*** biographical details on boys clothing: ordinary people alphabetical page I-L








Biographical Details on Boys' Clothing Styles: Ordinary People Alphabetical Page (I-L)

Scottish kilt
Figure 1.--We found a painted portrait of Geoffrey Keen painted in 1895. All we know about him is that his father was Percy Keen. Geoffrey was painted in full Highlnd garb. Notice the large bonnet.

The HBC biography section is for people or families that have achieved some degree of notariety or fame. HBC readers in many cases have submitted family portraits. HBC has until now not added them to the biography section. We believe now that this is a mistake. Many of the HBC readers contributing family portraits can also provide details about the boy and him family. This background information help us to assess social trends and put the fashions involved in perspective. This is just why the biographical section is an important part of HBC. As a result, HBC has decided to create pages for these relatively unknown people, when some basic family data is available. Incidentally if you find a relative here, please do tell us somehing about him. Here we are listing these biographies alpahabetically to facilitate looking up individual names. The alphabdetical list is the primary data base in this section. While we have not persued geneolgical resreach on these individual, having the names and in many cases the loaction provide the potential to acquire more back ground information in the future which may provide additonal insights into the fashion and life style trends.


I


Ingraham, Oliver (United States, early 1900s)

Oliver Ingraham had his portrait taken in the early 1900s. He was photographed by Champney of Rockport, Maine. The resulting portrait was an interesting record of his first haircut. There are a series of three early photos showing Oliver in a white sailor tunic before and after his first grownup haircut that trims away his beautiful long curls.

Irwin, John (United States, 1890s)

We have two portraits of John Irwin from Franklin, O. The "O" probably meas Ohio. Both portraits are identified as John Irwin on the back. Both portraits were taken at the Ryding photo studio. The first portraits shows John dressed to the nines in a fancy Fauntleroy kilt suit. He was probably around 2-3 years old. He stands beside a parlor chair with a floral spry on the seat and what appears to be a bell in his hand. The mounting was not acabinent cad and suggests to us that the portrait was tken about the turn-of-the-20th centuyry, perhaps few years before but not much earlier. The second portrait shows John a few years later about age 6 years. He holds a basket of flowers in one hand and a flower in the other. Handwritten on the back is the following..."John Irwin son of Sallie Hankinson Irwin died in Battan March also served in Mexican War".

Isom Children (United States, 1920s)

This 8x10 portrait of three American siblings shows three siblings. Notice how especially in the 20the century, especilly after World War I we bwgin to see smiles in these family portraits. The children are Janice, William, and Muriel Isom. They look to be about 5-11 years old. The girls wear summer dresses and large hair bows. Their little brother wear a long-sleeve white shirt and small bow tie. The portrait is undated, but we would guess was taken in the 1920s. We think hair bows were most common in the 1910s, but here we still see large hair bows in the 20s.


J


Jackman, Esther (United States, 1881)

This cabinet card portrait was escribed, "Esther Jackman, Jan. 1st 1881." We believe Esther is a girl's name. Some uses varied in the 19th century, but as far as we know this was always a girl's name. We are unsure why the name was written here, but with the date it seems to be the boy's name. Another possibility is that it was the boy's mother who ordered the portrait, but we don't think the date would be written like that. He looks go be about 10-years old. The boy wears a collar-buttoning velvet jacket with a double breasted look (two button rows). A large white collar and floppy bow show the styles that would become nuch larger later in the decade. No touch of Fauntleroy frills yet. Note the longer hair at vthe back. The photographer was C.M. Bell, Washington, D.C.

Jackman, Percy and Ruth Jackman (United States, 1899)

We note a cabinet card portrait of Percy Jackman and his little sister Ruth Jackman. The children were 10 and 6 years old respectively. Percy wears a plsain collar buttoning knee pants suit. Collar buttoning suits were a popular choice for boys at the time. A splash of color is added by a big floppy bow. Ruth wears an elaborate striped dress with big baloon shoulders and long sleeves. Both children wear black long stockings whiich was very common. Rith had extensive, but not very long ringlet curls. The portrait is dated May 1899. It was taken at the J.F. Gerrity & Co (embossing unclear) studio, Bangor, Maine. We note caninet cards changing at the turn-of-the century. This card had a larger than usual margin. We see even greater changes becoming more common after the tutn-of-the century.

Jacks, Hooper J. (United States, 1903)

This cabinet card portrait shows Hooper J. Jacks in a knickers sailor suit. Notice the flat cap he wears rather thsn a sailor cap. Hooper's sailor suit is a striped suit. It is a light-colored suit, but we are not sure sbout the color. He wears the light-colored sailor with black long stockings which were very common ast the time. sThe portrait was taken on May 15, 1903. The size is 5 1/4 X 9 1/8 centimeters. The studio was Marham & Bibent, 810 Mission St., San Francisco, Calfornia. The portrait was the new style cabinet card with a textured frame. While it is a studio cabinet card, the portrait was taken outside. We are not sure if Hooper's parents hired the studio to take outside shots (which would have been expensuve) or if they supplied a family snapshot because they wsanted a cabinet card.

