George Washington Thomas

photographer: George Thomas
208-210 South Market, Ottumwa, IA
example from R Miller

This card was probably finished about 1890 or slightly before.

reverse of card at left

George Washington Thomas
(1857-1925)

1857 Apr 03
Pekin, Tazewell, IL, state documents, George Washington Thomas is born to G L Thomas and Mariah Logan
1870 Jul 01
Columbus City, IA,(pop: US census, George W Thomas, age 18, as “going to school”
1876
New York, NY, city directory George Thomas as photographer, 716 6th st; res 2057 Third (First item showing residence in NY at age 19)
1880 Jun 23
Columbus City, IA, (Pop: 605) US census George W Thomas as photographer, single, living with parents
1880 Sep 09
Keokuk, IA, state records, George W Thomas and Nettie Nease are married
1883, 1884, 1885, 1886
Orange, NJ, city directory, George W Thomas NOT listed
1890 March
Ottumwa, IA, Tri-Weekly Courier(Mar 09 1915): From an article titled “25 Years Ago Today” published 1915 Mar 09, G W Thomas, “our Market Street photographer” was mentioned, raising 200 dollars for charity
see clipping below

1890
Newark, NJ, city directory, Nettie Thomas is listed as the widow of George W, res 77 W Mc Whorter (obviously an error, as George W Thomas does not die until 1925
1890 Mar 11
From an article titled “25 Years Ago Today” published 1915 Mar 09, G W Thomas, “our Market Street photographer” was mentioned, raising 200 dollars for charity; (See 1915 Mar 09)
1891
Orange, NJ, city directory, a George W Thomas,: Furniture” listed but it is not the photographer
1899 Jan 28
Ottumwa (IA) article shows marriage license issued for George W Thomas and Dora Sellern but this is NOT our photographer George W Thomas; The photographer was married in 1880 (see above)
1899 Aug 03
Ottumwa (IA) Tri-Weekly Courier, item says there was a fire at 208-210 South Market, tenants include C W Packard, photographer
1900 Jan 09
Ottumwa (IA) Tri-Weekly Courier, a large newspaper article reviewing the past years’ events shows a marriage license was issued on 28 Jan 1899, in Ottumwa for George W Thomas and Dora Sellern (NOT the photographer)

1900
East Orange, NJ City directory, G W Thomas NOT listed
1901, 1902
East Orange, NJ City directory, G W Thomas NOT listed
1902
New York, NY, city directory, Thomas NOT listed in photographers
1903
East Orange, NJ City directory NOT AVAILABLE
1901-1907
Ottumwa IA, Various items show C D Pierce at the 208-210 South Market address
1908-1910
Newspaper items show J J Packwood, photographer, at 208-210 South Market
From 1910 on
No photographer has been found in Ottumwa, IA
1915 Mar 09
Ottumwa, IA, Tri-Weekly Courier, Flash-back 25 Years Ago (1890) Today article, says G W Thomas, Market Street photographer has raised $200 for charity in 1890
1915
East Orange, NJ, city directory, G W Thomas no occupation

1916-1920
East Orange, NJ, city directory, G W Thomas as no occupation
1920
Orange, NJ, city directory, G W Thomas at 212 Midland, no occupation listed (also another G W Thomas at 21 S 17th); G W Thomas NOT listed in business pages in accountants or photography
1921
Orange, NJ, city directory, NO photographer G W Thomas at 212 Midland listed, G W Thomas accountant at 21 S 17th listed
1922
Orange, NJ, city directory, accountant George W Thomas at 21 s 17th
1923, 1924
San Pedro, CA, George W Thomas NOT listed
1922, 1924
East Orange, NY, city directory, NO George W Thomas at 216 Midland listed. Other G W Thomas, accountant listed
1925 Dec 27
San Pedro, CA, obituary, George Washington Thomas dies; survived by widow Nettie C Thomas, Elsie A Forbes, daughter, Clara A Brown, sister, Charles E Thomas, brother

One problem with tracing this photographer is the very popular name “George Washington Thomas”. In Brooklyn, NY, where the photographer George Washington Thomas was living in 1900, there were three other people also named G W Thomas. It is hoped that the information here is about the photographer and not the insurance salesman, the looney, the lottery ticket shyster, the furniture salesman and numerous others.

If anyone has any information on this photographer, please leave it in a comment below.

Davenpot (IA) Quad City Times - 13 May 1871
(NOT the photographer) Ottumwa (IA) Tri Weekly Courier - 1 Feb 1900
(NOT the photographer)

Ottumwa (IA) Tri Weekly Courier - 15 Feb 1900 (NOT the photographer) Ottumua (IA) Tri Weekly Courier - 06 Mar 1902 (NOT the photographer) Ottumwa (IA) Tri Weekly Courier - 18 Mar 1902
(NO PHOTOGRAPHER THERE THEN!)

Quad City Times - 09 Mar 1814
(Death of G W Thomas father) Ottumwa (IA) Tri Weekly Courier - 09 Mar 1915

Ottumwa (IA) Tri-Weekly Courier - 09 Mar 1915
(Events from March of 1890)

San Pedro (CA) Daily Pilot - 28 Dec 1925
(THIS is the photographer)

photographer: Thomas
Ottumwa, IA
example from mj aux on Flickr

photographer: Thomas
Corner of Main and Market Streets, Ottumwa, IA
example from mj aux on Flickr

photographer: Thomas
206 S Marke Street, Ottumwa, IA
example from auction site

photographer: G W THomas
204-212 South Market St. Ottumwa, IA
(enhaced for clarity)
example from contributor: Val G

reverse of card at left

Here is another mystery.
The name "G W Thomas" has not been found in Columbus Junction, IA, records.
Was this an additional photographer with the name Thomas?
Was the card misprinted?

photographer: G W Thomas
Columbus Junction, IA
example from auction site
(this card probably finished in 1880)

Here is another mystery.
The name "C L Thomas" or "G L Thomas" has not been found in Columbus Junction, IA, records.
Was this an additional photographer with the name Thomas?
Was the card misprinted?

photographer C L Thomas
(or G L Thomas)
Columbus Junction, 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.

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.