Cabinet Card Photographers: November 2019

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

John Bennette Chambers

photographer Chambers (JB or BJ)
Brownwood, TX

John Bennette Chambers
(1870 - )

1870 May
Waco, Texas, US census, birth year agrees in all census reports, John Bennette Chambers is born
1896
Texas, state records, J B Chambers marries Alice Souther
1900
Abilene, TX, US census Chambers as photographer
1909
Abilene, TX, city directory Chambers NOT listed (earliest directory available)
1909, 1911
Brownwood, TX, city directory, J B Chambers and wife are NOT listed
1910
Snyder, TX, US census Chambers listed as real estate agent; Wife Alice listed as photographer
1920 27 Apr
Corpus Christi, TX, US census Chambers as real estate agent
1923
Bryan (TX) Eagle, news item, College Station, John Bennette Chambers JR receives BA degree

1935
Cameron, TX, US census of 1940 Chambers is living in Cameron, TX
1940
Cameron, TX, US census Chambers as farmer
1941 Jul 08
Temple, TX, J B Chambers dies at age 72

There were several citizens named J B (or B J) Chambers in Texas during the cabinet card era. Only one Chambers came up associated with photography and then only once. The 1900 US census, J B Chambers is listed as a photographer in Abilene, TX. All other documents show him as a real estate agent.

The US census of 1910 shows J B Chambers as 5eal estate agent and his wife Alice as photographer.

So if this is the correct Chambers as photographer for this unusual cabinet card, it must have been done around 1900.

This is a "Best Guess" scenario. If you have additional information or examples please send a note to the email address in the profile. Thanks.

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.

Aditional information and new examples 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.
Email to the address found in the profile at the bottom of this page.

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.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Charles Howard Wolf

photographer: Wolf
Greensburg, IN
example from LOST GALLERY

Charles Howard Wolf
(1869 - 1945)

Although there were three or four photographers named Wolf working in the US in the cabinet card era, Charles Howard Wolf was probably the photographer for this card. He lived longest in Indianapolis, IN, which is just fifty miles from Greensburg, IN, where this card was finished.

1869 May 03
Wilmington, OH, state records, Charles Howard Wolf is born to William Peter Wolf and Amanda White
Early years spent in Wilmington, OH
1900 May 02
Greensburg, IN, C H Wolf marries Bertha Gibson
1900 Jun 09
Washington, IN, US census as photographer; res Michigan Av
1900 Dec 06
Rushville (IN) Republican, classified ad says C H Wolf, photographer is looking for 6 room house in Rushville
1902
The Saint Louis and Canadian Photographer - item says Wolf has purchased the Snyder Gallery in Rushville, IN

1902 Dec 16
Rushville (IN) Republican small ad says C H Wolf, photographer is successor to Stephens
1903 Sep 22
Rushville (IN) Republican news item says Capt W P Wolf is visiting his son C H Wolf of Rushville, IN
1903 Nov 10
Rushville (IN) Republican small ad for C H Wolf photograph studio
1903 Dec 01
Rushville (IN) Republican small ad for C H Wolf photographer
1904 Jan 14
Rushville, IN, C H Wolf’s son William Gibson Wolf is born
1904 May 18
Rushville (IN) Republican small item says C H Wolf went to Carthage (IN) for possible branch studio
1904 Dec 20
Richmond (IN) Item, news item mentions C H Wolf studio in Rushville, IN
1905 Apr 11
Rushville (IN) Daily Republican item says C H Wolf sold his studio over Betker’s Cigar store, to Owen Carpenter who will take possession Apr 24

1905 Apr 25
Rushville (IN) Republican news item says C H Wolf has gone to Middletown to buy a house
1905 Apr 27
Rushville (IN) Republican news item says C H Wolf has purchased a home in Middletown, IN, near his studio there
1905 May 11
Rushville (IN) Republican news item says C H Wolf family has moved to Middletown, OH
1905 Oct 21
Middletown, OH, state records, Wolf’s daughter Elizabeth is born
1906
Indianapolis, IN, city directory C H Wolf NOT listed
1906 and 1907
No documents have been found to describe the location of C H Wolf during these years but he was probably still operating in Middletown, OH
1908 May 25
Rushville (IN) Daily Republican item says C H Wolf is moving to 333 w Third st
1908 Dec 19
Rushville (IN) Republican small display ad for C H Wolf photographer opposite the post office

