Cabinet Card Photographers of the 19th Century - C -

Most often a found photograph is of unknown people by an unknown photographer. Occasionally the names of the people in a photograph are written on it later. But, very seldom do we ever learn the name of the photographer.

In the case of the Cabinet Card and the Carte de Viste (CDV) the photographer's name or studio name is often included as part of the mounting. It is sometimes at

the narrow end of the mounting board on the front and sometimes it is given in an elaborate fashion on the reverse of the card.

These pages of the LOST GALLERY will present all of the CABINET CARDS in the collection where the photographer is known.

The name of the photographer will be

repeated in the text so that it can be included in internet searches by Google and Bing and the rest.

As more information about the photographer emerges it will be added here.

This is a project in progress. If you don't find something here on a photographer you are researching, check back again.

From City Directories and other sources these dates apply
Joseph J. Caddy worked as Caddy and Green in 1879
Joseph J. Caddy worked as Caddy and Davis in 1889.
One CDV imprinted Caddy only is estimated around 1890
From 1896 to 1899 he was working alone. (City Directory)

Research was difficult because there was a Joseph J. Caddy in the coal industry living in Johnston, PA, at the same time as Joseph J. Caddy the photographer.

City Directories show Elmer Cain as a photographer 1887 through 1903. In 1907 he is listed as a Travel Agent.

Warren Hindreth Caldwell (1849-1930) was in the Boot and Shoe trade according to the 1900 US Census. It must have been a minor sideline however as he is listed in every Brockton City Directory from 1882 to 1913 as operating a Photograph Studio at 143 main in Brockton. In 1915 he was listed as an artist and in 1929 as a picture framer.

Apparently W. H. Caldwell and I. A. Kent were photograph studio associates or partners at 143 main, Brockton, Massachusetts up until 1895 when Kent moved down the street to 57 Main and began a separate photography studio.

City Directory for 1895 shows photographers Caldwell & Kent as one business at 143 Main in Brockton.
City Directory for 1896 shows Caldwell and Kent as separate businesses and separate addresses.
City Directories for Brockton MA years 1898 through 1906 show W. H. Caldwell and A. I. Kent both photographers, but at different business locations on Main street.

A. I. Kent (1865- ) Began hit photography career as a partner to H. W. Caldwell in about 1894 but by 1896 was in business for himself with his own studio just down the street at 43 Main. He moved to 57 Main in 1905 and added picture frames to his studio sales.

The 1910 Brockton City directory shows him still in business as a photographer at the same address. By 1920 he had given up the photography business and moved to St. Louis to be a paper box salesman. 1930 finds him still in St. Louis but now in real estate. At 74, in 1940 he is working as a cashier. He apparently never returned to photography after 1910. There were no records of his death.

There were no records showing what the A. I. stood for.

Timeline:
1894-1895 Will be imprinted Caldwell and Kent, 143 Main, Brockton
1896-1905 will be imprinted A. I. Kent, 43 Main, Brockton
1905-1910 will be imprinted A. I. Kent, 57 Main, Brockton

James Newton Caradine
(Aug 1845 - 27 May 1906)

1845
Aug born in Choctaw, MS
1861
in Confederate army at age 16
1874
birth of daughter Bernice Caradine in TX
1876
not in Sherman/Dennison city directory
1876-1879
partners with C M Cumming in Corsicana and Sherman
1880
US census as photographer; res S Walnut st, Sherman, TX
1896-1898
Sherman, TX, city directory as photographer; res 515 S Walnut

1899 Nov 05
death of wife Virginia Caledonia MacDougal in Sherman, TX
1900
US census as photographer; res E Frank st, Hill County, TX
1901
not in Sherman/Dennison city directory
1906 May 27
death in Sherman, TX

Rather sketchy history on Caradine. The cabinet cards here could have been done any time between 1879 and about 1899.

Pearl Lee Carder (1875 - )
There is a substantial amount of information on this one but it appears he retired from photography after only a short time.

