PLUMBE, John Jr. - Revision history

Randylyon at 20:16, 17 December 2024

2024-12-17T20:16:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:16, 17 December 2024
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	[[Image:galleryp.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Advertisement for Plumbe's National Plumbeotype Gallery. Library of Congress]]		[[Image:galleryp.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Advertisement for Plumbe's National Plumbeotype Gallery. Library of Congress]]
	His chain of over twenty-five galleries were found in Boston, Sarasota Springs, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Dubuque. (9) His Dubuque gallery, operated by his brother Richard, was the first photographic establishment west of the Mississippi. Plumbe manufactured and imported photographic materials, lectured to groups of new photographers at his United States Photographic Institute, and published dozens of lithographic prints of well-known Americans based on his daguerreotypes. (10) These prints were developed by a mechanical hand-engraving process Plumbe invented but unfortunately never patented. He called these [[PLUMBEOTYPE]] pictures.		His chain of over twenty-five galleries were found in Boston, Sarasota Springs, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Dubuque. (9) His Dubuque gallery, operated by his brother Richard, was the first photographic establishment west of the Mississippi. Plumbe manufactured and imported photographic materials, lectured to groups of new photographers at his United States Photographic Institute, and published dozens of lithographic prints of well-known Americans based on his daguerreotypes. (10) These prints were developed by a mechanical hand-engraving process that Plumbe invented but unfortunately never patented. He called these [[PLUMBEOTYPE]] pictures.

	Plumbe briefly lived in Washington, D.C., and became the capital's first professional photographer. Contemporary newspaper accounts reported on Plumbe's work. The ''United States Journal'', on January 29, 1846, mentioned:		Plumbe briefly lived in Washington, D.C., and became the capital's first professional photographer. Contemporary newspaper accounts reported on Plumbe's work. The ''United States Journal'', on January 29, 1846, mentioned:
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	By 1848 Plumbe had suffered financial losses due to competition and mismanagement of his studios. (16) He sold his business and equipment to his employees and returned to Dubuque.		By 1848 Plumbe had suffered financial losses due to competition and mismanagement of his studios. (16) He sold his business and equipment to his employees and returned to Dubuque.

	It was reported in 1849 that Plumbe, at his own expense, inspected a practical route for the railroad through South Pass. While in California, he served as a surveyor and register of the Settlers Association in Sacramento. He worked as a customs inspector for the port of San Francisco in 1852, entered California state politics, and continued to lobby Congress for a Pacific railroad. Plumbe was angered by Asa Whitney's suggestion that the government should allow him to build the transcontinental railroad in return for large grants of land along the tracks. in ~~1851 from~~ Sacramento, Plumbe wrote to Congress a "Memorial Against Asa Whitney's Railroad Scheme" and again proposed his idea of 1847. (17)		It was reported in 1849 that Plumbe, at his own expense, inspected a practical route for the railroad through South Pass. While in California, he served as a surveyor and register of the Settlers Association in Sacramento. He worked as a customs inspector for the port of San Francisco in 1852, entered California state politics, and continued to lobby Congress for a Pacific railroad. Plumbe was angered by Asa Whitney's suggestion that the government should allow him to build the transcontinental railroad in return for large grants of land along the tracks. In 1851 while in Sacramento, Plumbe wrote to Congress a "Memorial Against Asa Whitney's Railroad Scheme" and again proposed his idea of 1847. (17)

	Plumbe returned to Dubuque in 1856 and with his brother Richard, who operated the [[WASHINGTON HOUSE]] established a steam-powered mill near Cottage Hill, Iowa. They also opened a patent agency in Dubuque. Besides writing five articles for the ''San Francisco Placer Times'' about transcontinental railroads, Plumbe lived quietly with his brother on the corner of Iowa and 14th [[STREETS]].		Plumbe returned to Dubuque in 1856 and with his brother Richard, who operated the [[WASHINGTON HOUSE]], established a steam-powered mill near Cottage Hill, Iowa. They also opened a patent agency in Dubuque. Besides writing five articles for the ''San Francisco Placer Times'' about transcontinental railroads, Plumbe lived quietly with his brother on the corner of Iowa and 14th [[STREETS]].

