ca. 1861-1870
Guide to the Photograph Collection
Abstract
Civil War-era carte de visite album kept by Edward M. Onion.
Biographical Sketch
Edward M. Onion was born in 1838 in Dedham, Massachusetts, the son of Joseph and Philinda (Bills) Onion. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Onion enlisted in the 18th Massachusetts Regiment, eventually being promoted to commander of Company G. After the war, he returned home to Dedham where he married Susan Elizabeth Farnsworth in 1868. In the 1880s, the couple moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Onion ran an auction business for more than 30 years. He died December 16, 1915, at the Soldiers’ Home in Sawtelle, California, and is buried alongside his wife at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Salt Lake City.
Collection Description
Carte de visite album kept by Edward M. Onion of the 18th Massachusetts Regiment during the Civil War. Album includes identified photographs of members of the 18th and other Massachusetts regiments; important Civil War figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Nathaniel P. Banks, and George McClellan; and many unidentified photographs of men, women, and children, presumably Onion's family and friends. Most of the photographs are undated, but likely taken in the 1860s. Identified photographers include J. W. Black, R. W. Addis, Mathew Brady, and H. F. Warren, among many others.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Stanley Andrews, April 1977.
Arrangement of the Collection
Photographs are listed in the order in which they appear in the album.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865)
Unidentified photographer.Photograph of an engraving.Pray, Charles F. (1830-1864)
Taken by Samuel Masury, Boston, Mass.Inscribed on verso: "Killed in action at Cold Harbor Va. June 3rd, 1864."Lieutenant, 18th Mass. Regiment, Co. K.
Kinsley, Edward W. (1829-1891)
Taken by J. W. Black, Boston.Buswell, J. T., 1864.
Taken by G. D. Hamilton, Boston."Your friend Lizzie."
Unidentified photographer.Possibly Onion's future wife, Susan Elizabeth Farnsworth.
Unidentified woman.
Taken by Alexander Perry, Waltham, Mass.White, William B.
Taken by R. W. Addis, McClees Gallery, Washington, D.C.Lieutenant Colonel, 18th Massachusetts Regiment.
Edson, Charles F. (1839-1893)
Taken by J. W. Black, Boston.Captain, 18th Massachusetts Regiment.
Hayes, Joseph (1835-1912)
Taken by Henry Ulke, Washington, D.C.Enlisted with 18th Massachusetts, became a Brigadier General in 1864.
Unidentified man.
Taken by C. B. Ingraham, Runnion's Gallery of Art, Indianapolis, Ind.Unidentified woman.
Taken by Frank Rowell, Boston, Mass.Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss (1816-1894)
Taken by H. F. Warren.Unidentified officer, a captain.
Taken by J. C. Spooner, Springfield, Mass.Unidentified boy in soldier's uniform.
Taken by E. L. Allen, Boston.Hyde, George W. (1839-1898).
Taken by G. K. Warren, Cambridgeport & Lowell, Mass.Private, 13th Massachusetts Regiment.
Cargill, Thomas M.
Taken by J. R. Aull, Roxbury.Lieutenant, 3rd Independent Battery, Massachusetts Light Artillery.
Bent, Luther S. (1829-1914)
Taken by S. Masury, Boston.Major, 18th Massachusetts Regiment.
Two unidentified children.
Taken by E. L. Goss, Waltham, Mass.Tucker, Louis N.
Taken by R. W. Addis, Washington, D.C.Captain, 18th Massachusetts Regiment.
Unidentified Union general.
Taken by R. W. Addis at McClees' Gallery, Washington, D. C..Hayes, Joseph (1835-1912)
Taken by R. W. Addis, Washington, D.C.Colonel, 18th Massachusetts Regiment.
Unidentified infant.
Unknown photographer.Unidentified man
Unknown photographerWeston, Thomas (1826-1895)
Taken by T. R. Burnham, Boston.Captain, 18th Massachusetts Regiment.
Richards, Edward F. (1837-1882)
Taken by J. W. Black, Boston.Sergeant, 18th Massachusetts Regiment.
Unidentified girl with basket
Taken by J. A. Whipple, Boston.Moulton, Orson (1825-1894)
Taken by H. J. Reed, Worcester, Mass..Captain, 25th Massachusetts Regiment.
Unidentified officer, 18th Massachusetts Regiment
Taken by Chute, Boston.Isbell, John Dwight (1840-1862)
Taken by Mathew B. Brady, Washington, D. C. .Lieutenant, 18th Massachusetts Regiment.
Tucker, Louis N.
Taken by R. W. Addis at McClees' Gallery, Washington, D.C.Captain, 18th Massachusetts Regiment.
Hemenway, William W. (1836-1918)
Taken by Case & Getchell, Boston.Lieutenant, 18th Massachusetts Regiment.
Davis, Walter Scott (1837-1908)
Taken by J. W. Black, Boston.Captain, 22nd Massachusetts Regiment.
Meservey, Benjamin F. (1833- )
Taken by J. W. Black, Boston.Captain, 18th Massachusetts Regiment.
[Brown], Francis H. (1835- )
Unknown photographer.Assistant Surgeon, U.S.
Unidentified girl with toy hoop
Taken by Black & Case, Boston.McClellan, George B. & wife Nelly
Taken by R. W. Addis at McClees' Gallery, Washington, D.C.Unidentified boy
Taken by A. A. Barnes, Indianapolis, IndianaUnidentified woman
Unknown photographer.Unidentified man
Taken by A. F. Wells, Silver Creek, N.Y.Unidentified woman
Taken by H. F. Warren, Waltham, Mass.Unidentified woman
Taken by C. Seaver, Jr., Boston.Unidentified toddler
By H. F. Warren, Waltham, Mass.Unidentified child
Taken by A. F. Wells, Silver Creek, N.Y.Unidentified woman
Taken by Southworth & Hawes, Boston.Gove, Jesse A. (1824-1862)
Taken by R. W. Addis at McClees' Gallery, Washington, D.C.Colonel, 22nd Massachusetts Regiment
Barnard, George M. (1835-1898)
Taken by Mathew B. Brady, Washington, D.C.Captain, 18th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment.
Unidentified child
Unknown photographer.Gem tintype.Unidentified young woman
Taken at the Photograph and Minette Rooms, 22 Winter St., Boston.Minette.Preferred Citation
Edward M. Onion carte de visite album, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.