Faces of the Past: Ferguson, Hamilton, O’Brien, & Sturdivant – PHS Classes 1922 & 1923

Posted on September 12, 2025 by Don Taylor

The Linwood Dyer Collection, Part 083
“HRJ Classmates & Others”
By Don Taylor

This remarkable collection encompasses hundreds of images, documents, and genealogical records of people who lived in Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, Maine. My mission is to connect these historical photographs with descendants who may have never seen these images of their ancestors. This post looks at a set of photos that was bound by a ring of paper with the words, “HRJ (Helena Ruth Jackson) Classmates & Others.”

Priscella Ferguson – Portland High School, Class of 1923.

Priscilla Ferguson
PHS Class 1923

Among the treasures in the Linwood Dyer Collection is this beautifully composed portrait of Priscella Ferguson, taken by Portland photographer Roger Paul Jordan. Jordan operated in Portland from the 1910s through the 1960s. His soft-focus style and careful lighting are evident in this striking sepia image.

A separate note with the photo says: “Priscella Ferguson – Grad 1923.”

The inscription offers a more personal glimpse into her school years:

“To Helena, The most wonderful captain of the most wonderful team. Here’s hoping she won’t forget. Yours truly and everything we’ve done from ’19–’23. – Pur”

Helena Ruth Jackson was the captain of the girls basketball team for Portland High School in 1923.  Priscella also played on the 1923 PHS girls basketball team.

Florence Hamilton – Portland High School, Class of 1922.

Florence Hamilton – PHS Class 1922

This elegant portrait of Florence Hamilton was taken by noted Portland photographer Roger Paul Jordan, whose studio captured many students and community members during the 1920s. Jordan’s soft-focus technique, balanced lighting, and careful posing highlight the grace and poise of his subjects.

Florence appears in a dark satin dress trimmed with fringe, accessorized with a string of pearls. Her short, softly curled hairstyle reflects the new fashions of the early 1920s, a time when young women embraced modern styles of independence and expression.

Beneath the photograph is a handwritten inscription, offering a thoughtful reflection:

“In after years, when this you see, I wonder what your name will be? Florence”

A review of the PHS 1922 Class yearbook found a similar photo of Florence wearing the same dress.

Elizabeth Alphonsa O’Brien – Portland High School, Class of 1922.

Elizabeth O’Brien – PHS Class of 1922

This portrait, also taken by Roger Paul Jordan of Portland, is mounted on the same distinctive studio card stock as other Class of 1922 photographs, including Florence Hamilton’s. “Odie” P.H.S. ‘22”

She wears a dark jacket or dress over a lighter blouse, and her expression reflects both confidence and warmth. The mounting and style suggest a formal graduation portrait, but the handwritten inscription adds a deeply personal touch as she shares her camaraderie in a handwritten inscription:

“To ‘Spooks’ – May your future years at basketball be as successful as the past. Best of luck to you Spooks, Captain of the ‘Swifts.’ Lovingly, ‘Odie’ P.H.S. ’22.”

This young woman is captured in Jordan’s signature soft-focus style, her face illuminated against a subdued backdrop. Through both the photograph and the message, we catch a glimpse of student life and athletics at Portland High School just over a century ago.

Alice Maude Sturdivant – Portland High School, Class of 1923.

Alice Sturdivant – PHS Class 1923

This portrait of Alice Maude Sturdivant was taken by Adams Studio, 515a Congress Street, Portland, Maine, and is mounted on its original studio card. Alice, a member of the Portland High School Class of 1923, appears in a dark sweater worn over a light blouse with a wide collar tied at the neck. Her softly waved hair frames her face, and the studio’s careful lighting highlights her gentle smile.

Like many graduation photographs of the period, this one was not only a keepsake image but also a vehicle for personal inscriptions exchanged among classmates. Beneath the portrait, Alice penned a note to a friend:

“To the wonderful captain of the 1923 team.
You’re a peach even if you did cut me out. Will you ever forget the time that you told me that Mr. Lowe wanted to see me and the many 20 minutes in Miss Swain’s room.
Loads of love
‘Al’ Sturdivant”

The humorous and affectionate tone of the message highlights the camaraderie of the Class of 1923, giving us a glimpse into student life, athletics, and friendships that went well beyond the classroom.

Connection 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.”

