Thursday, February 1, 2024

Kansas Cabinet Cards -- Cities: N - O

Included on this special set of pages are Cabinet Card examples from just one state, Kansas. A sort of index. They are presented here in alphabetical order according to location.

Why Kansas?

In 1865, when the Cabinet Card size for photo mounts began its popularity, Kansas had only been a state for 4 years. Even today there are less than 400 towns with a population over 200. Back then, even fewer. Where a Cabinet Card carries the name of the photographer and the town where he was working, the dates of city incorporation will be one clue to the date of the cabinet card.

Cabinet Cards were so popular and well known that in some photographer’s newspaper ads of the era, they were referred to merely as “Cabs”.

Most say they eventually surpassed the popularity of the Carte de Viste format. See a brief history of the Carte de Viste.

Photographers often lived and based in a larger town and “worked” the neighboring smaller towns monthly or weekly. The passenger trains were very handy back then.

Where further information on a photographer is known, a link will be provided.

The central purpose in these pages is to help place a date on cabinet cards done by various photographers in various places. Here’s hoping you spot a card design or imprint that will help you date and identify that card in your collection.

These pages are for educational and informational purposes only. Any helpful suggestions are welcomed.

Kansas Cities, Towns, Burgs and Whistlestops in the late 19th century.

Promoting the care, understanding and collection of this unique format of 19th century photography. They are more than 100 years old. Handle with care.

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.

See also:
Owlcation is an excellent site which examines the Kansas photographers of the 19th century. Follow the link

Narka, KS
Narka was founded in 1887. It was named for the daughter of a railroad employee. The first post office in Narka was established in November 1887. Narka was incorporated as a city in 1894. --WIki
photographer: J Jennings
Cpirtland and Narka, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Jennings
Courtland and Narka, KS
example rom auction site
Neosho Falls, KS
photographer: Fowler
Neosho Falls, KS
example from auction site
Neodesha, KS
photographer: F M Braund
Neodesha, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: Henderson Brothers
Neodesha, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Hughs and Sister
Neodesha, KS
example from pinterest
Mrs S A Hughes and Sister had a studio East Main Street, Neodesha, KS, in June of 1896.
photogapher: H O Monroe
Neodesha and Oswego, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: R C Childs
Ness City, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Shepard
Ness City, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Shepard
Ness City, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Welch
Lightning Studio
example from auction site
Other records indicate Welch worked in Ness City, KS
Newton, KS
There are no city directories available before 1910 so research on photographers from the area is limited. There is an excellent site called "Shadows and Light" by Keith Dodson which covers Newton, KS, photographers of the era. See also Harvey County Historical Museum
photographer: E W Langan
Newton, KS
example from auction site
photographer: E W Langan
Newton, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Langan's Studio
Newton, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Langan's Studio
Newton, KS
example from auction site
photographer: C C Mc Daniel
515 1/2 Main, Newton, KS
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
photographer C C McDaniel
Newton, KS
example from mj aux on Flickr
photographer: D F Tripp
Newton, KS
example from auction site
photographer: D F Tripp
Newton, KS
example from auction site
photographer: D F Tripp
Newton, KS
example from auction site

Note that although the Tripp imprints are nearly the same, the cards are not. Scalloped, deckled edge, gilt edge and richly colored cards cards were priced slightly higher than the straight edge, light cream color cards.

photographer: D F Tripp
Newton, KS
example from auction site
photographer: D F Tripp
Newton, KS
example from mj aux on Flickr
photographer: Tripp
cor Main and Broadway, Newton, KS
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
photographer: Von Der Heiden and Co
Newton, KS
example from Catching Shadows
photographer: Von Der Heiden
Newton, KS
example from auction site.
Nickerson, KS
photographer: M D Clark
Nickerson, KS
example from Flickr via pinterest
photographer: W W Dunlap
Nickerson, KS
example from auction site
photographer: W W Dunlap
Nickerson, KS
example from picclick
(highly enhanced)
reverse design of both cards at left
photographer: T C McLaughlin
Nickerson, KS
example from auction site
Norton, KS
photographer: Marsh
Norton, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Marsh
Norton, KS
example from auction site
reverse design of both cards at the left

Note that the photo itself was trimmed to be too large for the card and consequently covers part of the card imprint on both cards.

