Baker, Aletha Hall O'Brien (1883-1966)(4 of 4)

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Unidentified Photographer, Portrait Photograph of Anna “Annie” Alexis ferguson brown, Mary Louise Brown Hall, Aletha Hall O’brien & Margaret Aletha O’Brien

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer: unidentified



THE SITTERS:

Names: Anna Alexis Ferguson Brown, Mary Louise Brown Hall, Aletha Hall O’Brien & Margaret Aletha O’Brien. Aletha Hall O’Brien Baker would have been known as Aletha Hall O’Brien at the time this portrait was taken.

Description: Aletha Hall O’Brien (Baker)(1883-1966) appears in the center of this pyramidal composition directly above her daughter, Margaret Aletha O’Brien (1908 - 1996). On the left is Anna “Annie” Alexis Ferguson Brown (1841-1920), the child’s maternal great-grandmother. On the right, is Mary Louis Brown Hall (1860-1932), the child’s maternal grandmother.

Biographical Note: Aletha Hall was born in Petaluma in 1883, the eldest child of Gilbert and Mary Louise Brown Hall.  She was educated at Petaluma schools and the Ursuline Academy in Santa Rosa and for a while ran her own millinery store in Petaluma.  In 1907 she married local physician Dr. John Thomas O’Brien and the couple was blessed with three children, Margaret in 1908, Kathleen in 1911, and John T., Jr., in 1913. During the First World War, Dr. O’Brien received a commission to the Army Medical Corps and was stationed in San Diego.  Aletha drove south with her children to be near him and when he was honorably discharged they all returned to Petaluma to their beautiful home on several acres near Oak Hill Park.  In 1920 the O’Briens sold their home and moved to San Francisco.  In 1926 Dr. O’Brien died there at the age of 63.  Several years later Aletha married Walter Baker, an officer with the Metropolitan Insurance Company.  Walter died in 1933 and Aletha, at the age of 50, was again a widow.

Aletha led a busy life as a widow.  She settled in Palo Alto and was highly involved with her family which included twelve grandchildren.  She never moved back to Petaluma but always kept her connection, often visiting relatives and friends there, and frequently sending notices of family events to the Argus Courier.  She was frequently involved in local events, acting as a guest speaker at AAUW meetings and as a frequent chairperson at political conferences.  She was a staunch Democrat and after Eisenhower’s win expressed herself with one of the first bumper stickers:  Don’t Blame Me!  I voted Democrat!  Aletha Hall O’Brien Baker died in 1966 and was buried in the O’Brien Plot in the Catholic Calvary Cemetery in Petaluma.

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

Family Affiliation: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42033731/aletha-o'brien_baker. There are many portraits of other members of the Hall, O’Brien, and Baker families in this archive.

Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier, September, 20, 1966, p. 5 (obituary); The Peninsula Times Tribune (Palo Alto, CA), September 20, 1966, p. 4 (obituary).



THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:  5 x 7 3/4

Medium: Gelatin or collodion photographic print

Description, front:

Description, back: Handwritten in script in pencil is : “Annie Alexis Ferguson Brown (left) 1841-1920”; “Mary Louise Brown Hall" (right) 1860-1932”; Aletha Hall O’Brien Baker (top) 1883-1966; and “Margaret O’Brien McSherry Fassoth Reed (BABY) 1908-1996”.

Date: 1910-1912

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. 

Baker, Aletha Hall O'Brien (1883-1966)(3 of 4)

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Robert Peterson Dammand’s Portrait Photograph of Aletha Hall O’brien baker

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

ROBERT PETERSON DAMMAND (Dammond) was born on September 6, 1855, in Horsens, Denmark, and died on January 27, 1936, in Glendale, California. He worked as a photographer in Iowa and Southern California before arriving in Petaluma in November 1901. He resided on Petaluma’s D Street and located his photographic studio opposite the American Hotel over the Steiger Building on Main Street. In late July 1905, Dammand departed Petaluma to set up a studio in Richmond, 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: Aletha Hall O’Brien Baker

Description: In this portrait, a beguiling Aletha Hall O’Brien Baker stands in a languid, alluring pose while gazing straight out at the viewer. She tilts her head to the left and raises her right hand to touch the fringes of her billowy, white, fleece collar. Her thigh-length cape is trimmed in the same sensuous fleece above which is an elaborate border of white embroidery. Her cape is secured with a long ribbon which flows down the front of her body. Under her cape she wears a simple linen dress that appears to be cinched at the waist. Around her neck is a black choker with a circular white ornament in the center. Her dark hair is mounded on top of her head and adorned with a large, round bow made of ribbon.

