Doss, Letitia Ellen Johnston (1868-1938)
/John Henry Peterson’s Portrait Photograph of
Henry Franklin “Frank” Doss & Letitia Ellen Johnston Doss
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: John Henry Peterson
Studio Location: J. H. Peters, 914 Market St., San Francisco, California
THE SITTERS:
Names: Henry Franklin “Frank” Doss and Letitia Ellen Johnston Doss
Description: In this double portrait Letitia Ellen Johnston Doss stands by her husband, Henry Franklin “Frank” Doss, holding her hands in front of her with her fingers touching. Her corseted Basque jacket has gathered sleeves, ribboned cuffs and a double row of buttons creating a center panel. Her skirt has horizontal draping which was most probably drawn into a bustle in the back. She wears an elaborate, elongated corsage on her left breast which supports the assumption that this is a portrait taken to commemorate their wedding day.
Biographical Note: Letitia lived with her husband, Henry Franklin “Frank” Doss, on their farm in Two Rock. She served as a school board elector judge and raised five children.
Family Affiliation: Henry Franklin “Frank” Doss was Letitia’s husband and together they had five children including Floyd Ernest Doss (1893-1980) and Iva M. Doss Goble (1895-1987). Henry and Letitia were the grandparents of Mert Doss, (1921-2010) a well-known Petaluma photographer.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This is a double portrait of a Henry Franklin “Frank” Doss and Letitia Johnston Doss possibly taken to commemorate their wedding of October 8, 1890. Henry stands on the left and holds Letitia’s right arm. Letitia stands with the fingers of both of her hands touching below her waist. To the left is an upholstered chair and behind is a painted backdrop. The photographer’s imprint appears along the bottom edge of the card.
Description, back: Handwritten in black ink in script is, “Frank & Letitia Johnston Doss” and “married Oct 8, 1890”.
Date: The date of October 8, 1890 assumes this double portrait to be a photograph taken on their wedding day.
Condition: There are large dark spots throughout the upper right of the portrait.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1994-106-05
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