Harold S. Fairfield (1878-1907) was born in Biddeford. As an adult he moved to York with his wife Etta to work as a school teacher. Fairfield died of pneumonia at the age of 29.

Photographer George W. French (1882-1970), who took the portrait, was born in Kezar Falls. He worked for the Maine Development Commission for 19 years starting in the 1930s, taking photos that promoted tourism and Maine's beauty.