Orville B Bates

photographer O B Bates
Hampton, IA
example from LOST GALLERY

reverse of card at left

Oriville B Bates was a photographer from about 1877 to his death in 1927. Unfortunately, there were no city directories available for Hampton, IA, and no newspaper item have been found, so no studio addresses are known.

According to the US census, 1860 to 1920, he lived in Hampton, IA, all his life. In every census he is listed as photographer except in 1900 he is listed as “agent”. Further, it is not known if he operated his own studio the entire time.

There were two other men named Orvill B Bates about the same years. One lived in New York and the other in Virginia. Also the wife of the New York Orville Bates was named Mary.

Orville Bigelow Bates
(1854-1927)

1854 Feb 03
Howard, IL, state records, Orville B Bates is born to Almond Bates and Sophia Campbell
1860 Aug 09
Howard, IL, US census, Orville Bates is 9 years old

1870 Jun 10
Durand, IL, US census, Orville Bates is 16 years old
1880 Jun 03
Village of Durand, IL, Orville B Bates is photographer
1880 Nov 25
Durand, IL, state records, Orville B Bates and Mary Amanda Beemer are married
1894 Mar 12
Hampton, IA, birth registration for son Milton, Orville B Bates listed as photographer
1910 Apr 21
Hampton, IA, US census, Orville Bates as photographer; res 380 South Reeve
1920 January 06
Hampton, IA, US census, Orville Bates as photographer; res 80 Main
1925
Hampton, IA, Iowa State census, Orvill Bates as resident; no occupation shown
1927 Aug 10
Hampton, IA, state records, Orville B Bates dies at age 73

Very little to go on here. No newspaper items were found save an obituary for his wife Mary.

(Mason City, IA) Globe Gazette - 10 Jan 1935

The card at the right is from the period that Bates was in Hampton, IA, from 1894 until 1927. Considering the style of the card with pre-embossed logo and indented photo area, the card was probably finished around 1900, probably before. The cabinet card format was losing favor after 1900 and their popularity declined.

Thanks to M Frank for the fine example

photographer: O B Bates
Cor Reeve and Third Sts
example from contributor M Frank

reverse of card at left

photographer: O B Bates
Cor Reeve and 3rd Streets
Hampton, Iowa
example from auction site

photographer: O B Bates
Cor Reeve and 3rd Streets
Hampton
example from auction site

photographer: O B Bates
Cor Reeve and 3rd Streets
Hampton
example from auction site

photographer: O B Bates
Cor Reeve and 3rd Streets
Hampton, Iowa
example from auction site

photographer: O B Bates
Cor Reeve and 3rd Streets
Hampton, Iowa
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.

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