W.W. Washburn was the mentor of famed Bowery photographer Charles Eisenmann
William Watson Washburn was a Daguerreotypist, ambrotypist, photographer, art dealer and restorer.
New Orleans Item, Mon. Nov. 16, 1903, Page 9
==============================================
"FUNERAL OF LATE WM. W. WASHBURN
----------------------
SERVICES TO BE HELD BROTHER'S RESIDENCE,
------------
Was Pioneer Photographer and Had Long Been Resident of New Orleans
---------------------
The funeral of the late William Watson Washburn, who died yesterday, took place at the residence of his brother, Lorenzo S. Washburn, 4302 Constance street, at o'clock this afternoon
Deceased was seventy-eight years of age, and was a pioneer in photography, with the history and advance of which he was closely identified. Many improvements, now in general use by photographers throughout the United States, are due to the work of the firm of Washburn, in whose studio men in all walks of life have been photographed during the last fifty-five years. The Washburn studio, located in the block bounded by Canal, Customhouse, Royal streets and Exchange Alley, is one of the most widely known business houses in the city.
For many years William Watson Washburn was identified with the commercial interests of New Orleans, taking an active interest in the development and upbuilding of the city, and it was with a great deal of pride that he discussed its growth, especially during the last four or five years. Mr. Washburn was born in Peterboro, N. H., and, after securing a common school education, embarked in the business he followed through life At that time photography had not reached its present development, and the old-fashioned daguerreotype was the limit of art attained. Mr. Washburn took daguerreotypes of many men and women who made up social life in New Orleans and the South in the old days, and his work is still to be found among the heirlooms of their descendants.
As was the custom in his profession in those days, after embarking in photography, Mr. Washburn traveled from place to place in New Hampshire, setting up his studio in a town for a short time and then moving on to another field. His first permanent venture was in Boston, where he opened a studio. He did not remain there long, subsequently removing to New York, where he again went into business. Later this studio was taken in charge by his brother, Lorenzo S. Washburn, and Mr. Washburn decided to cast his fortunes in New Orleans, then considered the Bagdad of the South.
In 1847 Mr. Washburn arrived here and located his first studio over McPherson's drug store, in Camp street. Two years later he moved to amp and Common, where the Story Building now stands. Here he was joined by his brother, Lorenzo S., and the two managed the business together. At Camp and Common the Washburns built the skylight said to have been the first ever constructed in New Orleans. Their studio was burned out, and they again entered business at old No. 111 Canal, between Royal street and Exchange Alley. After remaining a short while at that location they once more moved one door to the building occupied by them to-day. In 1865, immediately after the war, the Washburns, who had previously taken only daguerrotypes, adopted photographs, and have since that time kept abreast of all improvements made in the business. Practically all the celebrities who have visited New Orleans have had their photographs made by the Washburns, and when Jenny Lind visited New Orleans in 1850 her picture was added to the list. The great singer sent her secretary to all the studios in New Orleans for samples of their work, and, after closely inspecting all submitted, decided to sit for the Washburns. Jefferson Davis also sat for the Washburns, and among the most prominent local men the late Dr. B. M. Palmer frequently had his photograph taken there.
During his early days in the city Mr. Washburn was an enthusiastic member of the Odd Fellows, while in religion he was a Presbyterian. When the commercial development of New Orleans was in its infancy Mr. Washburn was one of the most active workers in its behalf, offering his time and money to the advancement of many enterprises which were then considered, in view of the city's uncertain future, more or less hazardous. Even in his advanced age Mr. Washburn kept actively at work, only giving up three weeks ago, when seized by the illness that proved fatal. Every possible care was taken to preserve his life, but the nature of his malady, taken together with is advanced age, proved too strong a combination for medical science to combat."
=================================================
Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Mon. Nov. 16, 1902, Page 2
"W. W. WASHBURN,
---------------
Dean of the Photography Craft in New Orleans
----------------
Who Has Pictured Famous People During Half a Century Passes Away Yesterday
----------------
Another of the famous landmarks of New Orleans passed away yesterday in the death of William Watson Washburn, the oldest and one of the most widely-known of all the New Orleans Photographers.
