Bio of BRUSH, James A. (b.1846 d.1906), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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JAMES A. BRUSH - Vol II, pg 596-597
James A. Brush was one of the first photographers of Minneapolis and always
maintained his position as one of the foremost representatives of the art in
this city. Throughout his career he kept in touch with the various progressive
steps that were made in connection with photography and his work was always of
the highest class. Born in Detroit, Michigan, on the 27th of August, 1846, he
was a son of Thomas and Amanda Brush, who were also natives of that state. His
education was acquired in the Capitol school of Detroit, where he continued his
studies to the age of fourteen years. He had lost his father when four years of
age and ten years later he found it necessary to provide for his own support,
which he did by securing work in a photograph gallery of his native city. He
thoroughly acquainted himself with the business in prin­ciple and detail,
learning the latest and most approved processes of photography, and at the age
of eighteen years he opened a gallery of his own, conducting business in Detroit
until 1875. In that year he removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he spent one
year and on the expiration of that period he came to Minneapolis, opening a
photo­graphic studio at No. 223 Nicollet avenue. There he remained in business
for several years, after which he removed to 609 Nicollet avenue, establishing
his business where the Glass block is now located, where he continued for a
number of years. His next removal took him to 601-3-5 Hennepin avenue, and in
1898, to Nos. 33-35 South Sixth street, where he remained to the. time of his
death. He was one of the earliest pho­tographers of the city and occupied a
leading position in his profession from the time of his arrival here until his
demise. The work which he turned out was most artistic in character and perfect
in finish and he seemed to possess a strong faculty for catching a likeness and
bringing forth in his pictures the real character of the individual.
In 1865 Mr. Brush was married to Miss Alice Sprague, a daughter of C. C. and
Mary M. Sprague of Detroit. They became parents of five children: Edmund A.;
Bert J., William and Henry Brush, all three of whom have passed away; and
Stanley L. Edmund A. succeeded to the business which was established by his
father, and is now located at No. 1912 Hennepin avenue.
The family circle was broken by the hand of death on the 22d of May, 1906, when
Mr. Brush was called to his final rest. He was a lifelong republican, interested
in the success of the party, and he was also identified with the Commercial
Club. He likewise belonged to the Minneapolis Athletic Club and he gained many
friends during the period of his residence in this city, the circle of his
friends being almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
Fraternally he was a prominent Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine.