Searching for the Women Artists & Photographers

 

 Searching for the Women Artists & Photographers

By Sharon Gothard

 

Finding the women artists and photographers of Northampton County, PA has been interesting research.

I have used the Federal Census, City & County Directories, to identify women who were listed as artist or photographers and living in Northampton County, PA. All women were painters, sculptors, art teachers, porcelain painters and photographers. A few also did writing.

I also looked for the women and their images by using Google, eBay, ancestry.com and databases of women artists.

Many of these women lived and died in Northampton County. Some, it appears, were only passing through. A few of the photographers had taken over the photography studios their husband had when he died.

Porcelain painting was a popular pursuit for women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a sophisticated hobby for middle and upper class women, a respectable occupation for women who needed to work out of economic necessity, and a creative outlet for women artists, who in general did not receive the same professional status as their male counterparts. Kansas Historical Society This explained much to me, as I was curious why women in a higher class were doing this.

I am sure there are women that I missed. Art or photography, like Norma Collmar, was probably a hobby and never mentioned in any of the above. Hopefully, more will come forward in time.

 

 

19th & Early 20th Century Women Artists of Easton, PA

 

 

Margaret Ann Anstett

1856 - 1931

 

She was born in Philadelphia, PA, August 26, 1856 and died in Easton, PA., April 12, 1931. Buried in Easton Cemetery. Her husband was Cassius Anstett (1850-1892). She was adopted by Oliver and Margaret (Sassaman) Meyers. (Margaret’s sister Elizabeth, was her biological mother)

 

In the 1910 Census, she is listed as Decorator of China. In the 1920 Census, as a painter/artist and a sister-in-law to Isabel Meyers. In the 1906, 1910, 1912 Easton City Directory, she is listed as an artist. Her obituary does not mention she was an artist.

 

 Rose and Bessie Brady

 

Bessie was born in Easton, PA @1871 and died January 12, 1934 in Smithfield Township, Bradford County, PA. She is buried in the Catholic Cemetery in Ulster, PA.

Rose was born @1874 and death unknown.  Their parents were Peter (1823 – 1913) and Mary Frances (1835 – 1913) Brady. They are both buried in St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Easton, PA.

 

Rose is in the 1900 & 1901 Easton City Directory listed as an artist. Bessie Brady is listed as an artist in the 1903 & 1912 Easton City Directory.

 

Bessie remained single up to her death. An obituary for her did not mention she was an artist.

 

Mollie Rathburn Cawthra

1902 – 1978

Mollie was born in 1902 at Ohio and died in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1978.

Her parents were George Rathburn (1871 – 1950) and Mollie St. John Taylor Rathburn (1872 -1929) The family moved back to Ohio at some point.

Mollie married Henry Cawthra in 1927.

Mollie appears in the 1923 & 1925 City Directory as Rathburn.

 

Norma McFall Collmar

1863 - 1925

 Norma was born in Martins Creek, PA on July 23, 1863 and died February 27, 1925 in Easton, PA. She is buried in Easton Cemetery. Her husband was Dr. Charles Collmar (1860 – 1942), marrying in 1894.  She was the daughter of Isaac McFall (1838 – 1930) and Louisa (Young) McFall (1838 – 1932). All are buried in Easton Cemetery.

 In a newspaper article of her marriage in 1894, it mentions she is a musical instructor.  Norma was not mentioned professionally as a photographer in any Census or City Directories, leading one to believe it was a hobby for her. Her obituary mentions her musical talents but not her photography. The Sigal Museum in Easton, PA has a collection of her glass plates.

Norma is to the left                                                                                                             Courtesy of the Sigal Museum
 

 

 

 Annie Feit Davis

1851 - 1920

 Annie was born in Easton, PA. October 3, 1851 and died March 13, 1920 in Bethlehem, PA. She is buried in Easton Cemetery. Her parents were Josiah 1798 – 1879 and Lucretia Anna Feit 1806 – 1893, both are buried in Easton Cemetery.

 Annie remained single up to her death.

 In the 1900 and 1910 Census Annie is listed an artist. In the 1901, 1903, 1908, 1910, 1912, 1914 and 1916 Easton City Directory she is listed as artist, also the 1908 County Directory and Shrope’s 1910 City Directory.

Her obituary does not mention she was an artist.

 

  Mary Frances Dawes

1840 - 1917

 Mary was born in Easton, PA February 10, 1840 and died October 28, 1917 and is buried in Easton Cemetery.

