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

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

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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. 

“Young Girl Standing on a Chair”

Robert Peterson Dammand’s Portrait Photograph of an a “young girl standing on a chair”

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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: Unidentified

Description: The composition of this vertical cabinet card is unusual. The photographer has chosen to poise an unidentified young girl standing on a high-back wooden chair. She grasps the turned post of the chair’s back with her left hand and, with a sad but determined demeanor, looks to her right. She appears to be approximately four years old. She wears a drop-waist, white dress with flounced cuffs and yoke collar. Her shoulder-length hair has been parted on the side and drawn to her right with a light colored bow.

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:  cabinet card

Medium: matte collodion print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: The painted backdrop of this vertically formatted portrait depicts a large plant in the lower right.

Description, back: The back of this cabinet card is either blank or contains only an accession number.

Date: November 1901 - July 1905

Condition: This cabinet card is in good condition.

Owner:  Private collector, 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. 

Lewis, John Bacon (1825-1909)

Robert Peterson Dammand’s Portrait Photograph of John Bacon Lewis

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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: John Bacon Lewis

Description:

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: 

Medium: matte collodion print with oval mount

Description, front: The photographer’s imprint embossed on the center of the bottom edge of the card reads, “Dammand, Oskaloosa, Iowa”.

Description, back:

Date: between 1898 and November 1901

Condition:

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, The Barbara Webster 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. 

Hansen, Else M.(1882-1982)

Robert Peterson Dammand’s Portrait Photograph of Else M. Hansen

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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: Else M. Hansen

Description: In this full-length portrait, Else M. Hansen stands holding an unidentified object in her right hand while resting the knuckles of her left hand on a metal side table. She is attired in a full-length white dress cinched at the waist. It has four bands of ribbon at the hem, a row of knee-high ruffles, and elaborate lace cuffs. She wears her hair in the Gibson Girl style, which was fashionable at the turn of the century. With a calm demeanor, she looks expressionless into the distance.

Biographical Note: Else was born in Oalsted, Jylland, Denmark, in 1882 and arrived in Petaluma in 1902 at age twenty. She was a member of Petaluma Dania and the Danish Sisterhood of Petaluma. She lived in Petaluma on Stoney Point Road and in Sebastopol on Robles Road. Else died March 22, 1982, in Sebastopol and was buried with her husband in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park.

Family Affiliation: Else married Carl C. Hansen (1878-1941) in 1910. Together they had four children: Helga Marion Hansen Young, Hertha Hansen Rupp, Fleming Hansen, and Carl Hansen.

Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier, November 8, 1962, p.2. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127046402/else-m-hansen; https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127046166/carl-c-hansen.

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:  cabinet card

Medium: matte collodion print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: This portrait contains a canvas backdrop that depicts a misty garden scene. On the bottom right of the card is the photographer’s embossed imprint. It reads, “R. P. Dammand, Petaluma Photo Parlor, CAL”.

Description, back: At the top of the card is written in cursive in ink, “Tante Else Hansen”, “Tante - Great-Grandpa Little Sister”, and “Taken about 1906”. Along the bottom is written “Anna Christensen”. “Tante” means aunt in Danish, and the name at the bottom edge may identify the writer of the inscription.

Date: This portrait was taken between November 1901 and July 1905.

Condition: The front of this cabinet card is in good condition; however, the back contains four rectangles of tape remnant.

Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 2022-X-11

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. 

Raymond, Emma Jane Dies (1876-1957)

Robert Peterson Dammond’s Portrait Photograph of Emma Jane dies Raymond

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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: Emma Jane Dies Raymond

Description: Emma Jane Dies Raymond looks to her right in this head-and shoulders profile portrait. Her hair is arranged in a highly sophisticated Gibson Girl style popular at the turn of the century. The coiffure is crowned with a large ribbon bow and embellished with a thick twisted braid that falls down her back. She wears a blouse with a white lace yoke and a high band collar. Below the yoke is dark fabric embroidered with an elaborate garland of leaves. Around her neck is a long thin chain, but its pendant is below the margin of the portrait.

