Blakely (Blakeley), Theron Melville (1890-1922)
/Elon D. Ormsby’s Portrait Photograph of Theron Melville Blakely (Blakeley)
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: Elon D. Ormsby (b.1845). Prior to setting up his studio in Oakland, Elon D. Ormsby worked in Petaluma as a partner with George Colvaine Ross, see Ross & Ormsby.
Studio Location: 1055 Broadway, Oakland, Cal.
THE SITTER:
Name: Theron Melville Blakely (Blakeley)
Description: In this head-and-shoulders portrait, Theron M. Blakely looks up and to his right. He is attired in a businessman’s high-buttoned, lapel-piped jacket, a white shirt with a Mandarin collar, and a necktie with an elaborate trinity knot. A stickpin in the shape of a “T” appears in the center of the knot. Theron is meticulously groomed. His side-parted hair has been carefully oiled and combed, and the tips of his forehead locks have been curled to flip up. He sports a walrus mustache.
Biographical Note: Theron M. Blakely was born and received his early education in Oakland. He later moved to Petaluma, where he enlisted for service in World War I. He was honored as a United States Marine Corps veteran and, after the war, reenlisted in the United States Army Air Service. On February 21, 1922, he died along with 33 crewmates in the disastrous crash of the U.S. Army Airship Roma in Norfolk, Virginia. Theron was buried near his mother’s residence in the Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, California.
Family Affiliation: Theron M. Blakely was the only son of Theron M. Blakely Sr. and Roslie “Rosa” Ayers Blakley (1865-1938), the daughter of early Petaluma pioneers William Ayers (1829-1899) and Martha Wade Ayers (1829 or 30 - 1890). Theron had one sister, Clarice Aletha Blakely Holmes. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95182713/theron-melville-blakely
Bibliography: Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, Feb. 23, 1922, p. 1; Feb 26, 1922, p. 3.; March 3, 1922, p. 2; March 5, 1922, p. 1.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card
Medium: gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front:
Description, back: Elon D. Ormsby’s large imprint appears in brown ink. Handwritten in script in pencil along the top edge is: “Theron Blakely”.
Date:
Condition: This cabinet card is in good condition.
Owner: The Cyndi Logan Collection, 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.