Photographers in Indiana - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Gas City Photographer Walter David Hunt

heritagephoto — 2012-08-11 03:53:14Z

I'm aware of a couple of directories that might help you.

1902-03 Johnson's Business and Professional Directory of Indiana, p. 132 Gas City Business Directory
http://archive.org/stream/johnsonsbusiness190203wash#page/n1...

1895-96 Polk's Ind. State Gazetteer & Business Directory: I don't think this is online; they have it at the Indiana State Library and many smaller libraries in Indiana.

Here is a list of some other Indiana directories:
http://www.naturalizationrecords.com/usa/in_citydir.shtml

The Marion Public Library could help you with other Grant County directories.

Joan Hostetler
www.heritagephotoresearch.com

Re: Gas City Photographer Walter David Hunt

jimscarbrough2705 — 2012-08-10 18:50:49Z

I know this is 4 years late. I just found two photographs of my Grandfather and grandmother Made by Hunt Photography in Gas City, Indiana. There is no date, but they married in in 1903 and had moved to Knoxville, Tn by 1910.

You mentioned a Grant County Directory in your post. How could I find these records?

Thanks

Re: Photographer Ferguson in Columbus, Indiana

joelferguson1989 — 2011-12-09 06:10:13Z

This is cool. I am a current photographer in madison,and I attend the ivy tech photo program in coloumbus. not only that but my name is joel ferguson. I want to know all that i can.

Re: Ebenezer J. Stewart, Evansville

DCampbell7867 — 2009-03-31 14:33:06Z

Thank you Tom for passing along the locations of the Stewart studio. The time span & locations you supplied really help.

In 1876 the Stewart family was in Missouri where a son was born. In 1880 the family was in Arkansas where a daughter was born. They arrived in Illinois in December 1880.

It never ceases to amaze me when I receive a reply to an inquiry made a number of years ago.

Dorothy Campbell

Re: Ebenezer J. Stewart, Evansville

wash416 — 2009-03-30 15:57:50Z

Hi
I am in the process of doing reserch on early photos of Evansville Indiana and in doing the city directorys your subject was at 8 north 2nd from 1870 to 1873 as Stewart & Co and then at 201 1/2 Main under the same name from 1874 to 1875. Hope you find it helpfull.
Tom Crofts

Gas City Photographer Walter David Hunt

1000hunts — 2008-04-18 22:05:56Z

My great grandfather Walter David Hunt operated a photography studio in Gas City Indiana at the turn of the century. I'm looking for any information about the dates and addresses. The 1895 Grant County directory lists W.D. Hunt's home, gallery and shop at 241 1/2 E Main in Gas City but this is about all I know.

Any help I could get will be greatly appreciated.

Jim Hunt

A. F. Thrasher

heritagephoto — 2007-12-03 16:13:02Z

I have a little information about Thrasher in Wabash. If anyone has biographical information about him, please share.

Joan Hostetler, Coordinator
Indiana Photographers Project
716 Dorman Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
heritagephoto@indy.rr.com
(317) 639-2814

"The Paper" of Wabash Co, 11 Jan. 1984, p. 1 [?]:
"On the Trail of A. F. Thrasher," describes research efforts of Univ. of Montana masters history student, Mary C. Hortsman. Article focuses on A. F. Thrasher: b. California, went to Montana in 1870s. Joined 1871 expedition to Colter's Hell (later Yellowstone National Park). The group included a few Wabash businessmen, including Josiah Daugherty, pres. of Wabash's old First National Bank. Thrasher went to Wabash in 1872 for 8 months, apparently looking for financial backers for another expedition. He brought along over 100 glass plates of Yellowstone and advertised copies for sale in Wabash Plain Dealer and the Wabash Republican. [Ron Woodward, Wabash County Historian, told me that there should be many newspaper clippings in the Thrasher file at the Wabash Co. Hist. Soc., but they could not locate them in Aug. 1993.]

Biographies of Western Photographers, p. 212: Thrasher d. mid-1870s

Re: Photographers in Wabash Co., IN, or nearby

bearmauled — 2007-12-02 19:52:38Z

Hi,

I work in Yellowstone Park and there was a photographer A. F. Thrasher who took photos in Yellowstone and parts of Montana in the late 1800's. Yellowstone's archives might be interested in your photos depending on what they show. Do you still have them? Could you describe them or maybe send digital copies? If so, you can email the digital pics to me at bearmauled@yahoo.com (yep i had a little encounter with a mama griz in Yellowstone in 1994).

