Who is the Photographer?
Not much is known about the photographer of the glass plate negatives found in the old Thompson farm house. They are believed to have been taken by J.J. Fisher. Two negatives have his signature etched in the glass.
Block met Carrie Epperson in the late 1960s when he was interviewing local residents about the individuals and scenes in the photographs. Epperson told Block that she lived with Mr. and Mrs. Fisher as a young girl. The Fishers came to the Thompson farm in 1901. Mrs. Fisher was a caretaker for Mrs. Thompson, who was ill at the time, and Mr. Fisher was a photographer. The Fishers left the Thompson farm in the spring of 1904. Epperson remained with the Thompsons, and eventually went to live with her grandparents.
Archives staff have found a few articles in local newspapers from the time period:
“J.J. Fisher photographed four generations of the Harvey family Sunday.” Urbana Daily Courier, August 5, 1903
“Mrs. J.J. Fisher has accepted a position as housekeeper for a Fitzgerald family near Broadlands.” Sidney By–Way, April 1, 1904
“Mr. Archie Thompson has in his care a bright little ten-year old girl who has been making her home with J.J. Fisher until recently, but is now without a settled home. The child would be excellent company for some elderly couple. The little girl is exceptionally bright and should succeed in finding a suitable home.” Sidney By–Way, April 8, 1904
