Historic Hood River
Mr. and Mrs. George Crowell
11-19-2014
Notes
Here are Mr. and Mrs. George Crowell. Mr. Crowell ran the popular general store he purchased from E.L. Smith at the corner of Second and Oak. We previously saw him on the porch with his stepson Clarence English, and we saw the interior where Hood Riverites debated the politics of the day.
Charlott
His wife was Marybeth Stranahan, who had married James English first. Her parents were James K. and Pamelia (Reynold(s)) Stranahan.
If you get on findagrave you will find quite a wonderful biography for him.
My thoughts on this are that this is their wedding photo. I can’t vision making that dress, much less taking care of it. All those little buttons and look at the pleats. Absolutely gorgeous dress. I don’t actually see a wedding ring on her finger, so could be it was snapped prior to the cememony or not a wedding photo at all.
Wish I could see her shoes, bet they were buttons on them, but then a proper lady did not show her shoes to the world…..
l.e.
I love these photos of early HR residents.
My husband"s grandmother loved to brag about her 18" waist when she wore her wedding dress.
Then she would tell about the ordeal of being cinched up in the corset.
Then she told about one day throwing the corset away, while she was out working in the field and she never put it on again.
I think maybe that was a bold statement when she traveled in to the Portland Market to sell her produce not wearing a corset.
Arthur
Glad you enjoy them l.e. I can never tell what is going to strike a chord. I try to mix it up as much as possible but it’s hard not to just post all my favorites, which would mean nothing but steam engines and turbines and bicycles.
l.e.
If this is a wedding photo she would be 46 and he is 54.
They were married January of 1893.
Arlen Sheldrake
I like your favorites Arthur……… George looks like he would prefer to be any place other than sitting for this photo….or "get me out of this damn bow tie".
longshot
What kind of pelt is that on the floor?
L.E.
From the January 28, 1893 HR Glacier page 3
MARRIED.
At Hood River, Monday, January 23d, George P. Crowell to Mrs. Mary-beth S. English; Rev. H. F. Gilt performing the ceremony.
The groom is an old and always popular resident of Hood River, who has been engaged in the mercantile business here for many years, and the bride is one of Hood River’s most charming ladies……Mr. and Mrs. Crowell are at home over Mr. Crowell’s store.
kmb
The background is reminiscent of backgrounds we have seen in other O. M. Pope photos of this era. We know Pope had a studio in HR in the early 1890’s. I have always wondered why it was more common for the woman to be standing, with the man sitting. Is this symbolic of the relationship, i.e. the man is the "king" of his castle? Or is this more a matter of practicality, the fact that her beautiful dress looks much better in a standing position?