Church, Lorin Jasper (1889-1918) (1 of 3)
/George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of Lorin Jasper Church
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
GEORGE COLVAINE ROSS was born February 12, 1832 in Edinburgh, Scotland and died in 1893 at the age of 60 in Petaluma, California. Unlike the other nineteenth century Petaluma photographers, Ross lived and worked in Petaluma for many years. He arrived in Petaluma in 1855, and in 1862 he began his profession as a photographer, moving his studio within the city several times as noted on his various carte de visite and cabinet card imprints. In 1869 he was also part of a short-lived photographic studio partnership with Elon D. Ormsby on Main Street in Petaluma. It was reported that Ross stopped working as a photographer soon after he developed a disability in 1888. Ross was among the most prolific Petaluma portrait photographers, and his work was of exceptionally high quality. Ross was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park. (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 carte de visite portrait, Lorin Jasper Church appears to be between one and two years old. He sits atop a heavy, draped textile decorated with a floral design. He looks up and smiles contentedly, holding what appears to be a rattle in his lap. He wears a scallop-hemmed white dress and dark leather boots.
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.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front:
Description, back: On the back of this carte de visite is a late version of George Ross’ imprint.
Date: 1889 or 1890
Condition: The front and back of this carte de visite are slightly soiled.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1979-425-01-p6-p2
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