Britt, Peter, 1819-1905

Person

Staff Only

Biography

Born in Obslalden, Switzerland, Peter (1819-1905) was the second son of Jacob Britt. At the age of 27 he went to America and became a citizen in 1850 in Indiana. He studied daguerreotyping in St. Louis under an early-day photographer, J.H. Fitzgibbon. Britt crossed the plains in 1852 with his camera to settle in Jacksonville.

He opened a studio (see photo 24-21) in 1854 to become one of the first studio daguerreographers in Oregon. W.H. Jennings of Oregon City was first in 1851. Although best known as the leading northwest photographer, Britt was a civic minded person. He owned land (almost 2,000 acres at one time), became a leading horticulturist, a mine owner, a money lender, and a good friend of Chinese laborers.

He retired in 1900 to spend more of his time with oil painting and in the greenhouse. In 1861, he married Amalia Grob (1822-1871), a widow with one son, Jacob (1854-1896). They had three children, Emil (1862-1950), Arnold (1864, aged three months), Amalia (1865-1954). None were ever married. Peter Britt attended the 1905 Lewis and Clark Expedition and there contracted a cold that led to pneumonia and his death later that year.

Found in 1568 Collections and/or Records:

Beswick’s Hotel, bulk: 1884-1885

Sub-Series — Box: 06, Folder: 05

Identifier: MSS003:02.05

Scope and Contents

Shovel Creek, Oregon. Seven photographs.

Dates: Majority of material found within 1884-1885

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / MSS-003, Peter Britt photographs / Outdoor photographs

Betty Muller, September 1888

Sub-Group — Box: 03, Folder: 08, Object: 18

Identifier: MSS003:01.35.18

Scope and Contents

Two photographs.

Dates: September 1888

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / MSS-003, Peter Britt photographs / Families / Mo - My

Betty Muller, portrait

Digital Image

Identifier: https://cdm16085.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15013coll1/id/117

Dates: 1888

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library

Bi - Bo, bulk: 1863-1938

Sub-Series — Box: 01, Folder: 03

Identifier: MSS003:01.03

Scope and Contents

Twenty six photographs.

Dates: Majority of material found within 1863-1938

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / MSS-003, Peter Britt photographs / Families

Biavenve Family, 18uu

Sub-Group — Box: 01, Folder: 03, Object: 01

Identifier: MSS003:01.03.01

Scope and Contents

Seated Left to Right: Alphonso, Oney, John, Standing: Anna B. Langbey and Delia.

Dates: 18uu

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / MSS-003, Peter Britt photographs / Families / Bi - Bo

Bienvenue family: Alphonzo, Oney, John, Anna B. Langely, Delia

Digital Image

Identifier: https://cdm16085.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15013coll1/id/524

Dates: 18uu

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library

Bill Moore, 18uu

Sub-Group — Box: 03, Folder: 08, Object: 06

Identifier: MSS003:01.35.06

Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series:

Thirty two photographs.

Dates: 18uu

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / MSS-003, Peter Britt photographs / Families / Mo - My

Bill Moore, portrait

Digital Image

Identifier: https://cdm16085.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15013coll1/id/120

Dates: 18uu

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library

Bill Shook, March 1886

Sub-Group — Box: 04, Folder: 04, Object: 05

Identifier: MSS003:01.44.05

Scope and Contents

Two photographs.

Dates: March 1886

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / MSS-003, Peter Britt photographs / Families / Sh - So

Bill Shook, standing portrait

Digital Image

Identifier: https://cdm16085.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15013coll1/id/504

Dates: 1886

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library

Britt, Peter, 1819-1905

Biography

Found in 1568 Collections and/or Records:

Additional filters: