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 1569 Collections and/or Records:

Rowena Nichols (Owens), 18uu

Sub-Group — Box 03: Series MSS003:01 [Barcode: 35138008229202], Folder: 10, Object: 08

Identifier: MSS003:01.37.08

Scope and Contents

Two photographs.

Dates: 18uu

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / Peter Britt photographs / Families / N

Rowena Owens (Nichols?) at easel, portrait

Digital Image

Identifier: https://cdm16085.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15013coll1/id/95

Dates: 18uu

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library

Ruth Jones, portrait

Digital Image

Identifier: https://cdm16085.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15013coll1/id/213

Dates: 1887

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library

S. D. Hedder, 18uu

Sub-Group — Box 02: Series MSS003:01 [Barcode: 35138008229194], Folder: 12, Object: 03

Identifier: MSS003:01.24.03

Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series:

Twenty two photographs.

Dates: 18uu

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / Peter Britt photographs / Families / He

S. W. Symons, February 1884

Sub-Group — Box 04: Series MSS003:01 [Barcode: 35138008115534], Folder: 05, Object: 16

Identifier: MSS003:01.45.16

Scope and Contents

Sams Valley, Oregon. Two photographs.

Dates: February 1884

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / Peter Britt photographs / Families / St - Sy

Sa - Sc, bulk: 1884-1893

Sub-Series — Box 04: Series MSS003:01 [Barcode: 35138008115534], Folder: 03

Identifier: MSS003:01.43

Scope and Contents

Twenty six photographs.

Dates: Majority of material found within 1884-1893

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

Saltmarsh family, three girls, portrait

Digital Image

Identifier: https://cdm16085.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15013coll1/id/651

Dates: 1887

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library

Sam Bennett's daughters Marie and Laure, portrait

Digital Image

Identifier: https://cdm16085.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15013coll1/id/646

Dates: 18uu

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library

Sam Phillips, 18uu

Sub-Group — Box 03: Series MSS003:01 [Barcode: 35138008229202], Folder: 12, Object: 17

Identifier: MSS003:01.39.17

Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series:

Thrity two photographs.

Dates: 18uu

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / Peter Britt photographs / Families / Pa - Ph

Sam Phillips in rooster hat, portrait

Digital Image

Identifier: https://cdm16085.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15013coll1/id/311

Dates: 18uu

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library

Britt, Peter, 1819-1905

Biography

Found in 1569 Collections and/or Records:

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