Manitoba Photographers: Alexander Addison Blake Sovereen (1863-1942)

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Alexander Addison Blake Sovereen
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Work Locations | Samples | Sources

Born in Norfolk County, Ontario on 26 June 1863, he came to Manitoba with his wife in 1899 and worked as a photographer at the tent town near Minitonas, later moving to Swan River where he lived for the rest of his life. He retired from photography in 1914, selling his studio to William B. Finley. He and wife Violet Marie Winter (1871-1934) had three adopted children: Dorothy Laurine Sovereen (b 1899, wife of Abel Helps), Richard Sovereen (b 1899), and Ruth Pauline Tumak (1917-2013, wife of George H. Woods). He was killed by an intruder to his home at Swan River on 6 March 1942.

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Swan Valley Historical Museum (Swan River)

Work location(s)

Year(s)

Address

1899

Minitonas Tent Town

1900-1916

Swan River

Sources:

1911 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

“Announcement,” Swan River Star, 11 June 1914, page 4.

[Craig & Spriggs advertisement], Swan River Star, 24 November 1916, page 8.

“Swan River pioneer dies,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 July 1934, page 4.

“Woods – Sovereen,” Winnipeg Free Press, 22 October 1935, page 10.

Death registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

“Swan River pensioner dies after attack,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 March 1942, page 1.

“Addison B. Sovereen,” Winnipeg Free Press, 21 March 1942, page 10.

“Must stand trial on murder charge,”Winnipeg Free Press, 4 April 1942, page 9.

Obituary [Ruth Pauline Woods], Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services.

We thank Nonni Jonsson for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 7 October 2019

Manitoba Photographers: 1858 to Present

A list of professional photographers who have worked in Manitoba, from 1858 to the present, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society.

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Gordon Goldsborough & Manitoba Historical Society. All rights reserved.