Whitney, Albion “Albie” Harvey (1870-1907) (3 of 5)
/John Quincy Reed’s Portrait Photograph of Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
JOHN QUINCY REED was born in 1841 in Abington, Massachusetts and died in 1902 in Petaluma. He worked as a photographer in Petaluma for over 25 years, moving his studio within the community to several different locations. He arrived into Petaluma from Stockton in 1870 and continued to work as a photographer in Petaluma until at least 1898. Many of his portraits of Petaluma’s citizens are of exceptionally fine quality. (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: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney
Description: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney was 5 or 6 years old when this portrait was taken. To accommodate the size of his sitter, Reed has repurposed the fringed armrest of his studio chair to serve as the chair’s back. The child sits with his right leg tucked under his left and his hands resting on his thighs. He is dressed in knickers and a matching jacket with a large shawl collar. The collar and the hems of his sleeves and knickers are trimmed in three rows of dark ribbon, and the bottom sides of his knickers have metal buttons. He also wears a white shirt with a dark bow tie, white leggings and dark leather, lace-up boots. His hair has been groomed especially for his photo shoot; down both sides of his head hang sausage curls and a high mound of hair crowns the top of his head.
Biographical Note: Albion (Albie) Whitney was born in Petaluma on April 10, 1870, and according to an article in the Petaluma Argus-Courier he received a “high education”. It also states that he traveled extensively in his youth, visiting the Orient and spending considerable time in Alaska, “where his health was seriously damaged.” In 1904, he departed Petaluma to work in San Mateo for his brother, Arthur Leslie Whitney (1858-1914) the founder of the Leslie Salt Refining Company where Albion was secretary and manager. Albie died tragically at age 35. On May 21, 1907, his car was struck by a passenger train, and it was reported he died instantly. Petaluma Argus-Courier, June 5, 1907, p. 3.
Family Affiliation: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney was the sixth child of the prominent Petaluma pioneers Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884) and Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917). His father was a California State Senator and wealthy businessman. His mother managed the family business after her husband’s death and was an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement. His paternal grandmother was Olive Parlin Whitney, and his siblings were Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Nancy Jane “Jenny” Whitney Morrow, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton and Clara Whitney Spear.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front:
Description, back: Handwritten in pencil at the top of the card is “1876”. Below that is Reed’s imprint and below that is handwritten in cursive in pencil, “Albion Harvey Whitney”, and “‘Albie’”.
Date: 1876
Condition: The top corners of this card have been clipped, and the left edge has been trimmed. The front and back of this card are soiled and there are several, small, black spots on the right front of the card.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-12
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.