Tuesday, September 7, 2021

J H Geiger





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.



Thc Concordia (KS) Blade Empire - 02 Jul 1888

Concordia (KS) Empire - 05 Jul 1888


Concordia (KS) Empire - 24 Oct 1889


Concordia (KS) Empire - 24 Oct 1889

Concordia (KS) Empire - 08 May 1890

Concordia (KS) Empire - 04 Dec 1890


Concordia (KS) Empire - 20 Aug 1891


Concordia (KS) Empire - 28 Apr 1892


Concordia (KS) Empire - 01 Jul 1892

Concordia (KS) Empire - 09 Nov 1893


Concordia (KS) Empire - 09 Nov 1893


Concordia (KS) Empire - 02 Aug 1894

(Prizes at a county fair)
Concordia (KS) Empire - 15 Aug 1895


Concordia (KS) Empire - 11 Aug 1898

Concordia (KS) Blade Empire - 06 Apr 1906


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 Geiger
Concordia, KS
example from auction site
photographer: J H Geiger
Concordia, KS
example from auction site
photographer: J H Geiger
Concordia, KS
example from auction site
photographer: J H Geiger
Concordia, 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.

2 comments:

  1. I have a photo taken by Geiger in Concordia in September 1889, so he was still an active photographer at that time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! 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.

      Delete

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