Full Name

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Photographer

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Information and Sources about this Photographer

Raw Data - E_Person

ID: 2468
CATNUM: 2630
IsPhotographer: True
IsArchitect: 
NameFirst: ~Frances Ellen (Comegys) "Ella"
NameLast: Willis
NameMiddle: Ellen
NameMaiden: Comegys
NameUsed: Ella Willis
NameNewFirst: Frances
PersonHonorificTypeID: 1
PersonSuffixTypeID: 
PersonStatusTypeID: 4
PersonSexTypeID: 2
PersonColorTypeID: 
BirthMonth: 3
BirthDay: 12
BirthYear: 1848
BirthCA: 
OriginalBirthCity: 
OriginalBirthState: IN
OriginalBirthCounty: Vermillion
OriginalBirthNation: USA
DeathMonth: 6
DeathDay: 11
DeathYear: 1924
DeathCA: 
DeathCause: 
OriginalDeathCity: Indianapolis
OriginalDeathState: IN
OriginalDeathCounty: Marion
OriginalDeathNation: USA
Parents: Cornelius Milton and Annabelle (Dunlap) Comegys
Children: 6, 3 lived to adulthood: Nathaniel Parker, Lucius Comegys, and Anibel Ellen
Spouse1Name: Willis ~Abner Denman
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Output: True
CreatedDate: 10/30/2021 5:46:57 PM
CreatedBy: sa
LastModifiedDate: 10/30/2021 5:46:57 PM
ModifiedBy: sa

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Raw Data - E_CareerPhotographer

ID: 2468
PersonID: 2468
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FamilyInPhotography: husband, sons
OriginalNotes: ST. LOUIS AND CANADIAN PHOTOGRAPHER, Jan. 1899, p. 48:
obituary of A. D. Willis - A. D. d. Dec. 7, 1898. He left his native town some few years ago to take charge of his Harrisonville studio and care for his interest there while his wife, Ella, cared for his interest in Crawfordsville.

Indianapolis Star - Sat. 6/14/1924
Mrs. Frances E. Willis, 75 years old, died Wednesday at her home, 2063 North Delaware street, Mrs. Willis was the widow of A.D. Willis, who was for many years a photographer in Crawfordsville, Ind. She was the daughter of Cornelius Conegys and was born in Vermillion county. Mrs. Willis had lived in Indianapolis since 1902. Two children survive - L.C. Willis, president of the Indestructible Wheel Company of Lebanon and Mrs. A.R. Kling of Indianapolis. A sister, Mrs. L.L. Culver, lived in St. Louis, Mo. The funeral, will be at the home tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. Burial will be in Crawfordsville.

1880 Census Place:Harrisonville, Cass, Missouri
Source: FHL Film 1254679  National Archives Film T9-0679     Page 83A     
A. D. Willis, 44, IN photographer, parents b. OH
Francis E., wife, 32, IN, housekeeper, parents b. MD
N. P., son 11, IN
Lew, son, 8, IN
Anna B., dau, 1, MO

Roots and Branches, Vol. 15, Issue 2, February 2018, newsletter of the Genealogy Club of Montgomery County, Indiana, p. 3, "Our Fine Family: Willis" by Karen Bazzani Zach
Abner Denman Willis taught school for a year in Vermillion County, Indiana, where he met student Frances Ellen Comegy [also has her name as Frances Ella Comegys in article]. They married in late September 1864 near Danville, Illinois. "He opened Willis Photograph Gallery which he operated for a dozen years (1866-1878), then for an unknown reason, moved to Harrisonville, Missouri. He had a photography gallery there, as well. After moving back to Crawfordsville, he continued the Willis Photograph Gallery business. He was working in photography when he died of pneumonia while on a business trip back to Harrisonville, seeming to always have ties back in Missouri."  "Abner, mentioned above, actually started his career as a photographer with a travelling show, per se. He packed-up his equipment, visited a small town and shot away. This lasted but a couple of years, however."   ". . . It was his wife (Francis Ella Comegy Willis who seemed to really make their photography business unique. It is highly likely that A. D. worked in Missouri, while his Mrs. worked here as one article in an 1896 newspaper stated, 'Mrs. Willis has made pictures for people of this county for 20 years.' Her gallery was on Main Street south of the courthouse. Yet another source says that this lady's name was Lew (Lou) which is not Mrs. A. D. (Frances 'Ella Comegy unless her name was Frances Luella)." Mentions variations of studio names owned by the Willis family: Ella Willis Art Studio, Willis & McQuowan, A. D. Willis' Fine Art Gallery, The Willis Gallery, Willis Studio, A. D. Willis, Parker Willis, Mrs. Willis & Sons, Willis Photograph Gallery. [Sources not listed.]
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CreatedDate: 10/30/2021 5:46:57 PM
CreatedBy: sa
LastModifiedDate: 10/30/2021 5:46:57 PM
ModifiedBy: 

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Raw Data - E_Location, E_Studio

