Photographer J. H. Wright
Ottawa, Kas.
(finished circa 1891)
There were several people with the name J. H. Wright in the late 19th
century. Two or three of them seemed to be photographers in the
mid-west at one time or another.
The right one was finally sorted out with the discovery of a newspaper
article describing a marriage of “Mattie Geer” of Oswego, KS, to
photographer J. H. Wright from Macon, MO, in 1899.
Here is an interesting bit from her obituary:
"Mattie lived and worked in a saloon, cleaning up for her room and
board. She had to fend for herself and it was in Cherryvale, Kansas,
that she met up with John Harris Wright and agreed to go with him.
She married him in 1899."
There are small almost weekly advertisements in the Osawatomie, KS,
newspaper, “The Graphic” that place him in Ottawa, KS, from 13 Jul
1888 to Sep 1889. Two news items from the Ottawa Daily Republic place
him with a studio in Ottawa 1891 and 1892.
Ottawa Republican - 21 Jul 1892
After the marriage in 1899, he and his wife live in Macon, MO until
about 1903. After a time in St. Louis, MO, the two spend the rest of
their lives in towns in Ohio.
John Harris Wright
(24 Jun 1874 - 10 Mar 1942)
1874 Jun 24
born in Coldwater, MS
1888 Jul 13 thru 1889 Nov 30
newspaper ad photographer at 3rd & Main, Osawatomie, KS
1891 Jun 17
story in Ottawa Daily Republic about remodeled studio
1892 Jul 21
story about Wright skipping town
1899
marriage to Martha E. Gear at Oswego, KS
1900
US census as photographer in Macon, MO.
1901
son Joseph Harris Wright born in Cherryvale, KS
1903 May 30
news item in Macon Republican; Wright goes to work for Denslow’s
Studio
1910
US census as photographer in St. Louis, MO
1916 Sep 12
draft registration as photographer at 21 W College, Lorain, OH
1920
US census as photographer Lorain, OH
1930
US census as photographer 139 E Main, Kent, Franklin Township, OH
1935
US census as photographer at Revenna, OH
1940
US census as photographer at 617 Main, Ravenna, OH
1942
Death at 67 in Akron, OH.
This cabinet card (above left) was probably finished between 1888 and
1892, quite likely 1891.
Thanks to an alert descendant who contributed some great information and corrections to this page!
The Ottawa (KS) Lever - 19 Feb 1891
06 Mar 1891
Ottawa (KS) Daily Republic -03 Apr 1891
17 Jun 1891
25 Feb 1892
Ottawa (KS) Daily Republic - 27 Feb 1892
03 Mar 1892
photographer John Harris Wright
photographer: Wright
Ottawa, KS
example from auction site
(finished circa 1891)
photographer: Wrightcor Third and Main, Ottawa, KS
example from auction site
(finished circa 1889)
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.
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.
Email to the address found in the profile at the bottom of this page.
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.
Hello, I stumbled across this page while looking for more information on my great-great grandfather. This was very helpful, thank you! I had never seen any of his photos before this. I guess no one imagined his great great granddaughter would become a professional photographer as well and have any interest in his photos of strangers! I would like to provide one correction. The name at the top of the post is "Joseph Harris Wright." That is not correct. You can confirm from the census records (referred to in your post) that the photographer JH Wright was named JOHN Harris Wright. His son is named Joseph Harris. Considering that he is frequently only referred to as JH, this mistake is understandable! I can also clarify that 139 E. Main St. is actually more specifically in Kent, Ohio. It was in Franklin Township, but the city of Kent is listed on the census form.
ReplyDeleteThank you Thank you Thank you! I need all the help I can get. I will do an update tomorrow!
DeleteMy family recently discovered some photos my grandmother had stashed away. Among them was a photograph of John Harris Wright with his camera. My grandmother, with the best of intentions, damaged quite a number of our historical photos in her effort to display them, but I am working to digitally restore them, over time. Once I have done so with this portrait, would you have interest in adding to this page?
ReplyDeleteThank you! I would be very pleased to add your photograph to this page. It will make a welcome addition! See he email address in the profile linked at the bottom of the page. Include any information you have and be sure to tell me how you would like the credit line to read. Thanks again!
Delete