Henry A Doerr

photographer: Doerr and Jacobson San Antonio, TX example from Heritage Auctions (finished between 1876 and 1879)

TEXAS PHOTOGRAPHER: Henry A Doerr
Assembled History by Kevin L. Mackey,
President Grace Armantrout Museum
For more information see: Museum Facebook Page

Reverse of CDV at left

DOERR, HENRY A.
SAN ANTONIO
1822-1885
By Kevin L. Mackey
1822
Heinrich "Henry" A. Doerr was born in Prussia (German State prior to the unification of Germany).
1850
A 1867 Mar 23, San Antonio Ledger article mentions Mr. Henry Doerr as “the first gentleman who took photographs in San Antonio, and has been engaged in this business over 17 years.” The first photographer’s advertisement in the newspapers I could find was 1851 lending credence to that statement.
1865 Aug 29
An article in the "San Antonio Tri-Weekly Herald" (Aug,. 29, 1865) noted him with a partner Engle stating the Engle and Doerr photographic gallery was near Mr. Zorks store on Commerce Street. On Nov. 11, 1865 the location was detailed as being “directly opposite Robinson’s auction house, one door south Masonic Building.” That partnership did not last long having dissolved before January of 1866.

1866
In January of 1866 he had a photographers license operating with Russian born Maximillian T. Jesse (June 9, 1842). Doerr is noted for making stereograph cards from this time until at least 1880. Their work bore the print, “Doerr & Jesse San Antonio.” After leaving Doerr, Jesse was a traveling photographer in Mexico c1878 before returning to San Antonio and partnered with N. Winther in a studio c1881.
1867 to 1870
His photography license showed him as alone.
1871, January
Doerr’s studios were located in "Maverick's New Building over Gambel's Store.”
1872 December to 1875
Doerr’s studio location was on Commerce St. but no specific address given.
1874
Doerr was in partnership with Nicholas Winther with the title of Doerr & Winther Studios, San Antonio.
1875 Jul. 23 to around 1879
Doer was partnered to Samuel E. Jacobson, (aka Sammy E. Jacobson) with studios as 63 Commerce Street, San Antonio, Texas.

1877
Doerr and Jacobson in San Antonio directory at 63 Commerce
1879
Doerr & Jacobson most likely dissolved in 1879 as San Antonio city directory had the entry for Doerr and Jacobson printed in the listing, but with a strike through through the name.
1880-1883
Doerr was again alone in the photography business and his studio was at 233 W. Commerce St. In 1881 he was listed as a Photographer in the San Antonio directory his Commerce St. business address but in 1883 he was listed as a “landscape artist” at his residence address, 421 Travis.
1884-1885
Doer was operating from his own home 421 Travis, at the corner of Avenue C and Travis Street where in 1885 the San Antonio city directory had him listed as a “beer saloon, landscape artist.”

1885 Oct 25
Henry A. Doerr passed away Oct. 22, 1885 in San Antonio and is buried in the Saint John’s Lutheran Cemetery New, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas (Also known as Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery).

Henry married wife Bertha on Feb. 19, 1858 Fayette Co. Texas. She was born Feb, 1840 in Prussia and she died 1902 in San Antonio. Son Walter born c1867 in Texas and daughter Louisa c1872 in Texas. In the 1901 San Antonio city directory Bertha is shown as the widow of H. A. and living at 205 Upson with her son Walter who was a bookkeeper.

Partnerships with …
(?) Engle
Maximillan T. Jesse 1866
Nicholas Winther 1874
Samuel E. Jacobson 1876–1879

San Antonio (TX) Ledger - 23 Mar 1867 San Antonio (TX) Ledger - 23 Mar 1867

San Antonio (TX) Daily Express - 23 July 1875

photographer: Doerr
112th and Market St, Louisville, KY
Example from Portal to Texas History
(NOTE: This card is NOT by Henry A Doerr of San Antonio, TX. This is by J. Henry Doerr of Tennessee and Kentucky.)

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