Armstrong, Maybelle “Belle” Church (1863-1949)(1 of 2)

Lafayette F. Sheppard’s Portrait Photograph of MayBelle “Belle” Church Armstrong

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THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

LAFAYETTE F. SHEPPARD was born in 1852 in Ohio and died in 1940 in Inglewood, California. He established his photographic gallery in Petaluma in February of 1886, “in the rooms formerly occupied by Lewis Dowe”. It was located at 59 1/2 Main Street next door to the First National Bank Building. Sheppard continued to work as a photographer in Petaluma at least through June of 1891. (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: Maybelle “Belle” Church Armstrong. This portrait may have been taken before her marriage when she was known as Maybelle Church.

Description: This is a head-and-shoulders portrait of Armstrong as a young woman with dark, center-parted, pulled-back hair. She wears a velvet, front-buttoned, jacket and a white, high-necked, textured collar which appears to be adorned with a metal pin at her throat. Below her collar is a white, lacy jabot which may include at the bottom right a bouquet of fresh flowers. Her gaze is direct and slightly elevated.

Biographical Note: Maybelle Church Armstrong was raised by her Petaluma pioneer parents on their ranch in Two Rock. After her marriage, she lived in Petaluma, Sebastopol, Oregon, and again, towards the end of her life, in Petaluma at 27 Webster Street.

Family Affiliation: Maybelle Church Armstrong was the daughter of Cynthia J. Church and Samuel Howard Church (1829-1900), early pioneer citizens of Petaluma. She was the wife of Supervisor George J. Armstrong, a Petaluma machinist, businessman, and politician. She was the mother of Harry George Armstrong, Samuel Walter Armstrong, and Gladys Louise Armstrong.

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: carte de visite

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: This is a head-and-shoulders portrait of a young woman with “L. F. SHEPPARD, PETALUMA.” printed along the bottom edge.

Description, back: The back of this carte de visite is blank or contains only an accession number.

Date: February 1886 - 1891

Condition: There are numerous, small, stains on the background and on the sitter’s face.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1979-425-01-p12-p8, Church Family Album

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