William C. North: The Man Who Photographed Emily Dickinson

January 18, 2025  •  Leave a Comment

Introduction

 

William C. North holds a special place in photographic history. He was one of the pioneer photographers of Cleveland and made many of the oldest daguerreotypes in the city. He was a frequent prize winner at county and state fairs and achieved widespread recognition for his daguerreotypes, ambrotypes and stereoscopic views. He took famous photographs of Emily Dickinson, John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ward Beecher, among many other dignitaries. His photographic works can be found in museums across the country, including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas City, Missouri); the George Eastman Museum (Rochester, New York); and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (Fort Worth, Texas).

 

Biography

 

William C. North was born in Saugerties, New York on April 6, 1816. He was the son of Benjamin North (1779-1848) and Hannah (Mosier) North (1778-1865). Benjamin served during the War of 1812 with Captain Louis Bevier’s company. William was a direct descendent of John North, who sailed from London at the age of 20 and landed at Boston on April 16, 1635.

 

An 1858 advertisement noted that William had “practiced this beautiful art for the last fourteen years,” meaning his photographic career began circa 1844 or 1845. William can be found at the city Poughkeepsie, New York beginning circa July 1845. He located his photographic rooms at Miss Schoonmaker’s private boarding house at 25 Cannon Street.

 

By September 1845, while still at Poughkeepsie, William had moved his gallery to 251 1/2 Main Street, four doors from Market Street. William joined with L. M. Ives to form the partnership of North & Ives. Ives was “a young gentleman who received instruction some two years since of Professor Plumbe, or Broadway, N. Y., and who has been a recent pupil of Mr. Gurney, and received from him a perfect knowledge of the late improvements in the art. He is also an Artist by profession, and understands the manner of blending colors more perfectly than any one can who has not been instructed in the art of painting, and will therefore pay particular attention to coloring.”

 

The partnership of North & Ives, Daguerreian artists, was next located at Hudson, New York from circa November 1845 to early 1846. Their photographic rooms were located in the Post Office building on Warren Street. The local newspaper reported in February 1846 that the rooms of North & Ives “have been thronged by our citizens, anxious to procure their most perfect Likenesses. Their work is most perfect in the art; too true to nature for such as desire a shade of flattery – they present the face as it is; not always as its wearer might wish . . . Such of our ladies and gentlemen as have not availed themselves of the skill of these gentlemanly artists, we advise to examine their prices. We have never seen truer Likenesses than at their rooms . . .”

 

By the summer of 1846, William was working on his own again, now at Springfield, Massachusetts. His Daguerrean Gallery was located at No. 8 Fountain Row, opposite the Alden House. In October 1846, while still at Springfield, William appears to have taken a partner to establish the firm of North & James. The partnership was recognized for their daguerreotypes at the exhibition of the Hampden Agricultural Society on October 7 and 8, 1846. “The committee were pleased to see in the exhibition so many good Daguerreotype miniatures. Beautiful pictures were exhibited, executed both by Mr. North, now Messrs. North & James, also by Mr. Cooley. We saw no difference in the pictures as regards merit. Were we to make our choice, one would be as acceptable as the other. Much praise we think is due to them both for their truthful likenesses.”

 

Circa December 1846 to March 1847, William was located at Amherst, Massachusetts. It was during this time that William took a now famous daguerreotype of Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), who was then just a 16-year-old girl, but was later recognized as one of the great American poets. It is the only confirmed photograph of Dickinson. For more information about the interesting history of the Dickinson daguerreotype, see “Lost and Found: Emily Dickinson’s Unknown Daguerreotypist” by Mary Elizabeth Kromer Bernhard.

 

William’s next stop, by March 29, 1847, was Greenfield, Massachusetts. His gallery, open from 8am to 6pm, was located on Main Street, opposite Davis’s Hall. He remained at Greenfield until circa May 18, 1847. Although William only remained at Greenfield for a short time, his photographs were highly admired. “Mr. North, the Daguerreotype Artist now in town, has taken a most perfect likeness of the old Indian house in Deerfield. Even the prints of the axe can be seen upon the door. He has also taken a view of Doctor Hovey’s building, which is a beautiful one. The likenesses he takes are the most perfect of any that we have ever seen taken by the daguerreotype apparatus. He has taken those of a large number of our citizens, which have given great satisfaction. He will remain in town a short time longer. Those who wish a correct likeness of themselves, or friends, would do well to give him a call at his rooms, opposite Davis’ Hall.” (Gazette & Courier. May 11, 1847.)

 

Between May 1847 and circa November 1847, William was located at Brattleboro, Vermont. His gallery was located on Main Street, one door south of the Post Office. During the Windham County Agricultural Fair in October 1847, “the daguerreotypes by Mr. North were much and justly admired, as equal to the best productions of the art.” (Vermont Phoenix. October 7, 1847.)

