John Manierre

John Manierre died August 10, 1852, at the age of two of scarlet fever. He was buried in Graceland Cemetery. Scarlet fever is one of the many diseases for which cures have been found since this time.

This ambrotype (early photographic process) of John was taken posthumously, as if he were sleeping peacefully at home. Although we may find the idea of retaining a photo of the dead a bit creepy, this was a common use of photography in its first years.

If this photograph was taken at the family's home (southwest corner of Michigan Avenue and Jackson), more likely than at the photographer's studio) then what we see through the window is a very rare early view of this Chicago locale.