Monday, November 15, 2021

John S Fritz

photographer: J S Fritz
418 N 6th, Reading, PA
exapmle from Lost Gallery
reverse of card at left

John S Fritz
(1861-1920)

1880, 1881, 1882, 1883
Reading, PA, city directory, John S Fritz as photographer NOT listed
1884
Reading, PA, city directory, John S Fritz as photographer at 604 Penn; res 933 Elm; NOT listed in the business pages (This location was probably very brief)
1885, 1886
Reading, PA, city directory, John S Fritz as photographer NOT listed
1887
Reading, PA, city directory, John S Fritz as photographer at 418 N 6th;
1888
Reading, PA, city directory, John S Fritz as photographer at 816 Penn and 418 N 6th;
1889
Reading, PA, city directory, John S Fritz as photographer with Gaenzle & Fritz at 418 N 6th;
1890
Reading, PA, city directory, John S Fritz as photographer at 816 Penn and 418 N 6th;

1891 to 1896
Reading, PA, city directory, John S Fritz as photographer at 418 N 6th
1897 to 1919
Reading, PA, city directory, John S Fritz as photographer at 852 Penn; res 346 N 6th
1920
Reading, PA, city directory, John S Fritz NOT listed
1920 Apr 01
Reading, PA, state records, John S Fritz dies at age 58

The wording imprinted on your cabinet card should tell you about when it was made.
Tracing the business history of John Fritz was petty straight forward. He had only seven studio locations, all in one town, in his whole career. While most were brief, less than a year, one location remained in business in one shape or another for nine years and another studio remained in one location for 22 years.

Also, apparently he briefly had one partner, John Gaenzle, in 1889. They are listed together in the residence pages but separately on the business pages.

----As a Recap:
604 Penn – 1884 briefly
418 N 6th – 1887
418 N 6th and 816 Penn – 1888
418 N 6th (as Gaenzle and Fritz) – 1889
418 N 6th and 816 Penn – 1890
418 N 6th – 1891 to 1896
852 Penn – 1897 to 1919

The wording imprinted on your cabinet card should tell you about when it was made.


Note that the obituary at the right does not precisely agree with the city directory's version of the studio locations, but it is similar.

Reading (PA) Times - Obituary - 02 Apr 1920

photographer: Fritz
418 North Sixth Street, Reading, PA
Example from auction site

photographer: Fritz
418 North Sixth Street, Reading, PA
Example from pinterest

photographer: Fritz
418 North Sixth Street, Reading, PA
Example from pinterest

photographer: J S Fritz
418 North Sixth Street, Reading, PA
Example from auction site

photographer: J S Fritz
852 Penn Street, Reading, PA
Example from auction site

photographer: Fritz
418 North Sixth Street, Reading, PA
Example from auction site

photographer: Fritz
418 North Sixth Street, Reading, PA
Example from auction site
photographer: Fritz
418 North Sixth Street, Reading, PA
Example from auction site
reverse of card at left
photographer: Fritz
418 North Sixth Street, Reading, PA
Example from auction site
reverse of card at left

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.

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Robert Wilson Pearson


Photographer:
Pearson,
Main Street,South Side,
Arcade. N. Y.

At first examination, there appeared to be too many photographers in the area of Arcade, NY, by the name of Pearson, too many to narrow down to the Pearson on this cabinet card.

Benjamin M. Pearson, Albany, NY, over 200 miles from Arcade, NY
Emma J. Pearson, Rochester, NY, about 60 miles from Arcade, NY
William R. Pearson, Buffalo, NY, about 30 miles from Arcade, NY
William R. Pearson, Niagara, NY, about 60 miles from Arcade, NY

But finally,
Robert Wilson Pearson, of Arcade, Wyoming County, New York

R. W. Pearson is documented through the US Census and the New York State Census, as photographer from 1900 through 1930 always in Arcade, NY. The town did not have a city directory.

The cabinet card to the left is glossy on both sides, has rounded corners a ruled border. It was probably finished around 1900 or slightly before.

