Lovely Work by 19th Century Pelham Painter Offered by Manhattan Gallery

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Pelham has been the home of many important American painters over the course of its history.  Such artists have included Edward Penfield, Schuyler Remington, and William Oberhardt to name merely a few.

Another important American painter who lived, painted, and built a home in Pelham was James Augustus Suydam.  He was one of the premier Luminism painters of his day and, today, is widely-known as an American landscape painter and an important member of the Hudson River School of Artists.

 Watercolor on Ivory Portrait of James Augustus Suydam;

Date:  1822 - 4.4 Inches x 3.6 Inches; Smithsonian American

Art Museum, Accession Number 1974.13.1.

Suydam built a beautiful home between about 1846 and 1848 just north of, and not far from, the Carriage House of the Bartow-Pell Mansion on Shore Road on property adjacent to the Bartow-Pell property.  I have written extensively about James Augustus Suydam and the home he built once known as "Oakshade."  See Mon., Mar. 03, 2014:  The Suydam Estate known as “Oakshade” on Shore Road in the Town of Pelham, built by James Augustus Suydam.  James Augustus Suydam lived at Oakshade for nearly the next two decades before his death on September 15, 1865.  

James Augustus Suydam began painting seriously during the 1850s while he owned and lived at Oakshade.  Although he painted scenes of Long Island Sound and the surrounding region, he also traveled extensively, throughout New England, including New Hampshire, where he also painted coastal and water scenes.

One of Suydam's coastal scenes is currently being offered for sale by a premier Manhattan gallery:  Questroyal Fine Art, LLC.  The stunning oval painting, oil on board, plainly demonstrates why Suydam is known today as such a talented American Luminist.  The painting is 8-1/8" by 10-1/8" and is entitled "Moonlit Coast."  Pictured below, it shows a bright full moon shining through wispy clouds that glow from the moonlight with rippled water below reflecting the moon.  The moonlight brightens the white sails of a passing ship and lights an inviting sandy beach at the foot of the painting.

 

"Moonlit Coast" by James Augustus Suydam and Now Offered

for Sale by Questroyal Fine Art, LLC, a Purveyor of Fine

American Art.  Oil on Board; 8-1/8" x 10-1/8" (Oval);

Initialed Lower Left "JAS."  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The first question to come to mind is whether "Moonlit Coast" depicts a Pelham shore scene.  At first blush, the painting might seem to be a view from Tallapoosa Point looking across Eastchester Bay with the tip of Pelham Neck (today's Rodman's Neck on the Left, a portion of City Island on the right with a sailing ship passing in front of it, and the Long Island Shoreline in the distance.  Such a first impression, however, would seem to be wrong.

There is what appears to be a small lighthouse standing on the point of what would, under such a scenario, be the northeastern point of City Island.  No such lighthouse stood there during Suydam's life.  While it certainly is possible that Suydam may have been inspired by a view across Eastchester Bay but added the lighthouse, it seems more likely that "Moonlit Coast" does not depict a Pelham Shore.  Rather, perhaps, it depicts another shore in the northeast.

Regardless of subject, the work is a tour de force of Suydam's Luminism and remains, nearly 150 years after it was created, a powerful example of the work of one of Pelham's most notable resident artists of the 19th century.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Famed Pelham Stationer Dave Campion Who Was Depicted in Norman Rockwell Paintings

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

"Millions of folks knew Dave Campion.  Not because they

had visited his store, but because Norman Rockwell, the

painter, had selected Dave as a typically American model

of the 'Way Down East' type; and so his picture appeared

on millions of covers of The Saturday Evening Post."

-- Obituary of Dave Campion, Published Nov. 13, 1942.    

In 1911, the family of seventeen-year-old Norman Rockwell moved to New Rochelle.  At the time, New Rochelle and the adjacent Town of Pelham were homes to a host of the country's leading illustrators and artists, many of whom supplied art for the covers of a number of the nation's leading magazines including The Saturday Evening Post.  For nearly the next three decades, Norman Rockwell evolved and thrived to become one of the nation's most beloved illustrators and artists.  

Rockwell told stories with his paintings which typically portrayed archetypal American scenes depicting what then were viewed as typical American folk.  Rockwell, of course, painted from life and used live models to create his masterpieces.  One such model whom Norman Rockwell painted repeatedly was North Pelham stationer David T. "Dave" Campion.  Indeed, Campion appeared in nearly two dozen Norman Rockwell paintings used as magazine covers and as advertisements in some of the nation's most popular magazines of the day.

Norman Rockwell had a number of connections to Pelham in addition to his friendship with, and use as a model of, Dave Campion.  Rockwell studied under Pelhamite George Bridgman at the Art Students' League.  Bridgman moved to Pelham and lived on Park Place for many decades beginning in 1892.  Moreover, Rockwell was friends with a number of Pelham residents such as John H. Young who was a scenic designer and, coincidentally, a neighbor of George Bridgman.  

Dave Campion truly was a beloved figure in the Town of Pelham.  Though he lived in New Rochelle, he was an active Pelham businessman who participated in Town and Village affairs.  He was particularly known for his propensity to dress in costume as Uncle Sam and march in Town and Village parades.  During the first two years of World War II he paraded in this fashion by leading the "Young Scrappers," a large group of Pelham Youth who made it their mission to collect and submit scrap metal for the U.S. war effort.

