Sylvia Smith Roberts has written "Elsie's grandmother" on the cabinet card's reverse side. Patsy has verified that this is their great-grandmother, Delilah Hill, W. C. Hill's mother. Again, she is wearing a Victorian era bar pin.
The photographer's studio was in Abilene, but--other than finding more of his cabinet cards online--I have not been able to find any information on the Studio of G. E. Ward, Artist.
According to the "Mrs. Delilah Ann Oxford Hill Interview and Original Printing 1935," at the age of 45, Delilah moved with her family from Erath County, Texas to Merkel (near Abilene), Taylor County, Texas in 1890, so the photograph most likely would not have been taken prior to that.
The cabinet card can help date the photo. The artist claims "One Gold Medal, Texas State Fair, Dallas." The first Texas State Fair was held in Dallas in 1887. http://www.bigtex.com/sft/AboutUs/StateFair.asp
I have found references online to the "Aristo finish" noted underneath the photo from newspaper advertisements and magazine articles from 1893, 1894, and 1898, so I believe this photo can safely be dated to that decade.
Since 1913 when the Federal Reserve was unconstitutionally allowed and established by Congress, the US dollar has lost 99% of its buying power. So to understand these prices, add two zeros to translate into current currency. Today, Dr. Harrington would pay $2,500 for his 20 x 24 crayon portrait. Back then, he likely handed over a double eagle ($20 gold coin) and a $5 gold coin.
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