Jewell, George Colby (1856-1925)
/John Quincy Reed’s Portrait Photograph of George Colby Jewell
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: George Colby Jewell
Description: George Colby Jewell appears very dapper in this head-and-shoulder portrait. He is meticulously groomed and attired. His hair has been parted on his left and carefully oiled and combed. He also sports a trimmed, chevron mustache. His fashionable jacket has large lapels and a subtle checkered pinstripe, and his matching vest has metallic buttons. The collar of his white shirt has been turned up and beneath it, he wears a geometrically patterned ascot. Unfortunately, the details of the rectangular pin at the center of his ascot can not be discerned.
Biographical Note: According to the Petaluma newspapers, George, as a young man, was very popular and socially active. On August 6, 1876, the Petaluma Weekly Argus reported that George, along with five other young men, would be attending the full four year course at the State University. It specified that George was to take the “scientific course”. The Jewell family ranch was in Chileno Valley where it was reported fine thoroughbred cattle and horses were raised. The Jewell family also had a fashionable, large residence on D Street. George eventually moved to San Rafael and lived with his brother-in-law and sister, Dr. Sallie Jewel Davis. George died in 1925 at the age of 68 or 69 in San Rafael, but was buried in the family plot at Cypress Hill Memorial Park in Petaluma.
Family Affiliation: George’s paternal grandparents, Jesse Jewell (1776-1863) and Sally Smith Jewell (1781-1872), were early settlers of Petaluma. George’s parents were Isaac Robinson Jewell (1820-1891) and Ruby Stafford Ridley Jewell (1821-1907), also of Petaluma. All four are buried in Cypress Hill Memorial Park in Petaluma. George’s uncle, George Clinton Jewel (1822-1863), was also an early Petaluman, and he was married to Polly E. Reynold (1825-1926), a beloved early citizen of Petaluma. George’s elder brother was John Elliott Jewell (1852-1932), and John’s first wife was Clara Belle Sproul Jewell Ivancovich (1856-1939). Clara was a prominent Petaluman, and George may have lived with her and his brother during the early years of their marriage.
Bibliography: Petaluma Daily Morning Courier : October 30, 1907, p.1; August 31, 1920, p. 5; April 10, 1921, p.6; November 5, 1925, p.4. Petaluma Weekly Argus: April 27, 1872, p. 3; August 6, 1875, p. 3. Petaluma Argus-Courier, April 23, 1925, p.3; November 4, 1925, p. 2. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/207826262/george-colby-jewell
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This head-and-shoulders portrait is set within an oval format, and the photographer’s imprint appears along the bottom edge.
Description, back: Handwritten in cursive in black ink along the top edge of the card is, “Geo. C. Jewell” and “April 23rd 1879”. (The number 9 in this date appears to be superimposed on the number 8.) Along the bottom appears what might be, “Chum”, a popular word at the time meaning close friend.
Date: April 23, 1879
Condition: With the exception of soiling along the bottom edge, the front of this card is in very good condition. The bottom half of the back of the card is heavily soiled.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1996-X-36
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