This cabinet card photograph captures a brother and sister posing for their portrait at the Holden studio in Luverne, Minnesota. The brother presents an appearance typical of boys in cabinet cards of this era. His sister, however, looks like a “little lady” in her presentation. The photographer is W. F. Holden who was a photographer in Minnesota in the 1880’s and 1890’s. His studio was in Luverne between 1894 and 1895. He worked in Preston, Minnesota between 1898 and 1899.
FASHIONABLE SIBLINGS IN LUVERNE, MINNESOTA (c 1894)
COOL LONG HAIRED MAN IN FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA (WILLIE NELSON TYPE)
This Cabinet Card photograph is an image of a very interesting looking man. His long hair and beard makes him look like Willie Nelson. This gentleman is from Faribault, Minnesota; or perhaps he was from elsewhere and just “on the road again”. The photographic studio was Peavey and Peterson of Faribault, Minnesota. Louis Peavey (c1832-1902) was a photographer active in Decorah, McGregor, and Ossion, Iowa (1864-1870). He opened a studio in Faribault, Minnesota in 1870 and partnered with Christian Peterson in about 1878 until near the end of the 1890’s.
PRETTY WOMAN PHOTOGRAPHED IN ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA
Emma sits for her portrait at the studio of T.M. Swem of St. Paul, Minnesota. Research from the Minnesota Historical Society reveals that the photographer is Thomas M. Swem who was born in Lima, Ohio in 1848 and began his photography business in Missouri in 1882. He moved to St. Paul, Minnesota and operated photography studios from various locations there from 1883 through 1899 when he moved out of state. Further research finds that he continued his photography business after leaving Minnesota. To view other photographs by Swem, click on the category “Photographer: Swem”.
A BOY AND HIS DOG IN MINNESOTA
A well dressed boy and his noble looking dog pose for this cabinet card photograph in St. Paul Minnesota. The dog appears to be a Border Collie. The photographer is Zimmerman. The back of the photograph is dated 1883.
Police Officer in Owatonna, Minnesota
The policeman in the Cabinet card appears to be holding a night stick or baton. He appears quite intense. His uniform appears to show both a British and a frontier western influence. He’s a lawman wearing a sheriff like star. The photographer is Chesley of Owatonna, Minnesota. Owatonna was founded in 1854. It is in southern Minnesota. The origin of its name is interesting. A story was concocted to promote tourism and to sell bottled water. The creative fictional account stated that an Indian chief’s daughter, “Princess Owatonna” was dying but cured from water bubbling up from the ground in the town. It is likely that Chesley, the photographer of this Cabinet card, photographed many of the tourists who came to Owatonna to see and drink the “miracle waters”.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 