For more than fifty years the name of Washburn has been synonymous with photography in the Crescent City, and during this time many hundreds of the celebrities of this and other countries in almost as many different walks of life have sat for his photographs and gone away more than well pleased with the work of this famous New Orleans artist. For nearly all the fifty-five years he has been in business he has been in the block bounded by Canal, Customhouse, Royal and Exchange Alley, and within this period he has seen almost as many changes come over this city as have come over the art to which he devoted his life.
Mr. Washburn was born seventy=eight years ago in Peterboro, N. H., and, after securing the rudiments of an education, he embarked in his chosen profession. At that time photography as it is practiced to-day was unknown, and the pictures which Mr. Washburn took were what were called daguerrotypes, an art many specimens of which are to be found to-day among the heirlooms of the present generation.
After traveling over the state of New Hampshire as a daguerrotypist, Mr. Washburn determined to locate and build up a permanent business for himself. His first venture along this line was in Boston, where he opened up a business. From Boston he went to New York, where he remained only a short while. When he relinquished his business there it was taken over by his brother, Lorenzo Washburn, who is also well known in New Orleans.
In 1847 Mr. Washburn determined to come South and build up his reputation with the growing city of New Orleans. His first location here was over what was then called McPherson's Drug Store, on Camp Street. Two years later he moved to the corner of Camp and Common, where is now located the Story Building. Here Mr. Washburn was joined in 1850 by his brother Alonzo, and together they embarked permanently in business, only to be separated yesterday by the death of the principal member of the firm.
At the corner of Camp and Common, Mr. Washburn is said to have build the first skylight ever built in New Orleans. The office here being burned out in the following year, the brothers removed to Canal Street and entered business at old No. 111, between Exchange Alley and Royal Street. After remaining here a short while they again moved, but this time only one number, and for a while they occupied quarters at old NO. 113. From that locality another and final removal took place, and the two brothers became settled at No. 637, where they have been ever since.
The Washburn Studio, which had previously taken only the daguerrotypes, began, after the war 0 in 1865 - to take photographs, and has continued, adopting all the improved methods to take such photographs from that time to this.
During the time that the Washburn brothers have been in busies in New Orleans, many celebrities from all parts of the world have visited New Orleans, and many of these have had daguerrotypes or photographs taken at the Wasburn Studio. One of the first and most famous of all, who have had likenesses taken there was Jenny Lind, the great singer, who visited New Orleans in 1850. Shortly after her arrival here Jenny Lind sent her Secretary to all the daguerrotype galleries in the city for samples of the work done here, and, after seeing all the samples submitted, she sat for a daguerrotype at the Washburn Studio.
But Jenny Lind was not the only celebrity for whom the Washburn brothers did work. Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, had some of his most famous photographs taken by Washburn, and the late Dr. B. M. Palmer, who was a friend of Mr. Washburn, sat several times for photographs, which afterward were considered among the best he ever had taken. Others almost without number might be mentioned.
During his days of maturity and activity, Mr. Washburn was a prominent figure in the commercial life of New Orleans, and was identified with many of the projects involving expenditure of large sums at a time when the commercial advantages of the city were not appreciated as they are to-day, and when investments contained a very large element of chance.
Mr. Washburn did not belong to many fraternal circles, but in early life he was one of the most enthusiastic Odd Fellows in the city. In religion he was a Presbyterian and a great admirer of his friend, Dr. Palmer.
Mr. Washburn, despite his advanced age, remained actively at work until three weeks ago, when sickness overtook him. Going to his apartments, in No. 1032 Camp Street, he became too ill to leave his room, but in the sickness which followed he was given every attention by his brother, by nurses employed to care for him, as well as by the best physicians in the city. His advanced age, however, and the nature of his malady, proved an invincible combination, and after a three weeks' illness he died yesterday.
The body as removed at once to Johnson's undertaking parlors and embalmed. This morning it will be removed to the home of his only surviving immediate relative, his brother, Lorenzo Washburn, 432 Constance Street, whence the funeral service will take place this afternoon at 3 o'clock.
While Mr. Washburn will be greatly missed by his fellow-photographers, the business which he and his brother established will not be closed. For over fifty years Lorenzo Washburn has directed all the scientific part of the work of the studio, while his brother as had charge of the business management of the concern. It is not likely, therefore, that the studio will be closed for some time to come, as Lorenzo Washburn is still as active as he was fifty years ago, when he first entered the business in New Orleans."
