Whitney, Albion “Albie” Harvey (1870-1907)(5 of 5)

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Charles Alfred Zimmerman’s Portrait Photograph of

Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney & An Unidentified Man

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer: Charles Alfred Zimmerman (1844-1909)

Photographic Studio: The Zimmerman Portrait Gallery, St. Paul, Minnesota

THE SITTERS:

Names: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney and an unidentified man

Description: In this horizontal double portrait, Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney appears on the viewer’s left. He is dressed in a high-buttoned, casual, jacket and a white shirt with a English cutaway collar. His hair is center-parted and combed to each side. He also sports a well-groomed, chevron mustache. The man on the right is unidentified, and his relation to Albion is unknown.

Biographical Note: Albion (Albie) Whitney was born in Petaluma on April 10, 1870, and according to an article in the Petaluma Argus- Courier he received a “high education”. It also states that he traveled extensively in his youth, visiting the Orient and spending considerable time in Alaska, “where his health was seriously damaged.” In 1904, he departed Petaluma to work in San Mateo for his brother, Arthur Leslie Whitney (1858-1914) the founder of the Leslie Salt Refining Company where Albion was secretary and manager. Albie died tragically at age 35. On May 21, 1907, his car was struck by a passenger train, and it was reported he died instantly. Petaluma Argus-Courier, June 5, 1907, p. 3.

Family Affiliation: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney was the sixth child of the prominent Petaluma pioneers Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884) and Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917). His father was a California State Senator and wealthy businessman. His mother managed the family business after her husband’s death and was an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement. His paternal grandmother was Olive Parlin Whitney, and his siblings were Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Nancy Jane “Jenny” Whitney Morrow, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton and Clara Whitney Spear.

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: This card’s horizontal format is unusual, but appropriate for a head-and-shoulder double portrait. The studio’s imprint appears at the left side printed vertically.

Description, back: Handwritten in cursive in pencil is, “Albie”.

Date: 1890s

Condition: This card is slightly soiled on both sides.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-18

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.

Whitney, Albion “Albie” Harvey (1870-1907) (4 of 5)

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Lewis Dowe’s Portrait Photograph of Clara, Ella & Albie Whitney

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

LEWIS DOWE was born in 1838 in Hanover, New Hampshire and died in 1919 in Portland, Oregon. He arrived in Petaluma in September of 1875 and set up his photography studio in the rooms formerly occupied by photographer Hugh Anderson. Dowe worked in Petaluma as both a “view” and portrait photographer until he departed the town in March of 1882. (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: Clara Whitney Spears, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton, and Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney (At the time this portrait was taken, Clara and Marcella would have been known by their maiden name, Whitney.)

Description: Description: This is a masterful portrait of three young siblings. Clara, approximately 4 years of age, sits on a fringed studio chair with her feet dangling above the floor. She is attired in a dark dress with a double row of buttons and a white side ruffle which runs the length of her dress and boarders the attached matching shawl. Her petticoat is revealed, peaking under the front of her dress’ hem. She wears white leggings and dark, leather, side-snap, boots. Marcella, approximately 10 years of age, stands behind her sister and brother and is attired in a dark dress with a front strip of fabric which is embellished with buttons and a diagonal cross design. She wears a white lace ruff and a necklace which ends in what is most probably a locket. Albion, approximately 7 years of age, stands on the viewer’s right and affectionally rests his right hand on Clara’s left wrist. He is dressed in a formal, cutaway, jacket with decorative side buttons. Beneath, he wears a matching, piped vest and knickers.

Biographical Note: Albion (Albie) Whitney was born in Petaluma on April 10, 1870, and according to an article in the Petaluma Argus- Courier he received a “high education”. It also states that he traveled extensively in his youth, visiting the Orient and spending considerable time in Alaska, “where his health was seriously damaged.” In 1904, he departed Petaluma to work in San Mateo for his brother, Arthur Leslie Whitney (1858-1914) the founder of the Leslie Salt Refining Company where Albion was secretary and manager. Albie died tragically at age 35. On May 21, 1907, his car was struck by a passenger train, and it was reported he died instantly. Petaluma Argus-Courier, June 5, 1907, p. 3.

Family Affiliation: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney was the sixth child of the prominent Petaluma pioneers Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884) and Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917). His father was a California State Senator and wealthy businessman. His mother managed the family business after her husband’s death and was an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement. His paternal grandmother was Olive Parlin Whitney, and his siblings were Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Nancy Jane “Jenny” Whitney Morrow, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton and Clara Whitney Spear.

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cabinet card

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: This is a masterful portrait of three siblings. The brilliantly harmonious arrangement of the children is strengthened by the arched matte and uncluttered background. The photographer has posed the children in a classic pyramidal composition. He angled Clara and Albion to serve as compositional parenthesis and placed Marcella to serve as the exclamation mark.

