History: Give and Take

I’m going to give you something. Actually three somethings.

A photo:

Captioned The Moody Studio, Brandon VT

2. A bit of history: I wrote to the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce regarding The Moody Studio years of operation to help narrow down the date of this photo. Given the type of photo, it could have been taken before 1900. But I think not, given the info Blaine Cliver had to offer (check out this photo Blaine took.) Specifically this:

Attached is some information Bill Powers had assembled about Etta Moody, who was the first woman photographer in Brandon of whom we know anything. She and her husband were divorced and she moved to Brandon, with the photography equipment, in the early twentieth century. They had a studio in Rutland. I noted that Frank Grimes was a bearer at her funeral. Frank also was a photographer in Brandon during the 1890s.

And here is some supporting documentation that also sent:

Etta Moody

Vermont Vital Records. Death. Etta M. (Bruns) Moody. Usual Residence – Center St.; white; divorced, husband – Charles E. Moody; born 22 Nov 1869; age 64 years, 2 months, and 21 days; occupation – toy shop worker; worked at this location since May 1931; worked at this occupation for 3 years; born at Buskirk Bridge, New York; father – Frederick Bruns, b. in Germany; mother – Adeline Sinclair, b. in Vermont; informant – Mrs. C. Marian Anderson, 50 South Main St., Rutland, Vermont; died – 18 Feb 1932. Brandon, Vermont.

Rutland Daily Herald, Saturday, 20 Feb 1932, p. 3.

Mrs. Etta M. Moody Dies At Brandon

                        (Special to The Herald)

            BRANDON, Feb. 19. – Mrs.. Etta M. Moody, who had been ill for several months, died yesterday at the home of George Severy. She was born at Buskirk Bridge, N.Y., 65 years ago. Those who survive are a sister, Mrs. Susan F. Anderson of Rutland, two nieces and a nephew. She was past president of the Sons of Union Veterans auxiliary, a member of Unity Rebekah lodge, Ormsbee-Durgey circle of King’s Daughters, and the Kingsley class of the Methodist church.

            The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Blackmer funeral parlors. The members of the auxiliary, Rebekahs at King’s Daughters will meet at the store of Mollie Barnard at 1:30 to attend the funeral.

Rutland Daily Herald, Monday, 22 Feb 1932, p. 3.

Mrs. E.M. Moody Of Brandon Buried

                        (Special to The Herald)

            Brandon, Feb. 21. – The funeral of Mrs. Ella [sic] M. Moody, 65, who died last Thursday was held Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Blackmer funeral parlor. Rev. George E. Bushee of the Congregational church officiated. The bearers were Frank H. Grimes, George Richardson, Fred L.

Patnode, Walter Grover, Frank Ferris, Harvey Wescott. Members of the several organization, the Sons of Veterans auxiliary, King’s Daughters, Unity Rebekah lodge, Kingsley class and friends and relatives from Rutland attended. Burial was in Pine Hill cemetery.

Census, 1870, Vermont, Rutland County, Castleton, P.O. Castleton, 21 Jul 1870, p, 361. 269/317

Moody, John                      37 m      Works in Slate mill           1,000     300        VT

Caroline 34 f        Keeping House VT

Charles 12 m      at school VT

Henrietta 5 f         at school VT

Census, 1880, Vermont, Rutland County, Rutland City, 18 Jun 1880, p. ?. ??/196

Moody, John                      71 m                     Milk Dealer                                       VT Can VT

Caroline                              52 f        wife       Keeping House (rheumatism)        VT VT Can

Charles E 19 m      son         Laborer VT VT VT

Nettie L.                              14 f        dau         At home VT VT VT

Census, 1900, Vermont, Rutland County, Rutland City, 5 & 6 June 1900, sht. #6. 106/143
9 Chaplin Ave.

Moody, Charles E.            head       May 1860 40 m 15            VT VT VT Photographer (RH)

Etta M. wife Nov 1866 33 m 15 0 0 NY Ger VT

Shaw,     Edward W. boarder May 1851 49 wd NY NY VT Machinist

Census, 1910, Vermont, Rutland County, Brandon, [no date], p. 30 (supplemental). 485/443

Moody, Etta head       40 div    0 0 NY Ger VT          Photographer (RH)

Census, 1920, Vermont, Rutland County, Brandon, Brandon Village, 13 & 14 Jan 1920, p. 20. 262/286
Center St.

Moody, Etta M. head rent 50 div. NY Ger VT          Dressmaker at home.

3. And here’s the third thing I’m giving you. A job to do! Share this post with every older Ryan you know. Find out who this is a picture of. It looks like it might be a teen-aged girl in the year range from 1890 through 1916. Could it be Irene Ryan? Since she had no sisters, could it be one of Leo Ryan’s sisters?

YOU TELL ME….PLEASE!