Howard E Gray

Photographer: Gray
213 N 16th Street
Omaha, Neb

Howard E Gray
(1863 - 1939)

In the late 19th century there were three photographers in Nebraska named Gray that could have done this card. However, Howard E. Gray was the one that operated a gallery at 213 n 16th in Omaha, NE, for just over 10 years. Also in the area was Howard’s sister, Dora, and William Gray, no relation.

The earliest record of Howard as photographer was found in the 1880 US census, listed as photographer at age 16 in Lincoln NE. His sister Dora, age 19 is also listed as photographer. They were living next door to Nancy D. Stewart, 35, also a photographer.

After moving to Houston, TX, late in 1895, Howard Gray worked for other photographic galleries such as C R Blackburn and A H Hitcher. Sometime in 1912 or 1913, he and his wife Margaret moved to San Diego and worked for Robert’s Portraiture, V J Vreeland and H A Deacon, as well as operating his own studio.

1863 Sep
Howard E Gray is born in Ohio
1878
Gray’s family has moved to Lincoln, NE

1880
US census Lincoln, NE, as photographer at age 16 along with sister Dora, age 19
1884 -1886
Omaha, NE, city directory as photographer, Bee Hive Studio, 213 n 16th
1885 Mar 05
marriage to Margaret L Leckie (1862-1949)
1887 - 1895
Omaha, NE, city directory as photographer at 213 16th (“Bee Hive” name apparently dropped)
1896
Howard Gray has moved to Houston, TX
1899
Houston, TX, as retoucher for C R Blackburn
1900 - 1902
Houston, TX, US census as “stenographer”; city directory as photo operator for A H Hitcher
1903
Houston, TX, city directory as photo operator for Robert’s Portraiture, 501 ½ Main
1904
Houston, TX city directory as secretary and operator for Hitcher Photo co; res 102 Hamilton

1907 - 1912
Houston, TX, city directory as proprietor Gray’s photo studio, 502 ½ Main; res 1815 Franklin
1913
San Diego, CA as no occupation shown; res 1512 Front
1914 - 1916
San Diego, CA as photographer; 1512 Front
1917 - 1927
San Diego, Ca as photographer; res 1131 16th
1928
San Diego, CA, city directory as photographer for H A Deacon; res 1131 16th
1930
San Diego, CA US census as retired; city directory as photographer for H A Deacon; res 1512 Front
1935 - 1937
San Diego, Ca, city directory as no occupation; res 1131 16th
1939 Jan 14
San Diego, CA, Howard E Gray dies

The cabinet card here was finished during that ten year period, 1885-1895, when Gray operated a studio in Omaha, NE, at 213 n 16th.

photographer: Gray
Omaha, NE
213 N 16th Street
example from auction site
finished between 1885 - 1895

photographer: Gray
Omaha, NE
213 N 16th Street
example from auction site
finished between 1885 - 1895

photographer: Gray
213 N 16th Street, Omaha, NE
example from contributor A Brewer
finished between 1885 - 1895

photographer: Gray
213 N 16th Street, Omaha, NE
example from D Martin
(Owner dated about 1890 - 1895)

photographer: Gray
213 N 16th Street, Omaha, NE
example from contributor

photographer: Gray
213 N 16th Street, Omaha, NE
example from contributor

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.

Cabinet cards typically have the photographer’s name and address printed on the bottom edge or the reverse of the card. 19th century photographers moved around a lot. The basic idea here is to find WHEN a photographer was WHERE, which will help date an unidentified CABINET CARD from your family album.

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.

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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.