Family Reunion Western New York

This photo, the original of which is very dark, is of a family reunion in Western New York, most likely Gerry, Chautauqua County. I can only clearly identify two people: Blanche Olmstead Cowden, who is the first woman in the back row, and her daughter Mneatha Cowden, in the middle of the back row holding a little boy. Blanche's husband was Morris Cowden, M.D. I don't recognize him in this photo.

I do not believe this is an Olmstead reunion as I don't recognize any other Olmsteads in the photo. It might be a Strong reunion but I would expect to see more Olmsteads at it since Blanche's mother was Mahala Strong Olmstead. It could be a Cowden reunion. It could also be a McCullough reunion as this photo came from the photo album of Kenneth Olmstead, whose mother was Lillian McCullough Olmstead, 2nd wife of Wallace Olmstead. That is my best bet until proven otherwise. Another possibility is that it is a Damon reunion, although I'm not quite sure of the Damon connection but Kenneth had other Damon photos in his album. I wish the photo was of better quality. I've lightened it but it is still hard to make out several of the people.

As for when it was taken Mneathea Cowden was born in 1897. She looks to be in her late teens or early twenties.