Unknown Woman? by Gebhardt & Co., Memphis Tennessee

Here we have another photograph of an unknown woman, maybe.  See update below.  The only thing I do know is that the photograph was taken in Memphis, Tennessee at the Gebhardt & Co. studio located on Main street.  However, because she was a lady she used the ladies entrance  at no. 2 and 4 Mulberry Street!

The photo was taken between 1880 and 1895 which is when the Gebhardt studio, by this name and at this location, was in operation.



UPDATED January 15 2017

Today, Kent looked at the photograph and said she looked like the same woman in a painting we have.  We compared the two and she does appear to have the same facial features and she is prominently wearing a good size brooch.    The painting is that of a woman not yet married in her finery with her hair still down while the photograph is the married matronly picture showing a settled woman.  At least that's what we think!

We know the painted woman is Louise Elizabeth McLean, wife of Quincy Shumate. She was born July 28 1855 in Tennessee a daughter of Ephraim Harvey McLean and Mary Frances Hardin.  We know this because there is a fragile piece of paper on the back of the painting that tells us that it was painted by her daughter Pattie Shumate. The note also tells us that Pattie painted and it was her first first painting ever! She goes on to say that she was using a picture taken from a tintype, 3 1/2" x 4 1/2",  of her mother that was taken about 1876, it was a year or so before her marriage to Quincy and she was about 21 years old in the painting.  And it was taken in Shelbyville, Tennessee

Dorothy Louise Timberlake, 1906-1910

In 2012 I posted about the home of Ida Moran and William G. Timberlake home which is located in Jackson Tennessee and still stands.  I included several pictures of the exterior and interior of the home that were taken in the early 1900's. The pictures were actually negatives that I scanned and then inverted the image.  The results were beautiful but to me had a sad other world feeling to them.  

One image shows a picture of a little girl on the wall.  We thought it was probably Dorothy Louise Timberlake, the only child of Ida and Will, who was just 4 years old when she died.  But we had no way of knowing for sure until now.  Here is the original framed picture that you can see hanging on the wall of the Timberlake home.

Mrs. Charles R. Morehead, 1891

1891, Mrs. C.R.Morehead, El Paso, Texas
Theo C. Marceau, fotographer,
826 Market St. Phelan Building
San Franciso, CAL

In keeping with yesterday's theme I'm posting a picture that may or may not be Mrs. Charles Robert Morehead, aka Lemire Morris Morehead.  The back of the photo is stamped  "C.R. Morehead, El Paso Texas" and "Mrs" is written in pen before the stamp. It is also annotated "1891."  So does that mean the picture is of Lemire Morehead or did she stamp the photograph to show ownership?  I've written about Charles and Lemire back in 2012.  You can see a picture of her as a young woman in that blog post.  I know she was living in Los Angeles during the later part of her life and that's where she died in 1910.  

This 1891 picture was in a group of several other pictures including the one marked "Cousin Turner to Cousin Fannie."   It's interesting to note that Lemire and Charles named their daughters Ida and Fanny.  We're certain that John W. Moran and Sophia Gunn Moran named two of their daughters after the Moreheads.   Fannie Lemira Moran was most likely a nod to Lemire Morris Morehead as well as Lemire's daughter Fanny and their other daughter was named Ida Morehead Moran and most definitely was named after Charles and Lemire's daughter, Ida Morehead!

Theo C. Marceau was a well known San Francisco photographer.  The following comes from The San Francisco News Letter, July-Dec. 1896:

A WELL-KNOWN NAME. 



The signature at the foot of these lines has become a 

household word in San Francisco. Photography, as 

there are few cities in the world that can beat us at it. 

practiced here, has indeed become one of the arts, and 

course, but patient study and care in every detail has 

Our atmosphere may have something to do with it, of 

achieved more than anything else. Theo. C. Marceau, 

Phelan Building, can improve upon nature in his photo- 

whose beautiful studio is at 826 Market street, in the 
graphs, and when one considers how handsome our women 

especially, find satisfaction in posing before his cameras. 
are, that is saying a great deal. A single glance at some 
of his work will suffice to prove what we say. Ladies, 

the person, divine their moods, and know how to catch 
One must be an artist to know how one will look at one's 
best; one must be able, as it were, to fathom the nature of 

work done is perfect. All the latest styles of photography 
them upon the plate that will hold them forever. This 
Mr. Marceau does, and he is surrounded by such efficient 
assistants in every department that every detail of the 

absolutely lifelike. Considering the quality of his work, 
can be had in his studio. His color work is simply beauti- 
ful, and adds something to his pictures that makes them 
his prices are very low, reputation, in his case, bringing 

him all the patrons he can desire. 

