Dear Listers, I re-discovered a photograph which I must have downloaded back in 2007. I have no idea where I found it, only that it looked as if my father could have dressed in period clothing and posed for it. It could very well have been my great-gr-grandfather or one of his brothers. Does anyone know if the records for the Melander studio still exist and where they are kept? Elizabeth Snow
"Silas P. Melander, photographer, was born in Jönköping, Sweden, March 14, 1853. His parents emigrated to this country the following year and settled in Chicago being among the earliest Swedish inhabitants of the city. In 1866, after obtaining his elementary schooling, the son became a photographer's assistant, and two years later established himself as a photographer at 131 Lake St. Here he was burned out in the great fire of 1871, and re-established himself the next year at 88 N. Clark St. In 1879 Mr. Melander built the finest photograph studio in Chicago, located at 208 E. Ohio St., where he is still in business. Mr. Melander is a member of the Trinity English Lutheran Church, and of fraternal organizations he has chosen the I.O.O.F. At this date Mr. Melander is counted with the very few survivors of the Swedish colony in Chicago in the early fifties." I also have a photograph taken by this photographer, but at the time he was partnered with Copelin at 131 Lake St. I was able to date my photo 1868-October 1871. I have no idea if any records survive, and I can't recall offhand where the above info was taken from. -Brenda G. ----- Original Message ----- Subject: [IL-COOK-CHICAGO] old photo taken by Melander Photo, Chicago c. 1870 > Dear Listers, I re-discovered a photograph which I must have downloaded > back in 2007. I have no idea where I found it, only that it looked as if > my father could have dressed in period clothing and posed for it. It could > very well have been my great-gr-grandfather or one of his brothers. Does > anyone know if the records for the Melander studio still exist and where > they are kept? Elizabeth Snow --------------------------------------------------------------------------------