Boy in Formal Kilt Attire

As with most things in the Victorian Era the kilt for boys became fashionable after Queen Victoria began dressing her sons in kilts. However, the appeal of the kilt probably was special to American mothers who were not ready to see their darling sons don long pants or even long kneepants yet.  It was commonplace back then for young boys and girls to wear dresses.  The kilt filled the gap between dresses and long kneepants as did Lord Fauntleroy and sailor suits. 

 

According to Pioneer Photographers from the Mississippi to the Continental Divide, Aschylus William Monfort  was a photographer in Burlington from 1865 to about 1881 but he and his partner George Hill photographed well into the 1890's which is when I think our Kilt Boy was taken.

 

It's very possible this young fellow is a distant Cowardin relative from Iowa.