Thomas Owen Foley

FOLEY, BOYLER, PARKER

Posted By: J. Breen (email)
Date: 3/5/2019 at 10:23:02

Thomas Owen Foley (1858-1950)

Born July 1858 in Illinois to Elijah and Sarah (Boyler) Foley and moved with to Washington, Iowa. He married Louise Adelia Parker on November 20, 1888 in Keokuk, IA. They had two children. Foley worked as a photographer and owned and operated the T. Owen Foley Studio in Washington for about 18 years (circa 1890-1908). He served as Councilman, 3rd Ward for three terms -1902, 1904 and 1907. He moved to Keokuk, Lee Co, Iowa where he continued to work as a photographer and subsequently moved Alliance, Ohio.

Source: US Census records and Washington, IAGenweb

It does not often occur that a city the size of Washington can retain the services of a high class artist like Mr. Thomas Foley. He makes a specialty of enlarging photographs in crayon, watercolors, pastel and oils, and his productions are certainly most beautiful and elegant. Mr. Foley is the successor of Mr. Armstrong, buying the studio last fall, and has 40,000 of his negatives. Mr. F. has had twelve years’ experience in Art galleries of metropolitan cities, in such famous studios as C. W. Linder of Chicago, J. O. Roth of Indianapolis, and Udell of Three Rivers, Mich. His gallery is provided with every facility for superior work, and his pose and finish are justly regarded as comprehending every element of the artistic. He makes a specialty of the Arlsto process which is regarded by many greatly superior to the primitive process. Mr. F. is a native of Illinois and came to Iowa in 1800 (?). He is a gentleman of the highest type and commands the respect of all that know him. He is doing a lucrative business, which is the result of the merit of his superior work. All work guaranteed and satisfaction is always given.

Source: Washington Press, March 11, 1891