Full Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Photographer

Message

Information and Sources about this Photographer

Raw Data - E_Person

ID: 2469
CATNUM: 2631
IsPhotographer: True
IsArchitect: 
NameFirst: ~Abner Denman
NameLast: Willis
NameMiddle: Denman
NameMaiden: 
NameUsed: Willis ~A. D.
NameNewFirst: Abner
PersonHonorificTypeID: 
PersonSuffixTypeID: 
PersonStatusTypeID: 4
PersonSexTypeID: 1
PersonColorTypeID: 1
BirthMonth: 1
BirthDay: 14
BirthYear: 1834
BirthCA: 
OriginalBirthCity: near Alamo
OriginalBirthState: IN
OriginalBirthCounty: Montgomery
OriginalBirthNation: USA
DeathMonth: 12
DeathDay: 7
DeathYear: 1898
DeathCA: 
DeathCause: pneumonia
OriginalDeathCity: Harrisonville
OriginalDeathState: MO
OriginalDeathCounty: Cass
OriginalDeathNation: USA
Parents: Benjamin and Susanna (Butts) Willis
Children: 6, 3 lived to adulthood: Nathaniel Parker, Lucius Comegys, and Anibel Ellen
Spouse1Name: Comegys ~Frances Ellen (Ella)
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Biography: 
MilitaryEvent: 
Output: True
CreatedDate: 10/30/2021 5:46:57 PM
CreatedBy: sa
LastModifiedDate: 10/30/2021 5:46:57 PM
ModifiedBy: sa

---

Raw Data - E_CareerPhotographer

ID: 2469
PersonID: 2469
StartMonth: 
StartDay: 
StartYear: 
StartCA: 
EndMonth: 12
EndDay: 
EndYear: 1898
EndCA: 
KnownMonth: 
KnownDay: 
KnownYear: 
KnownCA: 
EducationCareer: 
FamilyInPhotography: sons, wife
OriginalNotes: 1880 Harrisonville, Cass County, 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

1874 Peoples Guide, Montgomery Co., p. 109, A. D. Willis; artist; Crawfordsville, b. in Mont. Co., in 1838, Spiritualist [no listing of Spiritualist Church in that Co.]

Note: In October 1992 at the trade show of the Daguerreian Society meeting in Columbus, OH Joan Hostetler saw a spirit photograph by Willis of Crawfordsville. (I don't remember the full name).  It was a tintype in its original paper sleeve; it was a portrait of a seated man with a faint image of a spirit(s) at the top.  Asking price: $275.)5.

1860 Census, Montgomery Co., Abner Willis, age 59, b. OH, Twp. 69, p. 496

Note: In 1880 IL Census, Carmi, White Co.there is an Abner Willis, age 43, b. IN, photographer; wife Jessie; children: Charles, Ruth, Rufus, Gertrude, Allie; most of the children b. IN

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
Parents of Abner Denman Willis were Benjamin and Susanna (Butts) Willis; Abner apprentices with a tinner in Crawfordsville. After that he attended Quaker Academy at Bloomingdale. He taught school for a year in Vermillion County, Indiana, where he met student France 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." 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.]
OriginalWorkerTypes: photographer
OriginalProcesses: daguerreotype, albumen, tintype
OriginalFormats: cased, cabinet, cdv
OriginalOccupation: teacher, apprenticed to a tinner
OriginalCombination: 
OriginalSources: 
SeeAlsoPhotographer: 
SeeAlsoStudio: 
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: 2469
CATNUM: 2631
NameFirst: ~Abner Denman
NameLast: Willis
LocationID: 377
Address1: 
Address2: 
City: Crawfordsville
State: IN
StudioID: 377
----------------------------------
ID: 377
StudioName: [065429a7-7f84-4437-9cc4-dbbd1d84784e]
SeeAlso: 
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StudioSummary: 
Sources: 
Output: False
CreatedDate: 10/30/2021 5:50:18 PM
CreatedBy: sa
LastModifiedDate: 10/30/2021 6:07:12 PM
ModifiedBy: sa

----------------------------------
Name: [065429a7-7f84-4437-9cc4-dbbd1d84784e]
Alternate Studio Names: 
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StudioLocationID: 377
SeeAlso: 
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SeeAlsoPerson: 
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Sources: 
Output: False
County: Montgomery
Country: USA
Longitude: 0
Latitude: 0
NameNewFirst: Abner
KnownDates: 
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NameMiddle: Denman
NameMaiden: 
PersonHonorificTypeID: 
OriginalSource: Zach, "Photographers of Montgomery County"
Born near Alamo on Jan 14th 1834. Began as farmer, then tinner, then teacher before becoming photographer. Operated first traveling gallery for two years (maybe 1864-1866?). After that came to Crawfordsville in 1866 until 1878. Moved to Harrisonville, Missouri and later returned to Crawforsville in 1879 until his death in December 1898.
OriginalWorkerType: 
PersonSexTypeID: 1
PersonColorTypeID: 1
PersonStudioLocationID: 377




