Photographer: Griffin
Cor 3rd Str. & Lincoln Ave.
Hebron, Neb
There were many photographers named Griffin between 1880 and 1920. They ranged from Maryland to Nebraska, Pennsylvania to Alabama. However there was only one who worked his entire career based in Hebron, NE. This is William Griffin.
Throughout the research on William Griffin, his middle initial or name was never found.
William Griffin
(1852 – 1920)
1852 Jul 12
Hydetown, PA, William Griffin is born to John Griffin and Rose Hacket;
1868
Omaha, NE, city directory, Charles Griffin as photographer, rear of 230 Farnam; not listed in 1867
1870
Omaha, NE, city directory, William Griffin as photographer for Charles Griffin; res over 237 Douglas
(Note that Charles Griffin is named as an uncle in the obituary but no other support for that has been found.)
1870 Feb 07
Omaha, NE, obituary, William Griffin starts in photography as apprentice
1870 Jul 20
Omaha, NE, US census, William Griffin as photographer
1879
Nebraska Gazetteer, William Griffin NOT listed with photographers
1880 Jun 02
Bloomington, NE, US census, William Griffin as photographer (census taker puts occupation on wrong line)
1880 Nov 05
Omaha, NE, obituary, William Griffin comes to Omaha, NE, with partner and opens gallery
1881-1887
Hebron (NE) Champion newspaper item mentions that the Griffin Studio was just a tent (see below)
1882 Mar 30
Hebron (NE) Journal, item Wm Griffin studio is being run by Miss Nellie Parmley during his absence
1882 Nov 19
Fremont, NE, state records, William Griffin and Lydia McCormick are married
1884 May 29 and many times through Jul 17
Hebron (NE) Journal small ad for Wm Griffin as photographer
1885 Jun 12
Hebron, NE, NE state census, William Griffin as photographer
1886 Nov 25
Hebron (NE) Journal ad, Griffin’s Photograph Rooms cor 3rd and Lincoln, Hebron, NE
1890
Hebron (NE) Journal, nostalgic item published in 1916 about Griffin’s new studio being built
1890 Jul 17
Hebron (NE) Journal small item, Wm Griffin is building a large photograph gallery
1891 May 29 thru 1892 Nov 04
Hebron (NE) Journal display ad for Griffin’s Photograph Rooms, cor 3rd and Lincoln
1892
Hebron, NE, newspaper items, William Griffin works on the Hebron Election Board
1892 Feb 19
Hebron (NE) Journal item William Griffin hires new assistant, M G Stoneman of Irving, KS
1892 Apr 08
Hebron (NE) Journal, feature gives detailed description of Griffin “Art Building”
1893 Mar 02
Norfolk (NE) Journal, item says William Griffin has been elected second vice president of the State Photographers Association
1893 Dec 22
Hebron (NE) Weekly Register, display ad for Griffin’s Photography Rooms
1894 Apr 27
Hebron (NE) Register, display ad for Griffin’s Photograph Rooms, cor 3rd and Lincoln
1895 May 29
Hebron (NE) Register, item says graduates are having photographs taken by Wm Griffin
1895 Nov 01
Hebron (NE) Journal, item shows Wm Griffin is running for County Treasurer (sample ballot below)
1898 Sep 09
Hebron (NE) Journal, item says William Griffin has won a gold medal at the photographer’s convention in Omaha, NE
1900 Jun 04
Hebron, NE, US census, William Griffin as photographer
1901 Nov 29
Hebron (NE) Champion item says William Carls of Texas shows tintype of himself taken by Wm Griffin when the studio was just a tent, 1881-1887
1902 May 30
Hebron (NE) Champion item says William Griffin is doing school photographs this week
After working in the Griffin Studio as apprentice from 1899 to 1902, Charles Day and William Griffin form a partnership that continues until about 1916.
1899 Jun 23
Hebron (NE) Register, item says William Griffin and wife have a new son, born 20 Jun 1899
1900 Apr 13
Hebron (NE) Register, item says Griffin apprentice Joseph Bethschieder is going into business in Humphrey, NE
1903 Dec 18
Hebron (NE) Journal item mentions taking on partner J E Day sometime in mid 1902 (cards may be stamped “Griffin and Day” during this period)
1904 Oct 08
Hebron (NE) Register item mentions Joseph Bethschiedr, one of Wm Griffin’s ex assistants
1909 Jul 16
Hebron (NE) Register, item mentions another student of William Griffin, E V King, who is now in business in Concordia, KS
1910 Apr 23
Hebron, NE, US census, William Griffin as photographer
1916 Aug 04
Hebron (NE) Journal, nostalgic item about the Wm Griffin studio being built about 1890
1917
Omaha, NE, (State) business directory, William Griffin as photographer with Charles E Day in Hebron, NE
1912 Dec 13
Hebron, (NE) Journal, item says William Griffin has taken 407 photographs last week (also says “mostly cabinets” which is doubtful, considering the date.)
