1854 75 Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois.[1]
1855 77 Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois.
1856-1860 77 Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois.1
1859 117 Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois.
1861-1868 109 Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois.1
1870-1871 109 Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois.1
1856 February 1. The Daily Democratic Press. (Chicago, Illinois.) February 1, 1856, Vol. IV, No. 105, P. 2 & 3.
Review of the Manufacturers of Chicago for 1855. In presenting our readers with the fourth Annual Review of the Manufactures of Chicago, we are happy to say , that this important arm of our prosperity continues to keep pace with the general growth of the city and country…
Daguerreotypes, Photographs, Ambrotypes, &c. The Daguerrean business is not strickly speaking a manufacturing branch of industry, yet as there is in this city a large amount of capital invested in establishments of this kind, we have thought it but proper to include them. During the past two years Daguerrean rooms have increased very rapidly; and we are happy to record the fact, that Chicago has some of the best operators in the United States.
A. Hesler, Daguerrean and Photographer, Metropolitan Block, Lasalle street.
This is the largest Daguerrean establishment in the United States. It consists of 12 large rooms, most appropriately fitted up. The show rooms are luxuriously furnished.
Mr. Hesler’s Daguerreotype likenesses have taken the premium at the World’s Fair, New York, and at several of the State Fairs throughout the United States. He was formerly situated at Galena, in this State, and moved to this city in December, 1854.
The following is a statement of his business during 1855.
Capital Investment…………$22,000
Va. Of Pictures, &c.………..$38,000
Material used……….………$18,000
Wages used………………….$6,500
No. of operators employed….10.
Root, Cook & Fassett, Daguerreotypist and Ambrotypist, 131 Lake street.
This establishment was only commenced las September, since which time they have acquired a good reputation as Daguerreans. Some of their pictures have taken premiums at State Fairs and Industrial exhibitions.
The Following is a statement of their operation from Sept. 1st to Dec. 31st, 1855.
Capital Invested……….$3,000
600 pictures……………$2,000
Raw material used……..$400
H. W. Williams, Daguerrean Artist, 58 West Randolph street.
The amount of business turned out in this establishment during the past year, is as follows:
Capital Invested……$500.
Value of pictures……$1,500.
No. of operators…….2.
Taylor & Lenox, Ambrotypist and Daguerreans, 75 Lake street.
This firm commenced business in September last. They are the proprietors of the patent right of Cutting’s process of Ambrotyping, for this State and Wisconsin. The figures during the few months they have been in business, we did not receive.
C. H. Lillibridge, Photographer, 77 Lake st….No report.
C. C. Kelsey, Daguerrean, 96 Lake st………..Blanks not returned.
G. E. Gordan, Daguerrean, 44 Dearborn st…..No returns.
E. G. Stiles, Daguerrean, 139 Lake st…………Blanks not returned.
P. Von Schneidau, Daguerrean, 142 Lake st….Blanks not returned.
1856 October 27. The Daily Democratic Press. (Chicago, Illinois.) October 27, 1856, Vol. V, No. 33, P. 3.
Premiums Awarded at the Mechanics’ Institute Fair…
Class XXIII.
105. Best ambrotypes C. H. Lillbridge; diploma.
115. Best plain photographs, Fassett & Cook; diploma.
276. Best colored photographs and daguerreotypes, A. Hesler; diploma.
295. Best melainotypes, A. Hesler, diploma.
1856 June 13. The Daily Democratic Press. (Chicago, Illinois.) June 13, 1856, Vol. IV, No. 219, P. 3.
Ambrotypes.—We had much pleasure yesterday in examining some handsome Ambrotypes taken at the gallery of C. H. Lillibridge, No. 77 Lake street, Mr. L. is an excellent ambrotypist, and devotes his whole attention to that single department.
