This unidentified gentleman from the Mearns Family Album bears a bit of resemblance to the Chandler / Chandlee gentleman from the previous post. Is it in his nose? He has a full beard that is snowy white, and his spectacles are the type that sit on the bridge of the nose. Spectacles tended to be small and the lenses directly in front of the eyes, unlike today’s glasses that extend our peripheral vision as well as our distance or close vision. He also has a chain that appears to come from around his neck and then disappears into his vest. Is this a type of watch chain that will prevent him from losing the watch altogether? The photographer was J. H. Kent at 20 State Street, Rochester, NY.
Who Were They? 
He looks a very amiable gentleman. I think it’s the pleasant expression on his face but I suppose it could be the beard association with Santa. :)
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he does look like a kind old man:)
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Rochester, NY huh… might go with the dude from Auburn, NY…
He could be Santa for me… I’ve been (mostly) good this year.
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Well Santa’s got to have one day off. I’m guessing this was taken at the annual “Take an Elf to Lunch” day. A shame no other images of the event have survived.
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John H. Kent (b. March 1829 in New York) husband of Julia Kent lived in Rochester, NY for many years. As you may know, Rochester is the home of George Eastman of Eastman Kodak fame.
See page 22 –> http://www.libraryweb.org/~rochhist/v52_1990/v52i1.pdf
It says John H. Kent was a mentor of George Eastman and he became a member of the original board of directors of the Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company in 1884.
Believe it or not, there was a “Claus” family living in Rochester New York during John H. Kent’s heydays…
Oh no!!! Elizabeth Claus is a widow…
United States Census, 1880 for John Claus
Residence: Rochester, Monroe, New York
Birthdate: 1850
Birthplace: New York, United States
Relationship to Head: Son
Father’s Name: ? <——— Perhaps Santa? More likely it was John…
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Name: Elizabeth Claus
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Race or Color (Expanded): White
Household Gender Age
Parent Elizabeth Claus F 60
Children
John Claus M 30
Elizabeth Claus F 24
Amelia Claus F 21
Frederick Claus M 18
Hows the healing coming along? You feeling better?
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