William Wallace Knowles was born in December 27, 1848 in Kildrumferton, Cavan County Ireland and would be about 45 years old in this photo. He came to Chicago in the late 1880s and started a clothing and tailor shop on the Southside. He is the father of Margaret Jane Knowles, Muriel Knowles and Wilfred Washington Knowles.

Family folklore suggests that he made all the kilts for the men in the parade at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. William joined a number of fraternal organizations and at one time was the captain of the First Regiment of Royal Scots of Chicago, possibly leading to this portrait photo. Given his connection with the Royal Scots and the 1893 World’s Fair, it is possible the photo was taken as part of an activity associated with the Fair. Two particular days it might have been are:

  1. May 1, 1893, the day the World’s Fair opened and perhaps as part of any opening ceremonies.
  2. August 4, 1893, Scotland Day: For more about the World’s Fair see: 1893 World’s Fair Library of the Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal. Near the bottom find Scotland Day. A partial excerpt indicates: On this day Scottish costumes and characteristics were prominent in the gathering of the clans at Jackson Park, and the martial spirit of auld Scotia was stirred by the piping of “The Campbells are Coming” and “Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled”.

The color sketch of William Wallace Knowles in Kilts was drawn by Dolores Woodbury. Dolores was the daughter of Muriel Knowles from her marriage to Robert Woodbury; and a granddaughter of William Wallace Knowles.

Dolores created the sketch from a colorized photograph the family had of William Wallace Knowles in kilts. The colorized photograph is large and has some light color to it. For example the cape has some light red stripes and the buckles and buttons are gold. Photographers from that era used chalk and other materials to add color to photographs.

The Leonhardt family lent the original portrait Dolores used to Dave Jordan in 1990 who photographed it. Unfortunately I had Black and White film in the camera. The Picture Reference number is: Digitized Negative: 161-08.

The Leonhardt family also made a color Xerox of the original Dolores Woodbury sketch and sent it to Dave Jordan in 1990. The Picture Reference number is: 18930501_Woodbury Sketch..

The Leonhardts also sent negative strips of Dolores Woodbury’s sketch on their wall. These are Digitized Negatives: 176-20 and 176-21.

If you would like to add information about this picture, please contact Dave Jordan, a 2x g-grandson of William and Isabella Knowles.