I hope my request isn't too much trouble. I give talks on Yellowstone history and am friends with Yellowstone Park's archivist and we are always on the lookout for Yellowstone items from the past :-), and would be happy even with digital copies if you weren't willing to part with the originals.

Thanks so much.

Randy Ingersoll
PO Box 418
Gardiner MT 59030
bearmauled@yahoo.com

Photographers in Wabash Co., IN, or nearby

halclup31 — 2007-09-17 00:12:13Z

I have a couple of late 1800's photos taken by A. F. Thrasher. Does anyone know where his studio was located? I think his first name was Augustus. I can't find him on any of the census lists of that time.

Thank you

Re: Can you help me? Old photographs

bobkatplus2 — 2007-07-13 21:31:43Z

Thanks so much! Atleast now I have a direction to go.

Re: Can you help me? Old photographs

heritagephoto — 2007-07-13 21:11:00Z

If you're trying to learn more about Iowa or Illinois photographers, you might try contacting the state historical societies or libraries. I believe there are directories of photographers from those two states.

Good luck!

Can you help me? Old photographs

bobkatplus2 — 2007-07-12 21:55:46Z

My father passed away and among his things was a photo album with about 50 photos from the 1880 (I believe). Many were by Harrison in Galesburg, IL. There were several from Iowa also. How can I find out more about them? I would appreciate any help!

Re: Fraser Bros., Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana

TreeHugger_2 — 2006-11-23 03:42:25Z

Thank you for the reply and information. The photograph I have seems to be older than 1890-1900, but it's possible it was a copy that was made about that time, or maybe, since you don't have information showing "Fraser Bros." there might have been an earlier business by that name. Thanks again.

Re: Fraser Bros., Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana

heritagephoto1 — 2006-11-22 20:28:22Z

My database of photographers is not complete, but I have the following information about the Fraser Gallery in Lebanon:

1891: Jas. A. Schroy sold photography business to F. J. Fraser in 1891.

1895: 1895-96 Polk's Ind. State Gazetteer & Business Directory, p. 985 (Joseph Fraser, photographer)

1900: The address for Fraser & Schmock Gallery in 1900-1901 city directory was listed as 110 1/2 N. Lebanon Ave.

1905: Fraser Gallery listed in 1905 at 115 E. Main St.

1910: By the 1910 census Joseph Fraser was a blacksmith in Bargersville, Johnson Co., Ind.

If anyone else has specific information, or knows the names of the brother, please post it here. Thanks!

Joan Hostetler
Indiana Photographers Project

Fraser Bros., Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana

TreeHugger_2 — 2006-11-21 01:18:11Z

Are there any dates available for when this photography business may have been operating? The photograph is marked:

Fraser Bros., Lebanon, Ind.

Thanking you in advance for any help.

Re: Indiana Photographers

ziggiez1 — 2006-11-19 21:11:46Z

Hi
I was wondering if you have any information on MM Mudge, photographer.

I bought a painting that was framed by Mudge Studio, Valparaiso, Indiana and am trying to date it. Phone number that is on the Mudge tag is 580R. This was painted by Tressa Mudge.
Thanks
Debbie

Re: Indiana Photographers

ziggiez1 — 2006-11-19 21:11:46Z

Hi Joan
Thanks for the information on Mudge Studio. Now I'm really confused on who painted the pictures of the dunes, Marion M or Tressa Mudge. On the pictures I have, someone wrote on the back. " Painted by Tressa Mudge Friend of Mary Mitener" . The guy I got them from (at a yard sale) said that Mary Mitener was his great grandmother and that they were of Michigan dunes. They are really nice water colored paintings of the dunes, postcard size.
Would you happen to know how MM Mudge signed his paintings?
Thanks again
Debbie

Re: Bowen's Art Gallery, Anderson, Indiana

TreeHugger_2 — 2006-10-17 19:39:51Z

Yes, that does help. Thank you very much.

BTW ... I believe his name was James Bowen, shown as a photographer on the 1900 census for Madison County, IN.

