Clark(Clarke), Dorcas Haley (1815-1902)
/Unidentified Photographer, Portrait Photograph of Dorcas Haley Clark
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: unidentified
THE SITTER:
Name: Dorcas Haley Clark (Clarke)
Description: This is a portrait of Dorcas Haley Clark, one of Petaluma’s earliest educators. She is presented in this portrait with her head tilted to her left and looking directly into the camera. Her hair is parted down the center and drawn up into a large bun at the back of her head. Her coiffeur is a bit disheveled and conveys the impression of a women not overly preoccupied with the details of her appearance. She wears a heavy wool jacket with large lapels and large buttons two of which are fastened at her waist. She also wears a white lace jabot which holds a large oval brooch at her throat. Around her neck is a long chain which loops into a pocket at her waistline. The chain most probably held a watch, and its inclusion in this portrait may be an allusion to Clark’s professional position as a teacher. There is a pastel portrait of her in the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum's painting collection. Dorcas Clark PDF
Biographical Note: As the head preceptress of Petaluma’s Baptist College, Dorcas Haley Clark was one the community’s first educators. Her obituary published October 13, 1902 in the Petaluma Argus-Courier summarized her life’s work: “Mrs. Dorcas Clark, one of the most noted educators of California, passed away in San Francisco on Tuesday last at the advanced age of 87 years… More than half a century ago she took the Lord Elgin medal in Toronto for chemistry, mathematics and agriculture, a noted achievement when educational opportunities for women were limited. Mrs. Clark was appointed first head mistress of the girls’ department of the Provincial Model School, Toronto which position she resigned to come to California in 1865. Her first appointment in California was that of associate principal of the Baptist College, Petaluma. In 1868 she was made teacher of history and mathematics in the State Normal School of San Jose, and in 1888 was elected vice-president of the Girls’ High School of San Francisco which she held until she retired, having devoted fifty-five years to educational interests…. The news of the death of the pioneer will be received with regret in this city by the older settlers who remember her, well. She has not visited here for many years although after her departure from Petaluma, she used to visit here frequently.”
Let it be noted that Dorcas’ work as a professional educator was not without its challenges. The Petaluma Evening Argus flippantly mentioned on May 29, 1873, the cronyism to which Dorcas was victim: “Mrs. Dorcas Clark, who was assistant teacher in the Normal School for five years, was summarily removed at the last meeting of the Board of Trustees. Probable cause: Some of the Board had a ‘friend’ who wanted the place. Patronage is a big thing.”
Family Affiliation: Dorcas Haley Clark was married to Benjamin Milliken Clark (1809-1867). Together they had six children. Their eldest child was Emily Maria Clark Pritchard Jeffery (born New Brunswick, Canada, 1836-1910). According to the 1870 census, Emily was a music teacher living in Petaluma with her 5 year old daughter, Josephine. Among Dorcas’ other children was educator Helen Milliken Clark Boyle (1840-1912). Helen’s daughter, Gertrude Farquharson Boyle Kanno (1878-1937) was a noted sculptress. Her many portrait busts include such famous individuals as Isadora Duncan, Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt, John Muir, Joaquin Miller, Luther Burbank, and Albert Einstein.
Bibliography: San Francisco Examiner, Jan. 18, 1868, p. 2; Feb. 24, 1870, p.3; July 24, 1875, p.3. Shasta Courier, June 5, 1869, p. 2. Martinez News-Gazette, June 12, 1869, p. 1. Tulare County Times, Nov. 16, 1872, p. 2. Petaluma Evening Argus, May 29, 1873, p. 2. Oakland Tribune, March 11, 1879, p. 1. San Francisco Call and Post, Oct. 7, 1902, p. 13 (obituary). San Francisco Chronicle, Oct. 12, 1902, p. 11. Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, Oct. 13, 1902, p. 3.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite, approximately 10 x 6 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This is a frontal head-and-shoulder portrait set within a vertical oval. Handwritten along the bottom edge in black ink is, “Dorcas Clark”.
Description, back: Handwritten along the top edge in pencil in cursive is, “Dorcas Haley Clark”.
Date: This is an early carte de visite, most probably from the 1860s.
Condition: This carte de visite is faded and soiled, and there are three dark spots on the back side.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1994-658-04
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