1909 Jul 17
Rushville (IN) Republican news item says C H Wolf has won a gold medal from the Association of Photographers
1910 Apr 22
Rushville, IN, US census, C H Wolf as photographer; res 321 w Third st
1910 May 05
Rushville (IN) Republican news item says C H Wolf has returned from Memphis, TN, declining to move there because of the climate
1910 Nov 23
Rushville (IN) Republican small ad for C H Wolf studio
1912 May 15
Rushville (IN) Daily Republican small ad for C H Wolf studio
1913 Mar 29
Rushville (IN) republican small ad for C H Wolf studio
1914 Nov 16
Rushville (IN) Republican news item says Mr and Mrs Charles H Wolf have moved from Kokomo, IN, to Little Rock, AR

1915
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf NOT listed; no records have been found to place C H Wolf during 1915
1916, 1917, 1918, 1919
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer; res 3527 Kenwood av
1920 Jan 13
Indianapolis, IN, US census, C H Wolf as photographer; res 3527 Kenwood av
1921
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer; res 3527 Kenwood av
1922, 1923
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as retoucher; res 3527 Kenwood av
1924, 1925
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer; res 3457 N Illinois
1926, 1927
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer; res 253 w 42nd

1928, 1929
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer at Photo-Craft Studio; res 253 W 42nd
1930 Apr 04
Indianapolis, IN, US census Charles H Wolf as photographer; res 253 42th st
1931
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer at Photo-Craft Studio; res 253 W 42nd
1932
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf no occupation shown; res 402 Tibbs av; not in business pages
1933
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer at Nat’l Studio; res 420 Berwick
1935, 1937
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer at 409 Centennial

One obituary says that C H Wolf was working for the Voorhis Studio from this point on.

1940
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer; res 409 N Centennial
1940 Apr 08
Indianapolis, IN, US census Charles Wolf as photographer; res 409 Centennial
1942 Jun 21
Indianapolis, IN, state records wife Bertha Gibson Wolf dies at age 71
1945 Aug 12
Indianapolis, IN, state records, Charles Howard Wolf dies at age 76

The only document found showing that Wolf was actually IN Greensburg was in 1900. The cabinet card at the top might have been done around that time. However, it could also have been done about any time during Wolf’s business life, as Greenburg, IN, is only a short distance from Indianapolis.

Rushville (IN) Republican - 06 Dec 1901

Rushville (IN) Republican -
16 Dec 1902

Rushville (IN) Republican -
22 Sep 1903

Rushville (IN) Republican -
10 Nov 1903

Rushville (IN) Republican -
01 Dec 1903

Richmond (IN) Item - 21 Dec 1904

Rushville (IN) Republican -
18 May 1904

Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
11 Apr 1905

Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
14 Apr 1905

Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
18 Apr 1905

Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
25 Apr 1905

Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
27 Apr 1905

Rushville (IN) Republican -
11 May 1905

Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
25 may 1908

Rushville (IN) Republican -
19 Dec 1908

Rushville (IN) Republican -
17 Jun 1909

Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
22 Jul 1909

Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
05 May 1910

Rushville (IN) Republican -
23 Nov 1910

Rushville (IN) Republican -
29 Mar 1913

Rushville (IN) Republican -
16 Nov 1914

Indianapolis (IN)News - 22 Jun 1942

Rushville (IN) Republican - 22 Aug 1945

Indianapolis (IN) News - 22 Aug 1945

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.

