T G Boyer

Photographer: T. G. Boyer
Altamont, Ills.

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Theodore George Boyer
(23 Aug 1850 - 18 Dec 1926)

Without the availability of city directories for Altamont, IL, and nearby towns, little was found to substantiate Theodore George Boyer’s career in photography. Only one mention was found, in the 1880 US census while he was living in Altamont, IL.

Cabinet Cards have been found with locations imprinted including, Altamont, IL, Carbondale, IL, Centralia, IL, Columbus, IN, Effingham, IL, Grand Tower, IL, Ramsey, IL, and Vandalia, IL. All are within about 200 miles of Altamont, IL.

(18 Jan 2022: Revised timeline to include information from History of Effingham County, originally published in 1883 and contributed by D Wurl)

1849 Aug 21
Theodore G Boyer was born in Coshocton, OH (and sources do not wholly agree on that date)
1861 to 1863
Boyer works in a photograph gallery in Columbus, IN, to learn the business
1863-1865
Boyer works in photo galleries in several states
1869 Fall
Boyer establishes a photo gallery in Centralia, IL, for about two years
1871
Boyer and Susie Lewis of Centralia, IL, are married

1871-1876
Vandalia, IL, Boyer moves to Vandalia, IL, and also establishes galleries in Effingham, Carbondale, Grand Tower and Ramsey
1876-1878
Boyer sells galleries and works on the road, doing crayon and ink work mostly in IL and IN
1878 Sep 01
Boyer moves to Altamont, IL and has gallery on Main street
1880 Jun 15
Altamont, IL, US census, Boyer at age 29 as photographer, no address given
1883 Mar 28
Wife Susie Lewis dies at age 32
1885 Jan 25
Boyer and Malissa J Miller are married
1886
T G Boyer is appointed as postmaster of Altamont
1900
Government records, Altamont Postmaster appointment expires
1900 Jun 7
Avena, IL, US census, Boyer at age 49 as farmer in Avena, IL
1910 Apr 25
Union, White, AR, US census, Boyer at 60 as farmer
1926 Dec 16
Boyer dies at age 76 of prostate cancer, death certificate says he is a “merchant”

So it is left that this cabinet card must have been done around 1880 but at least before 1900.

Here is an example from T H Boyer of Altamont, IL.
The reverse with its unusual message is included.
This example from contributor Chris from Ancestry.com.

photographer: T G Boyer
Altamont, IL
example from contributor Chris

reverse of card at left

I have several photographs of my ancestors that were taken by him. He was for sure still in Altamont in 1888 when my great-grandparents were married, but I’m not sure about the dates of other photos I have from him. Attached is a short bio I found in the History of Effingham County, originally published in 1883.

He was also appointed and confirmed as postmaster of Altamont in 1896, but I don’t know if that’s when he may have closed his photography business. Apparently that didn’t last long since he’s in Avena as a farmer by 1900.

contributor D Wurl

The timeline at the top has been revised to include this information.

Thanks! Great contribution!

Reverse of a card by T G Boyer
from contributor D Wurl
(owner dated 1888)

photographer: T G Boyer
Altamont, IL
contributed by D Wurl
(owner dated 1890's)

photographer Boyer Bros
628 Ogden Avenue; West Superior, WI
example from auction site
(Very poor scan)

photographer Boyer Bros
628 Ogden Avenue; West Superior, WI
example from auction site
(Very poor scan)

photographer Boyer Bros
6th and Ogden Avenue; West Superior, WI
example from auction site

The Boyer brothers were likely Robert H Boyer and Henry Boyer. No connection to T G Boyer has been made.

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.

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, they will be immediately removed.