164

Ackerman & Bro., photographers.

Pair of early carte-de-visite views of the town of Independence.

Independence, IA, 1 September 1864
Pair of albumen photographs, 2¼ x 3¾ inches, on original mounts (one plain and one with Ackerman backmark), each captioned in manuscript on verso; moderate toning, one worn in left margin.

  • Notes: Chief partner Orin Ackerman (1829-1913) began building one of the first photo studios in the frontier  town of Independence in July 1864, and remained in operation there through at least June 1866 (Palmquist & Kailbourn, Pioneer Photographers, pages 65-66). One of these views shows the dam on the Wapsipinicon River, while another shows Main Street on the east side of the river. One is inscribed to Elon Pratt House (1846-1894), and the other to Johnnie House (his brother John, 1855-1924). Their half-brother Charles was born in Independence in 1867. 
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