T H A Wise

photographer: T H A Wise
Burgettstown, PA
example from LOST GALLERY

Theodore Henry Abnisance Wise
(1861 - 1950)

1662 Aug 03
Morris, PA, state records, T H A Wise is born to John Henry Wise and Margaret Supler
1876 Jan 30
Morris, PA, state records, T H A Wise mother dies
1880 Jun 10
Morris, PA, US census, T H A Wise as farm labor, living with parents
1895, 1896
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, T H A Wise NOT listed
1897, 1898
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, T H A Wise as photographer at 43 Federal; res: 109 Arch
1898 Nov 02
Pittsburgh (PA) Press, classified ad mentions T H A Wise as proprietor of Pearson Photo Gallery, 43-45 Federal Street
1898 Dec 25
Pittsburgh (PA) Daily Post, small ad says T H A Wise gallery (“better known as Pearson Gallery”) is at 43 and 45 Federal Street

(note: there are several notices about real estate transfers for T H A Wise in the newspapers between 1898 and 1906)
1899
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, T H A Wise as photographer at 207 Federal; res: bds 825 Arch
1899 Dec 12
Sheridan, PA, Marriage License, T H A Wise marriage license to Carrie S Elliott (Scott)
1900 Jun 15
Pittsburgh, PA, US census, T H A Wise as photographer; res 230 Charles st
1902
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, T H A Wise as photographer at 208 Federal; res: 1008 Cabinet
1903
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, T H A Wise as photographer at 1008 Cabinet; Res same apparently; NOT listed in business pages;
1903
Washington, PA, city directory; T H A Wise: Rothwell Studio at 11 N Main; note: James W Rothwell died in June of 1900 and apparently Wise took over the studio, but exactly when is not clear.
1904
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, T H A Wise NOT listed

1905, 1907
Washington, PA, city directory, T H A Wise NOT listed in residential; (“New” Rothwell Studio listed at 11 n Main)
1909 Jan 10
Pittsburgh (PA) Press display ad says T H A Wise, photographer is proprietor of Rothwell Studio, 11 Main Street, Washington, PA
1910
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, T H A Wise NOT listed
1915
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, Mrs Wise (Carrie S) at 2930 Merwyn (T H A Wise NOT listed)
1918
Huntington, WV, city directory, T H A Wise NOT listed
1920
Huntington, WV, city directory, Theodore H A Wise as laborer, wife Anna, res 731 Virginia
1920 Jan 11
Allegheny, PA, US census, Carrie Wise and daughter Edna Elliott living at 2844 Chartiers, Allegheny, PA
1920 Jan 21
Macon, IL, US census Theodore Wise, no occupation shown; wife Anna; res not shown, appears to be rural

1921
Huntington, WV, city directory, Theodore H A Wise as Taxi driver, wife Anna, res 731 Virginia
1924
Huntington, WV, city directory as Theodore H A Wise, as chauffer, wife Anna, res 731 Virginia
1926
Huntington, WV, city directory as THOMAS H A Wise, occupation shown; wife Anna, res 731 Virginia av
1928
Huntington, WV, city directory as THOMAS H A Wise, confectioner at 733 Virginia, res same, wife Anna, res 733 Virginia
1930 Apr 12
Huntington, WV, US census T H A Wise, no occupation shown; res 731 Virginia; wife Anna

1932
Huntington, WV, city directory, “Thos” H A Wise, no occupation shown, wife Anna, res 731 Virginia av
1934
Huntington, WV, city directory, “Thos” H A Wise as laborer, wife Anna; res 725 Virginia av
1936
Huntington, WV, city directory, “Thos” H A Wise as auto driver; wife Anna B; res 725 Virginia av 1938
Huntington, WV, city directory, “Thos” H Wise as no occupation shown; wife Anna B, res 24 Third Av
1940
Huntington, WV, city directory, Theo H A Wise as no occupation shown; wife Anna B, res 24 Third Av

1941
Huntington, WV, city directory, Theo H Wise, no occupation shown; wife Anna B, res 24 Third Av
1943, 1945
Huntington, WV, city directory, Theo H Wise, no occupation shown; wife Anna, Res 24 Third Av
1947, 1949
Huntington, WV, city directory, Theo H Wise, no occupation shown; wife Anna B, res 24 Third Av
1950 Sep 08
Huntington, WV, state records, T H A Wise dies at age 89; Death index lists him as Circus “Performer”
1950
Huntington, WV, city directory, Anna B listed as widow of Theo H Wise, res 24 Third Av

According to documents found, it appears that Theodore Wise was a photographer between 1897 and 1910. There are some gaps in the records so that period might extend a short time before or after that period. He worked as proprietor of the Rothwell Gallery from about 1903 to 1910. The Rothwell cards are less likely to have his name on imprinted them.