Posted in Portland History, Linwood Dyer Collection, Maine High Schools, Faces from the Past | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Faces of the Past – Lt. Col. John S. Kidder and Harriet O. (Matteson) Kidder

Posted on September 5, 2025 by Don Taylor

The Linwood Dyer Collection, Part 082
By Don Taylor

From the Linwood D. Dyer Collection / Fredricks’ Knickerbocker Family Portrait Gallery

Introduction

The Linwood D. Dyer Collection reveals deeply moving portraits of individuals whose lives echo through our local history. Today, I present Lieutenant Colonel John S. Kidder, veteran of the 121st New York Volunteers, and his wife Harriet O. (Matteson) Kidder—both of Laurens, Otsego County, New York. Their photographs were taken at Fredricks’ Knickerbocker Family Portrait Gallery, 770 Broadway, New York, between c. 1876 and 1891.

Lt. Col. John S. Kidder (1830–1905)

John S. Kidder, Liet Col. 121 N.Y.V – 1876-c.1891 – 2
  • Born: 20 February 1830, Kent, England; Died: 19 May 1905, Laurens, Otsego County, New York; Burial: Laurens Village Cemetery[i].
  • Civil War Service: He served in the 121st New York Infantry Regiment, eventually attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and saw action in many key battles—from Antietam and Gettysburg to the Wilderness and Petersburg[ii]. Companies I and K of the 121st were largely drawn from towns including Laurens, which was part of his region.
    • Portrait: The cabinet card shows him in formal attire and is inscribed on the back with:
      “Yours Truly,
      John S. Kidder
      Lieut. Col. 121st N.Y.V.
      Laurens, Otsego Co., N.Y.”
      This personal inscription adds a treasured, tangible connection to his photo.

Harriet O. (Matteson) Kidder (1836–1922)

Mrs. J. S. Kidder – 1876-c.1891.
  • Born: 24 Jul 1836; Died: 2 Aug 1922.[iii]
  • Harriet, née Matteson, was John’s devoted partner. The couple navigated the strains of wartime separation together—his letters home, referenced in historical accounts, depict the challenges of camp life and her steadfast role at home[iv].
    • Portrait: The cabinet card captures her earnest gaze and period dress. Inscribed on the back:
      “Mrs. J. S. Kidder,
      Laurens, Otsego Co., N.Y.”
      This pairing of likeness and locality grounds her presence in both image and inscription.

Fredricks’ Knickerbocker Family Portrait Gallery

These cabinet cards were produced at Fredricks’ Knickerbocker Family Portrait Gallery, located at 770 Broadway, corner of 9th Street, New York, and were active between c. 1876 and 1891.

Preserving Their Legacy

By presenting the two portraits, we honor a veteran and his wife whose lives were deeply impacted by the Civil War. Their handwritten notes and images offer moving portals to the past—reminding us of service, resilience, and familial ties that endured through war and peace. I have shared their photos on Find a Grave and on their FamilySearch profiles.

John S. Kidder Cabinet Card Back,
Harriet Kidder
Cabinet Card Back.T

Endnotes:

[i] Find-a-Grave – Memorial 13635283
[ii] Wikipedia – 121st New York Infantry Regiment
[iii] Find a Grave – Harriet O. Matteson Kidder
[iv] Subdued by the Sword by James M. Greiner

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Nancy Strain (1802-1844): A Link Between the Strain Line and the Listers of Ohio.

Posted on September 1, 2025 by Don Taylor

Roberts Research
Roberts-Barnes-Lister-Strain Line
By Don Taylor

Nancy Strain Lister lived during a time of transition and expansion in early 19th-century America. Born in 1802, likely in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Samuel Strain, a man whose four marriages and numerous children created a complex and intertwined family history. At just twenty years old, Nancy married William Lister in Highland County, Ohio, and together they raised a family whose descendants carried the Lister name well into the next century. Although Nancy’s life was relatively short, ending at the age of forty-two, her story is important because it highlights the challenges of tracing women’s lives in early America, where conflicting records, shifting family structures, and migration patterns often obscure details. Through this study, Nancy emerges as a vital link between the Strain family of Pennsylvania and the Lister line of Ohio, anchoring both genealogical connections and community history.

Nancy (Strain) Lister is found in my [Roberts-Barnes Family Tree], 153 Ancestry Public Trees[1], and is Family Search profile KZVD-GJR.