	The 1855 publication of the '''Pacific Railroad Surveys''' by the Secretary of War, reporting the same route Plumbe had originally described may have led him into depression and later suicide.		The 1855 publication of the '''Pacific Railroad Surveys''' by the Secretary of War, reporting the same route Plumbe had originally described may have led him into depression and later suicide.
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	The Library of Congress purchased six of the daguerreotypes in 1972. An additional view of the U.S. Capitol was sold to a private collector. In 1995, a third daguerreotype of the U.S. Capitol attributed to John Plumbe, was sold at Sotheby's auction house. (20)		The Library of Congress purchased six of the daguerreotypes in 1972. An additional view of the U.S. Capitol was sold to a private collector. In 1995, a third daguerreotype of the U.S. Capitol attributed to John Plumbe, was sold at Sotheby's auction house. (20)

	[[Image:plumbe2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|150px\|]]The location of Plumbe's grave was not known until 1975 because of the loss of burial records from 1857, the year of Plumbe's death. A distant relative produced documents showing that he had been buried in an unmarked grave in the Plumbe family plot at [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]]. Through efforts of Cliff Krainik of Arlington Heights, Illinois, the founder of the John Plumbe, Jr. Memorial Association and the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]] a five hundred dollar gravestone was dedicated at Plumbe's grave on Memorial Day in 1977. (21)		[[Image:plumbe2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|150px\|]]The location of Plumbe's grave was not known until 1975 because of the loss of burial records from 1857, the year of Plumbe's death. A distant relative produced documents showing that he had been buried in an unmarked grave in the Plumbe family plot at [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]]. Through efforts of Cliff Krainik of Arlington Heights, Illinois, the founder of the John Plumbe, Jr. Memorial Association and the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]], a five hundred dollar gravestone was dedicated at Plumbe's grave on Memorial Day in 1977. (21)

	---		---

Randylyon at 18:25, 3 November 2023

2023-11-03T18:25:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:25, 3 November 2023
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	A month later, on February 20th, Washington's ''Daily Times'' reported:		A month later, on February 20th, Washington's ''Daily Times'' reported:

	Views of the Capitol, Patent Office and other public buildings embellish the walls [of John Plumbe's		Views of the Capitol, Patent Office and other public buildings embellish the walls
	gallery]..." (12)		[of John Plumbe's gallery]..." (12)

	Plumbe made the earliest surviving photograph of the U. S. Capitol and the earliest picture of a president in office (James K. Polk). (13) He pioneered brand name recognition by publishing a magazine, the ''Plumbeian'', filled with illustrations based on his photographs. (14) Plumbe has been credited with being the first photographer to attempt a "famous portraits collection" and for franchising photo galleries. Advertisements for sets of architectural photographs reproduced through a lithographic process show his desire for a way to make multiples of one-of-a-kind daguerreotypes. The relative rarity of the prints, and the fact that Plumbe sold most of his galleries in 1847 to pay creditors, suggest that the process itself was not lucrative. (15)		Plumbe made the earliest surviving photograph of the U. S. Capitol and the earliest picture of a president in office (James K. Polk). (13) He pioneered brand name recognition by publishing a magazine, the ''Plumbeian'', filled with illustrations based on his photographs. (14) Plumbe has been credited with being the first photographer to attempt a "famous portraits collection" and for franchising photo galleries. Advertisements for sets of architectural photographs reproduced through a lithographic process show his desire for a way to make multiples of one-of-a-kind daguerreotypes. The relative rarity of the prints, and the fact that Plumbe sold most of his galleries in 1847 to pay creditors, suggest that the process itself was not lucrative. (15)

Randylyon at 18:24, 3 November 2023

2023-11-03T18:24:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:24, 3 November 2023
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	Plumbe briefly lived in Washington, D.C., and became the capital's first professional photographer. Contemporary newspaper accounts reported on Plumbe's work. The ''United States Journal'', on January 29, 1846, mentioned:		Plumbe briefly lived in Washington, D.C., and became the capital's first professional photographer. Contemporary newspaper accounts reported on Plumbe's work. The ''United States Journal'', on January 29, 1846, mentioned:

	Mr. Plumbe's National Daguerrian Gallery at Concert Hall, is an establishment whose superior merits		Mr. Plumbe's National Daguerrian Gallery at Concert Hall, is an establishment whose
	are well deserving the notice of all who feel an interest in the beautiful art of Photography... We		superior merits are well deserving the notice of all who feel an interest in the
	are glad to learn that this artist is now engaged in taking views of all the public buildings which		beautiful art of Photography... We are glad to learn that this artist is now engaged
	are executed in a style of elegance, that far surpasses any we have ever seen.....It is his intention		in taking views of all the public buildings which are executed in a style of elegance,
	to dispose of copies of these beautiful pictures, either in sets or singly, thus affording to all, an		that far surpasses any we have ever seen.....It is his intention to dispose of copies
			of these beautiful pictures, either in sets or singly, thus affording to all, an
	opportunity of securing perfect representation of the government buildings..." (11)		opportunity of securing perfect representation of the government buildings..." (11)