William Watson Washburn was a Daguerreotypist, ambrotypist, photographer, art dealer and restorer.
New Orleans Item, Mon. Nov. 16, 1903, Page 9
==============================================
"FUNERAL OF LATE WM. W. WASHBURN
----------------------
SERVICES TO BE HELD BROTHER'S RESIDENCE,
------------
Was Pioneer Photographer and Had Long Been Resident of New Orleans
---------------------
The funeral of the late William Watson Washburn, who died yesterday, took place at the residence of his brother, Lorenzo S. Washburn, 4302 Constance street, at o'clock this afternoon
Deceased was seventy-eight years of age, and was a pioneer in photography, with the history and advance of which he was closely identified. Many improvements, now in general use by photographers throughout the United States, are due to the work of the firm of Washburn, in whose studio men in all walks of life have been photographed during the last fifty-five years. The Washburn studio, located in the block bounded by Canal, Customhouse, Royal streets and Exchange Alley, is one of the most widely known business houses in the city.
For many years William Watson Washburn was identified with the commercial interests of New Orleans, taking an active interest in the development and upbuilding of the city, and it was with a great deal of pride that he discussed its growth, especially during the last four or five years. Mr. Washburn was born in Peterboro, N. H., and, after securing a common school education, embarked in the business he followed through life At that time photography had not reached its present development, and the old-fashioned daguerreotype was the limit of art attained. Mr. Washburn took daguerreotypes of many men and women who made up social life in New Orleans and the South in the old days, and his work is still to be found among the heirlooms of their descendants.
As was the custom in his profession in those days, after embarking in photography, Mr. Washburn traveled from place to place in New Hampshire, setting up his studio in a town for a short time and then moving on to another field. His first permanent venture was in Boston, where he opened a studio. He did not remain there long, subsequently removing to New York, where he again went into business. Later this studio was taken in charge by his brother, Lorenzo S. Washburn, and Mr. Washburn decided to cast his fortunes in New Orleans, then considered the Bagdad of the South.
In 1847 Mr. Washburn arrived here and located his first studio over McPherson's drug store, in Camp street. Two years later he moved to amp and Common, where the Story Building now stands. Here he was joined by his brother, Lorenzo S., and the two managed the business together. At Camp and Common the Washburns built the skylight said to have been the first ever constructed in New Orleans. Their studio was burned out, and they again entered business at old No. 111 Canal, between Royal street and Exchange Alley. After remaining a short while at that location they once more moved one door to the building occupied by them to-day. In 1865, immediately after the war, the Washburns, who had previously taken only daguerrotypes, adopted photographs, and have since that time kept abreast of all improvements made in the business. Practically all the celebrities who have visited New Orleans have had their photographs made by the Washburns, and when Jenny Lind visited New Orleans in 1850 her picture was added to the list. The great singer sent her secretary to all the studios in New Orleans for samples of their work, and, after closely inspecting all submitted, decided to sit for the Washburns. Jefferson Davis also sat for the Washburns, and among the most prominent local men the late Dr. B. M. Palmer frequently had his photograph taken there.
During his early days in the city Mr. Washburn was an enthusiastic member of the Odd Fellows, while in religion he was a Presbyterian. When the commercial development of New Orleans was in its infancy Mr. Washburn was one of the most active workers in its behalf, offering his time and money to the advancement of many enterprises which were then considered, in view of the city's uncertain future, more or less hazardous. Even in his advanced age Mr. Washburn kept actively at work, only giving up three weeks ago, when seized by the illness that proved fatal. Every possible care was taken to preserve his life, but the nature of his malady, taken together with is advanced age, proved too strong a combination for medical science to combat."
=================================================
Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Mon. Nov. 16, 1902, Page 2
"W. W. WASHBURN,
---------------
Dean of the Photography Craft in New Orleans
----------------
Who Has Pictured Famous People During Half a Century Passes Away Yesterday
----------------
Another of the famous landmarks of New Orleans passed away yesterday in the death of William Watson Washburn, the oldest and one of the most widely-known of all the New Orleans Photographers.