PersonID: 2468
CATNUM: 2630
NameFirst: ~Frances Ellen (Comegys) "Ella"
NameLast: Willis
LocationID: 1397
Address1: 
Address2: 
City: Crawfordsville
State: IN
StudioID: 1387
----------------------------------
ID: 1387
StudioName: A. D. Willis
SeeAlso: 
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SeeAlsoStudio: 
StudioSummary: 
Sources: 
Output: False
CreatedDate: 10/30/2021 5:51:53 PM
CreatedBy: sa
LastModifiedDate: 10/30/2021 6:07:12 PM
ModifiedBy: sa

----------------------------------
Name: A. D. Willis
Alternate Studio Names: 
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StudioLocationID: 1403
SeeAlso: 
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Sources: 
Output: False
County: Montgomery
Country: USA
Longitude: 
Latitude: 
NameNewFirst: Frances
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NameMiddle: Ellen
NameMaiden: Comegys
PersonHonorificTypeID: 1
OriginalSource: St. Louis and Canadian Photographer, Jan. 1899, p. 48, "Death of A. D. Willis" Willis left his native town some few years ago to take charge of his Harrisonville MO studio and care for his interest there while his wife, Ella, cared for his interests in Crawfordsville.  Mr. Willis owned the block in which his gallery was located.
OriginalWorkerType: Studio owner
PersonSexTypeID: 2
PersonColorTypeID: 
PersonStudioLocationID: 1406




PersonID: 2468
CATNUM: 2630
NameFirst: ~Frances Ellen (Comegys) "Ella"
NameLast: Willis
LocationID: 3385
Address1: Ellis Willis Art Studio
Address2: 
City: Crawfordsville
State: IN
StudioID: 2633
----------------------------------
ID: 2633
StudioName: Ella Willis
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Output: False
CreatedDate: 10/30/2021 5:55:26 PM
CreatedBy: sa
LastModifiedDate: 10/30/2021 6:07:12 PM
ModifiedBy: sa

----------------------------------
Name: Ella Willis
Alternate Studio Names: 
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StudioLocationID: 3487
SeeAlso: 
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Output: False
County: Montgomery
Country: USA
Longitude: 0
Latitude: 0
NameNewFirst: Frances
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NameMiddle: Ellen
NameMaiden: Comegys
PersonHonorificTypeID: 1
OriginalSource: Circa late 1880s or early 1890s cabinet card printed on gold ink on verso: "Ella Willis Art Studio, Crawfordsville, Ind., Duplicates can be had at any time. Instantanious process used exclusively." Anglo-Japanese design with plant, banner, and camera.
OriginalWorkerType: Studio owner
PersonSexTypeID: 2
PersonColorTypeID: 
PersonStudioLocationID: 3637




PersonID: 2468
CATNUM: 2630
NameFirst: ~Frances Ellen (Comegys) "Ella"
NameLast: Willis
LocationID: 3691
Address1: 210 1/2 E. Main St.
Address2: 
City: Crawfordsville
State: IN
StudioID: 4700
----------------------------------
ID: 4700
StudioName: Mrs. Ella Willis & Sons
SeeAlso: 
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Sources: 
Output: False
CreatedDate: 10/30/2021 6:02:14 PM
CreatedBy: sa
LastModifiedDate: 10/30/2021 6:07:12 PM
ModifiedBy: sa

----------------------------------
Name: Mrs. Ella Willis & Sons
Alternate Studio Names: 
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StudioLocationID: 7077
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Output: False
County: Montgomery
Country: USA
Longitude: 0
Latitude: 0
NameNewFirst: Frances
KnownDates: 1889, 1890
OriginalLocationNotes: 
OutputStartMonth: 
OutputStartYear: 1889
OutputEndMonth: 
OutputEndYear: 1890
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NameMiddle: Ellen
NameMaiden: Comegys
PersonHonorificTypeID: 1
OriginalSource: cabinet card, albumen, recto: Mrs. Willis & Sons, No. 210 1/2 E. Main St., Crawfordsville, Ind.

The Crawfordsville Review, Nov. 16, 1889, p. 4 Ad: Christmas cabinets $2/doz. For $3 we will make you a dozen cabinets, 3 different styles. Large family groups. Copy & enlarging a specialty. 210 1/2 E. Main St. Mrs. Ella Willis & Sons.

