Beschreibung:

an anonymous, ca. 1880s albumen photograph of one of the first real settlements established by the pioneer Joseph F. Collier in Shermanville, Kansas; 4.5" x 7.5", mounted on cardstock, 8" x 10". Includes the following verso manuscript: J F Colliers Ranch at Shermanville / 1882 Squatters Rights as a home stead. / 1885 filed when it was opened to home steaders. He had a country store and the Shermanville Post Office. / There [sic] place was water supply for the homesteaders until they got their wells. / Mrs. Garfield Franklin was the first white child born in Sherman County. She was a grand child of J.F. Colliers the same as Myrtle Knights. According to the Sherman County Historical Society, Collier's oldest daughter married Andrew Melstrom, one of the other early settlers in Sherman County, and they were considered parents of the first white child born in the county, Artie Melstrom, which is contrary to what is inscribed on the photograph. Provenance: The Thomas Minckler Collection of Western Americana Condition: Even toning to image; scattered soiling; light edgewear to photograph; mount has bumped corners and moderate edgewear.