John Harris Wright

Photographer J. H. Wright
Ottawa, Kas.
(finished circa 1891)

There were several people with the name J. H. Wright in the late 19th century. Two or three of them seemed to be photographers in the mid-west at one time or another.

The right one was finally sorted out with the discovery of a newspaper article describing a marriage of “Mattie Geer” of Oswego, KS, to photographer J. H. Wright from Macon, MO, in 1899.

Macon Republican - 12 Dec 1899

Here is an interesting bit from her obituary: "Mattie lived and worked in a saloon, cleaning up for her room and board. She had to fend for herself and it was in Cherryvale, Kansas, that she met up with John Harris Wright and agreed to go with him. She married him in 1899."

There are small almost weekly advertisements in the Osawatomie, KS, newspaper, “The Graphic” that place him in Ottawa, KS, from 13 Jul 1888 to Sep 1889. Two news items from the Ottawa Daily Republic place him with a studio in Ottawa 1891 and 1892.

Osawatomie Graphic - 14 Dec 1888

Ottawa Republican - 17 Jun 1891

Ottawa Republican - 21 Jul 1892

After the marriage in 1899, he and his wife live in Macon, MO until about 1903. After a time in St. Louis, MO, the two spend the rest of their lives in towns in Ohio.

Macon Citizen - 09 Mar 1900

John Harris Wright
(24 Jun 1874 - 10 Mar 1942)

1874 Jun 24
born in Coldwater, MS
1888 Jul 13 thru 1889 Nov 30
newspaper ad photographer at 3rd & Main, Osawatomie, KS
1891 Jun 17
story in Ottawa Daily Republic about remodeled studio
1892 Jul 21
story about Wright skipping town
1899
marriage to Martha E. Gear at Oswego, KS
1900
US census as photographer in Macon, MO.
1901
son Joseph Harris Wright born in Cherryvale, KS
1903 May 30
news item in Macon Republican; Wright goes to work for Denslow’s Studio

Macon Republican - 30 May 1903

1910
US census as photographer in St. Louis, MO
1916 Sep 12
draft registration as photographer at 21 W College, Lorain, OH
1920
US census as photographer Lorain, OH
1930
US census as photographer 139 E Main, Kent, Franklin Township, OH
1935
US census as photographer at Revenna, OH
1940
US census as photographer at 617 Main, Ravenna, OH
1942
Death at 67 in Akron, OH.

This cabinet card (above left) was probably finished between 1888 and 1892, quite likely 1891.

Thanks to an alert descendant who contributed some great information and corrections to this page!

Macon Republican - 09 Mar 1900

The Balwin (KS) Ledger - 31 May 1889 The Ottawa (KS) Lever - 19 Feb 1891

Miltonvale (KS) News -
06 Mar 1891 Ottawa (KS) Daily Republic -
03 Apr 1891

Ottawa (KS) Daily Republic -
17 Jun 1891

Ottawa (KS) Lever -
25 Feb 1892 Ottawa (KS) Daily Republic -
27 Feb 1892

Ottawa (KS) Weekly Republic -
03 Mar 1892

Two great items from contributor Melinda C. Schaber. THANKS!

photographer John Harris Wright

photographer: Wright
Ottawa, KS
example from contributor

photographer: Wright
Ottawa, KS
example from auction site
(finished circa 1891)

photographer: Wright
cor Third and Main, Ottawa, KS
example from auction site
(finished circa 1889)

photographer: Wright
Ottawa, KS
example from auction site

photographer: J H Wright and Co
Palestine, TX
example from contributor

No evidence has been found to connect this card to John Harris Wright of Ottawa, Kansas.

Palestine, TX, is over 500 miles from Ottawa, KS.

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.

Cabinet cards typically have the photographer’s name and address printed on the bottom edge or the reverse of the card. 19th century photographers moved around a lot. The basic idea here is to find WHEN a photographer was WHERE, which will help date an unidentified CABINET CARD from your family album.

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.

