George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of Nellie Louise Cassidy Webster
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: George Ross (b. Feb. 2, 1832 Edinburgh Scotland; d. ******, 1893 Petaluma, CA)
Active in Petaluma: 1862-1893
Biographical Note: Unlike the other 19th century Petaluma photographers, Ross lived in Petaluma for many years. Arriving in Petaluma in 1855 at age 23, he began his profession as a photographer in 1862, moving his studio within the city several times as noted on his various cdv imprints. For a short time he was also part of a photographic studio partnership, Ross and Ormsby, on Main Street in Petaluma. Ross died in Petaluma and was buried ******
Bibliography: Palmquist, pgs. 461-463; Mautz, pg.136.
THE SITTER:
Name: Nellie Louise Cassidy Webster (This portrait may have taken when the sitter was known by her maiden name, Nellie Louise Cassidy.)
Description: Nellie Louise Cassidy Webster appears here with no ornamentation except for the metal bar brooch at her neck. Her hair is parted on her right and disheveled curls appear on either side of her brow. She wears two collars. A white band collar is visible beneath the dark band collar of her blouse. Her blouse has a distinct row of metal front buttons, and it is constructed with vertical stripes of velvet alternating with lighter sections of fabric topped with colored textured strings.
Biographical Note: Nellie was raised on her pioneering parent’s Petaluma cherry orchard farm and was mentioned in the Petaluma papers in 1876 and 1877 as receiving awards for her needlework. In 1885 she married an educator, Calvin B. Webster (1859-1903), and moved with him to Solano County.
Family Affiliation: Nellie Louise Cassidy Webster was the daughter of the Petaluma pioneers, John Wintermute Cassidy (1822-1903) and Laura Cassidy (1829-1913). The couple moved to Petaluma in 1854 and planted the first commercial cherry orchard in the county. Consequently, the area surrounding their home and orchard became known as Cherry Valley. Nellie was the wife of educator Calvin B. Webster (1859-1903).
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This is a standard head-and-shoulders portrait, and along its bottom edge is George Ross’ imprint.
Description, back: Handwritten in cursive in pencil is” “Nellie”, “Cassidy”, “Mrs. Webster”, “Friend”, “Lillian A Lovejoy”, “Stafford”.
Date:
Condition: This card is heavily soiled on the front, and the back retains along its top and bottom edges remnants of previously applied tape.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1978-80-39
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