photographer: J H Geiger
Concordia, KS
John Henry Geiger
(b. May 1844 in Ohio - d. 03 Dec 1928 in Los Angeles, CA)
John Henry Geiger appears to have been a photographer for only a
short time. His studio was in Concordia, KS, from about 1888 to 1906
when he “retired” and moved to Los Angeles, CA with his wife and son
Frank.
Although Aurelia and John Geiger married in April of 1869, in
Kosciusko County, IN, and their first child Luella was born in
August of 1870 at Waterville, KS, the family could not be
found in the 1870 US census for either place.
The 1875 Kansas state census shows a J H Geiger as a farmer
in Waterville, KS, with wife “A D Geiger” which matches and their
ages would be correct for that year. The children’s initials don’t
match perfectly but it could be charged to mistakes from the
enumerator and hand writing.
The 1880 US census for Marshal, KS, shows him as
“farmer”.
The 1885 Kansas state census shows Geiger as a carpenter in
Clyde, KS, with good matches for wife and children’s names and
ages.
What Geiger did between about 1865 and 1887 is not perfectly
documented but it appears he was not a photographer.
The first mention of photography found, is an ad in the Concordia
(KS) Blade, 25 Jun 1888 where he has apparently taken over the
studio of Nulit, another photographer.
(update 30 Jul 2020)
From the comment section: a reader states they are in possession of
a cabinet card by Geiger in Concordia dated
September 1889.
The last mention of photography is a small ad for the gallery in the
Concordia (KS) Empire, 15 Aug 1895.
The US census of 1900 finds Geiger still in Concordia, KS,
but no occupation is shown.
A few newspaper items mention Geiger in connection with city and
county politics.
In 1906, J H Geiger and wife pay a visit to the west coast of
the US and then shortly after that, they move to Los Angeles, CA.
All city directories there list no occupation for him and he does
not appear in the business pages as photographer.
This cabinet card must have been finished between 1888 and 1906.
Quite possibly it is between 1888 and 1895.
There are big holes in his line of documents. Any contributions will
be appreciated.
Concordia (KS) Empire - 24 Oct 1889
Concordia (KS) Empire - 24 Oct 1889
Concordia (KS) Empire - 20 Aug 1891
Concordia (KS) Empire - 01 Jul 1892
Concordia (KS) Empire - 09 Nov 1893
Concordia (KS) Empire - 02 Aug 1894
(Prizes at a county fair)
Concordia (KS) Empire - 11 Aug 1898
Concordia (KS) Empire - 13 Jul 1923
photographer: J H Geiger
Concordia, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: J H Geiger
Sixth Street, Concordia, KS
example from Library of Congress
photographer: Geiger
Concordia, KS
example from the Kiddoo family collection
(owner dated September 1889)
photographer: J H GeigerConcordia, KS
example from auction site
photographer: J H GeigerConcordia, 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.
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.
I have a photo taken by Geiger in Concordia in September 1889, so he was still an active photographer at that time.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have added a note in the timeline about your card. If you would like to add your example to the page, send an uncropped scan or photo to the address in the profile at the bottom of the page.
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