Randylyon at 18:23, 3 November 2023

2023-11-03T18:23:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:23, 3 November 2023
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	Using his pen name "Iowaian," Plumbe soon began promoting a railroad link to the Pacific coast. (3) It was in 1836 that the territorial legislature of Wisconsin incorporated the [[BELMONT AND DUBUQUE RAILROAD COMPANY]]. In 1837, with their attention drawn by the proposed railroad, a group of investors including Plumbe formed the "Louisiana Company" and for $15,000 purchased eighty acres of land along the Mississippi in Wisconsin from Payton Vaughn. Town lots were surveyed. They named their "paper town" Sinipee, the name of the hollow in which it was located. The investors expected that Sinipee would be chosen as the point at which the railroad would eventually cross the river. (4) It was Plumbe's plan to connect a rail line from Milwaukee to Sinipee, cross the river to Dubuque, and continue westward to the Oregon Territory. In February, 1837, books for subscriptions to the stock of this road were opened in Dubuque.		Using his pen name "Iowaian," Plumbe soon began promoting a railroad link to the Pacific coast. (3) It was in 1836 that the territorial legislature of Wisconsin incorporated the [[BELMONT AND DUBUQUE RAILROAD COMPANY]]. In 1837, with their attention drawn by the proposed railroad, a group of investors including Plumbe formed the "Louisiana Company" and for $15,000 purchased eighty acres of land along the Mississippi in Wisconsin from Payton Vaughn. Town lots were surveyed. They named their "paper town" Sinipee, the name of the hollow in which it was located. The investors expected that Sinipee would be chosen as the point at which the railroad would eventually cross the river. (4) It was Plumbe's plan to connect a rail line from Milwaukee to Sinipee, cross the river to Dubuque, and continue westward to the Oregon Territory. In February, 1837, books for subscriptions to the stock of this road were opened in Dubuque.

	In 1838, $2,000 was appropriated by Congress for the survey of the route to Sinipee. (5)		In 1838, $2,000 was appropriated by Congress for the survey of the route to Sinipee. (5) In August 1838 the [[IOWA NEWS]] carried the following advertisement:
	In August 1838 the [[IOWA NEWS]] carried the following advertisement:

	The Sinipee Company is now prepared to furnish town		The Sinipee Company is now prepared to furnish town
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	to avail themselves thereof.		to avail themselves thereof.

	The November 10, 1838 ''Iowa News'' announced that a post office in Sinipee had been established with Plumbe as the postmaster. In rapid order a brick yard, tin smith, shoe and cabinet shop, blacksmith, and dozens of houses were constructed. In the first year, Plumbe and several others sold $30,000 in supplies. Lots remote from the river were priced between $500 and $1,000. As many as five steamers docked at one time. (6)		The November 10, 1838 ''Iowa News'' announced that a post office in Sinipee had been established with Plumbe as the postmaster. In rapid order, a brick yard, tin smith, shoe and cabinet shop, blacksmith, and dozens of houses were constructed. In the first year, Plumbe and several others sold $30,000 in supplies. Lots remote from the river were priced between $500 and $1,000. As many as five steamers docked at one time. (6)