For more than fifty years the name of Washburn has been synonymous with photography in the Crescent City, and during this time many hundreds of the celebrities of this and other countries in almost as many different walks of life have sat for his photographs and gone away more than well pleased with the work of this famous New Orleans artist. For nearly all the fifty-five years he has been in business he has been in the block bounded by Canal, Customhouse, Royal and Exchange Alley, and within this period he has seen almost as many changes come over this city as have come over the art to which he devoted his life.
Mr. Washburn was born seventy=eight years ago in Peterboro, N. H., and, after securing the rudiments of an education, he embarked in his chosen profession. At that time photography as it is practiced to-day was unknown, and the pictures which Mr. Washburn took were what were called daguerrotypes, an art many specimens of which are to be found to-day among the heirlooms of the present generation.
After traveling over the state of New Hampshire as a daguerrotypist, Mr. Washburn determined to locate and build up a permanent business for himself. His first venture along this line was in Boston, where he opened up a business. From Boston he went to New York, where he remained only a short while. When he relinquished his business there it was taken over by his brother, Lorenzo Washburn, who is also well known in New Orleans.
In 1847 Mr. Washburn determined to come South and build up his reputation with the growing city of New Orleans. His first location here was over what was then called McPherson's Drug Store, on Camp Street. Two years later he moved to the corner of Camp and Common, where is now located the Story Building. Here Mr. Washburn was joined in 1850 by his brother Alonzo, and together they embarked permanently in business, only to be separated yesterday by the death of the principal member of the firm.
At the corner of Camp and Common, Mr. Washburn is said to have build the first skylight ever built in New Orleans. The office here being burned out in the following year, the brothers removed to Canal Street and entered business at old No. 111, between Exchange Alley and Royal Street. After remaining here a short while they again moved, but this time only one number, and for a while they occupied quarters at old NO. 113. From that locality another and final removal took place, and the two brothers became settled at No. 637, where they have been ever since.
The Washburn Studio, which had previously taken only the daguerrotypes, began, after the war 0 in 1865 - to take photographs, and has continued, adopting all the improved methods to take such photographs from that time to this.
During the time that the Washburn brothers have been in busies in New Orleans, many celebrities from all parts of the world have visited New Orleans, and many of these have had daguerrotypes or photographs taken at the Wasburn Studio. One of the first and most famous of all, who have had likenesses taken there was Jenny Lind, the great singer, who visited New Orleans in 1850. Shortly after her arrival here Jenny Lind sent her Secretary to all the daguerrotype galleries in the city for samples of the work done here, and, after seeing all the samples submitted, she sat for a daguerrotype at the Washburn Studio.
But Jenny Lind was not the only celebrity for whom the Washburn brothers did work. Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, had some of his most famous photographs taken by Washburn, and the late Dr. B. M. Palmer, who was a friend of Mr. Washburn, sat several times for photographs, which afterward were considered among the best he ever had taken. Others almost without number might be mentioned.
During his days of maturity and activity, Mr. Washburn was a prominent figure in the commercial life of New Orleans, and was identified with many of the projects involving expenditure of large sums at a time when the commercial advantages of the city were not appreciated as they are to-day, and when investments contained a very large element of chance.
Mr. Washburn did not belong to many fraternal circles, but in early life he was one of the most enthusiastic Odd Fellows in the city. In religion he was a Presbyterian and a great admirer of his friend, Dr. Palmer.
Mr. Washburn, despite his advanced age, remained actively at work until three weeks ago, when sickness overtook him. Going to his apartments, in No. 1032 Camp Street, he became too ill to leave his room, but in the sickness which followed he was given every attention by his brother, by nurses employed to care for him, as well as by the best physicians in the city. His advanced age, however, and the nature of his malady, proved an invincible combination, and after a three weeks' illness he died yesterday.
The body as removed at once to Johnson's undertaking parlors and embalmed. This morning it will be removed to the home of his only surviving immediate relative, his brother, Lorenzo Washburn, 432 Constance Street, whence the funeral service will take place this afternoon at 3 o'clock.
While Mr. Washburn will be greatly missed by his fellow-photographers, the business which he and his brother established will not be closed. For over fifty years Lorenzo Washburn has directed all the scientific part of the work of the studio, while his brother as had charge of the business management of the concern. It is not likely, therefore, that the studio will be closed for some time to come, as Lorenzo Washburn is still as active as he was fifty years ago, when he first entered the business in New Orleans."