Re: Bowen's Art Gallery, Anderson, Indiana

2006-10-17 18:43:24Z

The only information I have in my database so far about the photographer Bowen in Anderson is the following:

Bowen & Long
cabinet card (1890s): Bowen & Long, successor to Hyle & Paland Art Studio, Anderson
(Note: Hyle & Paland started in Anderson in late 1891 or early 1892)

J. S. Bowen, photographer
46 1/2 N. Meridian St., Anderson
The Blue Book for Amateur Photographers, American Edition, 1895, p. 239

J. S. Bowen, photographer
1895-96 Polk's Ind. State Gazetteer & Business Directory, p. 984

This doesn't mean that he wasn't in business earlier or later, rather just that I haven't checked many Anderson sources.

Hope this helps.

Joan Hostetler
Indiana Photographers Project

Bowen's Art Gallery, Anderson, Indiana

TreeHugger_2 — 2006-10-16 21:31:29Z

Would someone have any information when this photographer, or business may have been operating? Marked on an old photograph is:

Bowen's Art Gallery
Anderson, Ind.

I believe the actual photograph was quite possibly a "copy" of an older photograph, however, I believe it was a process that was possible at the time this photographer was in business.

Thank you for any help you can provide.

T. Harrison, Portrait Photographer, Galesburg IL c1870s

alaskamac02 — 2006-07-09 00:00:12Z

Seeking information on T. Harrison, Portrait Photographer, No. 27 E Main Street, Galesburg IL. I am interested in the time period he operated his studio and/or photography business. Guessing this was c.1870s. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you.

J. McDonald – Anchorage AK.

Photographer Ferguson in Columbus, Indiana

2006-05-09 15:18:09Z

I don't have a lot about him, but I can give you some dates. J. E. Ferguson was working as a photographer in Columbus, IN as early as 1895. He sold his studio in early 1909.

Here are my sources:
-1895-96 Polk's Ind. State Gazetteer & Business Directory, p. 985; listed as J. E. Ferguson
-cabinet photo (ca. 1898) marked Ferguson's Ground Floor Gallery, 517 Washington Street, Columbus IN
-undated photo, Ferguson, opp. St. Dennis Hotel, Columbus
-undated photo, Ferguson's Ground Floor Gallery, 429 Washington St., Columbus, IN
-Bulletin of Photography, 7 Apr. 1909, p. 222 C. C. Pritchard has bought the Ferguson Photography Gallery at Columbus.

Joan Hostetler
Indiana Photographers Project
716 N. Dorman St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 639-2814

Re: When Where These Photograpers in Business?

msmith9470 — 2006-05-09 14:16:16Z

Do you have information about Ferguson in Columbus,IN? Thanks.

Woodruff & Holloway, Zionsville, Boone County, IN, photographers

TreeHugger_2 — 2006-01-09 13:52:20Z

I am seeking information regarding the 19th century photography business of "Woodruff & Holloway" in Zionsville, Boone County, Indiana. Does anyone have dates that this business was operating?

J.M. Nay, Lebanon, Boone County, IN photographer

TreeHugger_2 — 2006-01-09 13:52:20Z

Thank you so much for the lookup on Woodruff & Holloway. It's possible Jonathan Holloway is the same man from an earlier partnership, or a son, as I estimate the photograph I have is taken before the 1890's.

May I ask if you have a photographer by the name of, "J.M. Nay", Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana in your database? Thanks for your help.

Re: J.M. Nay, Lebanon, Boone County, IN photographer

TreeHugger_2 — 2006-01-09 13:52:20Z

Thank you. This is very helpful information and allows me to date several photographs.

Re: Niles, Mi Photographer

jimm14a — 2005-12-15 20:00:48Z

Thanks Joan

Re: Niles, Mi Photographer

2005-12-15 02:18:06Z

Go to http://www.geh.org/gehdata.html, click on "Telnet to vax.geh.org" and follow the directions. It is a little difficult and it is case sensitive. Good luck.

Joan

Re: Niles, Mi Photographer

jimm14a — 2005-12-15 00:51:00Z

Thanks Joan,
The info you gave me will be helpful. Is the George Eastman House data base available on line or do you have to visit the museum?
James MacMurray

Re: Niles, Mi Photographer

2005-12-14 15:05:40Z

Hi James,

The best person to contact about Michigan photographers is Dave Tinder. He's about to publish a directory of early Michigan photographers.

David V. Tinder
19230 Ford Rd
Dearborn, MI 48128-2000
(313) 593-1542

I can't find his e-mail address, but you might contact the Michigan Photographic Historical Society at
secretary@miphs.org to see if they have it.