	[[Image:sketches.png\|right\|thumb\|250px\|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]In Dubuque on March 26, 1838, a committee of five, including Plumbe, wrote a petition to Congress describing their plan for a transcontinental railroad and giving reasons for its construction. Plumbe's booklet entitled ''Sketches of Iowa and Wisconsin'' described the potential of western lands. Today only twenty-one copies of this one hundred-three book exist. It began as follows:		[[Image:sketches.png\|right\|thumb\|250px\|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]In Dubuque on March 26, 1838, a committee of five, including Plumbe, wrote a petition to Congress describing their plan for a transcontinental railroad and giving reasons for its construction. Plumbe's booklet entitled ''Sketches of Iowa and Wisconsin'' described the potential of western lands. Today only twenty-one copies of this one hundred-three book exist. It began as follows:
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	Using his skills as a surveyor, cartographer, writer and speaker, Plumbe convinced audiences throughout the Midwest of the potential of [[RAILROADS]] in the West, while his brother ran their photography business. Plumbe also served as president of the Board of Trustees for the Village of Dubuque in 1837 and secretary of the Dubuque Literacy Association and the Temperance Society. In 1838 he drafted a resolution to Congress for improved postal routes.		Using his skills as a surveyor, cartographer, writer and speaker, Plumbe convinced audiences throughout the Midwest of the potential of [[RAILROADS]] in the West, while his brother ran their photography business. Plumbe also served as president of the Board of Trustees for the Village of Dubuque in 1837 and secretary of the Dubuque Literacy Association and the Temperance Society. In 1838 he drafted a resolution to Congress for improved postal routes.

	[[Image:sinipee.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Located northeast of Dubuque, Sinipee was a failure,]][[JONES, George Wallace\|George Wallace JONES]], the delegate from Wisconsin Territory, presented Plumbe's idea for a transcontinental railroad to Congress where it was considered a joke. It is said that another lawmaker suggested to Jones that one of Jones' constituents ~~would~~ suggest the construction of a railroad to the moon.		[[Image:sinipee.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Located northeast of Dubuque, Sinipee was a failure,]][[JONES, George Wallace\|George Wallace JONES]], the delegate from Wisconsin Territory, presented Plumbe's idea for a transcontinental railroad to Congress where it was considered a joke. It is said that another lawmaker suggested to Jones that one of Jones' constituents might as well suggest the construction of a railroad to the moon.

	The financial boom that occurred in Sinipee ended in disaster. An epidemic of "fever" struck the community. Many of the houses were transported across the ice to Dubuque. By 1840 the city that had once been destined as a railroad and shipping center was a ghost town. (7)		The financial boom that occurred in Sinipee ended in disaster. An epidemic of "fever" struck the community. Many of the houses were transported across the ice to Dubuque. By 1840 the city that had once been destined as a railroad and shipping center was a ghost town. (7)

	Short on funds and waiting to receive a commission from the United States Congress ~~to survey the route for a transcontinental railroad, civil~~ engineer John Plumbe, Jr., took up photography in 1840 after seeing the work of an itinerant daguerreotypist in Washington, D.C. One of the first practitioners of daguerreotype photography, he established a national reputation ~~by entering~~ photographic competitions. By ~~the time he established~~ the Plumbe National Gallery of engraved and lithographic reproductions of his own images in 1846, he ~~had been dubbed~~ "the American Daguerre" by the press. (8)		Short on funds and waiting to receive a commission from the United States Congress was financially challenging. Civil engineer John Plumbe, Jr., took up photography in 1840 after seeing the work of an itinerant daguerreotypist in Washington, D.C. One of the first practitioners of daguerreotype photography, he established a national reputation and entered photographic competitions. By establishing the Plumbe National Gallery of engraved and lithographic reproductions of his own images in 1846, he was nicknamed "the American Daguerre" by the press. (8)

	[[Image:galleryp.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Advertisement for Plumbe's National Plumbeotype Gallery. Library of Congress]]		[[Image:galleryp.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Advertisement for Plumbe's National Plumbeotype Gallery. Library of Congress]]
	His chain of over twenty-five galleries ~~reached to such cities as~~ Boston, Sarasota Springs, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Dubuque. (9) His Dubuque gallery, operated by his brother Richard, was the first photographic establishment west of the Mississippi. Plumbe manufactured and imported photographic materials, lectured to groups of new photographers at his United States Photographic Institute, and published dozens of lithographic prints of well-known Americans based on his daguerreotypes. (10) These prints were developed by a mechanical hand-engraving process Plumbe invented but unfortunately never patented. He called these [[PLUMBEOTYPE]] pictures.		His chain of over twenty-five galleries were found in Boston, Sarasota Springs, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Dubuque. (9) His Dubuque gallery, operated by his brother Richard, was the first photographic establishment west of the Mississippi. Plumbe manufactured and imported photographic materials, lectured to groups of new photographers at his United States Photographic Institute, and published dozens of lithographic prints of well-known Americans based on his daguerreotypes. (10) These prints were developed by a mechanical hand-engraving process Plumbe invented but unfortunately never patented. He called these [[PLUMBEOTYPE]] pictures.

