An unidentified well dressed couple pose for their portrait at the Lidberg studio in Red Wing, Minnesota. Note the woman’s thin waist, indubitably assisted by a very tight corset. She and her husband are both wearing corsages which hints that this image is a wedding photograph. Andrew Lidberg emigrated from Sweden and arrived in Michigan in 1877. He opened a photographic studio in Red Wing in 1892. His son, Edward H. Lidberg (1880-?) joined his father in the photography business. He operated in Red Wing for a number of decades. Among his addresses were 312-314 West Avenue and 443 Third. In 1911, Edward added a Real Estate business to his studio. In 1911, he produced Red Wing’s first color postcards. Red Wing has an interesting history. The town was named after a Sioux Indian chief. Red Wing was a leading US wheat production area in the 1870’s. The town was also known for the production of stoneware. It is believed that the first ski club in the United States was formed in Red Wing.
A WELL DRESSED COUPLE IN RED WING, MINNESOTA
PORTRAIT OF A HANDSOME COUPLE: JOE AND ANNE SCHWEITZER IN CANTON, OHIO
Jacob S. Wissler operated a “Photographic Art Studio” at 129 Walnut Street in Canton, Ohio. According to an inscription on the reverse of this image, in 1889, “Joe and Aunt Ann Schweitzer” visited the studio to obtain a portrait. The result of their photographic venture is seen above. The Schweitzer’s appear in the 1920 and 1930 US census. Joe was born in 1876 in Ohio and he and his wife (listed as Anna M. Schweitzer) were living in Canton with their twenty year-old daughter (Leona M.). Joe’s parents were both born in Germany. In the 1920 census, Joe was working as a machine operator for a Roller Bearing company. Just ten years later, in 1930, Joe was both widowed and unemployed.
WEDDING COUPLE IN CLEVELAND, OHIO
Frank Becker, a photographer in Cleveland, Ohio, produced this wedding portrait. The bride is wearing a long white floral veil and the couple clearly spent some money at their local florist. The groom has a handsome mustache. As frequently seen in wedding photographs from the cabinet card era, the groom is seated and the bride stands. Perhaps the reason for this type of pose is to showcase the bride’s wedding gown. Frank Becker was an active photographer in Cleveland between 1886 and 1900 or later. He was born in Germany in 1865 and emigrated to the United States in 1881.
PHOTOGRAPH OF WEDDING COUPLE EXHIBIT AT AMERICA’S FIRST WAX MUSEUM
This photograph features an exhibit from America’s first wax museum. Note how real the wax bride and groom appear in this exhibit. The groom is sitting in a decorative chair and wearing a pocket watch and corsage. The bride is wearing a wedding band, flowers, and a bridal veil. Her dark wedding dress is beaded and intricately ornate. This wedding couple looks so real. In fact, they are real. They just look waxen. No offense is meant toward this couple. They are probably posing the way they photographer had instructed them. The photographic process was not generous to their appearance. Writing this description caused me to wonder when wax museums came into existence. Research quickly revealed that the first wax museum originated some time in the early 18th century. However, the creation and use of wax figures for ceremonies occurred many years before that. This cabinet card presents a mystery that I was unable to resolve despite spending quite a bit of time on the endeavor. The mystery involves identifying the photographer of this image. I have copied his studio stamp that was on the reverse of this cabinet card and it can be seen above. Any attempt by the Cabinet Card Gallery’s vast unpaid research department (the gallery’s visitors) to discover the photographers identity would be appreciated. I did not find the name of the photographer to be legible. It also didn’t help that no town, city, or state was listed. For those up to the challenge, good luck in your search.