PersonID: 2469
CATNUM: 2631
NameFirst: ~Abner Denman
NameLast: Willis
LocationID: 1402
Address1: Washington Hall
Address2: 
City: Crawfordsville
State: IN
StudioID: 1387
----------------------------------
ID: 1387
StudioName: A. D. Willis
SeeAlso: 
SeeAlsoPeople: 
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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StartDay: 
StartYear: 
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StudioLocationID: 1408
SeeAlso: 
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Sources: 
Output: False
County: Montgomery
Country: USA
Longitude: 
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NameNewFirst: Abner
KnownDates: 1860s
OriginalLocationNotes: 
OutputStartMonth: 
OutputStartYear: 1860
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OutputStartS: s
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NameMiddle: Denman
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OriginalSource: 1860s CDV, Photographed by A. D. Willis, Washington Hall, Crawfordsville, Indiana. Duplicates of this can be had at any time.
OriginalWorkerType: Studio owner
PersonSexTypeID: 1
PersonColorTypeID: 1
PersonStudioLocationID: 1411




PersonID: 2469
CATNUM: 2631
NameFirst: ~Abner Denman
NameLast: Willis
LocationID: 1400
Address1: over 20 E. Main
Address2: 
City: Crawfordsville
State: IN
StudioID: 1387
----------------------------------
ID: 1387
StudioName: A. D. Willis
SeeAlso: 
SeeAlsoPeople: 
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: 
StartMonth: 
StartDay: 
StartYear: 1866
StartCA: 
EndMonth: 
EndYear: 1878
EndDay: 
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KnownDay: 
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StudioLocationID: 1406
SeeAlso: 
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Output: False
County: Montgomery
Country: USA
Longitude: 
Latitude: 
NameNewFirst: Abner
KnownDates: 1874, 1878
OriginalLocationNotes: 
OutputStartMonth: 
OutputStartYear: 1866
OutputEndMonth: 
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OriginalSource: 1878/79 Beasley's Crawfordsville Dir.: Abner D. Willis, over 20 E. Main, res. West

1874 Peoples Guide to Montgomery Co.: p. 109: A. D. Willis, artist, Crawfordsville. b. in M. C. 1838; Spiritualist.

Bowen, History of Montgomery Co, IND, 1913, p. 1243: He operated a traveling photograph gallery, having become especially proficient in the making of daguerreotypes.  In 1866 he moved to Crawfordsville where he bought a photograph gallery, which he operated for twelve consecutive years.

Crawfordsville Weekly Journal (Crawfordsville, Indiana), April 18, 1872, p. 3
"Spirit Pictures. A. D. Willis is prepared to take spirit pictures for all who are civil and well disposed. He offers his services as an artist, and nothing more. His operating rooms are on the third floor in Empire Block, the ones formerly used by A. F. Wise."
OriginalWorkerType: Studio owner
PersonSexTypeID: 1
PersonColorTypeID: 1
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PersonID: 2469
CATNUM: 2631
NameFirst: ~Abner Denman
NameLast: Willis
LocationID: 1398
Address1: 
Address2: 
City: Crawfordsville
State: IN
StudioID: 1387
----------------------------------
ID: 1387
StudioName: A. D. Willis
SeeAlso: 
SeeAlsoPeople: 
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: 
StartMonth: 
StartDay: 
StartYear: 
StartCA: 
EndMonth: 
EndYear: 1898
EndDay: 
EndCA: 
KnownMonth: 
KnownDay: 
KnownYear: 
KnownCA: 
StudioLocationID: 1404
SeeAlso: 
SeeAlsoStudio: 
SeeAlsoPerson: 
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Sources: 
Output: False
County: Montgomery
Country: USA
Longitude: 
Latitude: 
NameNewFirst: Abner
KnownDates: 1869, 1871, 1873, 1879, 1882, 1887, 1890
OriginalLocationNotes: 
OutputStartMonth: 
OutputStartYear: 1869
OutputEndMonth: 
OutputEndYear: 1898
OutputStartStar: 
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OriginalSource: 1869 Logansport Directory and Classified Business Directory of Indianapolis, Lafayette, and 100 Surrounding Towns (Cowen, Indianapolis): p. 278, A. D. Willis, Crawfordsville

Crawfordsville Weekly Journal (Crawfordsville, Indiana), October 14, 1869, p. 8
"Among the curiosities at the Fair were Fisher Doherty's spirit photographs, taken by Willis. They were probably the first of the kind ever exhibited at an agricultural fair, and were the objects of much wonder and speculation among the dubious."