Timeline

Robert Wilson Pearson
(1867 - 1938)

1867 Jan 29
Ontario, Can, state records; R W Pearson is born to Robert Pearson and Mary Ritchie
1894 Jan 12
Buffalo (NY) Commercial news item says photographer C E Churchill has rented his gallery to his assistant, R W Pearson
A review of C E Churchill is here.
1895
From 1900 US census, R W Pearson and Mattie Oneal are married
1898 Dec 15
Buffalo (NY) Times item says R W Pearson lost 2000 dollars in fire at Arcade
1900 Jun 04
Arcade, NY, US census, Robert Pearson as photographer
1905 Apr 07
Arcade, NY, state records, wife Mattie O’Neal dies
1907 Apr 28 and 1907 May 05
Buffalo (NY) Courier small ad for R W Pearson for sale of picture post cards
1909 Sep 04
Buffalo (NY) Evening News classified ad R W Pearson has framing machine for sale

1910 Apr 15
Arcade, NY, US census, Robert Pearson as photographer
1911 Mar 24
Buffalo (NY) Morning Express item says Robert W Pearson and Addie Rogers were married in Ontario
1915 Jun 01
Arcade, NY, state census, Robert W Pearson as photographer
1920 Jan 17
Arcade, NY, US census, Robert W Pearson as photographer
1925 Jun 01
Arcade, NY, sate census, R W Pearson as photographer; res Main st
1930 Apr 15
Arcade, NY, US census, Robert W Pearson as photographer
1938 Nov 05
Arcade, Wyoming, NY, Robert W Pearson dies at age 72
1938 Dec 06
Rochester (NY) democrat and Chronical news item says Roger Gorham has purchased the gallery of R W Pearson


In a comment (see below), someone has added this bit of information: "R.W. Pearson was the photographer on Main Street in Arcade. He was the assistant to C.E. Churchill and rented Churchill's studio when Churchill moved to Franklinville"

From this suggestion the following news items were found.

Buffalo (NY) Commercial - 12 Jan 1894

Link to a brief review of Clark Eugene Clifton mentioned timeline at 1894.

Buffalo (NY) Courier - 15 Dec 1899

Buffalo (NY) Courier -
28 Apr 1907


Buffalo (NY) Evening News -
04 Sep 1909


Buffalo (NY) Morning Express -
24 Mar 1912


Binghamton (NY) Press -
06 Oct 1934


Springville (NY) Journal -
17 Nov 1938


Rochester (NY) Democrat and Chronicle -
06 Dev 1938


From Contributor Dawn:
"Pearson's photography studio on the second floor of the Steele-Foote building on Main Street in Arcade ca. 1900 from a poster exhibit by the Arcade Historical Society."

From Contributor Dawn:
"A photo of the building today -- "

From Contributor Dawn:
"Front and back portrait of a young lady named Alta Howlett, taken by R.W. Pearson likely ca. 1900. That was the only year her family lived in Arcade. They lived in the nearby town of Freedom by 1905. Alta was born in 1880, married Newman Lawrence Hawks and died in Batavia, NY in 1959 according to familysearch.org "


Buffalo (NY) Courier - 23 Jun 1912



photographer: Pearson
Main Street, South Side, Arcade, NY
example from RescuedPhoto
photographer: Pearson
Arcade, NY
example from auction site
photographer R W Pearson
Main Street, South Side, Arcade, NY
example from auction site
Photographer: Pearson
Arcade, NY
example from auction site
(from really poor scan)

The following pair are NOT cabinet cards but included because cabinet card examples from B W Pearson appear to be rather scarce.

photographer: Pearson
Arcade and Strykersville, NY
example from auction site
actual size: 3 1/2 X 4 7/8 in
photographer: Pearson
Arcade and Strykersville, NY
example from auction site
actual size: 3 1/2 X 4 7/8 in
The following examples are by J R Pearson of Pittsburg, PA. So far, no connection to R W Pearson has been found.
photographer: J R Pearson 96 Fifth Av and 43-45 Federal, Pittsburg, PA
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
photographer: J R Pearson 96 Fifth Av and 43-45 Federal, Pittsburg, PA
example from auction site
reverse of card at left


photographer: J R Pearson
96 Fifth Street and 43-45 Federal, Pittsburg, PA
example from auction site
photographer: J R Pearson
96 Fifth Street and 43-45 Federal, Pittsburg, PA
example from auction site
photographer: J R Pearson
96 Fifth Street and 43-45 Federal, Pittsburg, PA
example from auction site
photographer: J R Pearson
96 Fifth Street and 43-45 Federal, Pittsburg, PA
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.

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.

Friday, November 5, 2021

Jesse Starr and Benjamin Fowler

photographer: Starr "Successor to Fowler"
210 North 8th St, Philadelphia, PA
example from LOST GALLERY

Jesse Starr

Tracing the activities of Mr Jesse Starr was hindered somewhat by several namesakes including a private Mansion in New Jersey, a clergyman, a school and a schooner. There were so many in fact, it is difficult to tell one from another in some cases. There may even have been more than one of them as photographer, but nothing has been found to support that.

So following is a trail left by Jesse Starr in the Philadelphia, PA, city directories from about 1875 to about 1921. He crosses paths with Benjamin Fowler in 1894.