List of Grandparents

  • Grandmother: 5. Essie Pansy Barnes (1903-1982
  • 1st Great-grandmother: 11.  Maranda Lister (1867-1932)
  • 2nd Great-grandfather: 22. Nimrod Lister (c. 1826-c. 1890)
  • 3rd Great-grandmother: 45. Nancy Strain (c. 1802-1844)
  • 4th Great-grandfather: 90. Samuel Strain (1762-1845)

Nancy Strain – Ancestor #45

FamilySearch suggests that Nancy’s father, Samuel Strain, was married four times.

The Four Wives of Samuel Strain

WifeMarriedDeath
Hannah Wattsc. 17821798
Margaret Millerc. 17991813
Martha Wilson18 Dec 1805 – CONFLICT1824
Nancy Johnson18261845

Many of the 153 Ancestry Public Trees suggest that Nancy Strain’s mother was Nancy Johnson. However, Nancy Johnson didn’t marry Samuel Strain until 1826. Also, Nancy Johnson would have been only 13 years old when Nancy Stain was born. Other researchers suggest Nancy Strain’s mother was Margaret Amelia Miller. Margaret married Samuel about 1799 and died in 1813. As such, I believe Nancy Strain’s mother was Margaret and not Nancy Johnson.

Additionally, there is a discrepancy between the death date of Margaret and the marriage date to Martha Wilson. I believe the marriage date for Samuel and Martha is more likely in 1815. Further research is needed to confirm the date of their marriage.

Birth: Nancy Strain was born on 22 Apr 1802.

Likely children of Samuel Boston Strain (1762-1845) & Margaret Amelia Miller (Nancy’s full siblings).

NameBornMarriedDied
Andrew Miller1800 1859
Nancy18021822 – William Lister1844
Rebecca1806Unk – FNU Watt1867
Robert Wilson1807 1859
Ester D1808Unk – FNU Thornton1835
Malinda Henderson1811 1835
John Carson1812 Unk.

It is possible that Nancy’s father, Samuel Strain (1762-1845), had 26 children by his first three wives, giving Nancy 19 half-siblings.

Marriage

Nancy married William Lister about 17 June 1822[2] in Highland County Ohio.

Children of William and Nancy (Strain) Lister

NameBornMarriedDied
James Alfred18221842 – Mary Jane Southward?1869
Nimrodc. 18241853 – Malinda Evans1888
Sarahc. 18311849 – Aaron Dean?
William Marcus18321866 – Elizabeth Krohn1921
James M.c. 1840??
Elizabeth Ellen1847? – George Corkwell1933

Adulthood

  • 1820 – Presumed female 16-26 in the household of Samuel Strain, Madison Township, Fayette County, Ohio.
  • 1830 – Presumed female 20-29 in the household of William Lester [Lister] Walnut, Pickaway County, Ohio.
  • 1840 – Presumed female 20-39 in the household of William Lister, Deerfield, Ross County, Ohio.

Death/Burial, etc.

Marker – Nancy (Strain) Lister – via Find-a-Grave.

Death:       23 Nov 1844, (presumed) Pickaway County, Ohio.
Burial:      New Holland Cemetery, New Holland, Pickaway County, Ohio.

Events by Location

  • New Jersey (Possible Birth Location) – 1802
  • Ohio, Fayette County, Madison – 1820
  • Ohio, Highland County – Marriage – 1822
  • Ohio, Pickaway County (presumed death location – 1844)
  • Ohio, Pickaway County, New Holland
  • Ohio, Pickaway County, Walnut – 1830
  • Ohio, Ross County, Deerfield – 1840
  • Pennsylvania (Possible Birth Location) – 1802

Conflicts

  1. Many of the 153 Ancestry Public Trees suggest that Nancy Strain’s mother was Nancy Johnson. However, Nancy Johnson didn’t marry Samuel Strain until 1826. Also, Nancy Johnson would have been only 13 years old when Nancy Stain was born. Other researchers suggest Nancy Strain’s mother was Margaret Amelia Miller. Margaret married Samuel about 1799 and died in 1813. As such, I believe Nancy Strain’s mother was Margaret and not Nancy Johnson.
  2. Additionally, there is a discrepancy between the death date of Margaret and the marriage date to Martha Wilson. I believe the marriage date for Samuel and Martha is more likely in 1815. Further research is needed to confirm the date of their marriage.
  3. There is a conflict between the birth dates and places for Nancy (Stain) Lister. Some sources (her son, William’s death record) indicate she was born in New Jersey in 1802, and some (such as Nimrod’s 1880 Census record) indicate she was born in Pennsylvania.

