I have a brilliant wedding photo to share today – the bride and groom are both handsome, a fairly normal photo with the groom sitting in the huge studio chair and his fair bride standing beside him.  But it’s just the way her elbow rests on the back of the back of the chair that takes this from an ordinary photo to a great one!

The bride wears a rather simple white eyelet dress, and a lovely veil.  Since her arm is so positioned we know she wears elbow-length white gloves, since we can see the opening at the wrist.  She carries a bouquet of white roses and her groom wears a boutonniere of tiny flowers, tied with a large bow.

This photo was taken by Glander Studios in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.  This would be blog worthy on its own, but with a little research I found an obituary for the photographer – John Glander – who spent his entire career in the studio, beginning as a photographer’s apprentice, to owning the shop, taking excellent portraits and pioneered in 35 millimeter movies.  I think you will find his story very interesting!

From Manitowoc Herald Times

February 16, 1953, P. 2

JOHN A. GLANDER

John Glander, Studio Operator, Is Dead at 66

John A. Glander, 66, of 1117A South 16th St., founder and owner of the Glander Art Studio, and engaged in photography in Manitowoc for more than 50 years, died Sunday morning at the Holy Family Hospital. Mr. Glander was stricken with a heart attack at his home late last week and was moved to the hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the First German Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which he was a member. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

He was born in Woldenberg, Germany, in 1887, son of Mr. and Mrs. August Glander. In 1892 he came with his parents to the United States, locating in Manitowoc. When he was only 15 years of age his father died and he left high school to become a photographer’s apprentice with A. J. Packard, one of the Manitowoc’s early day photographers. 

Business Expanded Rapidly 

In 1908 Mr. Glander decided to enter business and purchased the William Dumke studios at 904 Washington St. Later he moved to the Spoentgen building in the same block. He was joined in his studio for a few years by his former employer and teacher, Mr. Packard, and also WIliam Dumke. Mr. Glander’s expanding business resulted in construction of the two story art studio at 822 Washington St., and in 1925 he acquired the Henry Bode property, adjoining the studio on the east. 

Mr. Glander attained a national reputation for portrait work and his pictures of the late Senator Robert M. LaFollette Sr., former Wisconsin governor, were used during the campaign when the latter was the progressive candidate for president of the United States.

Took Carferry Pictures.

He also pioneered in 35 millimeter movies, being one of the first in the state to take these pictures in both black and white and color for commercial use. These films were extensively used by the Aluminum Goods Company and National Tinsel Company.

During the building of the City of Midland 41, flagship of the Marquette carferry fleet, in Manitowoc in 1940-41 Mr. Glander took colored progress pictures from the laying of the keel to the launching and later on the carferry’s trial runs before it was delivered to the owners. This marked the first time in Great Lakes ship construction that such a project was carried out.

This movie has been shown all over the country.

During the submarine program at the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Inc. in World War II, Mr. Glander with his brother, William, took pictures of all the launchings and ceremonies.

Mr. Glander was active for years in the Wisconsin Photographers Association, serving as secretary from 1924 to 1926, vice president in 1927 and president in 1928 and 1929. For three years, as a state director, he represented the association at national conventions.

Worked on New Techniques

He spent many hours in his studio developing the latest techniques in photography and for relaxation was an ardent musician. He sang in the choir of the Lutheran congregation and also played in the Lutheran band. He was also a member of the Freier Saengerbund singing society which flourished in the years following the turn of the century. 

Mr. Glander took an active interest in the advancement of Manitowoc. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Kewanis Club and a director for years in the Manitowoc Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He led a delegation of Washington and Eighth Street merchants before the City Council that brought to the city the first ornamental street lights in the downtown area. 

In 1910 Mr. Glander married Miss Maria Giese of this city. She survives with a son, Henry, now associated in the business with his father and uncle; daughter, Mrs. William Somerville, of Glenview, Ill.; three brothers, Fred Sr., Emil and William of Manitowoc; two sisters, Mrs. John G. Strathearn and Mrs. Oscar E. Lindemann of Manitowoc; and six grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Urbanek and Schlei Funeral Home after Tuesday noon. The casket will be moved to the church at 10 a.m. Wednesday to lie in state until hour of services Wednesday.