Monthly Archives: December 2013

Paducah, Kentucky Guy

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Paducah Kentucky Guy

Cabinet Card photo of nice-looking young gentleman in a suit, bow tie, and holding a bowler hat. Photo taken in Paducah, Kentucky. The photographer’s name is hard to read here, but after a little research of Paducah city directories, W. G. McFadden appeared to be the likely photographer. His name was verified by finding other cabinet cards with this same distinct signature, that were a little easier to read. More details to follow shortly in a separate post, on W. G. McFadden.

In searching for more details in the photo, an up-close look at this young man’s left hand shows that he appears to be wearing a wedding band. This photo was found with two other photos of persons who may or may not be related to this man. See the prior post on Ophelia Bell Morrow, and the next post on Myrtle Eyman.

At the bottom left of the card is the word “Platinotype.” Per a Wikipedia entry, platinotypes or platinum prints, “…are photographic prints made by a monochrome printing process that provides the greatest tonal range of any printing method using chemical development.” The platinum group metals are very stable, more so than gold. “It is estimated that a platinum image, properly made, can last thousands of years.” Other advantages for using the platinotype process:  non-reflective, and no tendancy to curl, as in the photos coated with gelatin.

Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platinum_print

Ophelia (Bell) Morrow

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Ophelia Bell Morrow (1)Ophelia Bell Morrow (2)

Old portrait on heavy cardboard of lovely woman identified on the back as “Ophelia Bell Morrow.” Guessing circa 1910s or early ’20s. Wearing black dress with lace and bow over what was likely a white or possibly cream colored high-neck collar. The collar is in some type of patterned crocheted-looking material, with contrasting black showing just underneath, and cloth-covered button or decoration, to the side.

Size:  About 5 and 3/4 x 4 and 1/4″ including cardboard backing

Mary Ophelia Bell, born October 1, 1855 (per Find A Grave.) Daughter of Job Bell, physician and Ann or Maria Ann (Overall?) Married Richard D. Morrow December 3, 1874, McNairy County, TN. Died August 1,1930. Curiously, the New Orleans, LA death records show an Ophelia Morrow born about 1856, and died August 1, 1930. Find A Grave shows same death date, but buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Selmer, McNairy County, TN. There is an 1930 Federal census taken in April of 1930 in Paducah, McCracken County, KY which shows an Ophelia B. Morrow, widow, living at a boarding house, born about 1856 in TN, parents also born in TN, which seems to fit for Ophelia.

The 1850 Federal Census, taken in District 3, McNary County, TN shows Teresa (looks like Terry) Overall as head of household. With her is Elizabeth Gay (a possible daughter?), and Job and Ann Bell (Ophelia’s parents.) The 1870 Federal Census, taken in Purdy, TN shows Teresa Overall living with Job and Ann M. Bell, and their two children, Mary O. (Ophelia), and William T. Bell, born TN about 1858. No relationship is given for Teresa Overall on either record, but it’s possible she is Ann’s mother. Also in the household are William Marshall, farmhand, born SC about 1813, and Sarah Riddle, domestic servant, born NC about 1815.

The 1880 Federal Census, taken in Purdy, TN shows Ophelia and husband R. D. Morrow, whose occupation is listed as steamboat clerk, with their two children, Annie M., born TN about 1876, and Charles, born TN, age about 4 months. The Morrows are living with Ophelia’s parents. Also in the household are W. T. Bell, brother to Ophelia, born TN about 1858 and Sallie Prior, servant born TN about 1836.

These old photos are generally found loose, along with many others. This one was found at a Salinas, CA thrift store along with a couple of other old photos, as the only three photos from this era; the rest were postcards and other groups of newer photos. So, it’s possible there is some relation to the three people, as the young man’s photo was taken in Paducah, KY which is the same place as the last census record for the person listed as Ophelia B. Morrow in 1930. Could the young man be Charles Morrow, Ophelia’s son? This is just speculation; however, there are listings for other Morrows showing up in Paducah, so it’s also possible the unknown young man was some type of relation. The young lady’s photo, taken in Fullerton, NE is identified as Myrtle Eyman. Charles Morrow was married (per his death info) but no record has been found linking him with Myrtle, so they may be unrelated.

See the next two posts for the unknown young man in Paducah, and for Myrtle Eyman.

Sources:  Year: 1850; Census Place: District 3, McNairy, Tennessee; Roll: M432_888; Page: 65B; Image: 136. Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

“Tennessee, Marriages, 1796-1950,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XDQV-4Y8 : accessed 01 Dec 2013), R. D. Morrow and Ophelia Bell, 03 Dec 1874.

“United States Census, 1880,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MD75-Y3P : accessed 01 Dec 2013), Ophelia … in household of Job Bell, Purdy, McNairy, Tennessee, United States; citing sheet 100B, family 3, NARA microfilm publication T9-1268

Year: 1900; Census Place: Civil District 1, Houston, Tennessee; Roll: 1579; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0010; FHL microfilm: 1241579. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Year: 1930; Census Place: Paducah, Mccracken, Kentucky; Roll: 768; Page: 20A; Enumeration District: 0008; Image: 338.0; FHL microfilm: 2340503. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.

Orleans Death Indices 1929-1936; Volume: 200; Page: 1842. Ancestry.com. New Orleans, Louisiana, Death Records Index, 1804-1949 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Original data: State of Louisiana, Secretary of State, Division of Archives, Records Management, and History. Vital Records Indices. Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

www.findagrave.com. Find A Grave Memorial# 78698152

“Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K3H3-TBW : accessed 01 Dec 2013), R D Morrow in entry for Charles W Morrow, 09 Oct 1935; citing certificate number 45773, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2116705.