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.
Wheaton, Marcella “Ella” Whitney (1866-1915)(6 of 6)
/Chas. Lanier’s Studios’ Portrait Photograph of Ella & Clara Whitney
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: Charles Lainer
Photography Studio: 715 Market Street, San Francisco, CA
THE SITTERS:
Names: Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton (1866-1915) and Clara Whitney Spear (1873-1954). (At the time this portrait was taken, these two sisters may have been known by their maiden name, Whitney. Marcella married in October 1892 at the age of 26, and Clara married in 1893 at the age of 18.)
Description: This is a lovely portrait of two sisters. Ella, the elder sister, is on the viewer’s left and Clara is on the right. There was 7 years age different between the sisters. Unfortunately, due to the faded quality of the photograph, it is not possible to distinguish the details of their blouses. An element of interest is Ella’s coiffure. Her hair has been arranged into a tight, small, bun on the top of her head which has been garnished with a unique hair ornament giving additional height to the arrangement.
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:
Description, back: Handwritten along the top edge in script, in bold black ink is, “Ella Whitney”, “Clara Whitney”. Below this, is Chas. Lainer’s elaborate imprint which includes an image of San Francisco’s Cliff House and his many award medallions.
Date: circa 1890 - 1895
Condition: Both sides of this card are heavily soiled, stained, and faded. Additionally, a significant strip of the bottom of this card has been trimmed.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-26
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.
Wheaton, Marcella “Ella” Whitney (1866-1915)(2 of 6)
/Hugh S. Anderson’s Portrait Photograph of “Ella” & “Albie” Whitney
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
HUGH S. ANDERSON was born in 1826 in Scotland and died in 1900 in San Francisco, California. He was active in Petaluma as early as January 1872, and he departed Petaluma in December 1873. His Sunbeam Gallery was located, “At the Old Stand, Opposite H. C. Taft & Co.’s”. (For additional information on this photographer and to view all portraits by him in the collection, click on his name in blue above.)
THE SITTERS:
Names: Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton and Albion Harvey Whitney (At the time this portrait was taken, “Ella” would have been known by her maiden name, Marcella “Ella” Whitney.)
Description: This photograph portrays the siblings “Ella” and “Albie” Whitney. “Ella” appears on the viewer’s left. She is either 6 or 7 years of age. She wears a light-colored dress with triangular decoration at its hem. Her long hair is drawn back by a headband, and she affectionally holds her left arm around her younger brother. Albie, on the viewer’s right, sits with his hands gathered in front of him on the studio chair’s armrest. He is attired in a checkered dress which a white band collar, white leggings and leather boots. As was fashionable at the time for little boys, his hair is parted on both sides of his head and pulled up into a curl at the top of his crown.
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 Spears. Marcella’s husband was Charles B. Wheaton of San Francisco whom she married in 1892.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: In this portrait, the photographer has cleverly arranged his sitters together on either side of his fringed studio chair, creating a casual, intimate, composition highly appropriate for a double portrait of young siblings. The chair’s armrest has been used for the children to grasp as their legs adorably dangle beneath them.
Description, back: Along the top edge handwritten in cursive in pencil is, “Ella + Albie”.
Hugh Anderson’s imprint is on the center of the back of this carte de visite. Anderson created several versions of his Petaluma imprint. An expanded, possibly later, version appears here. It is printed in red ink and includes four lines of text, each in a different font. The text is embellished above and below with a horizontally flipped, elaborate flourish.
Date: January 1872 - December 1873
Condition: Both sides of this card are soiled and the back retains several stains.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-08
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.
Wheaton, Marcella “Ella” Whitney (1866-1915) (4 of 6)
/Isaiah West Taber’s Portrait Photograph of Ella Whitney
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: Isaiah West Taber (1830-1912). Taber opened his first photography studio in 1854 in Syracuse, New York. In 1864 he moved to California and worked at the Bradley and Rulofson studio at 429 Montgomery Street in San Francisco until 1873. By the end of the decade, Taber was creating portraits at his own studio at 8 Montgomery Street in San Francisco. He continued to produce portraits at his new studio location at 121 Post Street between 1893 and 1906. His studio and all its contents were destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Isaiah West Taber: A Photographic Legacy, introduction by Gary F. Kurtz, Windgate Press, Sausalito, California, 2004, Appendix A: Portraits by Taber .
Photographic Studio: Taber Studio, 8 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California.
THE SITTER:
Name: Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton (At the time this portrait was taken, Ella would have been known by her maiden name, Whitney.)
Description: This is an unusual portrait of Marcella Whitney as a young woman. She wears a black lace shawl pinned at her throat with a bar brooch, and her hair is worn close to her head, similar to the coiffure of Clara Belle Sproul Jewel Ivancovich, portrait 3 of 3 in this archive. It is possible she is attired in her mourning clothes, and that this portrait was taken in 1884, the year of her Father’s death. She would have been 18 years of age.