	Plumbe briefly lived in Washington, D.C., and became the capital's first professional photographer. Contemporary newspaper accounts reported on Plumbe's work. The ''United States Journal'', on January 29, 1846, mentioned:		Plumbe briefly lived in Washington, D.C., and became the capital's first professional photographer. Contemporary newspaper accounts reported on Plumbe's work. The ''United States Journal'', on January 29, 1846, mentioned:

	"Mr. Plumbe's National Daguerrian Gallery		Mr. Plumbe's National Daguerrian Gallery at Concert Hall, is an establishment whose superior merits
	at Concert Hall, is an establishment whose		are well deserving the notice of all who feel an interest in the beautiful art of Photography... We
	~~superior merits~~ are well deserving the notice		are glad to learn that this artist is now engaged in taking views of all the public buildings which
	of all who feel an interest in the beautiful		are executed in a style of elegance, that far surpasses any we have ever seen.....It is his intention
	art of Photography... We are glad to learn that		to dispose of copies of these beautiful pictures, either in sets or singly, thus affording to all, an
	this artist is now engaged in taking views of		opportunity of securing perfect representation of the government buildings..." (11)
	all the public buildings which are executed in
	a style of elegance, that far surpasses any we
	have ever seen.....It is his intention to dispose
	of copies of these beautiful pictures, either in
	sets or singly, thus affording to all, an
	opportunity of securing perfect representation
	of the government buildings..." (11)

	A month later, on February 20th, Washington's ''Daily Times'' reported:		A month later, on February 20th, Washington's ''Daily Times'' reported:

	"Views of the Capitol, Patent Office and other public buildings		Views of the Capitol, Patent Office and other public buildings embellish the walls [of John Plumbe's
	embellish the walls [of John Plumbe's gallery]..." (12)		gallery]..." (12)

	Plumbe made the earliest surviving photograph of the U. S. Capitol and the earliest picture of a president in office (James K. Polk). (13) He pioneered brand name recognition by publishing a magazine, the ''Plumbeian'', filled with illustrations based on his photographs. (14) Plumbe has been credited with being the first photographer to attempt a "famous portraits collection" and for franchising photo galleries. Advertisements for sets of architectural photographs reproduced through a lithographic process show his desire for a way to make multiples of one-of-a-kind daguerreotypes. The relative rarity of the prints, and the fact that Plumbe sold most of his galleries in 1847 to pay creditors, suggest that the process itself was not lucrative. (15)		Plumbe made the earliest surviving photograph of the U. S. Capitol and the earliest picture of a president in office (James K. Polk). (13) He pioneered brand name recognition by publishing a magazine, the ''Plumbeian'', filled with illustrations based on his photographs. (14) Plumbe has been credited with being the first photographer to attempt a "famous portraits collection" and for franchising photo galleries. Advertisements for sets of architectural photographs reproduced through a lithographic process show his desire for a way to make multiples of one-of-a-kind daguerreotypes. The relative rarity of the prints, and the fact that Plumbe sold most of his galleries in 1847 to pay creditors, suggest that the process itself was not lucrative. (15)

Randylyon at 19:32, 2 July 2021

2021-07-02T19:32:42Z

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	[[Category: Railroad]]		[[Category: Railroad]]
	[[Category: Boosterism]]		[[Category: Boosterism]]
	[[Category: ~~Photographer~~]]		[[Category: Photojournalist]]
	[[Category: Business Leader]]		[[Category: Business Leader]]
	[[Category: Speaker]]		[[Category: Speaker]]

Randylyon at 03:39, 16 June 2021

2021-06-16T03:39:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:39, 16 June 2021
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	[[Category: Photographer]]		[[Category: Photographer]]
	[[Category: Business Leader]]		[[Category: Business Leader]]
			[[Category: Speaker]]

Randylyon at 17:54, 27 November 2020

2020-11-27T17:54:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:54, 27 November 2020
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	embellish the walls [of John Plumbe's gallery]..." (12)		embellish the walls [of John Plumbe's gallery]..." (12)

