Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1832, Addis migrated to Lawrence, Kansas in 1850. He worked as a photographer's assistant for Thomas Short, learning the art of photography and gradually securing his own clients under Short's guidance.
Adis, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1832, moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 1850. He began his career as an assistant to photographer Thomas Short, learning the craft of photography and eventually gaining clients on his own through Short's guidance.