Jacols, Charles and Anne (United States, 1864)

This portrait of Charles Marian Jacols (1856-1922) and Anne Margarita Jacoles, brother and sister, was painted in 1864. The hand writing is hard to read. We are not sure about the spelling of their last name. We know that they were Ameicans , but we are not sure where they were from. The trees in the background suggest a northern state. Ann Wears a plaid dress with what looks like a small hoop. Charles wears a palin long pants suit.

James, Hugh (United States, about 1905-10)

Hugh was an American boy who had his curls cut at about age 5 or 6. His mother decided to have his curls photographed in great detail and we have several before and after photographs. Interesting, all eight ringlets were then tied on a ribbon for safe keeping. The photographs look to be taken about 1905-10.

Jarvis, Annie and Henry (United States, late-1860s)

This CDV portait probaly dates to the 1860s, probably after the Civul War (1861-65). The two children are identified as Henry and Annie Jarvis. They look to be about 2-5 years old. Henry wears a kind of check or tatarsall tunic with a small ruffle at the neck. Tunics seem more popular in the 1850s, but we see a number in the 1860s as well. The patterned tunics also seem more common in the 50s. His tunic is tighly belted at the waist, although we can not see the belt. The tunic is fuller and longer than many we have seen in the 1860s. We are guessing that mother expectyed him to wear it for a few years. He has contrasting solid colored pants that look like knickers. He also has white stockings and high-top shoes. Annie wears a jacketed dress with elaborate embroidery. Henry might have worn it earlier. The studio was Powelson in Rochester and Buffalo, New York.

Jeffrey, Colby (United States, 1862)

This early CDV portrait shows two boys in Civil War-style military uniforms. One boy is posed with a rifle fitted with bayonet and the other with a sword. There is a bugle on his kepi. The uniforms have a star on the chest. The boys are Fred Latimer and Colby Jeffrey. The boys attended the Hill Stree School in New London, Connecticut. It appers to be a privte school. Given this fact and the elaborate uniforms, we assume the boys came from a prominant family. The CDV was found in a collecion of Newcomb family matrial. Apparently the boys exchnged photographs. The uniforms suggest it was a military school, but they appear to be more of a patriotic flourish. The boys probably wore them for drill. These boys were assifned to Star Company. The photogrpher was Morgan & Bolles, New London.

Johnson, Henry (United States, about 1861-62)

The boy in this CDV portrait is identified as Henry Johnson on the reverse. Rhe studio is not identified or is it dated. The fact that there is on logo on the CDV and no reventue stamp suggests to us thst it was an early CDV. We believe it was taken in 1861 or 62. He holds an elongated kepi, but this does not appear to be a uniform. These collar buttoning jackets were a popular boy's style in the 1850s and early 60s. The dog looks like it is stuffed.

Johnson, Robert and William (United States, 1867)

This post-Civil War CDV portrait shows two boys , presumably brothers in vuttob-on outfits that were popular in the 1860s. We know their familar names were Willie and Bob conviently spelled out in blocks. A toy horse is also included in the portrait. The photographer is not listed. Writing on the back clrly identifies Willianm Johnson. Another name above is unclear. Other information specified the portrait was taken August 1, 1867, telling us tht these were summer outfits even thogh they look ratherheavy garments for winter wear. And it was taken in Winchester, Illimois. Finally we are told that the boys are 4-6 years old. The outfits are similar, but not identical. They look like one-piece suits, but the topsbuttoned onto the pants. Sometimes a belt-like piece covered the buttons, but in this cse the buttons cn be seen. obert wears knee pants and William knickers. Robert holds his hat. There seems to be a front piece that buttons on to the top. Note the white long stockings.

Johnson, Theodore Roosevelt (United States, 1912)

We note a cabinet card of Theodore Roosevelt Johnson from Denver Colorado in 1912. Theodore wears a belted sailor styled tunic suit, a popular fashion at the time. He also wears dark long stockings and high-top shoes. He also has long ringlet curls. He obviouly came from a staunch Republican family who named him after the president when he was born, about 1906-07. His mame would have been in the news when this portrait was taken in 1912. President Roosevelt came back, bolted the Republican Party and ran for president under the third party Bull Moose ticket. The enscription on the back is interesting, "Theodore Roosevelt Johnson, Denver, Colorado, Kate Mans (?) Aunt Cynthia girl boy, June, 1912, Friday," It seems to have been written shortly after the photograph was printed because the date was included. Who Kate Mans was and why the question mark is there is unknown. Also the" boy girl" note is unclear as the boy is identified. Perhaps this is a commentb on Theodire's ringlets which were becoming less common at the time. Presumably Aunt Cynthia is Theodore's mother who sent the portrait to family members. The studio was Storm in Denver.