Young Lady, Off the Shoulder Evening Dress by Thuss

This lovely young woman is unknown to us.  The photograph was taken at Thuss Studios, 230 Cherry Street, in Nashville, Tennessee. I liked her so much I've included a closeup of her lovely face.

From Hattie, January 27 1897

The back of the photograph is annotated "From Hattie, January 27, 1897."  We don't know anymore about Hattie than that but we do know the photo was taken in Union City Tennessee by H.E. Wallace. A quick search of period newspapers shows that H.E. Wallace purchased a gallery in South Carolina and was leaving Union City on August 15, 1908.  The newspaper snippet said "Parties desiring him to make photographs call at once." Source: The Hickman Courier, July 30 1908. Another source said he was the older brother of D.B. Wallace of Warsaw, Kentucky.  D.B. was born in 1857 in Ohio according to Census records.  

Nashville Photo of Unknown Clergy by Rodney Poole, 1870-1896

I can't tell you who the man is or if he was family or friend but it's obvious he was a clergyman and meant something to the Moran family. The photograph was taken by Rodney Poole between 1870 and 1896 when the Poole Art Co. was in business.

I can tell you a lot about the photographer, Rodney Poole. He was a well-known Nashville photographer owning his own studio from 1870 - 1896. He was born June 12 1837, a son of Horace Poole and Sophia Mahy, in Ohio. He was the oldest of eight children.  

1850 Census

Springfield, Clark County Ohio

Horace Pool (sic) is 42 and a grocer.  His birthplace is listed as New York.  Sophia is 37 and a native of France.   All of the children are listed as natives of Ohio.  Rodney age 12, Forrest age 11, Oscar age 9, Marilla age 4, Samma (actually I think this is Emma) age 1.  A William Pool is in the household, age 84 a native of Connecticut and most likely Horace Poole's father.

1860 Census

Springfield, Clark County, Ohio

The Poole family shows up in 1860, minus Rodney.  Horace is a merchant, native of Vermont. Sophia is 42, a native of the "Island Guernsey."  Forest, age 22, is also a merchant, born in Ohio. Oscar, age 20 is a clerk.  Marilla is 14, Louisa Emma is 9, Charles is 7, Ella F. is 5 and James is 3.

1870 Census

Springfield, Clark County, Ohio

Horace is now 63 years old and a farmer.   His wife, Sophia is 52 and Prussia is listed as her native

homeland this time around.  There oldest son Rodney is 32 and "book pedler".  Marilla is 24, Emma is 18.  Son Charles is 16 and it looks like he may have been apprenticed out.  Allen is 15 and James is 13.  Both are listed at school.  Mary May is 83 and is Sophia's mother. She is listed as being from Prussia.

1870 Census

Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee

Another 1870 Census, this time for Nashville TN, has Rodney, age 33 and "Millie", age 22, (I believe this is his sister Marilla) living in the home of Nashville Photographer J. H. Van Stavoren. Rodney is a photographer, maybe working at Van Stavoren's studio, the studio he ended up purchasing.  

1880 Census

Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee

In 1880, Rodney is 40 years old and still a photographer.  He's living with his brother James, age 23. James is a carriage merchant.

1900 Census

Civil District 15, Davidson County Tennessee

Rodney Poole is 62 years old and out of the photography business.   He heads the household and lives with siblings: Louisa Emma Poole, age 48, single, dressmaker, Charles Poole age 46 and single an electrician, Ella F. Poole age 45 and single and a dressmaker like her sister Louisa 

1910 Census

Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee

This time around Emma, age 45, is listed as head of household although she has no income, Rodney , age 70, does have an income an occupation is not listed.  Charles is 46 now and an electrician while Ella, age 40, is now an artist.

The 1915 Nashville City Directory shows that Rodney Poole is working at the Masonic Library as a librarian.  The 1920 City Directory lists no occupation and his address is 908 Berryhill.

Rodney Poole died at the Nashville City Hospital on January 29, 1921.  The death certificate is transcribed incorrectly as Rodway Poole and lists his parents as Harris Poole and Sophie Mahy which makes it a bit difficult to find him in a search.  The informant was his sister, Emma Poole and they were still living at 908 Berryhill Street.  Cause of death was chronic interstitial nephritis.  He was interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville.