	Plumbe made the earliest surviving photograph of the U. S. Capitol and the earliest picture of a president in office (James K. Polk). (13) He pioneered brand name recognition by publishing a magazine, the Plumbeian," filled with illustrations based on his photographs. (14) Plumbe has been credited with being the first photographer to attempt a "famous portraits collection" and for franchising photo galleries.		Plumbe made the earliest surviving photograph of the U. S. Capitol and the earliest picture of a president in office (James K. Polk). (13) He pioneered brand name recognition by publishing a magazine, the ''Plumbeian'', filled with illustrations based on his photographs. (14) Plumbe has been credited with being the first photographer to attempt a "famous portraits collection" and for franchising photo galleries. Advertisements for sets of architectural photographs reproduced through a lithographic process show his desire for a way to make multiples of one-of-a-kind daguerreotypes. The relative rarity of the prints, and the fact that Plumbe sold most of his galleries in 1847 to pay creditors, suggest that the process itself was not lucrative. (15)

	Advertisements for sets of these architectural photographs reproduced through a lithographic process show his desire for a way to make multiples of one-of-a-kind daguerreotypes. The relative rarity of the prints, and the fact that Plumbe sold most of his galleries in 1847 to pay creditors, suggest that the process itself was not lucrative. (15)		To aid in financing transcontinental railroad project, Plumbe not only projected the line, prepared the petition and secured the Congressional appropriation, but in person and at his own cost began the inspection, if not the survey, of the line from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi. In 1847 he proposed a grant of land from the government to aid the project; the proposal contained the following points: 1) The grant was to consist of alternate sections of land; (2) the stock to be sold at $10 a share; (3) at the time of subscription 50 cents was to be paid on each share; (4) the railroad was to be managed by a board of directors; (5) the government would enjoy forever the free use of the road; and (6) editors, ministers, and missionaries would ride free.

	To aid in financing ~~the~~ project, Plumbe not only projected the line, prepared the petition and secured the Congressional appropriation, but in person and at his own cost began the inspection, if not the survey, of the line from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi. In 1847 he proposed a grant of land from the government to aid the project; the proposal contained the following points: 1) The grant was to consist of alternate sections of land; (2) the stock to be $10 a share; (3) at the time of subscription 50 cents was to be paid on each share; (4) the railroad was to be managed by a board of directors; (5) the government would enjoy forever the free use of the road; and (6) editors, ministers, and missionaries would ride free.

	By 1848 Plumbe had suffered financial losses due to competition and mismanagement of his studios. (16) He sold his business and equipment to his employees and returned to Dubuque.		By 1848 Plumbe had suffered financial losses due to competition and mismanagement of his studios. (16) He sold his business and equipment to his employees and returned to Dubuque.

Randylyon at 03:26, 4 June 2019

2019-06-04T03:26:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:26, 4 June 2019
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	[[Image:plumbe.gif\|left\|thumb\|150px\|John Plumbe championed the idea of a transcontinental railroad.]]		[[Image:plumbe.gif\|left\|thumb\|150px\|John Plumbe championed the idea of a transcontinental railroad.]]
	[[Image:plumbead.jpg\|right\|thumb\|250px\|Iowa News May 5, 1838-An advertisement placed by Plumbe for the sale of property. Photo courtesy: Diane Harris]]PLUMBE, John, Jr. (Wales, 1809-Dubuque, IA, May 29, 1857). Plumbe emigrated to the United States in 1821 and settled in Dubuque in 1836 as a land speculator. (1) He purchased and sold several downtown lots by November of that year and the following year advertised property along the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. He later established the Wisconsin General Land Office in Dubuque. (2)		[[Image:plumbead.jpg\|right\|thumb\|250px\|Iowa News May 5, 1838-An advertisement placed by Plumbe for the sale of property. Photo courtesy: Diane Harris]]PLUMBE, John, Jr. (Wales, 1809--Dubuque, IA, May 29, 1857). Plumbe emigrated to the United States in 1821 and settled in Dubuque in 1836 as a land speculator. (1) He purchased and sold several downtown lots by November of that year and the following year advertised property along the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. He later established the Wisconsin General Land Office in Dubuque. (2)