Johnson Family (United States, 1907)

The family of of Leonard Martin Johnson and Victoria Irene Johnson lived in Illinois. Both were born in Stockholm Township. The family consisted of Ione (born 1894); Julia (1896); Erma (1897); Lowell (1899); Loyal (1901); John (1904); and Beulah (1905). The children are pictured in a 1907 portrait. The children are dressed alike. The boys all wears fancy blouses with large collars and floppy bows. The firls in contrast wear rathr plain plaid dresses.

Johnson, Wilbur (United States, 1890s)

This cabinet portrait shows a boy identified as Wilbur W. Johnson. He was 2 years and 3 months old. . . Wilbur is wearing a white checkered dress with a small frilled collar. It is a little difficult to make out the detail, but it is a jacketed dress. He is holding in his left hand what looks like a rag doll, but we are not sure. The studio is Jarvis in Pasadena, California. The portrait is undated, but we would guess was taken in the 1890s, in part because of the mount. Wilbur's hair is dione in ringlet curls, but a front sweep rather than bangs.

Jones, Clarissa and James (United States, 1913)

This formal portrait shows Lewis Overaker's mother, Clarissa Jones, at the age of 2 years, with her older brother James Jones, Lewis's uncle (aged 6). This photo was taken in 1913 in Springfield, Ill. The children are dressed for a formal studio portrait. The girl wears a white dress, white long stockings, white spats and black shoes. Her older brother wears a tunic suit done in the sailor style, but all white without stripes. The silor collar was ruffled. This was a popular style at the time, including the all-white outfits. The outfit has a white dickey and a black belt. With his tunic suit he wears matching white bloomer knickers and, white long stockings, and black button-spats over his black shoes.

Jones, Roscoe (United States, about 1915)

Here we are not sure about the boy's name, but think it might be Roscoe Jones. It is a useful image, because it shows how American boys commonly dressed in the 1910s. The boy here wears a shirt, knickers, and black long stockings. This was how the vast majority of American boys dressed at the time. He was photographed outside his home with his musical instrument. Many photographs at the time are taken outside the home in the sunlight , because of the complications associated with indoor photography.

Jones, Stephen (United States, 1953)

This family snapshot shows 8-year old Stephen Jones with his father Stanley. They lived in Bltimore. Stephen ws born in 1945. He wears a classic oeaked cap with the ear flaps down with a matching overcoat. They would have been purchased togther. Note there are no chin straps. They probably were cammel hair. They are probably on the way to church and Stephen is oresuably wearing suit. Note that the cap matches the oat, not the suit. Hats and caps were sill very common in the 1950s which also can be seen in the movies.

K


Kaler, Ira (United States, about 1870)

This CDV portrait shows an Ohio boy, Ira Kaler, about 1870. Ira wears a smocked dress with a large lace collar. At the time, boys' collar were mostly very small. There is matching cuff trim. It looks like a two-piece dress, but is probably one piece. Notice the front smocking. Ira has his curls cut before being breeched. That was the most common seqwuence, but some boys were breeched before their curls were cut. Ira looks to be about 3 years old. As was almost always the case at the time, he wears long stockings. The studio was Brenner in Bucyrus, Ohio.

Kamst, Tom (United States, 1875)

This cabinet portrait shows a boy on fancy horse drawn cart. The portrait was taken by Vail, 254 Main, Poughkeepsie New York in 1875. The boy is Tom Kamnst 1875. Tom wears striped long stockings, fancy jacket and pointed hat. Tom holds the reigns of a marvelous cart with painted wing sides and drawn by two great wooden horses. This was a hobby horse affair any little boy would die for. A whip sits in a holder on the side.

Karliner Children (Germany, 1937)

This photo of Ruth and Herbert Karliner of Silesia was taken in 1937. Silesia at the time was German. It was a province fought over by Germany (Prussia), Austria, and Poland. An Ameican reader writes, "This photograph reminded me of my dress-up clothes as a boy. Herbert is wearing the same kind of single breasted wool suit with short pants, collar and tie, and long stockings that I wore at his age. He is about 11 or 12 in this picture. His sister Ruth is about 10 years old. The only real difference from my childhood clothes was that my stockings were a lighter tan or beige. Herbert is wearing rather dark stockings, although I am not sure about the color. And I think my trousers might have been just a bit shorter by a couple of inches." The photo was taken in Peiskretscham, Germany, during the NAZI era. After World War II, Silesia was transferred back to Poland. The Karliners would have had to moved west to Germany. Many followed the retreating Wehrmacht in 1945. Most of those who remained were expelled by the Poles after the War.

