Preserving Legacies: Portland High School Students of 1918 (Part 3).

Posted on June 20, 2025 by Don Taylor

Hay, McKay, Merrill, Rowe, & “Little Eva”

Linwood Dyer Collection (Part 072)
By Don Taylor

This set of photos, from the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection, contains 18 photographs, all taken at Adams Studio located at 515A Congress Street in Portland. Today, I’ll look at five of them more closely. The pictures bear an imprint reading “Portland High School – ’18.” Most feature handwritten notes identifying the individual, and many confirm 1918 as the graduation year.

I initially searched for 1918 yearbooks but was unsuccessful in locating copies. However, The Portland Evening Express, dated June 24, 1918, lists the names of all 230 seniors who received diplomas from Portland High School that year. With this comprehensive graduation list, I can positively identify most of the students.

Graduates Featured:

Lloyd Graham Hay, PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of Lloyd Graham Hay
Lloyd Graham Hay
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3” x 7”)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “‘Yours in the happy days of Room L.” Lloyd.
  • Research Note: Only one person with the first name of Lloyd received a diploma from PHS in 1918. That was Lloyd Graham Hay.[i]

I posted this photo to his FamilySearch profile, LBDV-7SD.

John Angus McKay, PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of Angus McKay in uniform, 1918.
John Angus McKay
  • Photo Type: (3.5” x 4.5”)
  • Studio: None, but in a photo holder from Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME.
  • Inscription: “Sincerely, Angus McKay, ’18.”
  • Research Note: This full-length photo was folded on both sides to create a 2.5” x 4.5” image. I confirmed that John Angus McKay graduated from Portland High School in June 1918.[ii]
    • The 1920 Census lists a 19-year-old Angus McKay living with his aunt and uncle, Sarah B. & Harry B. Mills. Angus was born in New York, and his parents were born in New York.[iii]
    • Pennsylvania Birth records list a John Angus McKay, born on February 12, 1900, in Scranton, PA, to Robert H and Anna (Holden) McKay.[iv]
    • Robert H McKay, who married Anna E Holden, had a sister, Sarah McKay, who married Harry Boyd Mills in 1913.
  • I am sure this is John Angus McKay, son of Robert H and Anna (Holden) McKay.

Lawrence Freeman Merrill, PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of Lawrence Freeman Merriall, 1918.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3” x 7”)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription:”  ‘To Sadie, Remembrance ’18, L, F. Merrill.”
  • Research Note: I confirmed Lawrence Freeman Merrill received a diploma from PHS in 1918.[v]

Ella Stacey Rowe, PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of Ella Stacey Rowe, 1918
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3” x 7”)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “‘I thought, I thought, I thought in vain, at last I thought I would write my name.’ Ella S Rowe.”
  • Research Note: I confirmed Ella Stacey Rowe received a diploma from PHS in 1918.[vi]

“Little Eva,” PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of a young woman who signed the photo "Little Eva."
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3” x 7”)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription:”  ‘That’s what cousin Harry says.’ Little Eva, Class Play ’18.”
  • Research Note: I was unable to find anyone named Eva in the list of Portland High School graduates from June 1918.[vii]

Conclusion

This project is about more than photographs—it’s about restoring connections across generations. These portraits capture moments of pride and promise, and for many families, they may be the only formal photo of a loved one at that pivotal time.

If you recognize someone in these images or they are part of your family history, I welcome your contact. I’d be happy to share the personal inscriptions found inside the folders—words written by the people themselves more than 60 years ago.

These portraits are available for personal genealogical use. Please credit – Photo courtesy Scarborough Historical Society, Scarborough, Maine.