Biographical Note: Aletha Hall was born in Petaluma in 1883, the eldest child of Gilbert and Mary Louise Brown Hall.  She was educated at Petaluma schools and the Ursuline Academy in Santa Rosa and for a while ran her own millinery store in Petaluma.  In 1907 she married local physician Dr. John Thomas O’Brien and the couple was blessed with three children, Margaret in 1908, Kathleen in 1911, and John T., Jr., in 1913. During the First World War, Dr. O’Brien received a commission to the Army Medical Corps and was stationed in San Diego.  Aletha drove south with her children to be near him and when he was honorably discharged they all returned to Petaluma to their beautiful home on several acres near Oak Hill Park.  In 1920 the O’Briens sold their home and moved to San Francisco.  In 1926 Dr. O’Brien died there at the age of 63.  Several years later Aletha married Walter Baker, an officer with the Metropolitan Insurance Company.  Walter died in 1933 and Aletha, at the age of 50, was again a widow.

Aletha led a busy life as a widow.  She settled in Palo Alto and was highly involved with her family which included twelve grandchildren.  She never moved back to Petaluma but always kept her connection, often visiting relatives and friends there, and frequently sending notices of family events to the Argus Courier.  She was frequently involved in local events, acting as a guest speaker at AAUW meetings and as a frequent chairperson at political conferences.  She was a staunch Democrat and after Eisenhower’s win expressed herself with one of the first bumper stickers:  Don’t Blame Me!  I voted Democrat!  Aletha Hall O’Brien Baker died in 1966 and was buried in the O’Brien Plot in the Catholic Calvary Cemetery in Petaluma.

*This biographical note was written by Aletha Hall O’Brien Baker’s descendant, Kathleen O’Brien Balestrini.

Family Affiliation: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42033731/aletha-o'brien_baker. There are many portraits of other members of the Hall, O’Brien, and Baker families in this archive.

Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier, September, 20, 1966, p. 5 (obituary); The Peninsula Times Tribune (Palo Alto, CA), September 20, 1966, p. 4 (obituary).

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:  7 1/2 x 9 1/2

Medium: gelatin or collodion photographic print

Description, front: The backdrop of this portrait depicts a large framed mirror behind which is a misty garden of palm fronds.

Description, back: On the right corner is the photograph’s imprint.

Date: 1901 - 1905

Condition: This portrait 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. 

Baker, Aletha Hall O'Brien (1883-1966)(1 of 4)

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George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of Aletha Hall o’brien baker

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

GEORGE COLVAINE ROSS was born February 12, 1832 in Edinburgh, Scotland and died in 1893 at the age of 60 in Petaluma, California. Unlike the other nineteenth century Petaluma photographers, Ross lived and worked in Petaluma for many years. He arrived in Petaluma in 1855, and in 1862 he began his profession as a photographer, moving his studio within the city several times as noted on his various carte de visite and cabinet card imprints. In 1869 he was also part of a short-lived photographic studio partnership with Elon D. Ormsby on Main Street in Petaluma. It was reported that Ross stopped working as a photographer soon after he developed a disability in 1888. Ross was among the most prolific Petaluma portrait photographers, and his work was of exceptionally high quality. Ross was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park. (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: Aletha Hall O’Brien Baker. At the time this photo was taken, the sitter would have been known as Aletha Hall.

Description: This sturdy baby has been sat on a ledge, and she has assumed a full-frontal pose. Her feet dangle over the edge. She is wearing dark Mary Janes shoes and white, calf-high socks. The cuffs and hem of her white dress are embellished with a thick border of elaborate lace.

Biographical Note: Aletha Hall was born in Petaluma in 1883, the eldest child of Gilbert and Mary Louise Brown Hall.  She was educated at Petaluma schools and the Ursuline Academy in Santa Rosa and for a while ran her own millinery store in Petaluma.  In 1907 she married local physician Dr. John Thomas O’Brien and the couple was blessed with three children, Margaret in 1908, Kathleen in 1911, and John T., Jr., in 1913. During the First World War, Dr. O’Brien received a commission to the Army Medical Corps and was stationed in San Diego.  Aletha drove south with her children to be near him and when he was honorably discharged they all returned to Petaluma to their beautiful home on several acres near Oak Hill Park.  In 1920 the O’Briens sold their home and moved to San Francisco.  In 1926 Dr. O’Brien died there at the age of 63.  Several years later Aletha married Walter Baker, an officer with the Metropolitan Insurance Company.  Walter died in 1933 and Aletha, at the age of 50, was again a widow.