Known Interments at Mount Olivet:

Rodney Poole

Ella F. Poole

Louisa Emma Poole

Charles Poole

Fashionable Unknown Lady, Little Rock Ark, 1897/98

We don't know who the woman is with the wonderful hat but the stamp on the photograph tells us it was taken in Little Rock, Arkansas by Kimsey & Roberts.  Little Rock City Directories show that John C. Kimsey and T.H. Roberts had a studio at 612 Scott in 1897/98 so we know when the photo was taken.  It's annotated on the back "A Merry Xmas for all."

Bub Moran, Group Football Photo, mid/late 1930's

We know Bub Moran played football at Dresden High and at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He also attended Bethel College and may have played there as well.    We think the buzz haircut gives him a really intense, ferocious look.  Very different from his other pictures!

Bub Moran
No. 4
front row, 4th from the left

Lula Bransford Swiggart, Union City TN, 1900

Lula Bransford Swiggart was the first born of Judge William Harris Swiggart and his wife Mary Ware Fields.    Lula was born in Union City, Tennessee, on August 5, 1877.   I'm not sure if the Swiggarts are related to the Morans but I do know that Judge Swiggart and Charles Henry Cobb had a law practice together in Union City and that Charles Cobb married Marion Moran.  In addition to this picture of Lula we also have an advertising fob from the Bransford Lumber Co which you can see here.

Lula married James D. Porter April 25 1906 in Obion County TN. According to the 1920 Census for Davidson County Tennessee, James was a Jeweler. Lula and James had a son, William S. Porter. James died December 30 1921 in Union City but was interred in his family plot at Elmwood Cemetery in Springfield Tennessee.

Lula and her son William appear in the 1940 Census for Belle Meade, Davidson County Tennessee. William is a bookkeeper at a bag and burlap company and is 30 years old, single.  Lula is 60.  The 1959 Nashville City Directory lists Lula as the widow of J.D. Porter and she lived at 3810 Whitland Ave., Apt. 2.

Lula Bransford Swiggart Porter died on January 8, 1961 in Nashville Tennessee.  Her place of burial is unknown at this time.

Marion Moran and doll, ca 1890

The photo's of Marion Moran are always so sweet.  Notice the doll she's holding is wearing a bonnet that looks just like the one that Marion is wearing.  Adorable. 

The photo was taken by R.S. Patterson of Nashville Tennessee.

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. 

Ft. Worth Wedding Pictures ca. 1905

Fort Worth University Catalog 1909

We know this is one of Virginia Shumate Moran's sisters.  I'm leaning toward it being Maibelle.  She married Newton Temple Harris Sr about 1905.  Three of the pictures had been framed as a triptych and was hanging in Virginia's room at Moran Place.  Over the years the pictures faded till the bride had become a ghost.  I played around with it and have brought the images out, not back to their original state, but enough that we can see she was a beautiful bride.

The photographer was Frank Leffler of Ft. Worth Texas. 

For the Scamp in us All ca 1921

I liked this picture when I first saw it but I loved it when I noticed that Jim Moran seems to have a child in a headlock while holding a cigarette casually in the other hand.   That blonde haired little boy is his son Nathan "Bub" Moran.  I don't know whose house this is or who the friends are but I love how everyone takes no note of the play between father and son.  

Kent said he had always heard stories that his dad (Bub) was a scamp and a handful for his dad (Jim) but for his mother, Virginia Moran, he was a sweetheart.  Yesterday was the 32nd anniversary of Bub's death.  This picture is dedicated to him and the scamp in all of us.

Irvine and Thomas Wedding Photograph by Watson, Martin TN 1946

The only person I can identify in this photograph is Louise Moran, second from the left.  I've enlarged the photo into three segments. Perhaps someone will recognize a relative among the faces.  The photographers mark is "Watson, Martin Tenn."

Updated Dec 8, 2013.  Thanks to Tommy Moore and Paula Provine Thomas we know this is the wedding of Mary Sue Irvine and George Connor Thomas Jr.  and can identify a few more people.  Sue and George were married in 1946 at the First United Methodist Church in Dresden, Tennessee.  George was born in 1918 in Dresden, Tn, the son of George C and Georgia Shannon Thomas.  He served in World War II and was awarded a Bronze Star for bravery in combat.  He received his law degree from the University of Tennessee, first in his class.  He had a prosperous law practice in Dresden and also served as Weakley county Judge for 8 years during the 1950's.  Mary Sue passed away in 1985.  In 2003 George served as the Grand Marshall for the Iris Parade.  You can read a really wonderful Senate Joint Resolution by Roy Herron recognizing the life and contributions of George Thomas and congratulating on him on being the Grand Marshall.  George passed on in 2009.

