J E Bragg

Photographer J.? E. Bragg
Artist - Traveling Photographer

J E Bragg, traveling photographer

The first initial is faded badly and may be another letter.

So far searches have turned up:
T F Bragg of Union, OH
Thomas Bragg of Indiana, (b 1839)
And
Herbert L Bragg of Cadillac, MI

Since no location is included on the card, further investigation is limited.

20200630 Update
No further information has been found on this photographer Bragg. There were several photographers named Bragg after 1910 but that seems to be the wrong era for this photograph.

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.

Brewer's Art Studio

Photographer: Brewer’s Art Studio
Belfast, N. Y.

Brewer’s Art Studio
Belfast, New York

There were quite a number of people named Brewer around the turn of the 20 century. Here are a few examples:

1866 Peekshill, NY State tax assessment James Brewer as Real Estate Agent
1875 Starkey, NY, state census as James L Brewer as telegraph operator
1880 Jun 05 Yates, NY, US census James L Brewer as Grocer
1900 Starkey, NY, US census James L Brewer as produce dealer
1905 Jun 01 Starkey NY state census as James C Brewer, Fruit Dealer
1905 Niagara, NY, US census as James Brewer, machinist & cook at age 57
1915 Seneca, NY state census as James A Brewer, boiler maker

Worse, there were several photographers named Brewer in New York State between 1890 and 1920 and a few even in modern times.

The only clue found to the photographer Brewer in Belfast, NY, was the small newspaper advertisement from 1896 added here, showing that the operator of “Brewer’s Art Studio” was Jas. Brewer in Belfast, NY. The same ad ran almost weekly from January 1896 through December 1898.

The Cuba (NY) Patrior - 1896-1899

From that clue, a James Brewer, photographer, was found in the 1880 US census, living in Liberty, PA. Then in the New York State census of 1892 James Brewer is listed as photographer in Belfast, Allegany, NY, just 117 miles from Liberty, PA.

Another ad shows Massasoit House was on Main Street. Brewers Art ad says the Studio was across the street from Massasoit House, meaning the studio was possibly on Main Street also.

The Cuba (NY) Patriot - 1896-1899

However, even with the first name added, no other positive connections have been found in any more of the US or State census or NY state tax assessment lists.

A line by line examination of the 34 pages of the 1900 US census for Belfast, NY, found no one named Brewer and no one who claimed to be a photographer. Of course one can imagine many reasons for this. Brewer may simply have been away in June for the 1900 census. Also, he may have only kept a studio in Belfast but lived elsewhere.

In more modern times, from about 1920 to about 1935, there was a married couple, Mr and Mrs F H Brewer, who ran Brewer’s Studio in San Bernardino, CA. There were also “Brewer” studios in SC, 1911, Chicago, IL, 1905, Monroe, LA, 1922, and Louisville, KY, 1911 and more than a dozen other places.

So for now, documents show that James Brewer was a photographer in Belfast, NY, from 1892 to 1899. Did James Brewer retire or just move to another town? Was photography just a sideline for him while he sold real estate or groceries?

There will certainly be updates if more evidence emerges.

Another beautiful example can be found at the
Cabinet Card Gallery

Update 20200630 Nothing new has been found on Brewer's Art Studio.

photographer: Brewer's Art studio
Belfast, NY
example from auction site

photographer: Brewer's Art studio
Belfast, NY
example from auction site

photographer: Brewer's Art Studio
Belfast and Fillmroe, NY
example from auction site

photographer: Brewer's Art Studio
Belfast and Filmore, New York
example from Anticria

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.

W A Medaris

photographer: Bradley and Medaris
Monticello, IL
example from LOST GALLERY

William Arthur Medaris
(1865-1948)

1865 Oct 01
Perry, IL, state records, US census, W A Medaris is born to Rice Medaris and Margaret Mary Cole
1890
Obituary says Medaris operated a photograph studio in Monticello for “twenty years” and retired to the insurance business in 1910
1900 Jun 04
Monticello, IL, US census, W A Medaris as photographer on State Street
1910 Apr 20
Monticello, IL, US census, Arthur Medaris as real estate agent; East Washington
1920 Jan 12
Monticello, IL, US census, Arthur Medaris as Insurance agent
1948 Oct 24
Monticello, IL, Findagrave, William Arthur Medaris dies at age 83

James S Brady
(1871-1949)

1871 Jul 08
Monticello, IL, state records, James S Brady is born to George Brady and Mary Dresback
1880 Jun 05
Monticello, IL, US census, James S Brady at age 8 (mistakenly identified as a daughter by census taker) living with parents
1892 Dec 21
Platt, IL, state records, William A Medaris and Media Brady (sister of James Brady) are married
It’s only a guess, but this could be about the time that that W A Medaris and Brady started their partnership.
1900 Jun 08
Monticello, IL, US census James Brady as photographer, still living with parents
1905 (earliest available)
Frankfort, IN, city directory, James Brady as carpenter; res Catterlin
1913
Frankfort, IN, city directory, James Brady NOT listed

1910 Apr 27
Frankfort City, IN, US census, James Brady as “laborer, general work”
1919
Fort Wayne, IN, James A Brady as mngr of “Heiny’s”; res 230 Masterson
1920 Jan 02
Monticello, IL, US census, James Brady as carpenter
1921
Fort Wayne, IN, James A Brady as clerk; res 133 Wallace; wife Laura as clerk at Frank’s Dry Goods Co
1922, 1923
Fort Wayne, IN, city directory, James A Brady as clerk; res 133 Wallace
1924
Fort Wayne, IN, city directory, James A Brady NOT listed
1930 Apr 11
Monticello, IL, James Brady as carpenter
1949 Nov 16
Monticello, IL, James Brady dies at age 78

Unfortunately there are no city directories or newspaper files available for Monticello, IL, in the years around 1900. The 1900 US census shows that both were photographers that year. The extent of the photographer partnership of Brady and Medaris cannot be refined closer than “around 1900.”

According to his obituary, W A Medaris was the serious photographer and operated a gallery in Monticello, IL, for 20 years ending in 1910 when he went into the insurance business.

Unknown newspaper - 23 Oct 1948

unknown newspaper - 02 Jul 1931

photographer: Brady and Medaris
No location shown
example from auction site

Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. All the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY are listed there.

This is a work always in progress.

Aditional information and new examples 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.
Email to the address found in the profile at the bottom of this page.

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.

Merrick Boyden Bower

Photographer:
Bower
Slater, Mo.
1889

Merrick Boyden Bower (3 Dec 1832 - 7 Nov 1913) was a photographer along with at least two of his sons at one time or another. Keep in mind also that this was a very large family. A brother Henry C. Bower was a photographer in Kansas City for a time and any of several cousins and grandchildren could also have been photographers. The best scenario however is that in the cabinet card era, Merrick Boyden Bower was the most likely candidate.

There is little doubt about the date of this photograph as 1887 is imprinted on the face of the card along with the name and city. Slater, MO, was only about 70 miles from Kansas City where M. D. Bower lived from 1870 on.

In case there are examples of photographs from Bower that are not imprinted with a date here is a timeline showing important events in his life and where he was at the time.

1832 Dec 03
born in Union City, PA
1850
living at Tazewell, IL age 18

1858 May 21
marriage to Virginia E. Thompson
1859 Sep 09
birth of son William Leslie in Kansas City, MO
1860 Jun 17
as farmer in Tazewell, IL
1863 Jul 01
as farmer in Malone, IL
1865 Jun 07
as farmer in Potosi, KS
1870 Jul 18
as photographer working with Williams Simmons at a Stereotype Gallery
1871 Feb 07
marries Rosanna Catherine Bird in Clay, MO
1874 - 1875
as photographer at own studio 1215 Grand; res 1314 Grand, Kansas City, MO; brother Henry C. Bower listed as photographer at same address
1876
as photographer at Bower Brothers studio 546 Main, Kansas City, MO with Henry C. Bower
1878
as photographer working at another studio; son Henry C. Bower has studio at 1222 Union av WK

1879
as photographer working at another studio (probably J Ploetz, 618 Main)
1880 - 1881
as photographer for J Ploetz 618 Main Kansas City, MO
1889
as photographer working at unknown studio
1890 Oct 27
Kansas City (MO) Star, news item shows Merick Studio lost in fire
1898
brother Henry C. Bower moves to Deer Creek, CO; he later lives in Colorado Springs, CO and Los Angeles, CA and seems never to return to Kansas City, MO
1900
as photographer at unknown studio
1910
as photographer living with son James O. Bower
1913
Nov 07 Bower dies of pneumonia at age 80

As you can see Merrick worked for another studio most of the time. He could, as many photographers of the time, take days off and work in rented rooms in neighboring towns for a week.

