Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Launey and Goebel



Photographer: Launey & Goebel

Arthur Rene Philibert Launey
(1854 - 1908)

Timeline sources: city directory, US census, newspaper items as noted

1854 Dec
Louisiana, A R Launey is born to
1868 Nov 17
Shelby, IL, A R Launey marries Mary Louisa Penwell
1870 Jul 16
Washington, LA, US census as clerk
1885
NOT in Savannah, GA, location unknown
1886
Savannah, GA, city directory as photographer at 139 ½ Congress
1888 - 1892
Savannah, GA, city directory as photographer with Launey and Goebel; Arthur R Launey and George C Goebel; studio at 141 - 143 Broughton
1893 - 1894
Savannah, GA, city directory as photographer with Launey and Goebel at 31 Whitaker

1895 - 1896
Savannah, GA, city directory as photographer/mngr at Launey Studio at 141 Broughton; res 34 Henry
1897 - 1898
Savannah, GA, city directory as Mngr of Launey Studio at 21 Broughton, Mary L Launey shown as Proprietor of studio
1900
Savannah, GA, US census, as photographer; res 418 Henry
1901 - 1905
Savannah, GA, city directory as photographer at 21 Broughton; res 418 Henry
1906 Dec 10
Atlanta (GA) Constitution, small want ad for photographer’s assistant, studio at 21 Broughton;
1906 - 1907
Savannah, GA, city directory as photographer at Launey’s Studio at 21 Broughton; res 418 Henry
1908 Jan 21
Montgomery, Chatham, GA, Arthur R Launey dies at age 64
1909 - 1912
Savannah, GA, city directory, studio at 21 Broughton mnged by G Launy Stewart (Stuart)

1913 - 1923
Savannah, GA, city directory Launey Studio at 5 ½ York managed by Miss Garnett Launey
1924
Savannah, GA, city directory Garnet Launey moves to Dallas, TX; G. DeOvies takes over studio at 5 ½ York
1925
Savannah, GA, city directory Launey Studio at 5 1/2 York managed by M H Poozer
1926
Savannah, GA, cith directory Launey Studio no longer listed

The Launey studio carried on under the direction of daughter Garnet Launey (Mrs G Stewart or Stuart) until 1924 and then the studio wqs taken over by non-family photographers. By 1926 there are no more listings for the Launey Studio.

Atlanta (GA) Constitution - 10 Dec 1906



Photographer: Launey & Goebel

George Christian Goebel
(1859 - 1917)

1859 Oct 22
Georgia, G C Geobel is born to Andrew and Gerianne Goebel
1883 - 1886
Savannah, GA, city directory as artist with O P Havens, photographer; res 119 ½ Barnard; O P Havens listed at 141 and 143 Broughton;
1888 - 1892
Savannah, GA, city directory as photographer with Launey and Goebel; Arthur R Launey and George C Goebel; studio at 141 - 143 Broughton
1893 - 1894
Savannah, GA, city directory as photographer with Launey and Goebel at 31 Whitaker
1895 - 1901
Savannah, GA, city directory as photographer at 29 Whitaker; (No Launey listed)
1902 - 1917
Savannah, GA, city directory as clerk for D H Levy and Bro clothing
1917 Feb 22
Savannah, GA, state records, George C Goebel dies suddenly at home at age 57

It appears that the partnership of Launey and Goebel lasted from 1888 to about 1894.

Goebel continues to operate a studio until 1902 and then goes to work for D H Levy and Brothers, clothing store. He never returns to photography.

Atlanta (GZ) Constitution - 01 Jul 1917

The photograph from the Atlanta Constitution at the right, is credited to "Launey, Savannah". It would have been done by Garnett Launey, daughter of A R Launey.


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.

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Edward Stewart Tray


photographer Edward Stewart Tray
Corner of Main and Mechanic
Jackson, MI
Contributed by Ann Lind

photographer Edward Stewart Tray
Jackson, MI
Contributed by Ann Lind

Edward Stewart Tray
(1865 - 1924)

Sources: US census, city directories, newspaper items as noted

1865 Jun 09
Edward Stewart Tray is born to Michael James Tray and Margaret Lanigan
1878 Apr 08
Jackson, MI, state records, E S Tray’s father Michael James Tray dies
1883
Jackson, MI, city directory, E S Tray begins his photography career at age 18, working for H A Stelle; His residence is 335 2nd st which apparently is the family home as over the years, various combinations of his three brothers and two sisters are living at the same address with their mother, the widowed Margaret Lanigan. Photographer E S Tray lives at that address until 1922 with only brief stays at other addresses from 1900 to 1904
1885
Jackson, MI, city directory, E S Tray as photographer working for J M LeClair
1887
Jackson, MI, city directory, Edward Tray as photographer at 221 Main; res 335 2nd
1888
Jackson, MI, city directory, as Edward Tray, photographer; not listed in business pages; probably working for LeClair again

