Joseph Elliot Watson

Photographer:
Watson & Bowles; Wyandotte
example from LOST GALLERY
(Probably finished between 1895 and 1900)
(Listed under Bowles also)

Joseph Elliot Watson
(1852 - 1939)

Timeline based on: city directories; US census, David Tinder Directory of Early Michigan Photographers, newspaper items as shown

1852 28 Aug
New York, NY, state records, J E Watson is born to Horace C Watson and Elizabeth Ann Elliot
1870
Detroit, MI, US census as clerk in store, still living with parents
1876 Early
Detroit, MI, Tinder Directory, Grand Central Gallery operated by Land and Watson
1876 Later
Detroit, MI, Tinder Directory, Grand Central Gallery operated by Watson and Company
1877
Mt Clemens, Pontiac and Detroit, Tinder Directory, Waterman and Watson advertise as photographers;
Detroit, MI, State Gazetteer, display ad for Grand Central Gallery at 41 and 43 Monroe Av;
Tinder Directory says that J E Watson was proprietor of the Grand Central Gallery from 1879 to Sep 1882

1878
Detroit, MI, city directory NOT listed
1879
Detroit, MI, city directory, Tinder Directory, Joseph Watson as photographer at Grand Central Gallery, 41-43 Monroe av; res 264 First; It is speculated here, that for a few months early in 1879 was when Watson was partners with Esther A Bowles. No actual documentation has been found to support this.
1880 Jun 01
U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880, as photographer
1881 - Sep 1882
Detroit, MI, city directory J E Watson as photographer at 41-43 Monroe av; res 264 First
Sept 1882
Tinder Directory J E Watson moves gallery to 236 Woodward Avenue
1883
Detroit, MI, city directory J E Watson as photographer at 236 Woodward ave; (Now called the Watson Gallery) res 12 Madison av; also listed as sec-treas Detroit Stave and Barrel Co
1883
Detroit, MI, state records J E Watson marriage to Ida M Case

1884
Detroit, MI, city directory as Pres Stoepel Lumber; res Russel Home; also Watson Gallery at 236 Woodward ave, T N Tomlinson, Prop;
1885
Detroit, MI, city directory as Pres Stoepel Lumber and lumber dealer cor 4th av and Holden rd; res 350 Cass; also Watson Gallery at 236 Woodward ave, T N Tomlinson, Prop;
1886
Detroit, MI, city directory as Pres Scranton and Watson Lumber Co at 2nd av bet Boston and Amsterdam; also Watson Gallery at 236 Woodward ave, T N Tomlinson, Prop;
1887
Detroit, MI, city directory Joseph E Watson and Watson Gallery are NOT listed; T N Tomlinson is operating the gallery at 236 Woodward; Scranton J P, Lumber Co listed at 1250 2nd av
1888
Detroit, MI, city directory, there is a listing “Watson, Joseph, died March 26, 1888” But this is probably NOT the photographer; Joseph E Watson NOT listed; Watson Gallery NOT listed; Tomlinson still operating own gallery at 236 Woodward
ALSO not in the Portland, OR, city directory for that year

1889
Detroit, MI, city directory AND Portland, OR, city directory Joseph E Watson NOT listed
Late 1880’s and Early 1890’S
Tinder Directory says Watson spent these years ranching in Idaho and Oregon
1890
Portland, OR, city directory as photographer at 225 ½ First st; res 21 10th
1890 Nov 04 and 05
Portland (OR) Morning Oregonian small ad says photographer Watson is at 226 First Street
1890 Dec 10
Portland OR, US census and Military Service records, son Horace Edward Watson is born
1891
Portland, OR, city directory as photographer at 225 ½ First st; res 528 K
1891 Mar 13
Oregon City (OR) Enterprise news item says Joseph Watson and wife have been seriously ill
1892
Portland, OR, city directory as photographer at 225 1/2 First; res 791 Corbett
1893
Detroit, MI, city directory, Joseph E Watson NOT listed;
Portland, OR, city directory NOT listed

1894
Detroit, MI, city directory, only 23 pages available; Portland, city directory NOT listed
1895
Detroit, MI, city directory, as photographer at 148 Woodward; res 264 First
1896
Detroit, MI, city directory as photographer at 148 Woodward; res 625 3rd av
1897 - 1898
Detroit, MI, city directory as photographer at 148 Woodward
1899
Detroit, MI, city directory as photographer at 911 Third St; not listed in business pages
1900 Jun 07
Detroit, MI, US census as photographer; res 911 Third St;
1900 - 1901
Detroit, MI, city directory NOT listed in residential or business pages
1902
Detroit, MI, city directory only a few pages available
1903 - 1904
Detroit, MI, city directory NOT listed in residential or business pages