Based on the style, I date your image at ca. 1875-1880. The George Eastman House database lists Ives as working from the 1870s-1890s.

Joan Hostetler

Niles, Mi Photographer

jimm14a — 2005-12-13 15:47:02Z

I am trying to find out if anyone can tell me where I might find information on a photographer who operated in Niles, Michigan.
E. B. Ives
It will help me date a photo I have.

Re: J.M. Nay, Lebanon, Boone County, IN photographer

heritagephoto1 — 2005-09-28 17:08:27Z

I just found one more lead about Nay. His name was James M. Nay and by 1900 he was a photographer in Roachdale, Indiana (Putnam County). He died in 1918 in Indianapolis.

Re: J.M. Nay, Lebanon, Boone County, IN photographer

heritagephoto1 — 2005-09-27 17:23:54Z

Nay is listed as a photographer in these sources:

Jamestown, Indiana
1882-83 Indiana State Gazetteer, p. 1088,

Lebanon, Indiana
1887-88 Indiana State Gazetteer, p. 1331
1890-91 Polk's Indiana State Gazetteer, p. 1206
1895-96 Polk's Ind. State Gazetteer & Business Directory, p. 985

Re: Woodruff & Holloway, Zionsville, Boone County, IN, photographers

heritagephoto1 — 2005-09-27 13:44:40Z

I don't have that partnership listed in my database of Indiana photographers, but J. F. Holloway (Jonathan F. ) worked in Zionsville in the 1890s. I don't have definitive dates for him.

Joan Hostetler

Ebenezer J. Stewart, Evansville

2005-01-14 18:51:54Z

Dorothy: The only entry I have for him is this listing in an Evansville city directory:

1870-71 Williams' Evansville Directory, p. 233 Stewart & Co. (E. J. Stewart & B. H. Robinson), photographers, 8 N. 2d bet. Main & Sycamore; E. J. Stewart, h N side Canal, bet. 5th Ave. & 6th ave., Lamasco

So it appears that he was a partner in a photo studio. I've not checked all of the Evansville directories, so he possibly worked there longer.

Could you provide some biographical information? I'd like to know this about all photographers in Indiana:
1. Birth and Death dates and places
2. Names of parents, spouses, and children
3. Other occupations
4. Years involved in photography
5. Specific locations of studios (addresses, cities, and names of galleries)
6. Education
7. Other biographical information, especially about their photography careers
8. SOURCES!

Thanks,

Joan Hostetler
Indiana Photographers Project
716 N. Dorman St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 639-2814
heritagephoto@indy.rr.com

Re: Evansville Indiana photographers

2005-01-12 16:07:39Z

Thanks Joan for your reply. I have been trying to locate the STEWART family using my main lead of great-grandfather being a photographer. So I was wondering if he had his own studio in Evansville, worked in another's studio or was free-lance. Since he was listed in the 1870 census as a photographer it would also be great to know if he was one during the civil war.

Re: Evansville Indiana photographers

heritagephoto1 — 2005-01-12 09:00:06Z

Hi Dorothy,

From my experience in researching Indiana photographers, I've found very few primary records (ledgers, glass negatives, correspondence) from the 1870s and 80s. You might check with the Vanderburgh County Historical Society or Evansville libraries.

What type of information are you seeking about your husband's great grandfather or other Evansville photographers? I'll check my database of photographers for you.

Joan Hostetler
heritagephoto@indy.rr.com

Evansville Indiana photographers

DCampbell7867 — 2005-01-11 14:33:48Z

Are there records of Evansville studios/photographers for the 1870 time frame? Husband's great grandfather, E.J./Eben/Ebenezer Stewart was a photographer. The 1870 Evansville, Indiana and the 1880 Arkansas census has him listed as one. From about 1881 to his death in 1899 he operated a studio in Murphsyboro, Illinois.

Any information on Evansville's studios would be greatly appreciasted.

Re: Indiana Photographer

heritagephoto1 — 2004-12-12 06:35:20Z

Sorry, Donna, I don't have anything on Thompson. Most of the photographers I've researched so far are from 1840-1910. If you have any information about him, I'd be glad to add it to my database.

Joan

Indiana Photographer

dloand9 — 2004-12-07 06:57:59Z

Do you have anything on Ralph G. Thompson who had a studio possibly in Plainfield or Indianapolis, IN. around 1940-1943?