Dave Campion was such an integral part of the community and was so beloved that his little stationery shop, which was more of a combination grocery store, candy store, cigar store, and newsstand, was a community gathering place.  On virtually any day, customers who wandered in would see three or four locals seated in the shop jawboning with Dave and each other.  

Dave Campion was tall and lanky with features that might best be described as rural.  Norman Rockwell reportedly said more than once "that he'd be lost for a real model if it was not for Dave Campion."

Occasionally, when Rockwell paintings that reflected Dave Campion appeared on the covers of popular magazines, local newspapers would trumpet the fact proudly.  For example, on July 20, 1928, The Pelham Sun reported:

"There he is again.  Do you recognize that elongated figure, that seedy look and that truly rural atmosphere of the gentleman on the cover of the current issue of The Saturday Evening Post.  Right, its [sic] Dave Campion, North Pelham stationer, who when he is not engaged in advocating the cause of Al Smith occupies his leisure moments posing for Norman Rockwell.  The famous artist has more than once stated that he'd be lost for a real model if it was not for Dave Campion."

July 21, 1928 Cover of The Saturday Evening Post With Cover

Reflecting Painting by Norman Rockwell Showing Man Looking

Over a Young Artist's Shoulder.  The Man is North Pelham Stationer

Dave Campion.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Dave Campion appeared in quite a number of Norman Rockwell paintings.  He also appeared in a host of other illustrations by other artists, some of which also formed the basis of covers published by some of the nation's most popular magazines.  Such other artists included Pelhamite William Oberhardt, Joseph Christian Leyendecker of New Rochelle (who painted more than 400 magazine covers during his lengthy career), Herbert Stanley, Walter Beach Humphrey, Charles La Salle, Harold Anderson, and a number of other famous artists.  

Campion first appeared on a magazine cover painted by Norman Rockwell on July 31, 1920 when he appeared as the driver of a jalopy trying to race a luxury car up a hill.  From then on, Campion and Rockwell became fast friends.  Rockwell used Campion as a model about two dozen more times.

Cover of the July 31, 1920 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

With Painting by Norman Rockwell Showing North Pelham

Stationer, Dave Campion, Driving a Jalopy.  NOTE:  Click on

Image to Enlarge.

In discussing this first magazine cover in 1940, Dave Campion said:

"I had a small shop across from St. Gabriel's School in New Rochelle,' Dave told the interviewer this week.  'Rockwell lived a few doors down the street and he used to buy his newspapers from me.  He came to me one day and said that I looked like the fellow he wanted to draw for a magazine cover.  It was all a joke to me, but I agreed, and we went to his studio where he sat me on an automobile seat and drew my picture.  You can imagine my surprise a while later when The Saturday Evening Post came to my newsstand with my picture on it.  I was driving a 'tin lizzie' which was passing a big high priced car, on a steep upgrade.  The driver, that was me, was pleased as punch at his 'flivver' being able to beat out the bigger car.  At the back of my car, that is, the car which I was driving in the picture, was a pennant with the words:  'Excuse My Dust'"  [See transcribed article below.]

Though Dave Campion became famous locally as Norman Rockwell's "model," Rockwell used other Pelham models.  One odd example involved local Pelham taxidermist Ferdinand G. Fahrbach of 927 Highland Avenue.  Occasionally when Norman Rockwell wanted to feature wildlife in a painting, he turned to Fahrbach for "unusual and beautiful specimens" to serve as models as he painted.  See Cameron, John, Inventions Of Local Taxidermist Will Be Boon To Anglers Who Make Ready For Opening Of Trout Season, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 28, 1941, p. 11, cols. 3-4 (Stating "Many of Mr. Fahrbach's unusual and beautiful specimens have served as models to such famous illustrators as Fred Hildebrandt, and Norman Rockwell.").  

Dave Campion clearly enjoyed portraying characters.  As he once told a reporter, the most enjoyable moment of his life came when he portrayed the "Skipper" of the "Toonerville Trolley" during a wild, town-wide celebration in Pelham on July 31, 1937 to celebrate the last run of the Pelham Manor Trolley that, twenty-eight years earlier, inspired cartoonist Fontaine Fox to create his long-running successful comic strip "Toonerville Folks."  

July 31, 1937 was set as the date to end service on Pelham’s own Toonerville Trolley line. The Village of Pelham Manor reportedly hosted a celebration attended by up to 8,000 fans of the comic strip who descended on the Village from around the United States. Fontaine Fox attended the celebration that drew national attention. 

The celebration has been described as follows: 

“Characters from the comic strip were in attendance and causing all the problems depicted in the cartoon. The last trip took over 2 hours to make its 2 mile run. On board the trolley were the mayors of all three villages and Fontaine Fox. The dinky would go about 100 feet and something from the strip would occur. Mr. Bang stops the trolley, the skipper drops in the barbershop for a trim, Katrina needs to get her laundry, . . . “ 

The star of the celebration that day was Dave Campion who not only was dressed as the "Skipper" from "Toonerville Folks," but also participated in the operation of the trolley car during it's 2-1/2 hour trip from One Wolfs Lane to Shore Road.  At the end of the trip, souvenir hunters virtually tore the trolley car apart and even accosted Dave Campion who barely escaped wearing his Skipper costume.

On Saturday, November 7, 1942, Dave Campion attended the Army - Notre Dame football game.  As he enjoyed the gridiron battle, he slumped forward.  He died instantly of a massive coronary at the age of 61.  Pelham had lost its beloved stationer.  Norman Rockwell had lost his favorite model and friend.   

