Nelson Caulkins, Photographer

 
Photograher Nelson Caulkins, with wife Jessie, and sons Albert & Frank

Nelson Adelbert Caulkins was born November 29, 1874 in Unidella, New York.  

At the turn of the century, just as the photocard industry began in America, Caulkins set up business as a portrait photographer in the Baltimore and D.C. area.    

While in Baltimore,  a man advised him  to "go to Cammal" and photograph the lumbering industry.  Nelson packed up his equipment and headed north to Pine Creek. Upon arrival he immediately set up studios in both Cammal and nearby Slate Run.

Caulkins is known for his photos of Lumbering Camps, but also of: Fry Bros Turkey Ranch, Klines Service Station, The Dewart Train Wreck,  the 1933 train wreck at Cedar Run, and a 1956 train wreck in Slate Run,  The Ice Going Out in Watsontown, as well as many, many other parades, events and locations throughout central Pa.  

Caulkins Studio Locations Included:

Cammal & Slate Run 1904-1908

Mansfield 1908-1912

Morris 1912-1917

Watsontown 1917-1921

Cedar Run 1933

Waterville  ?

The 1930 census shows Nelson in South Williamsport, occupation "Painter and Paper Hanger".  The 1950 census places him in Morris PA, occupation "souvenir photographer".

Margaret & Nelson Caulkins

Nelson survived three wives:

Jessie Blanche Thatcher 1880-1918

Bertha [Phillips] Zimmerman 1890-1923

Margaret  [Ammerman] Yothers 1877-1956

Nelson  Caulkins died August 31 1965, age 90.  His residence in 1965 was 1111 Tucker St, Williamsport Pa.  Caulkins is buried in Watsontown Cemetery.

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1900

Justice Of The Peace in Watsontown, 1920

Caulkins resided in Williamsport in 1934

A 1958 article about the fire at the Waterville Hotel mentions that Caulkins had a studio there at one time.