Fannie Hoskins [Photograph]
Descriptive Object
Identifier:
OBJ.N.2021.43
Description
A sepia 1/4 portrait by an unknown photographer that appears to have been taken in the mid-to-late 19th century. The subject is identified as "(Dear) Fannie Hoskins" of Old Town, ME. This likely refers to Fannie M. Hoskins Reed (1849-1875), a daughter of Old Town fixture Eli Hoskins. She married George Reed of Milford in 1872. Around that time, her father had a building constructed for her for use as a millinery store, which later became the first YMCA building. Soon after, the couple settled in Menasha, WI, where Fanny died at the age of 26 years and 15 days. She is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Old Town, along with a son who was born in 1873 and only lived for 17 days. Conceivably, the photo was taken during Fannie's time in Wisconsin and then sent to relatives as a memento. Regardless, the photographed woman has long hair, partially braided and coiled on the back of her head, partially in loose sausage curls of which only one is visible. She wears a lace-trimmed dress with large, ruffled collar. She's posed in half profile, looking slightly to her right.