Cabinet Card Photographers: May 2021

Photographer:
Houser's South Side Gallery
Huntington, Ind
(see enhances blind stamp below)

This cabinet card must have been finished by George Houser and the “South Side Gallery” between 1890 and 1896.

This is a rather long and detailed timeline that involves two brothers, George and Reuben Houser as photographers. It shows how they worked together and separately in the photography business.

Reuben Houser was in the photography business in Indiana from about 1875 to 1913.

George Houser stayed in the photography business in Indiana from about 1880 until his death in 1932.

In 1880 according to the US census, George, at 17 assisted Reuben, at 28, in Westville, IN. By June of 1890 they are the “Houser Brothers” working in Michigan City, IN.

In September 1890 George opens his own studio over “Whitlock and Son Southside Grocery” and by November

1890 the Huntington Daily Democrat refers to it as Houser’s “South Side Gallery”. The title continues in ads and news items until December of 1896 when he leases out the gallery in Huntington, IN, to Herman H. Drover. Then, midst a divorce suit with wife Ada, he moves back to Michigan City to again work for his brother, Reuben.

In 1897 George travels to Arkansas to scout for a new location but instead finds a new wife, Mary Catherine Bennett. In 1898 he sells his Huntington gallery to Drover and goes to work for another photographer named Reeves in Huntington. In 1900 George is working as photographer in Union, IN.

In 1900, Reuben Houser is working in Michigan City, IN. In 1905 he is at 113 e Fifth. Note this may be a printing error as in 1910 his studio is shown at 115 e Fifth. Then in 1913 Reuben moves to Seattle, WA, to become a miner and later a watchman. He never returns to photography. Reuben dies in 1929.

By 1913 George is back in Michigan City, IN, at 115 e Fifth Street (Reuben’s old place). In 1920 George is in Warsaw, IN, he and wife Mary working as a team. They live at 739 e Main. The 1930 US census is the same except wife Mary is shown as no occupation. George dies in 1932.

Reuben Clarence Houser
(9 Mar 1851 - 14 Feb 1929)

George Elsworth Houser
(16 May 1863 - 11 Feb 1932)

1851 Mar 09
Reuben born in Ohio
1860
Union, IN, US census Reuben as farm labor in Union, Wells County, IN
1863
George born in Indiana
1870
Union, IN, US census Reuben (age 18) as “works on farm”

George and Reuben Houser continued

1875
Montgomery, MI, Ruben C. Houser marries Mary M. Clancy
1880
Westlake, IN, US Census Rueben (age 28) as photo artist in Westville, La Porte, IN, with brother George (17) living at the same address and shown as “works in photography”
1890
Michigan City, IN, city directory as photographer Reuben C. Houser with his brother George E. Houser as Houser Brothers
1890 Jun 20
Daily (Huntington, IN) Democrat Reuben Houser mention from Houser Brothers Artistic Photographers
1890 Sep 27
Daily (Huntington, IN) Democrat news mention R. C. Houser of Michigan City, IN. to open studio in Huntington, IN, over Whitelock & Son Southside Grocery
1890 Nov 12
Daily (Huntington, IN) Democrat blurb Reuben Houser as photographer gallery over Whitelock grocery

1890 Nov 15
Daily (Huntington, IN) Democrat blurb (George) Houser’s Southside Gallery
1891 Jun 13
Daily Democrat (Huntington, IN) blurb people visit George Houser, the “Southside photographer”
1891 Sep 18
Huntington (IN) Weekly blurb George E. Houser, popular South side photographer
1892 Jul 26
Daily (Huntington, IN) Democrat George Houser, south side photographer buys lot on Salamonie av to erect residence
1892 Aug 01
Daily (Huntington, IN) Democrat, R C Houser of Michigan City, IN, visits brother George, the south side photographer
1892 Nov 2
Daily (Huntington, IN) Democrat, small ad for Houser “south of river”
1893 Oct, Nov, Dec
Huntington (IN) Weekly Herald display ads for G. E. Houser Southside photographer

