Figure 1.-- This cabinet card was taken in 1884 and shows the four Taylor children. In this case we have information on the children and when the portrait was taken. The children were ages 1-9 years old. They are described on the back as: "Willie C. Taylor age 9, Edith B Taylor age 6, Chas E. Taylor 2 yrs 8 mo, Clara M. Taylor 1yr. Aug. 1884." The portrait is interesting because this was a year before the Fauntleroy craze, but Willie wears a large frilly collar, although modest in Fauntleroy terms along with a very small bow with what seems to be a collar-buttoning double-breasted jacket. One year later, the collars and bows would explode in size.

This cabinet card was taken in 1884 and shows the four Taylor children. Cleveland was at the time a rapidly rising industrial city on Lake Erie--made possible at first by he Erie Canal. And for a time was the sixth largest city in the United States. In this case we have information on the children and when the portrait was taken. The children were ages 1-9 years old. They are described on the back as: "Willie C. Taylor age 9, Edith B Taylor age 6, Chas E. Taylor 2 yrs 8 mo, Clara M. Taylor 1yr. Aug. 1884." The portrait is interesting because this was a year before the Fauntleroy craze, but Willie wears a large frilly collar, although modest in Fauntleroy terms along with a very small bow with what seems to be a collar-buttoning double-breasted jacket. One year later, the collars and bows would explode in size. Notice that Willie's knee pants cover his knees, only by the 1890s do knee pants cut at the knees become standard, useful in dating these cards. The other children wear nondescript white dresses. Edith has a wide colored satin sash. Chas [Charles?} who was going on age 3 years still wears a dress. His curls have been cut, but he is not yet breached. Notice his side hair part, but on the opposite side of his brother's part-probably because moher was combing his hair. Edith has a center part. Hair parts were one of the most reliable gender indicators. he chldren all wear long stockings, but different types. We see darlk, whe and striped long stockings. Also interesting is that we have the studios phone number. Something we rarely see added to he studio information. Cleveland had over 2,000 telephones in 1884. The fact that the Taylor family had one of them (2105) means that they lived in comfortable circumstances. The studio was Liebich in Cleveland, Ohio. What makes this particular cabinet card unique is the obituary and heart-breaking poem for the eldest son Willie, who died 2 years after this photo was taken, taped to the back. It reads, "Willie C. Taylor, son of ??? and Carrie W. Taylor died suddenly ???? July ??, 1877, 11 years, 10 months, and 29 days. Funeral at the home, corner of Ansel avenue and Superior stree, Monday, August 1, at 2:30 pm. Friends are invited to attend. An affectionate tribute to the memory of Willie Clarence Taylor was written by Grandma DeVelling."

Oh, death! what hast thou done! crushed the fond hopes
Of doing hearts by his fell, sudden blow;
And all unlooked for, from their loving grasp
Hast torn this idol treasure, and laid low
In the brightb flush of youth and buoyant ?????
Their eldest born, heir commfot and th????
And left their sorrowing hearts in grief
And yet we may noy chide; a mightier h??????
Guides and directs with wise unerring ??????
Though now, to us unseen, all His ???????
We question not, but bow submissive ??????
Around his grave let beauteous flowers ??????
Bright flowers, he so much loved! A????? guard his sleep
The casket only lies wihin its gloom,
The precious jewel, God will safely ?????

Created: 8:19 PM 12/22/2024
Last edited: 8:19 PM 12/22/2024