Clarence A Riley

photographer: Riley & Sherraden
43 & 45 S. Main st.
Council Bluffs,
Ia
(Also under Sherraden)

Reverse of the card on the left.

Clarence Alexander Riley
(1859 - 29 Oct 1923)

1859
Clarence A Riley is born in Buchanan County, Missouri
1880
Council Bluffs, NE, city directory as photographer with C H Sherraden as partner or apprentice; boarding at ss 3rd av, 2nd w South 9th; the 1880 Jun 07 US Census says he is a photographer, res 109 s Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA
1881
Anoca, IA, state records, Clarence Riley and Amanda E Ettinger marry
1882
Council Bluffs, IA, state documents, son Clarence Stacey Riley is born
1889
Council Bluffs, IA, city directory as photographer at 301 Broadway; res same
1892
Council Bluffs, IA, city directory as photographer; res 321 Platner

1893
Council Bluffs, IA, city directory as photographer as Riley and Sherridan at 43 & 45 s Main; res 321 Platner
1894
Council Bluffs, IA, city directory as photographer as Riley and Sherridan at 43 & 45 s Main; res Harrison near Warren
1895
Council Bluffs, IA, city directory as photographer at 404 W Broadway; res 240 Harrison
1897
Council Bluffs, IA, city directory as photographer at 404 W Broadway; res 216 Lincoln
1899
Council Bluffs, IA, city directory as photographer at 402 W Broadway (with son Clarence S. ); res 216 Lincoln
1901, 1902
Council Bluffs, IA, city directory as photographer at 402 Broadway; res same
1904
Council Bluffs, IA, city directory Riley NOT listed
1905
Council Bluffs, IA, state census, as photographer in Linn, IA; rms 226 n 6th

1907 - 1921
Council Bluffs, IA, city directory as photographer at 317 Broadway
1922
Council Bluffs, IA, city directory as photographer at 12 Everett Block; rms 226 n 6th
1923 Oct 29
Find-A-Grave website, Riley dies in Council Bluffs, IA, at age 64

All documentation is from census or city directories, newspaper items as shown

It appears C. A. Riley worked with C. H. Sherraden on at least two occasions. The first time was around 1880 when he was apparently learning the photography craft. Then they worked together from 1893 to 1894 at 43 & 45 Main.

Two examples of cabinet cards by Sherraden are imprinted with the 317 Broadway address that Riley occupied between 1907 and 1921. No city directories or other records have been found placing Sherraden at that address so it could be assumed that he was only there a short time. It could be speculated that it was just before he left for Salt Lake City, UT, in 1901.

Except for 1904 to 1906 when Riley worked in Linn, IA, all the rest of his photography appears to have been done in Council Bluffs, IA.

In 1907 he established the Riley Studio at 317 Broadway in Council Bluffs, IA, and remained there until 1921. The 1922 Council Bluffs, IA, city directory says his studio address is then 12 Everett block.

He had studios on Broadway at 301, 404, 402, and finally 317.

The cabinet card at the top was probably finished around 1880

City Directory ad 1892


Omaha (NE) Daily Bee - 27 Oct 1892
"News from Council Bluffs"


Sioux City (IA) Journal - 01 Apr 1920

Sioux City (IA) Journal - 29 Oct 1923


Sioux City (IA) Journal - 30 Oct 1923

photographer: C A Riley
404 Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA
example from contributor S Winans

photographer: Riley
Cor. Broadway and Glen, council Bluffs, IA
Probably finished around 1895-1900
when Riley was at 301 w Broadway, which is approximately the corner of Broadway and Glen.
example from pinterest, no source given

photographer: Riley
Cor Boradway and Glen Ave, Council Bluffs, IA
example from contributor Ellen

Photographer: Riley and Sherraden
43-45 South Main, Council Bluffs, IA
Example from mj aux on Flickr
finished aroud 1893-94 when
Riley was partnered with Sherriden

Photographer: Riley and Sherraden
43-45 South Main, Council Bluffs, IA
example from auction site

Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. All the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY are listed there.

This is a work always in progress.

Additional information and new examples are always welcome. Any additional information will help narrow the time that these precious antiques were made.

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Some examples on this page have been enhanced or restored for clarity and presentation here.

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