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Ensminger

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Re: Ensminger Brothers - Photographers

sandramcintyre1  (View posts) Posted: 26 Jan 2006 6:12AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Ensminger
Hazel Lang, I just read your message of June 2000 about the Ensminger Brothers Photographers. I have recently been exploring my Ensminger line, and my g-g-grandfather, Jefferson Clay Ensminger, was one of the two Ensminger Brothers.

Below is what I found in an online site from the State Historical Society of Iowa Archives:
http://www.iowahistory.org/archives/research_collections/
special_collections/av_collections_ic/Iowa%20Photographs/
Stereo%20Photographers,%20A-Z.htm.

Regards,
Sandra McIntyre

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ENSMINGER, Jefferson C. (1845-?)

The Ensminger Brothers had their studio in Independence, Buchanan County, in the 1860s through the 1890s. The studio was in Ungerer's Block, No. 3 Main Street. Jefferson worked with his brother, Madison, as the Ensminger Brothers. They were the sons of E. M. Ensminger, an eastern photographer. A cabinet photo of Jefferson C. Ensminger, taken by "Mad" (Madison) exists. In 1870 census, Jefferson was 27 and had been born in Ohio. In 1880 census, he is listed as 38 with wife, Amanda L. who was 31. Two children, Fred P., aged 3, and Mary B., aged 1, both born in Iowa.

The History of Buchanan County, Iowa, 1881, pp. 271-272, provides the following information: Ensminger Brothers, established about 1870 give special attention to copying and enlarging; three persons constantly employed. The firm consists of J. E. Ensminger and J. M. Ensminger and are located in Ungerer's block upstairs. This enterprising firm engaged in photography in the city of Independence, consisting of J. C. and J. M. Ensminger, was organized in the year 1870. The senior partner, Mr. J. C. Ensminger, was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1843. His father being a photographer, he commenced when only a boy, to make himself well acquainted with the business. When he became a man his design to become proficient as an artist led him to Cleveland, Newark, and Columbus, Ohio. Also to New York City and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was connected with some of the finest galleries in the country. Sparing neither time nor money to make himself master of the photographers are, in all its branches. In the year 1868, he came to Independence where he has since been engaged in the business. Mr. J. C. Ensminger was married in Waterford, Vermont, in 1872, to Miss Amanda Brown. They have a family of two children, Freddie and Mary, aged three and five respectively. Mr. J. M. Ensminger was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1845. He associated himself with his father in the photograph business in Ashland, Ohio, principally prior to coming to Independence, which was in the year 1870 at which time he and his brother engaged as partners. Mr. J. M. Ensminger was married in this county, in 1877, to Miss Alice Anderson, a resident of this county. Both brothers are listed in the 1881 Gazetteer as being in Independence.

There are nineteen examples of this photographer's work in the SHSI collection. NSA reports they used the term Photographers & Publishers of Stereoviewsand issued local scenery to #61; things such as ice storm scenes, fire of Nov. 1873, numbers 20 before and after, of Ft. Meyers, Florida in the late 1880s, of Jacksonville, 1901. They moved to Florida from Iowa in 1885. Sanford, Florida, in 1886 is listed and Park Ave., Sanford, Florida, in 1900.

ENSMINGER, J. MADISON

Shared studio in Independence, Buchanan County, in the 1860s-1880s with his brother, Jefferson, as the Ensminger Brothers. They were the sons of E. M. Ensminger, an eastern photographer. For more information, see above (Jefferson C. Ensminger).
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SubjectAuthorDate Posted
Peggy Stalter 27 Jan 2000 10:50AM GMT 
Rturn2US 3 May 2000 9:29AM GMT 
HazelL 4 Jun 2000 7:21PM GMT 
Rturn2US 5 Jun 2000 9:22AM GMT 
Robert Cruit 27 Oct 2000 9:32PM GMT 
Nancy 4 Jun 2000 9:31PM GMT 
Rturn2US 5 Jun 2000 9:37AM GMT 
HazelL 5 Jun 2000 6:26PM GMT 
Nancy Hedges 5 Jun 2000 7:44PM GMT 
sandramcintyr... 26 Jan 2006 6:12AM GMT 
   
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