J M Johnson

Photographer: ?. M. Johnson
Columbus, Kansas

The first initial is incomplete on this cabinet card and unfortunately there were a lot of photographers named Johnson in the cabinet card era, so research on this photographer has little place to start.

There was a Frank M. Johnson working in Hutchinson, KS, in 1923 and there was an R. M. Johnson, photographer in Cherryvale, KS, in 1901.

According to an 1881 Gazetteer , there was a photographer named L. M. Johnson who worked in Columbus, MO, an unincorporated township that at the time had only about 2000 residents and is nowhere near Columbus, KS.

There was also an L. M. Johnson working as a photographer’s helper for S. J. Morrow in Yankton, Dakota Territory, in 1880.

Update Sept 2017:
From Ancestry.com comes an example with photographer’s imprint intact. It documents J M Johnson of Columbus, KS. More research pending.

The card is in poor condition but there is a deckle edge visible, so it is probably from around 1890 or after.

Columbus (KS) Weekly Advocate - 08 Dec 1892

The above clipping comes from a Columbus, KS newspaper, adds a bit of connection or perhaps more mystery about the whereabouts of J. M. Johnson. See the OSCAR HAINES listing for details.

The example below is from a Holmes family tree on Ancestry.com which has been dated by the owners at 1897.

Photographer: J M Johnson
South Side Square
Columbus, KS

photographer: J M Johnson
South Side Square, Columbus, KS
example from auction site

photographer: J M Johnson
South Side Square, Columbus, KS
example from auction site

photographer: Johnson
cdv example from LOST GALLERY

photographer: J M Johnson
Columbus, KS
example from contributor

It is not known if the examle at the right is the by J M Johnon.

The only connection seems to be that the imprinted name is done in a similar font and the location is close geographically.

photographer: Johnson
cor twelfth and Grand, Kansas City, MO
example from Invaluable

photographer: Johnson
Cherryvale, KS
example from auction site

At the right is another Johnson cabinet card. The font is similar to the card at the top. Cherryvale, KS, is only about fifty miles from Columbus, KS.

Is this the same Johnson?

Another Johnson.

This one is from Garnett, KS.

The imprint is different in this example.

Garnett is just under a hunded miles from Columbus.

Many of these little towns were connected by rail lines.

photographer: Johnson
Garnet, KS
example from Ancestry.com

Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. Listed here are all the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY. This is a work in progress. For a look at the original postings go to LOST GALLERY.

New examples and additional information 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.

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.

Bishoff Brothers

Photographer: Bishoff Bros
Minneapolis, KAS

Photographer: Bishoff Bros
Minneapolis, KAS

Photographer: Bishoff Bros
Minneapolis, KAS

Charley Sylvester Bishoff had one brother and seven half-brothers. Five of the half-brothers died as children. The surviving two half-brothers, Fogal (1867-1960) and Lowery (1867-1936) appear to never have left Pennsylvania. C S Bishoff’s brother Thomas Everhardt L Bishoff is the only one possible as a partner photographer for the cards imprinted “Bishoff Bros”

Charles Sylvester Bishoff
(1858 - 1947)

Sources: city directories, US census, state census; some notations of C S Bishoff’s brother Thomas Everett Bishoff is included to show when the two lived near each other making possible the “Bishoff Bros.” imprint on some cards.

1858 Sep 29
West Virginia, state records, Charles Sylvester Bishoff is born to William H Bishoff and Drusilla Baumgardner
1885
Lennox, IA, state census, brother Thomas Everett L Bishoff is living in Iowa

1886 May 06
Blue Springs, NE, state records, C S Bishoff and Anna Catherine Lucas are married
1887 Apr
Nebraska, state records daughter Lavena Bishoff is born
1888 Jan 02
Nebraska, state records, brother Thomas Everett L Bishoff is now living in Nebraska as shown by the birth of his son Cloyd Bishoff
1888 Jul 27
Bennington(KS)Mercury news item mentions Bishoff the photographer
1888 Aug 23
Minneapolis (KS) Messenger news item says son Chauncey C Bishoff was born on the 15th of August
1889 Jan 01
Minneapolis (KS) School Room Journal display ad says Bishoff Bros are over the Corn State Bank in Minneapolis, KS
1889 Jul 25
Minneapolis (KS) Messenger news item says Bishoff Bros are now located over J E Ewarts Store
1891 Mar 11
Solomon (KS) Sentinel news item says Bishoff Bros have opened a branch photo gallery in Solomon, KS beginning March 16

1891 Mar 18
Solomon (KS) Sentinel news item says Bishoff Bros have rented the Reeder Gallery on East Main as a branch of the Minneapolis Gallery
1891 Jun 24
Solomon (KS) Sentinel news item says Bishoff and wife have just returned from a seven week trip to West Virginia and Pennsylvania
1892 Sep 02
Delphos (KS) Republican news item says Bishoff Bros will open rooms at Glasco, KS, on Sep 12
1893 Mar 23
Minneapolis (KS) Messenger news item says the Bishoff Brothers are now located over the Corn State Bank again
1894 May 24
Kansas, state records, brother Thomas Everett L Bishoff is now living in Kansas as shown by the birth of his son Harry J Bishoff
1900 Jun 05
Maryville, Mo, US census C S Bishoff as photographer; res 411 n Filmore st
1900 Jun 11
Rankin, PA, US census, brother Thomas Everett L Bishoff is now living in Pennsylvania as Milk Merchant
1904 Dec 08
Mexico (MO) Message newspaper item says C S Bishoff has purchased a home in that city; a later item also says he had bought out J P Morris, photographer

1908 Dec 24
Cherryvale (KS)Journal small ad says Bishoff is in Cherryvale
1909 Aug 05
Pittsburg (KS) Highlight news item says C S Bishoff, photographer of Columbus, KS, visited Cherryvale, KS
1909 Aug 26
Cherryvale (KS) Journal news item mentions Bishoff new photo equipment
1909 Sep 11
Cherryvale (KS) Journal small display ad for Bishoff Studio
1910 Jan 13
Columbus (KS) Weekly Advocate news item says Elite Studio owned by D H Holt is managed by C S Bishoff
1910 Apr 15
Allegheney, PA, US census, brother Thomas Everett L Bishoff is still living in Pennsylvania as Milk Merchant
1910 Apr 27
Columbus, KS, US census C S Bishoff as photographer (enumerated twice; second time was in Cherryvale, KS, with no occupation listed
1913 Oct 08
Columbus (KS) Daily Advocate news item mentions C S Bishoff activity
1915
Columbus, KS, state census Charles S Bishoff as photographer

1919 Mar 01
Columbus, KS, state city and county census records C S Bishoff, no occupation listed
1920 Jun 04
Pasadena, CA, US census, Charles S Bishoff occupation NONE
1921
Riverside, CA, city directory, Chas S Bishoff is NOT listed
1922
Riverside, CA, directory NOT available
1923
Riverside, CA, city directory, Chas S Bishoff as photographer; wife Anna; res 788 w Sixth
1924
Anaheim, CA, city directory, Chas S Bishoff as photographer; res 202 s Main, Santa Ana
1930 Apr 09
Pasadena, CA, US census, Chas S Bishoff as occupation NONE; res 356 Carmelo Av
1931
Pasadena, CA, city directory Anna C Bishoff listed as widow (probably an error); res 432 n Hudson
1935
El Monte, CA, from 1940 US census, C S Bishoff as resident
1940 Apr 09
El Monte, CA, US census C S Bishoff as NO occupation listed

1947 Apr 17
Los Angeles, CA, state records, C S Bishoff dies at age 88

Various dated documents and events show that both Bishoff brothers were in Nebraska from May of 1886 to January of 1888. Both are found again in Kansas in 1888 and 1894. According to several newspaper items, this is when the brothers worked in Minneapolis, KS. Then by the 1900 census brother Thomas Bishoff has moved to Pennsylvania, and Charles Bishoff is in Maryville, MO. In 1919 Charles is back in Kansas but then in 1920 he has moved to California. In California, he continues to work as photographer during 1923 and 1924 then all later documents show no occupation for him.