Biographical Note: Emma Jane Dies Raymond was born in Ord, Nebraska, and when she was in her early teens, she emigrated with her family to Orange County, California. They moved to Petaluma in 1893, and Emma resided there for the remainder of her life. She was a member of Petaluma’s First Methodist Church, serving for many years as a Stewart and on many volunteer committees. The “Emma Raymond Circle” was established in honor of Emma’s service by the Church’s Woman’s Society of Christian Service committee. Emma was also an honorary life member of the Petaluma High School Parent Teacher Association. Emma lived for many years at 311 Liberty Street in Petaluma and was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park in the Raymond family plot.

Family Affiliation: Emma Jane Dies Raymond was the daughter of Polly S. Dies (1831-1889) and J. L. Dies. In 1896 she was married to Henry Judson Raymond (1864-1948), one of the owners of the Raymond Brothers Department store on Petaluma’s Main Street. Together, Emma and Henry had three children: Charles E. Raymond, Roy H. Raymond, and Vera Raymond Dory.

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: 

Medium: matte collodion print with oval mount

Description, front: This portrait is set within a vertical oval that is embossed with flourishes at the top and bottom. The photographer’s imprint is embossed in the lower right corner of the card and reads, “R. P. Dammond Petaluma Photo Parlors CAL.”

Description, back: Hand printed in capital letters in pencil along the top edge is, “EMMA RAYMOND”.

Date: November 1901 - July 1905

Condition: Although the mat is slightly soiled, the portrait is in excellent condition.

Owner:  Pete Vilmur 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. 

Church, Lorin Jasper (1889-1918) (3 of 3)

Robert Peterson Dammand’s Portrait Photograph of Lorin Jasper Church

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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: Lorin Jasper Church

Description: In this head-and-should portrait, Lorin Jasper Church appears as a young man formally dressed in a jacket with high small lapels and a matching vest. He wears a white shirt with a stiff, tall rounded collar and a small dark bowtie. His dark, straight hair is parted just off center and neatly combed to each side of his head.

Biographical Note: Lorin Jasper Church was born and raised at the Church family ranch in Two Rock. In 1899, he was listed as a student at Two Rock’s Walker School, and his teacher was listed as Miss Mabel Celeste Black (1874-1966), the future Mabel Black-Putnam and mother-in-law of Petaluma mayor, Helen DuMont Putnam (1909-1984). In 1906, it was reported that Lorin was the Sergeant at Arms of his senior class at Petaluma High School. A member of the Enterprise Yearbook staff, he graduated in May 1907 and soon after enrolled at the University of California. On June 4, 1911, he married Helen M. Storer of Oakland, and initially, they settled in Alaska. By 1915, the couple had returned to Petaluma, and on August 10, 1917, Lorin enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to fight in World War I. He was stationed at Quantico, Virginia, and received distinction as a sharpshooter. In July 1918, he was reported to be in France, working back of the lines as a surveyor. On August 10, 1918, the Petaluma Daily Morning Courier reported that he had been killed on the battlefield in France on June 13th. He was the second Petaluma boy to die in World War I. He was buried at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial, Belleau, Departement de L’Aisne, Picardie, France.

Family Affiliation: Lorin Jasper Church was the second son of Walter A. Church and Minnie B. Warders Church of Two Rock Valley. He was the brother of Linnie Church Mack, Rena Church Weyler, Flora Church, Ralph Church, Amy Church, Earl Church, and Roy Church. He was the husband of Helen M. Storer. Click here to be directed to a list of the other portraits of Church family members in this archive.

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cabinet card

Medium: matte collodion print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: This photograph has been cut, and its sides are not parallel. Additionally, it was not applied symmetrically to its dark textured card. The trimming of the card was haphazard; the bottom line of the photographer’s embossed imprint has been cropped in half. In its entirety, it may have read, “R. P. Dammond, Petaluma Photo Parlors, CAL”, or, alternatively, “R. P. Dammand, Petaluma Photo Parlors, CAL”.

Description, back: The back of this portrait is either blank or contains only an accession number.

Date: November 1901 - July 1905

Condition: This portrait has several abrasions and is not in sharp focus.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1979-425-03-p29-p20

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.