Her parents were Francis Yohe Dawes 1804 – 1870 and Nancy Jane Kerr 1811 – 1891. Both are buried in Easton Cemetery.

 Mary remained single up to her death.

 In the 1900 and 1910 Census, Mary is listed as an artist. In the 1910 City Directory it has her listed as teacher painting. Her obituary mentions “she was an artist of rare ability, and her work found ready sale. Many homes tell of her labor and artistic taste.”

 

 Mary Edwards

@1859 -

 Mary was born @1859 in New York.

Mary is listed in the 1880 Census as an artist where she is a boarder at a home on N. 2^nd Street in Easton, PA. No other information.

 

 Helen Kromer Fulmer

1893 - 1918

Helen was born April 15, 1893 in Easton, PA. and died October 7, 1918 in Easton, PA. She is buried in Easton Cemetery. Her parents were Harry E. Kromer (1868 – 1936) and Mary A. (1873 – 1961), also buried in Easton Cemetery. She married Edward Roy Fulmer (1888- 1962) on October 12, 1915.

 Helen is listed in the 1910 Easton City Directory as a photographer. In the 1910 Census, she is listed as a photographer. Her obituary does not mention she was a photographer.

 

Anna Elizabeth Ruppert Gross

1847 - 1926

 Anna was born in Germany in February 17, 1847 and died in Easton on December 29, 1926. She is buried in Easton Cemetery. Her parents were Carl Ruppert and Elizabeth Heppe. Unknown.

 Anna married to Frank Gross born @1846 in Germany.

 In the 1910 Census, it has Anna listed as artist (fancy work) and the 1910 Shrope’s City Directory. Her obituary did not mention she was an artist.

 

 Kate B. Higgins

1858 - 1935

 Kate was born in Easton, PA. 1858 and died February 2, 1935 in Phillipsburg, NJ. She is buried in Easton Cemetery. Her parents were Samuel (1826 – 1908) and Gertrude Higgins (1827 – 1909). Both are buried in Easton Cemetery.

 Kate remained single up to her death.

 Listed in 1887 (classifies), 1894, 1896 (portrait studio in the Field bldg., 4^th floor), 1898, 1900, 1901, 1903, 1906, 1912, 1918 Easton City Directories as an artist. In the 1920, 1925 City Directory she is listed as photographer. In her obituary, it mentions, “an artist, conducted studios in Easton and in Phillipsburg for many years.”

 

 Annie Hively

1873 - 1957

Annie was born in Easton, PA December 28, 1873 and died July 14, 1957. She is buried in Hay Cemetery, Easton, PA. Her parents were John Hively 1852 – 1927 and Mary Catherine Riehl 1846 – 1914. Both are buried in Hay Cemetery, Easton, PA.

 Annie remained single up to her death.

 The 1908, 1910, 1916, 1920, 1923, 1927 Easton City Directory, the 1908 County Directory and Shrope’s 1910 City Directory, she is listed as an artist. The 1910 Census lists her as an artist, the 1920 Census lists Annie as an artist and painter of china, the 1930 Census has her as a commercial artist, the 1940 Census has her as a painting teacher, the 1950 Census has Annie as a Proprietor artist, and her Death Certificate has her as retired art teacher. Her obituary mentions she was a retired art teacher.

 

Valeria Markle

1881 - 1937

Valeria was born January 17, 1881 and died in Pittsburgh, PA on July 31, 1937. She is buried in Hay’s Cemetery, Easton, PA. Her husband was unknown Mossman. Her parents were Oliver Markle (1850 -1921) and Emma Mary (1850 -1931). Both are buried in Hay Cemetery, Easton, PA.

 Valeria is listed in the 1908 & 1910 Easton City Directory and the 1908 County Directory as a photographer.

 Her obituary does not mention being a photographer.

 

Helen McCartney

1851 - 1928

Helen was born September 18, 1851 and died at the Karldon Hotel in Easton, PA. on November 17, 1928. She was taken to Cheltan Hills Crematory in Philadelphia; PA. and her ashes were buried in Easton Cemetery.

Her parents were Washington McCartney 1812 – 1856 and Mary Maxwell 1813 – 1893, both buried in Easton Cemetery.

 Her mother was local artist, Mary Maxwell McCartney.

 She is listed as an artist on her Death Certificate. In her obituary, it is mentioned she was an artist, teacher, traveler, and lecturer. Before her death, she had given an exhibition of her paintings at Kahn’s. (Art store)

 

 Mary Elizabeth Maxwell McCartney

1813 - 1893

Mary born in Flemington, New Jersey– April 24, 1813 and died in Easton, PA December 25, 1893, buried in Easton Cemetery.