This page was updated 29 Feb 2020

Bennington (KS) Mercury - 27 Jul 1888


Minneapolis (KS) Messenger - 23 Aug 1888

Minneapolis School Room Journal - 01 Jan 1889


Minneapolis (KS) Messenger - 25 Jul 1889

Minneapolis (KS) Messenger - 06 Mar 1890

Solomon (KS) Sentinel - 11 Mar 1891


Solomon (KS) Sentinel - 18 Mar 1891


Solomon (KS) Sentinel - 24 Jun 1891

Minneapolis (KS) Journal -
30 Jul 1891


Delphos (KS) Republican -
02 Sep 1892


Glasco (KS) Sun -
04 Nov 1892

Minneapolis (KS) Messenger -
23 Mar 1893

Minneapolis (KS) Messenger -
23 Mar 1893

Minneapolis (KS) Messenger -
03 Aug 1893

Mexico (MO) Message -
08 Dec 1904


Cherryvale (KS) -
23 Jun 1908


Cherryvale (KS) Journal -
24 Dec 1908

The Pittsburg (KS) Headlight -
05 Aug 1909


Cherryvale (KS) Journal -
26 Aug 1909

Cherryvale (KS) Journal -
11 Sep 1909

Cherryvale (KS) Republican -
15 Sep 1909

Columbus (KS) Weekly Advocate - 13 Jan 1910

Columbus (KS) Weekly Advocate - 08 Oct 1913

(Another "Elite" studio!)

photographer: Bishoff
Wymore, NE
example from the Flickr Collection of Beverly
Not same furniture in three of the photographs on this page.

An alert reader has found a CDV and two cabinet cards from when Bishoff was still in Nebraska.

Wymore, NE, is less than two miles from Blue Springs, NE.

photographer: Bishoff, Wymore, NE
CDV example found in Greenville, TX

Note: On all three cards, the edges are beveled and gilt. Reverse sides are blank.

photographer: Bishoff
Wymore, NE

Note: The same chair appears in the CDV example at the left.

The same chair can be seen HERE.

photographer: Bishoff
Wymore, NE

These examples were probably finished in 1887 or early 1888.

photographer: Bishoff Bros
Minneapolis, KS
example from contributor Pam

photographer: Bishoff Bros
Minneapolis, KS
example from auction site

photographer: Bishoff Bros
Minneapolis, KS
example from pinterest, no source known

photographer: Bishoff Bros
Minneapolis, KS
example from Ancestry.com

photographer: Bishoff Bros
Minneapolis, KS
example from auction site

photographer: Bishoff Bros
Minneapolis, KS
example from auction site

photographer: Bishoff Bros
Minneapolis, KS
example from auction site

photographer: Bishoff Bros
Minneapolis, KS
example from auction site
(This one is not a cabinet card but included because of the similar blanket arrangement.)

photographer: Bishoff Bros
Minneapolis, KS
example from auction site

Reverse of card at left

photographer: Bishoff Brothers
Minneapolis, KS
example from auction site

reverse of card at left

photographer: Bishoff Bros.
Minneapolis, Ks
example from LOST GALLERY

reverse of the card at the left

photographer: Bishoff Bros
Minneapolis, KS
example from FindAGrave
(Is this tablecloth the same as the blanket in one of the baby pictures in the above row?)

photographer: Bishoff Bros
Minneapolis, KS
example from pinterest, no source known

The following two examples contributed by Steven L Rowe.

photographer C S Bishoff
for Hathaway Gallery
Wymore NE

reverse of card at left

photographer: C S Bishoff
Maryville, MO
This card is 3" X 4 1/2"

Looking for an examples of a Bishoff cabinet cards when he was in Nebraska. If you have a Cabinet Card stamped with Nebraska, please send a good scan or photo including the edges to the address in the profile. Thanks!

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.

Cabinet cards typically have the photographer’s name and address printed on the bottom edge or the reverse of the card. 19th century photographers moved around a lot. The basic idea here is to find WHEN a photographer was WHERE, which will help date an unidentified CABINET CARD from your family album.

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.