*          *          *           *           *

"IT'S DAVE CAMPION ON THE COVER OF THE POST
-----

There he is again.  Do you recognize that elongated figure, that seedy look and that truly rural atmosphere of the gentleman on the cover of the current issue of The Saturday Evening Post.  Right, its [sic] Dave Campion, North Pelham stationer, who when he is not engaged in advocating the cause of Al Smith occupies his leisure moments posing for Norman Rockwell.  The famous artist has more than once stated that he'd be lost for a real model if it was not for Dave Campion."

Source:  IT'S DAVE CAMPION ON THE COVER OF THE POST, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 20, 1928, Vol. 19, No. 21, p. 1, col. 7.  

"OBERHARDT WILL SKETCH PORTRAIT FOR ADULT CLASS
------
Distinguished Artist, Master of Silhouette, is Showing Examples of His Work Here. . . . 

David Campion, North Pelham stationer, who is a frequent model for magazine cover illustrations drawn by Norman Rockwell and J. C. Leyendecker will be Mr. Oberhardt's model for the lecture. . . ."

Source:  OBERHARDT WILL SKETCH PORTRAIT FOR ADULT CLASS -- Distinguished Artist, Master of Silhouette, is Showing Examples of His Work Here, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 25, 1938, Vol. 28, No. 34, p. 1, col. 3.

"Posed For Picture.

David T. Campion, well known  in North Pelham as the owner of a stationery store, once more has posed for a magazine cover for the current issue of the Saturday Evening Post.  Campion, who poses for Norman Rockwell, painter of New Rochelle, lives at Sycamore place, New Rochelle, and has posed for more than 20 covers and commercial paintings for Rockwell since 1920."

Source:  Posed For Picture, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 20, 1928, p. 15, cols. 4-5.  

"You Have Been Seeing Dave Campion On Magazine Covers For 20 Years
-----
North Pelham Stationer, Model for Rural Characters Drawn by Norman Rockwell and Other Artists Will Observe An Anniversary on July 31.
-----

An anniversary program in which magazine readers throughout the country would no doubt enjoy participating in, will be observed on Wednesday, July 31, with Dave Campion, North Pelham stationer and Norman Rockwell, noted illustrator as the principals.  You see, it will be just 20 years to the day that the first Norman Rockwell cover illustration for which Dave Campion was the model, appeared on The Saturday Evening Post.  Since that time Dave's features have appeared in hundreds of rural characterizations in magazine cover designs, illustrations and in national advertising.  He is perhaps one of the most popular models for rural characters in the United States, and he continues to operate his small stationery and newspaper shop at No. 5 Fifth avenue.

'Uncle Dave' as he's been affectionately known to children ever since he first entered business as a newsdealer in New Rochelle in 1914, laughs when he recalls the day back in 1920, when Norman Rockwell proposed that he act as his model.  

'I had a small shop across from St. Gabriel's School in New Rochelle,' Dave told the interviewer this week.  'Rockwell lived a few doors down the street and he used to buy his newspapers from me.  He came to me one day and said that I looked like the fellow he wanted to draw for a magazine cover.  It was all a joke to me, but I agreed, and we went to his studio where he sat me on an automobile seat and drew my picture.  You can imagine my surprise a while later when The Saturday Evening Post came to my newsstand with my picture on it.  I was driving a 'tin lizzie' which was passing a big high priced car, on a steep upgrade.  The driver, that was me, was pleased as punch at his 'flivver' being able to beat out the bigger car.  At the back of my car, that is, the car which I was driving in the picture, was a pennant with the words:  'Excuse My Dust'

That illustration appealed to the sense of humor of the nation, and then came a stream of orders for more pictures of that 'hayseed.'  In addition to the Saturday Evening Post, Campion's face has adorned such national magazines as Collier's Weekly, 'Life,' 'Judge,' 'Liberty,' and he has been a model for many advertising illustration.  

'Do you remember Dave as the hick sheriff, hiding behind a 'Welcome to our village' sign, ready to catch motorists in his speed trap?  Another favorite is the illustration of the elongated chairman of the school board posing with his hand on the head of the bright young valedictorian.  That was Dave.  He was also the envious ticket agent imprisoned behind the bars of his ticket window, which is surrounded by the suggestion:  'Travel and be broadened.'  Dave just can't begin to remember just how many different characters he has portrayed, but it's a safe bet that he fitted them all perfectly.  

His success as a model for Norman Rockwell brought him work with other illustrators.  He has been 'Uncle Sam' and other characters for J. G. Leyendecker, and he has posed for Herbert Stanley, Walter Beach Humphrey, Charles La Salle, Harold Anderson and others.  

Recently Pelham had an opportunity to see Dave in action as a model, when William Oberhardt, noted for his character portraits, gave a sketching demonstration for the Art Appreciation Class in the Adult School.  The artist illustrated his work with a rare wit giving additional life to his characters.  Dave matched wits with the artist and contributed much of his own humor from the model's chair.

It's been fun, according to Dave to pose as a model, and also to laugh with those who enjoy the illustrations.  Being a newsdealer himself, it's easy to realize why he runs out of certain magazines, just when there's a Campion character illustrated.  You see it's just as thrilling to know the model, as it would be to know the artist.  At least that's what Dave's customers tell him.