1871-72 Burch & Polk's Lafayette City Directory, Crawfordsville Business Directory Section, p. 224: Crawfordsville photographers: A. D. Willis
Bowen, History of Montgomery Co, 1913, p. 1242: after Missouri he returned to Crawfordsville, where he remained in the photograph business until 1898, when he died of pneumonia while on a business trip to Harrisonville, MO.

Crawfordsville Weekly Journal (Crawfordsville, Indiana), March 6, 1873, p. 3
"A. D. Willis, the photographer, has discovered a new process by which he is enabled to take picture without the aid of the sun, and in night time by the use of lamp or candle light. The specimens he exhibits are good."

Crawfordsville Weekly Journal (Crawfordsville, Indiana), April 25, 1874, p. 1
"Remember the $10 reward offered at A. D. Willis' gallery."

Crawfordsville Weekly Journal (Crawfordsville, Indiana), May 23, 1874, p. 6
"$10 Reward. I will give ten dollars to any one who can do better by going elsewhere than at my gallery for pictures. A. D. Willis."

1879-80 Williams & Co. Indiana State Directory, p. 369

1882-83 Indiana State Gazetteer, p. 1086

1887-88 Indiana State Gazetteer, p. 1330

1890 Polk's Indiana Gazetteer, p. 1206

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: 1
PersonColorTypeID: 1
PersonStudioLocationID: 1407




PersonID: 2469
CATNUM: 2631
NameFirst: ~Abner Denman
NameLast: Willis
LocationID: 1399
Address1: 
Address2: 
City: Harrisonville
State: MO
StudioID: 1387
----------------------------------
ID: 1387
StudioName: A. D. Willis
SeeAlso: 
SeeAlsoPeople: 
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: 
StartMonth: 
StartDay: 
StartYear: 1878
StartCA: 
EndMonth: 
EndYear: 1881
EndDay: 
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KnownMonth: 
KnownDay: 
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StudioLocationID: 1405
SeeAlso: 
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Sources: 
Output: False
County: Cass
Country: USA
Longitude: 
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NameNewFirst: Abner
KnownDates: 1878-1881
OriginalLocationNotes: 
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NameMiddle: Denman
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PersonHonorificTypeID: 
OriginalSource: Bowen, History of Montgomery Co., 1913, p. 1242: In 1878 he moved to Harrisonville, MO where he operated a photograph gallery for three years.

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.

Zach, "Photographers of Montgomery County"
Born near Alamo on Jan 14th 1834. Began as farmer, then tinner, then teacher before becoming photographer. Operated first traveling gallery for two years (maybe 1864-1866?). After that came to Crawfordsville in 1866 until 1878. Moved to Harrisonville, Missouri and later returned to Crawforsville in 1879 until his death in December 1898.
OriginalWorkerType: Studio owner
PersonSexTypeID: 1
PersonColorTypeID: 1
PersonStudioLocationID: 1408




PersonID: 2469
CATNUM: 2631
NameFirst: ~Abner Denman
NameLast: Willis
LocationID: 1401
Address1: South of Court House
Address2: 
City: Crawfordsville
State: IN
StudioID: 1387
----------------------------------
ID: 1387
StudioName: A. D. Willis
SeeAlso: 
SeeAlsoPeople: 
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: 
StartMonth: 
StartDay: 
StartYear: 
StartCA: 
EndMonth: 
EndYear: 
EndDay: 
EndCA: 
KnownMonth: 
KnownDay: 
KnownYear: 
KnownCA: 
StudioLocationID: 1407
SeeAlso: 
SeeAlsoStudio: 
SeeAlsoPerson: 
StudioSummary: 
Sources: 
Output: False
County: Montgomery
Country: USA
Longitude: 0
Latitude: 0
NameNewFirst: Abner
KnownDates: 1890
OriginalLocationNotes: 
OutputStartMonth: 
OutputStartYear: 1890
OutputEndMonth: 
OutputEndYear: 
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NameMiddle: Denman
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OriginalSource: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal (Crawfordsville, Indiana), December 6, 1890, p. 1
Ad: $1 Buys a doz of the best cabinet pictures at A. D. Willis' Gallery, south of court house. Everything first-class.

Crawfordsville Weekly Journal (Crawfordsville, Indiana), April 18, 1891, p. 1
"Advertisements are not a benefit to you unless you read them. We refer you to Mrs. Willis and son's advertisement in this issue. The above firm have newly refitted the A. D. Willis gallery."
OriginalWorkerType: Studio owner
PersonSexTypeID: 1
PersonColorTypeID: 1
PersonStudioLocationID: 1410