1852-1854 Melodeon Building, Cleveland, Ohio.
1854-1855 Main Street, in M. J. Sullivan’s Building, Dubuque, Iowa.
1852 July 28. The Cleveland Herald. (Cleveland, Ohio.) July 28, 1852, Vol. XXXV, No. 28, Whole No. 1798, P. 2.
Enthusiastic Scott Meeting at Empire Hall. At a Scott meeting at Empire Hall, July 22d 1852, Charles Stetson was called to the chair and S. I. Noble appointed Secretary…
Constitution Of The Cleveland Scott Club. This association shall be known and called the Cleveland Scott Club Its object is, to promote the election of Winfield Scott and Wm. A. Graham, to the offices of President and Vice President of the United States respectively…
The following persons subscribe their names to the above constitution, and became members of the “Cleveland Scott Club.”…
J. P. McKinney…
1854 July 11. Plain Dealer. (Cleveland, Ohio.) July 11, 1854, Vol. X, No. 87, P. 3.
Mr. James P. McKinney, of this city, is intending to establish himself in the Daguerreotyping business, at Dubuque, Iowa. Mr. McKinney has been several years with Mr. North, and is proficient in the knowledge and practice of his difficult art. He will be prepared in his new location to take convex, Mezzographs, colored daguerreotypes, and all the newest styles in the very best manner. We understand that he will take out his very fine cabinet of coal specimens, for the adornment of his rooms. The collection is highly curious and interesting. We can heartily commend Mr. McKinney to the citizens of Dubuque, as a master of his profession, and a very amiable and worthy gentleman.
1854 September 27. Cleveland Weekly Leader. (Cleveland, Ohio.) September 27, 1854, Vol. 8, No. 36, P. 2.
Iowa Politics—Mineral Records. Dubuque, Sept. 19, 1854…
Among many new establishments now opening in this city, we noticed a set of beautiful Daguerian [sic.] rooms, under the Professional charge of W. McKinney[1] of your city, formerly a pupil of W. C. North. He displays great taste and artistic skill in the getting up of his beautiful pictures and is now doing a large and we think lucrative business in his line. Yours, Rob.
1854 October 4. The Miners’ Express. (Dubuque, Iowa.) October 4, 1854, Vol. XIV, No. 3, P.1.
New Daguerrean Rooms.—Mr. James F. McKinney Daguerrean artist has established himself in M. J. Sullivan’s building on Main street, just above Third street and invites an inspection of his rooms and specimens of his work. This gentleman comes to this city with high recommendations, and he adds to an enviable skill in taking impressions upon flat plates, that of taking them upon paper and convex plates exhibiting the impression more to the life, than by the old mode of daguerreotyping.
The following in relation to Mr. McKinney as a man and an artist, we copy from the “Cleveland Plaindealer.”
Mr. James McKinney, of this city, is intending to establish himself in the Daguerreotyping business, at Dubuque, Iowa. Mr. McKinney has been several years with Mr. North, and is proficient in the knowledge and practice of his difficult art. He will be prepared in his new location to take convex, Mezzographs, colored daguerreotypes, and all the newest styles in the very best manner. We understand that he will take out his very fine cabinet of coal specimens, for the adornment of his rooms. The collection is highly curious and interesting. We can heartily commend Mr. McKinney to the citizens of Dubuque, as a master of his profession, and a very amiable and worthy gentleman.
1854 October 25. Du Buque Visitor. (Dubuque, Iowa.) October 25, 1854, Vol. XIV, No. 6, P. 2.
Our City…
We observe, with high satisfaction, that our city, which exhibits so many pleasing evidences of progress in other respects, is also graced by the presence of gentlemen engaged in that branch of the Arts that is of close kindred to Painting; one that American genius and scientific skill has made its own, though the discovery of it is due to France.
Without designing to make an invidious distinction, we take pleasure to day in calling the attention of our readers to the splendid specimens—as pictures—recently produced by Mr. McKinney. They exhibit the art of daguerreotyping in a style and finish that we have rarely seen equalled—never surpassed; and to make them, argues his possessed of all the latest improvements in instruments and other appliances, as well as a consummate [maste] of his business. His apparatus is of the largest size, enabling him to take portraits on any scale that may be desired. For family groups it is consequently adapted.
We bespeak the unqualified admiration of his visitors, particularly, for the beauty, and faithfulness of the likeness on the convex plates. Mr. McKinney has fitted up his rooms over F. S. Jesup and Co’s Bank in elegant style; and citizens and strangers will find them a pleasant resort, where they can gratify their taste by an inspection of works superior to, [ ? ] more truthful than, the finest efforts of the pallet and easel.
He will visit the State fair next week; and we ask for him the courtesies due the artist and the gentleman.
1854 November 2. Fairfield Leader. (Fairfield, Jefferson, Iowa.) November 2, 1854, N. P.
But one person displayed daguerreotypes—Mr. J. P. McKinney from Dubuque. He had some of the most splendid pictures we ever saw. He showed us some Mezzographs—daguerreotypes on paper—which were very fine, and for which, we believe, he has the patent. Mezzographing will, in a great degree, supersede mezzotint engravings, as it is cheaper and easier. He will take a copy of one’s countenance, and from this copy he will take any number of pictures without the person having to sit for them. We also saw some daguerreotypes with convex plates and glass, which threw out everything in bold relief. If we should happen at Dubuque we are going to have out countenance “tuk.” We understood that there were several who had their pictures entered, but would not put them up. They could not compete with Mac.
1854 November 3. Dubuque Weekly Observer. (Dubuque, Iowa.) 2 November, 1854, P. 2.
Can’t Be Beat.—We are happy to learn that our fellow townsman, McKinney, the Daguerreotypist took the first premium at the State Fair held last week at Fairfield. His specimens having been pronounced by the Judges the best they have ever seen. Our Dubuque is hard to beat in the picture line.
1854 November 4. Burlington Tri-Weekly Hawk-Eye. (Burlington, Iowa.) November 4, 1854, Vol. 1, No. 49, P. 2.
From the Fairfield (Iowa) Sentinel. List of Premiums and Diplomas awarded by the Iowa State Agricultural Society, Oct. 21, 1854 at Fairfield…
Discretionary…
J. P. McKinney, daguerreotype, Diploma.
1855 July 13. Clayton County Herald. (Garnavillo, Iowa.) July 13, 1855, Vol. III, No. 21, P. 3.
Grave Stones.—We noticed in our burying ground “some beautiful Grave stones from the Dubuque City Marble Works of Herrick & Dudley. The material is very fine, and the work is in the best style, and is furnished at low rates. At the head of the grave of the late Rev. Alfred Bishop is a very handsome white slab, in which is set a daguerreotype likeness of the deceased, which will be recognized at once as a most faithful portrait of the loved and lamented original. The picture is from the gallery of Mr. J. P. McKinney, of Dubuque, and reflects great credit upon his artistic skill.
1855 November 17. Daily Express and Herald. (Dubuque, Iowa.) November 17, 1855, Vol. 5, No. 175, P. 1.
Premium Daguerreotypes. James P. McKinney who was awarded to him the First Premium at the Iowa State Fair, is acknowledged by the public to be the best Daguerrean Artist in the West. He has fitted up in Dubuque a splendid suite of rooms, and having the largest and best machinery manufactured or used in the art which enables him to make the largest sized pictures in the most perfect life-like manner. I have on hand some forty varied styles of Cases Frames, Lockets &c.
N. B.—the public will remember that McKinney’s Gallery is the only place in the West where they can procure the New and Beautiful Convex Daguerreotypes. In this style of pictures the rays of light instead of being diffused over the entire plate, as in case of the picture upon the flat plate, they are focused upon the image giving it a round and life-like appearance, as rise Mezzographs or Daguerreotypes taken upon paper, thus doing away with that reflection common to those taken upon the silver plate. Nov 4th 1854.
Advertisement was recorded between November 17 to December 18, 1855.
1855. December 5. The Vinton Eagle. (Vinton, Iowa.) December 5, 1855, Vol. 1, No 47, P. 2.
We were much pleased to find our old friend, J. P. McKinney, of Cleveland, who is located here, where he intends establishing an agency for the purchase and location of land, in connection with Messrs. Flowers. He is also engaged in pursuing his Geological investigations, and can display the most interesting Cabinet which we have seen in the State.
1857 May 13. Weekly Express and Herald. (Dubuque, Iowa.) May 13, 1857, Vol. XVI, No. 30, P. 3.
J. P. McKinney, Esq., is now and will be engaged in the land business and agency.
[1] Probably James P. McKinney.