ENDNOTES

[i] Evening Express (Portland, Maine) · Mon, Jun 24, 1918 · Page 1, continued on page 6 – “Record Class Last to Graduate from Old P. H. S. Building.”
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] 1920 US Census; Census Place: Portland Ward 7, Cumberland, Maine; Roll: T625_640; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 50
[iv] “Pennsylvania, Births and Christenings, 1709-1950,” FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HH2B-D3PZ : 15 February 2020), John Angus McKay, 1900.
[v] Evening Express (Portland, Maine) · Mon, Jun 24, 1918 · Page 1, continued on page 6 – “Record Class Last to Graduate from Old P. H. S. Building.”
[vi] Ibid.
[vii] Ibid.

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Preserving Legacies: Portland High School Students of 1918 (Part 2).

Posted on June 13, 2025 by Don Taylor

Bailey, Barteau, Browning, Corthell, & (possibly Landers)

Linwood Dyer Collection (Part 071)
By Don Taylor

This set of photos, from the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection, contains 18 photographs, all taken at Adams Studio located at 515A Congress Street in Portland. The pictures bear an imprint reading “Portland High School – ’18.” Most feature handwritten notes identifying the individual, and many confirm 1918 as the graduation year.

I initially searched for 1918 yearbooks but was unsuccessful in locating copies. However, The Portland Evening Express, dated June 24, 1918, lists the names of all 230 seniors who received diplomas from Portland High School that year. With this comprehensive graduation list, I can positively identify most of the students.

Graduates Featured:

Florence Gertrude Barteau, PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of a young woman, Irene Isabel Bailey, 1918
Irene Isabel Bailey, 1918
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3″ x 7″)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Class: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “Yours in Room S, Florence Barteau”
  • Research Note: I confirmed Florence Gertrude Barteau is listed as a 1918 graduate.[i]

Gladys Louise Corthell, PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of a young woman, Gladys Louise Corthell, 918
Gladys Louise Corthell, 1918
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3″ x 7″)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Class: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “‘Are not school days after all the dear old days, Gladys Corthell.”
  • Research Note: I confirmed Gladys Louise Corthell received a diploma from PHS in 1918.[ii]

Irene Isabel Bailey, PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of Irene Isabel Bailey, 1918.
Photo of Irene Isabel Bailey, 1918
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3″ x 7″)
    Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Class: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “‘What have I done! Irene Bailey, PHS ’18.”
  • Research Note: I confirmed Irene Isabel Bailey l received a diploma from PHS in 1918.[iii] 

Olevia Josephine Browning, PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of Olevia Josephine Browning - PHO Class of 1918.
Olevia Josephine Browning, 1918
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3″ x 7″)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Class: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “Yours in the class of ’18, Olivia J Browning.
  • Research Note: I confirmed Olevia Josephine Browning received a diploma from PHS in 1918.[v]

“Bobbykins” (Possibly Robert Landers), PHS Class of 1918.

Bobbykins - Class of 1918
“Bobbykins” 1918
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3″ x 7″)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Class: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “Dear Lady, I assure you I am in ecstasy, Bobbykins.
  • Research Note: I assume “Bobbykins” is a diminutive form of Robert. The graduation list includes two Roberts in the PHS Class of 1918[vi]. They were:
    • Carl Robert Turner
    • Robert Edmund Landers

I suspect this is probably Robert Landers; however, I am not certain. If you have photos of either, I would love to compare them.

Conclusion

This project is about more than photographs—it’s about restoring connections across generations. These portraits capture moments of pride and promise, and for many families, they may be the only formal photo of a loved one at that pivotal time.

If you recognize someone in these images or they are part of your family history, I welcome your contact and confirmation of the identification. I’d be happy to share the personal inscriptions found inside the folders—words written by the people themselves more than 100 years ago.

These portraits are available for personal genealogical use. Please credit – Photo courtesy Scarborough Historical Society, Scarborough, Maine.

 ENDNOTES

[i] Evening Express (Portland, Maine) · Mon, Jun 24, 1918 · Page 1, continued on page 6 – “Record Class Last to Graduate from Old P. H. S. Building.”
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Ibid.
[v] Ibid.
[vi] Ibid.