WELL DRESSED COUPLE IN MONROE, WISCONSIN
A well dressed couple pose for their portrait at the White studio in Monroe, Wisconsin. Both individuals are wearing corsages creating a question as to whether this image is a wedding portrait. The couple are posed with the gentleman sitting and the lady standing.It is understandable why the lady isn’t sitting. It is unimaginable that she could fit in a chair while wearing such a bulky dress. I wonder if women in such dresses ever got a chance to sit down at social occasions or if they were compelled to stand for long periods of time. The reverse of this cabinet card photograph has an inscription stating “Mamie’s mother and father (Milton Schreckengost)”. Mr. Schreckengost is extremely likely to be the gentleman pictured in this photograph. Interestingly, the German translation of “Schrecken” is “something scary”. However, research found nothing scary about Milton S. Schreckengost. He was born in 1861 in Winslow, Illinois. The 1900 US census finds Milton to be living with his wife Susan and their four year old daughter, Gladys. He and Susan had been married in 1894 and Milton was working as a farmer. The family was living in Buckeye, Illinois. The couple remained in Buckeye during the 1920 and 1930 census. Milton’s occupation was listed as laborer in both surveys but he was likely a farm laborer. On 8/5/1940, Milton died in Buckeye and was buried in Cedarville, Illinois. Susan died around three years earlier. Milton’s death certificate lists his occupation as “farmer”. Further research found that Milton’s marriage to Susan was actually his second marriage. His first marriage was to Mary Musser of Orangeville, Illinois. The couple had one daughter. Mary died in 1890. In 1894 he married a second time (to Susan Kahly). The union with Susan produced Milton’s second daughter. It is not clear whether the woman in this cabinet card is Mary Musser or Susan Kahly. If your wondering why so much of Milton’s life took place in Illinois yet this photograph was taken by a Wisconsin photography studio, I have a rational answer. Buckeye, Illinois and Monroe, Wisconsin, are only 15.1 miles apart. The photographer of this image is Horatio G. White who was born in Oldtown, Maine in 1834. He was listed in a Wisconsin business directory (1875) as a photographer. SOLD
HANDSOME VICTORIAN COUPLE IN GENEVA, NEW YORK
A handsome young Victorian couple pose for their portrait at the Wood studio in Geneva, New York. The gentleman in the photograph has a long mustache, a handkerchief rises from his jacket pockent, and he is displaying the chain to his pocket watch. He sits in a interesting chair that seems to be braided and designed with just one arm. The young woman is wearing a lot of jewelry including a ring, pin, and earrings. Her figure appears to be enhanced by a corset. The reverse of the cabinet card reveals some information about the photographer. Theo. H. Wood’s studio was located at 4 & 6 Seneca Street in Geneva. Theodore Wood was born in England in 1844 and immigrated to the United States in 1850. He is listed as a photographer in Geneva City directories from 1901 until 1905. The 1907 directory reports his occupation as “retired”. Wood also makes appearances in the 1900 and 1910 US census. In both surveys he is listed as single and as living as a lodger in a boarding house.
PORTRAIT OF A WEDDING COUPLE IN AUSTIN, MINNESOTA
This wedding portrait was produced by the Fairbanks studio in Austin, Minnesota. The bride is wearing a beautiful dress and veil. The groom is a handsome and wearing a fancy suit with a white bow tie. The wedding couple are wearing flowers galore. The photographer of this image is likely one of the Fairbanks brothers. In 1891,Henry Durant Fairbanks started a photography studio in Austin. He was joined by his brother, Guy L. Fairbanks in 1894. Henry Fairbanks appears in the US census (1900, 1910, and 1920). The census reveals that he was born in Vermont circa 1870. At the time of the three censuses he was married to Katie Fairbanks and was working as a photographer.
FASHIONABLE COUPLE IN RENSSELAER, INDIANA
A fashionable couple poses for their portrait at the Sharp studio in Rensselaer, Indiana. It is possible that this image is a wedding portrait. Joseph A. Sharp (1846-1903) was born in Frankfurt, Kentucky. He married Martha (Mattie) Stively (1849-1936) in 1874. Sharp’s obituary appears in the Semi Weekly Rensselaer Republican. The article states that Sharp began his photography career at age 21 while living in Ballfontaine, Ohio. He later lived in Kenton, Ohio and moved to Rensselaer in 1877. He worked about a year as a travelling photographer but the rest of his career he operated a studio in Rensselaer. The obituary asserts that one of the reasons he chose photography as a career was because at a young age he developed a hip disease which left him lame and unable to pursue a more active occupation. Sharp is buried in the Weston Cemetery in Rensselaer. Look below to see a photographic portrait of Joseph Sharp as well as an image of the tombstone he and his wife share.
ATTRACTIVE AND COOL LOOKING YOUNG COUPLE IN ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA (VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH)
This photograph features an attractive young couple posing at the studio belonging to Algot Anderson in St. Paul, Minnesota. The couple are well dressed and well coiffed. This is one very cool couple. Algot Anderson worked in St. Paul from 1894 through 1926.The photograph measures 5″ x 7″.
MAN WITH INTERESTING BEARD POSES WITH IS WIFE IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
J. B. Scholl, who operated a studio in Chicago, produced this cabinet card portrait of this lovely couple. To view other photographs by Scholl, and to learn more about him, click on the cabinet card gallery category “Photographer: Scholl (J B)”. The gentleman in the photograph combs his beard to the sides; a most unusual strategy.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 