A 4"x6" glass plate negative, bust portrait photograph of Ethel Gibson, Octavia, Nebraska, and her sister Amelia Shirk. Ethel is wearing a white, sheer dress with a lacy tier of gathered fabric across the bust, stand collar and a chain necklace with medallion. Amelia is wearing a white dress with sweetheart-shaped bodice with gathered lace tier, a watch pinned to the bodice, gathered sleeves and high stand collar edged with lace appliques.
Thorpe Opera House Foundation/Boston Studio Project
Local Accession Number
00092270000
Source
Original format: 4"x6" glass plate negative from the Boston Studio Project collection.
Historical Notes
Amelia was born August 27, 1875, to Oliver and Martha Parnell Shirk of Octavia, Nebraska. Her father was the first minister of the Octavia Brethren Church. When Amelia's father became ill, the family moved to Iowa to be near her grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Shirk. After Oliver's death, Martha and Amelia returned to Butler County to live close to several of Martha's sisters and brothers. Several years later, Martha met and married James A. Gibson. James, Martha, and Amelia moved to Holt County where they farmed. It was in Holt County that Amelia spent the night in a snowdrift during the blizzard of 1888 as she and a companion rode home from school on horseback. Searchers found her companion and horse frozen to death. Amelia's hands and feet were frozen but she survived. Amelia's family later moved to Dade County, Missouri, where her parents raised four boys and another daughter, Ethel, before Amelia's stepfather died in a drowning accident. Martha and her children moved back to Octavia where Amelia helped her mother support the younger children by taking up the trade of dressmaking. Many a bride in Butler County wore a wedding dress made by "Aunt Mille", as Amelia was fondly known. Amelia also clerked in several Octavia stores. Amelia's half-sister, Ethel, married Walter Meck and after their mother died, Amelia made her home with them in Columbus. Amelia died May 20, 1978, and is buried in the David City cemetery.