1856 December 29. The Daily Democratic Press. (Chicago, Illinois.) December 29, 1856, Vol. V, No. 85, P. 3.
Business Notice. Mrs. Phiz and Mrs. Quiz met of the avenue—”You appear pleased and cheerful to-day Mrs. Phiz.” “That I do, and for the best reasons, Mrs. quiz.” “What! Has your husband returned?” “No, and I have received a letter stating he would be absent several weeks.” “And this news is what pleases you.” “No, you provoking things—he requested me to send to the Tremont and obtain a package left there by him for me just previous to his departure, which I did, and what do you think it contained, Mrs. Quiz?” Some nice dress goods, I’ll be bound” “No, Mrs. Quiz.” “A nice new bonnet then?” “No Mrs. Quiz.” “Ah! A set of superb jewelry?” No, Mrs. Quiz, something of far more value to me.” “What in creation can it be, then—do relieve my curiosity, Mrs. Phiz?” “Certainly; it contains one of the most splendid Ambrotypes I ever saw.” “Of whom, Mrs. Phiz?” “Of my husband.” “Let me see it, Mrs. Phiz?” “Certainly—here it is.” La me! So elegant—and to the life at that—where was it taken?” “At Lillibridge’s Gallery?” why it was there that the premium Ambrotypes were taken.” “The same, Mrs. Quiz; you saw that likeness of little Nelly, did you not?” “To be sure I did, and what a gem of a jewel it is.” “Well, he took that also, and I don’t think he was a second in taking it.” “Is it possible? Well, the first pleasant morning I shall take Willie and Carrie up there.” “That is right, Mrs. Quiz; his is the place to go to, and the people are finding it out pretty fast.
1857 October 31. Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper. (New York, New York.) October 31, 1857, Vol. IV, No. 100, P. 16.
Illustration of the Greatest Fire That Ever Occurred at Chicago, A Number Of Lives Lost, And Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars Worth Of Property Destroyed. From A Photograph by C. W. [sic.] Lillibridge.
1858 January 21. Chicago Daily Tribune. (Chicago, Illinois.) January 21, 1858, Vol. XI, No. 191, P. 1.
A Good Number.—The last number of Frank Leslie’s Illustrated, which can be had at McNally’s, is an interesting one. Its most prominent illustrations consist of several views of Chicago, in which one of our artists, Lillibridge, on Lake street, has done himself credit as the photographer. The cuts are accompanied with a short description of the Garden City.
1858 September 15. Chicago Daily Press and Tribune. (Chicago, Illinois.) September 15, 1858, Vol. XII, No. 64, P. 1.
Mechanics Institute Exhibition…
In the line of Photographic and Fine Arts generally, the display is one that does honor to our city.
Alschuler & Florence, of No. 142 Lake street, show some fine photographs on paper and canvas, painted in oil. Among others are life-like portraits of Mayor Haines and Recorder Wilson, which it would be difficult to distinguish from real oil paintings, except as they excel that branch of art as faithful likenesses. Messrs. Alschuler & Florence are well known to excel in the Photographic Art, and we are glad to here that their success is equal to their merit.
Hesler, of Metropolitan building, makes the largest display of photographs on exhibition. They are mostly set in elegant frames, and show to decided advantage.
C. H. Lillibridge also makes a fine display of photographs many of mammoth size, one in particular, some five feet in length.
Battersby, corner of Clark and Madison streets, also makes a handsome display of photographs, most of them miniatures.
There are several other collections of photographs and ambrotypes on exhibition, which we shall notice hereafter.
1858 October 1. Chicago Daily Press and Tribune. (Chicago, Illinois.) October 1, 1858, Vol. XII, No. 78, P. 1.
Premium List Of The Mechanics’ Institute Fair For 1858…
Class XIII.
A. Hesler, best oil painting; silver medal.
A. Hesler, Photographic views of Chicago; silver medal.
Fassett & Cook, best Photographs in water color; silver medal.
Alschuler & Florence, best Oil Photographs; silver medal.
C. H. Lillibridge, largest & best plain Photographs; silver medal.
Jas Battersby, best Ambrotypes; silver medal.