-- continued in next row --
St Joseph Herald - 18 Jan 1902


1890 - 1898
Jackson, MI, city directory, as photographer at 101 w Main; res 335 2nd
1898 Jul 11
Jackson, MI, state records, E S Tray marries Ida Stoddard
1899
Jackson, MI, city directory as photographer at Allen Bennett block; res 335 2nd
1899 Feb 02
Detroit (MI) Free Press, news item mentions Photographer’s Association president E S Tray
1900
Jackson, MI, US census as photographer at 173 Main st; city directory as photographer at 23 Allen Bennett block, res same
1902
Jackson, MI, city directory, as photographer at 25 Allen Bennett block; rooms same
1904 and 1905
Jackson, MI, city directory as photographer at 134 Courtland, res same
1906 and 1907
Jackson, MI, city directories unavailable
1908
Jackson, MI, city directory as photographer (E Steuart Tray) at 134 Courtland; res 335 2nd; also appears to operating his deceased brother James’ saloon at 126 Mechanic
1909
Jackson, MI, city directory as photographer at 134 Cortland; res 335 2nd

1910
Jackson, MI, city directory as photographer, res 335 2nd, (note: no other Trays are listed)
1912
Jackson, MI, city directory as photographer at 204 Francis; res 335 2nd, no other Trays listed
1913
Jackson, MI, city directory as photographer; res 335 2nd; Not listed in business pages
1914 - 1915
Jackson, MI, city directory NOT listed residential or business pages
1917
Jackson, MI, city directory as photographer; res 335 2nd ; not listed in business pages
1918
Jackson, MI, city directory as photographer at 101 w Main; res 335 2nd
1920
Jackson, MI, US census as photographer res 335 2nd st; city directory as photographer at 101 w Main
1921
Jackson, MI, city directory as photographer at 101 w Main; res 335 2nd
1922
Jackson, MI, city directory not available
1924
Jackson, MI, city directory as photographer, 3rd floor Kassick Bldg; res 701 2nd
1924 Mar 25
Jackson, MI, state records, W S Tray dies at age 58 of angina pectoris

Here is a recap of known studio addresses. If no studio address is listed in the directory, it is likely Tray was working for another photographer at the time.

1883 - no studio; working for H A Hyde
1885 - no studio; working for J M LeClair
1887 - 221 Main
1888 - no studio; possibly working for LeClair again
1890 - 1898 101 w Main (probably as Corner of Main and Mechanic)
1899 - Allen Bennett Block
1900 - 173 Main
1902 - 25 Allen Bennett block
1904 - 1905 134 Cortland
1908 - 1909 134 Cortland
1910 - no studio
1912 - 204 Francis
1913 - no studio
1917 - no studio
1918 - 1921 101 w Main
1924 - 3rd fl Kassick Bldg

The first card here was probably done between 1890 and 1898 or 1918 and 1921. The second card could have been finished any time he had his own studio between 1887 and 1924.

Detroit Free Press - 02 Feb 1899

Detroit (MI) Free Press - 04 Feb 1897

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.

Thursday, June 21, 2018

William B Praytor


Photographer: Grondal & Praytor
Round Rock, Texas




page updated 21 Jun 2018

William Bluford Praytor
(1861 - 1942)

Timeline sources: US census; newspaper items as noted, short biography

1861 Jun 02
Smith County, TX, William Bluford Prayton is born to Andrew Jackson Praytor and Frances Julia Ann Simmons
1864 Jun
Smith, TX, state records, W B Praytor’s father Andrew Jackson Praytor dies
1866 Oct 31
Smith, TX, state records, W B Praytor’s mother marries Nicholas Franklin Chambers
1867 Aug 25
Tyler TX, state records, Mary Adaline Chambers, W B Praytor’s half-sister is born
1870 Nov 07
Hunt County, TX, US census, Wm B Praytor is living with his mother Francis JULIA Ann and her second husband Nicholas (Newton?) Chambers and one half-sister, Mary Adeline (Mada?) (This is a loose connection. The names are only an approximate match, the ages are close to the 1880 ages minus 10 years and the location is logical. And further, W B Praytor has not been found anywhere else in 1870.)(See comparison below)
1880 Jun 07
Johnson, TX, US census Wm B Praytor at age 19, is still living with his mother “Julia A” and stepfather Nicholas Chambers and half sister Mary Chambers