W.W. Washburn was the mentor of famed Bowery photographer Charles Eisenmann
William Watson Washburn was a Daguerreotypist, ambrotypist, photographer, art dealer and restorer.
New Orleans Item, Mon. Nov. 16, 1903, Page 9
==============================================
"FUNERAL OF LATE WM. W. WASHBURN
----------------------
SERVICES TO BE HELD BROTHER'S RESIDENCE,
------------
Was Pioneer Photographer and Had Long Been Resident of New Orleans
---------------------
The funeral of the late William Watson Washburn, who died yesterday, took place at the residence of his brother, Lorenzo S. Washburn, 4302 Constance street, at o'clock this afternoon
Deceased was seventy-eight years of age, and was a pioneer in photography, with the history and advance of which he was closely identified. Many improvements, now in general use by photographers throughout the United States, are due to the work of the firm of Washburn, in whose studio men in all walks of life have been photographed during the last fifty-five years. The Washburn studio, located in the block bounded by Canal, Customhouse, Royal streets and Exchange Alley, is one of the most widely known business houses in the city.
For many years William Watson Washburn was identified with the commercial interests of New Orleans, taking an active interest in the development and upbuilding of the city, and it was with a great deal of pride that he discussed its growth, especially during the last four or five years. Mr. Washburn was born in Peterboro, N. H., and, after securing a common school education, embarked in the business he followed through life At that time photography had not reached its present development, and the old-fashioned daguerreotype was the limit of art attained. Mr. Washburn took daguerreotypes of many men and women who made up social life in New Orleans and the South in the old days, and his work is still to be found among the heirlooms of their descendants.
As was the custom in his profession in those days, after embarking in photography, Mr. Washburn traveled from place to place in New Hampshire, setting up his studio in a town for a short time and then moving on to another field. His first permanent venture was in Boston, where he opened a studio. He did not remain there long, subsequently removing to New York, where he again went into business. Later this studio was taken in charge by his brother, Lorenzo S. Washburn, and Mr. Washburn decided to cast his fortunes in New Orleans, then considered the Bagdad of the South.
In 1847 Mr. Washburn arrived here and located his first studio over McPherson's drug store, in Camp street. Two years later he moved to amp and Common, where the Story Building now stands. Here he was joined by his brother, Lorenzo S., and the two managed the business together. At Camp and Common the Washburns built the skylight said to have been the first ever constructed in New Orleans. Their studio was burned out, and they again entered business at old No. 111 Canal, between Royal street and Exchange Alley. After remaining a short while at that location they once more moved one door to the building occupied by them to-day. In 1865, immediately after the war, the Washburns, who had previously taken only daguerrotypes, adopted photographs, and have since that time kept abreast of all improvements made in the business. Practically all the celebrities who have visited New Orleans have had their photographs made by the Washburns, and when Jenny Lind visited New Orleans in 1850 her picture was added to the list. The great singer sent her secretary to all the studios in New Orleans for samples of their work, and, after closely inspecting all submitted, decided to sit for the Washburns. Jefferson Davis also sat for the Washburns, and among the most prominent local men the late Dr. B. M. Palmer frequently had his photograph taken there.
During his early days in the city Mr. Washburn was an enthusiastic member of the Odd Fellows, while in religion he was a Presbyterian. When the commercial development of New Orleans was in its infancy Mr. Washburn was one of the most active workers in its behalf, offering his time and money to the advancement of many enterprises which were then considered, in view of the city's uncertain future, more or less hazardous. Even in his advanced age Mr. Washburn kept actively at work, only giving up three weeks ago, when seized by the illness that proved fatal. Every possible care was taken to preserve his life, but the nature of his malady, taken together with is advanced age, proved too strong a combination for medical science to combat."
=================================================
Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Mon. Nov. 16, 1902, Page 2
"W. W. WASHBURN,
---------------
Dean of the Photography Craft in New Orleans
----------------
Who Has Pictured Famous People During Half a Century Passes Away Yesterday
----------------
Another of the famous landmarks of New Orleans passed away yesterday in the death of William Watson Washburn, the oldest and one of the most widely-known of all the New Orleans Photographers.
