The Early Photography of Anson McNish
Anson McNish was born in Lyn, Ontario, in 1878, the son of George McNish owner of the Lyn Agricultural Works and Almira Jane Fell.
Anson was a mechanic by trade, but also an Amateur Photographer. As an amateur photographer, Anson has given us some very fine detailed pictures with glimpses into his life and surroundings.
Anson married Antoinette (Nettie) Brookman, in Fultonville, NY on August 10, 1910. Together they had one daughter Florence Catherine who was born in 1913 and unfortunately died at the early age of 15 in 1928.
These photos are some of the very first photographs the Anson did. In these photos he shows us everyday life of his friends and family in and around the Lyn Area.
Thanks to Anson we have some great insight into this time period of the late 1800’s to early 1900’s.
1-Henry and Addie McNish on Main Street Lyn in 1894
2-Main St West, Lyn with the Methodist Church on the right and the Lyn School next to it
3-Main Street, Lyn looking to the East, the Blacksmith shop is the first building on the left
4-Main Street Lyn looking west on the left are Coon’s Bakery, Stewart’s Garage, Stores, Taylor’s Drug Store and Stack’s Hotel
5-Original dam for the Lyn Pond on Main Street, the original mill is the white building on the right
6-Presbyterian Church on Perth St, Lyn
7-Presbyterian Church, Lyn – Sanctuary
8-Rev. Daley, Minister of the Presbyterian Church, Lyn in 1903
9-Old Red Saw Mill, Lyn
10-Blacksmith Shop, Main St, Lyn
11-Lyn Agricultural Works, on Main Street. Owned by George McNish. Anso worked here while he lived in Lyn
12-Gerald Hanna hauling a log to the mill, Main St., Lyn
13-On Perth St. looking east to Bay Street, Lyn
The Following Three Photographs taken by Anson McNish are the earliest pictures we have of the Village of Lyn taken from the Valley
14-Looking up to Lyn from the Valley, the Methodist Church steeple is on the left, the five story Mill is on the right
15-Looking across the Lyn Valley the Anglican Church can been on the hill on the right
16-Across the Lyn Valley, the mill is on the left
17-The Five Story Lyn Flour Mill
18-The Lyn Public School built in 1867
19-Lyn School Play. The second floor of the school was left open as one big room for meetings, plays etc.
20-The Lyn Mill Pond
21-The Lyn Mill Pond
22-Skating Party on the Lyn Mill Pond
23-Ice Harvest on the Lyn Mill Pond 1911
24-George McNish and dog Ted watering cows at the Mill Pond, directly across from St. John’s Hall
25-George McNish- Anson’s Father
26-Almira Jane Fell, Anson’s Mother
27-Home of Henry McNish, west of Lyn
28-Henry and Stanley McNish
29-Inside of Henry McNish’s Home
30-Henry Manhard’s home, Lyn
31-Anson McNish family home on Perth Street, Lyn. Photo was taken by moonlight in December 1900 at 8 pm
32-Walking on Perth Street, Lyn
33-The McCready Farm Home, located on an abandoned side road west of the Lyn Road
34- Anglican Church Rectory across from the church in Lyn
35-Lyn Valley in the winter
36-Walking on the bridge over the creek on what is now the Lyn Valley Road
37-Gerald Hanna and Family
38-Gerald Hanna and Family
38-Gerald Hanna and Family
40-Harris, Stanley and Mabel Hanna
41-Mable Hanna
42-Harris Hanna 1894
43-Harris Hanna and Clarence Green
44-Edith and Sherwood Hanna 1894
45-Earnest Cumming
46-Boys with a dog sled, Main Street Lyn
47-Lloyd Hanna and Florence Boyd
48-James and Maggie Lee’s Home in Lyn
49-Albert and Alfred McCready, Lyn
50-Henry McNish-1905
51-McNish Family- 1905
52-Addie, Henry and Edith McNish
53-Pals in Lyn
54-Unfortunately this is a great photo without names
55-Another Group photo without names
56-Christmas at Elm Grove, Lyn in 1905
57-Christmas in 1906 at Springbrook, Lyn
58-Valentines Day Party, 1906 at the Cedars, Lyn
59-Friends on a fence
60-Farewell Gathering at G.A. Purvis, Lyn – 1907
61-Farewell Gathering at G.A.Purvis, Lyn- 1907
62-School Sled going to BCI in Brockville – 1906