1919 Jul 18
Hebron (NE) Journal item says Mr and Mrs Wm Griffin left for the photographer convention in Chicago, IL
1920 Jan 02
Hebron, NE, US census, William Griffin, no occupation shown, res 3rd St; Wife Lydia as laundress
1920 Jul 20
Hebron, NE, newspaper obituary, William Griffin dies at age 83 after a long illness
1920 Sep 17
Hebron (NE) Journal, item says C E Day had bought the Wm Griffin properties and Mrs Griffin and sons have moved to Omaha, NE
From a humble tent studio to a two story building all on the same corner, it looks like William Griffin had only one address in his entire career.
30 mar 1882
Hebron (NE) Weekly Herald -23 Nov 1882
Hebron (NE) Journal -17 Jul 1884
Hebron (NE) Journal -07 Jan 1886
25 Nov 1886
Hebron (NE) Journal -17 Jul 1890
Hebron (NE) Journal -29 May 1891
19 Feb 1892
Hebron (NE) Journal -08 Apr 1892
02 Mar 1893
Hebron (NE) Register -22 Dec 1893
Hebron (NE) Register -27 Apr 1894
Hebron (NE) Journal -01 Nov 1895
Sample Ballot
Hebron (NE) Register -29 May 1896
Hebron (NE) Journal -09 Sep 1898
23 Jun 1899
Hebron (NE) Register -13 Apr 1900
29 Nov 1901
30Hebron (NE) Champion -30 May 1902
18 Dec 1903
08 Jan 1904
Hebron (NE) Register -16 Jul 1909
Hebron (NE) Journal -13 Dec 1912
04 Aug 1916
Hebron (NE) Journal -18 Jul 1919
18 Jul 1919
Hebron (NE) Journal -17 Sep 1920
29 Jul 1920
photographer: Griffin
cor Third Street and Lincoln Ave, Hebron, Neb
example contributed by Gina Covington
Owner date estimate: 1900
photographer: Griffin and Day
Hebron, NE
example contributed by Gina Covington
Owner dated 1904
The work at the left is not a cabinet card but does have the
imprint of "Griffin and Day, Hebron, Neb"
After working in the Griffin Studio as apprentice from 1899 to
1902, Charles Day begins a partnership with William Griffin that
continues until about 1916.
At the right is another example from Griffin and Day. This also may
not be a cabinet card but it is impossible to tell from this cropped
scan.
This also would have been done between 1902 and 1916
photographer: Griffin and Day
Hebron, NE
example from auction site
photographer: William Griffin
cor 3rd st and Lincoln av, Hebron, NE
example from auction site
Photographer: Griffin
Hebron, Nebr
example from auction site
Photographer: Griffin
Hebron, Nebr
example from auction site
Photographer: Griffin
Hebron, Nebr
example from auction site
Photographer: Griffin
Hebron, Nebr
example from auction site
Photographer: Griffin
Cor 3rd and Lincoln, Hebron, Nebr
example from auction site
Note that this card design and imprint are the same as the top card on this page.
photographer: Griffin
Cor 3rd Street and Lincoln Av, Hebron, NE
example from auction site
(note that the card has the same imprint as the one at the top of the page but is a plain edged stock)
Photographer: Griffin
Hebron, Nebr
example from auction site
(note: same "fence" prop in the card on the right)
Photographer: Griffin
Hebron, Nebr
example from auction site
photographer: Griffin
Hebron, NE
example from auction site
photographer: Griffin
Hebron, NE
example from auction site
photographer: Griffin
Hebron, NE
example from auction site
photographer: Griffin
Hebron, NE
example from auction site
photographer: Griffin
Hebron, NE
example from auction site
photographer: Griffin
Cor Third and Lincoln, Hebron, NE
example from auction site
Same card design as card at top
photographer: Griffin
Hebron, NE
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
photographer: W Griffin (blind stamp)
Cor Third and Lincoln, Hebron, NE
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
photographer: W Griffin (blind stamp)
Cor Third and Lincoln, Hebron, NE
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
Photographer: Griffin
Hebron, Nebr
example from auction site
Photographer: GriffinHebron, Nebr
example from auction site
photographer: Griffin
Hebron, NE
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
Photographer: GriffinCor 3rd and Lincoln, Hebron, Nebr
example from auction site
Note that this card design and imprint
are the same as the top card on this page.
Photographer: GriffinCor 3rd and Lincoln, Hebron, Nebr
example from auction site
Note that this card design and imprint
are the same as the top card on this page.
reverse of cards at left
Photographer: GriffinCor 3rd and Lincoln, Hebron, Nebr
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
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.
Additional 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.
