graduated in May 1907 and soon after enrolled at the University of California. On June 4, 1911, he married Helen M. Storer of Oakland, and initially, they settled in Alaska. By 1915 the couple had returned to Petaluma, and on August 10, 1917, Lorin enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to fight in World War I. He was stationed at Quantico, Virginia, and received distinction as a sharpshooter. In July 1918, he was reported to be in France, working back of the lines as a surveyor. On August 10, 1918, the Petaluma Daily Morning Courier reported that he had been killed on the battlefield in France on June 13. He was the second Petaluma boy to die in World War I. He was buried at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial, Belleau, Departement de L’Aisne, Picardie, France. Lorin’s sister, Rena Church Weyler, with whom he is portrayed in this cabinet card, tragically died only a few months after her brother from complications of the Spanish Flu.

Family Affiliation: Lorin Jasper Church was the second son of Walter A. Church and Minnie B. Warders Church of Two Rock Valley. He was the brother of Linnie Church Mack, Rena Church Weyler, Flora Church, Ralph Church, Amy Church, Earl Church, and Roy Church. He was the husband of Helen M. Storer. Click here to be directed to a list of the other portraits of Church family members in this archive.

Bibliography:


THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cabinet card

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: The backdrop of this portrait is a roughly stuccoed wall, and a similarly stuccoed U shape object serves as a bench. The edges of this portrait’s card are scalloped. Handwritten in cursive in pencil along the bottom edge is, “Loren [sic] + Rena Church”.

Description, back: “Rena & Lorin Church 1883 about-”

Date: This portrait dates no earlier than 1892 and no later than 1895. On the back of this portrait is handwritten, “1883 about”; however, Lorin Jasper Church was not born until 1889. Additionally, the earliest possible date the photographer opened his studio in Petaluma was 1892. It is possible the writer of the inscription meant 1893.

Condition: The back of this portrait is heavily soiled and remnants of tape appear along the top edge.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1979-425-02-p2-p1

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.

 

Bryan, William Francis (1873-1938)

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Harry Fowler ROBERTS’ Portrait Photograph of William Bryan

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

HARRY FOWLER ROBERTS was born in 1869 in Mankato, Minnesota, and died in February 1907 in Colfax, California, at age 38. As early as 1892 he opened a photographic studio on Petaluma’s Main Street across from the American Hotel. The exact date Roberts closed his studio in Petaluma has not been determined; however, it may have been as late as 1895. (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: William Francis Bryan

Description: Bryan is wearing a tweed jacket which has a small, high lapel, a popular fashion of the late 1880s and early 1890s. His white shirt has a banded collar, and he wears a pin at the base of his tie. His hair is combed back, and he has a clean-shaven face.

Biographical Note: Bryan was a long-time employee of the Cavanagh Lumber Company working as the foreman of the planning mill and mill wright. He died in a tragic car accident at the age of 65.

Family Affiliation: William Francis Bryan was the son of California pioneers Thomas John Bryan (d.1882) and Elizabeth Hardin Bryan (1841-1924). His maternal grandmother, Agnes Asbury Hardin (1822-1889) lived and was buried in Petaluma. Frederick James Bryan was his brother, and Jessie Bryan (d.1933) was his wife.

Bibliography: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36539821/william-francis-bryan; Petaluma Argus-Courier, July 30, 1938, p.1 -2.

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: In this three-quarter view portrait cabinet card, the sitter is facing to his left. The card is scalloped on all four sides, and the photographer’s imprint appears along the bottom edge.

Description, back: Handwritten on the top edge in cursive in pencil is: “Wm Bryan 14-2”.

Date: as early as 1892, as late as 1895

Condition: There are many small stains on this portrait and extensive scuffing above the sitter’s head.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1978-666-16

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.

Daniels, Mrs. (given name and b. & d. dates to be determined)

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Harry Fowler ROBERTS’ Portrait Photograph of Mrs. Daniels

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

HARRY FOWLER ROBERTS was born in 1869 in Mankato, Minnesota, and died in February 1907 in Colfax, California, at age 38. As early as 1892 he opened a photographic studio on Petaluma’s Main Street across from the American Hotel. The exact date Roberts closed his studio in Petaluma has not been determined; however, it may have been as late as 1895. (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: Mrs. Daniels

Description: In this cabinet card portrait of Mrs. Daniels, she has short curly bangs, and a bun resting on the back of her head. She is wearing a elaborately ruffled and beaded bodice with puffy sleeves.

Biographical Note: According to the inscription on the back of this portrait, Mrs. Daniels was a school teacher.

Family Affiliation: According to the inscription on the back of this portrait, Mrs. Daniels had an affiliation with the Byce family.

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: This head-and-shoulder portrait depicts a three-quarter view of the sitter, and behind her is a roughly stuccoed studio backdrop. Harry Fowler Robert’s imprint runs along the bottom of the card. It is of note that the imprint proclaims Roberts to be an “Artist”.

Description, back: Handwritten in script in pencil is, “Mrs. Daniels”, “school teacher”, and “Byce Family”.

Date: as early as 1892, as late as 1895

Condition: This cabinet card is in fair condition.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1994-60-02

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.

 

McCleave, (unidentified male family member)

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Harry Fowler ROBERTS’ Portrait Photograph of an Unidentified Male McCleave family member

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

HARRY FOWLER ROBERTS was born in 1869 in Mankato, Minnesota, and died in February 1907 in Colfax, California, at age 38. As early as 1892 he opened a photographic studio on Petaluma’s Main Street across from the American Hotel. The exact date Roberts closed his studio in Petaluma has not been determined; however, it may have been as late as 1895. (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: Unidentified male McCleave family member

Description:

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.5 x 16 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: The backdrop used in this portrait is a roughly stuccoed wall, and the card’s edges are pinked.

Description, back: The back of this cabinet card is blank or contains only an accession number.

Date: as early as 1892, as late as 1895

Condition: This cabinet card is in good condition.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 2004-315-13-p14-p28

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. 

Myers, Mrs.

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Harry Fowler ROBERTS’ Portrait Photograph of Mrs. Myers

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

HARRY FOWLER ROBERTS was born in 1869 in Mankato, Minnesota, and died in February 1907 in Colfax, California, at age 38. As early as 1892 he opened a photographic studio on Petaluma’s Main Street across from the American Hotel. The exact date Roberts closed his studio in Petaluma has not been determined; however, it may have been as late as 1895. (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: Mrs. Myers

Description: Maroon cabinet card with uneven, gilded, scalloped edges and foil-stamped artwork of an elderly unidentified woman's bust. The woman's hair is pulled back and braided. She is wearing a dark dress with buttons, pleating, and embroidery going up the chest. There is also embroidery around the collar, and large puffy sleeves. Based on the card's format, processing method, and the woman's fashion I would date this card to the mid 1890s.

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: The photographic paper of this portrait has been mounted on a dark card with pinked edges and the photographer’s imprint embossed in gold along the bottom edge.

Description, back: The back of this cabinet card is either blank, or it contains only an accession number.

Date: as early as 1892, as late as 1895

Condition: This cabinet card has extensive foxing especially on the right side.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1999-X-04

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.