Three siblings, wearing their fanciest clothing, pose for their cabinet card portrait at the studio of J. W. Goetz, in West Bend, Wisonsin. These children have had happier days than the day they sat for this photograph. The oldest child appears to be doing her best to be stoic, but the youngest children look absolutely miserable.Their scowls at the photographer seem to say “let me out of here”. The online “Museum of Wisconsin Art” offers a biographical profile of John W. Goetz (1839-1912). He was born near Tiffin, Ohio and by 1860, he and his family moved to Buckwood, Wisconsin. In 1864 he married Mary Wagner of West Bend. He worked as a carpenter and in 1875 he partnered with Mr Bangs in a West Bend Photographic Studio. By 1887, he owned his own photography business located on Hickory Street in West Bend. He worked as a photographer in West Bend for over thirty years. After his wife died in 1901, he sold his business and moved to Marshfield, Wisconsin where he established a photography studio in nearby Marathon City. He died in 1912. This cabinet card portrait has excellent clarity and is in excellent condition (see scans). (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 