Circa 1895-96 photo of Smith(?) McCahill, Iowa
I purchased the subject undated studio portrait of an elderly woman taken by C. W. Zarley, Waterloo, IA.This photographer was active in Waterloo from 1895 to 1896, according to "Biographies of Western Photographers: A Reference Guide to Photographers Working in the 19th Century American West," by Carl Mautz (Carl Mautz Publishing, 1997).The photo is identified on the back in blue ballpoint ink:
"Great Grandma Smith
McCahill
Grandpa's Mother"
The photo was found in an antiques store in Fremont (Niles District), CA, along with photos of John Richard and Fannie Elizabeth McCahill.The blue ballpoint ink handwriting on the other McCahill photos matches this one, which indicates they are from the same family collection.The identification implies that the elderly woman depicted in the photo is John's mother, who was Bridgit Lynch, born 18 Nov 1823 in County Cavan, Ireland, and died 19 Jul 1906 in Warren County, IA.However, I can't explain the surname "Smith" in the identification.
Contact me if you wish to view and/or acquire this photo.