For more than fifty years the name of Washburn has been synonymous with photography in the Crescent City, and during this time many hundreds of the celebrities of this and other countries in almost as many different walks of life have sat for his photographs and gone away more than well pleased with the work of this famous New Orleans artist. For nearly all the fifty-five years he has been in business he has been in the block bounded by Canal, Customhouse, Royal and Exchange Alley, and within this period he has seen almost as many changes come over this city as have come over the art to which he devoted his life.
Mr. Washburn was born seventy=eight years ago in Peterboro, N. H., and, after securing the rudiments of an education, he embarked in his chosen profession. At that time photography as it is practiced to-day was unknown, and the pictures which Mr. Washburn took were what were called daguerrotypes, an art many specimens of which are to be found to-day among the heirlooms of the present generation.
After traveling over the state of New Hampshire as a daguerrotypist, Mr. Washburn determined to locate and build up a permanent business for himself. His first venture along this line was in Boston, where he opened up a business. From Boston he went to New York, where he remained only a short while. When he relinquished his business there it was taken over by his brother, Lorenzo Washburn, who is also well known in New Orleans.
In 1847 Mr. Washburn determined to come South and build up his reputation with the growing city of New Orleans. His first location here was over what was then called McPherson's Drug Store, on Camp Street. Two years later he moved to the corner of Camp and Common, where is now located the Story Building. Here Mr. Washburn was joined in 1850 by his brother Alonzo, and together they embarked permanently in business, only to be separated yesterday by the death of the principal member of the firm.
At the corner of Camp and Common, Mr. Washburn is said to have build the first skylight ever built in New Orleans. The office here being burned out in the following year, the brothers removed to Canal Street and entered business at old No. 111, between Exchange Alley and Royal Street. After remaining here a short while they again moved, but this time only one number, and for a while they occupied quarters at old NO. 113. From that locality another and final removal took place, and the two brothers became settled at No. 637, where they have been ever since.
The Washburn Studio, which had previously taken only the daguerrotypes, began, after the war 0 in 1865 - to take photographs, and has continued, adopting all the improved methods to take such photographs from that time to this.
During the time that the Washburn brothers have been in busies in New Orleans, many celebrities from all parts of the world have visited New Orleans, and many of these have had daguerrotypes or photographs taken at the Wasburn Studio. One of the first and most famous of all, who have had likenesses taken there was Jenny Lind, the great singer, who visited New Orleans in 1850. Shortly after her arrival here Jenny Lind sent her Secretary to all the daguerrotype galleries in the city for samples of the work done here, and, after seeing all the samples submitted, she sat for a daguerrotype at the Washburn Studio.
But Jenny Lind was not the only celebrity for whom the Washburn brothers did work. Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, had some of his most famous photographs taken by Washburn, and the late Dr. B. M. Palmer, who was a friend of Mr. Washburn, sat several times for photographs, which afterward were considered among the best he ever had taken. Others almost without number might be mentioned.
During his days of maturity and activity, Mr. Washburn was a prominent figure in the commercial life of New Orleans, and was identified with many of the projects involving expenditure of large sums at a time when the commercial advantages of the city were not appreciated as they are to-day, and when investments contained a very large element of chance.
Mr. Washburn did not belong to many fraternal circles, but in early life he was one of the most enthusiastic Odd Fellows in the city. In religion he was a Presbyterian and a great admirer of his friend, Dr. Palmer.
Mr. Washburn, despite his advanced age, remained actively at work until three weeks ago, when sickness overtook him. Going to his apartments, in No. 1032 Camp Street, he became too ill to leave his room, but in the sickness which followed he was given every attention by his brother, by nurses employed to care for him, as well as by the best physicians in the city. His advanced age, however, and the nature of his malady, proved an invincible combination, and after a three weeks' illness he died yesterday.
The body as removed at once to Johnson's undertaking parlors and embalmed. This morning it will be removed to the home of his only surviving immediate relative, his brother, Lorenzo Washburn, 432 Constance Street, whence the funeral service will take place this afternoon at 3 o'clock.
While Mr. Washburn will be greatly missed by his fellow-photographers, the business which he and his brother established will not be closed. For over fifty years Lorenzo Washburn has directed all the scientific part of the work of the studio, while his brother as had charge of the business management of the concern. It is not likely, therefore, that the studio will be closed for some time to come, as Lorenzo Washburn is still as active as he was fifty years ago, when he first entered the business in New Orleans."
William Watson Washburn was a Daguerreotypist, ambrotypist, photographer, art dealer and restorer.
