This portrait is thought to be William Knowles, father of William Wallace Knowles. He has a full beard and is wearing a dark suit.

Hand written script on the back of the portrait indicates the following:

  1. Knowles
  2. 921, the photo sequence number
  3. 14/7/84, which is England's standard date format which coverts to July 14, 1884 in the USA format.

There is also typeset printed information pasted to the back of the portrait. That information indicates:

  1. Line 1: The Carte and Cabinet Club
  2. Line 2: Each Member pays to the Agent

William Knowles was born about 1805-1815. Thus he would be about age 70-80 in the photograph. He married Jane Wallace on November 15, 1847 at St. Patrick’s Church in Kildrumferton in County Cavan, Ireland. At the time of his marriage his occupation was listed as pensioner, which presumably meant that he had retired from or had received an injury in the army. If he was at the then full service of 21 years, and joined at age 19, he was born 40 years before he left the service. Assuming he was pensioned in 1845 a few years before his marriage, then he might have been born as early as 1805 and nearer to 80 in the photo. I’ve never been able to find his baptismal, death, cemetery or any army records.

William and Jane Knowles’ long time home was in Cavan County Ireland. It took many years to formulate a reason as to why their portraits were taken in Liverpool along with a 3rd portrait of a younger woman taken in Liverpool. For reference and viewing these portraits are:

1. William Knowles Portrait - July 14, 1884
2. Jane Wallace Knowles Portrait - July 14, 1884
3. Possibly Jane Grayston Knowles Portrait (circa 1879)

The connection became clearer when it was found that William and Jane Knowles' son, Robert married Jane Grayston in Liverpool, England on 18 June 1879. At the time, Robert was around 27-28 and Jane about 19.

Robert and Jane Knowles lived in Liverpool for a number of years following their marriage as he continued managing a pub. But it appears around 1884, they decided to emigrate to Chicago. Around the same time Robert's brother, William Wallace Knowles appeared to be traveling back and forth from Montreal to Chicago in trying to establish a tailoring business in Chicago. Thus one might speculate that the William and Jane Knowles' 1884 portraits were taken on a goodbye visit with their son and daughter-in-law. Thus presumably the portraits were given to their son Robert and another set for his brother, William in Chicago. One set of the 3 portraits eventually made its way to Muriel Leonhardt, a daughter of William Wallace Knowles in Chicago.

The Leonhardt family lent the original of this Studio Portrait to Dave Jordan in 1990 who photographed it. The Leonhardt connection to the Jordans is that Margaret Jane Jordan Graham and Muriel Leonhardt were Knowles sisters.

If you would like to add information about this picture, please contact Dave Jordan, a 3x g-grandson of William and Jane Knowles. The Picture Reference Number is DJK01; Digitized Negatives: 161-11 and 173-04.