Duluth Mystery Photo #7: Mr. Green

Looks like he has some kind of badge.

Minnesota Historical Society lists a photographer Frank E. Green with several locations in Duluth from 1880 to 1910.

So it seems F. E. Green is the photographer. According to the Minnesota Historical Society info referenced above, Green worked in two Duluth studios -- Thiel's and Cormany's -- before he bought Stigleman's gallery at 1528 W. Michigan St. in 1888. 

He moved around  town a bunch, but had two other West End studios -- 7 Garfield Ave. around 1889 to 1890, and 1627 W. Superior St. around 1894-1895.

Now how do we figure out who the handsome fellow, perhaps wearing a badge, could be?

No doubt this gentleman belonged to some fraternal organization.  Maybe he was an Owl?

That badge looks more like a law enforcement badge than a fraternal pin.  Could he be a sheriff or police chief from the era?

What's the thing hanging off the ribbon-type apparatus in front?  It's too small to be a watch, isn't it?

Look up images of antique fraternal organization fobs and pins, and I think you'll recognize that's what you've got there. What kind of organization? West Enders favored Odd Fellows... Owls ... Woodsmen... probably others. You'd have to look to see what was around then.

His coat is vaguely nautical. Could he have been a harbormaster or some such? Lighthouse keeper?