William Stinson Soule

Place: Turner

Born: 1836

Death: 1908

Biography:

Early Life and Military Service

, also known as Will Soule, was a prominent photographer of the American West. Born on August 26, 1836, in Turner, Maine, he was the son of John Soule and Mary (née True). Soule's early life was marked by his enlistment with the 13th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, serving the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was wounded at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, and served out the remainder of the war with the Veteran Reserve Corps.

Photographic Career

After the war, Soule opened a photography studio and gallery in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1865. Following a fire that destroyed his business in early 1867, he moved west to Fort Dodge (United States Army Post) in Kansas, where he worked as a clerk in the sutler's store. In 1869, Soule became the post photographer at Fort Sill, a position he held for six years, capturing high-quality portraits and photographs of Native American subjects.

Later Life and Legacy

Soule left Fort Sill in 1875, returning to the east. He married Ella Augusta Blackman that year and resided in Philadelphia before moving to Vermont and finally settling in Boston in 1882. There, he took over his older brother's business, The Soule Art Company, until his retirement in 1900. William Stinson Soule passed away on August 12, 1908.

• Notable Works: While specific works by Soule are not widely documented, his contributions to the photographic documentation of Native American subjects and the American West remain significant.
• Style: Soule's work is characterized by its high quality and attention to detail, reflecting his experience as a photographer in the late 19th century.
• Influence: His photographs have contributed to our understanding of the American West during a pivotal period in its history.

Explore More at Wikioo.org

- For more information on photographers like William Stinson Soule and their contributions to American photography, visit https://Wikioo.org/Art.nsf/WebListeAllPortfolio. - To discover the fascinating world of 19th-century American photography, explore Fort Sill's archives at https://Wikioo.org/@/William Stinson Soule.