From City Directory listing from Attleboro, MA, Carder was only in the photograph business for about three years, 1897 to 1899. After that he is credited with only “clerk” through 1906.

In 1917 he becomes “General Agent” for United Limit Co. (sp?)
He apparently moves to England, for in 1928 he arrives in New York from there, giving his permanent address on the ship’s passenger list as 50 Old Burlington street, Avonmouth, England. He is still and “agent”. Then another passenger list indicates he has moved to Kingston Jamaica. He returned to New York for an unknown period in 1945 at age 73.

In short, he apparently never returns to photography again. His photography can be documented for some time in 1897 through some time in 1899.

Not much has been found on A. C. Carpenter. The 1886 Kansas City, Missouri, city directory shows him as photographer in the business section and photographer in his residential listing. In subsequent year’s editions his residential listing says he is employed at Scottford and Company but still appears in the photographers page as having a studio at 715 Main.
It seems he was a photographer only part time.

After that, there are advertisements appearing in the Springfield, Missouri, newspaper in September and October of 1891 describing the move from Kansas City and describing a new business on Boone Street in Springfield.

Nothing has been discovered on Ancestry.com about his life.

In the same KCMO city directory listings for 1886 through 1891, was a Marion Carpenter as a photographer at 615 Main. (next)

This Carpenter is probably the same as in Bloomer with Carpenter, earlier on this page.

Charles Cary (22 Aug 1859 - 26 May 1924) has a long and full biography with family in Angola, Steuben, Indiana. There doesn’t seem to be two people with exactly the same name at the same period, in the small town of Angola, Indiana either. There is however only one remote mention of this Charles Cary being a photographer. He was many things over his life, including in 1870 a blacksmith, in 1910 a car Salesman and in 1920, Repair shop/vulcanizer. In 1907 he is mentioned in a news item that he is installing a gasoline engine in Hamilton, Indiana, News Office. Only once in the Angola Gazetteer of 1897, is he mentioned as a photographer, no details.

It is a possibility that Charles Cary worked as a part time photographer during some of his other occupations but it is more likely he was a photographer only around 1897.

Richard Leon Chalmers
(1866 - 29 Apr 1938)

1866
born in Newberry, SC
1880 age 14,
family has moved to Dallas, TX
1888
Dallas city directory as photographer Chalmers and Williams at 913 Elm
1889
Dallas city directory as photographer at 913 Elm
1891
Dallas city directory as photographer at 345 Elm
1893 and1894
Dallas city directory as photographer at 304 Elm
1900
US census as photographer with Harley Wilkes at 306 Beaton

1901
Corsicana, TX city directory as photographer at306 Beaton
1910
US census as photographer at 118 ½ N Beaton
1920
US census as farmer in Henderson, TX
1936
wife Florence Martha dies in Henderson, TX
1938 Apr 29
R L Chalmers dies in Terrell, Kaufman County, TX

It appears that Chalmers was photographer on his own, at 913 Elm for only a couple years around 1889.

John Christoph (1862-1925)
It appears that photography was only a sideline for John Christoph most of the time. He apparently had some real estate holdings that kept him busy. He also served as Police Judge for several years.

Ellinwood, Kansas, is a small town and so portraits by John Christoph will be somewhat rare. A newspaper item indicates he sold his studio in 1911 but it is not clear if that included his equipment.

His active years seem to be about 1885 to 1910.

Clifton Church
(17 Ma7 1855 - 6 Apr 1943)

Clifton Church was born in Massachusetts, worked in Dallas, TX, for 22 years and then returned to Massachusetts to retire. One could almost believe it was two different people. His date and place of birth and wife’s name and age are the same in all records however. And the Superman/Clark Kent rule comes into play. When he’s in one state, he’s not in the other.

What drew him to Dallas, TX, from Massachusetts is unknown.