1894 Jan through Jun
Huntington (IN) Weekly Herald display ads for G. E. Houser Southside photographer
1896 Feb 07
George E Houser files for divorce from Ada B. Piatt
1896 Dec 07
Huntington (IN) Daily Democrat George Houser, South Side photographer leases gallery to
Herman H Drover; to move to Michigan City to work for brother Rueben C Houser
1897 Mar 05
Huntington (IN) Weekly Herald news George moves to Arkansas to open new gallery
1897 Nov 01
Huntington (IN) Daily News Democrat George Houser sells Huntington South Side Gallery to Harmon Drover
1898 Nov 26
Huntington (IN) Daily News Democrat George marries Mary Catherine Bennett in Warsaw, IN
1900
Michigan City, IN, US census Reuben as photographer at 115 E Market; res same

1905
Michigan City, IN, city directory Reuben as phtgrphr; 113 E 5th; brother George not listed
1910 Apr 27
Michigan City, IN, US census Reuben as photographer at 115 e 5th; (note that George Houser has not been found in the 1910 US census)
1910 Aug 22
Huntington (IN) Daily News blurb George Houser (South Side photographer) returns to Warsaw, IN
1910 Nov 23
Fort Wayne, IN, Journal Gazette George’s son Edwin Houser marries Daisy Lewis. George E. living in Warsaw, IN, wife Ada B living in Huntington, IN
1911 Oct 24
Warsaw, IN, George’s son Glenn marries Amelia B. Klaffei; George E. living in Warsaw, IN, wife Ada B living in Fort Wayne, IN
1912
Seattle, WA, city directory Reuben Houser NOT listed; his move from Michigan City, IN, to Seattle, WA, must have been after this date

George and Reuben Houser continued

1913 and 1915
Michigan City, IN, city directory George E Houser as photographer at 115 e 5th
1913 - 1916
Seattle, WA, city directory Reuben Houser as Miner w/ wife Mary M
1914 - 1916
Michigan City, IN, city directory George E Houser NOT listed
1917 - 1928
Seattle, WA, city directory Ruben Houser as Watchman w/wife Mary M
1920 Jan 09
Warsaw, IN, US census George Houser as photographer with wife Mary at 739 E Main, Warsaw, Kosciusko, IN; wife Mary listed as photographer also
1920 Jan 15
Seattle, WA, Reuben Houser as watchman
1929 Feb 14
Seattle, WA, state records Ruben Houser dies at age 77 in
1930 Apr 15
Warsaw, IN, US census George Houser as photographer with wife Mary at 739 E Main; wife Mary listed as photographer assistant
1932 Feb 11
Warsaw, IN, George Houser dies at age 68

Huntington (IN) Daily Democrat - 27 Sep 1890

Huntington (IN) Daily Democrat - 01 Aug 1892

Huntington (IN) Weekly Herald - 26 Sep 1893

Enhanced detail of cabinet card at the top

Huntington (IN) Daily Democrat - 07 Feb 1896

Huntington (IN) Daily Democrat 07 Dec 1896

Huntington (IN) Daily News Democrat - 30 Nov 1898

photographer Reuben C Houser
Michigan City, IN
from the collection of KEN on Flicker

This photograph mount is labeled "Swiss Card", probably one of the many shapes and sizes that were tried after the popularity of the cabinet card began to dim. This card was probably finished between 1900 and 1912 while Ruben Howser was still in Michigan City, IN.

photographer: Houser
115 E Market Street, Michigan City, IN
example from the William L Clemments Library

photographer R C Houser
Michigan City, IN
example from the William L Clemments Library

photographer R C Houser
Michigan City, IN
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.

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.