 

By early 1848, William had relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, where he would open a gallery at 142 Washington Street, with his residence at the Marlboro Hotel. William is recorded in Boston city directories in both 1848 and 1849. While there, William advertised a “New & Important Discovery. A chemical mixture, prepared and sold by W. C. North, 142 Washington Street, Boston. It produces perfect life-like Daguerreotype Miniatures.” (The Galaxy. April 11, 1848.)

 

Between 1848 and 1850, North also maintained a studio in Rondout, New York. William’s nephew, Walter C. North, would begin to assist at the Rondout studio in 1850. William was recorded on the 1850 national census as living in “Kingston village” with an occupation of “artist.”

 

William North left Rondout for Ohio in 1850, and briefly lived in Oberlin, but quickly moved on to Cleveland, where he opened his Daguerrean Rooms in October 1850 at the Dunham House. Almost immediately William made a good impression on the citizens of Cleveland with his artistic skill. A Cleveland newspaper reported on October 29 that William’s “skill as an artist is of the highest order, as all must admit who have seen his pictures. He does not color them as artists generally do, but makes them rich and lifelike as the most elegant steel engraving, with sunlight and chemicals alone.” (Morning Daily True Democrat. October 29, 1850.)

 

Emily Dickinson, half length portrait, circa 1846-1847Emily Dickinson, half length portrait, circa 1846-1847Amherst College Digital Collections.

Emily Dickinson, half length portrait, circa 1846-1847. Amherst College Digital Collections.
 

Portrait of a young womanPortrait of a young womanPhotographer: William C. North

The J. Paul Getty Museum (www.getty.edu)

Portrait of a Young Woman. The J. Paul Getty Museum.

 

Portrait of a Young WomanPortrait of a Young WomanPhotographer: William C. North

The J. Paul Getty Museum (www.getty.edu)

Portrait of a Young Woman, Seated. The J. Paul Getty Museum.

 

Portrait of a Seated Young WomanPortrait of a Seated Young WomanPhotographer: William C. North

The J. Paul Getty Museum (www.getty.edu)

Portrait of a Seated Young Woman. The J. Paul Getty Museum.

 

Portrait of a young man with thick chin beardPortrait of a young man with thick chin beardPhotographer: William C. North

The J. Paul Getty Museum (www.getty.edu)

Portrait of a Young Man with a Thick Chin Beard. The J. Paul Getty Museum.

 

In late November 1850, William purchased the Cleveland daguerreotype gallery of G. W. Tilton, at the Melodeon building on Superior Street. In 1851, William won the First Premium prize at the Ohio State Fair and was “acknowledged by the public to be the best Daguerrean Artist in Cleveland.” Circa January 1852, William opened a branch gallery at Ohio City, near Folsom’s store, but this gallery only lasted for one year, when it was taken over by E. Greenwood. In 1854, William was awarded three First Premium prizes at the Ohio State Fair for his daguerreotypes and mezzographs.

 

In circa 1856, William sold his Cleveland gallery to his nephew Walter C. North, who had been operating his own gallery at Mansfield, Ohio. William moved in early 1857 to Buffalo, New York, where he opened a “new fine art gallery” at 324 Main Street, a few doors above the American Hotel. The gallery would also become known as “North’s First Premium Fine Art Gallery” after William was awarded First Premium prizes for both Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes at the New York State Fair of 1857.

 

By early 1858, William established a partnership with Jefferson T. Upson (1829-1870) at Buffalo. Upson had previously worked for William at both Buffalo and Cleveland. They continued to operate at 324 Main Street. In December 1858, William returned to Cleveland, where he bought his former photograph gallery back from his nephew Walter. Upson continued to operate the Buffalo gallery on his own.

 

Circa 1857-1858, William took a photograph of 18-year-old John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937), who was then working as a bookkeeper in Cleveland. It is the earliest known photograph of Rockefeller, who would grow to become one of the great titans of American business and industry. Rockefeller began his own business in 1859, built his first oil refinery in 1863, and established the Standard Oil company in 1870, which revolutionized the emerging petroleum industry. Rockefeller chose this photograph to be the frontispiece of his autobiography, Random Reminiscences of Men and Events, published in 1909 when he was 70 years old.

 

In February 1862, William photographed Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887), one of the most famous ministers of the 19th century. Beecher had given a lecture at the Melodeon building in Cleveland on February 26, 1862. William produced a carte de visite of Beecher and offered “elegant ones just taken and finished in the best style” for sale at his studio on 205 Superior Street.

