Photographers of Iowa County, Iowa

A list of photographers compiled from various sources (ongoing list)

Alexander, Frank - Marengo
?-1888 - The History of Iowa County, 1915. "In 1888 he [Specht] purchased the business of Mr. Alexander" [5 - Vol II, p. 80]

Bullers, J.L. - Williamsburg
1930s (mid) - from Julie Eggert Getter's photo collection

Bullers Studio - Williamsburg
1944 - "my own baby picture" - per Julie Eggert Getter

Cartwright, C.A. - Marengo
1895-1896 - Biographies of western photographers [1 - p. 221]
1900 - Federal Census, Marengo, Iowa; "A.C. Cartwright", photographer; sister E. E., merchant
1905 - Iowa State Census, Marengo, Iowa; "C.A. Cartwright"

Cartwright & Cutright - Marengo
1880 - The History of Iowa County, 1880 Marengo Business Directory [2 - pp. 513-515]

Cartwright & Thompson - Marengo
? - Hawkeye Heritage. Reference to a photo of a young woman [6 ]

Coon, S.H. - Victor
1881 - The History of Iowa County, 1880 Marengo Biographical Sketches [2 ]

Driscoll's Photography - Williamsburg
1950s (circa)-1987 - Williamsburg High School photographer; "Maybe he started in the 1950's?" - per Tony Eggert

Gilbert & Miller - Marengo
1881 - The History of Iowa County, 1880 Marengo Business Directory; "Gilbert & Miller, abstracts and loans, and photographers" [2 - pp. 513-515]
1878-1884 (circa) back of cabinet card of Anna Murphy
1880's (circa) - back of cabinet card (Marengo Woman)

Harrington, Walter - Williamsburg
1894-1909 [about] - Williamsburg Journal-Tribune, 1 July 1920, pg 1; "O. Johnson Purchases the Harrington Studio" [8 ]
1895-1896 - Biographies of western photographers [1 - p. 227]

Harrington, Mrs. Walter - Williamsburg
1909-1919 [about] - Williamsburg Journal-Tribune, 1 July 1920, pg 1; "Mrs. Harrington took charge of the studio, and her work here for the past ten years speaks volumes..." [8 ]

Harrington, Harry - York Center
1895-1896 - Biographies of western photographers [1 - p. 227]

Huber, C.D. - Williamsburgh [sic]
1882-3 - Approx. date based upon children's ages in a J.A. Cashman family photo - per Julie Eggert Getter
1892 Jan 22 - " C.D. Huber, the photographer, is prepared to do all kinds of picture work, any size or style in crayon, India ink, and also do view work.  Satisfaction guaranteed.  Give me a call." [8 ]

Johnson - Marengo
late 1800s - photo of unknown couple: Dean/Snavely photos

Johnson, Oscar - Williamsburg
1919-? - Williamsburg Journal-Tribune, 1 July 1920, pg 1; "O. Johnson Purchases the Harrington Studio"

Johnson - Williamsburg
1920s (mid to late) - from Julie Eggert Getter's photo collection

Mahannah - North English
1904 (circa) - front of Cheney family photo: Photo of Ivor and Ruth

Marble Studio - Marengo
1920s (late) - 1930s (mid) - "judging by clothes" - from Julie Eggert Getter's photo collection
1939 & 1955 - advertised in the Pioneer Republican, Marengo. - per Julie Eggert Getter

Marble, Lewis W. - Marengo
1921-1924 - U.S. Patent, "Vignetting Attachment For Camera" [7 ]

Martin, A.C. - Williamsburg
1904-? - Williamsburg Journal-Tribune, 5 Apr 1939, pg 2; "Thirty-five Years Ago: ... A.C. Martin has purchased the Harrington photoagraph gallery and will take possession in a month" [8 ]
Williamsburg Journal-Tribune, 10 Nov 1904; "All kinds of Portraits, Groups and Views.  Pictures enlarged from the negative.  Never too busy to answer questions.  All work promptly attended to.  Successor to W. Harstagton." [Walter Harrington] [8 ]

Prater - Marengo
late 1800s - "Prater, Studio, Marengo, Iowa." front of photo: unknown woman and Prater, C.C. -"C.C. Prater, Ground floor studio, N.E. Cor. Square, Marengo, IA." photo of child with broom.

Smith, E. J. - Williamsburg
1887 Sep 30 - Ad: " Photographic Studio. I wish to announce to the people of Williamsburgh, and vicinity that I am now prepared to do photo work, India ink, water colors. Copying and enlarging of all kinds. Picture frames in abundance. All work guaranteed to be first class. East Side Sq." [8 ]
1888 Oct 5 - Ad: " QUILTING. Having purchased one of the Davis Quilting Frames I am prepared to do Quilting of all kinds on short notice.  Prices reasonable. All work done neatly.  Leave orders at the Photograph Gallery." [8 ]

Specht, Jacob Frederick - Marengo
1888-1915 - The History of Iowa County, 1915. "In 1888 he purchased the business of Mr. [Frank] Alexander" [5 - Vol II p. 80]
1894 - The Photographic Journal of America. "J F. Specht, Marengo, general excellence." [4 ]
1895-1896 - Biographies of western photographers [1 - p. 238]
1914 - Abel's Photograhic Weekly. Ad to sell studio [3 - p. 21]

Stonestreet, M. - Victor
1895-1896 - Biographies of western photographers [1 - p. 238]

Wheeler, W.R. - Williamsburg
1890 Sep 19 - "The old Masonic Hall, over Evans Bros. store, has been leased to W.R. Wheeler the photographer, for a studio gallery and residence.  It is being changed and fitted up for that purpose this week." [8 ]

White, I.O. - Williamsburg
1925-? - Williamsburg Journal-Tribune, 24 Sept 1925, pg 1; "Mr. I. O. White of Cedar Falls, Ia., has leased the photograph studio from Walter Harrington and Oscar Johnson..." [8 ]

Wyatt - Marengo
late 1800s - back of photo of unknown woman

Footnotes:

  1. Biographies of western photographers: a reference guide to photographers working in the 19th century American West. By Carl Mautz. Edition: illustrated. Published by Carl Mautz Publishing, 1997, 601 pages. (Google Books)
  2. The History of Iowa County, Iowa, 1881, Des Moines, Union Historical Co., Birdsall, Williams & Co. (Marengo Businesses and Biographies)
  3. Abel's Photographic Weekly, By Juan C. Abel, Published by A.A.E. Abel, 1914 (Google Books)
  4. The Photographic Journal of America: The Oldest Photography Magazine in America, Published by Benerman & Wilson, 1894
  5. The History of Iowa County and its People, Illustrated, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915, 2 volumes
  6. Hawkeye Heritage, by Iowa Genealogical Society, Published by Iowa Genealogical Society, V. 25-26
  7. Patent number: 1507079, "Vignetting Attachment For Camera". Filing date: Mar 9, 1921; Issue date: Sep 2, 1924; Inventor: LEWIS W. WABBLE [MARBLE]. "Lewis W. Marble, of Marengo, Iowa; Hattie E. Marble Administratrix of said Lewis W. Marble, Deceased." (Google Patents)
  8. Williamsburg Journal-Tribune, Williamsburg, Iowa, newspaper. [top]

Contributors: Julie Eggert Getter and Stephen Williams

Example Photos:
Various photographs taken by some of these photographers