The best man is standing next to George and his older brother William Shannon Thomas.  Shannon married Irene James in Gibson County, Tennessee on March 31, 1933.

The man on the far left is Phil Barton Harris, a future Circuit Court Judge. He married Marilyn Alexander on Jan 23 1943, Weakley County.  Phil Barton Harris passed away February 13, 2013.

Marguerite Joy Jones is the daughter of Marguerite and Harry E. Jones, born about 1925.   I know she married a Garrett and will try to fill in more information later.

Louise Moran was born in Dresden on Sept. 24 1923.  She attended Southwestern College, later to become Rhodes College, in Memphis.  She pursued a nursing career and moved to New York where she met her future husband, Dr. Robert Wrisley Atkins.  They were married in Dresden on Nov 12 1961.  Her husband died in 2003 and she continues to reside in Rochester, New York

Postcard Photographs

Unidentified Man
card embossed "Scherer New York"

These three postcard photographs were in the same box together.  I don't know who they are and I don't know if they were together because they are related to each other or if it's as simple as they are three postcards and they fit neatly together.  

The postcard of the single man is embossed in the upper left corner "Scherer New York".  The photographer or perhaps just the company that printed the card?  

The card with the couple has no identifying marks at all.  

The last card tells the most, "Don't throw this away because it was taken in Colorado."  The Moran's took a  trip out west that included Colorado and some relatives moved to Colorado.  Virginia Moran's cousins Hattie Mai Shumate and Martha Belle Shumate both moved to Denver post 1900.  Another family member connected through the Cowardin branch of the family moved to Denver as well, Carrie Fuller Cowardin and her children Almus Sheffield Cowardin and Robert Purcell Cowardin.

Photo Friday - ca 1900 University Of Virginia Football Player

In a recent post I shared a letter from Jim Moran to his father, John W. Moran.  The letter was written in November 1900 from the University of Virginia where Jim was studying law.  He told his father that for the first time in years he missed playing football although it did give him more time to put forth on his studies.

We came across a photograph of a football player from the University of Virginia so Jim obviously had friends on the team even though he no longer played. The photograph was taken at the studio of Rufus Holsinger in Charlottesville.  I've looked at photographs of the early teams that are available online but had no luck in identifying the man in the photograph.  So for now he remains unknown.

Mathew Brady's Chair, ca 1860's

Unknown Moran relative
Photo by Mathew Brady
Washington DC

I came across a photograph taken by Mathew Brady of an unknown Moran relative.  We think he is probably a Gunn, Morehead or Turner.  The photograph was taken at Brady's Washington DC studio located at no. 352 Pennsylvania Ave.

Back of the photo
showing Brady's
hallmark.

I was intrigued by the ornate chair and clock and wondered if they appeared in other Brady photographs. They did.  Quite a few times actually by many unknown people as well as the famous.














I created a collage featuring Clara Barton with Brady's Clock and the following cast of characters with Brady's wonderful chair.  You might recognize a few of the names: Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Turner, William T. Sherman, Andrew Johnson and Adelbert Ames.

We may never know who the ancestor is but one thing is certain, he was seated in good company.

Little girl, who are you? ca 1920's

This is an awesome photograph ca 1920's..  Too bad we don't know who she is. 

Dresden TN Senior Class of 1931

Stress Effort and Efficiency and Make Our way Easy

Top Row left to right:
Theresa BODEN, Snooks SMITH, Maggie Lee REAGAN, Bernard JOLLEY, Sarah FULLTON, William T. MAYO, Ruby BOWLIN, Warren HEARN, Ruby MOORE

Second row from top, left to right.
Bernice DEASON, Opal WINSTEAD, James MORAN, Carolyn HILLIARD, James ROSS, Louise JOHNSON

Third row from top, left to right.
James BALDRIDGE, Nellie HATHCOCK, Phares CHAMBLEE, J. Aubrey GALLIMORE, Mildred RAWLS, Gene SHAW

Fourth row from top, left to right.
Clyde W. STRAWBRIDGE,  Mary Tenney JETER (President),  Ruth NANNEY,  R.C. MURRAY (Principal), FLora Lee ARGO, Carolyn KILLEBREW, Jim STREWBRIDGE

Bottom row, left to right.
E.L. THURSTON (Coach), Miss Nell Moore (Language),  Miss Fay LEWIS,  Miss Ruth JETER

Nathan Harrell Moran holding a pinwheel

Here's another cute picture of Bub.  This was probably taken about 1922.  I'm pretty sure that's a pinwheel he's holding and doesn't he look adorable in that ruffled shirt?