Bock, Josephine (Josie) Emma (1863 -1939) (2 of 2)
/Lewis Dowe’s Portrait Photograph of Josephine Emma Bock
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 of 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 of 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: Josephine (Josie) Emma Bock
Description: Josephine Emma Bock stands facing to the right and, as though interrupted, turns her head to the viewer with a matter-of-fact gaze. With a gentle and possessive gesture, she grasps, with both hands, a book that has been positioned vertically on top of another book that rests horizontally on a small Eastlake side table. The arrangement of her hands, the books, and the table creates an elegant composition that reflects the verticality of her body. She is attired in a long, corseted, cuirass bodice and matching bustled skirt. Her bodice is of simple design, but her skirt hem has a boxed flounce and dark satin trimming. Around her neck is a white crocheted scarf. Her hair has been center-parted, crimped to create fashionable waves, and pulled to the back of her head.
Biographical Note: Josephine Emma Bock was born on August 29, 1863, and died at age 75 on January 30, 1939. In 1877 Bock was attending school in Petaluma’s Dunham District and was reported to be among the most outstanding students. She was mentioned in the society pages of the Petaluma newspapers throughout her life. Her funeral service was held at the Two Rock Valley Presbyterian Church, and she was interred at the Liberty Cemetery in Petaluma.
Family Affiliation: Josephine Emma Bock was the daughter of David Bock (1822-1887) and Lucy Renn Bock (1828-1896) who were among the earliest pioneer settlers of the Roblar and Stony Point district. Her siblings included William A. Bock (1852-1871), Blanche Elizabeth Bock (died 1926), Edward H. Bock (died 1919), John P. Bock, Kate Bock Magoon, Andrew Bock, Walter Bock (1861-1903), and George Bock.
Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier, February 20, 1926, p. 1; March 22, 1928, p.7; Jan 21, 1933, p. 5; March 26, 1934, p. 8; January 31, 1939, p.3. Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, Feb. 21, 1919, p. 4. Petaluma Weekly Argus, April 6, 1877, p. 4; Sept. 28, 1877, p. 4. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15860050/josephine-bock.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This portrait is mounted on a gray cabinet card and surrounded by an ecru boarder with an elaborate design. Lewis Dowe’s imprint runs along the bottom edge of the card.
Description, back: Handwritten in black ink along the bottom of the card is “Josie Bock”.
Date: c. 1879 - March 1882
Condition: This cabinet card is in good condition.
Owner: The Cyndi Logan Collection, digital copy by permission.
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.