Aletha led a busy life as a widow.  She settled in Palo Alto and was highly involved with her family which included twelve grandchildren.  She never moved back to Petaluma but always kept her connection, often visiting relatives and friends there, and frequently sending notices of family events to the Argus Courier.  She was frequently involved in local events, acting as a guest speaker at AAUW meetings and as a frequent chairperson at political conferences.  She was a staunch Democrat and after Eisenhower’s win expressed herself with one of the first bumper stickers:  Don’t Blame Me!  I voted Democrat!  Aletha Hall O’Brien Baker died in 1966 and was buried in the O’Brien Plot in the Catholic Calvary Cemetery in Petaluma.

*This biographical note was written by Aletha Hall O’Brien Baker’s descendant, Kathleen O’Brien Balestrini.

Family Affiliation: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42033731/aletha-o'brien_baker. There are many portraits of other members of the Hall, O’Brien, and Baker families in this archive.

Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier, September, 20, 1966, p. 5 (obituary); The Peninsula Times Tribune (Palo Alto, CA), September 20, 1966, p. 4 (obituary).


THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: Cabinet card

Medium: gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: The staging of this portrait is elaborate. It creates the illusion of an exterior window. On the left is a trellis covered in vines, and above and to the right is a white curtain and a fringed scalloped valance.

Description, back: Handwritten in pencil is, “Aletha Hall”, “(1883 - 1966)”, and “2 years old, ca 1885”.

Date: c. 1885

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.

Baker, Aletha Hall O'Brien (1883-1966)(2 of 4)

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Lafayette F. Sheppard’s Portrait Photograph of Aletha Hall O’Brien baker

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

LAFAYETTE F. SHEPPARD was born in 1852 in Ohio and died in 1940 in Inglewood, California. He established his photographic gallery in Petaluma in February of 1886, “in the rooms formerly occupied by Lewis Dowe”. It was located at 59 1/2 Main Street next door to the First National Bank Building. Sheppard continued to work as a photographer in Petaluma at least through June of 1891. (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: Aletha Hall O’Brien Baker. At the time this portrait was taken, the sitter would have been known as Aletha Hall

Description: This child sits atop a bale of hay dressed in a white dress embellished with a wide lace hem and collar. She wears dark stockings and leather boots. The child assumes a strikingly dignified pose uncommon in one so young.

Biographical Note: Aletha Hall was born in Petaluma in 1883, the eldest child of Gilbert and Mary Louise Brown Hall.  She was educated at Petaluma schools and the Ursuline Academy in Santa Rosa and for a while ran her own millinery store in Petaluma.  In 1907 she married local physician Dr. John Thomas O’Brien and the couple was blessed with three children, Margaret in 1908, Kathleen in 1911, and John T., Jr., in 1913. During the First World War, Dr. O’Brien received a commission to the Army Medical Corps and was stationed in San Diego.  Aletha drove south with her children to be near him and when he was honorably discharged they all returned to Petaluma to their beautiful home on several acres near Oak Hill Park.  In 1920 the O’Briens sold their home and moved to San Francisco.  In 1926 Dr. O’Brien died there at the age of 63.  Several years later Aletha married Walter Baker, an officer with the Metropolitan Insurance Company.  Walter died in 1933 and Aletha, at the age of 50, was again a widow.

 Aletha led a busy life as a widow.  She settled in Palo Alto and was highly involved with her family which included twelve grandchildren.  She never moved back to Petaluma but always kept her connection, often visiting relatives and friends there, and frequently sending notices of family events to the Argus Courier.  She was frequently involved in local events, acting as a guest speaker at AAUW meetings and as a frequent chairperson at political conferences.  She was a staunch Democrat and after Eisenhower’s win expressed herself with one of the first bumper stickers:  Don’t Blame Me!  I voted Democrat!  Aletha Hall O’Brien Baker died in 1966 and was buried in the O’Brien Plot in the Catholic Calvary Cemetery in Petaluma.

*This biographical note was written by Aletha Hall O’Brien Baker’s descendant, Kathleen O’Brien Balestrini.

Family Affiliation: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42033731/aletha-o'brien_baker. There are many portraits of other members of the Hall, O’Brien, and Baker families in this archive.

Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier, September, 20, 1966, p. 5 (obituary); The Peninsula Times Tribune (Palo Alto, CA), September 20, 1966, p. 4 (obituary).

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

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

Medium: gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: Sheppard’s imprint appears along the bottom edge of this card.

Description, back: Handwritten in pencil is, “Aletha Hall” and “1883-1966”.

Date: c. 1888

Condition: There is slight foxing in the top half of the card, and the back side is slightly soiled.

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.