Daughter of William Maxwell 1785 – 1828, buried Flemington Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Flemington. NJ and Sarah Dusenbery unknown, buried in same.

Mary Elizabeth married Washington McCartney in April 18, 1839 at the Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA.

Washington was born 1812 in Westmoreland County, PA. He was a math Professor at Lafayette College and Judge. He died in 1856.

Mary and Washington had four children. Isabel died young, Anna, Henry and Helen. In no Census is Mary listed as an artist. However, her daughter Helen McCartney is listed as an artist on her Death Certificate in 1928.

The Sigal Museum has many of her watercolors.

 

Courtesy of Sigal Museum

 

 

 Ella McLellen

1843 - 1928

Ella was born March 23, 1843 in Hohokus, New Jersey and died in Easton, PA on April 21, 1928. She is buried in Easton Cemetery.

Charles McLellen(1840 – 1915) was her husband and also buried at Easton Cemetery.  Her parents were James (@1811- 1865) and Julia Martin (1821- 1906). Julia died in Easton, PA and was buried in Easton Cemetery.

 Ella is listed in the 1894, 1896, 1898, 1900, 1901 Easton City Directory as an artist. Also, the 1897 County Directory.

 Her obituary does not mention she was an artist.

 

 Isabel Meyers

1861 - 1943

 Isabel was born in Easton, PA on October 7, 1861 and died in Easton, PA. on December 19, 1943. She is buried in Easton Cemetery. She was Judge Oliver H. Meyers (1827 – 1907) second wife. Her parents were Edmund Heckman (1836 – 1925) and Sarah (1840 -1918) All are buried in the Easton Cemetery.

 In the 1920 Census she is listed as a painter/artist and a sister-in-law to Margaret Anstett. (She is Margaret’s stepmother) She listed as an artist in the Easton 1910 Directory.

 Her obituary does not mention she was an artist.

 

 Margaret Mitchell

 

Margaret is listed in the 1920 & 1923 Easton City Directory. Her mother was Margaret Mitchell living at 41 South 2^nd St. in 1920 and 119 N.2^nd. St. in 1923.

No other information.

 

 Margaret Monahan

1884 - 1914

Margaret was born in Easton, PA. July 1884 and died July 19, 1914. She is buried in St. Bernard’s Churchyard in Easton, PA.

Her parents were Peter Bernard Monahan 1838 – 1910 and Marcella @1846 – 1927, both are buried in St. Bernard’s Churchyard in Easton, PA

Margaret remained single up to her death.

The 1910 Census, 1910, 1912 Easton City Directory, 1909 County Directory, and her Death Certificate has Margaret listed as an artist. Margaret drowned tragically, by car, in the Delaware Canal. Her obituary mentioned, “an artist of considerable ability.”

 

 Hazel V. Oliver

1884- 1964

Hazel was born @1884 and died in Manhattan, NY in 1964. She is buried at Easton Cemetery.

Her parents were Samuel (1859 – 1937) and Frances (1862 – 1929). Both are buried at Easton Cemetery.

Hazel married John William Stevens (1881- 1929), buried at Easton Cemetery.

Hazel is listed in 1903 and 1906 Easton City Directory as an artist.

 

 Miss Corda Price

Corda is listed in the 1920 Easton City Directory as an artist. She was living at 1002 Wilkes Barre St. in South Easton. There is no other information.

 

 

 Laura Schneider

1859 - 1932

 

Laura was born in Pottsville, PA January 22, 1859 and died in Easton, PA June 19, 1932, buried in Easton Heights Cemetery. Daughter of Elias Schneider @ 1821 and Eliza Wise @ 1821.

Laura remained single up to her death.

Laura is listed as an artist in the following census’s: 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930. Also, she is listed as an artist in the 1892, 1894, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1906, 1908, 1910, 1916, 1920, 1927 Easton City Directory, the 1908 County Directory and the 1910 Shrope’s City Directory.

When it was discovered that Independence Hall in Philadelphia did not have a portrait of George Taylor, signer of the Declaration of Independence, the city of Easton made sure one was painted and then donated. Laura was hired to do the portrait. Years later, the Easton Rotary Club commissioned her to do the same portrait and it was donated to the Easton Area Public Library. Today, it is in the Marx Historical Room. Laura also painted a portrait of Abraham Shirmer Knecht, a lawyer in Easton, PA. Her obituary mentions her as an artist.

