Farquar, Mary Irene Clark (1858-1941)(4 of 5)
/Henry KEMP VAN EE’S PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPH OF
MARY IRENE CLARK FARQUAR, GEORGE CLARENCE CLARK, AND NETTIE URITH CLARK CANNON
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: Henry Kemp Van Ee (1853-1934)
Studio Location: 410 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, California
THE SITTERS:
Names: Mary Irene Clark Farquar, George Clarence Clark, and Nettie Urith Clark Cannon
Description: In this group portrait, Mary Irene Clark Farquar appears to the left of her two siblings, George Clarence Clark, and Nettie Urith Clark Cannon. Mary wears a black, flat-fronted skirt and a matching, short, bodice-jacket with a ruffled front panel and large puff sleeves. There is an almost military air to the poses of the siblings. Mary and her sister, Nellie, stand erect with their hands behind their backs; both women look directly at the viewer. Their significantly taller brother stands authoritatively erect with his arms at his sides and gazes to his right.
Biographical Note: Mary Irene Clark Farquar was born in Petaluma on the “Clark Ranch” owned by her pioneer parents. She was raised in Petaluma and then attended Mills Seminary (later known as Mills College) between 1874 and 1875. After the death of her first husband in 1908, Mary purchased a ranch in Sonoma Valley at Madrone Station where she lived with her widowed mother, Rachael Jane Murray Clark. In 1919, Mary married an Oakland real estate investor, L. M. Channel. According to their marriage announcement, they planned to live on Mary’s ranch. It appears Mary was never referred to as “Mrs. Channel”. Even after her second marriage, she continued to be referred to as “Mrs. Farquar” or “Mrs. Farquar Sr.” Even her funeral announcement and obituary refer to her as Mrs. Farquar. She was buried in the Farquar family plot in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park. As it seems she never acknowledged the name “Channel”, this archive has filed her portraits under her last acknowledged name, Farquar.
Family Affiliation: Mary Irene Clark Farquar was a member of an early Petaluma pioneer family. Her father, Almer Clark (1829-1899), came to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and her mother, Rachael Jane Murray Clark (1838 - 1930), a native of Missouri, crossed the plains with her parents in 1848 or 1852. Almer and Rachael established the “Clark Ranch” on Petaluma Hill Road which served as a “Half-Way” house for the stage coaches traveling between Sacramento and Willits. In 1876, Mary married Calvin Stuart Farquar (1848-1908). Together, they had five children: Frederick Stuart Farquar (1879-1962), Ben Harold Farquar (1881-1965), Thomas Allen Farquar (1891-1956), Helen Farquar (b. & d. dates to be determined) and Marion Irene Farquar (b. & d. dates to be determined). There are many additional portraits of Farquar family members in this archive.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card
Medium: gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This is a crowded and strangely cropped group portrait of three standing siblings. On the right can be seen a backdrop painted to resemble a residential interior, and on the left can be seen what may be a lace curtain. The card has pinked edges, and the photographer’s imprint appears along the bottom edge. On the bottom edge of the card under the corresponding sibling is written their first name: “Mary”, “George” and “Nettie”.
Description, back: Handwritten in script in pencil along the top edge of the card is: “Mary I. (Clark) Farquar”, “Geo. C. Clark”, and “With Nettie Clark Cannon”.
Date: It is very probable that this portrait was taken January 15, 1895. There is another portrait by Henry Kemp Van Ee in this archive which depicts Mary Irene Clark Farquar’s three sons, and it is very similar to this portrait. The backdrop in both portraits is identical, and on the back side of the portrait of the three boys is written “Jan15, 1895”. It is logical to conclude that the family would have arrived together to have their portraits taken.
Condition: There is slight foxing throughout the top of the card.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum,1978-80-44-p21-p40, Farquar Family Album
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.