1855 May 17
born in Fairhaven, MA
1880
as salesman in wool store
1886 - 1888
not in Dallas, TX, city directory
1888
marries Kate M. Dickson a resident of Dallas, TX
1889
living at the home of widow Miranda A. Morrill, 424 Ross, Dallas, TX

1891 - 1894
as photographer at 278 Elm; res 318 Ross, Dallas, TX
1896 - 1898
as photographer at 278 Elm; res 159 State, Dallas, TX
1900
as photographer; res 159 State, Dallas, TX
1901 - 1905
as photographer at 336 Elm; res 159 State, Dallas, TX
1904 - 1906
Clifton is the president of the Dallas Art Association
1906
as photographer at 336 Elm; bds at 442 Ross, Dallas, TX
1907
as photographer boarding at 442 Ross, Dallas, TX; not in business section
1908
in Brookline, MA, city directory at 1661 Beacon, Bookline, MA
1908 - 1909
NOT in the Dallas city directory; no 1909 Brookline, MA, city directory available

1910 Apr 29
US census as no occupation at 511 Ross av, Dallas, TX
1910
Brookline, MA, city directory at 1661 Beacon, no occupation listed; They keep a residence in Dallas, TX, at 511 Ross av
1913
Brookline, MA, city directory at 23 Claflin, wife Kate at 1661 Beacon
1914 - 1927
resident at 23 Claflin, no occupation given
1927 Jun 28
wife Katherine dies
1928 - 1934
no occupation given, at 23 Claflin
1935 - 1943
no occupation given, at 30 Summer, living with older brother
1943 Apr 06
dies at age 87 in Northhampton, MA

This cabinet card was made in that period of 18 years he operated as a photographer, between 1888 and 1906.

Albert Edwin Churchill (1861-1931)
Churchill appears to have been a full time photographer. Even his obituary reads “retired photographer” and no evidence of any other vocation has developed. He seems to have been active about 1885 through 1925.

As one might imagine, there were several dentists in central Illinois about the right age to also be a cabinet card photographer. However, no connection has been made with any of these who had a sideline in photography.

The card design was used 1880 and after.

The name E. W. Clark turns up often in searches but there is nothing to indicate which is the right one.

Many of the photographers of that era worked in other professions and did studio photography as a side-line. Hence, a census or city directory might identify them as "merchant" or "laborer" and the photography goes without credit.

Sisters Clara and Geneva Clay were well known photographers on the east coast of the US. So far, there is not much evidence to tie them to Marlin, a small town just north of Houston, Texas.

No city directory listings or census enumerations have been found for a Photographer Clay in or around Marlin, Texas, which suggests at best, that the partnership of Clay and Walker might have been short.

William Foster Cobb
(16 Apr 1869 - 19 Sep 1938)

It appears that W. F. Cobb was in the only in the photograph business just the short time he was in partnership with G. D. Wakely, about 1894 to 1897 and then as photographer for John Scartz Studio in Fort Worth, TX, until about 1901 .

After 1897 he was mostly a traveling salesman for Remington Guns and ammunition.

This cabinet card must have been done then, between 1894 and 1897.

Wakely seems to have moved around a great deal after his partnership with Cobb disolved in 1897. See lots more details about George D. Wakely.

David Smith Cole (1843 - 1916)
Timeline
1843 Nov 22
Born in Franklin, Ohio
1860
move to Marion, Iowa
1861
Enlisted for the Union in the Civil War
1864 Jul 22 - 1865 Apr 28
Civil War Prisoner in Andersonville
1865
Returns to Washington, Iowa, to establish first Photograph Studio
1867 Nov 02
marries Mary C. Auld (1848-1882)
1870
(US Census) move to Cedar, Iowa, as blacksmith with father
1880
(US Census) move to Brighton, Iowa, as gunsmith

1912
Receives patent for his design of a camera shutter
1903
18 months in the Phillipines
1915
(Iowa State Census) in Washington, Iowa, as photographer
1916 Oct 31
(Find-a-grave) Death in Brighton, Iowa

The cabinet card at the left was quite likely done around 1865 or later around 1904

The book “History of Washington County, Iowa” has an interesting account of D. S. Cole’s life. It is added just below.