1890-91 Polk's Indiana State Gazetteer, p. 1206 (no address given)

The Crawfordsville Review, Sept. 20, 1890, Supplement p. 6: Fair Week, for  your baby pictures & family groups call on Parker Willis 210 1/2 E. Main St. See my display at Floral Hall.
OriginalWorkerType: Studio owner / Partner
PersonSexTypeID: 2
PersonColorTypeID: 
PersonStudioLocationID: 7456




PersonID: 2468
CATNUM: 2630
NameFirst: ~Frances Ellen (Comegys) "Ella"
NameLast: Willis
LocationID: 1309
Address1: Main St., 2nd stairway east of Green St.
Address2: 
City: Crawfordsville
State: IN
StudioID: 1312
----------------------------------
ID: 1312
StudioName: [9315e01c-4b3b-42fd-ac2b-fb28adc2eb6d]
SeeAlso: 
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Sources: 
Output: False
CreatedDate: 10/30/2021 5:51:44 PM
CreatedBy: sa
LastModifiedDate: 10/30/2021 6:07:12 PM
ModifiedBy: sa

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Name: [9315e01c-4b3b-42fd-ac2b-fb28adc2eb6d]
Alternate Studio Names: old postoffice gallery
StartMonth: 4
StartDay: 6
StartYear: 1889
StartCA: 
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StudioLocationID: 1312
SeeAlso: 
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Output: False
County: Putnam
Country: USA
Longitude: 
Latitude: 
NameNewFirst: Frances
KnownDates: 1889
OriginalLocationNotes: 1892 Sanborn Map, Crawfordsville, sheet 4 shows the 2nd stairway east of S. Green to be in a 2-story brick building between 207 E. Main (jeweler) and 209 E. Main (barber). It has offices on the 2nd floor. Does not show a photo gallery or skylight.
OutputStartMonth: 4
OutputStartYear: 1889
OutputEndMonth: 
OutputEndYear: 
OutputStartStar: *
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NameMiddle: Ellen
NameMaiden: Comegys
PersonHonorificTypeID: 1
OriginalSource: The Crawfordsville Review, Apr. 6, 1889, p. 4 Ad: Ladies' Gallery. New accessories, new backgrounds, new gallery. Mrs. Ella Willis has opened the gallery known as the "old postoffice gallery" Main St., 2nd stairway east of Green St. and would be pleased to have you call and see her samples. Prices reasonable, work 1st class. Gallery open for work on Sat. Apr. 6. Give her a call.
OriginalWorkerType: Studio owner
PersonSexTypeID: 2
PersonColorTypeID: 
PersonStudioLocationID: 1312




PersonID: 2468
CATNUM: 2630
NameFirst: ~Frances Ellen (Comegys) "Ella"
NameLast: Willis
LocationID: 6658
Address1: Main St., south of Court House
Address2: 
City: Crawfordsville
State: IN
StudioID: 4744
----------------------------------
ID: 4744
StudioName: Mrs. Willis & Son
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Sources: 
Output: False
CreatedDate: 10/30/2021 6:02:21 PM
CreatedBy: sa
LastModifiedDate: 10/30/2021 6:07:12 PM
ModifiedBy: sa

----------------------------------
Name: Mrs. Willis & Son
Alternate Studio Names: 
StartMonth: 
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KnownCA: 
StudioLocationID: 7129
SeeAlso: 
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Output: False
County: Montgomery
Country: USA
Longitude: 0
Latitude: 0
NameNewFirst: Frances
KnownDates: 1891
OriginalLocationNotes: 
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OutputStartYear: 1891
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NameMiddle: Ellen
NameMaiden: Comegys
PersonHonorificTypeID: 1
OriginalSource: Crawfordsville Review (Crawfordsville, Indiana), April 18, 1891, p. 5
Ad: "Mrs. Willis & Son, Main Street, south of Court House, save you from 50 cents to $3 on a dozen cabinets and their work is superior to others. New Accessories. Come and see them. You are always welcome. Large family groups and baby pictures a specialty."

Crawfordsville Review (Crawfordsville, Indiana), August 22, 1891, p. 1
"By an overflow of a water tank in Willis' gallery Wednesday morning the law library of Maurice Thompson, which is in a room directly under the tank, was damaged to the extent of fully $200. The shoe store of Ed. Vancamp, which is on the lower floor, was also deluged and no little damage resulted." [not sure which Willis Gallery]

Crawfordsville Review (Crawfordsville, Indiana), May 25, 1892, p. 3
"One tin type for a dime and fourt cabinets for fifty cetns. The Willis gallery." [not sure which Willis gallery]

Crawfordsville Review (Crawfordsville, Indiana), October 21, 1893, p. 1
"Satisfaction guaranteed at the Willis Gallery. Prices lower than the lowest. / Best enameled cabinet photos only 75 cents and $1 per dozen at the Willis Gallery."

Crawfordsville Review (Crawfordsville, Indiana), May 24, 1894, p. 4
"The Willis gallery is being completely remodeled and painted."

Crawfordsville Review (Crawfordsville, Indiana), October 9, 1894, p. 4
"The Willis Gallery (under new management) proposes to make 100 dozen cabinets at 75 cents per doz. In order to practically demonstrate the fact that our new work is as good as any in the city. It won't take long to make 100 dozen, so don't delay. Gallery on Main Street, Opposite the Court House. Cloudy weather makes no difference." [By November 23, 1894 they advertised as Willis & McQuown, Managers of the Willis Gallery]
OriginalWorkerType: Studio owner / Partner
PersonSexTypeID: 2
PersonColorTypeID: 
PersonStudioLocationID: 7513