George Albert Adam negative collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-0482

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

The George Adam negative collection consists of 84 4.25 x 6.5 in. and 112 3.25 x 4.25 in. glass plate negatives produced by Adam in the early 20th century in the Van Wert, Ohio area.

Dates

Creation: circa 1900-1925

Extent

1.38 Cubic Feet (3 legal size archive boxes)

Creator

Adam, George Albert, 1894-1925 (Person)

Scope and Contents

The George Adam negative collection consists of 84 4.25 x 6.5 in. and 112 3.25 x 4.25 in. glass plate negatives. As the work of an amateur photographer active in the first quarter of the 20th century, the collection provides a view of life in Jackson Township, Van Wert County, Ohio. While most of the pictures are typical, personal interest shots showing family activities and individual portraits, there are a number of very good views of farm life, and a few glimpses of activities around Van Wert, Ohio.

Some of the more interesting items in the collection include a series of pictures of work on the farm, showing roofing a shed, threshing, a Deering Reaper, mechanized wood-cutting, and baling hay.

The quality of the exposure and clarity of the pictures is sometimes quite uneven. However, many of the plates are good, with details that can be enlarged without too much loss of resolution. Most of the photographs have no identification, although some have been dated.

Biographical / Historical

George Albert Adam was born March 28, 1894 in Jackson Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, the fourth child of John and Della Straley Adam. He married Nellie Catharine Tuohy, a school teacher from Grover Hill, Ohio, on July 19, 1918, and they had two children, Bonnie Isabel and George Clayton. A farmer by occupation, he had a history of poor health, including a medical discharge from Tr. Bn. 158 during World War I after only one week of service. He died on July 25, 1925, at his Jackson Township residence, at the age of 31.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The first group of 140 negatives were donated to the Center for Archival Collections on February 20, 1987 by Bonnie Adam Wallace, and Edwin L. Adam, Delphos, Ohio. A second group of 43 negatives were donated on May 8, 1990, with a third addition of 13 plates in September 1998.

Processing Information

The collection was processed and finding aid was prepared by Marilyn Levinson, Curator of Manuscripts, Center for Archival Collections, May 1989, with additions in May 1990 and September 1998.