William Barron (1848-between 1910-20) - Sarnia - Point Edward, ON and Port Huron, MI

William Barron was a younger brother of Sarnia photographer John Barron.  I suspect that he began his career in photography in the 1860's with his brother. 

From the collection of John Rochon

The photo above shows that he was practicing his art in Sarnia at least in 1871.  According to information sent to me by a descendant, he married a woman from Port Huron, MI in 1877 and moved there, where he established a studio.  However, it appears that he kept a gallery in Point Edward, ON, as the following news article shows.

Sarnia Observer May 23, 1884 p6

The only example of his work in Port Huron that I have been able to find so far is the trimmed cabinet card below.

From the collection of John Rochon

By 1900, William's 20 year old son Fred is listed in the census as a photographer, living in his father's household - an assistant or partner of William's??  William died sometime between the two census' of 1910 and 1920.  A subsequent search for records shows that William married in Port Huron in 1876.

UPDATE 15/06/10

From the collection of John Rochon

I have just recieved this in the mail - a wonderful carte de visites of a young man by William Barron of Port Huron.

Dugald Ferguson - Sarnia, ON

Early Sarnia photographer who, according to Glen C. Philllips' helpful book Ontario Photographers List 1851-1900, practiced in Sarnia from 1869-71.  From the following advertizement, it seems as though he may have been established earlier.  UPDATE: I have recently discovered the below ad that shows that Mr. Ferguson bought the studio of Wm. Robinson and commenced operations in January of 1869.

Sarnia Observer Jan. 1, 1869 p3

Sarnia Observer Nov. 18, 1869 p4

From the collection of John Rochon

Could this be the same D. Ferguson who (according to Glen's book) established a studio in Strathroy in 1874?   Or, could it be this Dugald Ferguson, who died in Sarnia Township in Nov. of 1891?

Sarnia Observer Nov. 6, 1891 p4

Or are they all one and the same??

Aaron E. Lang - Sarnia, C.W.

Early Sarnia photographer.  The only evidence of him practicing in Sarnia that I have been able to find are his advertizement in the County of Lambton Gazetteer, Commerical Adviser and Business Directory of 1864-65, and his listing in Glen C. Phillips' helpful book Ontario Photographers List 1851-1900, which has him practicing in Sarnia 1863-64.  I have not yet been able to find any examples of his work.

John Barron (1842-1924) - Sarnia, ON

Born in Scotland, his family came to Canada in 1844.  John opened his photography studio (possibly with his brother, William) in 1866.  William would later move to Port Huron, MI and establish a studio there.

From the collection of John Rochon.

Sarnia Observer April 17, 1868 p3

From the collection of John Rochon

From the collection of John Rochon

In 1868 he moved his studio to quarters above McCart's grocery store.  In 1869, he entered into partnership with T. Challoner, which lasted a year. 

From the collection of John Rochon

Sarnia Observer May 9, 1870 p3

In the 1877 Directory of Lambton County, he is listed as an artist.

 

From the collection of John Rochon

By 1878 he had moved his studio to quarters above Alex. Leys store on Front St.

Sarnia Observer July 12, 1878 p3

From the collection of John Rochon

 

From the collection of John Rochon

By 1879, he has entered into partnership with James Walker.  This partnership lasted until 1884.  Records indicate that Barron and Walker took on another partner in 1883, but I have no idea who that may have been (John's brother William??).  During this period the studio relocated to #4 Durand Block, Front St.

Tornado Damage on east side of Front Street - July 11, 1879

From the collection of John Rochon

 

From the collection of John Rochon

 

From the collection of John Rochon

 

From the collection of John Rochon

 

From the collection of John Rochon

 

Sarnia Observer May 23, 1884 p1

From 1884 to 1898 he continued his studio at the same address, also selling sheet music and instruments.

Photo taken June 7, 1884 showing Barron's studio at right.

From the collection of John Rochon

From the collection of John Rochon

 

From the collection of John Rochon

From the collection of John Rochon

 

From the collection of John Rochon

 

From the collection of John Rochon

 

Sarnia Observer July 4, 1890 p4

 

From the collection of John Rochon

In 1898, due to the increased demand of other business interests, he closed his photography studio and brought in a daughter to help with the music part of the business.  Sometime in the early 20th century, he moved to Seattle, Washington, where he died on Sept. 17, 1924.  His funeral was held from the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. Ashby of 224 Vidal St. South, to Lakeview Cemetery.

Sarnia Observer Sept. 23, 1924 p10

The majority of the information for this post was taken from the entry on John Barron in the Beers' Biographical Record of Lambton County 1906 pgs.779-780.  These dates conflict slightly with those contained in Glen C. Phillips' helpful book, Ontario Photographers List 1851-1900, which list John Barron's years as a photographer as 1868-1896 and the years of his partnership with James Walker as 1881-1884.