But with all the fun of being important and everything, what do you think Dave got the biggest kick out of?  Acting the role of the 'Skipper of the Toonerville Trolley' in the famous 'Last Ride' taken by the cartoonist Fontaine Fox in the Pelham Manor trolley car on July 31, 1937.  

'Yessir,' says Dave.  'That was the time of my life!  Why, Fontaine Fox said that I looked just like his 'skipper.'  I wouldn't have missed that for all the posing in the world.'

And there are many in Pelham, who, remembering that wild celebration with the substitution of buses for trolley cars on the old Pelham Manor line, will agree with him.

There are some who might wonder at the fact that in their 20 years the 'Campion' characters never seem to age a bit.  Well, it's the same with the original.  Those who visit Dave's shop in North Pelham will find that he's still the same youthful 'Uncle Dave' who came to Pelham 14 years ago.  And there are also those who remember him in New Rochelle who'll say that he was just as young then as he is now.

And he's certain that he can keep it up for another 20 years."

Source:  You Have Been Seeing Dave Campion On Magazine Covers For 20 Years -- North Pelham Stationer, Model for Rural Characters Drawn by Norman Rockwell and Other Artists Will Observe An Anniversary on July 31, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 26, 1940, p. 6, cols. 1-2.  

"'Dave' Campion, Character Model And Pelham Business Man Died While Watching Army-Notre Dame Football
-----
Succumbed to Heart Attack Soon After Game Started.  Was Model for Norman Rockwell Noted Artist.  Friend of Railroad Motormen, Commuters and Public In General.  Was 'Uncle Sam' Who Headed Parade of Salvage Workers.  Piloted Last Trip of Toonerville Trolley.
-----

The 9:08 slowed down as it entered the new Haven station on Monday morning and Arthur Lee, motorman, leaned out of the cab window to give the friendly wave of greeting to the proprietor of a little store on Fifth avenue.  Every morning as he pulled into Pelham, the proprietor of the little store would stand out on the sidewalk and shout the familiar, 'Howdy, Arty!'  It had been going on for years until Monday morning.  Arthur Lee was one of the Four Emperors of Music in vaudeville years ago.

The cheery salute and friendly wave of the hand was not there Monday morning, so Arthur Lee stepped off the train on the way back from his run, to see if the keeper of the little store was there.  The place seemed strangely to lack the usual busy atmosphere.  Then he saw the notice on the door and he knew that the old familiar greeting would welcome him no more.

Dave Campion, the storekeeper was dead.

In common with many of us, Arty Lee just stared and then tried to brush aside the tear that came into his eye.  

Then he learned from 'Doc' Russell's drug store next door that Dave had passed away on Saturday afternoon at the Army-Notre Dame football game just after 2 o'clock -- had slumped quietly forward without a sound, and met the end of The Great Game in the same uncomplaining way in which he had lived.  Dr. Ken G. Hancher and Mrs. Hancher were sitting with him.  He was 61 years old, and had conducted his cigar, candy and newspaper stand for fifteen years.

Everybody liked Dave Campion.  He had a friendly nature that won friends.  Any time that you went into his store you'd find three or four persons gathered around just discussing various topics.  

Millions of folks knew Dave Campion.  Not because they had visited his store, but because Norman Rockwell, the painter, had selected Dave as a typically American model of the 'Way Down East' type; and so his picture appeared on millions of covers of The Saturday Evening Post.  Dave just seemed to fit in as the elderly farmer full of pep; the station agent, very serious as to his duties; the keeper of a grocery store, always willing to extend a little kindly credit to the unfortunate; the driver of one of them new-fangled 'ottermobiles,' scared to death of the contraption but eager to show his success to his fellow men; these and a hundred other characters calling for the shrewd, kindly, hardworking, elderly small-towner fitted Dave perfectly.  Best of all he loved to impersonate Uncle Sam.  Marching at the head of a parade, distributing prizes to young 'Scrappers,' leading the 45-60 selectees down to the registry board, the parade he organized, Dave attired in the 'Uncle Sam' trappings was in his glory.

His love of marching in Uncle Sam costume was only exceeded by his enthusiasm when the war news was good.

When the Toonerville Trolley began its last journey in July five years ago, it was Dave who took the part of the 'Skipper' and piloted the wheezy old trolley-car over its last run from the main line station of the New Haven R. R. to the Shore road, where the souvenir hunters took everything but Dave and his uniform.  Fontaine Fox, cartoonist-originator of the Toonerville Trolley was aboard on that last ride, but Dave was the center of attraction as he got down from his car to gently chide the drivers of the ancient old jalopies that appeared from nowhere, only to break down immediately in front of his Toonerville Trolley car.

Dave was the dear ole granpop to many of the neighborhood kiddies.  He knew them all and their families and had a kindly wave of the hand for the commuters as they went to and from the train.  

Outside Dave's store was a container for saving war tinfoil and inside you could leave your small salvage war scrap.  Dave took part in all the local war efforts of this character

Tuesday morning Dave's pal, Arthur Lee, motorman on the 9:08, as the train pulled out of Pelham station, gave the one long and two short calls on the engine signal.  It was for the safe journey on the straight track ahead.  'That was for Dave.'

Sunday and Monday many visitors called to pay their last respects at Dave's little home at 100 Hill street, New Rochelle.  It was tearful testimony to the host of friends he had.