 

In February 1862, William joined with Christian F. Schwerdt (1836-1908) to establish the firm of North & Schwerdt. North would take the photographs and, if customers desired, Schwerdt would create a colored photograph, which often took on the appearance of an oil painting. The Cleveland Leader described the portrait of Honorable F. T. Backus in 1865. “This portrait is from the studio of North and Schwerdt, of this city, and is properly a colored photograph, although it seems a painting. The face is first thrown upon canvas by a camera, and the contour is thus obtained with distinctness, when the brush follows with the life-like coloring. Perhaps it is safe to say that less skill is required in the artist to produce a portrait like this, that is demanded for the execution of the “old school” portrait, for Nature co-operates with the artist; but certain it is, that a more correct likeness is insured. The portrait in question has caught Mr. Backus’ happiest expression, and fixed it on the canvas with perfect fidelity.” (Cleveland Leader. March 15, 1865.) The partnership of North & Schwerdt lasted for approximately 3 1/2 years until October 1865.

 

In February 1867, William moved his gallery from Brainard’s Hall to No. 211 Superior Street on the Marble Block. “The new place has been elegantly fitted up. Its reception room is unexcelled by any in town, in the beauty of its appointments. The operating rooms are very large, and the apparatus connected therewith is of the most improved and perfect character, enabling him to take the very best of pictures.” (The Evening Post. February 5, 1867.)

 

Portrait, Man in Suit and BowtiePortrait, Man in Suit and BowtieAuthor's collection.

Portrait, Man in Suit and Bowtie. Author's collection.

 

Portrait, Man in SuitPortrait, Man in SuitAuthor's collection.

Portrait, Man in Suit. Author's collection.

 

Reverend SchullerReverend SchullerAuthor's collection.

Reverend Schuller. Author's collection.

 

Portait, Woman with Curly HairPortait, Woman with Curly HairAuthor's collection.

Portrait, Woman with Curly Hair. Author's collection.

 

W. C. North, Photographer, 211 Superior St., Cleveland, OhioW. C. North, Photographer, 211 Superior St., Cleveland, OhioAuthor's collection.

W. C. North, Photographer, 211 Superior Street, Cleveland, Ohio. Author's collection.

 

W. C. North, Photographer, 211 and 213 Superior Street, Cleveland, OhioW. C. North, Photographer, 211 and 213 Superior Street, Cleveland, OhioAuthor's collection.

W. C. North, Photographer, 211 and 213 Superior Street, Cleveland, Ohio. Author's collection.

 

In May 1876, William modernized his gallery by “making extensive alteration and improvements, by which he is now possessed of all the latest and most valuable accessories known to the business. His operating rooms have been provided with new sky-lights and side lights, many choice adjuncts in the way of scenic and variously shaded backgrounds, and adjustable screens, which render it possible to produce almost any effect which is desired. He has also introduced new and improved cameras – one of which is the largest made – and other mechanical attachments, which gives him a decided advantage over most of our other artists.” (Cleveland Leader. May 20, 1876.)

 

William joined with Edward A. Stein to establish the partnership of North & Stein in November 1878. The gallery continued to operate at North’s previous location at 211 Superior Street. In September 1879, the partnership of North & Stein was dissolved, with William retiring from the photograph business and Stein continuing with the business under the firm name of National Photographic Gallery. William, who had previously served on the Cleveland city council, thereafter devoted himself to civic activities.

 

William married Leila Allen in 1841, but she died a year later in 1842. From this marriage, their son Allen C. North (1842-1882) was born. Allen served as a drummer boy during the Civil War and was later a member of the Cleveland Grays. Allen was a leading photographer at Toledo, Ohio until his death by suicide in 1882.

 

William remarried in 1849 to Anna J. Mahan (1829-1911), the eldest daughter of Reverend Asa Mahan, the first president of Oberlin College. Anna graduated from Oberlin College in 1848 with A. B. degree, the first woman to receive the A. B. degree for the full classical course of study. She was prominent in philanthropic work in Cleveland, including working with the Humane Society and the Associated Charities, as well as serving for over 40 years on the board of managers of Lakeside Hospital. 

 

William Case North passed away at his home on Jennings Avenue in Cleveland on March 9, 1890. Upon his passing, it was written that “Christianity was to him more than a matter of profession; it was a matter daily living, and his belief found exemplification in his kindly spirit, his generous nature and his earnest efforts to assist the poor and needy. He was a very charitable man and no tale of sorrow or distress was ever told to him in vain. Many who knew him have reason to bless his memory for his timely assistance in the hour of need. He remained for many years an interesting figure in the life of Cleveland, and wherever known he was honored and esteemed.” Funeral services were held at his home, with Reverend W. C. Endly officiating. William is buried at Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland.

 


Comments

No comments posted.
Loading...

Subscribe
RSS
Archive
January February March April May June July August September October November (3) December (1)
January (1) February (2) March April May June (2) July August September October November (1) December (1)
January February March April May June (1) July August September October November December
January February March April May June (1) July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September (2) October November December
January (2) February (1) March (2) April (4) May June July August September October November (3) December (3)
January February March April May June (1) July August September October November December
January (3) February March April May June July August September October November December