1858 October 12. Chicago Daily Press and Tribune. (Chicago, Illinois.) October 12, 1858, Vol. XII, No. 87, P. 1.
Superior Photographs.—The studio of Mr. C. H. Lillibridge, No. 77 Lake street, presents some very superior specimens of the Photographic art. The highest achievement of painting are rivalled by Mr. L.’s large camera. A life-size portrait is now on exhibition as perfect in every part as ordinary miniatures. And in addition to portraits there are beautiful landscapes and other natural scenes, also photographed, besides a fine collection of oil paintings. Mr. L. took a premium for his handiwork at the late Mechanics’ Fair. His photographic apparatus is the largest in the West.
1858 October 25. Chicago Daily Press and Tribune. (Chicago, Illinois.) October 25, 1858, Vol. XII, No. 98, P. 1.
Those Mammoth Photographs at Lillibridge’s Gallery are attracting considerable attention. One, we noticed, is some 3 ½ by 5 feet and very finely executed.
1858 December 23. Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper. (New York, New York.) December 23, 1858, Vol. V, No. 112, P. 18.
Two double page illustrations. Top. View Of The City Of Chicago, South Of Water Street, And East Of State Street taken by C. H. Lillibridge, Of Chicago.
Bottom; “Michigan Avenue” On The Lake Front Of The City Of Chicago.
1859 May 28. Chicago Daily Press and Tribune. (Chicago, Illinois.) May 28, 1859, Vol. XII, No. 279, P. 1.
Home Again.—Our friend C. H. Lillibridge an accomplished artist, is home again from his Winter at the South, having passed six months at Mobile. He brings with him the counterfeit presentments of several varieties of the “Rose of Alabama,” as well as of numerous notabilities, Fillibuster Walker, Madame DeVert, and others. His pictures and photographs have gone the world over as furnishing the original for some of the best views and persons taken in and around our city, and published in the great illustrated weeklies of the East. We are glad he will resume the camera and the dark chamber at No. 77 Lake street, where his winter’s collection of pictures may be seen. A most exquisite thing is a full-size photograph of a Magnolia bough loaded with its gorgeous blossoms. Illustrating what aid the photographic art, in skilful hands, may lend to natural science.
1859 September 12. The Press and Tribune. (Chicago, Illinois.) September 12, 1859, Vol. X111, No. 62, P. 1.
Lillibridge’s Gallery.—Lillibridge, an artist of high excellence in every department of the photographic art, has just finished and opened at No. 117 Lake street, on the second floor of the elegant new block, one of the best fitted and most complete galleries in this city or the Northwest. Mr. Lillibridge is no mere plate cleaner, but gives to all his pictures the highest excellencies that position and grouping can add. He has been for some years among the foremost in his profession here, and his pictures, both portraits and views of city and country are some of the most exquisite we have ever seen. Of course, he will be well represented at the National Fair, but beyond that, all interested or curious to witness what the camera, in his skilful hands, has done and can do, will do well to go to No. 117 Lake street.
1859 September 14. The Press and Tribune. (Chicago, Illinois.) September 14, 1859, Vol. X111, No. 64, P. 1.
U, S, Fair Directory…
C. H. Lillibridge’s New Photographic Gallery, 119 Lake street, on second floor. Life size portraits, the best and cheapest in town.
Advertisement ran from September 14 to 17, 1859.
1859 September 30. The Press and Tribune. (Chicago, Illinois.) September 30, 1859, Vol. X111, No. 129, P. 1.
“Sunny Side.”—The sunny side of the street is where the sun is, and the Golden Sun, at 117 Lake street, marks the Photographic Gallery of the Wallis Brothers who have bought out Lillibridge. F. J. Wallis is an artist of much promise, and has executed numerous fine oil paintings and portraits. His brother now associated with him is admirably skillful with the Camera, and the two will turn out pictures, plain or finished, in all the modern styles of art.
1861 December 30. Chicago Daily Tribune. (Chicago, Illinois.) December 30, 1861, Vol. XV, No. 148, P. 4.
Masonic.—At a Regular Communication of Garden City Lodge, No. 141, held in the Masonic Temple on Wednesday evening, December 25th, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—…C. H. Lillibridge, Sec…
1862 October 4. Chicago Daily Tribune. (Chicago, Illinois.) October 4, 1862, Vol. XV, No. 76, P. 1.
Wanted Immediately—A Photographer. Call on Lillibridge, No. 109 Lake street.
