An Ebay purchase. AZ young man posing in front of a printed backdrop, a couch on his left side and a stool or chair on his right. He is wearing a suit jacket, vest with a watch, chain, and fob; a bow tie, a shirt that probably has a celluloid collar, striped pants, and shoes. He has a mustache and short hair.

The Himes studio was in operation in Traverse City between 1897 and 1899.

An Ebay purchase from Bloomfield, Michigan. The back has the following: Died at age of 59 years 1900. Grandma Tager- Susan Lite Tager. Mother of Elizabeth Tager Warner.

The photograph features a photographic portrait of the woman surrounded by a wreath of flowers. Below is a coffin plaque with the words "At Rest" on it. The items are resting on a table.

Susan Lite/Leit Tager was born on 22 May 1842 in Canada, the daughter of William Lite/Leit and Katherine Arnold. She died on 20 June 1900 in Solon township, Leelanau County, Michigan from valvular disease of the heart. She is buried in Solon Township Cemetery.

An Ebay.com purchase from Pennsylvania. An unidentified man with a nice mustache. The Himes Studio operated in Traverse City between 1894 and 1900. The painted backdrop visible behind the young man is also visible in the other Himes photos posted on this blog.

Unidentified man, 1894-1900.

An Ebay purchase from Northport, Leelanau County, Michigan. Seven men, six wearing aprons.

The small carte de vista measures 3.75 inches tall and 2.25 inches wide. 

The photograph is obviously of a group of men who worked together. The men are unidentified. What was their occupation? Bartenders? Bakers? 

The back of the photograph reveals it is from the studio of A. McManus. Alphonso McManus operated his studio, by himself, in Traverse City from 1868 to 1873 (from 1873 to 1901 he operated a studio with his brother). The negative number on the back, No. 185, suggests it is one of his early photos.

An Ebay purchase from Redmond, Oregon. An unidentified well-dressed man with an excellent mustache. The Conat Studio operated in Traverse City between 1892 and 1895.

Unidentified man, Conat Studio, 1892-1895.

An Ebay purchase from Portland, Oregon. 

The family is unidentified. On the back is written July 5, 99. The father sits on a wooden straight-back chair while the mother sits on an elaborate wicker chair.

Boswell, Artist, TRAVERSE CITY, MICH. 

The printed back-drop has not been seen in other Boswell photographs.

Although the people are unidentified, having a date for the photo is great because it reveals what clothing and hairstyles were being used by people in the Grand Traverse area in 1899.

An Ebay purchase from Monson, Massachusetts. A wedding photograph from the Smith & Price Studio of Traverse City, with the handwritten note below the image "Laura Christine Geo. Cook Mark Chaplin"

Familysearch.org provided the record of this marriage. George F. Cook was married to Christine Anderson on 14 November 1904 at Leland, Leelanau County, Michigan. George was 32-years-old, a native of Michigan, worked as a fisherman, and was the son of Fred Cook and Aurora Lundgren. Christine was 21-years-old, a native of Michigan, did housework, and was the daughter of John Anderson. Justice of the Peace William C. Nelson conducted the ceremony, which was witnessed by William Anderson and Laura Bartlett. It seems likely that the name "Mark Chaplin" is incorrect and that instead the man is William Anderson.

An online family tree indicates George Frederick Cook was born on 8 October 1872 and died on 30 August 1965. Christine J. Anderson was born in 1883 and died on 13 September 1959. The couple is buried in the Beechwood Cemetery in Leland, Leelanau County, Michigan.

 The front of the photograph is unmarked. The back suggests that the occupants of the automobile are "CAL VADER + WIFE."

If this is Calvin S. Vader, the photo would pre-date his death in 1915. Vader was a Civil War veteran, born in 1842 in Canada. His second wife was Sarah Catherine (Prouty) Holdsworth (1845-1928).

Presently, I am not convinced this is Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Vader.

Letitia Pfeiffer.  An Ebay purchase, was surprised to see her name written on the back because it wasn't mentioned in the description. Written on the front is "Bradshaw Traverse City Mich." in pencil, perhaps indicating that this was an early photograph by that studio, before he had obtained matting stock with his name stamped on it. Albert John Bradshaw operated his studio in Traverse City from 1895 to 1899.

Letitia Pfeiffer, circa 1895-1899.

A real photo postcard mailed from Traverse City on 6 March 1909. The card is signed "LRH" on the back and was sent to Fred A. Stebbins of Machias, New York.

Thirty young people posed for the photograph, apparently at a costume party. People are dressed as bandits, cowboys, and one man is in blackface.

"183 Cass St Traverse City Mich" is written on the front.

T. C. Mar. 5-09.
Dear Fred:
    I haven't had time to write some so if you get this card before you leave just let me khow when your coming and I'll be here. Grace is going to Sisown[?] to work for Beitner next Monday morning.

Fred A. Stebbins was born on 7 September 1891, son of Wallace Stebbins (1866-1899) and Sophia Cline (1865-1962). On 15 June 1900, Freddie lived with his grandmother Amelia A. Stebbins, mother Sophia Stebbins, and sister Lottie A. Stebbings in Leelanau township, Leelanau County. On 20 April 1910, Fred lived with his mother and stepfather James Shields at 816 8th Street in Traverse City. He died from drowning on 29 January 1912 in Aberdeen, Chehalis County, Washington. He is buried in Leelanau Township Cemetery in Northport, Leelanau County.