University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Flancher, Edwin, 1876- .

Photographs of the Gruettner family, 1905-1911.

UWM Manuscript Collection 32

1 cubic ft. (1 small archives box, and 2 index card boxes)

ABSTRACT: Pictures taken by Edwin Flancher of the Gruettner family of Milwaukee at their home and at their cabin at Lake Manitowish, Villas County, Wisconsin. The family is pictured in various leisure activities: fishing, hunting, swimming and preparing and eating meals. The pictures provide a sense of family recreation and leisure during the early years of the twentieth century.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection are open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: This collection of 228 photographs, 135 4 x 5 inch glass-plate negatives, and 96 print negatives documents the vacation and leisure activities of the extended Gruettner family from approximately 1905-1911 at their home in Milwaukee and at their lake cabin on Lake Manitowish, Wisconsin. Edwin Flancher took the pictures and he is often seen holding a bulb leading off of the picture. The photographs illustrate the Gruettners in various pursuits: hunting, fishing, swimming, playing cards, relaxing in hammocks, and preparing and eating meals. Also included are group and individual photographs and shots of the local scenery. Although the majority of the pictures are of their vacation trips, some show the Gruettner home in Milwaukee, including indoor and outdoor shots and group and family portraits.

People are identified on the verso of each photograph from left to right unless otherwise noted. Additional information was provided by Jack Eaton Gruettner. There are, however, some inconsistencies in Gruettner's descriptions. The home in Milwaukee is given as both 11th or 14th and Morgan Street (the home was not listed in the city directory), and names and locations are also spelled differently on occasion. In addition, Gruettner could not identify all of the people in the pictures. A "-----" indicates an unidentified person; additional information is in brackets. The exact relation of all of the people in the photographs is unclear. The family biography below describes the family network in a general sense, given the limited information on the backs of the photographs.

The photographs are numbered and arranged in the order in which they were donated. Box 1 contains two binders of photographs. One binder contains identified photographs numbered consecutively 1-134. These are the photographs listed below (please note that there is no print for photograph 118). The second binder contains unidentified photographs numbered consecutively 101-195 (please note that there is no print for 164). Box 2 contains glass-plate negatives for 1-110 of the identified photographs. Box 3 contains glass-plate negatives 111-133 of the identified photographs (please note that there is no glass-plate negative for photograph 134). There are two unidentified glass-plate negatives--135 and 136. Box 3 also holds the negatives for the unidentified photographs 101-195.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: The family relationships extend from two sisters, Emma and Louisa Hellberg, who were identical twins and born April 11, 1852. Emma and Louisa married Peter A. Barth and Gustave A. Gruettner, respectively. Emma and Peter Barth, who operated a liquor wholesale dealership at 251 Reed Avenue in Milwaukee, apparently had one child, George. George Barth became a doctor, and the first Director of Health for the City of Milwaukee in 1909. Gustave Gruettner was a dairy farmer and died in 1899. Louisa and Gustave had six children of their own: Louise (a.k.a. Lulu), Hilda, Elsa, Lorraine, Adolph and Rudolph. Elsa was a dental assistant, Hilda a school teacher and Louise married Edwin Flancher, who was a dentist. Adolph's profession is unknown.

Rudolph, who was born on January 3, 1876, graduated from South Division High School and entered Milwaukee Medical College (which later merged with Marquette University) and graduated with a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1900. He later opened up practice at 420 11th Avenue. Rudolph and Alice Eaton were married on November 24, 1903, and they three children: Catherine, Rudolph Edwin and Lorraine Madeline Gruettner.

Alice Eaton was the daughter of Barney A. and Kathryn Eaton and the sister of May, Nellie, and Ann Eaton. Barney apparently owned a fruit farm and vinegar factory on the south side of Milwaukee, near Cudahy. This establishment was also not in the city directory.

The exact kinship or family ties to other people included in the photographs has not been determined. It is not known if they are actually family or friends. It could not be determined how the Collins family and Jack Urban, for instance, fit into all of this merely from the information provided on the back of the pictures. They could be other relatives, friends of the family, or business associates. In addition, the age of the siblings in relation to each other could also not be determined.

COLLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Flancher, Edwin, 1876- . Photographs of the Gruettner family, 1905-1911. UWM Manuscript Collection 32. University Manuscripts Collection. Golda Meir Library. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

ACQUISITION: Jack Eaton Gruettner donated the collection to the University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee Golda Meir Library in December 1989. The Library transferred the collection to the Milwaukee Urban Archives in February 1990.

PROCESSING: Mark Shelstad processed the collection from December 1991 to February 1992. Charles Kempker reprocessed part of the collection in 2002.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Gruettner family--Photograph collections.
Family recreation--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Family recreation--Wisconsin--Vilas County.
Leisure--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Leisure--Wisconsin--Vilas County.
Outdoor photography.
Outdoor recreation--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Outdoor recreation--Wisconsin--Vilas County.
Photograph collections--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Photographers--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Photography of families.
Vacations--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Vacations--Wisconsin--Vilas County.
Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Vilas County (Wis.)--History--Sources.

UWM MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 42	PHOTOGRAPH
Louisa (Hellberg) Gruettner and Emma (Hellberg) Barth at the Gruettner Home at 14th and Morgan, Milwaukee, 1910	1
Croquet Game in Front of the Gruettner Barn, 1910	2
Garden at the Gruettner Farm, 1906	3
Milk Route Barn Owned by the Gruettner Family, 1906	4
Louise Collins, Nora Collins, Mrs. and Leon Flancher, Edwin Collins, Emma Barth, Louisa Gruettner, -----, Lulu Gruettner, Adolph Gruettner, -----, -----, Elsa Gruettner, 1910	5
Edwin Flancher, Location Unknown, Before 1911	6
Baby Hawks, Location Unknown, Before 1911	7
Baby Hawks, Location Unknown, Before 1911	8
[Woodland Scene], Location Unknown, Before 1911	9
[Unidentified Woman], Before 1911	10
[Unidentified Winter Street Scene], Before 1911	11
[Two Unidentified Men Sitting Atop a Cannon], Before 1911	12
[Picture of Flowers on Top of a Railing], Before 1911	13
[Unidentified People Standing on Side of a Waterfall], Before 1911	14
[Unidentified People Standing on Side of a Waterfall], Before 1911	15
[Unidentified Two Women Next to Dairy Cows and a Barn], Before 1911	16
[Unidentified Two Women Next to Dairy Cows and a Barn], Before 1911	17
[Unidentified Three People Swimming in a Lake], Before 1911	18
Lorraine, Elsa Gruettner, Rudolph Gruettner, Edwin Gruettner, Lulu Flancher, Alice Gruettner (Mrs. R.C.), 1907	19
Elsa Gruettner, 1907	20
Elsa Gruettner, With Sister Lulu Flancher, 1907	21
Elsa Gruettner, 1907	22
Edwin Flancher, D.D.S. with Model "97" Winchester (1897) near Plum Lake, Vilas County, Wisconsin, 1907	23
Dr. Edwin and Louise Flancher, Elsa Gruettner, Fishing near Manitowish, Wisconsin, 1907	24
Lulu and Edwin Flancher, D.D.S., 1907	25
Edwin and Lulu Flancher, Edwin Gruettner, Alice Gruettner, Lorraine, Elsa Gruettner, 1907	26