After that, he seems to have left photography altogether, working at things like taxi driver and confectioner. Finally, his death certificate lists him as Circus Performer.

Pittsburgh (PA) Press - 03 Nov 1898

Pittsburgh (PA) Daily Post - 25 Dec 1898

Pittsburgh (PA) Post Gazette - 26 Oct 1900

The Pittsburgh (PA) Press - 10 Jan 1909

photogrpher: Rothwell
Washington, PA
example from auction site

photogrpher: Rothwell Studio
Washington, PA
example from DeadFred site

photogrpher: T H A Wise
Burgettstown, PA
example from auction site

photogrpher: Wise
Burgettstown, PA
example from RootsWeb

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.

Mattheas Brothers

photographer Mattheas Brothers
135 E Indiana Street, Chicago, IL
example from LOST GALLERY

1882
Chicago, IL, city directory Gustave Mattheas NOT LISTED
1885
Chicago, IL, city directory Gustave Mattheas as photographer; res 899 Blue Island av
1887
Chicago, IL, city directory Gustave Mattheas NOT LISTED

Gustav Mattheas appears as photographer in the Chicago, IL, city directory residential section in 1885. He is not listed in the business section indicating he was probably working for a studio other than his own. The next available city directories for Chicago, IL, are 1882 and 1887 where he is not mentioned.

It is quite possible that he changed the spelling of his name due to persistent misspellings by record keepers and others.

Faced with continual phonetic misinterpretations of their spoken names some just gave up an accepted the version given. Thus Gustav could have become Gustaf or Gustave or even Gustoff. Mattheas could be Matthews, Mattheus or Matthis.

He may have been an immigrant. Many immigrants intentionally altered their family names either radically or with slight spelling changes to help them blend with their new countrymen.

In the case of Gustav Mattheas, at this time at least, it is all just speculation because no other trace of him has been found so far using that spelling of his name. His immigration status is unknown.

Any information on Gustav Matteas is welcomed.

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.

John Henry Haws

photographer: J H Haws
Decatur, IL
example from LOST GALLERY

John Henry Haws
(1839 - 1912)

1839 May
Kentucky, US census, John Henry Haws is born
1860
Tharps, KY, US census, J H Haws as farm labor, living with parents
1862
John Haws is married to Jennie (family name unknown)
1880 Jun 18
Decatur, IL, US census, John H Haws as photo artist
1889
Decatur, IL, city directory, John Haws as photographer at 158 e Main
1893
Decatur, IL, city directory John Haws as photographer at 117 n Water
1896 - 1907
Decatur, IL, city directory, John Haws as photographer at 154 e Main
1907 Feb 03
Decatur (IL) Herald, news item says John Haws and wife are leaving for their new home in California
1909
Coffeyville, KS, from Decatur (IL) Daily Review obituary: J Haws moves to Coffeyville, KS, apparently from California

1911 Dec 15
Coffeyville, (KS) Weekly Journal news item says John Haws, photographer; 821 ½ Union Street, has met his sister in sister after a separation of 30 years; item also mentions that John Haws has been moving a lot in recent years because of health issues
1912 Aug 07
Coffeyville (KS) Weekly Journal, obituary John Haws dies at age 73

These records have a few gaps and a few missing facts.

The 1912 obituary for John Henry Haws mentions that he learned photography from his wife, Jennie. It goes on to say she learned the skill from her father. But, her maiden name has not been found anywhere so her photographer father’s name remains unknown also.

Obituaries are notorious for the inaccuracy of past facts about the deceased. One obituary says he died on the seventh and another says the eighth. One source says he was born in Corbin, Kansas; others say Corbin, Kentucky.

After a couple moves, John H Haws studio settled at 154 East Main and remained there for around 12 years , about 1896 to 1907.

Dcatur (IL)Review - 03 Jul 1886

Decatur (IL) Herald - 05 Jun 1891

Decatur (IL) Herald - 03 Feb 1907

Coffeyville (KS) Weekly Journal -
15 Dec 1911

Coffeyville (KS) Weekly Journal -
09 Aug 1912

Decatur (IL) Daily Review - 09 Aug 1912

Decatur (IL) Herald - 10 Aug 1912

Decatur (IL) Herald - 03 Jul 1920

Decatur (IL) Herald - 04 Jul 1920

Decatur (IL) Herald - 05 Jul 1920

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.

