PORTRAIT OF LEE TONG: PASTOR OF THE BAPTIST CHINESE CHURCH IN PORTLAND OREGON

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This photograph features a well dressed young Asian man sitting in a chair with his hat on his lap. He is is exhibiting an intense gaze at the photographer. On the reverse of this photograph is an inscription that informs us about the identity of this gentleman. His name is Lee Tong and he was a clergyman who attended the Eugene Bible University in Eugene, Oregon. The American Home Missionary (1913) journal lists him as a preacher. He also appears in the Portland directory as Reverend Lee Tong (1912-1914). A book entitled “Portland, Oregon: Its History and Builders” reports that he was the Pastor of the Baptist Chinese Church. Research reveals that the Eugene Bible College is now known as New Hope Christian College and it is located in Eugene. The school was founded by Fred Hornshuh in 1925. This photograph was taken at the Brown Studio in Portland, Oregon.

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Published in: on May 27, 2016 at 3:37 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ASIAN MAN IN DAVENPORT, IOWA (IT AIN’T NECESSARILY SO!)

This photograph features a gentleman of Asian appearance posing in the studio of Jarvis White, in Davenport, Iowa. The subject may not actually be of Asian descent; the hypothesis is certainly debatable. The gentleman has a fantastic and well tended mustache and beard. The photograph has remarkable clarity. The reverse of the photo has a pencilled inscription of a woman’s first name (Grace) and an illegible last name. The card is also dated November, 1898. To view other images of interesting facial hair, click on this site’s categories of Beards: (Only the Best) and Mustaches (Only the Best). The photographer of this image established his photographic studio in 1874 and was the successor to Hastings, White & Fisher, of 320 Brady Street, in Davenport, Iowa.

Published in: on January 11, 2011 at 12:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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WESTERN DRESSED ASIAN MAN: PORTRAIT BY PHOTOGRAPHERS TO THE QUEEN

This cabinet card is a portrait of a formally dressed young man who appears to be of Asian descent. The gentleman may be a visitor to the West; or he may be an immigrant to, or resident of the country where he was photographed. The man is handsome and dressed like a man of means. The photographic studio is A & G Taylor, one of several British studios that claim to be “Photographers to the Queen”. Andrew and George Taylor owned the largest Victorian Photography firms in the United Kingdom.  The company was started in London in the 1860’s. This particular photograph was taken after 1886 (determined by the back stamp logo); and at that time, the firm had branches in 36 United Kingdom cities, and in 6 cities in the United States.

Published in: on May 22, 2010 at 12:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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