Monday, October 26, 2009

The Worthington Presbyterian Church (United Presbyterian), Circa 1877


A copy of the original owned by the church.  I have a larger more detailed original print purchased from the Gladys Barr estate in 1999, but it was too faded to be fully restored.  My thanks to the Session of the Church and to the Rev. Jonathan Speck for allowing me to have it copied.

Yellow Dog Mine


A photo from the U. S. Steel owned limestone mine in Yellow Dog, Pennsylvania (Shadyside Village).  This photo is from 1919, beyond that I only know the name of one man and the nickname of another.  From left to right the third man kneeling is John Clair Ruffaner, the man standing behind him in bib overhauls was nicked named "Addie".  A copy of the original that belonged to Clair Ruffaner.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Vernon Hotel, Kittanning, Pennsylvania, Old Photo

Here is another photo from my collection.  This one is of the Vernon Hotel, Kittanning, Pennsylvania.  My guess for a date would be circa 1910-1915, no information was written on the picture.

The Vernon is now a bar and restuarant.  The picture was a gift from my grandmother Alice Claypoole, who gave it to me in 1987 or 88.  She was unaware of any family connection, but thought some of her Miller and/or McMunn relatives may have been in the picture.


H. F. Wanzer?

Here is a late 19th century photo from my collection.  The photo was purchased in 2007 at one of the two antique stores in downtown Mansfield, PA, it was sold by dealer JLH.  The photography firm is identified on front and back as Sterry & Co. 520 & 522 Broadway, Albany N. Y.

The photo bears a rubber stamped name on the back bottom that reads "H. F. Wanzer,"

I don't know if the stamped name identifies the photographer or the sitter, still it is a delightful image, and if it is Mr. Wanzer, I hope one of his descendants will find it here.


Saturday, October 17, 2009

The Digital Annex shall be...

This shall be a place to post items related to the James Claypoole Blog, items that really don't belong there directly, but have some context in common.

Consider this that extra shoebox of photos in the attic.  The ones you know are of long lost relatives that might some how be related to you, but you're not quite how or even who they all are, that's this blog. 

I have a feeling these items might be of interest to many non-Claypoole relations and I would hope they will find them.