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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Faces of the Past: Scarborough High School Memories from the Linwood Dyer Collection (1936–1938)

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Don Taylor

Photo Friday
Linwood Dyer Photo Collection, Part 079
Album 2023.02.05.
By Don Taylor

As part of my ongoing work with the Linwood Dyer Collection, I look at photos from his collection. Looking at a well-worn burgundy album, most the photos in the album are “staged snapshots.” Some of the photos originally in the album are now elsewhere, the photos that remain are nicely identified. The Scarborough Historical Society maintains the original photographs in the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection.

The Centers – Jeanette Johnson, Letitia Leary, Harriet Snow.

The black-and-white photograph shows three young women standing close together in front of a brick school building. They are wearing matching outfits: dark jackets, light blouses, and shorts, with socks and shoes. The handwritten caption above the photo reads “The Centers” and below the photo are the names: Jeanette Johnson, Letitia Leary, Harriet Snow. The photo is mounted on a black album page with visible ink and water stains.

Jeanette Johnson, Letitia “Tisha,” Anzonette Leary, and Harriett “Hattie” Alice Snow were all members of the girls basketball team and, apparently, played center for the team. They all graduated from Scarborough High School in 1938.

Boy’s Basketball Team – 1936-1937.

This sepia-toned photograph shows the Scarborough High School Boys’ Basketball Team from the 1936–1937 season. The group is posed indoors against a brick wall.

  • Front row (seated): Seven players wear sleeveless basketball uniforms with “SCARBORO” printed in bold letters across the chest and individual numbers on the front. The player in the center holds a basketball marked S.H.S. 36–37.
  • Back row (standing): Seven individuals—the coach, reserve players, and manager.
  • Captioning: Written in cursive at the top of the album page is “Boy’s Basketball Team,” and beneath the photo is “1936–1937.”

The 1937 Four Corners (Yearbook) has this same photo with names and school class included; it reads:

BOYS’ BASKETBALL TEAM

Standing: Coach Hallett, Hersey ’39, Pence ’37. K night’33, G. Rawson ’39, Southworth ’38, Paulsen, Manager.

Sitting: Harmon ’38, Mitchell ’39. Dolloff ’40, Newcomb ’37, Scamman ’39, D. Rawson ’37, Clark ‘39.

Maynard Meserve – ex 1938

This sepia-toned studio portrait depicts a young man, identified in the handwritten caption below as Maynard Meserve, Ex – 1938. He is posed facing slightly to his left, with his head turned toward the camera. His hair is neatly combed back, and he wears a checked suit jacket, a white dress shirt, and a patterned tie. The photograph is mounted on a black album page with black photo corners, giving it a formal and preserved presentation typical of the 1930s. The “Ex–1938” notation suggests he may have been a member of the Scarborough High School Class of 1938 who left before graduation.

Maynard “Maynie” Morse Meserve, born December 11, 1921, appears in the 1938 Four Corners yearbook. However, he does not appear in the Commencement Program for SHS 1938, confirming he likely left high school before graduation.

John Verrill – 1938

This sepia-toned studio portrait features a young man identified by the handwritten caption as John Verrill – 1938. He is posed facing slightly to his left, with his head turned toward the camera. His hair is neatly styled and combed back. He wears a dark suit jacket with a notched lapel, a light-colored dress shirt, and a striped tie, all of which are paired with a vest, giving him a polished and formal appearance. The photograph is mounted on a black album page using black photo corners.

John “Johnny” Alden Verrill, born June 12, 1920, appears in the 1938 Four Corners yearbook.

Percy Knight –1938

This photo was badly faded; I enhanced the image for this post.

This sepia-toned studio portrait features a young man identified elsewhere as Percy Knight ’38. He is posed facing slightly to his left, with his head turned toward the camera, offering a faint, confident smile. His hair is neatly combed back in a sleek 1930s style. He wears a three-piece suit, consisting of a notched-lapel jacket, a buttoned vest, a white dress shirt, and a diagonally striped tie.

Percy “Doc” Leonard Knight, born June 10, 1921, appears in the 1938 Four Corners yearbook.

Connection Invitation

If these photographs represent previously unseen images of your family members, we 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.”

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

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