Jewell, George Colby (1856-1925)

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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

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.

Jewell, Clara Belle Sproul (1858-1935)(see Ivancovich)→

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Lewis Dowe’s Portrait Photograph of Clara Belle Sproul Jewell Ivancovich

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: Clara Bella Sproul Jewell Ivancovich

Description: This carte de visite is Clara Belle Sproul Jewell Ivancovich’s high school graduation portrait. She has short curly bangs, and the remainder of her hair is pulled up into a bun at the back of her head. She wears a close-fitting jacket with a shawl lapel. Her white lace ruff is adorned with what appears to be a brooch, and around her neck, tied in a bow, is a white, crocheted, fringed scarf.

Biographical Note: Clara Belle was born in 1853 in Canton, Illinois and moved with her family to Petaluma at the age of ten. She graduated from Petaluma High School, and after a brief marriage to Petaluman, John Elliott Jewell (1852-1932), was divorced. In 1898, at the age of forty, she married a prominent Petaluma doctor, George Ivancovich (1850-1924). She was a skilled musician, composer, journalist, playwright, and poet. She sang in the Methodist Church Choir, taught piano lessons in her home, and wrote the music and lyrics for several songs. The original copies of several of Clara’s literary creations are housed at the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum including her journals, her musical review, Princess Petaluma, and her novella, Adele La Croix. (See her bibliography below for access to digital copies of these artifacts.) As a long-time member of the Petaluma Woman’s Club, Clara Belle contributed news of the club in an Argus-Courier column, served as chairwoman of the Literary and Choral Committee, and served as President in 1917 and 1918.

Family Affiliation: Clara Belle was the daughter of Petaluma pioneers, Roxanne Cordelia King Sproul (1826-1908) and John Sproul. Roxanne was a landlady and early suffragist, and John was a Civil War Veteran and construction contractor. Clara Belle was married for a short time to Petaluman, John Elliott Jewell (1852-1932), and later, at the age of 40, she was married in 1898 to the Petaluma medical doctor, George Ivancovich (1850-1924).

Bibliography:

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THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: This portrait has been set within a vertical oval.

Description, back: Handwritten in black ink in cursive at the top of the card is, “Class Picture”, “May 18th 1877.”. At the bottom of the card in a distinctly different handwriting in blue ink in cursive appears, “Aunt Clara”. A mailing label with the address of the donor has been applied to the right side.

Date: May 18th, 1877

Condition: This carte de visite is soiled, and there is a crease in the top half running horizontally from the center to the right side.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 2014-791-29

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.

 

 

Johnson, Bryan R. (born 1834)

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Bryan R. Johnson’s photographic Self Portrait

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

BRYAN R. JOHNSON was born c. 1834 in New York State, and his death date is unidentified. After working as a photographer in several California cities, Johnson moved to Petaluma and beginning in December of 1862 co-partnered with Edward P. Butler at the Ambrotype and Photographic Gallery on Petaluma’s Phoenix Block. In April 1863, Johnson took sole possession of the gallery and renamed it “Johnson’s Premier Pioneer Photographic Gallery”. In 1864, he moved his studio twice within the community finally settling in the Doyle Building on Main Street. Johnson sold his studio to William Henry Lentz in October 1866. (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: Bryan R. Johnson

Description: Johnson has chosen to portray himself here in a softened, vignetted style; attired in a notched lapel jacket, high collared white shirt and simple bow tie. His hair is parted on the left with thick, waves swept to the right. His face is bearded and his dark eyes stare intently to his left.

Biographical Note: For additional information on Bryan R. Johnson, and to view all portraits by him in the collection, click on his name in blue at the top of this page.

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography: Bryan R. Johnson

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: carte de visite

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: This is an early carte de visite which contains a diminutive image of the sitter’s head and shoulders. Along the bottom edge of this card is handwritten in cursive in brown ink, “B. R. Johnson”.

Description, back: Surrounded by an undulating line boarder in the center of the back of this carte de visite is Johnson’s imprint: “From B. R. Johnson’s Premium Gallery, Phoenix Block, Petaluma.”. At the bottom of the card is printed, “Negatives preserved, from which extra Copies can be had at less than regular prices.”. Along the left edge of the back of the card is handwritten in cursive in brown ink, “B. R. Johnson”.

Date: April 1863-1864

Condition: There is slight foxing throughout both sides of this carte de visite.

Owner: Private collector, 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. 

Jacobi, Jennie 1992-IDI-07-p22-p39

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George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of Jennie Jacobi

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

GEORGE COLVAINE ROSS was born February 12, 1832 in Edinburgh, Scotland and died in 1893 at the age of 60 in Petaluma, California. Unlike the other nineteenth century Petaluma photographers, Ross lived and worked in Petaluma for many years. He arrived in Petaluma in 1855, and in 1862 he began his profession as a photographer, moving his studio within the city several times as noted on his various carte de visite and cabinet card imprints. In 1869 he was also part of a short-lived photographic studio partnership with Elon D. Ormsby on Main Street in Petaluma. It was reported that Ross stopped working as a photographer soon after he developed a disability in 1888. Ross was among the most prolific Petaluma portrait photographers, and his work was of exceptionally high quality. Ross was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park. (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: Jennie Jacobi

Description: CDV of a woman's bust in an oval frame. She has a braided up do with long, hanging curls. Her collar is large and ruffled.

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: carte de visite

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front:

Description, back: George Ross’ stamp

Date: circa 1862-1893

Condition:

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1992-IDI-07-p22-p39

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.