Wheaton, Marcella “Ella” Whitney (1866-1915) (5 of 6)
/The London Artistic Portrait Company’s Portrait Photograph of
Ella Whitney & Rowena Lan Franco
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: The London Artistic Portrait Company
Studio Location: 108 Oxford Street W. London, England
THE SITTERS:
Names: Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton and Rowena Lan Franco (When this portrait was taken, Ella would have been know by her maiden name, Whitney.)
Description: This is a lovely double portrait of two friends. The two young women lean toward each other, and the sides of their heads touch in an intimate gesture of affection. Although the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum owns six portraits of Ella Whitney, it is not possible to distinguish which woman she is. Not only are the women similar in their appearance, they have the same coiffure, and the same striped, lace-fronted blouses. It is known Ella toured Europe between July 1887 and December 1888 and was in London in September of 1887. Her relation to Rowena Lan Franco has not yet been be determined.
Biographical Note: As a member of a prominent Petaluma family, Ella was well educated. She attended an Episcopal high school, Saint Mary’s Hall in Benicia, and, according to her obituary, a Bay Area seminary which may be a reference to Mill’s Seminary. According to articles in the Petaluma Weekly Argus, Ella toured Europe between July 1887 and December 1888. She later married Charles B. Wheaton and moved with him to Medford, Massachusetts. She died suddenly at the age of 48 of pneumonia in Medford, but was buried in her family’s plot in Petaluma at the Cypress Hill Memorial Park.
Family Affiliation: Marcella “Ella” Whitney was the fifth child of the prominent Petaluma pioneers Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884) and Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917). Her father was a California State Senator and wealthy businessman. Her mother managed the family business after his death and was an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement. Her paternal grandmother was Olive Parlin Whitney, and her siblings were Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Nancy Jane “Jenny” Whitney Morrow, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Albion Harvey Whitney and Clara Whitney Spear.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This card’s horizontal format is unusual, but appropriate for a head-and-shoulder double portrait. The studio’s imprint appears at the left side of the front of the card as well as on the back of the card.
Description, back: Handwritten in cursive in pencil along the top edge is, “Ella”, and “Rowena Lan Franco”. Below this is the London Studio’s large imprint.
Date: According to an article in the Petaluma Weekly Argus, Ella Whitney arrived into London sometime in September of 1887. Petaluma Weekly Argus, October 15, 1887, p. 2.
Condition: There is foxing throughout both sides of this card.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-10
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.