Marshall KIMBALL, Gibson County

2004-12-03 18:52:50Z

Married to Betsy J. SMITH, daughter of my ancestors John Smith & Rhoda Malone, children Morris, Laura, & William Kimball, seeking info. if any photos of my ancestors exist by this man.

Re: Indiana Photographers

heritagephoto1 — 2004-08-23 05:58:19Z

Here's some information on the Mudge Studio in Valparaiso:

Godfrey family history [exact citation not known, much of this info. from "Andrew Mudge and His Descendants - 1943" by Edson H. Mudge], p. 45 On April 20, 1936 Marion M. Mudge's wife passed away, and the following January he sold his Valparaiso studio to his niece, Miss Tressie Mudge, who had long been associated with him in the work.

Godfrey family history [exact citation not known, much of this info. from "Andrew Mudge and His Descendants - 1943" by Edson H. Mudge], p. 44-45 After selling his part of Elkhart studio to bro. Elliott M. Mudge in 1885 he "after a time" purchased the McLellan Studio at Valparaiso. After 6 yrs. in Valparaiso, in 1893 they moved to several other states including TN, CT, OH, FL he returned to Valparaiso sometime after 1910. In 1912, for a yr. due to ill health he worked in brother's studio in Fresno, CA. Around 1913 returned to Valparaiso where business Mudge Studio prospered. He also had local fame as oil painter & sketch artist, selling many Lake Michigan dunes pictures. Jan. 1937 sold business to niece, Miss Tressie Mudge.

Hope this helps, although it doesn't narrow it down much!

Joan Hostetler
Indiana Photographer's Project
(317) 639-2814

Re: 1800-1900 ELWOOD INDIANA PHOTOGRAPHERS

2004-06-25 21:14:01Z

Joan, thank you for your reply. The photographers were both located in Elwood Indiana. The names are SMITH Photographers and the other HAWKINS. This had to have been in late 1800's or very early 1900's.

Re: 1800-1900 ELWOOD INDIANA PHOTOGRAPHERS

2004-06-25 12:19:04Z

Very few records exist for Indiana 19th-century photographers. If you would send me the name or names of the photographers I would check my database to at least tell you when they were in business.

Joan Hostetler
Indiana Photographers Project

1800-1900 ELWOOD INDIANA PHOTOGRAPHERS

daljo5245 — 2004-06-24 19:25:50Z

I have two photographs made in the late 1800's or early 1900's. Does anyone know if there is someway to find records of the photographers? Thanks, JS

Indiana Photographers 1800's

S_Billmeyer — 2004-03-28 23:19:41Z

My G.Grandmother, Anna A. Higgs, was engaged to a photographer at the time of the Civil War. He was captured and sent to Andersonville prison. After the war he was released, but died soon after Does anyone have information on who he is, or any thing else to add ? Sue

Re: Indiana Photographers 1800's

2004-02-25 17:38:38Z

Joan,hi ! My ggrandmother Anna A. Higgs might have lived in Decatur Co.,Ind. Remember the photographer was probably in the Union Army either as photographer or as a soldier. Then he was captured and sent to Andersonville prison. He was so starved that when he was released, he died of eating. Grandmother Anna married a Civil War veteran, Wm. Harrell, March 21,1866 in Decatur Co., Ind.,she was 22 yrs.......Sue edwardsuzan@yahoo.com

Re: Indiana Photographers 1800's

2004-02-25 15:41:37Z

I could at least narrow it down by providing a list of photographers who worked in her home county in the 1860s. Where did Anna live?

Joan Hostetler

When Where These Photograpers in Business?

bev_crosby — 2003-07-14 09:22:07Z

Can anyone tell me when these 'Photographers' were in business . . . I have several old pic and it would help in tracing my great grandmothers family . . . .

GORGAS & MULVEY, Madison In
Bryant, 17 E Main St, LaPorte, IN
Alfred VanSlyke, Lowell, IN
Wm M Scott, LaPorte, IN

Thanks for any help at all . . .Beverly / Arlington TX

Re: When Where These Photograpers in Business?

bev_crosby — 2003-07-14 09:22:07Z

Good morning Joan . . . .thank you so much. I believe this is going to be a tremendous help. This is all the names I have at this time . . . . if I come across anymore, I will be back . .Thanks again. . . . .Beverly / Arlington TX