Charles Drew Cahoon (1861-1951)
Harwich, MA
Growing Up in Harwich
Charles was born in 1861 at his grandfather's (Capt. Alvin Cahoon) house near Long Pond in the village of Pleasant Lake.
Charles's family moved Harwich Center a few years later to 20 Parallel St. Characteristically, Alvin II built most of the house. As well as sketching, Alvin built ice boats and allegedly owned the fastest one.
Charles thrived with loving parents in a close community. Like many boys of his era, he went to sea to help on his father's fishing vessel. When in port, he attended school possibly at Brooks Academy. By 12 or 13 years of age he was sketching scenes and cartoons.
While at sea with his father, in 1882, (at the age of 21) they encountered a storm. The stress and exhaustion of fighting the storm killed Alvin before they reached home. Charles never went to sea again.
The Boston Years
Charles had become fascinated with the new field of photography and spent time at neighbor, Clement Cahoon's studio. He worked for Clement for a year or two and then set out for Boston with his new skills.
Within a few years Charles' talent was recognized and he became a top retoucher. Retouching was necessary to remove blemishes and reduce the effects of movement from what we consider today, very slow cameras. A top-notch retoucher often was held in as much esteem as the principle photographer. Charles worked for several prominent Boston photographers including the Norman Photography Co. over a 20-year career.
Charles was always painting throughout his stay in Boston from the 1880s. He entered art shows in 1903 and was competing with his friends, John Joseph Enneking and Harold Dunbar among others at a show in Brockton. His paintings sold well and he received awards and attention.
He had an active social life and many friends, perhaps contributing to his particular success in sales. Charles played chess, golf, camped in Maine and became a good boxer. He came home often and became a central figure in the social life of Harwich. CDC was described as a composed, jaunty young man. He had tailor-made suits and dined at fashionable restaurants. About 1912 he drew humorous postcards as souvenirs of Cape Cod and both published and distributed them, making good money. He befriended an actress, possibly Ms. Hanson, and painted her image in a tranquil pose on a Harwich street that later became known appropriately as Lover's Lane. These were his prosperous middle years. In 1917 at the age of 56 he married a nurse, Anna May, his junior by 14 years. The marriage was very short, but produced a son, Alvin III. Charles had another 12 years of success painting and traveling between Harwich and Boston, but in 1930 his fortunes turned with the Depression and changed his live thereafter. Where he used to sell a painting for up to one hundred dollars, now he would often accept less than ten.
The Village Artist
Deciding to live in Harwich full-time, Charles continued to paint. He did not drive so he walked to local spots to paint. Often he was transported to and from painting sites by kind neighbors. He sometimes visited his brother, Bert, the lighthouse keeper on Martha's Vineyard.
Bought in Boston or on the Cape as souvenirs, Charles paintings ended up in collections beyond New England. Charles' legacy is in his ability to capture the mood and spirit of a bygone age. It is said that his paintings possess a truly evocative style.
He passed away in 1951 at the age of 90. His paintings are now highly desirable and sought by collectors both on Cape Cod and throughout the country.
Charles was born in 1861 at his grandfather's (Capt. Alvin Cahoon) house near Long Pond in the village of Pleasant Lake.
Charles's family moved Harwich Center a few years later to 20 Parallel St. Characteristically, Alvin II built most of the house. As well as sketching, Alvin built ice boats and allegedly owned the fastest one.
Charles thrived with loving parents in a close community. Like many boys of his era, he went to sea to help on his father's fishing vessel. When in port, he attended school possibly at Brooks Academy. By 12 or 13 years of age he was sketching scenes and cartoons.
While at sea with his father, in 1882, (at the age of 21) they encountered a storm. The stress and exhaustion of fighting the storm killed Alvin before they reached home. Charles never went to sea again.
The Boston Years
Charles had become fascinated with the new field of photography and spent time at neighbor, Clement Cahoon's studio. He worked for Clement for a year or two and then set out for Boston with his new skills.
Within a few years Charles' talent was recognized and he became a top retoucher. Retouching was necessary to remove blemishes and reduce the effects of movement from what we consider today, very slow cameras. A top-notch retoucher often was held in as much esteem as the principle photographer. Charles worked for several prominent Boston photographers including the Norman Photography Co. over a 20-year career.
Charles was always painting throughout his stay in Boston from the 1880s. He entered art shows in 1903 and was competing with his friends, John Joseph Enneking and Harold Dunbar among others at a show in Brockton. His paintings sold well and he received awards and attention.
He had an active social life and many friends, perhaps contributing to his particular success in sales. Charles played chess, golf, camped in Maine and became a good boxer. He came home often and became a central figure in the social life of Harwich. CDC was described as a composed, jaunty young man. He had tailor-made suits and dined at fashionable restaurants. About 1912 he drew humorous postcards as souvenirs of Cape Cod and both published and distributed them, making good money. He befriended an actress, possibly Ms. Hanson, and painted her image in a tranquil pose on a Harwich street that later became known appropriately as Lover's Lane. These were his prosperous middle years. In 1917 at the age of 56 he married a nurse, Anna May, his junior by 14 years. The marriage was very short, but produced a son, Alvin III. Charles had another 12 years of success painting and traveling between Harwich and Boston, but in 1930 his fortunes turned with the Depression and changed his live thereafter. Where he used to sell a painting for up to one hundred dollars, now he would often accept less than ten.
The Village Artist
Deciding to live in Harwich full-time, Charles continued to paint. He did not drive so he walked to local spots to paint. Often he was transported to and from painting sites by kind neighbors. He sometimes visited his brother, Bert, the lighthouse keeper on Martha's Vineyard.
Bought in Boston or on the Cape as souvenirs, Charles paintings ended up in collections beyond New England. Charles' legacy is in his ability to capture the mood and spirit of a bygone age. It is said that his paintings possess a truly evocative style.
He passed away in 1951 at the age of 90. His paintings are now highly desirable and sought by collectors both on Cape Cod and throughout the country.