Aunt Lulu (Gruettner) Flancher, Lorraine, Edwin Gruettner, 1907	27
Elsa Gruettner, Lulu Flancher, Hilda Gruettner (All Sisters), At Gruettner Home, 11th and Morgan, Milwaukee, ca. 1905-1907	28
Edwin and Lulu Flancher, St. Germain Lake, 1907	29
Lulu Flancher and Elsa Gruettner, St. Germain Lake, 1907	30
Christmas at Gruettner Home, 11th and Morgan, Milwaukee, ca. 1905-1907	31
Leon Flancher, Lulu (Mrs. E.A.[Flancher]), Elsa Gruettner, Mrs. Leon Flancher, 1905.	32
Leon Flancher (Top Right), 1905	33
Dr. Rudolph Gruettner, D.D.S., 1905	34
Leon Flancher (On Right), 1905	35
Elsa, Hilda, -----, -----, Grandmother Louise Gruettner (nee Hellberg), Louise Gruettner, 1905	36
Hilda Gruettner, Grandma (Louise) Gruettner, Lulu, ----, -----, 1905	37
"Porcupine Looking," at Gruettner Farm, 1905	38
Barn at Farm of J.A. Gruettner, 14th and Morgan, Milwaukee, Widow of J.A. Gruettner, Louisa (nee Hellberg) Pictured, 1905	39
Manitowish, Near Dam Site at Rest [sp?] Lake, on the Manitowish River, 1905 (?)	40
Fresh-Water Spring "Wearing White Water Lillies," Edwin and Lulu Flancher, -----, Rudolph Gruettner, 1905 (?)	41
Edwin Flancher, Wife Lulu, and Elsa Gruettner, 1905	42
Sisters Lulu and Elsa, 1905	43
Muskego Lake (?) Wisconsin, ca. 1905-1907	44
Mrs. Louise Flancher, -----, and Muskie Fish at Plum Lake or St. Germain Lake, 1905	45
Edwin and Lulu Flancher, 1905	46
White Water Lillies -- Little Manitowish Lake, 1905	47
Mrs. Louise Flancher (nee Gruettner), undated	48
Unloading Camping Equipment from Milwaukee -- Boats, Tents, Food, etc. -- To Meet at River Crossing and Then Barge to Campsite, at Rice Creek Train Stop, Rice Creek, Villas County, Wisconsin, 1905	49
Elsa Gruettner with Model "97" Winchester Shotgun, Manitowish, 1905	50
Mrs. Louise Flancher, Manitowish, 1905	51
Mrs. Louise Flancher, Manitowish Lake, 1905	52
Pike Catch for Shipping to Milwaukee from Manitowish, Louise and Edwin Flancher with Elsa Gruettner (Standing), 1905	53
Edwin and Louise Flancher, Fred Urban, Rudolph Gruettner, 1905 (?)	54
"Picnic of a Sunday," At the Gruettner Home at 14th and Morgan, Milwaukee, 1910	55
Bay Window at the Gruettner Home, With Spittoon and Beading Drapes, 1910	56
May, Nellie, Mrs. Katheryn and Barney A. Eaton (back); Ann, Alice, and Katherine (Front) at the Lakeside Fruit Farm (B.A. Eaton), Lake Road, Cudahy, 1910	57
Milwaukee Vinegar Works, Lake Shore Drive in Cudahy, R.R., Apple Orchard in Foreground of Barney A. Eaton, Lakeside Fruit Farm, 1910	58
Facilities of Spider Lake, 1909	59
"Learning to Swim," Edwin Gruettner, 1909	60
Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Flancher (Lulu and D.D.S.), Manitowish Lake, 1909	61
Lulu and Edwin Flancher, Elsa Gruettner near Manitowish Lake, 1909	62
Manitowish River (?), 1909	63
At "Buck's [Resort]," Spider Lake, Muskie on Tree, 1909 (?)	64
-----, Muskie at Spider Lake, Manitowish, 1909 (?)	65
Campfire at Manitowish, Dr. Rudolph Gruettner and Alice, Mrs. Louise Flancher, Elsa Gruettner, 1909	66
Northwoods Lumber Camp near St. Germain, (Right to Left) Edwin and Mrs. Flancher, Fred Urban, Rudolph Gruettner, 1909	67
Dr. Edwin Flancher, D.D.S. at Manitowish Lake, 1909	68
Family of Dr. Edwin Flancher, D.D.S. "Ready for an Outing," Patterson Touring Auto, 1911	69
Aunt Lulu -- Mrs. Edwin Flancher, 1911	70
