OTT26. Half-plate Tintype of a man in his horse-drawn sulky in front of the barber shop with barber poles in street and on wall of building. Housed in a half leather case. VG. $150
OTT34. Tintype, 4″ x 2 1/4,” of what I believe is a railroad engineer. There are a couple of bends. G. $85
OTT50. Tintype, 3 1/2″ x 2 3/8″ of a dentist at work pulling a tooth. VG. $200
OTT65. A.W. Covert Drugs & Medicines, 44th & Butler Streets, Pittsburgh, Pa. Collection of 39 images related to this pharmacy. The images cover the outside of the building, the interior of the pharmacy, and show many of the family members of several generations. There are 2 full-plate (8.5″ x 6.5″) tintypes of the exterior of the building, 2 tintypes approximately 6″ x 4.5,” 2 cabinet cards, 2 cdvs, 2 card mounted photos (one with images on both sides), 2 RPPCs, 23 snapshots, a enlargement, 1 negative, a large card mounted photo with chipped off bottom left. There are many notations on the backs of images identifying the family members, the location of the store, etc. This building still stands in Pittsburgh. The last image above shows a print-out of the modern day building from Google Maps. G-VG. $750
OTT69. Tintype, 4″ x 2.75.” Scratched in the image above is “Observer.” On the paper held by the man at left is “The Local Editor.” At bottom is “Now, Willie.” VG. $150
OTT73. Full plate (8.5″ x 6.5″) tintype of the hardware store of L.C. Oberheu, 971 Central Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. Sealed in full plate mat. The fine content of the store is displayed in the street with two men posed. VG. $750
OTT74. Tintype, 4.75″ x 6.5″ of Winston’s Market wagon and group of people posed for the photographer. Framed. VG. $375
OTT78. Tintype, 3.25″ x 2.75″ which reads “Fisher’s Own/Barrett Cossitt & Co., Chicago.” The first image above is the tintype, the second image is the tintype reversed to make it easier to read, the third image is a notice regarding the company. Here is some very interesting information on Mr. F.D. Cossitt, from the Chicago Tribune, July 10, 1900.
D. Cossitt a Suicide
Shoots Himself in the Head while Temporarily Insane
Founder of the Villages of La Grange and Montrose Returns from Florida Enfeebled and Is Prostrated by the Heated Term—Was Arrested Six Times During the Civil War for Treason—Big Wholesale Grocer Here Years Ago.
During the absence from his room yesterday morning of his wife, who had been attending him during an attack of nervous prostration, Franklin Dwight Cossitt, founder of the Villages of La Grange and Montrose, arose and, procuring a revolver, returned to his bed and shot himself through the head, dying before assistance could be called.
Mr. Cossitt had recently returned to his home, Cossitt boulevard and Sixth avenue, La Grange, from a trip to Florida, where he had gone to recuperate his health. The effort was unsuccessful and Mr. Cossitt, returning in an enfeebled condition, was completely prostrated by the recent heated term. His son, F. D. Cossitt Jr., had called the attention of his physician, Dr. Fox, to his weak mental condition.
Of Revolutionary Stock.
Mr. Cossitt was born in Granby, Conn., in 1821. He was descended from revolutionary stock. At the age of 13 he left his native town, and, in company with his cousin, Fred H. Cossitt, who afterwards founded the famous Cossitt Library of Memphis, Tenn., he entered the employ of his uncle, George C. Cossitt, proprietor of a general store in La Grange, Tenn. At 17 he left his uncle’s employment to embark in business for himself.
At the outbreak of the civil war Mr. Cossitt was the holder of property to the value of $1,000,000 and was the owner of sixty-one slaves. He was an ardent advocate of the federal cause. During the war he was six times arrested for treason and as often acquitted.
Friend of Sherman and Grant.
He was a warm friend of General Sherman and General Grant, and during the war entertained at his plantation near La Grange General Sherman and General and Mrs. Grant. The plantation was also the military headquarters of Colonel Dickey, chief of General Grant’s cavalry staff.
In 1863 he removed to this city, and with S. L. Barrett started the wholesale grocery firm of Barrett & Cossitt, which two years later was one of the largest in the West. On Mr. Barrett’s death in 1870 Mr. Cossitt continued the business. The building at the corner of Randolph street and Michigan avenue was destroyed in the fire of 1871, but Mr. Cossitt resumed business in a short time.
Founds Montrose and La Grange.
In 1869 he purchased eighty acres of land far west of the city, and founded the Town of Montrose. Two years later he invested in 600 acres of land around the site of the present village of La Grange. This he made a town site, which he named after his former home in Tennessee, and four years later removed there.
Mr. Cossitt served many terms as President of the Board of Trustees of La Grange. One expenditure of $30,000 for trees for the village streets was a characteristic item of expenses of which Mr. Cossitt was proud.
Married Three Times.
Mr. Cossitt was three times married, the first time to a Virginian, Miss Fanny L. Malone, in La Grange, Tenn. After her death, in 1857, he was married to Miss Martha Moore, in Macon, Tenn., who died in 1863. The last wife of Mr. Cossitt, who was Miss Addie C. Hunt of this city, survives him.
Arrangements for the funeral have not been completed. The interment will be on Wednesday.
Mr. Cossitt was the father of one son, F. D. Cossitt Jr., well known in Democratic politics, and five daughters, all of whom are married. He was the father-in-law of D. B. Lyman, President of the Knickerbocker Ice company; William C. De Witt, rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church; H. S. Mitchell of Sweet, Dempster & Co.; and Charles C. Lay of this city.
At the inquest held by Deputy Coroner Reynolds a verdict was returned of death by self-shooting while temporarily insane.
The tintype is tinted. VG. $200
OTT79. Two tintypes of the same man. In the first he is holding a brush, maybe a bill poster. In the second he is with a woman, maybe wife or sister. They measure 4″ x 2.5.” $35