Tuesday morning at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in New Rochelle, funeral services were held and the high Requiem Mass recited.

Mrs. Campion died about a year ago.  Those left in the family are Mrs. Madeline Doyle of New Rochelle, his daughter; Michael F. Campion of Norwich, Conn., a brother, and two grandchildren."

Source: "Dave" Campion, Character Model And Pelham Business Man Died While Watching Army-Notre Dame Football -- Succumbed to Heart Attack Soon After Game Started.  Was Model for Norman Rockwell Noted Artist.  Friend of Railroad Motormen, Commuters and Public In General.  Was "Uncle Sam" Who Headed Parade of Salvage Workers.  Piloted Last Trip of Toonerville Trolley, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 13, 1942, Vol. 32, No. 32, Second Section, p. 9, cols. 1-2.

"Tales of Three VILLAGES . . . 

The Cover Man.

An advance copy of The Satevepost, dated Feb. 13, comes to our desk and we become interested in an article about Norman Rockwell, 'The Cover Man,' who has been doing covers for the publication for 27 years and is still in the lead.  He has a host of friends in the Pelhams and naturally his great model, the late Dave Campion, brought him into touch with many more.  Pelham has a further interest in him.  He studied under George Bridgman at the Art Students' League, and Bridgman, of course, is no stranger in Pelham where he has had his home on Park place ever since 1892, when Pelhamwood was a cow pasture and John H. Young, his near neighbor and a scenic designer himself, had a studio in 19th street."

Source:  Tales of Three VILLAGES . . . The Cover Man, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 11, 1943, p. 2, cols. 3-4.  

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

The Mysterious John Bos, a 19th Century Portraitist Who Lived in Pelhamville

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

In 1885, advertisements appeared in local newspapers announcing that an artist and portraitist named "John Bos" had moved his studio from 207 West 46th Street to the tiny settlement of Pelhamville in the Town of Pelham.  

1885 Advertisement Announcing Move of the Studio of

Portraitist John Bos from New York City to Pelhamville.

Source:  JOHN BOS [Advertisement], The Chronicle [Mount

Vernon, NY], Jul. 10, 1885, Vol. XVI, No. 825, p. 1, col. 2.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

John Bos was a portraitist who specialized in "PHOTOGRAPHS PAINTED IN ALL METHODS."  The text of his advertisement that appeared in local newspapers (one such image of which appears immediately above) read as follows:

"JOHN BOS,
ARTIST.

BEGS leave to announce that he has REMOVED HIS STUDIO from 207 West 46th Street, New York city, to PELHMVILLE, Westchester County, N.Y.

PHOTOGRAPHS PAINTED IN ALL METHODS, CRAYON PORTRAITS A SPECIALTY, AT REASONABLE PRICES.

Mr. Bos will be pleased to have you call and see his work.  Orders by mail promptly attended to."

John Bos was a resident of Pelhamville before he moved his studio out of New York City to the tiny little settlement in 1885.  Indeed, by at least 1884 artist John Bos already was a prominent member of the Pelhamville community.  That year, Bos was serving as Vice President of the Pelhamville Improvement Association, a local civic improvement organization that collected dues and helped pay for municpal improvements before the existence of the Village of North Pelham.  See Pelham And City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon], May 30, 1884, Vol. XV, No. 767, p. 3, col. 4.  By 1887, Bos had become President of that important civic group.  See PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], June 3, 1887, Vol. XVIII, No. 990, p. 3, col. 2.  In addition, at least as early as 1885, John Bos was elected to serve as a Vestryman at the Church of the Redeemer in Pelhamville.  See EASTER ELECTIONS . . . PELHAMVILLE, Supplement to Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY], Apr. 17, 1885, p. 1, col. 5.  He also represented the Church of the Redeemer as a Lay Delegate to the One Hundred and Second Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New York in 1885.  See Journal of the Proceedings of the One Hundred and Second Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New York, p. 29 (NY, NY:  John C. Rankin, Jr., Printer, 1885).  

In early 1890, a local newspaper reported that John Bos, "artist," of Pelhamville "was recently married to Miss Smith, sister of Lieut. Col. Smith of the 7th Regiment of New York city" (an apparent reference to Lieutenant Colonel Morgan L. Smith of the 7th Regiment).  See Pelhamville, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 4, 1890, Vol. XXI, No. 1,269, p. 3, col. 3.  The 1890 reference to the "recent" marriage between Bos and "Miss Smith" is a bit puzzling since earlier reliable references indicate there previously was a "Mrs. J. Bos" in Pelhamville as early as mid-1887.  See [Untitled], New Rochelle Pioneer, Jun. 25, 1887, Vol. XXVIII, No. 13, p. 3, col. 5 (noting that "Mrs. J. Bos" had signed a petition in Pelhamville to move the planned location of the new train depot planned to be built in Pelhamville).  

Although clearly an artist and portraitist named John Bos lived and worked in Pelhamville for much of the 1880s, that artist has turned out to be somewhat of a mystery.  For example, research has yet to reveal any examples of paintings or portraits by John Bos, nor has a definitive biography of the artist yet been found. To make matters more difficult, there were a number of individuals of that name in and around New York City at the time.  Nevertheless, there are snippets of potentially relevant information about John Bos that may shed light on his life and are collected below.

A "painter" named John Bos may be found in the City of New York as early as 1857.  See New York, New York City Directory, 1857, p. 88 (showing John Bos, "painter," with a home at 364 Houston Street) (Ancestry.com, paid subscription required to access this link).  