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Portland High School Students of 1918 (Part 1).

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Don Taylor

Brackett, Manchester, Mills, Soule, & Strout

Linwood Dyer Collection (Part 070)
By Don Taylor

This set of photos, from the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection, contains 18 photographs, all taken at Adams Studio located at 515A Congress Street in Portland. The photographs appear to be graduation portraits, bearing an imprint reading “Portland High School – ’18.” Most feature handwritten notes identifying the individual and many confirm 1918 as the graduation year.

I initially searched for 1918 yearbooks but was unsuccessful in locating copies either online or through physical holdings in Minerva. However, using Newspapers.com, I discovered an excellent resource: a front-page article in the Portland Evening Express dated June 24, 1918, which lists the names of all 230 seniors who received diplomas from Portland High School that year. With this comprehensive graduation list, I should be able to positively identify many of the individuals in these photographs.

Graduates Featured:

Lucille Lane Brackett, PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of a high school girl, circa 1918.
Lucille Lane Brackett
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3” x 7”)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Class: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “Memories of our class of ’18, Lucille”
  • Research Note: The only Lucille in the class of 1918 was Lucille Lane Brackett.[I]

Herbert Richardson Manchester, PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of a high school boy, circa 1918.
Herbert Richardson Manchester
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3” x 7”)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Class: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “‘Tea is Served’ Sincerely Yours, Herbert R. Manchester.”
  • Research Note: I confirmed Herbert Richardson Manchester received a diploma from PHS in 1918.[ii]

Carol Frazier Mills, PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of a high school girl, circa 1918.
Carol Frazier Mills
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3” x 7”)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Class: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “‘All little ladies friends’ from one of them, Carol.”
  • Research Note: The only Carol in the class of 1918 was Carol Frazier Mills.[iii]

Ernest Carroll Soule, PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of a high school boy, circa 1918.
Ernest Carroll Soule
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3” x 7”)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Class: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “Our Faithful Time Keeper, Ernest Soule, 1918.
  • Research Note: I confirmed Ernest Carroll Soule received a diploma from PHS in 1918.[iv]

Andrew Everett Strout, PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of a high school boy, circa 1918.
Andrew Everett Strout
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3” x 7”)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Class: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “Hurrah for the Class Play, A Everett Strout.
  • Research Note: I confirmed Andrew Everett Strout received a diploma from PHS in 1918.[v]

Helen __[LNU][vi]__, PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of a high school girl, circa 1918.
Helen _____
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3” x 7”)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Class: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “In memory of the good times we had in the Chem. Lab, Helen.
  • Research Note: There were nine Helens in the PHS Class of 1918[vii]. They include:
    • Helen Florence BlackHelen Marguerite DavisMary Helen GreenHelen Mary MahoneyHelen Angela MerrillHelen MeserveHelen Elizabeth Mulligan Helen Merrill Roberts &
    • Pearl Helen Sauza.

This photo could be any one of those. Hopefully, I will be able to narrow down the individual as I further analyze the photos in this collection.

(I later encountered a photo that shows another girls is Helen Merrill Roberts.)

Conclusion

This project is about more than photographs—it’s about restoring connections across generations. These portraits capture moments of pride and promise, and for many families, they may be the only formal photo of a loved one at that pivotal time.

If you recognize someone in these images or they are part of your family history, I welcome your contact. I’d be happy to share the personal inscriptions found inside the folders—words written by the people themselves more than 60 years ago.

These portraits are available for personal genealogical use. Please credit – Photo courtesyScarborough Historical Society, Scarborough, Maine.

 ENDNOTES:

[i] Evening Express (Portland, Maine) · Mon, Jun 24, 1918 · Page 1, continued on page 6 – “Record Class Last to Graduate from Old P. H. S. Building.”

[ii] Evening Express (Portland, Maine) · Mon, Jun 24, 1918 · Page 1, continued on page 6 – “Record Class Last to Graduate from Old P. H. S. Building.”

