The Artwork of Lillian Annin Pettingill
Lillian Gleason Annin was born in 1871 in Le Roy, New York to James and Priscilla Annin. She was the youngest of seven children. She graduated from Ingham University with a degree in Fine Arts. Alumnae records from Ingham University, one of the few all-women liberal arts colleges at the time, indicate that Lillian was an Assistant Art Teacher at Ingham University for one term. A year later, Lillian taught at a university in Nyack on the Hudson. In 1889, she was in charge of the Art Department at the Indianapolis Institute. She was also on the staff of Ohio Western Reserve University.
At the age of 37, Lillian married Claude Pettingill at Bellingham, Washington on December 28th, 1907. Claude Pettingill was the son of Josiah and Eunice Pettingill. Josiah came to La Crosse at a young age and served in public office as County Clerk, and Chairman of the Town Board. He was also appointed Postmaster of La Crosse by President McKinley. Josiah also started the first abstract company in La Crosse. Claude followed in the footsteps of his father and continued his company after his death. He worked as an attorney, realtor, and insurance man.
Lillian and Claude stayed in the Seattle area for about 7 years before returning to La Crosse. She painted in the Seattle area and is described as a "rare and collectible artist" in art dictionaries.
When they moved to La Crosse, Lillian became active in the art community and helped found the Art Association of La Crosse. Apart from her involvement in the Art Association, Lillian also provided additional classes for individuals who desired more instruction. She continued creating art in the La Crosse area. A shift can be seen in her artwork as she transitioned from painting west coast scenes to painting scenes of rivers, valleys, and bluffs in the Coulee Region.
Lillian was also involved in the League of Women Voters around 1925 and is mentioned in the La Crosse Tribune as giving talks about the importance of the group. Lillian also served as the Vice President of the League of Women Voters. Her husband, Claude, passed away in 1948, and she passed away in 1953. Her sister-in-law, Grace Pettingill Hogan Van Steenwyk, donated over 20 pieces of artwork created by Lillian Pettingill to the La Crosse County Historical Society in 1984.
Click on any piece of Pettingill’s work to view it larger.