All entries taken from the Peoria, IL, city directory

1873, 1875
Peoria, IL, city directory, Max Erler NOT listed
1876
Peoria, IL, city directory, Maximillian Erler as photographer (no studio shown); bds Chambers bet Russell av and Knoxville rd
1877
Peoria, IL, city directory, Maximillian Erler as photographer for John W Bays; res 107 s Adams (same address as studio)
1879
Peoria, IL, city directory, Maximillian Erler as photographer at 403 Ham.; res via Chambs (NOT in business pages)
1880
Peoria, IL, city directory, Max Erler NOT listed

1881
Peoria, IL, city directory, Max E Erler as photographer with Bartram & Erler at 1118 S Adams: bds 810 s Adams
1882
Peoria, IL, city directory, Max E Erler as photographer with Erler and Foster (Thomas P Foster) at 1216 s Adams
1883
Peoria, IL, city directory, Max Erler as photographer
From 1893 until he retires about 1927, the studio remains at 1216 South Adams. Occasionally the address is listed as 1216-1218 South Adams.

After 1927 studio continues at the same address, managed by Max Erler’s son, Edward Erler, until he retires about 1952.

The Erler photograph studio was listed in the Peoria, IL, city directory at 1216 and occasionally 1216-1218 South Adams from 1883 to 1952. During that time, it was called the Erler Brothers studio, Erler Studio, the Erler-Hollywood Studio and the Max Erler studio. And, only once, in 1892, it was called in the directory, the “Sunbeam Gallery”.

Since the studio never moved, it will be difficult to date a cabinet card by location. Perhaps the card designs will emerge as a key to dating. If one card can be dated, the other cards with the same design should date around the same time. At least some of the designs are represented here.

Many examples were found of Max Erler's Sunbeam Gallery. Notations have been made showing the repeated use of studio props and backdrops. This too may help date a card from Erler.

An attempt was made here to group these examples by card design.

THIS PAGE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

update
16 Apr 2020
Re-numbering this page to accommodate new additions. This will take a while.

Design #1

#1-01
(same gate as in #1-01, #1-02, #2-06)
photographer: Sunbeam Gallery, Erler
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Cabinet Card Gallery

#1-02
(same gate as in #1-01, #1-02, #2-06)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#1-03
photographer: Erler Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams st, Peoria, IL
example from auction site

#1-04
(same backdrop in #1-04, #1-06, #1-14 and #1-21)
photographer: Sunbeam Gallery, Erler
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from auction site

#1-05
(same backdrop in #05, #09, #12)
(same chair in #1-05, #1-05, #1-07, #1-08, #1-09)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#1-06
(same backdrop in #1-04, #1-06, #1-14 and #1-21)
(same chair in #1-05, #1-06, #1-07, #1-08, #1-09, #2-05)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#1-07
(same chair in #1-05, #1-06, #1-07, #1-08, #1-09, #2-05)
(same table runner in #1-05, #1-07, #1-08, #1-09)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#1-08
(same chair in #1-05, #1-06, #1-07, #1-08, #1-09, #2-05)
(same table runner in #1-05, #1-07, #1-08, #1-09)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#1-09
(same backdrop in #1-05, #1-09, #1-12)
(same chair in #1-05, #1-06, #1-07, #1-08, #1-09, #2-05)
(same table runner in #1-05, #1-07, #1-08, #1-09)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#1-10
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#1-11
photographer: Erler Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams st, Peoria, IL
example from auction site

#1-12
(same backdrop in #1-05, #1-09, #1-12)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#1-13
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#1-14
(Same chairs in #1-14, #2-03)
(same backdrop in #1-04, #1-06, #1-14, #1-21)
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#1-15
(same post in #1-15, #1-16 and #1-22)
#1-23 is slightly distorted)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#1-16
(same post in #1-15, #1-16 and #1-22
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#1-17
photographer: Sunbeam Gallery, Erler
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from auction site

#1-18
reverse of card at left
(note that although the name is still "Sunbeam Gallery" on the front, the reverse says only
"Erler Artistic Gallery")

#1-19
photographer: Sunbeam Gallery, Erler
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#1-20
reverse of card at left

#1-21
(same chair in #1-05, #1-06, #1-07, #1-08, #1-09, #2-05)
(same backdrop in #1-04, #1-06, #1-14, #1-21)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#1-22
(same post in #1-15, #1-16 and #1-22)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from FivePrime

