Cannon, Nettie Urith Clark (1868-1955)

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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, Nettie Urith Clark Cannon appears to the right of her two siblings, Mary Irene Clark Farquar and George Clarence Clark. She is attired in a waisted, black, dress which has a high collar and a large, wide neck bow. Between the collar and the bow there appears to be a jeweled pin. Over her dress is a bolero jacket fringed with tassels. Several sections of her hair has been twisted and gathered at the top of her head in a top-knot which is crowned by what appears to be a black conical object. There is an almost military air to the poses of the siblings. Nettie and her sister, Mary, 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:

Family Affiliation: Nettie Urith Clark Cannon 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 (1838-1903), 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. Nettie was raised on this ranch and later married Louis L. (Doc) Cannon, a horse trainer. They took over the “Clark Ranch” renaming it the “L. L. Cannon Ranch”. Mary Irene Clark Farquar (1858-1941) was her sister, and George Clarence Clark(1863-1927) was her brother.

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cabinet card

Medium: albumen 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

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