03/15/2019
Good morning! Today's picture takes us to the Illinois College of Photography along with a picture and biography of the founder of the college. Lewis H. Bissell. This biography was written before he founded the Illinois College of Photography. Lewis Bissell was well known and the Illinois College of Photography was a very respected institution that brought students from all over the United States and from many foreign countries.
On March 28, 2019 we are doing two lectures at the only remaining building that was a part of the Illinois College of Photography, Austin Mansion. Austin Mansion is located at the corner of 4th and Wabash in Effingham, Illinois. There will be a 2 PM Lecture and a 7 PM Lecture. We will focus on the connection of Faye and Ray Graves from Chadron, Nebraska to the Illinois College of Photography. We will also give a Power Point on the history of the Illinois College of Photography.
Seating is limited as is parking. If you want to reserve a seat at either session you may leave a comment here and I will reserve a seat for you. State which session you wish to attend. You not only get to learn about the Illinois College of Photography, you get to see inside the beautiful Austin Mansion. If we reach capacity on either of these events, I will announce that they are closed.
It is called now called Austin Mansion because it was originally built for Calvin Austin. He later sold it to Lewis Bissell. Lewis Bissell called it Garnet Hall in memory of his son, James Garnet Bissell, who died at a young age. It was the main building of his Illinois College of Photography. When Lewis Bissell retired, he sold it to Legrand Flack who then ran the Illinois College of Photography until it closed during the Depression.
Wherever you may be, I wish you a wonderful day!
LEWIS H. BISSELL, the leading photographer of Effingham, and the oldest artist lives in that city in his line of business, has been located here since July 4, 1874. Since he came to this place he has seen eighteen galleries established in Effingham, which were run for a time and then discontinued on account of our subject receiving such liberal patronage. His is conceded to be the largest and best-equipped gallery between Chicago and New Orleans, and its patrons can depend on receiving as fine work as can be done this side of Chicago. This gallery draws trade from a radius of forty miles, and Mr. Bissell deservedly enjoys a high reputation for fine work. His courteous and fair treatment has won him an extended patronage.
The subject of this sketch was born in Huntington, Ind., on the 29th of June, 1859, and is a son of Rev. Sanford R. and Sarah (Preston) Bissell. His father was born in Connecticut and was descended from the old Puritan Presbyterian stock. He is still living and makes his home in Spokane Falls, Wash. The mother of our subject was born in Middleboro, near Akron, Ohio, and died at her home in Effingham on the 18th of October, 1887.
In 1865, when a lad of six summers, Mr. Bissell of this record came with his parents to Effingham, where his father kept a private: school for several years. Lewis H. was educated in the public schools and under the supervision of his father, and at the age of fourteen years he began learning the photographer's art, having considerable taste and talent in that direction. At the age of sixteen he bought an interest in the business of William Lawson, which connection was continued for a year under the firm name of Lawson & Bissell. That partnership was then discontinued and one formed in the same line of business with Thomas Lyon, and under the firm name of Lyon & Bissell they carried on operations for a year. On the expiration of that period our subject was alone in business for a year, after which he became associated with Mr. Rankin, and this partnership continued for a year or more. Since 1877 he has been alone and has had a most successful career.
On the 29th of March, 1882, Mr. Bissell was married to Miss Ruby Whittlesey, their union being celebrated in Chicago. The lady was born in Madison, Wis., and is a daughter of Elisha and Ruby Whittlesey. She is a member of the Baptist Church and possesses many excellencies of character. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Bissell, a daughter and son: Ruby and Garnet.
Mr. Bissell has always taken quite an active part in public enterprises tending to upbuild and improve the town of his adoption. He has, indeed, proved himself a valued citizen. He was identified with the establishment of Austin College and Normal Institute and is a member of its Board of Trustees. He was one of the organizers of the Effingham Canning and Wood Package Company, and for a time served as Secretary of that organization. Socially, he is a Master Mason, holding membership with Effingham Lodge No. 149, A. F. & A. M. He also belongs to Venice Lodge No. 168, K. P., and to Effingham Division No. 43, Uniform Rank, of that order. He was Chancellor-Commander of the lodge of Knights of Pythias and served in the position of Recorder in the Uniform Rank. In politics he is a Populist, but is not active or strongly partisan. He devotes the greater part of his time and attention to his business, in which he has met with such excellent success. Mr. Bissell is widely known, not only through Effingham County, but in adjoining counties, and by all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact he is held in high regard as a man of upright character.
