Cady, Emma S. Elder Coggeshall (1857-1933) (3 of 6)
/Lewis Dowe’s Portrait Photograph of Emma S. Elder
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
LEWIS DOWE was born in 1838 in Hanover, New Hampshire and died in 1919 in Portland, Oregon. He arrived in Petaluma in September 1875 and set up his photography studio in the rooms formerly occupied by photographer Hugh Anderson. Dowe worked in Petaluma as both a “view” and portrait photographer until he departed the town in March 1882. (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 S. Elder Coggshall Cady. This portrait was most probably taken prior to the sitter’s first marriage, when she was known by her maiden name, Emma S. Elder.
Description: The sitter wears a dark velvet blouse with a lighter trimmed collar piped in the darker velvet fabric. Above this collar is a white, lace ruff and neck scarf tied in a bow. A large drop earring can be seen hanging from her left ear. Her center-parted hair has been combed and pulled to the back of her head. The condition of her hair leads one to conclude it has been repeatedly crimped.
Biographical Note: As a student and young woman, Emma was mentioned often in Petaluma papers’ society section. She received her certificate to teach in the Petaluma Public School system in 1876. In 1919, she was living at A and Sixth Streets.
Family Affiliation: Emma S. Elder Coggeshall Cady was the daughter of Petaluma pioneers, William Elder (1812-1876) and Sarah C. Elder (1819-1891). The Elders were a prominent family in Petaluma. William Elder, born in Scotland, was Petaluma’s first mayor, the first chairman of the Petaluma Board of Trustees, and one of the founders of the Petaluma Congregational church. William Elder also founded, with George Harris, the general merchandising store in Petaluma, Harris & Elder. In 1877, Emma married a man named Coggeshall and with him had three children. Their daughter, Catherine Coggeshall (1884-1982), married Malcolm Lyman Byce (1890-1919) in 1912. Emma later named a man whose surname was Cady.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This is a head-and-shoulder portrait contained within a vertical oval.
Description, back: Written in black ink in all capitals along the top edge is, “EMMA ELDER”. The photographer’s imprint appears in the center diagonally aligned.
Date: The earliest date for this portrait is September of 1875 because that is when Lewis Dowe began working as a photographer in Petaluma. Given that the back of this portrait identifies Emma by her maiden name, the latest date for this portrait is most probably May of 1877 when she married, changing her name to Coggeshall. This portrait may commemorate Elder’s 1877 graduation from Petaluma High School; it is strikingly similar to, and concurrent with Clara Belle Sproul’s graduation portrait.
Condition: With the exception of the bottom right corner, this cabinet card is in good condition.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1984-289-07
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