1874
Camden, NJ, city directory, Four Jesse Starr listed, none as photographer
1876, 1877
Camden, NJ, city directory, J Starr as photographer; res 9 So Fifth
1877
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr as photographer; res 521 S 9th (ALSO listed in Camden city directory)

1878, 1879, 1880
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, J Starr NOT listed
1881, 1882
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr as photographer; res 3713 Filbert; no business pages
1883
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr as artist; res 4230 Market
1884
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr NOT listed; Jesse W Starr JR as contractor; Res St George Hotel
1876, 1877
Camden, NJ, city directory, J Starr as photographer; res 9 So Fifth
1877
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr as photographer; res 521 S 9th (ALSO listed in Camden city directory)
1878, 1879, 1880
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, J Starr NOT listed
1881, 1882
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr as photographer; res 3713 Filbert; no business pages

1883
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr as artist; res 4230 Market
1884
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr NOT listed; Jesse W Starr JR as contractor; Res St George Hotel
1885, 1886
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr as photographer; res 4035 Haverford
1887
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr as photographer at 1320 Chestnut; res 4225 Lancaster av
1888, 1889, 1890
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr as photographer at 1320 Chestnut; res Darby
1891
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr as photographer at 15 S 13th: res Darby
1892
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr as photographer at 15 S 13th; res Del co
1893
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr NOT listed

1894
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr as photographer at 210 N8th
1895, 1896
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr NOT listed
1897
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jessy Starr as photographer; res 1427 Barclay
1898
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr as photographer; res 1427 Melon
1899, 1900, 1901, 1902
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Jesse Starr as photographer; res 1418 Melon
1903 to 1915
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, business pages only, Jesse Starr NOT listed
1912
Meadville, PA, city directory, NOT LISTED
1913 Jan 28
Meadville (PA) Evening Republican, classified ad to rent house at 432 Randolph
1913
Meadville, PA, city directory, J P Starr as photographer; res 432 Randolph (Wife Sarah)

1914 Aug 14
Meadville (PA) Evening Republican, classified ad to rent house at 432 Randolph (see example below)
1915 Jun 28
Meadville (PA) Evening Republican, classified ad to rent house at 432 Randolph
(So Starr's tennancy at 432 Randolph had to be between these two dates.)
1915
Meadville, PA, city directory, NOT LISTED
1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1921
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, business pages only, Jesse Starr NOT listed

Perhaps more will be found on the elusive Mr Starr. It will be added here.

Benjamin W Fowler
(1868 – 1933)

1868 Oct 26
Woodbury, NJ, state records, Benjamin Wilkins Fowler is born to Benjamin Fowler and Sarah Jane Pedrick
1886, 1887, 1890, 1891
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Benjamin W Fowler NOT listed
1890
Philadelphia, PA, 1900 US census, Benjamin Fowler and Lillian Maude Brubaker are married
1892, 1893, 1894, 1895
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Benjamin W photographer at 238 N 8th; res 1207 Race
1896 to 1930
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Benjamin W Fowler as photographer at 238 N 8th; res 1831 N Franklin
1931-1933
NO additional information has been found
1933 Aug 04
Philadelphia, PA, state records, Benjamin Fowler dies at age 64

So for 38 years, 1892 to 1930, B W Fowler studio was at the same address.

During 1894, he apparently had Jesse P Starr working in the studio. The imprint reads “Successor to Fowler” but that is probably just temporary hype. The association only appears that one year.

If you have a card with an imprint similar to the example at the top, you’re in luck! It was finished in 1894.

But, if you have a card that is imprinted only with the Fowler address of 238 N Eighth Street, it could have been finished any time between 1892 and 1930.

Note this Fowler is NOT the same as the Fowler that worked in Lancaster, PA.






Meadville (PA) Evening Republican -
13 Aug 1914
Meadville (PA) Evening Republican -
28 Jun 1915
These are by Jesse Starr at 1320 Chestnut Street
photographer: J Starr
1320 Chestnut St Philadelphia, PA
example from contributor Elizabeth M
(This card would have been finished
between 1887 and 1890)
reverse of card at left
photographer: Starr
1320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
example from Smithsonian
These are by Benjamin Fowler at 238 North 8th
photographer: Fowler
238 N Eighth, philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
photographer: Fowler
238 N Eighth, philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
photographer: Fowler
238 N Eighth, philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
(NOT a cabinet card)
photographer: Fowler
238 N Eighth, philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
These are by Louis Cass Fowler , a brother of Benjamin Fowler
photographer: Fowler
340 W King, Lancaster, PA
example from auction site
photographer: Fowler
No 12 King St, Lancaster, PA
example from LOST GALLERY
reverse of card a left

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.

Old stuff here...

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