Title: LeRoy John Gates Photographs
Inclusive Dates: circa 1857-1868, 1884

Creator:

• Gates, LeRoy John, 1832-1985

Call Number: PH 6320

Quantity: 45 photographs

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Photographs created and collected by LeRoy John Gates, an entrepreneur, riverboat pilot, hops farmer, and photographer in Kilbourn, Wisconsin, during the middle of the nineteenth century. Gates recognized the prospective tourism opportunities of the dells of the Wisconsin River, and guided row boats and lumber rafts through the area. The images in this collection consist primarily of studio portraits in carte de visite and tintype formats depicting Gates, members of his family, and friends, and including descriptive inscriptions on the rectos and versos of the photographs. Gates created many of the images, while other photographs were created by photographers in Baraboo, Oshkosh, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in addition to studios in Vermont and California.

Note:

There is a restriction on access to this material; see the Administrative/Restriction Information portion of this finding aid for details.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-ph06320

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Access Restrictions

Consult finding aid or photocopies before requesting original photographs; photographs from the collection may only be used one at a time.

Acquisition Information

Accession Number: M2002-122

PH 6320	Series: Family
Item   1	Billings, Mary Ann Pratt, studio portrait of a older woman posed sitting Note Maternal grandmother of LeRoy Gates Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on verso: “LeRoy Gates Grandmother, Pratt Billings, on his mother's side.” Photographer: O.A. Taft's Gallery, Middlebury, Vermont
Item   2	Favorite, T.J., studio portrait of a man posed sitting Note Brother-in-law of LeRoy Gates, husband of Irene E. Ehrman Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “A Brother in law of L. J. Gates - Husband of Irene, T. J. Favorite, deceased husband of Irene B. Ehrman” Photographer: Unidentified
Item   3	Gates, LeRoy J., studio portrait of a man posed sitting Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Yours Truly, LeRoy Gates, Photographer Artist, Wis.” Inscribed on verso: “LeRoy J. Gates, Photographie Artist” Photographer: Unidentified
Item   4	Gates, LeRoy J., studio portrait of a man posed sitting and holding a paintbrush and palette Note Format: Tintype Photographer: Unidentified
Item   5	Gates, LeRoy J., exterior portrait of a man posed standing and holding a large knife between a mounted bobcat and crane Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on verso: “LeRoy Gates” and a series of numbers in crayon Photographer: Unidentified
Item   6	Gates, LeRoy J., studio portrait of a man Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Brother LeRoy Gates, March 1868” Photographer M. Mould, Baraboo, Wisconsin
Item   7	Gates, LeRoy J., studio portrait of a man Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “LeRoy J. Gates, Eureka, Calif.,” and “age 55, Eureka, Calif.” Inscribed on verso: “LeRoy John Gates, taken at Eureka, Calif. In 1884, at 55 yrs. of age.” Photographer: Strong, Vance Block, Eureka, California
Item   8	Gates, LeRoy J., studio portrait of the back of a man's head Note Format: Tintype Inscribed on recto: “Back view of L. J. Gates, 1866, Age 35 yrs.” Inscribed on verso: a series of numbers in pencil Photographer: Unidentified
Item   9	Gates, LeRoy J., and an unidentified man; studio portrait of two men posed sitting Note Format: Tintype Photographer: Unidentified
Item   10	Gates, LeRoy J. and an unidentified man; studio portrait of two men, one posed sitting, the other standing Note Format: Tintype Photographer: Unidentified
Item   11	Gates, LeRoy J., and an unidentified Native American man; studio portrait of two men posed standing, man on the left holding an axe Note Format: Tintype Photographer: Unidentified Tintype badly deteriorated
Item   12	Gates, Jacob, studio portrait of an elderly man posed sitting Note Paternal uncle of LeRoy Gates Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Uncle Jacob Gates, Aged 91 years, November 28, 1871. At death, 76 yrs.” and “Jacob Gates, age 91, Nov 28,/71” Inscribed on verso: “Jacob Gates, Age 91, November 28/71” and “Brother to LeRoy J. Gates' Father, died at 95 years of age” Photographer: E.O. Eddy, Wallingford, Vermont
Item   13	Gates, Valentine Maud, studio portrait of a girl posed sitting and holding a doll Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Maud Valentine Gates” Photographer: H.H. Bennett, Kilbourn, Wisconsin
Item   14	Gates, Roy, studio portrait of a boy posed sitting Note Nephew of LeRoy Gates, son of Osacr J. Gates Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on verso: “Roy's picture was taken a year and a half ago, just after he had partially recovered from diphtheria and he did not look as well as he does now” and “Roy Gates, son of Oscar J. Gates” Photographer: A.W. Osborne, California