Kansas City (MO) Star - 27 Oct 1890

Kansas City (MO) Journal - 10 Jun 1890


Kansas City (MO) Globe - 12 Nov 1813

photographer: Bower
Slater, MO
example from auction site
dated 1887

photographer: Bower
Adrian, MO
No connection to Merrick Bower has been made yet
example from auction site

photographer: Bower
Liverpool, OH and Williamsburg, WV
No connection to Merrick Bower has been made yet
example from auction site

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.

Iva Roach

photographer: Roach and Powell
Cicero, Indiana
(example greatly enhanced)

reverse of the card at the left
(example greatly enhanced)

There were a number of photographers named Powell in Eastern and the Midwestern US in the late 1800’s. Nothing has been found so far to place any of them in Cicero, IN.

A 1936 newspaper item shows that Iva Roach was in Cicero until 1896 and returned to that city for a visit only 40 years later. Her obituary confirms the same dates. Another news item says that Iva Roach was teaching school in Hamilton, IN, in January of 1890. So the photograph presented here was probably finished between 1890 and 1896.

There is a curious fact about the cabinet card era photographer partnerships. The imprinted card most often shows the name of junior partner or apprentice first in the billing. It is quite possible that 20 year old Iva Roach was just learning the photography business from Powell. The best bet would be George Wallace Powell who was in Spencer County, IN, about the right time.

Although Iva Marie Roach was in the photography business from about 1896 to May of 1922, to date, no other examples of her work have been found.

Iva Marie Roach
(1868-1964)

1868 Jan 20
Boon, IN, state records, Iva Marie Roach born to Joel Thatcher Roach and Mary Jane Neidharmer; Note that the 1912 license for her marriage to James Edgar Collopy says her birth date is 1888; Note also that her age varies as much as 20 years in many documents
1880
Buena Vista, Hamilton, IN, Iva Roach as daughter living with parents age 12
1890 Jan 24
Hamilton (IN) County Democrat item mentions Miss Iva Roach as a school teacher
1890 Aug 22
Hamilton (IN) County Democrat item mentions Miss Iva Roach as Artist
1896
Noblesville (IN) Ledger news item from 1936 Jul 07 says Iva Roach was in business in Cicero until this year
1905
Indianapolis, IN, city directory, Iva Roach NOT listed

1906
Indianapolis, IN, city directory, Iva Roach as photographer; bds at 925 Illinois
1907 Apr 17
Indianapolis (IN) News item lists real estate transaction of Iva M Roach
1908, 1909, 1910
Indianapolis, IN, city directory, Iva Roach as photographer; bds at 805 Jefferson av
1910
Indianapolis (IN) Star item lists real estate transaction of Iva M Roach
1911
Indianapolis, IN city directory, Iva Roach NOT listed
1911 Aug 02 and Aug 04
Huntington (IN) Herald news items describe auto accident involving James E Collopy
1912 Feb 19
St. Joseph, IN, marriage license, Iva Roach is to marry James Edgar Collopy; note that both are listed as photographers
1913
Bloomington and Indianapolis, IN, city directory, Iva Roach NOT listed

1913 Jan 15, Jan 23
Fort Wayne (IN) Journal Gazette item says James E Collopy, a photographer, is arrested for larceny; article says Collopy and wife Iva M (Roach) Collopy opened a photo studio in Warsaw, IN, “some months ago”
1913 Jan 25
Fort Wayne (IN) Journal Gazette item says James E Collopy case has been dismissed
1915 May 22
Indianapolis (IN) Star item lists transfer of real estate from Iva M Collopy to her mother Mary J Roach
1915 Sep 18
Fort Wayne, (IN) Journal Gazette item says Mrs Iva M Collopy of Huntington, IN, formerly of Warsaw, IN, was granted a divorce from J E Collopy; item mentions that the Collopy’s purchased the Houser studio on South Buffalo st and operated for “several years”; the studio has now been sold to Dore Vanderventer
1916
Bloomington, IN, city directory, Iva Roach as photographer a 121 ½ n College, bds 510 n Lincoln; her mother, Mary J Roach living at same address

1917
Huntington, IN, city directory Iva Roach NOT listed
1918 Sep 28, Sep 29
Huntington (IN) Press, advertisement for Miss Iva Roach at 447 N Jefferson st
1920
Huntington, IN, city directory Iva Roach at 447 N Jefferson; res Mishler rd with sister Sarah Myrtle Roach Stultz;
1920 Jul 07
Huntington (IN) Herald item says Miss Iva Roach is attending a photographer convention in Cedar Point, OH
1922 Mar 08
Alexandria (IN) Times Tribune item says Fred C Benton of Oakland City, IN, is visiting brother J H Benton
1922 May 18
Huntington (IN) Press item says the Roach Studio has been sold and re-opened by Miss Eva Strayer
1922 May 28
Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel news item says Mr and Mrs Fred Benton (Fred and Iva Roach) are attending races in Indianapolis, IN

