Heron, Martha (unknown location)

MARTHA HERON

IDENTIFICATION ON PHOTO: "Martha Heron"
PHOTO TAKEN: unknown photographer and location, circa 1909
PURCHASED: 2016 August Rte 127 World's Longest Yardsale

There is no location and no identifying studio marks other than the decorative swastika at bottom center. Since this photo was taken around 1910, decades before the Nazis forever poisoned the decorative swastika with political overtones, we can assume nothing untoward in its appearance here. I have found other bloggers who have mentioned the swastika appearing on early photographic and advertising print presentations. The consensus is that the swastika resting flat on one arm, as this one is, is Hindu in origin (also seen in Buddhist and Native American designs) and represents good luck. By comparison, the Nazi version of the swastika is always presented at a 45 degree angle, balancing on a single point.

This photo was likely taken 1909-1910 based upon the huge hat and clothing styles. The woman appears to be age 25-30. That would put the target birth year at 1884, give or take a few years.

Possibility #1: (I have found a newspaper photo of this Martha Heron, and she is not the right one.)
Martha Heron (13 Oct 1884 - 24 Jun 1977) who lived in Allegheny County Pennsylvania.
  Parents: John Brown Heron (1852-1935) and Emily B. Sprankle (1863-1946).
  Spouses:  1) Joseph Judson Brooks, and 2) James Edward MacCloskey.
  Buried: Sewickley Cemetery in Sewickley PA.

Possibility #2:
Martha Heron (Apr 1887 - ) who lived in Weathersfield, Trumbull County Ohio.
  Parents: William Heron (1858- ) and Kaziah Smith (1862) who both immigrated from Wales in 1880.
  Spouse:
  Buried:
 Single and living with parents at age 32 on 1920 census.

Possibility #3:
Martha Heron (1883-1962) born in Poland
  Parents: Johannes Heron and Mariana Zarcnibska
  Spouse: Joseph Skwierawski, married in Milwaukee WI 1903.
  Buried: Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee WI

Possibility #4:
Martha Heron (Nov 1886 - May 1965) lived her whole life in Paterson NJ.
  Parents: __
  Spouse: Edward Alexander Hanna
  Buried: Paterson NJ

My intuition tells me that the OHIO possibility is the most likely one shown in this photo, and this is strictly based upon where the photo was acquired. The yardsale known as the "Route 127 World's Longest Yardsale" is typically held at the end of July, and is basically a flea market that runs along the Rte 127 from Addison Michigan to Gadsen Alabama, going through Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, along the way. I visited the sale near Salvisa KY.

This will require more work.