Pg 358

         ELIAS W. OLIVER, a photographer of Columbus Junction, Iowa, who established business at this place in 1882, and now has the leading gallery in the county, was born in Adams County, Ill., Nov. 2, 1836, and is a son of Elias and Elizabeth (Crow) Oliver. His father was born in Ohio, and was of Scotch descent, while his mother was born and reared in Illinois. Our subject grew to manhood upon his father’s farm in his native State, and there received his education in the common schools. In 1857 he engaged in mercantile business at Georgetown, Hancock Co., Ill., and subsequently carried on the same line of business from 1857 until 1859 at Bear Creek of that county. He was married in the latter place Oct. 18, 1860, Miss Mary J. Walker, who was born in Pendleton County, Ky., becoming his wife. Six children graced their union, though only three are now living: Homer, the eldest, died in infancy; Warren Mack, born in Hancock County, Ill., Nov. 11, 1863, was educated at Warsaw, and is now a photographer employed in his father’s gallery at Columbus Junction; Rufus W., who was born in Warsaw County, Ill., is a painter and paper hanger, residing in Columbus Junction; Cora A. makes her home with her parents; Pearl May died at the age of three years; Eva W. died in infancy.

From 1860 until 1862 Mr. Oliver engaged in farming in Hancock County, Ill., and then went to Quincy, that State, where he was in the grocery business for eight months. The following six months were spent in conducting a hotel, but not finding it congenial to his tastes he abandoned that field of operation, and entered upon the study of photography at Quincy. In 1863 he opened a gallery at Payson, Ill., on the migratory plan, and the following winter settled at Warsaw, where he conducted a gallery until 1871. Then returning to Quincy, he remained there a short time, after which he went to St. Louis, where he opened a gallery until 1875, and then returned to Warsaw, the scene of his former labors, where he continued the photographic business until his removal to Columbus Junction in 1882, where he has carried on his business with marked success for the past six years. In 1887 he began making large pictures by the new process on bromide paper, and has facilities for making pictures life-size from the living subject, or from a small card photograph. He has two fine galleries, one on the west and one of the east side of Main street, in the latter making a specialty of life-size pictures, which are always clear, natural and durable; and on the west side he does the general photographic business in the latest and best styles. His son, W. M., conducts the last-named establishment. Mr. Oliver has the most popular galleries in Louisa County, and by doing superior work, and paying strict attention to the tastes of his customers, has built up a substantial and lucrative business.

Mrs. Oliver was reared under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has long been a member of that society. Until quite recently Mr. Oliver has always been a Democrat, but he now casts his vote with the Republican party.