It is an Appalachian stereotype come to life, conjuring images of Mammy Yokum from L’il Abner (for those of a certain age). The woman on the left, smoking a pipe, is identified as Mom’s great-grandmother Rine. That would be Martha Rine, born Martha Ann Bucy. Someone has helpfully marked her with an “X” to identify her, though the resemblance to her descendants makes her impossible to miss, even in this fuzzy photo.
I have no identification for the woman on the right or the man in the background. I also have no information about how this photo came to be taken or how it found its way to Oregon. I imagine Great-Grandma Hammell must have received it somehow and must then have given it (or a copy of it) to Mom.
As far as I can tell, Martha Ann Bucy spent her entire life in eastern Ohio, on the margins of Appalachia. She was born in 1837, in Jefferson County (on the border with West Virigina). She married William Casper Rine in 1861 in Knox County. They were living in Coshocton County in 1862 when their first child, Sarah Mellisa (Great-Grandma Hammell), was born. They had nine more children, all born there. Their last child, Willis, was born in 1883 just five months before they hosted Sarah’s and John Hammel’s wedding in their home. William passed away in 1899, about 67 years old. Remarkably, Martha lived until 1930, passing away at age 93 or so. I am making a wild guess that the above photo was taken about 1920, when Martha was in her early 80s. At that time she was living with her oldest son John in Knox County. (Perhaps he is the man in the background in this photo.) By 1930 Martha was living with her next-youngest son Samuel and his family in Licking County. She was recorded in the 1930 census just a month before she passed away.
The photo of Martha is from Mom’s album that contains mostly photos from her time growing up in Tallman. This is not the first photo in the album (about halfway through, actually). But because of its uniqueness and because it has little connection to the other photos in the album, I decided to post it first.
The obvious conclusion to be drawn from this photo is that if you want to live into your 90s, take up pipe smoking. ;–)
All your great research, Lloyd, is much appreciated!!! I especially appreciate the map.
Yes, I would like to live into my 90s, but pipe smoking — no, thank you!!! Wow! she must have been one tough cookie!!!
Martha certainly looks like Grandma McClain (Addie)…so certainly the family traits are there with or without the pipe!!
Thanks, Lloyd, what an amazing story. Appalachia seems a “far piece” in both culture and location from Oregon! Sure glad we are a few generations down the “genealogy pole”!