Bryan, William Francis (1873-1938)
/Harry Fowler ROBERTS’ Portrait Photograph of William Bryan
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
HARRY FOWLER ROBERTS was born in 1869 in Mankato, Minnesota, and died in February 1907 in Colfax, California, at age 38. As early as 1892 he opened a photographic studio on Petaluma’s Main Street across from the American Hotel. The exact date Roberts closed his studio in Petaluma has not been determined; however, it may have been as late as 1895. (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: William Francis Bryan
Description: Bryan is wearing a tweed jacket which has a small, high lapel, a popular fashion of the late 1880s and early 1890s. His white shirt has a banded collar, and he wears a pin at the base of his tie. His hair is combed back, and he has a clean-shaven face.
Biographical Note: Bryan was a long-time employee of the Cavanagh Lumber Company working as the foreman of the planning mill and mill wright. He died in a tragic car accident at the age of 65.
Family Affiliation: William Francis Bryan was the son of California pioneers Thomas John Bryan (d.1882) and Elizabeth Hardin Bryan (1841-1924). His maternal grandmother, Agnes Asbury Hardin (1822-1889) lived and was buried in Petaluma. Frederick James Bryan was his brother, and Jessie Bryan (d.1933) was his wife.
Bibliography: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36539821/william-francis-bryan; Petaluma Argus-Courier, July 30, 1938, p.1 -2.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: In this three-quarter view portrait cabinet card, the sitter is facing to his left. The card is scalloped on all four sides, and the photographer’s imprint appears along the bottom edge.
Description, back: Handwritten on the top edge in cursive in pencil is: “Wm Bryan 14-2”.
Date: as early as 1892, as late as 1895
Condition: There are many small stains on this portrait and extensive scuffing above the sitter’s head.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1978-666-16
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