[iii] Evening Express (Portland, Maine) · Mon, Jun 24, 1918 · Page 1, continued on page 6 – “Record Class Last to Graduate from Old P. H. S. Building.”

[iv] Evening Express (Portland, Maine) · Mon, Jun 24, 1918 · Page 1, continued on page 6 – “Record Class Last to Graduate from Old P. H. S. Building.”

[v] Evening Express (Portland, Maine) · Mon, Jun 24, 1918 · Page 1, continued on page 6 – “Record Class Last to Graduate from Old P. H. S. Building.”

[vi] [LNU] – [Last Name Unknown.]

[vii] Evening Express (Portland, Maine) · Mon, Jun 24, 1918 · Page 1, continued on page 6 – “Record Class Last to Graduate from Old P. H. S. Building.”

Posted in Photo Identification, Linwood Dyer Collection, Maine High Schools, Family Photo Research | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Joseph A. Holdsworth: A Tangle of Business, Bankruptcy, and Betrayal.

Posted on June 2, 2025 by Don Taylor

Montran Research
Montran-Barber Line
By Don Taylor

Ida Barber’s Third Husband – Joseph A Holdsworth

List of Grandparents

  • Grandmother: Madonna Montran (1893-1976)
  • 1st Great-grandmother: Ida Mae Barber (1874-1953)

Great Grandma Ida probably had four husbands.

  1. John Montran – It is my conjecture that Ida married John Montran before Madonna was born (c. 1892). However, I have not found any records of that marriage or a divorce.
  2. Max Edward Fisher – Ida married Max Fisher in 1897 and divorced in 1904.
  3. Joseph A Holdsworth – Ida married Joseph Holdsworth on August 16, 1904, in Essex, Ontario, Canada. The marriage record indicates that they lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, about four months after her divorce from Max. She divorced Joseph sometime on August 16, 1910.
  4. Harvey Watson Knight – Ida married Harvey Knight 11 days later (August 27, 1910), and remained married to him until he died in 1942. They had one child, Harvey Milton Knight, who died as an infant (at 10 months old).

I recently found four newspaper articles that might explain her divorce from Joseph Holdsworth.

March 31, 1907 – Star Tribune

DETROIT FIRM COMES

Royal Crown Lead Company Has Opened Offices in Northwestern Building.

Newspaper clipping - "Detroit Firm Comes"
Minneapolis Star Tribune – March 31, 1907

The Royal Crown Lead Company of Detroit, Mich., has just opened a northwest branch in the Northwestern building, with J. A. Holdsworth, formerly a Minneapolis man, in charge.

Detroit is generally acknowledged to be the center of the paint industry in the United States; and, in fact, this prevailing reputation is borne out by government statistics, Detroit producing more paint supplies than any other city.

The company which Mr. Holdsworth represents is one of the largest in its line in Detroit and so great has been the growth of its sales in this territory that a northwest branch has become a necessity. Hence the establishment of a branch in Minneapolis.

It is the intention of the company to build in Minneapolis within the present year a branch manufacturing plant. Mr. Holdsworth, when seen, was unable to say just what the size of the proposed plant would be, but stated that it would employ not less than 150 men and probably as many as 300.

“We are compelled to build a branch manufacturing plant for two reasons,” said Mr. Holdsworth. “First, we haven’t room in our home plant to take care of our rapidly expanding business and there is no room in the immediate vicinity to enlarge the factory; and second, by establishing a branch near the consumer we save a large amount in freight rates.”

June 30, 1907 – Detroit Free Press

Three Extraditions Asked.

Newspaper Clipping From Detroit Free Press - June 30, 1907.
Detroit Free Press – June 30, 1907, page 9

Lansing, Mich., June 29.—Next Wednesday is to be a field day with Gov. Warner for persons who object to being extradited by other states. Three hearings before the governor have been arranged. Those interested are Benny Klock, under arrest in Detroit and wanted in Toledo for false pretenses in selling “sure tips” on horse races; Daniel Baxter, arrested in Detroit for arson at Bryan, on a confession of the notorious Jack Paige, and Joseph Holdsworth, wanted in Minneapolis for defrauding a bank.

