James McClees (1821-1887) was born in Chester City, Pa. His family moved to Philadelphia in 1829, and he was reported to have begun his photographic career in 1844, working for M.P. Simons. In 1847, McClees was listed as a daguerreian at 80-1/2 Walnut St., Philadelphia, in partnership as McClees and Germon, with Washington L. Germon. From 1848 to 1855 he was listed as a daguerreian, in the same partnership with Germon, at the southeast corner of Eighth and Chestnut Streets. This was probably the same address as 182 Chestnut St. In 1854 and 1855 the firm was listed at 160 Chestnut Street. In 1854, McClees traveled to Boston to learn photographic processes from John W. Black. One source also reported that in 1854 McClees and Germon moved their studio to 626 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, a location where they had been previously burned out. Source: Craig's Daguerreian Registry.
