A sweet looking little girl wearing gingham and lace poses for her portrait at the studio of F. Schanz in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is wearing a high collar dress and the beginning of a smile. Note her wide eyes. The reverse of the photograph identifies the young subject as being Ruth Wheelock. To view other photographs by Felix Schanz and to learn more about him, click on the category “Photogapher: Schanz”. Research reveals that Ruth Wheelock grew up to live an interesting life. She was born 6/29/1891. Her father, Kent Kane Wheelock (1857-1928), was a physician living in Fort Wayne. Ruth’s mother was Matilda Henderson (1858-1958). A Fort Wayne newspaper story (1907) reports that Ruth attended school out of state in Staunton, Virginia. After finishing school she did a lot of traveling abroad which is reflected in her many passport applications that can be found in the archives. Records indicate that at least through 1919 she spent much time working and traveling through Europe. She spent time in France, Spain, Italy, and likely other countries. She held a number of interesting jobs. She was a Spanish correspondent and translator with a large publishing house (in Buffalo, NY). She worked as a clerk in American Embassies in Europe. The 1920 census reveals that she was a clerk in the American embassy in Italy. She held the same job title at the American Embassy in Germany, according to the 1930 census. She also worked as a French correspondent for the Society of Fatherless Children in France. In addition, she worked as a teacher of language at the European School of Music. Ruth Wheelock lived what appears to be a very interesting life. She never married and died in Easton, Maryland on 8/11/1957.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 