William J Godwin

Photographer: Godwin
Butler, PA
example from LOST GALLERY

reverse of card at left

The text on the reverse says:
“Mary C Thompson
Nee Abrenson
Died January 27, 1887
At her home in Butler
County PA
Of Pheumonyian and Kidney
Complaint
Aged 42 Years 7 month and 23 days”

Estimating he age of the subject at 35, dates the photograph at about 1880-1882

Godwin died in 1925 of a diabetic coma according to his death certificate.

William J. Godwin (14 Apr 1849 - 26 Jul 1925)
William Godwin immigrated to the US in 1853 or 1859, depending on which US Census is correct. His occupation when he settled was Jeweler. City Directories list him mostly as photographer but sometimes Jeweler or Watchmaker.

The 1910 US Census lists him as photographer, his son Harry as artist and his son Charles as Jeweler. His death certificate says he was an optician.

William J Godwin
(1849-1925)

1849 Apr 14
England, FindaGrave, William J Godwin is born to Charles Godwin and Jane Godwin
1853
From 1910 US census. W J Godwin arrives in US; 1920 US census says it was 1859
1871 Sep 15
From 1900 US census, W J Godwin and Caroline Matilda Rhines are married
1880 Jun 07
Richland, PA, US census, William Godwin as jeweler

1900 Jun 07
Butler, PA, US census, William Godwin as photographer; res 442 N Bluff St
1903 (earliest)
Butler, PA, city directory, William Godwin as Jeweler at 103 E Jefferson; bds 442 N Bluff,
1906
Butler, PA, city directory, William Godwin as photographer at 134 S Main; res 422 N Bluff
1908
Butler, PA, city directory, William J Godwin as photographer at 134 S Main; res 422 Bluff
1910
Butler, PA, city directory, William J Godwin as jeweler at 103 E Jefferson; res 422 N Bluff

1910 Apr 18
Butler, PA, US census, William Godwin as photographer; res 422 Bluff
1920 Jan 12
Butler, PA, US census, William J Godwin as merchant retail jewlery
1912
Butler, PA, city directory, Wm J Godwin, as Jeweler at 103 Jefferson; res 442 N Bluff (Note that Ideal Studio is now at 134 S Main)
1913
Butler, PA, city directory, Wm Godwin as Jeweler, 103 E Jefferson; res Miller Station, PA
1915
Butler, Pa, city directory, William J Godwin as Jeweler at 111 S Main; res 324 Federal

1917 (last one available)
Butler PA, city directory, William J Godwin as watchmaker, 111 S Main; res 324 Federal
1920 Jan 12
Butler, PA, US census, William J Godwin as retail jewelry merchant
1925 Jul 26
Butler, PA, FindaGrave, PA death certificate, William J Godwin as optician. dies at age 76

Butler (PA) Citizen - 11 Oct 1911
Appeared more than 20 times
in Sept and Oct of 1911

Pittsburgh (PA) Daily Post - 28 Jul 1925

photographer: Godwin
Union Block, Butler, PA
example from auction site

photographer: Godwin
Union Block, Butler, PA
example from auction site

reverse of card at left

photographer: C M Godwin
Butler, PA
(This one is apparently credited to Charles Godwin, son of William J Godwin.
It was probably finished after 1910, possibly as late as 1920.)

photographer: C M Godwin
Butler, PA
example from pin

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.

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