John Blue Tooley

Photographer: J. B. Tooley
Easton, Kansas
example from LOST GALLERY

John Blue Tooley
(02 May 1840 - 1914)

J. B. Tooley appears to have based his operations in Concordia, KS, for many years but travelled a lot to smaller towns in the area, staying in hotels for months at a time and then moving on.

The records show him as farmer in 1880 and then as “artist” in 1885, possibly indicating when he began his photography career. The following timeline may help to show where Tooley was working and help date cabinet cards that are imprinted with that town.

Timeline - All data from US census, newspaper blurbs and city directories
1840 May 02
born in Chariton, MO
1860 Aug 24
As farmer in Chariton, MO
1862
marriage to Susan Marian Henderson
1863 - 1875
birth of 5 children in Salt Springs, MO

1876
death of son in Silver Creek, MO
1880 Jun 18
US census as farmer in Silver Creek, MO
1881
birth of son in Silver Creek, MO
1885 Mar 01
Kansas census as artist in Lyndon, KS
1887 May 13
newspaper item in Concordia, KS
1888
death of daughter in Concordia, KS
1888 May 01
newspaper item as photographer in Concordia, KS
1889 May 24
newspaper item as photographer in Glasco, KS and Concordia, KS
1891 Mar 26
newspaper item as photographer in Concordia KS
1892 Apr 08
newspaper item as photographer in Concordia, KS
1895 Mar 01
Kansas Census as photographer in Concordia, KS

1896 Feb 25
newspaper item as photographer in Leavenworth, KS
1896 May 01
newspaper item as photographer in Potter, KS
1898 June 24
newspaper item as photographer in Teboo, KS (unknown town)
1900 Jun 05
US census as photographer in Rock Creek, KS
1901 Nov 04
newspaper item as photographer in Atchison, KS, moving that week to Potter, KS
1904
death of son in Center, KS
1910 Apr 15
US census as no occupation in Greenleaf, KS
1914
death in Greenleaf, KS at age 74

No clues turned up documenting when Tooley was in Easton, KS. Easton is a very small community even today. He probably visited there during his stay in Leavenworth, KS, as it is very near.

Concordia(KS) Blade -
12 Mar 1886


Concordia(KS) Blade -
13 May 1887


Concordia(KS) Blade -
01 May 1888


Concordia(KS) Blade -
24 May 1889

Concordia(KS) Blade -
26 May 1891


Concordia(KS) Blade -
08 Apr 1892


Leavenworth (KS) Weekly -
27 Feb 1896

Leavenworth (KS) Weekly -
16 Apr 1896


Atchison (KS) Daily -
19 Apr 1896


Atchison (KS) Daily Champion
07 May 1896


Concordia(KS) Blade -
24 Jun 1898

Photographer: Tooley's Studio
Miltonville, KS
example from auction site

photographer" Tooley
Randolph, KS
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, just let me know and they will be immediately removed.