1910 Apr 14
Jersey City, NJ, US census as Art Dealer in own studio; Ida and both sons also listed
1915 Jun 01
Huntington, NY, NY state census as photographer; res 11 Bayview av
1920
Huntington, NY, US census as photographer; res Bayview st
1925
Huntington, NY, NY state census as photographer
1930 Jan 03
Northport (NY) Observer item says Mr and Mrs Joseph E Watson are visiting their son in Laredo, TX
1930 22 Apr
Laredo, TX, US census as no occupation; res 1118 Mier st; Wife Ida C, also listed ; Their son Horace Watson lived in Laredo, TX, working as a farmer at this time.
1930 Nov 03
Huntington (NY) Longislander news item says Watson son Horace as died in a fire
1933 Oct 30
Laredo, TX, state records, son Horace Watson dies at age 42

1934 Jul 13
Northport (NY) Northport Journal item says Robert E Watson is visiting Mr and Mrs Joseph E Watson of Bayview Avenue
1934 Aug 10
Huntington (NY) Longislander item says Mrs Joseph E Watson is home from hospital
1934 Nov 23
Huntington (NY) Longislander item says Mr and MRs Joseph E Watson have closed the Bayview Av home and are spending the winter with son Robert in Nyack, NY
1939 Feb 25
Nyack, NY, state records, Joseph Elliot Watson dies at age 86

Joseph Elliot Watson appears to have moved several times. Records place him and his wife and profession in New York, Michigan, Oregon and Texas.

J E Watson is probably the Watson of “Watson and Bowles” but so far no documentation has been found showing if and when they actually worked together. Although there were other photographers named Watson in the area, J E Watson seems the most likely candidate.

Mrs. Esther A. Bowles (nee Buck) lived her entire life in Michigan. She was born in April 1853.

Esther married the Reverend George A. Bowles in 1869. Available records show she worked as a photographer In Wyandotte, Michigan, from 1892 to 1921. Wyandotte is a suburb of Detroit, MI.

This is quite likely the Bowles of “Watson and Bowles” as no other candidate has been found with that name, living in the right place at the right time.

Between 1876 and 1880 J E Watson had other partners and assistants in the “Grand Central Gallery” also named “Land and Watson” and “Watson and Company”. Then in 1890, Watson moved to Portland, OR, for his health. He returned to Detroit in 1895. By then, Esther Bowles was in business for herself in Wyandotte, MI

In any scenario, the partnership seems to have lasted only a short time, months, perhaps weeks.

Michigan State Gazzeteer - 1877

Detroit (MI) Free Press -
05 Mar 1876


Detroit (MI) Free Press -
21 Nov 1880


Detroit (MI) Free Press -
21 Dec 1880


Detroit (MI) Free Press -
21 Dec 1880

J E Watson advertised repeatedly October through December of 1880

Detroit (MI) Free Press -
19 Feb 1882

Milford (MI) Times -
09 Sep 1882

Detroit (MI) Free Press -
06 May 1883


Detroit (MI) Free Press -
06 Jul 1884


Ad from the Detroit, MI,
city directory of 1884


Oregon City (OR) Oregonian -
04 & 05 Nov 1890


Oregon City (OR) Oregonian -
13 Mar 1891

Brooklyn (NY) Times -
20 Jul 1912


Northport (NY) Observer -
03 Jan 1930

Northport (NY) Observer -
17 Feb 1933


Huntington (NY) Long Islander -
03 Nov 1933

Northport (NY) Observer -
03 Nov 1933

Northport (NY) Journal -
13 Jul 1934


Huntington (NY) Long Islander -
10 Aug 1934

Huntington (NY) Long Islander -
23 Nov 1934


Huntington (NY) Long Islander -
07 Jun 1935

photographer J E Watson
41 and 43 Monroe
example from auction site

This card would have been finished around 1879-1882 when the studio was on Monroe Street.

photographer: Watson Brothers
Fairbury, IL
example from auction site

Watson Brothers
It appears that the firm of the Watson Brothers was the enterprise of Charles H Watson and Stephen A Watson. They operated as Watson Bros Photography in Streator, IL, from late 1887 through 1888. Streator, IL, is just forty miles from Fairbury, IL.

In January of 1889 the brothers incorporated The Illinois Art and Portrait Company for copying and enlarging pictures and teaching the art of drawing and painting. They apparently never returned to the studio portrait photography business.