July 4, 1907 – Star Tribune

HOLDSWORTH IS ARRESTED IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Newspaper Clipping "Holdsworth Arrested"
Minneapolis Star Tribune, July 4, 1907, page 2

J. A. Holdsworth, accused of obtaining $75 from the Union State bank by false pretenses, will be brought to this city tonight by Deputy Sheriff Joseph Schutta from Detroit, where he was arrested last Thursday at the instance of the officials of the Union State bank.

Holdsworth obtained the money by representing himself to be the Northwestern representative of a prominent Detroit lead company, and from here he went to Detroit. He was arrested there, but was about to bring habeas corpus proceedings. Deputy Schutta went immediately to Lansing, Mich., where Governor Warner honored requisition papers to take Holdsworth to this city.

February 10, 1908 – Detroit Free Press

Three in Bankruptcy Court.

Newspaper Clipping
Detroit Evening Times – Feb 10, 1908, Page 1

Joseph A. Holdsworth, No. 1485 Sixteenth St., has filed a petition in bankruptcy, in which he gives his debts as $268.95 secured, and $1,565 unsecured. All his property is claimed as exempt. C. J. Abee has been adjudicated a bankrupt by Judge Swan on petition of the Monarch Fence Co. and others, and the Northwestern Foundry Co. has been adjudicated bankrupt on petition of P. J. Kelaher.

Summary

In the early 20th century, Joseph A. Holdsworth emerged in the news for a string of events that paint a complex picture of a man caught between ambition and scandal. Here are highlights of his story, pieced together from several newspaper reports:

A Promising Start: The Royal Crown Lead Company Expansion

Holdsworth first appeared in headlines as the manager of a new branch of the Royal Crown Lead Company in Minneapolis. The Detroit-based paint manufacturer, a significant player in the industry, sought to expand westward to accommodate their growing business and reduce freight costs. Holdsworth, once a Minneapolis man himself, was chosen to lead the effort. Plans were in place for a new manufacturing plant in Minneapolis, expected to employ up to 300 workers.

Legal Troubles Surface: Wanted for Bank Fraud

However, Holdsworth’s rising star quickly dimmed. In June, Michigan’s governor was asked to consider extradition requests for several individuals, including Holdsworth, who was wanted in Minneapolis for bank fraud. Allegedly, he had obtained money under false pretenses, leading to his arrest in Detroit.

Arrest and Extradition: The Union State Bank Affair

Holdsworth’s troubles deepened when he was arrested in Detroit for defrauding the Union State Bank out of $75. Reports suggest he had misrepresented himself as a representative of the Royal Crown Lead Company to obtain funds. After attempting legal maneuvers to avoid extradition, he was ultimately transferred to Minneapolis under the authority of Michigan’s governor.

Financial Ruin: Filing for Bankruptcy

As the legal drama unfolded, Holdsworth’s financial situation began to unravel. He filed for bankruptcy, declaring $268.95 in secured debts and $1,565 in unsecured debts. He claimed all his property as exempt, seeking protection under bankruptcy law.

Conclusion

Joseph A. Holdsworth’s story is one that many wives would find a deal breaker. I suspect that Ida thought she had married a leader in a growing business and realized she had married a man whose deception and lack of integrity were too much.

Disclosure: This post has been created with the aid of ChatGPT and the use of Grammarly for editing.

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Preserving Legacies: Blackstone, Bourgoin, Johnston, Skillings, & Stevens

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection (Part 069)
By Don Taylor

Continuing with the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection, two photos are from “High School Graduation Portraits.” I have a handful of other pictures from that group that require further work to identify, because the yearbooks for that school are not available. I’ll need to see if I can view a copy of the yearbooks in person and analyze them in the future.

