Biography courtesy of the
Edgar Decker (18 February 1832-1 December 1905) was one of Cleveland, Ohio's earliest and most prominent photographers. Decker grew up in New York State and was largely self-taught. At 13, he became a clerk in a store, after 7 years managing his own store where he developed an interest in photography. He moved to Cleveland in 1857 and worked in various studios for 2 years before opening his own on Superior Street in 1859, moving it to the more fashionable Euclid Avenue in 1883. Decker maintained a studio in Cleveland for over 40 years, producing an enormous volume of work that included portraits of old pioneers, lawyers, businessmen, physicians, society women, and families. In 1862 he photographed Cleveland regiments encamped outside the city prior to their involvement in the Civil War. Decker won many prizes for his portraits of famous statesmen, soldiers, diplomats, and actors and actresses. Among these were 4 presidents--Garfield, Grant, Hayes, and McKinley--as well as General Sheridan. His original photographic portraits were tipped in the book Cleveland, Past and Present; Its Representative Men (1869). Active in photographic societies, in 1887 Decker was elected president of the National Photographic Association. His work was continued by his protege George Edmondson, who also became a well-known Cleveland photographer. Edmondson acquired Decker's studio at the turn of the century. Decker also served on city council from 1878-1882. He married Julia English on 2 February 1857. They had a son, Edgar, Jr. Decker was buried in Lake View Cemetery.
click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Edgar Decker
The Edgar Decker Photograph Album, ca. 1860-1890, consists of one album containing photographs taken by Edgar Decker. The album came into the hands of George Edmundson when he purchased Decker's business. Photographs are primarily of Cleveland, Ohio's, business, political, and society elite. Photographs of many women are included. The album contains 335 black and white photographs and measures 13.25 x 15 inches.
The collection has been retained in original order.
None.
[Container ___, Folder ___ ] PG 44 Edgar Decker Photograph Album, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
Gift of George Edmundson.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.