Half-plate daguerreotype of Francis Frederick "Frank" Fargo (1824-1891), his wife Marietta Perry Fargo (1829-1880), and their daughter Eva Fargo Brown (1852-1925). The family is identified inside of the case, as well as on the back of the case.
Fargo was born in New York, was a teacher and county clerk in Warsaw, NY before being lured to California by the Gold Rush in April '51. In 1852, Fargo and his wife were living in the mining town of Fairfield Bar, on Feather River, where his wife was the only woman. In July '52, their daughter Eva, the girl in the dag, was born there. Also notice that Marietta is in mourning attire, including mourning bands; her father Doras (b.1792) died September 27, 1853, and I believe that is who she was in mourning for... so late 1853, or very early 1854 as estimated by the writing on the back, would be accurate. By 1854 the Fargos were living in San Francisco, where this portrait was likely taken (possibly by Shew or Vance?).
In the winter of 1860 he was elected to the Alameda County, CA assembly. A more extensive bio can be found in his obituary (see pics 5 & 6). Note that the obit is provided here for reference only and hard copies are not included, but feel free to download the scans.
Dag comes in half of its original case (6" x 4.75"), which is missing the right rail and with the remaining two corners popped out a bit. Pretty heavy tarnish ring that does not obscure the figures. The original seals appear to be intact and still in place, however under magnification I do spot a few small mat abrasions within the tarnish ring, so the seals are probably not tight and have allowed some slight movement.. abrasions are hard to see though unless you're really looking for them. The underside of the glass is very dirty... the image should clean up very nicely if you open the seals and clean the underside of the glass.
5783