So far no connection, business or family, has been made to Joseph E Watson of Detroit, MI.

photographer J E Watson
236 Woodward Avenue, Detroit MI
CDV example from Cabinet Card Gallery

reverse of card at the left

This is another example from J E Watson. This was finished when Watson was at 236 Woodward, around 1883-1887.

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.

John Bennette Chambers

photographer Chambers (JB or BJ)
Brownwood, TX

John Bennette Chambers
(1870 - )

1870 May
Waco, Texas, US census, birth year agrees in all census reports, John Bennette Chambers is born
1896
Texas, state records, J B Chambers marries Alice Souther
1900
Abilene, TX, US census Chambers as photographer
1909
Abilene, TX, city directory Chambers NOT listed (earliest directory available)
1909, 1911
Brownwood, TX, city directory, J B Chambers and wife are NOT listed
1910
Snyder, TX, US census Chambers listed as real estate agent; Wife Alice listed as photographer
1920 27 Apr
Corpus Christi, TX, US census Chambers as real estate agent
1923
Bryan (TX) Eagle, news item, College Station, John Bennette Chambers JR receives BA degree

1935
Cameron, TX, US census of 1940 Chambers is living in Cameron, TX
1940
Cameron, TX, US census Chambers as farmer
1941 Jul 08
Temple, TX, J B Chambers dies at age 72

There were several citizens named J B (or B J) Chambers in Texas during the cabinet card era. Only one Chambers came up associated with photography and then only once. The 1900 US census, J B Chambers is listed as a photographer in Abilene, TX. All other documents show him as a real estate agent.

The US census of 1910 shows J B Chambers as 5eal estate agent and his wife Alice as photographer.

So if this is the correct Chambers as photographer for this unusual cabinet card, it must have been done around 1900.

This is a "Best Guess" scenario. If you have additional information or examples please send a note to the email address in the profile. Thanks.

photographer: Chambers
Brownwood, TX
example from Cabinet Card Gallery

Cabinet Card examples for J B Chambers appear to be scare.

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.

Charles Howard Wolf

photographer: Wolf
Greensburg, IN
example from LOST GALLERY

Charles Howard Wolf
(1869 - 1945)

Although there were three or four photographers named Wolf working in the US in the cabinet card era, Charles Howard Wolf was probably the photographer for this card. He lived longest in Indianapolis, IN, which is just fifty miles from Greensburg, IN, where this card was finished.

1869 May 03
Wilmington, OH, state records, Charles Howard Wolf is born to William Peter Wolf and Amanda White
Early years spent in Wilmington, OH
1900 May 02
Greensburg, IN, C H Wolf marries Bertha Gibson
1900 Jun 09
Washington, IN, US census as photographer; res Michigan Av
1900 Dec 06
Rushville (IN) Republican, classified ad says C H Wolf, photographer is looking for 6 room house in Rushville
1902
The Saint Louis and Canadian Photographer - item says Wolf has purchased the Snyder Gallery in Rushville, IN

1902 Dec 16
Rushville (IN) Republican small ad says C H Wolf, photographer is successor to Stephens
1903 Sep 22
Rushville (IN) Republican news item says Capt W P Wolf is visiting his son C H Wolf of Rushville, IN
1903 Nov 10
Rushville (IN) Republican small ad for C H Wolf photograph studio
1903 Dec 01
Rushville (IN) Republican small ad for C H Wolf photographer
1904 Jan 14
Rushville, IN, C H Wolf’s son William Gibson Wolf is born
1904 May 18
Rushville (IN) Republican small item says C H Wolf went to Carthage (IN) for possible branch studio
1904 Dec 20
Richmond (IN) Item, news item mentions C H Wolf studio in Rushville, IN
1905 Apr 11
Rushville (IN) Daily Republican item says C H Wolf sold his studio over Betker’s Cigar store, to Owen Carpenter who will take possession Apr 24

1905 Apr 25
Rushville (IN) Republican news item says C H Wolf has gone to Middletown to buy a house
1905 Apr 27
Rushville (IN) Republican news item says C H Wolf has purchased a home in Middletown, IN, near his studio there
1905 May 11
Rushville (IN) Republican news item says C H Wolf family has moved to Middletown, OH
1905 Oct 21
Middletown, OH, state records, Wolf’s daughter Elizabeth is born
1906
Indianapolis, IN, city directory C H Wolf NOT listed
1906 and 1907
No documents have been found to describe the location of C H Wolf during these years but he was probably still operating in Middletown, OH
1908 May 25
Rushville (IN) Daily Republican item says C H Wolf is moving to 333 w Third st
1908 Dec 19
Rushville (IN) Republican small display ad for C H Wolf photographer opposite the post office

