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. Special Collections and Archives Photograph Collection
Merrill-Cazier Library Utah State University 3000 Old Main Hill Logan, UT 84322-3000 Phone: 435 797-2663 Fax: 435 797-2880 Email: scweb@usu.edu
Languages:
Collection materials are in English.
Sponsor:
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant,
2007-2008
Biographical Note
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 Description
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 Collection
Restrictions on Access : Restrictions
Open to public research.
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 Information
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 Collection
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
