Sentimental Sunday - Women with Hats - Schenectady, NY

This unidentified lovely lady with the feathery hat from Schenectady, NY had her photo taken by A. M. Powers. She appears to be weating a coat and notice the large cross around her neck.  This cabinet portrait with a dark maroon color was produced sometime between 1884 to 1895.

The photographer Alfred M. Powers was born  in New York, probably West Troy, Albany about 1853 to Nelson and Sarah Powers.  He was one of nine children, his father was an attorney.  In the 1870 West Troy, Albany, NY census at age seventeen, Alfred was already calling himself a photographer.  In the 1880 Schenectady, Schenectady, NY census we find Alfred, age twenty-seven. married to Maria F. Powers, age twenty-six,  with sons John L. age four and Leland W. age seven months and  listing his occupation as photographer. In the book, The History of the County of Schenectady, NY from 1662 to 1886 a brief bio on A. M. Powers said, "he has resided in Schenectady since 1873.  In 1879 he opened a photography gallery at 225 State street where he has built up a large and lucrative business."  I also found Alfred in the Schenectady City Directorys from 1885 to 1905 listed as a photographer.  I could not find any listing for him in any census after the 1880 census.