	Using his pen name "Iowaian," Plumbe soon began promoting a railroad link to the Pacific coast. (3) It was in 1836 that the territorial legislature of Wisconsin incorporated the [[BELMONT AND DUBUQUE RAILROAD COMPANY]]. In 1837, with their attention drawn by the proposed railroad, a group of investors including Plumbe formed the "Louisiana Company" and for $15,000 purchased eighty acres of land along the Mississippi in Wisconsin from Payton Vaughn. Town lots were surveyed. They named their "paper town" Sinipee, the name of the hollow in which it was located. The investors expected that Sinipee would be chosen as the point at which the railroad would eventually cross the river. (4) It was Plumbe's plan to connect a rail line from Milwaukee to Sinipee, cross the river to Dubuque, and continue westward to the Oregon Territory. In February, 1837, books for subscriptions to the stock of this road were opened in Dubuque.		Using his pen name "Iowaian," Plumbe soon began promoting a railroad link to the Pacific coast. (3) It was in 1836 that the territorial legislature of Wisconsin incorporated the [[BELMONT AND DUBUQUE RAILROAD COMPANY]]. In 1837, with their attention drawn by the proposed railroad, a group of investors including Plumbe formed the "Louisiana Company" and for $15,000 purchased eighty acres of land along the Mississippi in Wisconsin from Payton Vaughn. Town lots were surveyed. They named their "paper town" Sinipee, the name of the hollow in which it was located. The investors expected that Sinipee would be chosen as the point at which the railroad would eventually cross the river. (4) It was Plumbe's plan to connect a rail line from Milwaukee to Sinipee, cross the river to Dubuque, and continue westward to the Oregon Territory. In February, 1837, books for subscriptions to the stock of this road were opened in Dubuque.

Randylyon at 23:20, 29 April 2019

2019-04-29T23:20:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:20, 29 April 2019
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	Plumbe briefly lived in Washington, D.C., and became the capital's first professional photographer. Contemporary newspaper accounts reported on Plumbe's work. The ''United States Journal'', on January 29, 1846, mentioned:		Plumbe briefly lived in Washington, D.C., and became the capital's first professional photographer. Contemporary newspaper accounts reported on Plumbe's work. The ''United States Journal'', on January 29, 1846, mentioned:

	"Mr. Plumbe's National Daguerrian Gallery at Concert Hall,		"Mr. Plumbe's National Daguerrian Gallery
	is an establishment whose superior merits are well deserving		at Concert Hall, is an establishment whose
	the notice of all who feel an interest in the beautiful art		superior merits are well deserving the notice
	of Photography... We are glad to learn that this artist is		of all who feel an interest in the beautiful
	now engaged in taking views of all the public buildings which		art of Photography... We are glad to learn that
	are executed in a style of elegance, that far surpasses any we		this artist is now engaged in taking views of
	have ever seen.....It is his intention to dispose of copies		all the public buildings which are executed in
	of these beautiful pictures, either in sets or singly, thus		a style of elegance, that far surpasses any we
	affording to all, an opportunity of securing perfect representation		have ever seen.....It is his intention to dispose
	of the government buildings..." (11)		of copies of these beautiful pictures, either in
			sets or singly, thus affording to all, an
			opportunity of securing perfect representation
			of the government buildings..." (11)

	A month later, on February 20th, Washington's ''Daily Times'' reported:		A month later, on February 20th, Washington's ''Daily Times'' reported:

Randylyon at 02:20, 21 February 2018

2018-02-21T02:20:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:20, 21 February 2018
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	The November 10, 1838 ''Iowa News'' announced that a post office in Sinipee had been established with Plumbe as the postmaster. In rapid order a brick yard, tin smith, shoe and cabinet shop, blacksmith, and dozens of houses were constructed. In the first year, Plumbe and several others sold $30,000 in supplies. Lots remote from the river were priced between $500 and $1,000. As many as five steamers docked at one time. (6)		The November 10, 1838 ''Iowa News'' announced that a post office in Sinipee had been established with Plumbe as the postmaster. In rapid order a brick yard, tin smith, shoe and cabinet shop, blacksmith, and dozens of houses were constructed. In the first year, Plumbe and several others sold $30,000 in supplies. Lots remote from the river were priced between $500 and $1,000. As many as five steamers docked at one time. (6)

	[[Image:sketches.png\|~~left~~\|thumb\|250px\|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]In Dubuque on March 26, 1838, a committee of five, including Plumbe, wrote a petition to Congress describing their plan for a transcontinental railroad and giving reasons for its construction. Plumbe's booklet entitled ''Sketches of Iowa and Wisconsin'' described the potential of western lands. Today only twenty-one copies of this one hundred-three book exist. It began as follows:		[[Image:sketches.png\|right\|thumb\|250px\|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]In Dubuque on March 26, 1838, a committee of five, including Plumbe, wrote a petition to Congress describing their plan for a transcontinental railroad and giving reasons for its construction. Plumbe's booklet entitled ''Sketches of Iowa and Wisconsin'' described the potential of western lands. Today only twenty-one copies of this one hundred-three book exist. It began as follows:

	"The connection of Lake Michigan with the Mississippi River,		"The connection of Lake Michigan with the Mississippi River,
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	Using his skills as a surveyor, cartographer, writer and speaker, Plumbe convinced audiences throughout the Midwest of the potential of [[RAILROADS]] in the West, while his brother ran their photography business. Plumbe also served as president of the Board of Trustees for the Village of Dubuque in 1837 and secretary of the Dubuque Literacy Association and the Temperance Society. In 1838 he drafted a resolution to Congress for improved postal routes.		Using his skills as a surveyor, cartographer, writer and speaker, Plumbe convinced audiences throughout the Midwest of the potential of [[RAILROADS]] in the West, while his brother ran their photography business. Plumbe also served as president of the Board of Trustees for the Village of Dubuque in 1837 and secretary of the Dubuque Literacy Association and the Temperance Society. In 1838 he drafted a resolution to Congress for improved postal routes.

	[[JONES, George Wallace\|George Wallace JONES]], the delegate from Wisconsin Territory, presented Plumbe's idea for a transcontinental railroad to Congress where it was considered a joke. It is said that another lawmaker suggested to Jones that one of Jones' constituents would suggest the construction of a railroad to the moon.		[[Image:sinipee.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Located northeast of Dubuque, Sinipee was a failure,]][[JONES, George Wallace\|George Wallace JONES]], the delegate from Wisconsin Territory, presented Plumbe's idea for a transcontinental railroad to Congress where it was considered a joke. It is said that another lawmaker suggested to Jones that one of Jones' constituents would suggest the construction of a railroad to the moon.

	~~[[Image:sinipee.png\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Located northeast of Dubuque, Sinipee was a failure,]]~~The financial boom that occurred in Sinipee ended in disaster. An epidemic of "fever" struck the community. Many of the houses were transported across the ice to Dubuque. By 1840 the city that had once been destined as a railroad and shipping center was a ghost town. (7)		The financial boom that occurred in Sinipee ended in disaster. An epidemic of "fever" struck the community. Many of the houses were transported across the ice to Dubuque. By 1840 the city that had once been destined as a railroad and shipping center was a ghost town. (7)

	Short on funds and waiting to receive a commission from the United States Congress to survey the route for a transcontinental railroad, civil engineer John Plumbe, Jr., took up photography in 1840 after seeing the work of an itinerant daguerreotypist in Washington, D.C. One of the first practitioners of daguerreotype photography, he established a national reputation by entering photographic competitions. By the time he established the Plumbe National Gallery of engraved and lithographic reproductions of his own images in 1846, he had been dubbed "the American Daguerre" by the press. (8)		Short on funds and waiting to receive a commission from the United States Congress to survey the route for a transcontinental railroad, civil engineer John Plumbe, Jr., took up photography in 1840 after seeing the work of an itinerant daguerreotypist in Washington, D.C. One of the first practitioners of daguerreotype photography, he established a national reputation by entering photographic competitions. By the time he established the Plumbe National Gallery of engraved and lithographic reproductions of his own images in 1846, he had been dubbed "the American Daguerre" by the press. (8)

			[[Image:galleryp.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Advertisement for Plumbe's National Plumbeotype Gallery. Library of Congress]]
	His chain of over twenty-five galleries reached to such cities as Boston, Sarasota Springs, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Dubuque. (9) His Dubuque gallery, operated by his brother Richard, was the first photographic establishment west of the Mississippi. Plumbe manufactured and imported photographic materials, lectured to groups of new photographers at his United States Photographic Institute, and published dozens of lithographic prints of well-known Americans based on his daguerreotypes. (10) These prints were developed by a mechanical hand-engraving process Plumbe invented but unfortunately never patented. He called these [[PLUMBEOTYPE]] pictures.		His chain of over twenty-five galleries reached to such cities as Boston, Sarasota Springs, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Dubuque. (9) His Dubuque gallery, operated by his brother Richard, was the first photographic establishment west of the Mississippi. Plumbe manufactured and imported photographic materials, lectured to groups of new photographers at his United States Photographic Institute, and published dozens of lithographic prints of well-known Americans based on his daguerreotypes. (10) These prints were developed by a mechanical hand-engraving process Plumbe invented but unfortunately never patented. He called these [[PLUMBEOTYPE]] pictures.