Karlsonn, Ingvar and Ingrid (Colombia/Sweden, 1955)

These two Colombian-Swedish children, Ingvar and Ingrid Karlsson, were 10 and 9 years old when they were flown from Colombia to Sweden. Here they are landing at Stockholm's Bromma Airport during 1955. Their father was a foreman, Anton Karlsson, who had been working in Sweden sice 1916. He married a Colombian woman. We are not sure what he was doing in Colombia. The description of foreman suggests posibly a mining engineer. The press caption mentions the Utlandssven-Skärnäs Association mediation, whatever that may be. The children are apparently heased to Falun. We are not sure why the children were sent back to Sweden, It might have to do with La Violencia, the beginning of the Colombian Civil war with left-wing guerrillas. The parents won't be comomg for another 3 years with teir fathee plans to retire. The children only speak Spanish.

Kastner Children (Canada, 1929)

This portrait of Mrs. J. Kastner's children was taken during March, 1929, in Montreal. There are two siblings--a boy and his sister who seem to be about 7 or 8 years old. The girl wears an interesting print dress with a bodice front and lacings. The boy wears a white shirt and striped tie, a patterned pullover sweater, woolen knitted shorts and tan long stockings with hose supporters. The tan long stockings seem to be worn both for formality and for warmth. These are dress-up clothes, since the photograph was taken at a professional photographic studio. We don't know the Christian names of the children.

Kathman, Ray and Vernon (United States, about 1905-10)

Here is a wonderful photo postcard of three well dressed young boys. Two boys are standing and a baby is seated in a wicker stroller. Mom has set out potted ferns on stands with lace curtain windows make for a wonderful picture of turn-of-the century America. The snap shot is undated, but we would guess was taken about 1905-10. The two older boys look to be about 4-5 years old. There are two brothers, perhaps photographed with a neighbor child. Written on the back in ink is: "Ray & Vernon Kathman, Gilbert Speckman, Aurora, Indiana". Thus we know their names abd where they lived. Both boys wear tunic suits. One wears a colored suit with a ruffled collar. The other wears a white suit. Both boys wear white caps, but it is a bit difficult to make out the types.

Keck Children (United States, 1910s)

We believe this is a portrait of the Keck children. This is a little difficult to tell bebause the 'K' in Keck is not very clearly written in the inscription on the back. It coud be an 'H', but K seems more likely. The inscrption lists each if the three children: Garnet Lucile (8 years), Guyna Louise (6 years), and Garland Miller (4 years). Their mother is Lce? Edyth who was 27 years old. The card was sent Miss Nellie Wood in Pottersville, New York so the family may have been from New York. The children are all dressed in white. The girls weair white summer frocks trimmed in eyelet lace. The most prominent aspect of their outfits is gigantic hair bows variously placed. Their little brother wears what looks like a white blouse and short pants. The children wear there-quarter socks with what looks like tassels and sandals are strap shoes. Mother is alldressed in white. The portrait is undated. We suspect that it was taken in the 1910s. The AZO stamp box dates it to 1904-18 (four trianges up). We believe the 1910s is more likely, but of course we cannot be sure.

Keeling, Fred and Arthur (United States, 1896)

This cabinet card portrait was taken at the Rosch Portrait studio, 301 Main St. New Rochelle, New York. Handwritten on the back is, "About 1896-My father Frederick Jennings Keeling. My brother Fred and me (Arthur)." The boys wear Civil War uniforms, possibly for the 30th anniversary of the War. Or perhaps they are involved in election year hoopla. The father looks a bit too young to be a veteran and does not wear any badges, but he could have been a drummer boy. The boys wear natty Civil War uniforms and have drums. The Civil war was the climatic event in America during the 19th century. It finally resolved the slavery issue as well as the nature of the Union. Many Americans who served in the War were still alive and most looked back on the War as the major event of their lives.

Keen, Geoffrey (Scotland, 1895)

We found a painted portrait of Geoffrey Keen painted in 1895. All we know about him is that his father was Percy Keen. Geoffrey was painted in full Highland garb. We assume that the Keens were Scottish, but do not know where they were from, certainly it was Britain. We have mnoted numerous images of boys wearing Highland garb in the late 19th century. We are stoll unsure, however, how common it was in the early 19th century. One interesting feature of the outfit was the large cap.

Keil, Erhard and Nora (Germany, 1910)

Erhard and Nora Keil had their portrait taken in 1910. We are not positive where their portrait was taken, but the photographer Carl Platz had studios in Moritzburg and Radeburg. We are not sure where this is in Germany, but the folk costumes they wore suggest southern Germany--perhaps Bavaria. Hopefully our German readers will provid some inights here.

Kellison, Carl (United States, about 1910)

This portrait is of Carl Kellison who was 6 years old. The postcard portrait was taken by the Ogden Studio of Clarksburg, West Virginia. The portait is undated, but was probably taken about 1910. He wears a classic Russian blouse tunic suit with bloomer knickers and a dark belt. These tunic suits were commonly worn with ornamental belts. This one was quite broad. I'm not positive what color it was. Many of these belts were white, but I'm not sure about this one. He has long white stockings. I'm not sure if they are ribbed or have colored striping. With his all-white outfit he has black strap shoes. They are double bar shoes without the center verical strap. Carl has thick ringlet curls, By 1910 it was becoming less common for school-age boys to wear ringlets. Age 6 was when boys began school, but Carl may have turned 6 years old after September.