1863 March 16. Chicago Daily Tribune. (Chicago, Illinois.) March 16, 1863, Vol. XV, No. 223, P. 4.
A Card To The Picture Public. The Photographers of the city take this method to inform their patrons and the public, that owing to the great advance in Photographic materials, which is from one to three hundred per cent, on most articles used, and finding it impossible to live and do justice to the Art at former low prices, having agreed to an advance of about 25 per cent, on former rates, thus enabling them to carry out their determination to investigate and adopt all new improvements, and make Chicago in Pictures what she is in many other things. The First In the World. Trusting this will meet the approbation of their patrons, they are respectfully,
A. Hesler………………..J. Battersby.
E. R. Gard………………A. Pattiana.
S. M. Fassett…………….R. Cunningham.
J. Carbut…………………E. L. Brand.
W. W. Stoddard………….J. H. Fox.
W. Shaw…………………R. Nias.
J. Crater………………….Green C. Wing.
P. B. Green………………Williams & Davids.
Miner & Bipell…………..W. E. Smith.
C. H. Lillibridge…………Johnson & Bishop.
B. E. Terrill……………..Cressy & Templeton.
1865 March 4. Chicago Daily Tribune. (Chicago, Illinois.) March 4, 1865, Vol. XVIII, No. 239, P. 4.
N. W. Photographic Society.—The annual meeting of the Northwestern Photographic Society was held last evening, and the following officers elected to serve during the current year:
President.—John Carbutt.
Vice Presidents.—C. H. Lillibridge, William Shaw.
Corresponding Secretary.—E. L. Brand.
Recording Secretary.—T. D. Bill.
Treasurer.—Joseph Battersby.
1866 January 1. The Chicago Republican. (Chicago, Illinois.) January 1, 1866, Vol. 1, No. 185, P. 4.
Arrival. A. Hesler announces to his friends and the public that, after an absence of nearly a year from the city, he has returned, and located for the winter at Lillibridge’s Gallery, No. 109 Lake street, two doors below his old stand, where he will be pleased to see all in want of lifelike pictures. Having spent nearly all the past year in travelling, experimenting , and improving his art, he feels confident that he will be able to give all who call on him better pictures thab=n ever before, and at less prices.
The Argentotype, invented by him, he has so improved as to surpass all imitations.
This branch of the art will be made his specialty, and all who want a likeness combining all the beauty of the finest ivory miniature with the perfections of the daguerreotype, will find it to their interest to call on him at 109 Lake street. Don’t mistake the number. Hesler has no connection with any other gallery.
Bring on your babies. Hesler will take them better than ever. A. Hesler, 109 Lake street.
1866 March 4. Chicago Daily Tribune. (Chicago, Illinois.) October 12, 1866, Vol. XX, No. 129, P. 4.
Resolutions of Respect. At a meeting of the photographers of Chicago, C. H. Lillibridge in the chair, the following resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, in the wisdom of our Common Father, it has pleased Him to call from our midst Mr. Isaac Crater, one of our brother photographers; therefore,
Resolved, That in the death of our friend and brother we have lost an honorable member of the profession, a true lover of the art, and an ardent and energetic worker.
Resolved, That we, as a fraternity, deeply deplore his loss from amongst us, and tender our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved mother and relatives.
Resolved, that the above be published in the city papers, and a copy presented to his mourning friends; and also be forwarded to the Photographic Journal.
Chicago Photographers 1847 Through 1900. As Listed In Chicago City Directories.
1854 75 Lake St.
1855 not listed
1856-1859 77 Lake St. [2]
1860 not listed
1861-1869 109 Lake St.
1869 not listed
1870 109 Lake St.
1871 not listed
[1] Chicago Photographers 1847 Through 1900. As Listed In Chicago City Directories.
[2] 1857-1858 directory listed as Charles; 1859-1860 directory recorded as Clark.
Pioneer American Photographers, 1839 - 1860 