#1-23
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from BCU Arts, California Museum of Photography

#1-24
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#1-25
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#1-26
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#1-27
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#1-28
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#1-29
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#1-30
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#1-31
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#1-32

#1-33
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#1-34
reverse of card at left

#1-33
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

Design #2

#2-01
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#2-02
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#2-03
(Same chairs in #1-14, #2-03)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#2-04
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#2-05
(same chair in #1-05, #1-07, #1-08, #1-09, #2-05)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#2-06
(same gate as in #1-01, #1-02, #2-06)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#2-07
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#2-08
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#2-09
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#2-10
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#2-11
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#2-12
reverse of card at left

#2-13
photographer: Sunbeam Gallery, Erler
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#2-14
reverse of card at left

#2-15
photographer: Sunbeam Gallery, Erler
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#2-16
reverse of card at left

Design #3

#3-01
(same backdrop in #3-01, #3-02, #4-01, #4-02, #8-01)
(same chair in #3-01, #4-01, #4-02, #8-01)
(same table in #3-01, #4-01, #4-02)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216-1218 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#3-02

(same backdrop in #3-01, #3-02, #4-01, #4-02, #8-01)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#3-03

#3-04

Design #4

#04-01
(same chair in #3-01, #4-01, #4-02, #8-01)
(same table in #3-01, #4-01, #4-02)
(same backdrop in #3-01, #3-02, #4-01, #4-02, #8-01)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#4-02
(same chair in #3-01, #4-01, #4-02, #8-01))
(same table in #3-01, #4-01, #4-02)
(same backdrop in #3-01, #3-02, #4-01, #4-02, #8-01)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#4-03

#4-04

Design #5

#5-01
photographer: Erler Sunbeam Gallery
1216 Adams st, Peoria, IL
example from auction site

#5-02
(Same chair in #5-02, #5-03, #9-03)
photographer: Erler Sunbeam Gallery
1216 Adams st, Peoria, IL
example from auction site

#5-03
(Same chair in #5-02, #5-03, #9-03)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#5-04

Design #6

#6-01
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#6-02

#6-03

#6-04

Design #7

#7-01
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216-1218 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Remembered on Flickr

#7-02
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216-1218 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from the Peoria Historical Society

#7-03

#7-04

Design #8

#8-01
(same backdrop in #3-01, #3-02, #4-01, #4-02, #8-01)
(same chair in #3-01, #4-01, #4-02, #8-01)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#8-02
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#8-03
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#8-04
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#8-05
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#8-06
Reverse of card at left

Design #9

#9-01
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#9-02
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from FivePrime

#9-03
(Same chair in #5-02, #5-03, #9-03)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from FaceBook

#9-04
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Robocker.com

#9-05
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#9-06
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from auction site

Design #10

photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr #10-01

#10-02
(same bench in #10-02, #10-04)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#10-03
(same set and backdrop in #10-03, #10-05)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Robocker.com

#10-04
(same bench in #10-02, #10-04)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Robocker.com

#10-05
(same set and backdrop in #10-03, #10-05)
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Robocker.com

#10-06
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from the Peoria Historical Society

#10-07
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#10-08
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ

Design 11

#11-01
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

#11-02
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr #11-03

#11-04

Design #12

#12-01
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#12-02
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#12-03
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 s Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#12-04

Design #13

#13-01
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
1216 S Adams Street, Peoria, IL
example from Peoria Historical Society

Design #14

#14-01
photographer: Erler, Sunbeam Gallery
Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

reverse of card at left

Design #15

#15-01
photographer: Erler
(Monogram "M E" in center)
Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on FLickr

reverse of the card at left
(same reverse design as 12-02)

Design #16

#16-01
photographer: Erler Sunbeam Gallery
Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#16-02
photographer: Erler Sunbeam Gallery
Peoria, IL
example from CurtJ on Flickr

#16-01 and 2
reverse design of both card at left

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.

Friday, May 14, 2021

George Houser

Max Erler