S H Parsons and Sons (1871-1933) (photographers)
Dates
- Existence: 1871 - 1933
Biography
S.H. Parsons and Sons was a commercial photographic company based in Saint John's, Newfoundland.
Simeon H. Parsons was born in 1844 in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. He was the son of John Charles Parsons, a fisherman. Parsons originally worked as a cabinet maker and upholsterer in Harbour Grace. In 1866 he married Isabella Robbins and eventually had seven children. In 1871 he converted the top floor of his business into a studio and began working as a photographer. He moved to St John's in November 1872, entering a partnership with Sherburn T. McKenney. By 1875 Parsons had opened his own business at 310 Water Street. In 1876 he went on a study tour of America, learning more about the art of photography. He exhibited his photographs in Europe and, in the 1888 international exhibition in Barcelona, won a silver medal and a diploma of merit. Parsons died of stomach cancer in March 1908. His business was continued by his sons until 1933 (Cook 1994, p.815).
Sources:
Cook, Ramsay ed. (1994), 'Dictionary of Canadian Biography'. Volume XIII - '1901-1910'. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Newfoundland Regiment Photographs
Small card album containing postcards, with the trade label of Parsons' Art Store, St. John's, and with a printed inscription 'To Rev. James and Mrs Bell with best wishes for Christmas and the New Year from Mr and Mrs John White'. The illustrations all relate to the early days of the Newfoundland Regiment, which was organised on the outbreak of war in August 1914; the first 540 men sailed for Europe on 'S.S. Florizel' on 4 October.
Views in Newfoundland, 1899-1911
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- Newfoundland (province) 1