Allen, Clifford, Eames, & O’Reilly

Linwood Dyer Collection (Part 074)
By Don Taylor

This week, I looked at my final three Adams Studio photos from the Linwood Dyer Collection. I also return to look at two more modern pictures of South Portland students. Thanks to the wonderful folks at the South Portland Historical Society, identification was possible.

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Graduates Featured:

Vaughan Clifford, Deering HS, Class of 1917.

• Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4¼ x 2¾”)
• Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
• Imprint: Deering High School – ’17 (on the cover).
• Inscription: “Vaughan Clifford, “Lest You Forget.”
• Research Notes:
  • The (Portland) Evening Express identifies S. Vaughan Clifford as a presenter at the senior class banquet.[I]

The Portland Sunday Telegram, Jan 24, 1917, Page 29, shows a thumbnail of this same photo of Vaughan Clifford.[ii]

Family Search has profile L7Q3-9WC for Steward Vaughn Clifford (1899-1981); I posted this photo to his profile.

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Butler Mathews Eames, PHS Class of 1917.

• Photo Type: (4” x 6”)
• Studio: The photo holder is from Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME.
• Imprint: Portland High School, ’17.
• Inscription: Butler M Eames. P.H.S. ’17 “Oh, Sadie ‘that ?? house-party.’
• Research Notes:
  • The (Portland) Evening Press, dated June 21, 1917, page 6, lists the graduates of Portland High School, including Butler Matthews Eames.[iii]

FamilySearch has profile LQTH-JDF for Butler Mathews Eames (1898-1896); I posted this photo to his profile.

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John Milford? John Wilford? 1918.

• Photo Type: (4” x 6”) Graduation Photo
• Studio: The photo holder is from Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME.
• Imprint: None.
• Inscription: From John Lin Milford, Baron Friday Sysner – Peter – Patrick – Peter Pins Alliaceous Eames V.B.D.  ’18.
• Research Notes:
  • The (Portland) Evening Press, dated June 24, 1918, page 6, does not include any person named John with a surname ending in “ford.”The Portland Evening Express, dated Jun 25, 1918, Page, does not include any person named John with a surname ending in “ford.”

I was unsuccessful in finding anyone named John Milford or John Wilford.

I’m not confident about my transcription of the From line, the school, or the meaning of the inscription. As such, I only posted this photo here. If you have any information that can help identify this person, I’d love to hear from you.

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Patricia O’Reilly, South Portland HS, Class of 1955.

• Photo Type: (3¾ x 5¾”) Graduation Photo
• Studio: The photo holder is from Jackson-White, Portland, ME.
• Cover: SPHS is printed in the bottom right corner.
  Inside Tag: Class of 1955.
• Inscription: To Miss Jackson and Mrs. Nissen,
    To two of the greatest people I have ever known.
    Your help in any matters as been greatly appreciated. It doesn’t seem possible that it is almost time for graduation, and that I  have been with you since the subprimary.
    The enjoyment that I have gotten from dancing out and all the wonderful friends I have made at Three Arts will never be forgotteon.
    Best of luck to you both, as you really deserve the best.
         Patty
• Research Notes:
  • I didn’t have access to a South Portland High School yearbook. As such, I asked the staff at the South Portland Historical Society if they could review their materials and make an identification. They indicated it was Patricia O’Reilly.
  • The Portland Evening Express, dated Oct. 8, 1958, page 19, indicates that Miss Patricia Ann O’Reilly, daughter of Eugene Vincent O’Reilly, of Angell Ave., South Portland, had a kitchen shower. She will marry Marvin A Clifford, son of Mr. & Mrs. Guy I. Clifford of Beverly Terrace, Cape Elizabeth.
  • The Portland Press Herald, dated 30 March 1958, reported Mr. & Mrs. John V. O’Reilly of Angell Ave., announcing the marriage of Patricia to Marvin Arnold Clifford.

The 1956 Portland City Directory lists John V. (& Florence) O’Reilly living at 88 Angell Ave., South Portland. Patricia A O’Reilly, a clerk, is also residing at that address.

I am confident this graduation photo is of Patricia Ann O’Reilly of South Portland.

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Linda Louise Allen, South Portland HS, Class of 1967.

• Photo Type: (3¾ x 5¾”) Graduation Photo
• Studio: The photo holder is from Jackson-White, Portland, ME.
• Cover: South Portland High School is printed on the bottom right corner.
• Inside Tag: Class 67.
• Inscription: Mrs. Nissen,
    I could never forget all the help you’ve given me through the years. The Experience in all the speaking engagements has been invaluable. Speech and dramatics lessons have been the greatest contribution to my life. I can’t thank you enough for the excellence of your instruction. You certainly have patience to put up with the three of the Allen Family! You’re a wonderful person to know. Fondest wishes always.
    Love,  Linda.
• Research Notes:
  • I didn’t have access to a South Portland High School yearbook. As such, I asked the staff at the South Portland Historical Society if they could review their materials and make an identification. They indicated it was Linda Louise Allen.
  • The 1966 South Portland High School Yearbook shows the officers of the French Club. The photo there, identified as Linda Allen, appears to be of the same young woman,

I am confident this 1967 photo is of Linda Louise Allen of South Portland.

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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.

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Endnotes

[i] Evening Express (Portland, Maine) · Jun 19, 1917 · Page 4 – “D. H. S. SENIORS TO HOLD THEIR BANQUET TOMORROW EVE’G.”
[ii] Portland Evening Telegram – Jun 24, 1917, Page 29 – “Students Deering High School Graduating.”
[iii] Evening Express (Portland, Maine) – June 21, 1917, Page 6, AMERICA THEME P. H. S. EXERCISES – Class Graduated Is Second Largest In History.