photographer: Poe and Green
Norton, KS
example from auction site
photographer: C M Poe
Norton, KS
example from auction site
photographer: C M Poe
Norton, KS
example from auction site
photographer: C E Reed
Norton, KS
example from auction site
photographer: A M Reeves
Norton, KS
example from auction site
(Owner dated on reverse: 12 Nay 1893)

G O Banks - example pending

photographer: Burdick and Son
Nortonville, KS
example from auction site
Clayton Burdick and Son Fred were active in Nortonville, KS, from about Oct 1891 to Oct 1897.
photographer: Burdick and Son
Nortonville, KS
example from auction site

D C Coon - example pending

photographer: Steele
Oberlin, KS
example from auction site
Photographer: Steele
Oberlin, KS
example from auction site
Photographer: Art S Steele
Oberlin, KS
example from auction site
photographer: E E Van Eps
Oberlin, KS
example from auction site
reverse of crd at left
Olathe, KS
photographer: W H Grover
Olathe, KS
example from auction site
(not a good scan)
photographer: Grover
Olathe, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Grover
Olathe, KS
example from auction site
(note the careful trimming and aligned mounting)
photographer: Marvin Art Co
Olathe, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Marvin Art Co
Olathe, KS
example from auction site
photographer: R A Marvin
Olathe, KS
example from auction site

The three cards at the left were probably done by the same photographer.

photographer: McVay
Olathe, KS
example from auction site
Onega, KS
Onaga was platted in 1877 by the railroad. The first post office in Onaga was established in December 1877. Onaga originally incorporated as a city by 1881 and reincorporated in 1926.

Gerard Mourits Koentz (1850-1925) was a photographer in Onega and other small towns in the north-eastern corner of Kansas. Gerard and his wife arrived from Holland in late 1888. He took over the photograph business of S E Tyson in December that same year. His specialty was the tintype.

Gerard moved his studio/tent from Onaga to Soldier, KS for the winter of 1892. He sold out the business to Will Thomas in December of 1893, after only five years in the business. He continued as a news correspondent for a Netherlands news service. In later years, he lived in Missouri and Colorado.

photographer: G M Koentz
Onega, KS
example from Kansas Memory

Christian Edward Koentz, (1872-1965) was born in Onaga, KS. He took a position in the local drug store and eventually went to school to become a pharmacist, He began a photograph business in Holton, KS, in April 1892 and located permanently in Onaga, KS, in November of 1908, He sold out his business in May of 1912.

Charles and Gerard were distant cousins.

photographer: C E Koentz
Onega, KS
example from pinterest
(blind stamp)
photographer: C E Koentz
Onega, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: C E Koentz
Onega, KS
example from auction site
photographer: C E Koentz
Onega, KS
example from auction site
photographer: C E Koentz
Onega, KS
example from auction site
Osage City, KS
Osage City was surveyed and platted in late 1869, after the route of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway had been fixed, but before it had been built to the city.
Osage City was incorporated as a city in April 1872. Like Osage County, the city was named for the Osage Nation. --Wiki
photographer: Snyder
Osage City, KS
example from ForgottenFacesForgottenPlaces
Osawatomie, KS
photographer: Cottage Gallery
Osawatomie, KS
example from auction site
Osborne, KS
Settlers from southeastern Pennsylvania founded Osborne City in May 1871. Osborne City became the permanent county seat in November 1872. The settlement incorporated as a city in 1878.
"City" was dropped from its name by the mid-1890s.
photographer: C W Buell
photographer: Nightingale
Osborne, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Nightingale
Osborne, KS
example from picclick
(greatly restored)
Oskaloosa, KS
Oskaloosa was founded in 1856. The first post office in Oskaloosa was established in November 1856.
photographer: Eli D Root
Oskaloosa, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Eli D Root
Oskaloosa, KS
example from auction site
(E D Root was photographer in Oskaloosa, KS, from Jan 1891 to Dec 1894. He then turned to the fruit tree business.)
Oswego, KS
Oswego is a city in and the county seat of Labette County, Kansas, United States, and situated along the Neosho River
photographer: H O Monroe
Oswego and Neodesha, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: Monroe Studios
Oswego, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Monroe
Oswego, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: Monroe
Oswego, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: Monroe
Oswego, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: Monroe
Oswego, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: Monroe
Oswego, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: Monroe
Oswego, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: E R Rose
Oswego, KS
example from William and Mary Library
according to the source, this is the reverse of the card at the left. Note that a different town is in the face imprint. Rose DID work in both towns, They are only twelve miles apart.
photographer: E R Rose
Oswego, KS
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
photographer: E R Rose
Oswego, KS
example from WM Edu Library