By 1875 a John Bos is shown as working as an "artist" at 191 Sixth Avenue, with a home at 137 East 122nd Street.  See Goulding's New York City Directory for 1875-76, p. 123 (Ancestry.com, paid subscription required to access the link).  See also New York, New York City Directory, 1878, p. 134 (showing Bos living at 137 East 122nd Street) (Ancestry.com; paid subscription required to access this link).

It appears that in 1880, John Bos -- a citizen of "Holland," an "Artist," and living at 137 East 122nd Street in New York City -- filed a Petition for Naturalization with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan that included the Oath of Allegiance to the United States reflected immediately below.

Oath of Allegiance to the United States of John Bos, Artist

from Holland, Part of the Petition for Naturalization of John

Bos Filed with the United States District Court for the Southern

District of New York.  Source:  Oath of Allegiance to the United States

by John Bos, Artist, of Holland in Ancestry.com. New York,

Petitions for Naturalization, 1794-1906 [database on-line]. Provo,

UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Original data:

Petitions for Naturalization, 1793-1906. ARC ID: 5324244.

Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Record

Group 85. National Archives at New York City, New York, U.S.A.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The text of the oath of allegiance immediately above reads as follows:

"United States of America         )
                                                   }  ss.
Southern District of New York   )

I, John Bos of the City and State of New York, artist, do declare on oath, that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and that I do absolutely and entirely renounce and adjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty whatever, and particularly to the King of Holland of whom I have been heretofore a subject.  SO HELP ME GOD.

[Signed] John Bos
137 E 122d

Sworn in open Court, this 23 day of Oct 1880 }

[Signed] John A. Osborn Jr.
Clerk of the District Court of the United States, For the Southern District of New York"

There also is evidence that in 1889, a "John Bos" had a studio in New York City at 42 West 23rd Street, and a residence Clifton on Staten Island.  See New York, New York, City Directory, 1889, p. 193 (Ancestry.com; paid subscription required to access this link).  However, as referenced above regarding his marriage to "Miss Smith," it seems that John Bos, portraitist, was still located in Pelhamville.    

For now, the mystery remains.  Can examples of paintings or portraits by John Bos of Pelhamville be located.  Can a definitive biography of the artist be found?  It seems this is yet another Pelham history mystery.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

William Oberhardt, a Noted American Artist, Portrait Painter, Illustrator and Sculptor Lived in Pelham

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

During the first half of the twentieth century, the Town of Pelham had an amazingly-robust artists' colony that was closely aligned with an equally-robust artists' colony resident in nearby New Rochelle.  One of the many Pelham artists at the time was William Oberhardt, a noted portraitist, illustrator, and sculptor who was hailed for his amazingly-lifelike portraits that captured the essence of their subjects and was known for his patriotic and recruiting posters created during both World Wars.

Oberhardt created portraits of U.S. presidents Taft, Harding, and Hoover and of U.S. Vice President (later President) Richard M. Nixon as well as portraits of captains of industry, political figures, and the wealthy and famous.  His portrait of Joseph Gurney Cannon, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, appeared on the cover of the first issue of Time magazine on March 3, 1923.  The original of the portrait was so widely admired that it was selected to be placed on the top of the 1939 World's Fair Time Capsule, scheduled to be opened in 2039.  

Cover of March 3, 1923, Vol. 1, No. 1 Issue of

Time Magazine Featuring Portrait of Joseph G. Cannon,

Speaker of the United States House of Representatives,

by William Oberhardt of Village of North Pelham.

NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

Oberhardt became known for his special skills at portraying portraits focused entirely on "the human head."  "Oberhardt's Heads" became the subject of articles and multiple exhibits.  The phrase came to be known throughout the art world.  

Clearly Oberhardt was a master at capturing the essence of the personality of his subjects.  It often is said that one of the reasons Oberhardt's portraits were so effective and portrayed subjects with such realism was that he "relaxed his sitters with 'his own warm personality' in a way that 'relaxed and charmed his subjects.'"

Perhaps the most interesting explanation of William Oberhardt's philosophy of portraiture appeared in The Print Connoisseur published in 1921.  See Rihani, Ameen, The "Heads" of Oberhardt, The Print Connoisseur:  A Quarterly Magazine for the Print Collector, Vol. 1, Jun. 1921, p. 323 & pp. 322-43 (NY, NY:  Edited and Published by Winfred Porter Truesdell) (includes reproductions of eighteen of Oberhardt's portraits).  In that article, Oberhardt is quoted as saying:  "My aim . . . is to achieve in every drawing a perfect character delineation."  Id., p. 328.  

Advertisement for A&P Coffee that Included

Portraits Created by William Oberhardt.  Source:

A Picture of Millions on Thanksgiving, Woman's Day

Magazine, Nov. 1, 1938, p. inside back cover.  NOTE:

Click on Image To Enlarge.

Oberhardt was born in Guttenberg, New Jersey on September 11, 1882.  He was a son of William Oberhardt, Sr. and Amalia Wass Oberhardt (born in Bavaria).  William and Amalia immigrated to the United States in 1880 and had their first son, William Jr., barely two years later.

Oberhardt studied at the National Academy of Design from 1897 to 1900.  He next studied under Carl von Marr at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts.  

