BIOGRAPHY OF JESSE CALLAWAY BARTLETT

This biography of Jesse Callaway Bartlett appeared in
The Historical Encyclopedia of Texas,* published
about 1936, when he was sixty-five years old.

        JESSE C. BARTLETT, pioneer photographer of Texas, whose accomplishments have contributed very materially to the perfection of picture making, both as to mechanical and chemical process, and as to artistic technique, has been progressively engaged in this work for nearly four decades, operating in various leading cities of the State.  Since 1910 Mr. Bartlett has been established in his famous Bartlett's Studio, in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he now operates in association with his son, Clyde D. Bartlett.   They do expert portrait work, both in originals and enlargements, as well as commercial photography of unusual excellency, and kodak film developing and finishing.

        Mr. Bartlett began his career as a photographer, in Brownwood, Texas, in 1898, spending some years there, and later going to Dallas, Houston and Galveston, in all of which cities he operated studios, prior to coming to Wichita Falls, in 1910, since which time he has won wide distinction throughout this section for the excellence of his work, which is that of the true artist photographer.

        Mr. Bartlett was born in Navarro County, Texas, near Corsicana, on the twenty-second day of August, 1871, being a son of T. S. Bartlett, a farmer of that community.  T. S. Bartlett, a native Texan, was born in the state in 1841, and lived out his lifetime of eighty-five years without once going out of Texas.  Jesse C. Bartlett was educated in the schools of the state, and after some years at various occupations, principally farming, and teaching in the public schools for forty years and at Chambers Business College at Corsicana, he entered upon his career as a photographer.

        Mr. Bartlett was married on the twenty-fifth day of December, 1892, to Miss Mamie Donaldson, of Navarro County, she being a daughter of Dan Donaldson, of that county.  Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have four children:  Bessie Lee, now Mrs. G. T. Buchanan, of Wichita Falls; Clyde D. Bartlett, associated with his father in business; Maybelle, and Wade H.   The family home is at 805 Bluff Street.  Mr. Bartlett has membership in the Chamber of Commerce.  His hobby is his home and family, he being that home type of man to whom family takes the place of clubs and lodges.  He takes great pride in his photographic studio, and quite pardonably, for it represents a lifetime of adherence to ideals and standards that have never once been lowered, his goal at all times being that perfection of workmanship that marks the true artist.

Notes

*Ellis Arthur Davis, ed., The Historical Encyclopedia of Texas, rev. ed. (n.p.: Texas Historical Society, n.d. [ca. 1936]), vol. II, p. 687.