New Orleans Item, Mon. Nov. 16, 1903, Page 9
==============================================
"FUNERAL OF LATE WM. W. WASHBURN
----------------------
SERVICES TO BE HELD BROTHER'S RESIDENCE,
------------
Was Pioneer Photographer and Had Long Been Resident of New Orleans
---------------------
The funeral of the late William Watson Washburn, who died yesterday, took place at the residence of his brother, Lorenzo S. Washburn, 4302 Constance street, at o'clock this afternoon
Deceased was seventy-eight years of age, and was a pioneer in photography, with the history and advance of which he was closely identified. Many improvements, now in general use by photographers throughout the United States, are due to the work of the firm of Washburn, in whose studio men in all walks of life have been photographed during the last fifty-five years. The Washburn studio, located in the block bounded by Canal, Customhouse, Royal streets and Exchange Alley, is one of the most widely known business houses in the city.
For many years William Watson Washburn was identified with the commercial interests of New Orleans, taking an active interest in the development and upbuilding of the city, and it was with a great deal of pride that he discussed its growth, especially during the last four or five years. Mr. Washburn was born in Peterboro, N. H., and, after securing a common school education, embarked in the business he followed through life At that time photography had not reached its present development, and the old-fashioned daguerreotype was the limit of art attained. Mr. Washburn took daguerreotypes of many men and women who made up social life in New Orleans and the South in the old days, and his work is still to be found among the heirlooms of their descendants.
As was the custom in his profession in those days, after embarking in photography, Mr. Washburn traveled from place to place in New Hampshire, setting up his studio in a town for a short time and then moving on to another field. His first permanent venture was in Boston, where he opened a studio. He did not remain there long, subsequently removing to New York, where he again went into business. Later this studio was taken in charge by his brother, Lorenzo S. Washburn, and Mr. Washburn decided to cast his fortunes in New Orleans, then considered the Bagdad of the South.
In 1847 Mr. Washburn arrived here and located his first studio over McPherson's drug store, in Camp street. Two years later he moved to amp and Common, where the Story Building now stands. Here he was joined by his brother, Lorenzo S., and the two managed the business together. At Camp and Common the Washburns built the skylight said to have been the first ever constructed in New Orleans. Their studio was burned out, and they again entered business at old No. 111 Canal, between Royal street and Exchange Alley. After remaining a short while at that location they once more moved one door to the building occupied by them to-day. In 1865, immediately after the war, the Washburns, who had previously taken only daguerrotypes, adopted photographs, and have since that time kept abreast of all improvements made in the business. Practically all the celebrities who have visited New Orleans have had their photographs made by the Washburns, and when Jenny Lind visited New Orleans in 1850 her picture was added to the list. The great singer sent her secretary to all the studios in New Orleans for samples of their work, and, after closely inspecting all submitted, decided to sit for the Washburns. Jefferson Davis also sat for the Washburns, and among the most prominent local men the late Dr. B. M. Palmer frequently had his photograph taken there.
During his early days in the city Mr. Washburn was an enthusiastic member of the Odd Fellows, while in religion he was a Presbyterian. When the commercial development of New Orleans was in its infancy Mr. Washburn was one of the most active workers in its behalf, offering his time and money to the advancement of many enterprises which were then considered, in view of the city's uncertain future, more or less hazardous. Even in his advanced age Mr. Washburn kept actively at work, only giving up three weeks ago, when seized by the illness that proved fatal. Every possible care was taken to preserve his life, but the nature of his malady, taken together with is advanced age, proved too strong a combination for medical science to combat."
=================================================
Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Mon. Nov. 16, 1902, Page 2
"W. W. WASHBURN,
---------------
Dean of the Photography Craft in New Orleans
----------------
Who Has Pictured Famous People During Half a Century Passes Away Yesterday
----------------
Another of the famous landmarks of New Orleans passed away yesterday in the death of William Watson Washburn, the oldest and one of the most widely-known of all the New Orleans Photographers.
For more than fifty years the name of Washburn has been synonymous with photography in the Crescent City, and during this time many hundreds of the celebrities of this and other countries in almost as many different walks of life have sat for his photographs and gone away more than well pleased with the work of this famous New Orleans artist. For nearly all the fifty-five years he has been in business he has been in the block bounded by Canal, Customhouse, Royal and Exchange Alley, and within this period he has seen almost as many changes come over this city as have come over the art to which he devoted his life.