1909 Jul 17
Rushville (IN) Republican news item says C H Wolf has won a gold medal from the Association of Photographers
1910 Apr 22
Rushville, IN, US census, C H Wolf as photographer; res 321 w Third st
1910 May 05
Rushville (IN) Republican news item says C H Wolf has returned from Memphis, TN, declining to move there because of the climate
1910 Nov 23
Rushville (IN) Republican small ad for C H Wolf studio
1912 May 15
Rushville (IN) Daily Republican small ad for C H Wolf studio
1913 Mar 29
Rushville (IN) republican small ad for C H Wolf studio
1914 Nov 16
Rushville (IN) Republican news item says Mr and Mrs Charles H Wolf have moved from Kokomo, IN, to Little Rock, AR

1915
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf NOT listed; no records have been found to place C H Wolf during 1915
1916, 1917, 1918, 1919
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer; res 3527 Kenwood av
1920 Jan 13
Indianapolis, IN, US census, C H Wolf as photographer; res 3527 Kenwood av
1921
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer; res 3527 Kenwood av
1922, 1923
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as retoucher; res 3527 Kenwood av
1924, 1925
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer; res 3457 N Illinois
1926, 1927
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer; res 253 w 42nd

1928, 1929
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer at Photo-Craft Studio; res 253 W 42nd
1930 Apr 04
Indianapolis, IN, US census Charles H Wolf as photographer; res 253 42th st
1931
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer at Photo-Craft Studio; res 253 W 42nd
1932
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf no occupation shown; res 402 Tibbs av; not in business pages
1933
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer at Nat’l Studio; res 420 Berwick
1935, 1937
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer at 409 Centennial

One obituary says that C H Wolf was working for the Voorhis Studio from this point on.

1940
Indianapolis, IN, city directory Chas H Wolf as photographer; res 409 N Centennial
1940 Apr 08
Indianapolis, IN, US census Charles Wolf as photographer; res 409 Centennial
1942 Jun 21
Indianapolis, IN, state records wife Bertha Gibson Wolf dies at age 71
1945 Aug 12
Indianapolis, IN, state records, Charles Howard Wolf dies at age 76

The only document found showing that Wolf was actually IN Greensburg was in 1900. The cabinet card at the top might have been done around that time. However, it could also have been done about any time during Wolf’s business life, as Greenburg, IN, is only a short distance from Indianapolis.

Rushville (IN) Republican - 06 Dec 1901

Rushville (IN) Republican -
16 Dec 1902


Rushville (IN) Republican -
22 Sep 1903


Rushville (IN) Republican -
10 Nov 1903


Rushville (IN) Republican -
01 Dec 1903

Richmond (IN) Item - 21 Dec 1904

Rushville (IN) Republican -
18 May 1904

Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
11 Apr 1905


Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
14 Apr 1905

Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
18 Apr 1905


Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
25 Apr 1905

Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
27 Apr 1905


Rushville (IN) Republican -
11 May 1905


Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
25 may 1908


Rushville (IN) Republican -
19 Dec 1908

Rushville (IN) Republican -
17 Jun 1909


Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
22 Jul 1909


Rushville (IN) Daily Republican -
05 May 1910

Rushville (IN) Republican -
23 Nov 1910


Rushville (IN) Republican -
29 Mar 1913


Rushville (IN) Republican -
16 Nov 1914

Indianapolis (IN)News - 22 Jun 1942

Rushville (IN) Republican - 22 Aug 1945

Indianapolis (IN) News - 22 Aug 1945

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.

T H A Wise

photographer: T H A Wise
Burgettstown, PA
example from LOST GALLERY

Theodore Henry Abnisance Wise
(1861 - 1950)

1662 Aug 03
Morris, PA, state records, T H A Wise is born to John Henry Wise and Margaret Supler
1876 Jan 30
Morris, PA, state records, T H A Wise mother dies
1880 Jun 10
Morris, PA, US census, T H A Wise as farm labor, living with parents
1895, 1896
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, T H A Wise NOT listed
1897, 1898
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, T H A Wise as photographer at 43 Federal; res: 109 Arch
1898 Nov 02
Pittsburgh (PA) Press, classified ad mentions T H A Wise as proprietor of Pearson Photo Gallery, 43-45 Federal Street
1898 Dec 25
Pittsburgh (PA) Daily Post, small ad says T H A Wise gallery (“better known as Pearson Gallery”) is at 43 and 45 Federal Street