Kelly, Caroll Ebert (United States, 1896)

This seems to be a portrait to commemorate the breeching of an American boy. The portrait was taken May 4, 1896. He was Caroll Ebert Kelly who lived in Duluth, Minnesota, a hub for cargo shipments in the Great Lakes. Caroll was 4 years old. We do not know if he just turned 4, but this seems likely. His parents may have seen this as the appropriate age to breech him, but not yet to cut his hair. Caroll has long hair, but not curled. This was unusual. Most American boys with long hair during the Fauntleroy era had it curled. Caroll has a two colored wide brimed hat, sonmething we do not often see. The brim is not as wide as some at the time. He wears a summer-weight cut-away jacket suit, but without Fauntleroy trim, at least we do not see any. He does have a large floppy bow which covers his collar. The knee pants seem slightly large, probably mother bought a size for him to grow into. The long stockings abnd high-top shoes were strandard. His parents have written on the back, "Now I have some pants like a man & two pockets & a Fiddleen like Papa." It is written as if Carroll said it, but sounds more like this was how his parents were thinking. It would be interesting to know just what Carroll was thinking. The mount is interesting. It was one of the new style mounts, shiowing that they began to appear befire the turn-of-the century. The studio was Zweifel in Duluth.

Kelly Johnston Boys (United States, about 1910)

This AZO postcard-back portrait shows the three Kelly Johnston boys. This is a little unusual in that Americans do not usually use two last names and there is no hyphen as is the British coinvention, but mother or father have clearly used two last (family or sur-) names when they identified the children on the back. The portrait could have been takem any time from about 1904-18) when AZO stamp boxes (four triangles up) and tunics like the one the middle boy is wearing were most popular. We think about 1910 is a good guess. The boys are: Hooks (1 years old), Cay (3 years), and Nathan Jordan (5 years). This is a good example of why when we estimtee afes in these old photograophs that we generally allow at least 2 years between siblkings. Of course shorter periods are possible, but we think less than 1 1/2 years is unusual. Hooks (an unusual name) wears a baby dress and is placed in the middle on a toy or hobby horse. This one does not rock and is on wheels. Coy wears a classic sailor tunic. It looks to be a light color rather than white. The ornamental belt is also a light color rather than the more usual black. Nathan wears a blouse sailor suit with bloomer knickers. It seems to be a light color suit rather than white. He had a large white floppy bow and looks to have a detachable Eton collar. Both older boys wear dark long stockings. The studio is Foltz in Savanah, Georgia.

Kemp Brothers (United States, 1898)

Two brothers Carcie Allen and Robert Lester Kemp had their portrait taken about 1898. They lived in Smith County, Tennessee. We know that Carcie Allen was born on May 29, 1894 and his older brother Robert Lester on October 17, 1891. So their portrait was probably taken about 1898. The boys both wear white blouses with large ruffled collars. Robert's blouce seems to be more ruffled thn tht of his younger brother. Both boys have bows, but rather more modest than mny that we have seen. Around the turn of the century, the floppy bows boys wore began to decline in size. The portrait must have been tken during the summer. Even though th boys wear fancy blouses, they are both barefoot.

Kendrick, Issac (United States, late 1850s)

We know almost nothing about Issac Kendrick, except that he was 10 years old. Here is a 1/9 plate amethyst ambrotype of Issac. We do not know when it was taken, but the late 1850s is the most likely. Nor do we know where Issac lived. Indiana is a possibility because it was sold by a dealer in the sate. Issac wears his hair over his. He wears a dark jacket. Longish hair was common at the time. Unfortunately his collar and neckwear is not very clear.

Kenny, Morik and Paul (England, 1860s)

Here we have an undatedc CDV portrait, but we believe was taken in the late-1860s, although the early-70s is possible. The boys surely are brothers. They look to be about 6-9 years old. A British reader tells us thast the writing on the back identifies the boys as Morik and Paul Kenny. There mother may have been Clara Morik Kenny. They may have lived in Nimbschen / Wlmbsches, but this is difficult to make out. (Click on the image if you want to try to make the writing out.) The younger boy wears a kilt suit wih a cut-away jacket. The older boy also wears a cut-away jacket, but with a vest and long pants. Notice the white stockings, very common in the 1860s.

Kent, Myle and Ray (United States, 1890s)

This cabinet photo shows two brothers and their dogs. The boys are Myle and Ray Kent. The photographer was J. B. Chouinard in Ludlow, Massachusetts. The portrait is undated, but we would guess was taken in the 1890s. The boys are similarly dressed in knee pants suits, but the younger boys wears a Fauntleroy blouse and floppy bows. Both boys wear black long stockings. They are accompanied by two great hunting dogs.

