John Howard Dubbs

photographer: Dubbs

John Howard Dubbs
(1859 - 1930)

It might seem that this would be a difficult photographer to trace since all the information available was a last name, Dubbs. However there is an adequate amount of information about John Howard Dubbs available and it appears there was only one photographer by that name in the cabinet card era.

Timeline: Some biographical information has been included to show location

1859 Feb 18
Jackson, Ohio, state records, J H Dubbs is born to John Dubbs and Celia Ann Smith
1877 Dec 21
Findlay (OH) Jeffersonian news item show John H Dubbs and Celia Ann Dubbs involved in some civil action (This is the parents of photographer J H Dubbs who would be just 18 years old)
1880 Jun 11
Milton, OH, US census J H Dubbs as laborer
1887
Detroit, MI, city directory as photographer at 232 Woodward
1888
East Tawas, MI, state records, J H Dubbs marries Frances Wey

1889 Sep 11
East Tawas, MI, state records, birth of twin daughters, Hazel and Hattie
1890 Jan 29
East Tawas, MI, daughter Hazel dies
1890
Toledo, OH, city directory, J H Dubbs NOT listed
1891
Toledo, OH, city directory J H Dubbs as photographer, Dubbs & Co, with partner Julius Vernier at 331 Broadway in Toledo, OH
1893
Knoxville, TN, city directory J H Dubb as photographer at 206 Vine
1894
Knoxville, TN, city directory Dubb NOT listed
1895
Glasgow, TN, state records, birth of son Howard
1900 Jun 01
Weston, OH, US census J H Dubbs as photographer
1902
Weston, OH, state records, birth of son Franklin in Weston, OH
1908
Grand Rapids, MI, city directory, John H Dubbs NOT listed
1909
Grand Rapids, MI, city directory John H Dubbs as gardener res 315 Emerald

1910 May 05
Grand Rapids, MI, US census John H Dubbs as photographer res 315 Emerald av in Grand Rapids MI
1910
Grand Rapids, MI, city directory, John H Dubbs as photographer; res 185 Highland av
1910
Grand Rapids, MI, state records, birth of daughter Dorothy
1911
Grand Rapids, MI, city directory, death of daughter Dorothy
1911, 1912, 1913
Grand Rapids, MI, city directory, Dubbs NOT listed (possibly living at a rural address)
1913
Flint, MI, city directory, Dubbs NOT listed
1914
Flint, MI, city directory Dubbs as baker
1916
Flint, MI, city directory Dubbs as baker
1918
Flint, MI, city directory J H Dubbs as proprietor of Hotel Flushing
1920
Flushing, MI, US census J H Dubbs as Artist
1921
Garland, MI, city directory as photographer at 512

1922
Garland, MI, city directory as photographer at 512 Garland
1926
Lansing , MI, state records, J H Dubbs marriage to Gertrude House
1930 Apr 04
Cadillac, MI, US census Dubbs as photographer at 210 Brewer
1930 Sep 27
Cadillac, MI, John H. Dubbs dies at age 71

The documents show John Howard Dubbs as photographer from 1887 to 1910, but into other occupations from 1914 through 1918. Then from 1920 to 1930 he is back working as a photographer. Cabinet cards were losing popularity after 1910 so it’s a good guess that the card at the top was finished during the earlier work in photography. Considering the rounded corner cut of the card itself, and the imprinted decorative design, this card was probably made around 1900 in Ohio.

photographer: Dubbs and Godfrey
East Tawas Mich.
example from pinterest

The only records found showing that J H Dubbs was living in East Tawas, MI, were from 1888 and 1889. There are some gaps in his timeline but one can assume that this card might have been made during that period.

No information has been found on photographer Godfrey as yet.

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.

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.
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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.