Oscar Howard Park

Photographer
O. H. Park
Clarinda, Iowa

Photographer
O. H. Park
Clarinda, Iowa

Oscar Howard Park appears to have been a photographer all his life. Also, The American Shorthorn Herd Book, Volume 38, has four notations that show O. H. Park of Clarinda, IA, as a ShortHorn cattle breeder between 1889 and 1891. None of this reflects in any other records.

Of the examples of his work found, none indicated a street address of his studio, only Clarinda, IA.
The cabinet cards here were probably done between 1877 and 1911 when he was not partnered with any other photographer. Since he suffered from an illness and was apparently involved in the cattle business in his later years, the early part of this period is more likely.

Timeline
Oscar Howard Park
(18 Apr 1853 - 31 May 1911)

1853 Apr 18
born in Clarinda, IA, or Iowaville, IA, depending on sources
1868
GenWeb, family moves to Ottumwa, IA
1870
GenWeb, begins study of photography with H. L. Shaw in Ottumwa, IA
1871
GenWeb, opens gallery in Elden, IA
1873 Fall
GenWeb, returns to Ottumwa, IA, purchases business of H. L. Shaw
1874 Fall
GenWeb, Find-A-Grave, moves to Clarinda, IA, partners with E. B. Hinman
1877 March
GenWeb, sells business to E. B. Hinman and moves to California

1877 late in year
GenWeb, returns to Clarinda, IA, buys out E. B. Hinman
1880
GenWeb, still working in Clarinda, IA, as photographer
1880 Oct 04
GenWeb, marries Mollie Kittle (b 1860 May 25)
1880 Jun 29
US census, as photographer
1897
The Photo-beacon, a book published in 1897, considered Park to be just a “mediocre” portrait photographer.
1900 23 Jun
US census, as photographer
1901
Clarinda, IA, city directory, as photographer
1910 Apr 15
US census, as “Own Income”
1911 May 31
Find-a-Grave, dies of “pernicious Anaemia”

This portrait is thought to be of Oscar Howard Park himself.

photographer: O H Park
Clarinda, IA
example from auction site
(somewhat enhanced for clarity)

reverse of card at left

photographer: O H Park
Clarinda, Iowa
example from KGriffin

photographer: O H Park
Clarinda, Iowa
example from KGriffin

reverse of the card at left

photographer: O H Park
Clarinda, IA
example from auction site

The mounted photograph at the right is NOT a cabinet card but more typiocal of the mounting boards used around 1900 and after. Actual size is not known.
Example from KGriffin.

photographer: O H Park
Clarinda, Iowa
example from KGriffin

photographer: O H Park
Clarinda, Iowa
example from KGriffin
(highly restored)

reverse of card at left

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.

New examples and additional information 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.

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.