Notes on Collins

Collins seems a very common name in New York State around the turn of the 20th century.

One Collins found connected with photography was Henry A. Collins in Courtlandville, New York in the 1880 US Census. He is listed there as 21 years old and his profession described as “works for photographer”. He is a lodger in the same house as Irving C. Page, photographer. He was born in New York and his parents came from England.

This however, is the only item found of photography with any Henry Collins.

This Henry A. Collins also had a son named Henry A. Collins.

The 1870 US Census lists four Henry A. Collins living in New York State. No photographers. The 1900 US Census shows there were at least two Henry A. Collins living in New York State. Again no photographers. Their professions mentioned were engineer, marine engineer, plumber, maintenance and shipping yard.

If the photographer was Henry Collins, it appears he was only in the business for a short time.

Another possible choice is Harry S. Collins. (1862-)
Harry S. Collins emigrated from England in 1887 and lived in New York State for the rest of his life, always as a photographer. But there is no documentation saying he was ever in Schuylerville, New York.

The Conley Brothers were not easy to trace at first. Then another cabinet card turned up on a web site credited to photographer D. C. Conley and Brother, Celina, Ohio. Considering it is the same name and the same city, it must be the same photographer. Working with a couple first initials easily turned up a large family of Conley’s living in Ohio. D. C. Conley became Daniel Calvin Conley (1857-1942) listed in many US Census and city directories as “Photographer.”

The 1880 US Census shows Daniel Calvin living in Celina, Ohio. All of his brothers are still living at home on the farm in Van Pelt, Ohio. The rest of the family is all tagged with “farmer” so it is difficult to tell which or how many of Daniel Calvin’s eight brothers he considered his partner at the time of this photograph.

The earliest mention as a photographer is the 1870 US Census when he was 23. All records of him after that designate him as photographer except the 1910 US Census which says he is a farmer. In a 1927 City Directory listing and in the 1930 US Census he is photographer again and he and his wife Emma C. have moved to 128 So Charles, Lansing, Michigan.

In 1940 he and Emma C. are still living in Lansing Michigan at 128 So Charles but the census taker leaves the “Occupation” column blank and enters his name as Donald instead of Daniel. Daniel is now 83.

He was an active photographer in Ohio from 1880 to 1910. The “farmer” designation in 1910 was quite possibly an assumption on the part of the census taker. Daniel Calvin’s whereabouts in 1920 have not been established.

Through all the years Daniel Calvin is listed as photographer as occupation or profession, there is no evidence he ever had a studio.

The 1880 US Census is the only documentation of his residence in Celina, Ohio, a town about 80 north of Dayton, Ohio. So this photograph was made around then. It would be one of his earliest prints.

The McKinney Gazette. December 25, 1897, Vol. 10, No. 45 Special Christmas Edition.
“Tom CONNOR is the Blue Gallery man. The Blue Gallery is famous throughout this region for making good pictures for little money. Tom is a fixture in McKinney and enjoys a good patronage. Those desiring their beauty struck should give him a call.”

Although A. Walker Corlis (1865-1937) moved around a lot, living mostly in Ontario, Connecticut and Ohio, he apparently visited Illinois only late in life, between 1933 and 1937.
A rough timeline would be:
1865 (birth) to 1899 (birth of daughter) in Ontario.
1900 Census in Hartford Connecticut
1902 - 1908 Youngstown Ohio.
1916 (death of wife Edith) to 1921 in Canada
1929 entrance into US to 1937 (Death) in Rock Island, Ill

Elmore Howard Corwin was born 29 Jun 1847, in Ohio. He married Bernice Coykendall 6 Jun 1869 and they had four children together. Bernice died in 1882. He then married Harriet Elizabeth Stinebaugh, 28 May 1884 and they had two children together. Elmore died on August 3, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 92, and was buried there.