(note: there are several notices about real estate transfers for T H A Wise in the newspapers between 1898 and 1906)
1899
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, T H A Wise as photographer at 207 Federal; res: bds 825 Arch
1899 Dec 12
Sheridan, PA, Marriage License, T H A Wise marriage license to Carrie S Elliott (Scott)
1900 Jun 15
Pittsburgh, PA, US census, T H A Wise as photographer; res 230 Charles st
1902
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, T H A Wise as photographer at 208 Federal; res: 1008 Cabinet
1903
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, T H A Wise as photographer at 1008 Cabinet; Res same apparently; NOT listed in business pages;
1903
Washington, PA, city directory; T H A Wise: Rothwell Studio at 11 N Main; note: James W Rothwell died in June of 1900 and apparently Wise took over the studio, but exactly when is not clear.
1904
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, T H A Wise NOT listed

1905, 1907
Washington, PA, city directory, T H A Wise NOT listed in residential; (“New” Rothwell Studio listed at 11 n Main)
1909 Jan 10
Pittsburgh (PA) Press display ad says T H A Wise, photographer is proprietor of Rothwell Studio, 11 Main Street, Washington, PA
1910
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, T H A Wise NOT listed
1915
Pittsburgh, PA, city directory, Mrs Wise (Carrie S) at 2930 Merwyn (T H A Wise NOT listed)
1918
Huntington, WV, city directory, T H A Wise NOT listed
1920
Huntington, WV, city directory, Theodore H A Wise as laborer, wife Anna, res 731 Virginia
1920 Jan 11
Allegheny, PA, US census, Carrie Wise and daughter Edna Elliott living at 2844 Chartiers, Allegheny, PA
1920 Jan 21
Macon, IL, US census Theodore Wise, no occupation shown; wife Anna; res not shown, appears to be rural

1921
Huntington, WV, city directory, Theodore H A Wise as Taxi driver, wife Anna, res 731 Virginia
1924
Huntington, WV, city directory as Theodore H A Wise, as chauffer, wife Anna, res 731 Virginia
1926
Huntington, WV, city directory as THOMAS H A Wise, occupation shown; wife Anna, res 731 Virginia av
1928
Huntington, WV, city directory as THOMAS H A Wise, confectioner at 733 Virginia, res same, wife Anna, res 733 Virginia
1930 Apr 12
Huntington, WV, US census T H A Wise, no occupation shown; res 731 Virginia; wife Anna

1932
Huntington, WV, city directory, “Thos” H A Wise, no occupation shown, wife Anna, res 731 Virginia av
1934
Huntington, WV, city directory, “Thos” H A Wise as laborer, wife Anna; res 725 Virginia av
1936
Huntington, WV, city directory, “Thos” H A Wise as auto driver; wife Anna B; res 725 Virginia av 1938
Huntington, WV, city directory, “Thos” H Wise as no occupation shown; wife Anna B, res 24 Third Av
1940
Huntington, WV, city directory, Theo H A Wise as no occupation shown; wife Anna B, res 24 Third Av

1941
Huntington, WV, city directory, Theo H Wise, no occupation shown; wife Anna B, res 24 Third Av
1943, 1945
Huntington, WV, city directory, Theo H Wise, no occupation shown; wife Anna, Res 24 Third Av
1947, 1949
Huntington, WV, city directory, Theo H Wise, no occupation shown; wife Anna B, res 24 Third Av
1950 Sep 08
Huntington, WV, state records, T H A Wise dies at age 89; Death index lists him as Circus “Performer”
1950
Huntington, WV, city directory, Anna B listed as widow of Theo H Wise, res 24 Third Av

According to documents found, it appears that Theodore Wise was a photographer between 1897 and 1910. There are some gaps in the records so that period might extend a short time before or after that period. He worked as proprietor of the Rothwell Gallery from about 1903 to 1910. The Rothwell cards are less likely to have his name on imprinted them.

After that, he seems to have left photography altogether, working at things like taxi driver and confectioner. Finally, his death certificate lists him as Circus Performer.

Pittsburgh (PA) Press - 03 Nov 1898

Pittsburgh (PA) Daily Post - 25 Dec 1898

Pittsburgh (PA) Post Gazette - 26 Oct 1900

The Pittsburgh (PA) Press - 10 Jan 1909

photogrpher: Rothwell
Washington, PA
example from auction site

photogrpher: Rothwell Studio
Washington, PA
example from DeadFred site

photogrpher: T H A Wise
Burgettstown, PA
example from auction site

photogrpher: Wise
Burgettstown, PA
example from RootsWeb

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.

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, they will be immediately removed.