According to one biography, Oberhardt "painted formal portraits in oil, but charcoal, crayons and lithographic crayon were his favorite mediums.  He worked most of his career in New York City and lived in North Pelham, New York."  For much of his career, Oberhardt maintained a studio at 41 Union Square in New York City and lived at 538 Second Avenue in the Village of North Pelham.  Both of his parents lived with him at that address until their deaths.

Oberhardt joined his parents in coming to the Village of North Pelham in 1921.  Oberhardt lived in the village for nearly forty years and became a beloved figure and active member of the community.  He exhibited his portraits at the Manor Club (in addition to exhibitions held at many other places.)  He was a member of the New Rochelle Art Association for many years.  He exhibited his work in New Rochelle as well.  See Pelham Artists Show Paintings In New Rochelle, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 19, 1935, p. 10, col. 3.  

In 1945 Oberhardt was elected an associate member of the National Academy of Design.

Oberhardt died at his home at 538 Second Avenue in North Pelham on July 22, 1958.  He is buried in the Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hartsdale, New York in plot "St. Paul, Plot 659A."

"Portrait of a Well-known Pelhamite, Mr. Franciss A. Wilson

Drawn By William Oberhardt"  Source:  Portrait of a Well-Known

Pelhamite, Mr. Francis A. Wilson Drawn By William Oberhardt,

The Pelham Sun, Dec. 15, 1922, p. 10, cols. 1-3.  NOTE:

Click Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

Below is the text of a number of articles from local newspapers.  Each sheds a little light on the life of William Oberhardt when he lived in Pelham.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"Portrait of a Well-Known Pelhamite, Mr. Francis A. Wilson Drawn By William Oberhardt

THE PORTRAIT  of Mr. Wilson has a two-fold interest for the readers of The Pelham Sun.  Wherever advertising men gather the name of Francis A. Wilson is recognized as one that stands for the highest type of publicity.  The public announcements for which he is responsible are works of art; beautiful in composition, in execution, in the harmony between illustration and lettering and in appropriateness to the object for which they are designed.  Aside from their effectiveness as commercial publicity they are worthy of reproduction as enjoyable illustrations.

During Mr. Wilson's career as advertising manager of Youth's Companion in earlier years, later as head of the advertising department of the American Tobacco Company, and for the past ten years or more advertising manager of Liggett & Mayer, he has been responsible for many forward-looking innovation in pictorial publicity and the use of simple copy with an illuminative urge.  His work in newspaper advertising has had a large influence in the marked improvement in daily paper advertising in the metropolis.

William Oberhardt is a distinguished artist who has lately taken up his residence in North Pelham.  His advent in the community is a distinct addition to the list of notable men who have recognized the attractiveness of this beautiful town.  Following a brilliant succession of achievements in portraiture, including such well known men as Hudson Maxim, Joseph Pennell, Douglas Volk, and Charles Dana Gibson, Mr. Oberhardt has recently completed portraits of President Harding and many Washington notables. One of his best works is the portrait of the well known illustrator, Arthur I. Keller, whose sister is the wife of our popular townsman, Dr. A. C. McGuire.

Mr. Oberhardt's work has had wide recognition.  Originals of twenty-five of his drawings of war artists are now in the Government archives in Washington, a number of them having been reproduced for the Commission of Fine Arts.  A recent issue of The Print Connoisseur has an appreciative article on 'The 'Heads' of Oberhardt,' with reproductions of eighteen of his drawings.

The portrait of Mr. Wilson is a happy example of Mr. Oberhardt's characteristic success in putting into his work not only remarkable likeness to his subject, but lifelike exposition of character."

Source:  Portrait of a Well-Known Pelhamite, Mr. Francis A. Wilson Drawn By William Oberhardt, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 15, 1922, p. 10, cols. 1-3.  

Joseph Pennell in 1918, by William Oberhardt.

NOTE:  Click Image To Enlarge.

"Oberhardt's Work On Vew At Art Center
-----
Renowned Portrait Artist Has Many Brilliant Pictures in Society of Illustrators' Exhibit
-----

Interesting to Pelhamites is the exhibition of 'The Heads of Oberhardt' which is now taking place at the Art Center, 65 East 65th street, New York.  William Oberhardt is one of Pelham's well known residents and has achieved great fame for his portraiture.  During the war he was a member of the Division of Pictorial Publicity, and at the conclusion of the war he was commissioned by the U.S. Government to make portraits of all of that division, to be placed on record as a permanent exhibit in the national archives of the War Department.

His portraits at the recent Manor Club art exhibition aroused a great deal of enthusiasm for their depth and life.  Among the many portraits on exhibition at the Art Center are those of President Harding, Senator Lodge, ex-President Taft, and 'Uncle Joe' Cannon.  Among hhis recent works are exhibited two well known residents of the Pelhams.  Francis A. Wilson and Robert A. Holmes.  Pelhamites would do well to visit this exhibition."

Source:  Oberhardt's Work On Vew At Art Center -- Renowned Portrait Artist Has Many Brilliant Pictures in Society of Illustrators' Exhibit, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 6, 1923, Vol. 14, No. 6, p. 6, col. 2.  

"RITES PLANNED FOR OBERHARDT
-----
Father Of Noted Artist Died After Operation
-----

NORTH PELHAM, Dec. 9 -- Private funeral services for William Oberhardt, Sr., father of William Oberhardt, noted portrait artist, will be held tomorrow afternoon at the Brunner Mortuary Chapel on Fifth Avenue.  Mr. Oberhardt, who was seventy-nine, and well known in Pelham where he had lived for the last 12 years, died yesterday morning in New Rochelle Hospital where he recently underwent an operation.  

