Biography:

James E. McClees (1821–1887) was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania and as late as 1842 was living in West Nantmeal. McClees is reported to have begun his photographic career in Philadelphia in 1844, working for Montgomery P. Simons (1816–1877). In 1847, McClees was listed as a daguerrian at 80-1/2 Walnut St. in partnership with Washington L. Germon (ca. 1821–1877) as McClees and Germon. The business arrangement lasted until March 1855 when a fire caused considerable damage to their studio at 160 Chestnut Street. Washington L. Germon is more of a mystery. When he died from bronchitis in 1877, his obituary in the Philadelphia Inquirer mentioned he had been a celebrated photographer and one of the best in the city, but as much of the article is concerned with Germon’s fishing exploits. In 1849, McClees and Germon were located on the southeast corner of 8th and Chestnut.