J. N. Templeman

[Dietmar]

J. N. Templeman, a homesteader and photographer who staked his claim in what is now Miller, South Dakota, operated the Pioneer Gallery in Miller, where he probably sold his photographs, which mostly promote the life on the prairie, for example homesteads of pioneers. Templeman also photographed Indians.

The best known portraits by Templeman are these of White Ghost, Running Bear and Crow Man, the leading chiefs at Crow Creek Reservation.


White Ghost, Yanktonai


Crow Man & Running Bear, Yanktonai


I wonder if there are more Indian portraits by Templeman?

[grahamew]

Well, it's taken a long time but here we go:


No identification, but it's the Templeman backdrop. Maybe Mayberry took over the business and sold his photos.


I can't remember where I took this one from, but I have it filed as a Templeman and I think it's a Yanktonai camp on Crow Creek

Both mid 1880s?

[Dietmar]

I´m glad you identified the photographer, Grahame. Thanks.

Who is this couple? I assume the man is a leading figure at Crow Creek or Lower Brule. I´m not at home this week to compare him to other portraits.

Is there a list somewhere of all Templeman photographs?

[grahamew]

Those are the only ones I've seen. Sorry. All I know is that he opened his studio in Miller in early 1883 or late 82. The bulk of his photos I've seen are views of buildings.

[Dietmar]

Here´s more biographical data on photographer Jasper Newton Templeman of Miller, S.D.:

www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=58379909

"Birth: Oct. 9, 1848
Fairfield County
Ohio, USA

Death: Mar. 22, 1890
Iowa City
Johnson County
Iowa, USA

Templeman mustered into Company "G", 22nd Iowa Infantry, on Feb. 17, 1864. He was initially a regular soldier, but because of his age and small size, he was soon made a drummer. He mustered out with the Regiment in Savannah on July 25, 1865.

"One of the handsomest boys in the regiment, with a heart of gold like the prince in the fairy story." (Samuel D. Pryce, "Vanishing Footprints: The Twenty-Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War.")

Three of his brothers also served in Co. G of the 22nd Iowa.

After the War, Jasper moved to Miller, Dakota Territory, where he worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad and later opened the Pioneer Gallery, a photography studio in Miller. He is credited with supplying new words for the popular 1871 song, "The Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane", and calling the new song "The Little Old Sod Shanty On My Claim". Those new verses appeared on the backs of many of the photographs he sold."

[Californian]

hi Grahamew, the one of the camp scene by J.N. Templeman of Miller SD is actually my very own print and scan, which I had posted over the years at some sites trying to figure out exactly where it was and yes, I believe it is a scene from Crow Creek Agency which was the location for several other Native American images by this photographer. I purchased this print several years ago at an antique photography show either in Santa Fe or in Mesa, not sure anymore exactly where. On the reverse side is a period glued-on printed sticker giving the photographer's name and location (Miller, D.T.)

[grahamew]

I don't know. I use an image hosting site, however, and pick up the code from there.