This photograph is thought to be Jane Wallace Knowles, mother of William Wallace Knowles. She is a large woman in a dark dress with a small hat.

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

  1. Lot Club
  2. Knowles
  3. 922, the photo sequence number which is just after William’s 921 sequence number.
  4. 28/7/84, which is English format and July 28, 1884 in American format..

On the back of the portrait, there is a also partial typeset printed advertisement pasted to the side with these partial words can be observed: Liverpool Castle Street and Castle St. London. These are likely the location of the photographer with locations in both places.

Jane Wallace was christened on May 23, 1819 in St. Patrick's Church in Kildrumferton in Cavan County, Ireland. Thus she would be 65 in this portrait. She married William Knowles on November 15, 1847 at St. Patrick’s sChurch in Kildrumferton in County Cavan, Ireland. She had at least two children, William Wallace and Robert.

WWilliam 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 DJK02; Digitized Negatives: 161-12 and 173-05.