Graduates:

Claudia Ann Blackstone – North Yarmouth Academy, Class of 1957.

High school photo of a young woman
Claudia Ann Blackstone – North Yarmouth Academy, Class of 1957.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (7½” x 5¼”)
  • Cover: North Yarmouth Academy
  • Studio: The Wendell White Studio, Portland, ME
  • Inscription: “Claudia”
  • Class: [Not identified]
  • Research Note: Identified as Claudia Ann Blackstone, North Yarmouth Academy, 1957 yearbook, page 14.

Dara D. Johnston – Windham High School, Class of 1970.

High School photo of a young woman
Dara D. Johnston – Windham High, 1970.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (7½” x 5¼”)
  • Cover: Windham High School
  • Studio: The Wendell White Studio, Portland, ME.
  • Inscription: “Dara”
  • Class: “70”
  • Research Note: Confirmed match with Dara D Johnston in the 1970 Windham yearbook, page 36.

Others

P. Michael Bourgoin – Professional Headshot.

Photo of a man, wearing a tie.
P. Michael Bourgoin
  • Photo Type: Professional Headshot (5” x 7”)
  • Typed info: “P. Michael Bourgoin”
  • Back: Typed information including the actor’s date of birth, physical description, and theatrical experience.
    • Born: July 2, 1944,
    • Height: 5’ 8”
    • Weight: 210
    • Hair: Grey-Brown
    • Eyes: Brown.
  • Research Note:
    • Bonny Eagle High School named its theater the “P. Michael Bourgoin Auditorium” where Mike taught Theater Arts, Video Production, and directed countless plays for 25 years.
    • He was born and attended school in Lewiston, went to college at Norwich University in Vermont, and obtained his master’s degree at Orono (Univ. Maine).
    • He was an accomplished actor (Portland Players, Theater at Monmouth, Schoolhouse, Lyric, Biddeford City Theater, Russell Square and TV commercials.

I uploaded this photo to my Flickr Photostream

 Isabel Dyer Skillings – South Portland, ME – circa 1896

Turn of the century photo of a woman.
Isabel Dyer (later Skillings) – circa 1896
  • Photo Type: Small oval portrait cutout (2” x 3½”)
  • Back: “Mrs. Isabel Dyer Skillings”
  • Research Note: I reviewed a photo of Isabel Dyer Skillins in Part 025 of this series. Later, I reviewed several photos from the “Isabel Dyer Skillin Photo Album.” This photo appears to be of the same woman, a few years younger.

This photo was added to Ancestry Family Trees, Linwood Dyer Collection.

Charles Gardnar & John Booth Stevens – Chicago – c. 1907.

Photo of two young boys from the turn of the century.
Charles Gardnar & John Booth Stevens – Chicago – c. 1907.
  • Photo Type: Mounted photo (3-7/8” x 5½”) in a 6¼” x 9¼? folder.
  • Studio: Walinger Chicago
  • Cover: SHS Accession No. 95.27.483
  • Inside inscription: “Charles Gardner Stevens Age 3 years | John Booth Stevens age 1½ years.”
  • Research Note: Ancestry Trees suggest this is Charles Gardnar Stevens, Jr. (1904-1961) and his brother, John Booth Stevens (1906-1999) about 1907 when Charles was 3 and John 1.
  • Photo added to Ancestry Family Trees, SHS Photos – 2025.

Conclusion

This project is about more than photographs—it’s about restoring connections across generations. These portraits capture moments of pride and promise, and for many families, they may be the only formal photo of a loved one at that pivotal time.

If you recognize someone in these images or they are part of your family history, I welcome your contact. I’d be happy to share the personal inscriptions found inside the folders—words written by the people themselves more than 60 years ago.

These portraits are available for personal genealogical use. Please credit appropriately:

Photos courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society, Scarborough, Maine.

Disclosure: This post has been created with the aid of ChatGPT and the use of Grammarly for editing.

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