Kesic, Natale (Italy, 1945)

Here we see an Italian boy adopted by U.S. soldiers and smuggled back to America when they returned home. Italian mascots were very common because the United States was involved in battle there for nearly 2 years, beginning with the invaion of Sicily (July 1943). In contrast fighting in France was for the most part limited to only a few months and reltively few children were separated from their parents. The press caption read, "Troops bring Italian boy mascot home with them: Natale Kesic, 13, blond and blue-eyed Italian boy mascot of troops who brought him aboard ship in a barracks bag is surrounded by his pals at Commonwealth Pier today before he was taken in by Immigration officers. Soldiers of Co. L 21st Infanty, nicknamed the orphan Lad Chris and said they found him in a German POW camp where he was sent for killing a NAZI officer who abused him." The photograph was taken July 11, 1945. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find any further information about Natale. An Italian reader tells us, "Natale is an Italian name. Kesic could be a Slovenian family name. In north-eastern Italy (provinces of Trieste, Gorizia and Udine) there is an Italian Slovenian-speaking minority. And the Italian Army occupied part of Slovenia during the War." We were a little skeptical Natale's story. Not many boys that age shot a German officer and lived to tell about. The normal German reaction woukd have been the summary execution od the culprit as well as his family and a number of civilian hostages. We thought the boy may have made the story up to impress the Americans. And there is no mention if the incident that we can find anywhere on the internet to coarborate Ntle's stiry. There is one fact that leads us to believe that the story may be true--Natake is in a POW camp. You have to wonder why he was there. The Italian Army did not have boy soldeiers that age. The Germans interned the Italian Army (September 1943). You have to winder what Ntale was doing in a POW camp. Of course it ws not uncommon for the Germans to abuse civilians, they did much wore. Tghey shot thousands of civilians. And OKW took no action against them. In fact OKW issued standing orders incouraging such actions. We wonder if by 'abuse' was meant a sexual assault. Given that Natale was blond and blue-eyd, German military authorities may have viewed the incident different than a normal attack on a Germnan officer. Sebding him to a POW camp may have been a way if saving lis life because of conditions in the concentration camps.

Kettering, Allyn (United States, about 1905)

Here's an adorable snapshot of a boy playing a cigar box violin on his front porch. The photo measures 3 5/8" x 4 1/2" and it is mounted on an ornate card measuring 5 1/2" x 6 1/2". The mount suggests that it was taken afer the turn of the 20th century. The boy's name is written on the back in what looks like his writing,--Allyn Kettering. Also wrtten is "120", but we do not know what that means. Allyn has long, but uncurled hair. He has what looks like an open jacket, knee pants. and long stockings. He looks about 5 years old. This item came from the estate of Anna and Benny Van, who ran a traveling "combined show" with trained animals, minstrels, comedy, musicians, daredevils, dancers, and "freaks".

Keyser, Ramon (United States, 1932)

We see alot of beautiful baby contests in the inter-War era (1920s-30s). We do not see such events in the early-20th century. We are not sure why beautiful baby contests becme so popular after World War I. We wonder if the popularity of Hollywood child stares, especually Shirley Temple was a factor, Perhaps readers will have some idea. The spread of amateur snap shots may be a factor. Ramom Keyser, a California boy is on example. Ramon won Third Prise with a a $100 award, a good bit of money during 1932 and the Depression. It was the Master-Snap Photo Contest. Ramon lived in San Francisco. His mother, Mrs. Ramon E. Keyser entered the snap shot. Ramon looks to be about 3 yeats old. He wears a beret, sweater, short pants, and white shoes.

King, Alice and Charlie (United States, 1862)

We note matching CDV portraits of Alice and Charlie King. We are not sure that they are siblings, but they probably were. King is the name of the woman who redeemed and adopted them. Presumably they had the same slave birth mother, but we do not jnow this for certain. We do know that they were both slave boy redeemed by a Mrs. King of Lima, New York. She also adopted the children. Their portraits were taken at the same time which we can tell by the identical setting and outfits. The children wear matching dresses. The children seemed to have been redeemed about 1861, the year the Civil war broke out. We do not know when the CDV was taken, probanly in 1861 or 62. The later date was more likely as the CDV was just being introduced in the early 60s. They could not have been taken earlier as the CDV process was not introduced in the United States earlier. The Emancipation Proclamation was not issued until late in 1862 and did not become effective until 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation, however, did not abolish the institution of slavery. We do not know where the children were from or just how Mrs. King selected them to redeem. Presumably she had to buy their freedom. This CDV was reproduced commercially to raise funds. The CDV process based on a negative made it ppossible to reproduce the images in large quantities. We do not know how the funds from the sale of the CDVs were used. Notice the great Civil War era drum in Charli's portrait. We suspecy that was a studio prop.

