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Image of Joseph William Steele and family, circa 1888
SHS4960
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Joseph William Steele and family, circa 1888

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Joseph William Steele came to Washington Territory by wagon train in 1865 and homesteaded south of Seattle, in the Duwamish River Valley. Mertie Annette Miller traveled to Seattle later on the railroad, and she and Steele were married in 1886. In 1888 or 1889, the Steeles traveled to Seattle where photographer George N. Moore took their family portrait.

In this photo, Joseph W. Steele and his wife, Mertie, sit holding their baby daughter, Ethel Mertie Steele (left) and their son, Joseph Franklin Steele (right). The son is wearing a short skirt and long stockings. In the late-19th century, boy and girl toddlers wore similar clothing.

Title from original inventory: Family of Joseph Foster's brother in law, Joseph William Steele; wife is Mertie A. Miller, children are Ethel and Joseph Franklin
ID Number: SHS4960
Date: circa 1888
Creator(s): Moore, George N., Photographer
Physical Description: 1 photographic print on cabinet card : gelatin, b&w ; 13 x 21 cm.
Credit: MOHAI, SHS4960
Copyright: All Rights Reserved
Subjects: European American Settlement, Washington Territory

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