Whitney, Albion Paris (1825-1884) (2 of 2)

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C.W. Bowles oil painting of George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of Albion Paris Whitney

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 19th 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 Ross stopped working as a photographer soon after he became an invalid 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: Albion Paris Whitney

Description: In this head-and-shoulders portrait, Albion Paris Whitney appears as a man entering middle age. His beard and mustache are greying and pronounced wrinkles appear at the side of his eyes. He wears a heavy jacket, vest, collared white shirt and a dark bow tie.

Biographical Note: Albion was a hard-working, driven pioneer. Even his obituary stated, “…mind and body, when overworked often react upon themselves, and present the sad spectacle of a star falling from the sky before it has attained its zenith.” (Petaluma Weekly Argus, March 29, 1884). As a young man, Albion sought his fortune journeying further and further west. He eventually took the trail to California from Colorado and, in 1860, settled in Petaluma. He started in the grocery business and expanded into freighting grain and produce. He quickly became a wealthy man and served in many civic capacities. He was chairman of the Petaluma City Board of Trustees, a member of the Petaluma School Board, and President of the Sonoma and Marin District Agricultural Society. In 1874, he turned to politics and was elected on the Republican ticket to the California State Senate. Albion was also an active member of Petaluma’s Masonic Lodge.

Family Affiliation: Albion Paris Whitney was the husband of Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917), and the son of Olive Parlin Whitney (1791-1874). He and Susan had seven children: Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Nancy Jane “Jenny” Whitney Morrow, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton, Albion Harvey Whitney and Clara Whitney Spears.

Bibliography: 

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:

Medium: Oil painting

Description, front: This painting, along with its companion piece depicting Albion’s wife, Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney, was donated by a descendant of the Whitney family and hangs in the Pioneer Parlor of the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum. Albion Paris Whitney PDF

Description, back:

Date: late 1870s to 1881

Condition:

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum

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. 

Whitney, Susan Durgin Eastman (1832-1899) (2 of 2)

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Oil Painting by C.W. Bowles of lewis dowe’s portrait photograph of Susan Durgin Eastman 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 SITTER:

Name: Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney

Description:

Biographical Note: In 1861, Susan traveled to California by the Panama Route with her four children to join her husband, Albion Paris Whitney, who had been working in the lumber business in Placer County. They settled in Petaluma, and Albion became a well-known and respected Petaluma businessman and California state senator. They were prominent Petaluma citizens, and raised their large family in their fashionable home at 320 Sixth Street. It was recorded that as a widow, Susan managed the businesses her husband had created, and, as executrix of his estate, “carried out his wishes to the letter.” Also, after Albion’s death, Susan became a significant leader in the women’s suffrage movement in Petaluma. She was reputed to have been a very charitable and kind woman and was an active member of the Masonic Order of the Eastern Star and of the Episcopal Church.

Family Affiliation: Susan Whitney was the wife of early Petaluma pioneer and state senator, Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884). She was the daughter-in-law of Olive Parlin Whitney. Her children were: Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Nancy Jane “Jenny” Whitney Morrow, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton, Albion Harvey Whitney and Clara Whitney Spears.

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:

Medium:

Description, front:

Description, back:

Date:

Condition:

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum

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.

Whitney, Albion “Albie” Harvey (1870-1907) (2 of 5)

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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: Albion (Albie) Whitney was born in Petaluma on April 10, 1870, and according to an article in the Petaluma Argus- Courier he received a “high education”. It also states that he traveled extensively in his youth, visiting the Orient and spending considerable time in Alaska, “where his health was seriously damaged.” In 1904, he departed Petaluma to work in San Mateo for his brother, Arthur Leslie Whitney (1858-1914) the founder of the Leslie Salt Refining Company where Albion was secretary and manager. Albie died tragically at age 35. On May 21, 1907 his car was struck by a passenger train, and it was reported he died instantly. Petaluma Argus-Courier, June 5, 1907, p. 3.

Family Affiliation: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney was the sixth child of the prominent Petaluma pioneers Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884) and Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917). His father was a California State Senator and wealthy businessman. His mother managed the family business after her husband’s death and was an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement. His paternal grandmother was Olive Parlin Whitney, and his siblings were Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Nancy Jane “Jenny” Whitney Morrow, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton and Clara Whitney Spear.

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)(2 of 6)

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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. 

Whitney, Annabelle St. John (2 of 2)

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John A. Todd’s Portrait Photograph of AnnaBelle St. John Whitney & Children, 1889

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer:  John A. Todd,

Studio Location: 2126 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, California

THE SITTER(s):

Name(s): AnnaBella St. John Whitney and Children

Description: Boudoir card of AnnaBelle St. John Whitney with two young girls. Belle has short curly bangs, characteristic of the 1880s, and the rest of her hair is pulled back. She has on a patterned dress with a lace collar. The two girls in front of her have on white lacey dress. The sepia tone denotes albumen processing on paper.

Biographical Note: AnnaBelle, or Belle, St. John is the wife of Arthur Leslie Whitney and the daughter-in-law of Senator Albion P. Whitney and Susan Eastman. Belle's mother is Isabell Grigsby St. John Denman

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography: add, augment

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: boudoir card, approximately 13.5 x 21.5 cm

Medium: Albumen processing on paper

Description, Obverse: (identify group or individual, gender(s); identify pose, furniture & props; describe composition, background, added color…)

Description, Reverse: “Anna Whitney St. John Leslie.” Stamp reads: John A. Todd, Photographer, 2126 and 2128 Fillmore Street, Between California and Sacramento Streets, San Francisco, Cal.”

Date: 1889

Condition: (note tears, foxing, fading)

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1992-IDI-05

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. 

Whitney, Annabelle St. John (1 of 2)

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Unidentified Photographer, Portrait Photograph of AnnaBelle St. John Whitney, c. 1895-1900

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer:  unidentified

THE SITTER(s):

Name(s): AnnaBelle St. John Whitney

Description: Unique format cabinet card of AnnaBelle St. John Whitney. Whitney is wearing a corseted, bustled dress with a lace bodice. There is darker, paisley detailing along the bodice and skirt. She is standing with her hands clasped in front of her, and wearing a diamond bracelet. She has short curly bangs and the rest of her hair is pulled back.

Biographical Note: add, augment

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography: add, augment

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: Unique format cabinet card, approximately 12.5 x 17.5 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, Obverse: (identify group or individual, gender(s); identify pose, furniture & props; describe composition, background, added color…)

Description, Reverse: AnnaBelle St. John married Arthur Whitney in 1882. Daughter of Isabelle Grigsby St. John Denman.

Date: c. 1895-1900  

Condition: (note tears, foxing, fading)

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1992-IDI-02

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.