Mrs. Lulu and Edwin Flancher, Campsite at Manitowish Lake, 1911	71
Lulu Flancher, Voss Birchwood Lodge on Manitowish Lake, 1911	72
Edwin Flancher, Voss Birchwood Lodge on Manitowish Lake, 1911	73
Elsa Gruettner and Lulu Flancher, Voss Birchwood "Cabin" on Manitowish Lake, 1911	74
Fred Urban, Voss Birchwood "Cabin" at Manitowish Lake, 1911	75
Edwin A. Flancher D.D.S., -----, Rudolph C. Gruettner D.D.S., Manitowish Lake Activity, 1911.	76
Picnic at Manitowish Campsite, Edwin and Lulu Flancher, -----, -----, Katheryn, Alice, Edwin, Lorraine Gruettner, -----, George Barth, Elsa Gruettner, 1911	77
Picnic at Manitowish Campsite, Louise and Edwin Flancher, -----, Alice, Katheryn, Edwin, Lorraine Gruettner, Elsa Gruettner, 1911.	78
Picnic at Manitowish Campsite, Edwin and Louise Flancher, -----, Alice, Katheryn, Lorraine, Edwin Gruettner, -----, George Barth, Elsa Gruettner, 1911	79
Campsite Picnic at Manitowish Lake, Louise Flancher, -----, -----, Katheryn, Alice (Mother), Edwin and Lorraine Gruettner, George Barth, Elsa Gruettner, 1911	80
"Going for a Swim," Spider Lake, 1911	81
Rudolph Gruettner, Edwin Flancher and Mrs. (Lulu), 1911	82
Lulu Flancher (Standing), Elsa Gruettner (Facing - Seated), Manitowish Lake, 1911	83
Edwin Flancher, Lulu Flancher, George Barth, Elsa Gruettner, Adolph Gruettner, Alice and Rudolph Gruettner, 1911	84
George Barth, Edwin Flancher, Alice Gruettner, Lulu Flancher, Elsa Gruettner, Rudolph Gruettner, Edwin Gruettner, Katheryn Gruettner, Lorraine Gruettner., Floating dock at Koerner's Resort on Spider Lake, Manitowish, 1911	85
Campsite near Manitowish Lake, 1911	86
Manitowish Lake, Louise (Lulu) and Edwin Flancher D.D.S., 1911	87
Manitowish Lake, Voss Birchwood Lodge, Campfire Ceremony and Costumes, Standing: Edwin Flancher D.D.S., Mrs. Alice (Rudolph) Gruettner, Elsa Gruettner (Dental Assistant to Uncle Edwin), Hilda Gruettner (School Teacher), Rudolph Gruettner D.D.S., Seated: Edwin Gruettner, Birelli [sp?] (Chef from Pfister Hotel), Lorraine Gruettner ("Rain-in-the-Face"), Kathryn Gruettner ("Kick-Hole-in-the-Sky"), 1911	88
Campsite of Future Cottage, Manitowish, Edwin Flancher D.D.S., Elsa Gruettner (Dental Assistant), Louise Flancher, 1911	89
Camping on Site of Future Cottage, Manitowish Lake, Edwin and Louise Flancher, 1911	90
Camping _____, Manitowish Lake, 1911	91
Spider Lake, Manitowish, Going for a Swim, Katheryn, Edwin, Lorraine Gruettner, Elsa Gruettner (Aunt of Katheryn, Edwin and Lorraine], Louise Flancher, -----, -----, Alice and Rudolph Gruettner, George Barth, 1911	92
Fred Urban, With Winchester Model "95," Lever-Action Shotgun, John Browning Design, Leaning on Railing, Percussion Black Powder Rifle or Musket, 1905	93
Lulu Flancher, Rudolph Gruettner, Edwin Flancher, Fred Urban, Plum Lake, 1905	94
Plum Lake Cabin, Fred Urban, Rudolph Gruettner, Edwin Flancher, and Lulu (nee Gruettner), 1905	95
Rudolph Gruettner, Louise Flancher, -----, Fred Urban, '97 Winchester and .22 Small Bore Rifle on Wall, St. Germain Cabin, 1905	96
Edwin and Louise Flancher and Elsa Gruettner, Old Logging Road in Marsh (Bulb to Kodak Camera -- 4 x 5 Plate), 1905	97
Packing Pike for Shipment (Moss and Ferns), Walleye Pike on Ice, Edwin and Louise Flancher and Elsa Gruettner, Manitowish, 1905	98
Packing Walleye Ppike for Shipment (Ice, Moss and Ferns) from Manitowish, Edwin and Louise Flancher and Elsa Gruettner, 1905	99
Mrs. Lulu Flancher with Shotgun Model "97" Winchester near St. Germain Lake, 1905	100
[Unidentified Woman Reading at Cabin], undated	101
[Unidentified Man and a Boy Making Ice Cream], undated	102
[Unidentified People on a Bridge over a River], undated	103
[Unidentified Man Standing on a Bridge Over a River], undated	104
Alice Gruettner, Fred Urban, Rudolph Gruettner, undated	105
Dr. Rudolph and Alice Gruettner and Dr. Edwin Flancher, undated	106
Lulu Flancher, Camping at Manitowish, undated	107
Camping at Manitowish Lake. -----, -----, Lulu Flancher, Lorraine Gruettner, 1911	108
Edwin and Lulu Flancher, Camping at Manitowish Lake, 1911	109
Facilities a la Nature!, Courtesy of Diamond Match Co., [Gruettner's Outside Toilet on Their Camping Trips, Made from a Diamond Match Company Wooden Box], 1911	110
Sleeping Tent, Elsa Gruettner, Lulu and Edwin Flancher, 1911	111
Fred Urban and Rudolph Gruettner, Manitowish Lake, 1911	112
Camp Dinner near Manitowish, Rudolph Gruettner, D.D.S., Elsa Gruettner, Alice Gruettner, Louise (Lulu) Flancher, 1909	113
Spider Lake, Manitowish, Friends of the Family, 1909	114
Dr. Edwin Flancher D.D.S. and Muskie, Manitowish Lake, 1909	115
Elsa Gruettner, Lulu and Edwin Flancher near Manitowish Lake, 1909	116
Manitowish Lake. Elsa Gruettner, Louise (Gruettner) Flancher, Alice Gruettner (Mrs. R.C. Gruettner), 1909	117
Elsa Gruettner and Louise Flancher, Fishing near Manitowish, 1909	118
Voss Deer Park Lodge, Manitowish Lake, 1910	119
-----, Alice and Rudolph Gruettner D.D.S., at Buck's Spider Lake Dock, Muskie and Old Town Boat with 1911 Evinrude Motor, 1911 (?)	120
Louise (Lulu) and Edwin Flancher D.D.S., -----, Rudolph Gruettner D.D.S., Sieving for Bait Minnows, Manitowish River, 1911	121
Adolph Gruettner, George P. Barth (M.D.), Edwin and Lorraine Gruettner, Lulu Flancher, Elsa Gruettner, Alice, Katheryn, and Rudolph Gruettner (D.D.S.), -----, Sieving for Minnows, Evinrude Outboard Motor, Manitowish River, 1911	122
Campsite, Manitowish Lake, Dining Tent, 1911	123
A "Wherry" or "Rhinelander's Guide Boat," Manitowish Lake (?), 1911	124
Campsite, Manitowish Lake, Cook Tent, Elsa Gruettner, Louise Flancher (Sister), 1911	125
Camping on Site of Future Cottage, Manitowish Lake, Elsa Gruettner, Sister of Louise, Edwin Flancher D.D.S., 1911	126
Spider Lake, Manitowish Lake, Buck's Resort Dock, Mrs. Louise Flancher and Sister Elsa Gruettner with Katheryn Gruettner, age 2+, Floating Pier with Minnow Bait Tank in Center, Old Town Boats on Left, Evinrude Motors, 1911	127
Lulu Flancher, Fred Urban, Edwin Flancher, Rudolph Gruettner, Sieving for Minnows, Manitowish Lake, 1911	128
Alder Lake, Loveless Mill or Pinery, 1909	129
Rest Lake, Side Paddleboat for Logging, 1909	130
Rudolph and Alice Gruettner (Rice Creek?), 1909	131
Rice Lake or River, Dr. Rudolph Gruettner D.D.S., Dr. Edwin A. Flancher D.D.S., 1909	132
Corderoy Road (For Logging) near Alder Lake, Leading to Loveless Lumber Mill. Elsa Gruettner, Lulu and Edwin Flancher (With Kodak Camera Box and Remote Bulb), 1907	133
Manitowish Action, Lulu, Elsa and Edwin Flancher, "Walleye Catch of the Day," Getting Ready to Pack and Ship, 1905	134