 

 

Mary Elizabeth Sharpless

1856 - 1945

 

Mary Elizabeth (Bishop) was born 1856 in Ohio and died April 22, 1945 in Metuchen, NJ. She is buried in Stewartsville Lutheran Cemetery, Stewartsville, NJ. Mary E. was married to Sharpless and on November 5, 1912, she married Charles T. Scott.

Mary is listed as an artist in the 1912 Easton City Directory, the 1910 Shrope’s City Directory and the 1910 Census.

Her obituary does not mention she was an artist.

 

 Mrs. Kate Sherry

@1865 -

 

Mrs. Kate Sherry was born @1865. In the 1920 Census she is listed as an artist and widowed, living on Sitgreaves St.  she is listed in the 1887 City Directory. No more information on her.

 

 

 Caroline (Carrie) Louisa Bixler Wilson

1841 - 1924

 Carrie was born in Easton, PA. October 3, 1841 and died in Easton, PA July 7, 1924, buried in Easton Cemetery.

Daughter of Daniel Lewis Bixler 1810 – 1892, buried in Easton Cemetery and Eloise Amelia Douglas 1813-1890, buried in same.

 Carrie married Lorenzo Wilson in June 27, 1877 at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Easton, PA.

 Lorenzo was born 1846 and died 1899, buried in Easton Cemetery.

 In the 1880 Census she is married to Lorenzo and Carrie is listed as an artist.

 The Easton Area Public Library has a painting done by Caroline. It is a grand painting of the Paxinosa Inn, overlooking Easton, PA.

 

Located at the Easton Area Public Library

 

 This is a database that used the Federal Census, City & County Directories to identify women who were listed as Artist that lived in Easton, PA. All women were painters, art teachers, porcelain painters and photographers. Most were buried in Easton. Some may have only passed through Easton.

Federal Census

1880 Census – Laura Schneider, Mary Edwards, Caroline Louisa Bixler Wilson

1900 Census – Annie Feit Davis, Mary Frances Dawes, Laura Schneider

1910 Census – Margaret Ann Anstett, Annie Feit Davis, Mary Frances Dawes, Helen Kromer Fulmer (photographer), Anna Elizabeth Ruppert Gross, Annie Hively, Valeria Markle (photographer), Margaret Monahan, Laura Schneider, Mary Elizabeth Sharpless

1920 Census – Margaret Ann Anstett, Annie Hively, Isabel Meyers, Laura Schneider, Mrs. Kate Sherry

1930 Census – Laura Schneider, Annie Hively

1950 Census – Annie Hively

Easton City Directories

1887- Kate B. Higgins

1894 – Ella McLellen

1896 – Ella McLellen, Kate B. Higgins (portrait studio)

1898 – Ella McLellen, Kate B. Higgins

1900 – Ella McLellen, Kate B. Higgins, Rose Brady

1901 – Rose Brady, Annie Feit Davis, Laura Schneider, Ella McLellen, Kate B. Higgins

1903 – Bessie Brady, Annie Feit Davis, Kate B. Higgins, Laura Schneider, Hazel V. Oliver

1904 – Laura Schneider

1906 – Kate B. Higgins, Margaret Ann Anstett, Laura Schneider, Hazel V. Oliver

1908 – Annie Feit Davis, Annie Hively, Valeria Markle, Laura Schneider

1910 - Margaret Ann Anstett, Annie Feit Davis, Helen Kromer Fulmer (photographer), Annie Hively, Valeria Markle (photographer), Isabel Meyers, Margaret Monahan, Laura Schneider, Anna Elizabeth Ruppert Gross, Mary Elizabeth Sharpless

Shrope’s 1910 City Directory – Annie Feit Davis, Anna Elizabeth Ruppert Gross, Annie Hively, Laura Schneider, Mary Elizabeth Sharpless

1912 – Margaret Ann Anstett, Bessie Brady, Annie Feit Davis, Kate B. Higgins, Margaret Monahan, Mary Elizabeth Sharpless

1914 – Annie Feit Davis

1916 – Annie Feit Davis, Annie Hively, Laura Schneider

1918 – Kate B. Higgins

1920 - Kate B. Higgins (photographer), Margaret Mitchell, Laura Schneider, Miss Corda Price

1923 – Annie Hively, Margaret Mitchell, Miss Mollie Rathburn, Laura Schneider

1925 – Kate B. Higgins, Annie F. Davis, Laura Schneider, Miss Molly Rathburn

1927 – Annie Hively

MANY thanks to Frederick Bond III