James Crockwell photograph collection, 1860-1920

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Crockwell, James H., 1855-1940.
Title
James Crockwell photograph collection
Dates
1860-1920 (inclusive)
1870-1890 (bulk)
Quantity
1 box, (.25 linear ft. )
Collection Number
USU_P0102
Summary
The James H. Crockwell Collection consists of twenty one studio portraits of the Crockwell and Bassett families (most taken either by C.W. Carter or Crockwell himself), and "The Comstock Illustrated," a printed 1890 souvenir album with Albertypes of the Comstock mining region. The 1890 album includes views of Virginia City, Gold Hill, Silver City, Sutro, mills, hoisting works, miners, trains, and Paiutes (includes four negatives).
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions
Restrictions

Open to public research.

Languages
English.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

James Hezekiah Crockwell was born on March 21, 1855 in Woodbury, Iowa. In 1863 or 1864 young James moved to Salt Lake City after his father, Dr. John D.M. Crockwell, converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. James and his brother George started a small business coloring photographs. After George left the business, Crockwell spent nearly a year as an apprentice to C.W. Carter in 1883. Shortly thereafter he formed a partnership with William Ottinger. For the next two years Crockwell and Ottinger used Salt Lake City as a home base and worked as traveling photographers in southern Utah and Southeast Nevada. In 1886 Crockwell bought out Ottinger and spent the next two years as an itinerant photographer for the mining towns of Nevada. In 1888 he settled in Virginia City, but moved back to Salt Lake City after business there tapered off. In Utah he photographed the mining towns of Park City and Eureka before becoming Utah's official photographer at the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. Afterwards Crockwell returned to Salt Lake City, but business was not good and there were expensive medical bills to pay. By 1900 he quit photography to become a traveling salesman.

In 1877 James Crockwell and Millie Bassett were married. They would have five children, Earl, Ada, Lula, Lawrence, and Clara Nevada (nicknamed Polly Wampus). In the spring of 1889 daughter Ada was fatally burned in a fire set by an angry former employee. Lulu was also badly burned. In 1915 Millie died. By 1930 Crockwell was living with a daughter in Alameda, California. He died on September 16, 1940.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The James H. Crockwell Collection consists of twenty one studio portraits of the Crockwell and Bassett families (most taken either by C.W. Carter or Crockwell himself), and a printed 1890 souvenir album with albertypes of the Comstock mining region.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Permission to publish material from the James Crockwell photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Preferred Citation

James Crockwell photograph collection, 1860-1920. (P0102). Utah State University. Special Collections & Archives Department.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arrangement: Topical.

Acquisition Information

This collection was transferred to Special Collections & Archives by former USU professor Nelson Wadsworth (who obtained them from a family descendant) in 1995.

Processing Note

Register completed by Rebecca Ruelle, August 2002.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1 1:01: Crockwell, Ada. 11 year old Ada the day before she was brutally burned
Jas. H. Crockwell (Virginia City, NV).
ca 1889,
1 1:02: Crockwell, James H.
Crockwell & Ottinger (SLC).
ca. 1870s.
1 1:03: Crockwell, James H.
Jas. H. Crockwell (SLC).
ca. 1882
1 1:04: Crockwell, James H.
Crockwell.
1884
1 1:05: Crockwell, James H.
J.H. Crockwell (SLC).
1885
1 1:06: Crockwell, James H.
Hower (Baker City).
1900.
1 1:07: Crockwell, James H.
Souvenir photo posed on a studio prop, of an early airplane.
ca. 1920
1 1:08: Crockwell, Millie.
Crockwell and Ottinger (SLC).
1884
1 1:09: Crockwell, Millie
Jas. H. Crockwell, Traveling Photographer.
1885
1 1:10: Crockwell, Millie
J.H. Crockwell (Virginia City).
1887
1 1:11: Crockwell, Millie
Crockwell used a mirror to photograph his wife during the Chicago World's Fair, 1893, J. H. Crockwell (Virginia City).
1893
1 1:12: Crockwell, Millie
J.H. Crockwell.
ca. 1887
1 1:13: Crockwell, Millie
1894
1 1:14: Crockwell, Millie
J. H. Crockwell (Virginia City).
ca. 1887
1 1:15: Crockwell, Millie
1911.
1 1:16: Crockwell, Millie. Millie Crockwell with her children (Earl, Ada, & Lula)
Jas. H. Crockwell, Traveling Photographer.
1887.
1 1:17: Bassett, Millie. Bassett family
C. W. Carter (SLC).
1875
1 1:18: Crockwell, Millie
1893
1 1:19: Crockwell, James H. Postcard portrait with unidentified person
Portland Studio (Portland, Oregon).
ca. 1915
1 1:20: Dr. John D.M. Crockwell. Crockwell's father at age 38
C. W. Carter (SLC).
ca. 1867
1 1:21: Bassett, Millie. Bassett and sisters Minnie, Annie, and Purdie
C. W. Carter (SLC).
ca. 1870s.
1 1:22: "The Comstock Illustrated"
Includes views of Virginia City, Gold Hill, Silver City, Sutro, mills, hoisting works, miners, trains, and Piutes
1890

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Miners--Nevada--Photographs.
  • Mines and mineral resources--Nevada--Photographs.
  • Mining machinery--Nevada--History--Photographs.
  • Paiute Indians--Nevada--Photographs.

Personal Names

  • Crockwell, James H., 1855-1940--Photographs.
  • Crockwell, Millie Bassett, 1857-1915--Photographs.
  • Crockwell, John D. M., 1820-1885--Photographs.

Family Names

  • Crockwell family--Photographs.

Geographical Names

  • Nevada -- History--19th century--Photographs.
  • Virginia City (Nev.)--History--19th century--Photographs.