Mr. Washburn was born seventy=eight years ago in Peterboro, N. H., and, after securing the rudiments of an education, he embarked in his chosen profession. At that time photography as it is practiced to-day was unknown, and the pictures which Mr. Washburn took were what were called daguerrotypes, an art many specimens of which are to be found to-day among the heirlooms of the present generation.
After traveling over the state of New Hampshire as a daguerrotypist, Mr. Washburn determined to locate and build up a permanent business for himself. His first venture along this line was in Boston, where he opened up a business. From Boston he went to New York, where he remained only a short while. When he relinquished his business there it was taken over by his brother, Lorenzo Washburn, who is also well known in New Orleans.
In 1847 Mr. Washburn determined to come South and build up his reputation with the growing city of New Orleans. His first location here was over what was then called McPherson's Drug Store, on Camp Street. Two years later he moved to the corner of Camp and Common, where is now located the Story Building. Here Mr. Washburn was joined in 1850 by his brother Alonzo, and together they embarked permanently in business, only to be separated yesterday by the death of the principal member of the firm.
At the corner of Camp and Common, Mr. Washburn is said to have build the first skylight ever built in New Orleans. The office here being burned out in the following year, the brothers removed to Canal Street and entered business at old No. 111, between Exchange Alley and Royal Street. After remaining here a short while they again moved, but this time only one number, and for a while they occupied quarters at old NO. 113. From that locality another and final removal took place, and the two brothers became settled at No. 637, where they have been ever since.
The Washburn Studio, which had previously taken only the daguerrotypes, began, after the war 0 in 1865 - to take photographs, and has continued, adopting all the improved methods to take such photographs from that time to this.
During the time that the Washburn brothers have been in busies in New Orleans, many celebrities from all parts of the world have visited New Orleans, and many of these have had daguerrotypes or photographs taken at the Wasburn Studio. One of the first and most famous of all, who have had likenesses taken there was Jenny Lind, the great singer, who visited New Orleans in 1850. Shortly after her arrival here Jenny Lind sent her Secretary to all the daguerrotype galleries in the city for samples of the work done here, and, after seeing all the samples submitted, she sat for a daguerrotype at the Washburn Studio.
But Jenny Lind was not the only celebrity for whom the Washburn brothers did work. Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, had some of his most famous photographs taken by Washburn, and the late Dr. B. M. Palmer, who was a friend of Mr. Washburn, sat several times for photographs, which afterward were considered among the best he ever had taken. Others almost without number might be mentioned.
During his days of maturity and activity, Mr. Washburn was a prominent figure in the commercial life of New Orleans, and was identified with many of the projects involving expenditure of large sums at a time when the commercial advantages of the city were not appreciated as they are to-day, and when investments contained a very large element of chance.
Mr. Washburn did not belong to many fraternal circles, but in early life he was one of the most enthusiastic Odd Fellows in the city. In religion he was a Presbyterian and a great admirer of his friend, Dr. Palmer.
Mr. Washburn, despite his advanced age, remained actively at work until three weeks ago, when sickness overtook him. Going to his apartments, in No. 1032 Camp Street, he became too ill to leave his room, but in the sickness which followed he was given every attention by his brother, by nurses employed to care for him, as well as by the best physicians in the city. His advanced age, however, and the nature of his malady, proved an invincible combination, and after a three weeks' illness he died yesterday.
The body as removed at once to Johnson's undertaking parlors and embalmed. This morning it will be removed to the home of his only surviving immediate relative, his brother, Lorenzo Washburn, 432 Constance Street, whence the funeral service will take place this afternoon at 3 o'clock.
While Mr. Washburn will be greatly missed by his fellow-photographers, the business which he and his brother established will not be closed. For over fifty years Lorenzo Washburn has directed all the scientific part of the work of the studio, while his brother as had charge of the business management of the concern. It is not likely, therefore, that the studio will be closed for some time to come, as Lorenzo Washburn is still as active as he was fifty years ago, when he first entered the business in New Orleans."
Gravesite Details
Age 78, Name on Plot Washburn, Date of Burial 11/16/1903, Ref: Cemetery Records
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