Milliken, Morse, & Phelps
2025.02.14, et al.
By Don Taylor
As part of my ongoing work with the Linwood Dyer Collection, I’ve recently identified individuals from a loose envelope from the Dyer House attic.” These people lived in Biddeford, Saco, & Scarborough, Maine, as well as Boston, Lexington, and Newton, Massachusetts. I aim to connect these historical photographs with descendants who may have never seen these images of their ancestors. The Scarborough Historical Society maintains the original pictures in the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection.
Marion Harriet Milliken (later Dow) – c. 1911.
This photo is a profile of a young woman wearing a plaid dress with a bowtie in her hair. The studio, Brandt Studio, Biddeford, ME, is imprinted on the front. Handwritten on the back is “Marion Milliken Dow.”
The Brandt Studio operated in Biddeford in 1911.[i]
The 1910 US Census lists Marion H Milliken living in Scarborough, Cumberland, Maine, with her parents, Ezra C and Laura G Milliken. The 14-year-old has two brothers, Alfred (10) and Henry (19).
I am confident this is a photo of Marion Harriet (Milliken) Dow taken about 1911, when she was about 15 years old.[ii]
Harry Ansel Phelps (1876-1961), circa 1904
This photo is of a young man, about 30. The picture was taken at Elmer Chickering studio in Boston. Handwritten on the back is “Harry Phelps m. Cora Milliken | Aunt Jane | Woodman Milliken.
Elmer Chickering Studio began business in Boston, MA, in 1884. Although Elmer died in 1915, his studio continued to operate for a few years after his death, closing around 1920.
FamilySearch suggests this is Harry Ansel Phelps (1876-1961). Harry was about 29 when he married Cora Cluff Milliken on 16 Sep 1905. Cora’s parents were Eliza Jane Spear and Woodman Sewall Milliken.
Harry was born in Lexington, MA, and lived in Boston in 1880 and 1900.
I am confident this photo is of Harry Ansel Phelps, circa 1905.[iii]
Cora Cluff Milliken (later Phelps), circa 1882.
This photo is of a young teenage woman. The studio’s name, “Elmer Chickering,” and location, “21 West Street, Boston, are embossed on the front. Handwritten on the back is “Cora Milliken Phelps | daughter of Aunt Jane.”
The “Photographers’ Identities Catalog” at the New York Public Library indicates Walter Elmer Chickering’s studio was at 21 West Street, Boston, from 1882 to 1883, which dates the photo to 1882.
Cora Cluff Milliken was born on 15 Feb 1866 in Newton, MA, the daughter of Eliza Jane (Spear) Milliken. In 1883, she would have been about 17 years old, which fits the age of the person in this photo.[iv]
Frank & Calesta Morse’s Children, Christmas 1910.
This photo of five children of various ages was taken at Brandt Studio, Biddeford, ME. Handwritten on the back is, “With love to Aunt Laura and Uncle Ezra. 25 Dec, 1910. In another hand, written on the back is “Children of Catherine & Frank Morse.”
The Brandt Studio operated in Biddeford in 1911,[v] which is consistent with a Dec 1910 photograph.
Ezra Carter Milliken (1852-1925) had two siblings:
- Harriet Milliken (1850-1875) only had one child.
- Joshua D Milliken (1854-1927) appears to have had only one child.
Laura Georgieanna Morse) 1859-1915) had seven siblings:
- Emma Augusta Morse (1861-___) does not appear to have had any children.
- Alfred Otis Morse (1865-1889) does not appear to have had any children.
- Frank E Morse (1867-1953) married Calesta Milliken on 23 Nov 1896 in Portland, ME. They had five children:
- Dorothy Martha Morse (1893-___).
- Donald C Morse (1896-1969)
- Ruth Edna Morse (1898-1917)
- Katherine E Morse (1903-1980)
- Phyllis Frances Morse (1909-___)
- Emma Boyden Morse (1867-1926) appears to have had one son, Walter George Talbot.
- William H Morse (1869-___) had no children
- Robert Henry Morse (1874-1935) had one son, Robert Sibley Morse (1898-1952)
- Curtis Gay Morse (1875-___) had no children.
Laura and Ezra would be the aunt and uncle to any of Frank & Calista’s five children[vi]. I am confident this Christmas 1910 photo depicts:
- Dorothy Martha Morse (1893-___) seated.
- Donald C Morse (1896-1969) standing.
- Ruth Edna Morse (1898-1917) standing back row.
- Katherine E Morse (1903-1980) standing middle row.
- Phyllis Frances Morse (1909-___) seated in front.
I believe the second writing on the back is in error, and it should read “Children of Calista” rather than “Children of Catherine.”
Invitation
I would be delighted to hear from anyone who recognizes these individuals as their ancestors, particularly if these photographs represent previously unseen images of your family members. Please feel free to incorporate these photographs into your genealogical research, citing “Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society.”
[i] McArthur Library Archives & Special Collections – Photographers + Studios – BRANDT, E.R.
169 Main Street, Biddeford – 1911
[ii] See FamilySearch profile LBNM-9JZ Marion Harriet Milliken of Scarborough & Saco Maine
[iii] See FamilySearch profile 9W18-CH5 – Harry Ansel Phelps of Lexington, Boston, & Newton, Mass.
[iv] See FamilySearch profile 9492-FJS – Cora Cluff Milliken of Newton, Mass.
[v] McArthur Library Archives & Special Collections – Photographers + Studios – BRANDT, E.R. 169 Main Street, Biddeford – 1911
[vi] See FamilySearch profiles GV4X-J2R, LT2Y-GZJ, LT2B-MSR, LT2Y-GB4, & LT2B-C6L.
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