James Laban Wright

Photographer: J L Wright
Sipe Springs, Tex.
example from LOST GALLERY

There were several photographers named Wright in Texas in the late 19th century. No positive connections have been made to this J. L. Wright. Sipe Springs is now considered a ghost town.

These newspaper transcriptions were found on RootsWeb. Perhaps they will lead to other discoveries.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txcomanc/newspaper.htm

Transcription of newspaper pages
Transcribed by Judy Michaels in co-operation with Tami Ramsey.
The Comanche Chief, Comanche, Texas. 26 June 1879
Mr. J.L. WRIGHT, the old and reliable photographer, is again in the field, at his old stand on the South side of the square, where he is now prepared to take all kind of pictures in the best style of the art, both photographs and gems. Give him an early call as he will only remain a short time.

The Comanche Chief, Comanche, TX. Thursday, August 28, 1879
Jim WRIGHT is taking excellent pictures now. We have seen several specimens of his work lately that would compare
favorably with any city artist in the state.

Transcribed by Judy Michaels
The Comanche Chief, Comanche, Texas. Thursday, Jan. 22, 1880
[Transcriber's note: This was a special issue to extol the virtues of Comanche County to the "immigrant". Because it is very long, I am transcribing it in two parts. This is Part 1 of 2.]

J.L. WRIGHT-COMANCHE'S BOSS PHOTOGRAPHER
With the exception of Galveston and Dallas, we doubt if there is a town in the State that has an artist equal to our Jim WRIGHT. His work brings out every feature of the human physiogomy upon the negative, and his pictures are printed and toned to perfection. He takes every style and kind of picture from the little miniature for a lady's locket, to the magnificent cabinet size photo. He has on exhibition and for sale at his gallery some magnificent views of our little city. If you wish a cheap and magnificent present for your friends, and one that will be appreciated as much as the most costly from Tiffany's, have Jim to make you a dozen of those elegant cabinet sized photos.

Transcribed by Judy Michaels
The Comanche Chief, Comanche, Texas, Saturday, August 6, 1881
J.L. WRIGHT, one of our old-time Comanche boys, was in town yesterday.

Transcribed by Judy Michaels
The Comanche Chief, Comanche, Texas, Saturday, October 29, 1881
Mr. J.L. WRIGHT has moved back to town to live.

Transcribed by Judy Michaels
The Comanche Chief, Comanche, Texas, Saturday, November 5, 1881
Jas. L. WRIGHT has bought the grocery stock of J.E. STANCIL & Co., and will continue in business
in Comanche.

Transcribed by Judy Michaels
The Comanche Chief, Comanche, Texas, Saturday, May 6, 1882
Local Matters
James WRIGHT is having erected, a neat residence in the Northwest part of town.

With these items a a lead, a few other documents were found. A timeline is assembled below.



-- continued on next row --

James Laban Wright
(1847 - 1923)

Timeline
1847 Jan 09
Georgia, J L Wright born
1850 Oct 28
US census Jaspar, GA, James living with parents, ate 3
1860 Jun 09
US census Spalding, GA, James living with parents age 13
1870 May 31
US census Comanche, TX, as photographer
1878
marriage to Louisa Laura Wright
1879 Jun 26
Comanche (TX) Chief ad for J L Wright, traveling photographer at South side of the square
1880 Jun 07
US census Comanche, TX, as photographer
1881 Aug 06
Comanche (TX) Chief news item, J L Wright was in town yesterday
1881 Oct 29
Comanche (TX) Chief news item, J L Wright has moved back to town to live

1881 Nov 05
Comanche (TX) Chief news item J L Wright has purchased the grocery stock of J.E. STANCIL & Co and will continue in business
1882 May 06
Comanche (TX) Chief, news item J L Wright is building a house in Comanche, TX
1898 Dec 24
news item fire loss W L Wright photographer, Cisco, TX
1900 Jun 17
US census Comanche, TX as photographer
1910 Apr 25
US census Comanche, TX, as drug merchant
1920 Feb 18
US census St Vrain, NM, living alone on a farm; no occupation listed
1923 Sep 29
Clovis, NM,James Laban Wright dies at age 76

So J L Wright was photographer from 1870 to 1900. No documents have been found which place him in Sipe Springs, TX, but as many photographers did, Wright probably toured the small towns in the area looking for extra business.

photographer: J L Wright
Comanche, TX
This one was finished between 1870 and 1900
Example found on auction site

photographer: Wright
Coleman, TX
This one was finished between 1870 and 1900
Example found on auction site

photographer: Wright
Brownwood, TX
Example from on auction site
This is possibly a different Wright. There were at least three in southern Texas during the cabinet card era.

Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. Listed here are all the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY. This is a work in progress. For a look at the original postings go to LOST GALLERY.

New examples and additional information are always welcome. Any additional information will help narrow the time that these precious antiques were made.

All submissions should be free of glare and shadows. Do not crop. Leave a border around each card. The edges are sometimes an important clue to the age of the card.

Some examples on this page have been enhanced or restored for clarity and presentation here.

This page is free for educational and research purposes only but, as always, if the original owner of any of these examples objects to the use on this page, just let me know and they will be immediately removed.