Erastus Robinson Rose
(1851 - 1905)

1851 Jul 24
Ohio, state records, Erasmus Robinson Rose is born to Oliver Hazard Perry Rose and Maria Masten
1880 Jun 24
Sheridan, MO, US census, E R Rose as farmer
1882 Oct 15
Oswego, KS, W G Cutler “History of Kansas” E R Rose moves to Oswego, KS from Humbolt, KS
1882 Nov 08
Oswego (KS) Daily Republican, small ad for E R Rose “NEW” gallery
1885 March
Oswego, KS, state census, E R Rose as photograph artist
1890 May 30
Chetopa (KS) Advance (newspaper) Notice telling of completed sale of Gifford Gallery to E R Rose of Oswego

1892 Aug 25
Chetopa (KS) Advance newspaper small ad for Rose and Son photographers
See example next row

1893 Dec 21
Labette County (KS) Times/Statesman small display ad for Oswego Art Gallery, E R Rose prop.
1895 Mar 01
Oswego, KS. state census, E R Rose as Merchant
1899 Aug 03
Labette County (KS) Times/Statesman small ad saying E R Rose has been making photos for the “past 19 years”
1900 Jun 19
Oswego, KS, US census, Erastus Rose as photographer
1902 Oct 09
Chetopa (KS) Clipper newspaper item says Martha J Rose and E R Rose divorce proceeding has been dismissed
1903
Parsons, KS. city directory, E R Rose as photographer

1895 Mar 01
Oswego, KS. state census, E R Rose as Merchant
1899 Aug 03
Labette County (KS) Times/Statesman small ad saying E R Rose has been making photos for the “past 19 years”
1900 Jun 19
Oswego, KS, US census, Erastus Rose as photographer
1902 Oct 09
Chetopa (KS) Clipper newspaper item says Martha J Rose and E R Rose divorce proceeding has been dismissed
1903
Parsons, KS. city directory, E R Rose as photographer
1904 May 12
Oswego (KS) Clipper newspaper small item says Mrs E R Rose has died, age 49
1904 Jun 16
Chetopa (KS) Clipper news item says E R Rose was adjudged insane and is going to Osawatomie (KS)
1905 Jan 09
Labette County, KS, E R Rose dies at age 53

photographer: Rose and Son
Chetopa, KS
example from pinterest
Finished in 1892
photographer: E R Rose
Oswego, KS
example from auction site
Ottawa, KS
photographer W E Barker and A W Harden
Ottawa, KS
example from Kate Keller on Flickr
Photographer: W E Barker
Ottawa, KS
CDV example from Flickr
Photographer: E. H. Corwin
Ottawa, Kansas
example from auction site
Photographer: E. H. Corwin
Ottawa, Kansas
example from auction site

Photographer: E. H. Corwin
Ottawa, Kansas
example from LOST GALLERY
photographer: Corwin
226 Main, Ottawa, KS
example from KSHS.org
reverse of card at left
photographer: Corwin
Ottawa, KS
example from the collection of mjaux on Flickr
photographer: W M Gatch
Xenia, OH
example from auctioin site
(Gatch was photographer in Ottawa, KS from about 1894 to 1897.)
photographer: Martin Art studio
Ottawa, KS
example from auction site

Photographer: Martin
226 S Main Street
Ottawa, Kansas

Photographer: Gilkey & Martin
226 S. Main
Ottawa, Kansas
Before 1894
photographer: Peddycord
Ottawa, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Wright
cor Third and Main, Ottawa, KS
example from auction site
(finished circa 1889)
photographer: Wright
Ottawa, KS
example from auction site
Overbrook, KS

Photographer: E. W. Miller
Overbrook, Kansas
Photographer: E. W. Miller
Overbrook, Kansas
example from Osage County Historical Society
Photographer: E. W. Miller
Overbrook, Kansas
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.

Additional 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.

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