This photograph was done sometime between 1889 and 1903.

Approximate Time line
1870 (Census) to 1876 (Birth of daughter) as photographer in Fulton, Illinois
1889 (Census) to 1903 (city directory) as photographer in Ottawa, Kansas
1910 (Census) as photographer
1920 (Census) as fruit farmer to 1940 (Census) as fruit farmer
Death in August of 1940.

Another example at Wendellreseaarch.com

The only clue found so far is this item in the Houston Post, 13 Feb 1897 about the sale of the studio to two other photographers. So the photograph here would have to have been made before that date.

There are several possible photographers from the South Central Texas area in the late 1800’s that could have teamed up for the “Court Studio” in Victoria, Texas.
J. J. Mullins
Robert Mullins
James Louis Gray
H. B. Gray
No connections have been made so far.

The newspaper clipping at the left does show that Mullins and Gray sold their studio to Tucker and Nichols in Feb of 1897

The cabinet Card at the far left would most likely have been done before February of 1897 when they went out of business.

To muddle things a bit more, the item below from the Victoria Advocate, 11 Mar 1899 shows a Robert Mullins selling HIS photography in Victoria, TX, to Mr. Rodman. (Perhaps the name on this one is Robert Mailins.)

1) ANOTHER by Curtiss
4) WOMAN'S PORTRAIT by Curtiss
5) W. P. COLE by Curtiss
6) FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT by Curtiss

Edwin Rodney Curtiss (1836 - 1911)

E. R. Curtiss was a lifelong, full time photographer, his studio at times employing as many as five assistants. His surviving photographs are quite plentiful including some stereo views.

His portraits often included dignitaries of New York and Wisconsin.


Timeline:
1836 (US Census) Birth
1855 (US Census) as Leather Dresser in Broadalbin, Fulton, New York (age 19)
1870 (US Census) as Artist in Madison WI
1875 (Madison City Directory) as Photographer
1880 (US Census) as Photographer in Madison, WI
1900 (US Census) as Photographer in Madison, WI
1905 (Wisconsin state Census) as Photographer in Madison
1911 Death in Madison, Wisconsin

W. B. Cuyler (1846 - 1925) began photography in 1870 at the age of 24 continuing in this single occupation until his death in 1925

1870 (US Census) as photographer living at a boarding house.
1873 (City Directory) to 1880 (US Census) as photographer Romeo, Macomb, Michigan
1906 (Certificate) Marriage to photographer Madge Burdge
1909 (City Directory) to 1910 (US Census) Photographer at 1546 College, Indianapolis, Indiana
1912 (City Directory) to 1913 (City Directory) Photographer at 1558 College, Indianapolis, Indiana
1913 (News item) May 10, Buys 1527 College for 6,200 dollars
1914 (City Directory) to (1924 (City Directory) 1527 College, Indianapolis, Indiana
1924 (City Directory) Madge not listed.
1925 Death

Card stock
1866–1880: square, lightweight mount
1880–1890: square, heavy weight card stock
1890s: scalloped edges

Card colors
1866–1880:
thin, light weight card stock in white, off white or light cream; white and light colours were used in later years, but generally on heavier card stock

1880–1890:
different colors for face and back of mounts

1882–1888:
matte-finish front, with a creamy-yellow, glossy back

(From WIki)

Borders
1866–1880: red or gold rules, single and double lines
1884–1885: wide gold borders
1885–1892: gold beveled edges
1889–1896: rounded corner rule of single line
1890s on: Embossed borders and/or lettering

(From Wiki)



For more information on dating Cabinet Cards see PHOTOTREE

Lettering
1866–1879 Photographer name and address often printed small and neatly just below the image, and/or studio name printed small on back.

1880s on: Large, ornate text for photographer name and address, especially in cursive style. Studio name often takes up the entire back of the card.

Late 1880s–90s Gold text on black card stock

1890s on: embossed studio name or other embossed designs

(From Wiki)

There are MANY photographs on each page so they might load slowly.