Description, back: Handwritten in cursive in pencil is, “Albie”, “Ella” and “Clara”. Handwritten in cursive in black ink in the lower right is, “Clark Family”. This is not a reference to the sitters, but, most probably, to the owners of the cabinet card.

Date: 1876 or 1877

Condition: Both the front and the back of this card are soiled.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-03

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. 

Whitney, Albion “Albie” Harvey (1870-1907) (1 of 5)

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Richard Reece Percival’s Portrait Photograph of Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

RICHARD REECE PERCIVAL was born in England in 1835 and died in Rhode Island in 1917. He operated the R. Percival Gallery in Petaluma between October 1867 and September 1870 and again between March 1871 until at least May 1871. After departing Petaluma, he continued working as a photographer in San Jose, California. (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: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney

Description: It appears from the inscription on the back of this carte de visite that this is a portrait of Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney taken on his first birthday. The baby sits in a chair which is covered by a heavy printed textile. “Albie” looks directly at the camera and appears to be holding a toy. He is dressed in a dark dress, and his light-colored hair is parted on his left.

Biographical Note: Albion (Albie) Whitney was born in Petaluma on April 10, 1870, and according to an article in the Petaluma Argus- Courier he received a “high education”. It also states that he traveled extensively in his youth, visiting the Orient and spending considerable time in Alaska, “where his health was seriously damaged.” In 1904, he departed Petaluma to work in San Mateo for his brother, Arthur Leslie Whitney (1858-1914) the founder of the Leslie Salt Refining Company where Albion was secretary and manager. Albie died tragically at age 35. On May 21, 1907, his car was struck by a passenger train, and it was reported he died instantly. Petaluma Argus-Courier, June 5, 1907, p. 3.

Family Affiliation: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney was the sixth child of the prominent Petaluma pioneers Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884) and Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917). His father was a California State Senator and wealthy businessman. His mother managed the family business after her husband’s death and was an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement. His paternal grandmother was Olive Parlin Whitney, and his siblings were Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Nancy Jane “Jenny” Whitney Morrow, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton and Clara Whitney Spear.

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:  carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front:

Description, back: Handwritten in cursive in pencil at the top of this card is, “Albie 1 year Apr 10th - 1871” and “Born Petaluma April 10th - 1870”.

Date: April 10, 1871  

Condition: Both the front and back sides of this card are soiled and stained.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-06

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.

Whitney, Albion “Albie” Harvey (1870-1907) (3 of 5)

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John Quincy Reed’s Portrait Photograph of Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

JOHN QUINCY REED was born in 1841 in Abington, Massachusetts and died in 1902 in Petaluma. He worked as a photographer in Petaluma for over 25 years, moving his studio within the community to several different locations. He arrived into Petaluma from Stockton in 1870 and continued to work as a photographer in Petaluma until at least 1898. Many of his portraits of Petaluma’s citizens are of exceptionally fine quality. (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: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney

Description: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney was 5 or 6 years old when this portrait was taken. To accommodate the size of his sitter, Reed has repurposed the fringed armrest of his studio chair to serve as the chair’s back. The child sits with his right leg tucked under his left and his hands resting on his thighs. He is dressed in knickers and a matching jacket with a large shawl collar. The collar and the hems of his sleeves and knickers are trimmed in three rows of dark ribbon, and the bottom sides of his knickers have metal buttons. He also wears a white shirt with a dark bow tie, white leggings and dark leather, lace-up boots. His hair has been groomed especially for his photo shoot; down both sides of his head hang sausage curls and a high mound of hair crowns the top of his head.

Biographical Note: Albion (Albie) Whitney was born in Petaluma on April 10, 1870, and according to an article in the Petaluma Argus-Courier he received a “high education”. It also states that he traveled extensively in his youth, visiting the Orient and spending considerable time in Alaska, “where his health was seriously damaged.” In 1904, he departed Petaluma to work in San Mateo for his brother, Arthur Leslie Whitney (1858-1914) the founder of the Leslie Salt Refining Company where Albion was secretary and manager. Albie died tragically at age 35. On May 21, 1907, his car was struck by a passenger train, and it was reported he died instantly. Petaluma Argus-Courier, June 5, 1907, p. 3.

Family Affiliation: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney was the sixth child of the prominent Petaluma pioneers Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884) and Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917). His father was a California State Senator and wealthy businessman. His mother managed the family business after her husband’s death and was an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement. His paternal grandmother was Olive Parlin Whitney, and his siblings were Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Nancy Jane “Jenny” Whitney Morrow, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton and Clara Whitney Spear.

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:  carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front:

Description, back: Handwritten in pencil at the top of the card is “1876”. Below that is Reed’s imprint and below that is handwritten in cursive in pencil, “Albion Harvey Whitney”, and “‘Albie’”.

Date: 1876

Condition: The top corners of this card have been clipped, and the left edge has been trimmed. The front and back of this card are soiled and there are several, small, black spots on the right front of the card.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-12

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.