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 “Millie” Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Nancy Jane “Jenny” Whitney Morrow, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Albion Harvey Whitney and Clara Whitney Spears. Marcella’s husband was Charles B. Wheaton of San Francisco whom she married in 1892.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This portrait is framed within a vertical oval. The imprint of Isaiah West Tabor have been cut in half along the bottom edge. It would have read on the left, “Tabor” and along the right, “8 Montgomery Street Opposite the Palace and Grand Hotels, San Francisco”. In the center of the bottom can be seen handwritten in cursive in black ink, “Ella”.
Description, back: Along the bottom edge can be read, “Duplicate copies will be supplied at reduced rates; when ordering the same it is sufficient to state the NAME IN FULL. This negative will be PRESERVED for two years, or for a longer period if required.”.
Date: The photographer’s imprint on the bottom front edge of this card allows us to assume that this portrait was created between 1879-1884. It is possible the portrait dates specifically to 1884, see “Sitter Description” above.
Condition: The bottom edge of this card has been trimmed, truncating the photographer’s imprint. There are large moisture stains on the top two thirds of the front.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-36
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.
Wheaton, Marcella “Ella” Whitney (1866-1915) (3 of 6)
/Lewis Dowe’s Portrait Photograph of Clara, Ella & Albie Whitney
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 SITTERS:
Names: Clara Whitney Spear, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton, and Albion “Albie” Whitney (At the time this portrait was taken, Clara and Marcella would have been known by their maiden name, Whitney.)
Description: This is a masterful portrait of three young siblings. Clara, approximately 4 years of age, sits on a fringed studio chair with her feet dangling above the floor. She is attired in a dark dress with a double row of buttons and a white side ruffle which runs the length of her dress and boarders the attached matching shawl. Her petticoat is revealed, peaking under the front of her dress’ hem. She wears white leggings and dark, leather, side-snap, boots. Marcella, approximately 10 years of age, stands behind her sister and brother and is attired in a dark dress with a front strip of fabric which is embellished with buttons and a diagonal cross design. She wears a white lace ruff and a necklace which ends in what is most probably a locket. Albion, approximately 7 years of age, stand on the viewer’s right and affectionally rests his right hand on Clara’s left wrist. He is dressed in a formal, cutaway, jacket with decorative side buttons. Beneath, he wears a matching piped vest and knickers.
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 Spears. Marcella’s husband was Charles B. Wheaton of San Francisco whom she married in 1892.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This is a masterful portrait of three siblings. The brilliantly harmonious arrangement of the children is strengthened by the arched matte and uncluttered background. The photographer has posed the children in a classic pyramidal composition. He angled Clara and Albion to serve as compositional parenthesis and placed Marcella to serve as the exclamation mark.
Description, back: Handwritten in cursive in pencil is, “Albie”, “Ella” and “Clara”. Handwritten in cursive in black ink in the lower right is, “Clark Family”. This is not a reference to the sitters, but, most probably, to the owners of the cabinet card.
Date: 1876 or 1877
Condition: Both the front and the back of this card are soiled.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-03
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.
Wheaton, Marcella “Ella” Whitney (1866-1915) (1 of 6)
/Richard Reece Percival’s Portrait Photograph of Marcella “Ella” Whitney
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
RICHARD REECE PERCIVAL was born in England in 1835 and died in Rhode Island in 1917. He operated the R. Percival Gallery in Petaluma between October 1867 and September 1870 and again between March 1871 and at least May 1871. After departing Petaluma, he continued working as a photographer in San Jose, California. (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: Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton (At the time this portrait was taken, the sitter would have been known by her maiden name, Marcella “Ella” Whitney.)
Description: In this portrait, baby “Ella” sits on a fabric covered table with her arms at her sides and her feet dangling. She is attired in an off-the-shoulder, light-colored, polka-dot dress that is cinched at the waist. The dress’ short sleeves are trimmed with dark ribbon, and the fullness of her skirt is defined by a hoop crinoline. The front of her dress hem has been folded to reveal her white stockings and the crocheted hem of her white lace petticoat. She also wears dark, leather lace-up boots. Her hair is center-parted and pinned on both sides of her head above the temples.
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 Spears. Marcella’s husband was Charles B. Wheaton of San Francisco whom she married in 1892.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: Carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: The studio backdrop used in this portrait is faded.
Description, back: Above the photographer’s imprint is handwritten in cursive in black ink, “Maclla Whitney”, “Born Apr. 23 1866”. Below the Percival Gallery imprint is handwritten, “Ella W three years old Apr. 1869”. Along the bottom of the card is printed, “Negatives preserved.”.
Date: April 1869
Condition: This card is heavily soiled and stained.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-07
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.