Rush V Downey

photographer: R V Downey
Mendota, IL
probably finished around 1898
example from LOST GALLERY

reverse of card at the left

Rush V Downey
(Sep 1869 - )

1869 Sep
US and Iowa state census, Rush V Downey is born
1880 Jun 01
Bloomington, IL, US census, Rush V Downey age 11 living with mother and stepfather Richard Fenwick, who is a photographer
1889
Bloomington, IL, city directory, Rush V Downey as photographer for R Fenwick; res 811 n East
1891
Bloomington, IL, city directory, Rush V Downey as photographer; not in business pages
1893
Bloomington, IL, city directory, Rush V Downey NOT listed
1895
Bloomington, IL, city directory, Rush V Downey as travel agent; res over 408 Main
1897
Bloomington, IL, city directory, Rush V Downey is NOT listed

1898
Peru, IL, city directory, Rush V Downey as photographer; boards at 513 5th st
1899 Jan 02
Bloomington IL, Pantagraph news item mentions R V Downey of Cedar Rapids, IA, is working on a new photographic paper that promises to revolutionize the business
1899 Aug 07
Bloomington, IL, Pantagraph news item says Rush Downey plans to manufacture his new photograph paper in Bloomington
1900 Feb 28
Bloomington, IL, Pantagraph news item says that Richard Fenwick has sold his gallery at 402 n Main; he plans to open another gallery with his grandson Rush Downey on North Center st
1900 May 14
Bloomington, IL Pantagraph news item says R V Downey and Ida L Downey are granted divorce
1900 Jun 05
Bloomington, IL, US census, Rush V Downey as Photo Paper manufacturer
1901
Bloomington, IL, city directory not available.

1901
Dallas, TX, city directory, Russ V Downey NOT listed
1902
Dallas, TX, city directory, Russell V Downey as photographer at 312 Cockrell Bldg; res 114 Masten
1903
Dallas, TX, city directory, R V Downey NOT listed
1904 May 17
Decatur, IL Daily Review news item says R V Downey from Bloomington plans to open a studio in Decatur, IL, for making outside work entirely
1905
Dallas, TX, city directory, R V Downey NOT listed
1906
Dallas, TX, city directory, Russell V Downey as photographer for Fishburn Illustration Co; rms 465 Ross
1907
Dallas, TX, city directory, R V Downey as photographer at 305 Cranfill bldg.

1908
Dallas, TX, city directory, Russell V Downey as photographer; bds 284 Main
1909
Dallas, TX, city directory, R V Downey NOT listed
1910 May 03
Dallas, TX, US census, Rush V Downey as photographer; living in rooming house at 214 Main
1911
Cedar Rapids, IA, city directory R V Downey NOT listed
Dallas, TX, city directory, R V Downey NOT listed
1912
Cedar Rapids, IA, city directory, R V Downey, no occupation shown; rms 228 A av
1915
Cedar Rapids, IA, state census Rush V Downey as bookkeeper; age 45
1917, 1922
Cedar Rapids, IA, city directory, R V Downey NOT listed

Records are very thin for R V Downey. Included here are some entries to show where he was NOT, in order to help speculate where he actually might have been. He did move around a bit between Iowa and Texas. It appears he had his own studio for only a short time in Iowa and maybe for a bit in Texas. There were no records found to place him in Mendota, IL, so it is still unknown when he was there. But, one could speculate that it was around 1898 when he was working in Peru, IL. Peru is only 16 miles from Mendota IL.

He also seems to have worked for other photographers most of the time. Cabinet cards stamped with Downey studio might be a bit rare.

Bloomington (IL) Pantagraph -
02 Jan 1899

Bloomington (IL) Pantagraph -
01 Aug 1899

Bloomington (IL) Pantagraph -
28 Feb 1900

Bloomington (IL) Pantagraph -
14 May 1900

Decatur (IL) Daily Review -
17 May 1904

Decatur (IL) Herald -
18 May 1904

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.