King, George (United States, about 1905)

Here we have before and after portraits of George King from Buchannon, Michigan. He seems to have been called Georgie. He looks to be about 5 years old. In the before portrait he has ringlet curls done with a center part and white hairbows. He wears a crisp white Fauntleroy blouse with a ruffled collar and matching front and ciff ruffles. With the blouse he has a large coloful floppy bow. After his hair was cut short, Georgie got a new suit with sailor styled lapels. The portraits would have been taken on the same day or withon days of each other. Notice the same whicker chair in the background. The portraits are not dated, but we would guess that they were taken in the 1900s, probably about 1905.

King, Harmon (United States, 1890-1932)

The writing on this cabinet card is a little indistict, but we think the incripotion reads Harmon King. He was born in 1890. He looks about 8-9 years old here so the portrait was taken aout 1898--1900 which is consiustent with the mount style. Harmon wears a standard double breasted suit which mother has fancied up with a Fauntleroy blouse. The huge ruffeled collar covers up the high-set lapels. Notice the fancy cuffs which were part of the blouse. Mother has also added a colorful plaid floppy bow. The studio was Fe;dotte in Columbus, Mississippi. Notice the whicker furniture, that was very common in turn-of-the century studio portraits.

Kite, Basil (United States, 1870s)

Here is a CDV portrait of an American boy in a circus costume (figure 1). The portait is undated, but looks to have been taken in the late 19th century, probably the 1870s. The boy's nane was Basil Kite who was about 12 years old. He had been taken to the circus, was fascinated by the high wire acts, and aspired to be an aerialist himself. It isn't clear whether he actually became a performer in the circus or only wanted to perform, but the costume looks quite professional, so perhaps he actually realized his dream at an early age. Then again we see portraits of both children and adults in elaborate costumes during this period. Perhaps Basil was the son of a circus performer and got into the circus through his upbringing. It seems a bit unlikely that during the 1900s parents would allow their son to engage in such a risky activity as trapeze work unless they were themselves in the entertainment business.

Knapp, Clarence and Carl (United States, 1890s)

Here is a cabinet with two briothers. The boys are identified as Clarence and Carl Knapp. The boys look to be about 8-10 years old. The wear identical striped blouses with rather small collars and polka dot floppy bows. The photographic studio was Medina studio in Hawkins, Ohio. The portrait is undated, but the embossed mount helps date the portrait to the 1890s.

Knapp, Frank Callaghan (United States, about 1890)

Here is a cabinet portrait card portrait of a boy in front of a looking glass, a very early mahogany mirror. We note several of these looking glass portraits in the late-19th century, primarily with Fauntleroy suits. We think this was because mothers were so pround of their little darlings and the fancy outfits that they wanted to record every angel. And as a result, they have left with a view of the back of these suits and fancy collars. Otherwise the photographic record would only provide frontal views. The suit itself has a fancy embroidered design. We do not see these portraits made with other outfits. The boy was Frank Callaghan Knapp. The portrait was taken by Van Slaten of Binghamton, New York.

Knapp, Griff Prather (United States, 1891)

Griff Prather Knapp was 4 1/2 years old in June 1891 when he had a cabinent card portrait taken. He wears a Little Lord Fauntleroy suit with a cut away jacket abd blouse with large ruffled collar. His floppy bow is rther restrained for the time. It is a rather small, white bow. He has short hair. The suit has knee pants with ornamental buttons and long stockings and low-cut patent-leather shoes. The portrait was taken by Strauss in St. Louis (Missouri). His father was Thomas McCartan Knapp (1860-1902) and his mother Eloise Emmeline Prather (1862-1930). We know very little about Griff, but he apparently never married.

Knapp, Helen and George (United States, about 1887)

Cabinet cards largely replaced CDVs as the primary American photographic portrait in the early 1870s. The CDV did not, however, disappear and here we have on taken about 1887. The two children are identified as Helen (1881-1952) and George Knapp (1883- ). Knapp is a German name. It is not all that common a name, but for some reason we have archived several in our bio section. As the children look to be about 4-7 years old, we suspect that the portrait was taken about 1887, perhaps 1888. George wears a blouse with a small floppy bow and stripy skirt-kilt which looks to be pleated. He is holding a straw wide-brimmed hat. His bif sister has a very similar hat, which loks to be done with streamers. Perhaps they were more common with girls' hats. She wears a dress without a defined waistline. It seems to gave a marching jacket. Note the embroidery decoration and writ tassles--something not very common. The studio was C.M. Tuttle in Sodus, New York.

Knight, Jim and Ahlden (United States, 1910s)

Here is a charming portrait of Jim and Ahlden Knight. Jim of course is a familiar version. His proper names must have been James Knight. They surely were brother and sister. They were from St. Louis, Missouri. The portrait is not dated, but looks to have been taken in the 1910s, possibly the early-20s. The children look to be about 4-6 years old. Jim wears a white sailor suit. Ahlden wears a plain, colarless white dress.

