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Charlotte Photographers and Their Works, 1855 - 1925

O. J. (1869 - 1935) and Sallie Rader (1872 - 1949) and the Rembrandt Studio

By 1903, the Charlotte City directory lists six photographers, including Otis Johnson Rader, who was professionally known as O. J. Rader (1869-1935) and his wife Sarah "Sallie", Charlotte’s first professional woman photographer. (1)  A native of Caldwell County, North Carolina, Otis was the son of Pinkie Rader and Laura Johnson. (2)  Sarah Deal Rader was born on September 16, 1872 in Newton, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Hosea and Arrina Deal. (3) 

Leon Ernest Seay (1863-1930)

Leon Ernest Seay was born in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1862. He began work as a photographer sometime in the 1890s. Seay came to Charlotte in 1906 and formed a partnership with Charles W. Eutsler. Together they ran a studio from Eutsler’s home at 21 North Tryon Street until 1910. (1) In 1907, Seay formed another partnership with Zachius "Zackie" E. Scott (1866-1943), who owned a studio at 904 Elizabeth Avenue, which was beyond the original four wards. Scott moved to Fort Mill the next year.

John B. Readman (1851 - 1903)

Readman first appears in the Charlotte directory around 1899. ( 1) Born in New York in April of 1851, his father was from England and his mother was a New Yorker.  Readman dabbled in the theatrical business and worked in newspapers in California. He arrived in Charlotte in 1896. (2) Readman’s studio was located at 18 South Tryon Street, and he lived in a boarding house on 3rd Street. (3) By 1902, his wife, Emily, joined him, and they lived at 237 South Tryon Street, which was just a few blocks down from Readman’s Studio that was now located at 27 South Tryon Street.

John Cleveland Cushman (1882-1959)

John or Jonathan C. Cushman first appears in the Charlotte City Directory in 1912. He and Harvey W. South ran the Photo Shop on 3 West 5th Street until 1920.  Cushman was originally from New York and was born on November 6, 1882. In 1920, Cushman sold his studio to another photographer, William M. Morse. Cushma and his wife Elizabeth (Bessie) B. Lawley Cushman moved to Northampton, Massachusetts where he worked as a photographer. He died in 1959.

The Photo Shop as it appears in The Story of Charlotte, North Carolina - Illustrated, 1913, p. 26. 

Henry Hayden, Sr. (1872-1934)

Henry Hayden, Sr. (1872-1934) was a contemporary of Baumgarten and Van Ness and was Charlotte’s first known black photographer. The son of David and Mary Hayden, he grew up in Charlotte and opened a studio in 1897 at 303 South Brevard Street. This photograph and the one that follows cannot be identified as being shot by Hayden, but they exemplify Hayden’s work. 

Unknown gentleman from the Charlotte African-American Album Photograph Collection

Click on any of the tags below  to see other photographers and examples of their works.

James H. Van Ness (1841-1925)

Baumgarten’s sole competitor for a number of years was James H. Van Ness. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on March 17, 1841. Educated at a private school, Waugh and Majors, Van Ness graduated in 1858, and began working at his father’s grocery store until 1862. At that time, Van Ness joined the Confederate Army and served with the 15th Virginia Cavalry. From all accounts, he was engaged in numerous battles and skirmishes where he performed bravely. (1) 

Henry Baumgarten (1839 -1918)

Henry Baumgarten was born on March 12, 1839 in what is now the province of Hanover, Germany. Baumgarten’s father Selig, mother Winzee [sic] and their seven children immigrated to the United States, settling in Baltimore, Maryland in 1852. Selig Baumgarten was an engraver, and Henry served an apprenticeship to an engraver. This was ideal preparation for his future occupation. (1)  There are reports that he fought in the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy in Louisiana. However, other than his obituary, there is no primary evidence supporting Baumgarten’s claim to military service.

John S. Broadaway (1838 - 1891)

John S. Broadaway was an itinerant photographer who came to Charlotte in 1865. His temporary studio was above the Charlotte Bank. An advertisement from The Western Democrat indicates that his “traveling” studio “Gem Photograph” would be in town for a few days. Broadaway offered “fereotypes [sic], ambrotypes and all kinds of collodion pictures in carte de visite, lockets, pins, rings, cases and made in the best style of the art.” Prices ranged from one dollar and upwards. (1) 

Charlotte Photographers and Their Works, 1855-1925

In 1867, there were two photographers working in Charlotte. The number increased to twenty by 1930. Photography came into its own in the mid-nineteenth century throughout the United States. With the coming of the Civil War, a memento such as a tintype or a daguerreotype were treasured by soldiers and their families, who were parted for months and even years at a time. This was also true of Charlotteans.

Below is Lee Dulin is in his uniform.