James Madison Elliott
(1842-1899)
J. M. Elliott and his brother George Rodiman Elliott were both
photographers. While George moved around a lot and often worked in
studios of other photographers, James established his own studio on
south High Street and didn’t move much. His first documented studio
was at 101 then 107 then 95 and finally 111 ½, all on south High
Street. He stayed at 111 ½ south High Street from 1888 until his death
in 1899
James M. Madison’s widow Idell, held on to the studio at 111 ½ High
and kept it running. In 1911 she remarried to Frank Myers, she was
again widowed within a year. She kept the studio until 1924 when she
apparently retired at 49 and moved to California.
photographer: J. M. Elliott
95 S High St
Columbus O
Timeline
All news ads and items are from the Columbus, OH, Daily Ohio Statesman
unless otherwise noted.
1842 Jan 31
James M Elliott born in Plymouth, MI
1860 (age 18)
living at home working as blacksmith
1863 Dec 03
news item list of photographers in Columbus, OH, who are making
charitable donations
1864
Columbus, OH, city directory as photographer at 101 s High
1866 Sep 17
Daily Ohio Statesman mentions photographers Warner and Elliott of
South High Street
1868 March through 1869 Jan
small newspaper ad, photographer at 107 High st, Columbus, OH
1869
Columbus, OH city directory as photographer at 107 s High
1875 - 1886
Columbus, OH city directory as photographer at 95 High
1886 Nov 25
ad in Cincinnati paper J. M. Elliott through with politics
1888
Columbus, OH, city directory, brother George R. is working at Elliott
gallery
1888 - 1899
Columbus, OH, city directory as photographer at 111 ½ s High
1899 Sep 03
James dies at age 57 in Columbus, OH; reported by the Sandusky Star
1899 Sep 04
1900 - 1910
Columbus, OH, city directory Idell Elliott as Widow, proprietor of
Elliott Gallery
1911 - 1912
Idell as Mrs Idell Myers proprietor of Elliott studio at 111 ½
s High
1912 - 1924
Mrs Idell Elliott as proprietor of Elliott studio at 111 ½ s
High (changed name back)
1925 - 1926
Idell NOT in Columbus, OH, city directory residential or business
section
1936 Sep 28
Idell Elliott is found on a passenger manifest for a ship sailing into
New York. List includes place of birth as Nevada, OH. It also includes
her 1936 address as 840 Serrano av which agrees with a city directory
listing that year.
1936 Sep 13
Idell is now living in Las Angels, CA
1937 - 1938
Las Angles, CA, listings in city directory at 840 Ceranno
1940 - 1941
Las Angles, CA listings in city directory at 511 Cerrano
1941
Idell dies age 66 in Las Angles, CA (No more listings in the city
directory)
This cabinet card must have been finished in that period when the
studio was at 95 South High, 1875-1886.
The example at the left is by Elliot of Montana Territory. No connection has been made to Elliot of Ohio.
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.
Thank you for this research I just found a small pic of his from the 107 address. I don’t suppose the date range can be narrowed further? The lady pictured is lovely and a note stated she was 18 when it was taken. I wish it had her name. I’m so jazzed to have found this in what I assume was the original velvet carrying case. Just knowing it’s over 135 years old is so cool.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words. Sorry, I don't know of any additional way to date your photograph. It's a treasure for sure.
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