1922 Jun 05
Oakland City, IN, city records, Iva Roach and Fred C Benton are married
1923
Huntington, IN, & Princeton, IN, city directory, Fred C Benton paying taxes in Oakland, IN; Iva Roach NOT listed
1924 Jun 10
Huntington (IN) Herald item mentions Mrs Fred Benton of Oakland City, IN
1924. 1926, 1927
Huntington, IN, city directory, Fred C Benton NOT listed; The Bentons are probably living in Oakland City, IN
1925
Princeton, IN, city directory, Fred C Benton is paying taxes in Oakland City, IN, Iva Roach NOT listed
1925 Jun 11
Huntington (IN) Press obituary of Mary Jane Roach, Iva’s mother has died; item says Iva and husband are living in Oakland City, IN
1927
Princeton, IN, city directory, Iva Roach as wife of Fred C Benton, no occupation shown
1930
Oakland City, IN, US census Iva Roach as wife of Fred C Benton and no occupation shown

1935
Oakland City, IN, city directory. Fred C Benton and Iva R Benton paying taxes in Oakland City, IN
1935 Jun 05
Hamilton (OH) Journal item says James E Collopy has broken his neck in a fall and has died
1936 Jul 01
Noblesville (IN) Ledger item mentions that Miss Iva Roach was in business in Cicero for several years, her first visit if forty years
1940
Oakland CIty, IN, US census, city directory lists as Iva R Benton, owner/operator of dress shop
1940 Aug 13
Noblesville (IN) Ledger item says Miss Iva Roach painted a picture of the Case home as a present
1963 Jun 4
Princeton, IN, state records, Fred C Benton dies at age 88
1963 Jun 05
Princeton (IN) Daily Clarion news obituary says he operated the Benton Studios in Oakland City and Princeton for many years during the ‘20’s and ‘30’s
1964 Feb 14
Princeton (IN) Daily Clarion news item says Iva Bento was released from hospital

1964 Jul 31
Princeton, IN, state records, Iva Marie (Roach) Benton dies at age 96
1964 Aug 03
Princeton (IN) Daily Clarion obituary says Iva (Roach) Benton lived in Oakland City, IN, for the past 42 years and operated Benton photo Studios with her husband Fred Benton; she also operated a dress shop on Washington Street

The Hamilton County Democrat (Noblesville, IN)
- 24 Jan 1890

The Hamilton County Democrat (Noblesville, IN)
- 24 Jan 1890

Hamilton County Ledger -
22 Aug 1890

Huntington (IN) Weekly Herald - 29 Aug 1902


Huntington (IN) Daily News Democrat - 08 Feb 1904

Indianapolis (IN) News - 17 Apr 1907


Indianapolis (IN) Star - 16 Jun 1910

Huntington (IN) Herald - 02 Aug 1911

Huntington (IN) Herald - 04 Aug 1911


Fort Wayne (IN) Journal - 15 Jan 1913

The Argos (IN) reflector
- 23 Jan 1913


Fort Wayne (IN) Journal Gazette
- 25 Jan 1913


Fort Wayne (IN) Journal Gazette
- 18 Sep 1915

Fort Wayne (IN) Journal Gazette - 18 Sep 1915


Huntington (IN) Herald - 28 Sep 1918

Huntington (IN) Press - 29 Sep 1918

Huntington IN city directory - 1920


Huntington (IN) Herald - 07 Jul 1920


Alexandria (IN) Times Tribune
- 08 Mar 1922

Huntington (IN) Press - 18 May 1922


Huntington (IN) Herald - 18 May 1922


Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel - 28 May 1922


Huntington (IN) Herald - 10 Jun 1924

Huntington (IN) Press - 06 Nov 1925


Hamilton (IN) Journal - 05 Jun 1935


Noblesville (IN) Ledger - 01 Jul 1936

Princeton (IN) - 05 Jun 1963

Princeton (IN) Daily Clarion - 14 Feb 1964

Princeton (IN) Daily Clarion
- 03 Aug 1964

Princeton (IN) Daily Clarion - 17 AUg 1964

photographer: Miss Iva Roach
Cicero, IN
example from auction site

photographer: Miss Iva Roach
Cicero, IN
example from auction site

Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. All the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY are listed there.

This is a work always in progress.

Aditional information and New examples 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.
Email to the address found in the profile at the bottom of this page.

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.