Russell, Merrill and Arch Call - late 1880s - page 24 of Charles Joslin Call and Elizabeth Ann Coe's Photo Album

The twentieth photo in the album is Russell, Merrill and Arch Call, sons of Albert Henry Call, nephews of Charles Joslin Call.

Albert Henry Call (1857-1934) was the oldest surviving son of Robert Call (1831-1913) and Charlotte Joslin (1834-1908).  He married Effie May White (1852-1935), daughter of Salma White (1817-1881) and Betsy Chittenden (1823-1912) in 1878. Albert and Effie had four children: Russell White (1879-1944), Archie Duane (1881-1956), Ralph Merrill (1885-1959) and Mabelle (1887-1956). This photograph shows the three older children. 

Russell White Call was born 25 November 1879 in Stafford, Genesee County, New York. He married Blanche May Chittenden (1890-1984) on 24 June 1914 at Gurnee, Lake County, Illinois. Russell and Blanche had one child, Mary Ann (1828-1993). Russell White Call died on 26 November 1944 in Batavia, Genesee County. 

Archie Duane Call was born 12 July 1881 in Stafford. He married Mabel Elizabeth Westbrook (1881-1966) on 9 April 1908 in Genesee County. Archie and Mabel had five children: Gladys Pauline (1909-1933), Donald O (1910-2010), Marion Amelia (1912-2008), Wendell Westbrook (1914-2002) and Archie Duane (1916-2000). Archie Duane Call died 2 July 1956 in Stafford. 

Ralph Merrill Call was born 7 November 1885 in Stafford. He married Edith Harper (1886-1965) on 26 February 1908 in Genesee County. Ralph and Edith had four children: Ralph Alfred (1909-1973), Kenneth Harper (1912-1974), Floyd Henry (1913-1960) and Doris Muriel (1920-1996). Ralph Merrill Call died on 19 January 1959 in Stafford. 

The card likely dates from the late 1880s. 

The straight cut edges with no border on the photo indicate the photograph could date from anytime between 1870 and 1900. The photographers cursive imprint dates the card from 1883-1900. The imprint covering the entire back dates the card from 1887 - 1900, while the term "instantaneous process" dates the card between 1884-1895. 

So the information provided by the card places it between 1887-1895. 

The photographer, Philos Beecher Housekneecht (1858-1930) was a lifelong resident of Genesee County. He began working as a photographer in 1881-1882, two years later, he purchased the photography studio of W.H. Wilson, who he had worked for prior to going into business for himself. In 1900, he listed his occupation as photographer. By 1920, he has no occupation listed in the census. 

The earliest available city directory for Batavia is 1923. Philo Beecher Housekneecht isn't listed in the directory at all. Interestingly, his wife Ada is listed at 106 Main Street in Batavia, where this photograph was taken. Her residence was listed as Morganville, New York, so that is likely where Philo was also living. She operated the photography studio at 106 Main Street until at least 1947. 

Ralph Merrill, the youngest child in the photo, looks to be under the age of 5. Since he was born in 1885, this means the photo was most likely taken in the late 1880s. 

The next photograph from the album is missing. According to the information on the page, at one time it contained a photograph of Mr & Mrs Charles Call.

Previous page in the album:  John Donald McEwen

Next page in the album: Charlotte Joslin