Historic Hood River
Jessie Vannier
5-27-2020
Notes
The subject of this nice Joe Kollas portrait is Jessie Vannier. Notes indicate her husband was Walter Vannier, and they lived on Westside Road. A 1965 article newspaper clip recounts her 90th birthday celebration.
I believe she is reading her Bible. This was very common in portraiture from the 18th and 19th centuries, but I haven’t seen this classic pose much in 20th century works.
I look forward to hearing any of your recollections of Jessie or Walter Vannier.
Charlott
I remember her quite vividly. The house that they lived in on Eastside Road no longer exists. She was a native of Michigan. Not knowing her maiden name, I don’t know whether she was married prior to her marriage to Walt or not. Walt’s full name was Walter Erwin Vannier and he was born 18 December 1880 in Ricard, New York. Like many of that area of New York I believe that the name Vannier was no doubt Dutch. He didn’t marry Jessie until after he was 39 years old. Jessie was a couple of years older than he was.
My aunt bought a Vannier piano and I don’t know which one for certain it was, but I think it had to have been Rose’s.
Yes, it was a common practice to have photos taken holding the Bible. I have a family portrait of my great-grandparents and she is holding the Bible.
His parents were Herbert and Roselia Vannier and they lived just down the road from Walt and Jessie.
Jeffrey W Bryant
Jessie Clark Vannier, b. abt 1875 in Michigan, d. 25 Oct 1970 in Wasco County, Oregon. Buried in Pine Grove Butte cemetery.
L.E.
I am wondering what is going on in the picture in the background.
Gladys
I think that picture is maybe a decoration on the fireplace. It is of a man in a chariot.
L.C.
Jessie was a sister to my Great Grandmother Frances Ella Clark Thornton. They were from Gratiot County Michigan and were the daughters of James Wallace Clark and Lucy Vannier Clark. I believe she and Walter were related as follows: Lucy Vannier Clark was the much younger half sister to Barnabus Vannier. Barnabus and his wife Martha King had 3 children together before he died and one was Herbert Vannier. Herbert and Roselia were Walter’s parents. I think that makes Jessie and Walter 1/2 first cousins once removed. In other words, Lucy’s daughter married Lucy’s half brother’s grandson.