Denman, Frank Hardenburgh (1856-1955)
/George B. Rieman & Fred H. Pray’s Portrait Photograph of Frank Hardenburgh Denman
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographers: George B. Rieman & Fred H. Pray
Photographic Studio: Rieman & Pray, 26 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California
THE SITTER:
Name: Frank Hardenburgh Denman
Description: In this portrait Frank Hardenburgh Denman is dressed formally in a double breasted, wool jacket. His lapels are velvet with leather trim. He wears a high, white, banded collar with a gentleman’s puff scarf which has a pin attached to its center. His hair is carefully groomed and waved, and he sports a conservative, walrus mustache. This portrait was most probably taken at the same time as a portrait of Denman’s bride, Charlotte Edwards Denman. Both portraits were taken at the same studio in San Francisco, and both sitters are dressed in formal, wedding attire typical of the time.
Biographical Note: Frank Hardenburgh Denman as a young man worked on his father’s farm in Two Rock and in 1881 was appointed Sonoma County Surveyor. In 1886, he began his banking career as a cashier at the Bank of Sonoma County. In 1908, along with his brother-in-law, George Plummer McNear, he took over controlling interest of the Petaluma Savings Bank and was named president. In 1920, he was made Vice President of the Bank of Sonoma, and when it was purchased by the Bank of America, he became the chairman of the advisory board of the Sonoma County Branch of the the Bank of America. In 1941, he was honored by the California Bankers Association for his long and distinguished service in the industry. He was a long time member of Petaluma’s St. John’s Episcopal church and was honored with the title of vestryman emeritus.
Family Affiliation: Frank Hardenburgh Denman was the first born child of Petaluma pioneers, Ezekial Denman (1827-1894) and Nancy Hardenburgh Denman (1834-1870). His wife was Charlotte Edwards Denman (1861-1950).
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: Boudoir cabinet card, approximately 21.5 cm X 13 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This three quarter, head-and-shoulders portrait is surrounded by a vertical oval and has been mounted on a dark card background. The photography studio imprint is in gold script and runs along the bottom edge of the card.
Description, back: Along the top edge of the card has been placed a length of tape and handwritten upon it in pencil in block letters is, “Uncle Frank” and “Frank Denman”. The back of this card is dark, and it contains several messages marketing the sophistication of the photography studio. The name of the studio is written in bold, gold, capital letters on an artist’s palette, and the address is written on surrounding scrolls. An additional scroll reads, “Take elevator”, obviously informing the reader there would be no need to climb stairs to reach the studio rooms. In script towards the bottom is, “WHEN OTHERS FAIL TRY RIEMAN”, and in a final enticement, the reader is informed, “Photographed by Electricity”.
Date: If, as assumed, this portrait was taken as a companion piece to that of the sitter’s bride, it can be dated to 1885, the year of their wedding.
Condition: There is fairly uniform foxing throughout this boudoir cabinet card and small white spots within the oval surrounding the portrait.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1991-X-12
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