Sixth plage hand-tinted and gilt ambrotype three-quarter length portrait. Full thermoplastic case with foliate motif. Period pencil inscription behind plate: "My own dear  Horace / Jennie S. Beecher" followed by a few lines of poetic verse.  

A fine portrait of abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor Horace J. Beecher (1828-1893). Here, he is pictured in military uniform, wearing a great coat and kepi with insignia, each with details hand-gilt. 

Born in Connecticut, Horace moved to Ohio when he was a young boy. After his marriage to Fanny M. Pierce in 1851, he moved to Huron County. His biography is detailed in an entry for his son Elbert in the history of the county, focusing in particular on his involvement in the Underground Railroad: "He was a firm and unrelenting Republican who took part in local politics...A strong anti-slavery man [who] assisted many a negro on his way to freedom, his home being a station on the famous underground railroad. He was a man of strong convictions and sterling character and his upright and honorable career won for him the regard and esteem of all with whom he was associated." (Abraham J. Baughman (1838-1913). History of Huron County, Ohio. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1909. Vol I, p. 424-425). 

Beecher's name is listed on the June 1863 Draft Registration Records of the 3rd Sub-District of Huron County in the 9th Congressional District of Ohio. We find Beecher on no other military records or regimental lists, however. As he was already 34, perhaps his enlistment was very brief or perhaps he served in some capacity at the homefront.  

It is possible that Beecher was related to Lyman Beecher, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Henry Ward Beecher, who also originated from Connecticut. At the time of cataloging, however, a familial connection was not established. 

The charming period inscription behind the plate was penned by his youngest child, Mary Jane "Jennie" Beecher (1865-1926). A lovely connection between the abolitionist and his family. 

A rare and handsome portrait of a documented Underground Railroad Conductor. 

[African Americana, African American History, Black History, Slavery, Enslavement, Abolition, Emancipation] [Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards]