Throssel, Richard, -1933

Throssel (1882-1933) was born in Washington state of Cree Indian and English descent. He worked as an office clerk at the Crow Indian Reservation in south-central Montana from 1902-1910 and was adopted by the Crow tribe in 1905. While at the reservation he met photographer Edward S. Curtis, and was briefly instructed by him. Throssel became a field photographer for the Crow reservation before he established his own photography studio, the Throssel Photocraft Company, in Billings, Montana, in 1910.

From the description of Papers, 1900-1993 (bulk 1902-1933). (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 30697554

Throssel (1882-1933) was born in Washington state of Cree Indian and English descent. He worked as an office clerk at the Crow Indian Reservation in south-central Montana from 1902-1910 and was adopted by the Crow tribe in 1905. While at the reservation he met photographer Edward S. Curtis, and was briefly instructed by him. Throssel became a field photographer for the Crow reservation before he established his own photography studio, the Throssel Photocraft Company, in Billings, Montana, in 1910.

Richard Throssel was born on September 18, 1882, in Marengo, Washington. His maternal heritage was, in part, Cree Indian, while his father was of English descent. In 1902 Throssel was employed as an office clerk at the Crow Reservation Agency in south central Montana. There is evidence that Throssel identified to some degree with Indian people, and he was later legally adopted by the Crow. He also learned to speak and "sign" the Crow language.

While at the reservation Throssel developed his photography and painting skills. He tried his hand at painting under the guidance of Joseph Henry Sharp, founder of the Taos School of Artists. It was also at the agency that Throssel met photographer Edward S. Curtis and for a brief period Throssel was instructed by Curtis.

Throssel decided to pursue a career in photography and became a field photographer for the Crow Agency. In 1910 he left the agency to open a photography studio in Billings, Montana, where he continued to photograph and paint Indian subjects.

Throssel married Florence Pifer in 1904. They had two daughters, Vera and Alberta. Richard Throssel passed away on June 10, 1933, at Camp Cooney, Montana.

See Box 57 for "The Photography of Richard Throssel: an Annotated Bibliography" by Peggy Albright.

From the guide to the Richard Throssel papers, 1900-1993, 1902-1933, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)