Osmon, Mabel Emily Lewis (1877-1960)
/Easterly & Company’s Portrait Photograph of Mabel Lewis osmon, Julia Lewis cox & Elizabeth Lewis Wallace
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: George Bascombe Easterly (1859-1906); Easterly & Company
Active in Petaluma: 1892-1895
Biographical Note: Easterly opened a studio in Petaluma in 1892 and moved to Lake County 1895.
Bibliography:
THE SITTER:
Names: Mabel Emily Lewis Osmon, Julia Bertha Lewis Cox, Elizabeth Lewis Wallace
Description:
Biographical Note:
Family Affiliation:
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 17.4 x 25
Medium: gelatin print mounted on cardstock
Description, front:
Description, back:
Date: 1892
Condition:
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, Barbara Webster Collection, 2022-214-326
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.
Oates, Bessie Jane Hiatt (1881-1967)
/John Quincy Reed’s Photographic portrait of Bessie Jane Hiatt Oates
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: Bessie Jane Hiatt Oates (1881-1967)
Description: Exuding a calm and solemn demeanor, Bessie Jane Hiatt Oates sits on a stool holding a tambourine in her lap. She has positioned the instrument so the viewer can clearly see its Salvation Army imagery and inscription, “Lieut. C. Oates”. Bessie is attired in a Salvation Army uniform typical of the 1880s and 90s. Her form-fitting jacket is fastened with large metal buttons that run the entire length of the garment. Her jacket and dress beneath were probably made of blue wool, a color meant to symbolize the purity of life enjoyed by those cleansed by Jesus and the Holy Ghost. She wears a matching bonnet fastened with a wide ribbon and tied under her left ear. Across the top of her bonnet, unseen in this portrait, would have been a red banner with a white inscription reading, “The Salvation Army”. At her throat is a Salvation Army badge, and on her collar is a metal pin in the shape of an “S”.
Biographical Note: Bessie was born in Akron, Indiana in 1881. In 1897, at the age of sixteen, she married Charles Edward Oates (1874-1963). Bessie was a member of the Petaluma Methodist Church, The Golden Age Club, and the Gann Valley Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. The date of this portrait (sometime between 1897-1898) confirms Bessie was a member of the Salvation Army in the late 1890s. In the late 1880s, the Salvation Army had attempted to establish a strong presence in Petaluma, but, due to antagonism within the community, moved their garrison to Santa Rosa in 1890. In 1897 the Salvation Army re-established a garrison in Petaluma. Consequently, Bessie may have served the Salvation Army through either the Santa Rosa or the Petaluma location. It may be informative that although Bessie and Charles lived at 504 Keokuk Street in Petaluma, they are buried in the Santa Rosa Memorial Park.
Family Affiliation: Bessie Jane Hiatt Oates’ father was Isaac Hiatt (1842-1906). He is buried in Oak Hill Memorial Park, San Jose. Bessie had four siblings, and all are buried in Cypress Hill Memorial Park in Petaluma. Her husband was Petaluma carpenter Charles Edward Oates (1874-1963). This would explain the initial “C” inscribed on her tambourine; she may have preferred to be referred to as Mrs. Charles Oates, or she may be holding her husband’s tambourine. It has not been determined if Bessie held the title of lieutenant or if she held it jointly with her husband. With Charles, Bessie had at least five children: Harry J. Oates, Wiliam C. Oates, Lois Oates Backovich, Bernand Oates and Mildred Oates.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.25 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This cabinet card portrays Bessie Jane Hiatt Oates attired in her Salvation Army uniform. She sits displaying a tambourine inscribed “Lieut. C. Oates”. In the background, along the right edge of the composition can be seen what is most likely an additional studio chair, and to the left is what appears to be an object draped with heavy cloth.
Description, back: The back side of this cabinet card is blank.
Date: This portrait dates between 1897 when Bessie married changing her name from Hiatt to Oates and soon after 1898 when the photographer, John Quincy Reed, left Petaluma.
Condition: This cabinet card is in very good condition.
Owner: Digital copy courtesy of the Rountree Family Collection
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.
Otis, Jennie (see McNear) →
/John Quincy Reed’s Portrait Photograph of Jennie Otis McNear, c. 1880-1883
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: John Quincy Reed (b. 1842, Massachusetts, d. 1902)
Active in Petaluma: 1874-1898
Biographical Note: Reed worked from several different studios during his time in Petaluma. In 1874 his studio was in the “American Hall, Main Street,” thereafter it was “Over Wells, Fargo & Co’s. Ex. Office, Main St” and finally it was “Brick Block, opposite McGuire’s Drug Store, Main Street.” According to Palmquist, Reed was charged with arson for setting fire to property in Petaluma at the corner of Cleveland and College Avenues.