Koch, John C. (United Sates, 1910s)

This photo-back portrait is of American boy John C. Koch. His mother has written a New Years greeting on the back and John signed it. He looks to be about 6-7 years old. He wears a white sailor-styled tunic suit with frilled trim rather than stripe styling. He wear his tunic suit with a wide-brimmed hat, knee sicks, and twin-bar sandles. The way the hat is shaped we can comfortably date the portrait to the 1910s. The other styles are also consistent with the 1910s. This is also the case for Artura stamp boxes (1910-24). These tunic suits were ofen worn with white three-quarter socks or long stockings, but knee socks began to appear in the late-1910s. We notice a few boys wearing knickers with them instead of long stockings. Notice the plaid tops. The sandals were marketed as barefoot sandals at the time.

Kolkki, Aino and Osmo (Finland, 1907-08)

This photograph is of two Finnish twins, Aino and Osmo Kolkki. We know that they were born on April 18, 1903. They look to be about 45 years old. The girl, Aino, is wearing a checkered dress and the boy a fashionable sailor suit. At the time, Finland was still part of the Russian Empire. Note Osmo's cropped hair. Portraits of varefoot children were fairly common in America, we see them less commony in Europe. This looks to be a snapshot rather than a studio portrait.

Kotsch Boys (United States, 1930s)

Here we have an Amerucan family with three boys on a family camping adventure during summer vacation. The family seems to have rented a cabin in Pennsylvania. The boys look to be about 9-15 years old. They are pictured on the porch with the family pooch. The caption on the back reads "Boys on camping trip, Kotsch Family, Fullerton, PA, 1930s". we think the late-30s is probable. Fullerton is located in eastern Pennsylvania, north of Philadelphia. We assume the cabin is somewhere near a river or lake. The boys clothing is intereeting. Even though they are camping, only one of the boys wear short pants and there are no knickers. Many boys at the time were refusing to wear short pants, even during the summer--considering them childish. This varied from family to family.

Kreckow, Eliza and George (United States, 1910s)

This portrait shows Elisa Kreckow and her big brother George. They look to be about 5-8 years old. The portrait had a CYKO postcard back. This could mean ant tme from 1904 to the 1920s. The way Eliza and George are dressed, we would guess it was taken in the 1910s. Eliza wears a gingham dress with a locket. George wears a doubled breased knickers suit wirh a pattern. Its a little difficult to make out his neckwear. Both children have black long stockings and high-top shoes.

Krystall, Karol (Poland, 1923)

Wojciech Kossak painted this portrait of Karol Krystall in 1923. We have been unable to find out anything about who Karol was. He may be the son or other relative of Bronislaw Krystall, the noted art historian and collector. Among his collection were works by Kossak which he eventually donated to the National Museum in Warsaw. Karol in the portrait wears wears a burgandy short pants Fauntleroy suit with a lace collars and sleeve ruffs. It is an open coolar lave collar which we see in the 1910s and early-20s. He wears it with a wide sash. He also has white three-quater socks and pumps.

Kuegler, Sabine (Germany, 1972- )

Sanine Kuegler is a German author who has led a fascinating life. Sabine was born in Nepal (1972). That was unusual enough for a German girl, but what followed really set her apart. When she was 7 years old. Hker parnts who were anthropologists/inguists took her and her two siblings to live with the isolated Fayu trible in Papua, New Guinea. New Guinea at the time of World War II was one if not the most iolated places on earth. The war brought the first extensive contct with the outside world, although most of gthe fighting was along yhe coast. Many tribes in the interior were still largely isolated. And this was where the Kuegler family headed. It was a newly discovered tribe of 400 people. They were still unaffected by Europens. They hunted with bow and arrow, ate snakes, insects and worms, and still practiced inter-tribal warfare and revenge killings. [Kuegler] Her mother nursing skills which helped them fit in. There is no common New Guinea language. Many tribes have their own distinct language which is why it is of special interest to linguists. And it was not a short stay. DSbine spnt most of h rest of her childhood there--10 years. She did not emerge from th junfgle until sh was 17 years old an arrivd at a Swiss boarding school. Thast mut hve been sime transition. Her first book has been criticised on a range of woke issues. Her sunsequent book addressed some of gthem, in parts because her parents Pzpua and no longer had to be concernrd about Indoesian retailatuion. She see herslf as spokesperson for the endangered Fayu.

Kunkel, Peter (United States, early 1880s?)

We have found two portraits of Peter Kunkel taken at about the same time. The portraits are undated, but we would guess the early 1880s, in part because of the samall bow and dress style. Peter looks to be about 5-6 years old. He wears the same dress in both portrais suggesting that the portraits were taken at about the same time. The principal difference in the two portraits is that they are taken before and after his first haircut. His name is, which us written on the back of each photo. Peter looks to be at least 5-6 years old. The dress has a pleated skirt. Had the portraits not be labeed and group together, we would have assumed that the first portrait was little girl and the second like a boy in a fancy dress. The photos were taken in Baltimore, Maryland in the same studio.

Sources

Kuegler, Sabine. Dschungelkind/Jungle Child (2005).








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Created: 4:36 PM 3/9/2005
Last updated: 6:08 PM 6/16/2023