Grinnell Historical Museum

An adult portrait of Lyman A. Longley (1861-1909). He is shown wearing a suit with his hair slicked back, sporting a mustache. Longley married Alice Howard in 1882 and had 2 children, a daughter, Ethel, and a son, Ralph. He worked as a railroad postal clerk, during which he was exposed to Bright's Disease which later caused his death.

Black and white albumen print showing a group of nine girls. The museum has no information about this photograph except that it was filed in a folder titled "Schools."

Black and white photographic portrait of a young Viola Williams (died age 4 of diptheria), with another child slightly visible to her right. This photo was taken shortly before Viola's death. Her father was Civil War veteran William Calvin Williams (1847-1928). Note on the reverse reads " Viola Maud, my oldest sister just past 4 years old next to me. I was oldest of all 4 of us girls." Attributed to Annie Williams Woomer Turner, grandmother of the donor of the photograph.

Portrait photograph of Thomas P. Matteson (1821-1890) at about age 60. Matteson married Alta Ingersoll in 1842 and had two children, Frank L. and Nelle Matteson Fuller. He enlisted in the 36th Illinois Infantry as Fife Major during the Civil War. Additional information on the back of the photograph identifies his children, son Frank L. Matteson and daughter Nelle Matteson Fuller, and grandson Fay Matteson, husband of Mabel Davidson.

A photograph showing the damage due to the cyclone in 1882 in Grinnell. A man and woman are shown speaking to each other in the middle of the photograph. Information from the Grinnell Herald published on June 18, 1882 is printed on the back and describes the extent of the damage caused by the cyclone.

Photograph of Ella Farley Sprague (1858 - 1923). She is shown wearing a dark dress with the collar and sleeve ends made of lace. Her hair is pulled back, and she is posing on an armchair. Ella Sprague was a member of the Methodist Church in Grinnell and married Herman H. Sprague in 1884, with whom she had 3 daughters. This photograph was presumably taken for their wedding as there is a matching pose for Mr. Sprague.

Sepia cabinet card photograph of a wagon drawn by two horses in downtown Grinnell, Iowa. Two unidentified men sit in the wagon and the road is not paved. The picture was taken looking north into 4th Avenue from Main Street. The building on the right is advertising Organs & Sewing Machines.

Black and white photograph of the 6 young ladies, or the Webster Girls. They are wearing dark dresses and posing together. They are the nieces of Mr. Howard. The back of the photograph has the names from the right, Adella, Jennie, Cora on the first line, showing them as standing in the back. Webster on the second line, and from the right, Alice, Nellie, and Fannie on the last line, showing them sitting in the front. It is dated Feb 25, 1888. The photographer was G.E. Keene, 803 So. Front St., Mankato, Minnesota.

Black and white photographic portrait of Annie Jones Williams (d. 1946), age 18. She is wearing a dark colored dress with an ornate collar and a jeweled choker.