Bibliography: Palmquist, pgs. 452-53; Mautz, pg. 134.
THE SITTER(s):
Name(s): Jennie Otis McNear
Description: Carte de visite of Jennie Otis McNear's bust. McNear sits at a studio prop table with her hands folded. Her hair is styled into a braided crown and the rest of her curls fall freely. She is wearing a light dress with a white ruffled collar and heavy necklaces. If you look closely you can see she is wearing a wedding ring, dating this photo between 1880 (her marriage to George McNear) and 1883 (the year of her death).
Biographical Note: Jennie Otis was the first wife of George Plummer McNear. She was born 1857 and died 1883, the result of an explosion.
“No story could be more sad than that which tells of the early and sudden death of Mrs. George P. McNear. She was the idolized daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Otis—their only child—and great as was their parental pride and love for her, their affection was returned with all the ardor of her strong and affectionate nature. Jennie had been a little more than three years the wife of Mr. George P. McNear, and the day of her burial, last Sunday, was the second anniversary of the birth of their little daughter. She was the very personification of rosy health; in form and feature a model of beauty; the rosy pathway of her life was reflected in her cheerful spirits, and as daughter, wife, and mother, her character seemed perfection. This was the tender daughter, tbe bride-wife, the clinging mother, her good-bye kiss fresh on the lips of her husband-lover and child, and her feet led by filial affection toward a suffering mother, who was met by the appalling catastrophe to the steamer Pilot last Friday.”
Family Affiliation:
Bibliography: Marin Journal, Volume 23, Number 12, 31 May 1883.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, Obverse: (identify group or individual, gender(s); identify pose, furniture & props; describe composition, background, added color…)
Description, Reverse: Mr. McNear’s 1st Wife. J.Q. Reed, Photographic Artist. Over Wells, Fargo & Co’s Ex. Office, Main St., Petaluma, Cal.
Date: c. 1880-1883
Condition: (note tears, foxing, fading)
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-04
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.
Olmsted, Aletha Jocephine “Josie” Houx (1880-1941)
/E. R. Healy Ground Floor Gallery’s Portrait Photograph of Aletha Jocephine Houx
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
EDWIN RUTHVEN HEALY (1856-1923) and ADA “ADDIE” GOSSAGE HEALY (1860-1923). Edwin and Ada Healy were a married couple, and both were listed in California directories as a photographer. It has been assumed they worked together; however, ascertaining their division of labor is problematic. The “E. R. Healy Gound Floor Gallery” was opened in 1896 at 816 Main Street, Petaluma, California. It was later relocated to 818 Main Street and sold in June, 1905. In 1906 the Healys moved to Berkeley, California. (To view all portraits in this collection taken at the E. R. Healy Ground Floor Gallery and for additional information on Edwin and Ada Healy, click on their names in blue above.)
THE SITTER:
Name: Aletha Jocephine “Josie” Houx Olmsted. According to the inscription on the back of this portrait, it was taken when the sitter was known by her birth name, Aletha Jocephine “Josie” Houx.
Description: In this head-and-shoulders portrait, Aletha Jocephine “Josie” Houx poses frontally, but turns her head and gaze to the viewer’s right. Her hair is center-parted, combed to the back of her head, and secured with a dark bow. She wears a dark blouse which has white piping at the neck, large pleated sleeves, and a prominent front flounce. Over her dark blouse she wears a large, rectangular, white, lace, yoke collar.
Biographical Note: Aletha Houx was raised at the Houx Homestead in Two Rock Valley. She attended Petaluma High School and was a member of the University of California, Berkeley class of 1904. She was a participating member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Family Affiliation: Aletha Jocephine “Josie” Houx Olmsted was the daughter of Two Rock pioneers, William Duncan Houx (1853-1951) and Martha Jan Vestal Houx (1855-1942). In November of 1904, Aletha became the first wife of John “Jack” Alexander Olmsted Sr. (1876-1953), the editor and publisher of the Petaluma Argus. Together they had four children, Duncan Houx Olmsted (1905-2000), Aletha May Olmsted (1908-2004), John Alexander Olmsted (1910-1999), and Geneva Alberta Olmsted (1911-1995).
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: Carre format, approximately 3” X 3”. The diamond orientation of this portrait is rare.
Medium: gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: All four edges of this square, diamond-shaped, portrait are pinked, and the photographer’s imprint appears along the bottom on both the left and right sides.
Description, back: Handwritten at the top of the card in pencil in print is, “Jocephine Houx”. Below this, handwritten in pencil, in cursive is,“Mother of John Olmsted family.”.
Date: circa 1896. The format of this portrait suggests it was most probably among the first produced by the E. R. Healy Ground Floor Gallery.
Condition: This card is heavily soiled.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1984-289-01
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.