1891 Nov 10
Stephenville (TX) Empire, news item Praytor will open a new studio in Stephrnville, TX
1892 circa
Round Rock, TX, short description accompanying photograph at Round rock Historical website
1892 Jul 15
Dublin (TX) Progress, news item Theo Roessle is arrested for swindling W B PRator
1896 Oct 07
Ladonia, TX, Shiner (TX) Gazette news item, household goods and art gallery lost in fire
1898 May 31
Williamson, TX, state records, Wm B Praytor marries Maude Sillure
1900 Feb 25
Titus, TX, son Sillure A Praytor is born
1900 Jun 18
Titus County, TX, US census as photographer, no address given
1901 May 04
Mt Pleasant, Titus County, TX, state records, son Sillure A Praytor dies at age one
1905 Oct 11
Texas, state records, daughter Edith Praytor is born
1907 Mar 05
Texas, state records, mother Frances Julia Ann Simmons dies
1910 Apr 21
Mt Pleasant, Titus County, TX, US census as photographer

-- Continued in next row --
Shiner (TX) Gazette - 07 Oct 1896


1920 Jan 13
Mt Pleasant, Titus County, TX, US census as photographer
1925 Aug 28
Naples (TX) Monitor, small ad for new studio in Naples
1925 Dec 11
Naples (TX) Monitor, news item about closing Praytor studio in Naples, TX, on 26 Dec 1925
1927 Aug 16
Naples (TX) Monitor, news item mentions working with Marshall Redfearn (sic)
1930
Mt Pleasant, Titus County, TX, US census as photographer
1935
Mt Pleasant, Titus County, TX, 1940 US census residence same







A comedy of errors? Yes. But below is probably William B Praytor in the 1870 and 1880 US census. This is a good guess as William Bluford Praytor has been found no where else in 1870.


1940 Apr 01
Mt pleasant, Titus County, TX, US census, as photographer at “West First Street”
1942 Dec 20
Mt Pleasant, Titus, TX, state records Wm B Praytor dies of heart failure at age 81

Praytor moved around a lot but seems never to have left Texas. Still, no documentation has been found showing when he was actually in Round Rock, TX. Available records show him in Mount Pleasant, TX, most of his life from 1900 on. Mount Pleasant, TX, is not close to Round Rock, TX.

So far, no documentation has been found connecting Praytor to Bror Gustaf Grondal but they were possibly working together between about 1887 and 1891 before Grondal moved his family from Red Rock, TX, to Lindsborg, KS. Most likely, they worked together around the first part of 1890.

See this page for the timeline of
Bror Gustaf Grondal
(1855 - 1948)

Stephenville (TX) Empire - 10 Oct 1891


Photograph purported to be
William Bluford Praytor


Stephenville (TX) Empire - 07 Nov 1891


Dublin (TX) Progress - 15 Jul 1892

Stephenville (TX) Empire - 16 Jun 1898

Naples (TX) Monitor - 28 Aug 1925


Naples (TX) Monitor - 23 Oct 1925

Naples (TX) Monitor - 11 Dec 1925


Naples (TX) Monitor - 16 Aug 1927


Mt Pleasant (YX) Times - 06 May 1933



Photographer W B Praytor, Stephenville, TX
example from Portals to Texas History
provided by Private Collection of T. B. Willis

Photographer W B Praytor, Stephenville, TX
example from Portals to Texas History
provided by Private Collection of T. B. Willis

Photographer W B Praytor, Stephenville, TX
example from Portals to Texas History
provided by Private Collection of T. B. Willis

Photographer W B Praytor, Stephenville, TX
example from Portals to Texas History
provided by Private Collection of T. B. Willis


Photographer W B Praytor, Granbury and Stephenville, TX
example from Portals to Texas History
provided by Private Collection of T. B. Willis

studio in Stephenville, TX
(it appears that something like "Plano" has been crossed out)
example from Portals to Texas History

studio in Stephenville, TX (from the same negative as the card on the left)
(it appears that "Round Rock" has been crossed out and Stephenville added)
example from Portals to Texas History

Grondal and Praytor
Round Rock, Texas
Example from "Round Rock" by Bob Brinkman


studio in Round Rock, TX, (date unknown)
example from an 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.