Actions / Follow-up

  1. Each of William and Nancy Lister’s children should be researched to gain a greater understanding of the family.
  2. Further investigate the conflict in the year and location of Nancy (Stain) Lister’s birth.
  3. Additionally, there is a discrepancy between the death date of Margaret and the marriage date to Martha Wilson. I believe the marriage date for Samuel and Martha is more likely in 1815. Further research is needed to confirm the date of their marriage.
  4. I believe that Nancy’s father, Samuel Strain (1762-1845) had 24 children by his first three wives, giving Nancy 17 half siblings. Each should be researched to gain a fuller picture of Nancy’s life.

Sources

Endnotes

[1] Ancestry Public Trees – This number changes. It is the number of trees on the day I was writing this sketch.
[2] Date of marriage license.

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Faces of the Past: Margaret and Louise Kinney

Posted on August 29, 2025 by Don Taylor

Photo Friday
Linwood Dyer Photo Collection, Part 081
Album 2025.02.36.
By Don Taylor

As part of my ongoing work with family photographs, I’ve reviewed and enhanced several portraits of the Kinney family. These images open small windows into the past, capturing not only the faces of Margaret, Ernest, and Louise but also the fashions, traditions, and moments that shaped their lives. From tender family portraits of 1914 to Louise’s whimsical costume in 1934 and her poised Navy WAVES portrait in 1944, the photographs trace the passage of time within one family and remind us how history is preserved through the images we cherish.

Margaret – November 1914

Margaret Kinney – Nov. 1914

One of the earliest portraits in the Kinney collection is of young Margaret, taken in November 1914 by Portland photographer Roger Paul Jordan. The image captures her seated in a window, with soft light filtering through the lace curtains, and a planter beside her. Her short bob and innocent smile reflect the simple charm of a childhood moment that has been carefully preserved for more than a century.

Ernest and Baby Louise – November 1914

Louise & Ernest Kinney – Nov 1914

Another photograph from the same month shows Ernest Kinney cradling his infant daughter, Louise. Ernest, dressed formally in a dark three-piece suit, gazes with quiet pride at the baby in his arms. Louise, in a long white christening-style gown, looks curiously outward. This tender portrait speaks to the bond between father and child and remains one of the most intimate family photographs of the period.

Louise in Costume – 1934

Louise Kinney, in coustume – 1934

A very different portrait of Louise shows her in 1934, dressed in a whimsical costume: a long, white gown covered in stars, accompanied by a tall, pointed hat and a staff in hand. Likely taken at a school or community performance, the photo captures her smiling broadly—far from the seriousness of her military portrait a decade later. These two images, side by side, highlight the many roles one life can encompass, from playful girlhood to solemn service.

Louise in Service – 1944

Louise Kinney in uniform (c. 1944)

Fast forward three decades: Louise appears again, this time in her United States Navy WAVES uniform during World War II. Taken in 1944, also by Roger Paul Jordan, this portrait shows her in crisp Navy attire, complete with the fouled anchor insignia on her lapels. Her calm and direct expression conveys the sense of responsibility and patriotism that many women who served during the war carried.

Reflections

Together, these photographs of Margaret and Louise Kinney illustrate the passage of time within a family—capturing childhood, parenthood, service, and celebration. They remind us that family history is not only traced in documents and records but also revealed through the faces, clothing, and settings preserved in treasured photographs. All have been uploaded to the Linwood Dyer Collection via Scarborough Historical Society – 2025 tree on Ancestry.com.

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Summer with the Dolloffs – Family and Friends, 1938

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Don Taylor

Photo Friday
Linwood Dyer Photo Collection, Part 080
Album 2023.02.05.
By Don Taylor

A series of black-and-white snapshots from a family album of Jeanette Johnson that depicts members of the Dolloff family along with friends and relatives during the summer of 1938. The photographs show both recreational beach outings and casual domestic scenes. The backs of many of the prints are stamped “Sep 16 1938”, indicating development at that time. The clothing, swimsuits, and automobiles further confirm a late 1930s date.

