Hide Article Text (OCR)
Photographers Record History Through YearsMany changes and advancements have taken place since the .days of the old daguerroeotypes. A Paris scene painter discovered the process of taking pictures in ,1839, but Professor John Draper of the University of New York took the first sun-lit picture of the human face in 1840.The old daguerreotypes were .very expensive and required a long, tedious sitting with only one picture possible from the efforts.Fortunately, George Eastman .developed the kodak which led to a big business—both in pictures taken at home and in the studio.Before the turn, of the century the cost of a camera probably accounted for the opening of studios, at least in part. Most could not afford to purchase the necessary equipment and therefore relied upon the professional for any pictures wanted.According to an old -history book .(copyright 1919), the first photographer in Cresco was Mrs. F. ,A, Jewett.Another early photographer was Merrill Bowers. Cresco residents who still have old pictures in the attic can recognize h i s .prints by the mark SuccessfulI Failures.” It is not known whether or not Mr. Bowers intended some paradoxical implication by his mark.Also about the same lime (1890) Solberg’s Star Photograph Gallery was serving the public. It was located in a temporary building about where Bilimyers furniture store is now.Other names that might be found on old prints are A. B. Schafer or A. B. Gilbert (Home Studio) or F. E. Russell and Son.Early in the century the Reece studio was located the second door down from the old post office, now occupied by Davis Paint store. Mrs. Frank Sayre bought it he studio but her pictures were always m a r k e d “-C. Aminoff Bioomcjuist.” Using her maiden name, Mrs. Sayre called her place of business Bloomquist .studio.Mrs. Sayre sold the studio April lb, .1924, to C. L. Converse of .Cedar Rapids. Mrs. Sayre moved to Decorah where Mr. Sayre had had his li o m e for years. Mr. Sayre, a native of Cresco, was a lawyer for years.After 16 years in the photographic business, Mr. Converse sold to F. H. Strathman, w h o still .maintains the studio, even though it has moved across the street. Mr. Converse retired at that lime; he died shortly afterwards.Still another photographer in business about the turn of t h e century was C. D. Taylor. His studio was located over Nomelz and Wildman, which is now occupied by Harrisons variety store. 'I1 h e building was formerly the Fields furniture store., J. A. Lind, who had been a photographer for 35 years, replaced Mr, Taylor in 1922. Mr. Lind came to Cresco from Rochester, Minnesota, but lie had previously been engaged in pholographic work in Des Moines.Making his lotul experience 58 years, Mr. Lind retired in 1947 and turned over the business to Edward Vobr. Mr. Vobr had been a photographer most of the four years he served in the army.Mr. Vobr had been in businessonly -three years when he sold toAt Rucker and his assistant Kenny Schock. Mr. Rucker called the place Reliable Studio.” Four years later the business again changed hands: Richard Fraser of Mason City moved to Cresco to •Like up the business.Mr, Fraser was first located upstairs and to the rear part of Harrison’s 5-tO. He moved to the old Kellow grocery building in 1958, however. He remained at that location for almost 10 years and then moved his studio to hisnew home east on highway nine.Mr. Fraser also maintains a studio in N e w Hampton, working there two days a. week.People are indebted to Mr. Daguerre’s discovery of 1889. What .better way to recall the gold old days in Cresco?
Newspaper Details
Cresco Times Plain Dealer
Cresco, Iowa, US
Wed, Jun 15, 1966
Page 34
Full Page
Clipped by
Mike B.
IA, USA 02 Mar 2021
Other Publications Near Cresco, Iowa
Twice A Week Plain Dealer
Cresco Plain Dealer
Cresco Iowa Plain Dealer
Atlas of Howard County Iowa
Cresco Times Plain Dealer