Item   15	Gates, Schuyler G., studio portrait of a man posed sitting Note Paternal cousin of LeRoy J. Gates, son of Jacob Gates Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Cousin of L. J. Gates” and “ Schuyler Gates, son of Jacob gates, the brother of S. S. Gates” and “S. G. Gates, age 53, Sept 18, 1871” Inscribed on verso: “Schuyler G. Gates, son of Jacob Gates” Photographer: E.O. Eddy, Wallingford, Vermont
Item   16	Martin, studio portrait of a girl Note Maternal cousin of LeRoy J. Gates Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “LeRoy J. Gates' cousin” and “Daughter of Catherine D. Martin, sister of L. J. Gates' mother” Photographer: S.O. Hersey, Montpelier, Vermont
	Series: Identified Friends, Individuals	⇧
Item   17	Kueney Infant, studio portrait of an infant posed sitting Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Kueney's Baby Taken by Gates, 1866” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Photographic Artist, Wisconsin
Item   18	Davis, Carrie, studio portrait of a woman Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Once a prospective wife of L.J. Gates – like a hundred others deferred for the imaginary unseen flower” Inscribed on verso: “Compliments of: - Miss [?] Davis, Oshkosh.” and “LeRoy [?] Wednesday 26” Photographer: Webster & Walker, Photographers, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Item   19	Graham, Gertrude, studio portrait of a woman Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Gertrude Graham, Mauston or Lisbon, Wis. Taken in 1864.” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Photographer, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
Item   20	Hunter, Lula, studio portrait of a woman Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Miss Lula Hunter, taken by LeRoy J. Gates in his Kilbourn City Gallery.” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Photographer, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
Item   21	Illsley, Miss, studio portrait of a woman Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Miss Illsley, Banker's Daughter, Milwaukee, Wis. Taken by L.J. Gates, 1866 (June)” Photographer: H. Canfield & Company, 16 Wisconsin Street, Milwaukee.
Item   22	Jenkins, Mrs., studio portrait of a woman posed standing with her hand on a chair Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on verso: “Mrs. Dr. Jenkins of Kilbourn City, Wis., née Markham, sister to John Markham, niece of Gov. Markham of California. Taken by LeRoy Gates, 1864.” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Photographic Artist, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
Item   23	Knose, Libbie, studio portrait of a woman posed sitting Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Libbie Knose of Dell Prairie, Wis. Taken By LJ Gates, 1863-4.” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
Item   24	Noble, Nellie, studio portrait of a woman posed sitting Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Miss Nellie Noble of Kilbourn City, Wis. Taken in 1864.” Inscribed on verso: “Miss Nellie Noble afterwards wife of Sheriff Capt. Sorensen, died of consumption shortly after marriage.” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
Item   25	Noyse, Mrs., studio portrait of a woman Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Wife Depot Agent Noyse, Kilbourn City, in 1866-1892” Photographer: Mrs. Ten Eyck, 89 Wisconsin Street, Milwaukee. (Old No. 16.)
Item   26	Smith, Miss, studio portrait of a woman Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Miss Smith of Milwaukee, Wis. Photo. By L.J. Gates, 1865.” Photographer: Mrs. Ten Eyck, 89 Wisconsin Street, Milwaukee. (Old No. 16.)
Item   27	Traver, Alice, studio portrait of a woman posed sitting Note: Inscribed on recto: “Miss Alice Traver, worked for family of L.J. Gates, 1878-1879, in Dell Prairie, Wis.”
Item   28	Benett, Reverend Elder, studio portrait of a man with a beard posed sitting Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on verso: “Rev. Elder Benett, Adams County, Wisconsin. Taken by LeRoy Gates, 1866” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Photographic Artist, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
Item   29	Bowman, Jonathan, studio portrait of a man with a beard Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “photo By L.J. Gates, 1864. Jonathan Bowman, Kilbourn City, Wis.” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Photographer, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
Item   30	Daws, Ben, studio portrait of a man posed standing with his hand on a chair Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Ben Daws, Kilbourn, Wis., 1865.” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Photographic Artist, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
Item   31	Early, George Holbrook, studio portrait of a man with a beard posed sitting Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Geo. Holbrook Early, Settler on Wis. Dells. (in 1850). Later of Montana” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Photographer, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
Item   32	King, E.B., studio portrait of a man posed sitting in an ornate chair Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “E.B. King, Kilbourn City, 1866” Photographer: W.H. Sherman, Photographic Artist, 16 Wisconsin Street, Milwaukee.
Item   33	Seeley, studio portrait of a man posed sitting with a staff Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “old man Seeley, Portage City, Wis., 135 yrs old” and “old man Seeley” Photographer: M. Mould, Photographer, Baraboo, Wisconsin
Item   34	Yoeum, Professor, studio portrait of a man with a beard posed sitting Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Taken by L.J. Gates, 1864.” Inscribed on verso: “Prof. Yoeum, teacher in Adams and Columbia Counties, Wis.” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Photographic Artist, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
Item   35	Young, Unidentified son of Daniel Young, studio portrait of a man posed sitting Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “taken by L.J. Gates at Kilbourn City, Wis., 1864.” Inscribed on verso: “[son of Daniel Young]” and “Young of Adams Co., Wis. Taken by L.J. Gates” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Photographer, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
	Series: Identified Friends, Couples	⇧
Item   36	Steel, studio portrait of a couple; two women posed standing Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “2 Sisters of Adams Co., Wis. Steel Sisters.” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Photographer, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
Item   37	Webber, Mr. and Mrs. William, studio portrait of a couple; man posed sitting and woman standing to his right Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Taken by L.J. Gates, 1864.” and “Webber + Wife, Kilbourn City, Wis., 1864.” Inscribed on verso: “p.m. Wm Weber and Wife, Kilbourn City, taken by LeRoy Gates, 1864” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Photographic Artist, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
	Series: Identified Friends, Groups	⇧
Item   38	Weber Family, studio portrait of a group Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “The Weber Family of Kilbourn City, Wis., taken in 1865” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Photographer, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
	Series: Unidentified Friends, Individuals	⇧
Item   39	Unidentified women, studio portrait of a woman Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “A Montpelier Vermont Girl of 1865” Photographer: S.O. Hersey, Photographer, State Street, Montpelier, Vermont
Item   40	Unidentified man, studio portrait of a man, identified as photographic apprentice of L.J. Gates in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “photographic Apprentice of L.J. Gates in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 1864 – Gates Apprentice photographic” Inscribed on verso: “L.J. Gates Artist” [Inscribed over Mrs. Ten Eyck, 89 Wisconsin Street, Milwaukee. (Old No. 16.)] Photographer: LeRoy Gates (?)
Item   41	Unidentified man, studio portrait of a man posed sitting in a top hat Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “The Artist superceded by LeRoy J. Gates in Stoners Photographic Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 1864-5.” Photographer: Mrs. Ten Eyck, 89 Wisconsin Street, Milwaukee. (Old No. 16.)
Item   42	Unidentified man, studio portrait of a man posed standing with his hand on a chair Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “Taken at Kilbourn City, Wis. By L.J. Gates 1864.” Photographer: LeRoy Gates, Photographic Artist, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin
Item   43	Unidentified men, studio portrait of a group; four unidentified men, two posed sitting and two standing Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on verso: “Group taken by L.J. Gates, 1866, Milwaukee, Wis.” Photographer: Mrs. Ten Eyck, 89 Wisconsin Street, Milwaukee. (Old No. 16.)
	Series: Landscapes	⇧
Item   44	View of Horseshoe Falls at Niagara and Tarpean Tower Note Format: Carte de visite Inscribed on recto: “View of Horseshoe Falls at Niagara and Tarpean Tower. L.J. Gates viewed this falls from Tarpean Tower in July 1865” Penciled inscriptions on recto and verso of locations possibly visited by LeRoy Gates, including Trinity Church, Central Park, etc. Photographer: Unidentified
Item   45	Scenery in the Little Dells Physical Description: Format: 7 x 8 1/4-inch photograph  Note Inscribed on recto: “Old Bridge over Wis River near Gates Ravine. Taken by Leroy Gates” Inscribed on verso: “'Scenery in the Little Dells,' Kilbourn City, Wisn River, Wisn. Taken by Leroy J. Gates, Kilbourn City, Wisconsin, Copies of this & other, Views can be had at any time.” Photographer: LeRoy Gates