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

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.

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