He was born in Heilbronn, Germany, was a retired cabinet maker and in his younger days had been active in German musical societies.  He held a warm place in the hearts of residents in the village where it was his daily habit to stroll and pause for neighborly visits.  He was always accompanied by his pet, and dutiful companion, a police dog.

Mr. Oberhardt's home was at 538 Second Avenue.  He is survived by his wife, Amalia Wass Oberhardt, his sons William and Rolland and daughter Lorianne.  Interment will be at Englewood, N. J.

His son, William, listed in 'Who's Who', is internationally known as a portrait artist.  He has made pictures of many outstanding men, including Charles Dana Gibson, Warren G. Harding, Henry Cabot Lodge, Joseph G. Cannon, Thomas A. Edison, Luther Burbank and Harry Emerson Fosdick.  He was commissione[d] by the Federal Government in 1919 to portray 25 members of the Division of Pictorial Publicity for the archives at Washington."

Source:  RITES PLANNED FOR OBERHARDT -- Father Of Noted Artist Died After Operation, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 9, 1933, p. 11, col. 1.  

"William Oberhardt, Sr.
Father of Artist, Dies
-----

William Oberhardt, Sr., of No. 538 Second avenue, North Pelham, died this morning in New Rochelle Hospital after an illness of about two weeks.

Mr. Oberhardt, who was 79 year old, was born in Heilbrun in Germany.  He had resided in Pelham for twelve years, and previous to that time, made his home in New York City.  

Surviving are the widow, Amalia Oberhardt, and a son, William Oberhardt, famous artist, and two grandchildren, Rolland and Lorianne Oberhardt, all of Second avenue.

Private funeral services will be held on Sunday afternoon at the Brunner Mortuary chapel on Fifth avenue.  Cremation will follow."

Source:  William Oberhardt Sr. Father of Artist, Dies, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 8, 1933, p. 8, col. 5.  

"Mrs. Wm. Oberhardt, Sr. Died on Wednesday
-----

Mrs. Amalia Wass Oberhardt, 82, widow of William Oberhardt, Sr., and mother of William Oberhardt, Jr., noted portrait artist, died at the home of her son, No. 538 Second avenue, on Wednesday morning after a short illness.

Mrs. Oberhardt was born in Bavaria.  She came to the United States in 1880, and had been a resident of North Pelham for 18 years."

Source:  Mrs. Wm. Oberhardt, Sr. Died on Wednesday, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 12, 1940, Vol. 30, No. 2, p. 4, col. 8. 

"Oberhardt Elected To Academy

PELHAM -- William Oberhardt, of 538 Second Avenue, a resident of Pelham since 1941 [sic, should read 1921], has been elected an associate member of the National Academy of Design.  

The prominent artist, illustrator and portrait artist, has his studio at 41 Union Square, New York City.  Several of his portraits are in the permanent collection of the 

Source:  Oberhardt Elected To Academy, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 26, 1945, p. 12, col. 5.  

"WESTCHESTER DEATHS

WILLIAM OBERHARDT, seventy-five, portraitist, illustrator and sculptor who did likenesses of Presidents Eisenhower, Hoover and Harding, Cardinal Spellman, Vice President Nixon, Bernard Baruch and Secretary of State Dulles, at Pelham."

Source:  WESTCHESTER DEATHS WILLLIAM OBERHARDT, The Herald Statesman [Yonkers, NY], Jul. 23, 1958, p. 2, col. 2.  

"OBITUARY . . . 

WILLIAM OBERHARDT

PELHAM -- 

William Oberhardt, seventy-five, portraitist, illustrator and sculptor died of a heart attack yesterday at his home, 538 Second Ave.  Among the many famous people whose portraits he had painted from life were four Presidents, Eisenhower, Hoover, Harding, and Taft."

Source:  OBITUARY . . . WILLIAM OBERHARDT, The Daily News [Tarrytown, NY], Jul. 23, 1958, p. 2, col. 1.  

"Josephine M. Oberhardt, 94

Josephine M. Oberhardt, a resident of Pelham for 73 years, died August 7, 2000 at her Pelham home.  She was 94.

Mrs. Oberhardt was born June 20, 1906 in Munich, Germany to Maximilian and Therese Sonnleitner.  She was educated in Munich, German and graduated from The Riemerschmidt, Munich.

On Aug. 18, 1927, she married William Oberhardt in Munich.  They came to Pelham as newlyweds in 1927.

Family members said Mrs. Oberhardt will be remembered for her high standards of integrity, her kindness to and consideration of others, her love and devotion to family, her wide diversity of interests in politics, finance and literature.

She is survived by her son, Rolland B. Oberhardt of Tallahassee, FL; her daughter, Lorianne Kelly of Allendale, NJ; two granddaughters, Heather Woodhurn of Olney, MD and Kristi Thomas of Panacea, FL; four great grandchildren; and her sister, The-Rder of Munich, Germany. 

Her husband, William Oberhardt, a noted portraitist and illustrator, died in July 0f 1958.

A funeral gathering was held at her home on August 10.  Interment was private."

Source:  Newspaper Deaths from Newspapers - NY (ca. Aug. 2000), First Page & Second Page.  

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."