Fifteen daguerreotypes depicting images of Sauk, Fox, and Iowa Native Americans, as well as two non-native men. A few daguerreotypes have accompanying text etched onto the surface or on the back of the daguerreotype describing the subject in the photograph. Possibly added by Thomas Easterly, these are listed in quotations next to the title for each daguerreotype when known.

These include images of prominent Sauk and Iowa leaders such as Chief Keokuk (Watchful Fox), Opponoos (Children’s chief), and Nacheninga (No Heart). There are also images of merchant James Kirker and frontiersman J.M. White.

Keokuk (circa 1780–June 1848) was a chief of the Sauk or Sac tribe in central North America, and for decades was one of the most recognized Native American leaders and noted for his accommodation with the U.S. government. Keokuk moved his tribe several times and always acted as an ardent friend to non-natives. His policies were contrary to fellow Sauk chief Black Hawk, who led part of their band to defeat in the Black Hawk War, was later returned by U.S. forces to Keokuk's custody, and who died a decade before Keokuk.