Individuals Identified

Five people at the beach - four in 1930s swiming suits.
Mr. Newall, Mr. & Mrs. Dolloff, Jeanette (Johnson), Mike Gordon

From handwritten annotations and contextual clues, the following people appear across the photographs:

  • Mr. Harold Dolloff – adult male, photographed in casual clothes and in swimwear.
  • Mrs. Eva Dolloff – adult female, seen in dark swimsuit and in other family groupings.
  • Ken Dolloff – young man, appears in swim trunks, often barefoot, sometimes identified directly (e.g., with Mrs. Harmon).
  • Jeanette Johnson – young woman, photographed in a two-tone halter-style swimsuit.
  • Mike Gordon – man in swimwear (named in one beach photo).
  • Mr. Newall – older man in suspenders, not in swimwear, present in a group beach photo.
  • Mrs. Harmon – woman in a floral dress, identified in one cottage photograph with Ken Dolloff.

Photograph Summaries

Harold & Eva-Dolloff with Jeanette Johnson using bow & arrow – Sep 1938.
  1. Archery Scene (Domestic Setting)
    1. Mr. & Mrs. Dolloff with a young woman (the album compiler, “I”) in a yard beside a clapboard house. One woman aims a bow and arrow while the others look on.
    1. Date stamped: September 16, 1938.
  2. Group at the Beach
    1. Five individuals posed on rocks: Mr. Nuwall, Mr. & Mrs. Dolloff, Jeanette, and Mike Gordon.
    1. Early automobiles and fencing visible in the background.
    1. Swimwear styles and cars date securely to late 1930s.
  3. Jeanette Johnson & Young Man (likely Ken Dolloff)
    1. Posed barefoot in swimwear beside an automobile.
    1. Large house visible in distance across the road.
  4. Ken Dolloff & Mrs. Harmon
    1. Ken in swim trunks, Mrs. Harmon in floral dress and sturdy shoes.
    1. Outdoor woodland/cottage setting with rustic shingled building in background.
  5. Jeanette Johnson & Eva Dolloff
    1. Jeanette in two-tone halter swimsuit, Eva Dolloff in dark one-piece swimsuit.
    1. Standing closely, arms around each other, next to an automobile.

Fashion & Dating Analysis

Photo of two young adults in swim suits circa 1938.
Jeanette Johnson & Ken Dolloff – 1938
  • Women’s swimsuits – one-piece tank styles, halter necklines, and belted or tied waists are all consistent with 1936–1939 trends.
  • Men’s swim trunks – high-waisted with belts, typical of the late 1930s.
  • Automobiles – rounded fenders and design details visible in multiple photos place the cars firmly in the mid-to-late 1930s.
  • Clothing (non-swim) – Mrs. Harmon’s puffed-sleeve, calf-length floral dress also aligns with late 1930s women’s daywear.

Together, these details corroborate the 1938 development date.

Genealogical Value

Photo of a young man in a 1930s swim suit and a woman standing by a cabin/camp.
Ken (Dolloff) & Mrs. Harmon – 1938 (photo enhanced for clarity)
  • The photographs document the Dolloff family and their circle of friends in summer recreational settings (beach, cottage, archery practice).
  • They provide visual confirmation of relationships, especially between Harold and Eva Dolloff, their son Ken Dolloff, and Jeanette Johnson.
  • The presence of labeled companions (Mr. Newall, Mike Gordon, Mrs. Harmon) helps place the Dolloffs within a wider social network in 1938.
  • These images add context to family history, illustrating leisure activities and fashions of the period.

Conclusion

Photo of two women in 1930s swim suits
Jeanette Johnson & Eva Dolloff – 1938.

The Dolloff photographs form a coherent group of late-1930s family images, centered on Mr. & Mrs. Eva Dolloff, their son Ken Dolloff, and close associates including Jeanette Johnson. With identifications written directly on album pages and corroborated by clothing and automobile evidence, they represent well-dated and reliable visual documentation of the family in 1938.

If you can positively identify the individuals in these photographs or if they are previously unseen images of your family members, I would love to hear from you. Just use the comment feature below. Feel free to incorporate these photographs into your genealogical research, citing “Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society.”

This article was prepared with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI, to support research and drafting.

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