Early photos of the children of Thomas Crooks and Meroa Yeomans

Introduction

      I recently discovered a new third cousin, Harry Bobbitt, via the miracle of DNA matches. Our most recent common ancestors are James Yeomans Jr. and Sarah Haines Redfield. I am descended from their daughter Meroa Yeomans and he is descended from their son Edwin James Yeomans. 

      Meroa Yeomans married Thomas Armor Crooks and they had 3 children, all born in Gilman, Illinois, in Iroquois County. Charles Henry Crooks was born June 16, 1883. Helen Redfield Crooks was born February 8, 1885. Fred Raymond Crooks was born December 15, 1888. 

Charles Crooks as a young child

      The first photo is of Charles Crooks, my grandfather. We do not have the original cabinet card, but this is a print probably made from a cabinet card. For many years, this photo was on the bedroom wall of my parents. I am assuming the photographer was H. W. Lawhead of Gilman and Onarga.

      I am estimating that Charles was about 2-3 years old.

Charles Henry Crooks; Gilman Illinois; about 1885-6; photo in possession of Dorothy Crooks. 

H. W. Lawhead, Photographer

     The subsequent 2 photos of Helen and 2 photos of Fred Raymond were taken by H. W. Lawhead, Photographer, Gilman and Onarga, Illinois. (The Crooks family lived in Gilman, but the Yeomans were originally from Onarga.) Evidently, the photographer was in Gilman on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and in Onarga on the other days. Hiram Lawhead was a photographer in Onarga from at least 1870 - 1900, based on census data. 

      The 4 photos are all cabinet cards, which became popular in the early 1870's. They were usually albumen prints, mounted on cardboard backs measuring about 4.25 inches by 6.5 inches.

Helen Crooks as a young child

      The first known H. W. Lawhead photo is of Helen Crooks. ('Helen' is written on the back.) I am quite certain this is Helen Crooks, based on her eyes! She looks about 2-3 years old, so the photo may have been taken in 1887 or 1888. 

      The back of the card lists the year 1887, but this could be the date the stock was created, rather than the date of the photo. This card has gold beveled edges, but no studio identification on the front of the card.  (Gold beveled edges were popular from 1885-1892.)

Helen Redfield Crooks; Gilman Illinois; about 1888; photo from Harry Bobbitt.

Back of above photo.

      

Fred Raymond Crooks as a baby

       The next photo is a photo of Fred Raymond Crooks as a baby. ('Ray' is listed on the back.) Since Ray was born in late 1888, the photo was probably taken in 1889... The back of the photo has a unique motif relative to the other photos.
      Fred Raymond is sometimes listed as Fred Raymond and sometimes as Raymond Fred, but he appears to have gone by 'Ray'. My father, Raymond Charles Crooks, was named after his uncle Ray and his father Charles. 

Fred Raymond Crooks; Gilman Illinois; about 1889; photo from Harry Bobbitt.

Back of above photo

      

Helen and Ray Crooks as young children

      The next 2 photos appear to be taken at the same time. The names on the back are 'Helen Crooks' and 'Ray Crooks'. These photos are clearly similar to the baby pictures mentioned above! Helen and Ray look about age 9 and 5, so the pictures were probably taken about 1894.

      At this time, H. W. Lawhead is listed as providing artistic photography. Both pictures involve stylized background scenery and curtained screens.

Helen Redfield Crooks; Gilman Illinois; about 1894; photo from Harry Bobbitt.

Fred Raymond Crooks; Gilman Illinois; about 1894 photo from Harry Bobbitt.

Back of Helen's photo

Back of Ray's photo

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_card.
Photos in possession of Dorothy Crooks.
Photos from Harry Bobbitt.