This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Baumgarten,Schwerer, Schlattman,Shepherd, Varneys,Brace Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/4EC.2ACE/889 Message Board Post: The photographic studio of E.A. Baumgarten occupies the west half of the Barnes Building, second floor. Mr. Baumgarten's location in Tomah was quite recent, but he came thoroughly equiped in his art and has given close attention to it,doing a superior class of work, he has quickly established a good business. Mr. Baungarten's boyhood was spent in Morristown,Minn. After leaving college he went to St. Paul and there learned photography in the studio of the Schlattman Bros, leading photographers of that city. He remained there for six years and perfected himself in the various branches of the business, The next year he was with H. Shepherd another photogrrapher of the same city after which he was employed for a portion of the year by Zimmerman Bros. wholesale dealers in photographic supplies, to conduct a gallery at Stillwater, Minn. From there he went to La Crosse,Wis. and took charge of Varney's the leading studio in that city, remaing there a year. In January 1894 he came to Tomah and bought the Brace Gallery , located in the old Barnes building, where he remained til the fire in September. He found temporary quarters until the new Barnes Block was completed. About October 1st he moved into the new studio, whiich is declared by traveling men one of the finest in the state. it is especially painted for artistic effects and the lighting is perfectly suited to the demands of the artist. The cheerful rooms are handsomely furnished and provied with ever convenience for the customers. Mr. Baumgarten's studio is supplied with the best apparatus and he late added a fine line of scenery and backgrounds, which are such important aids to artistic work. He aims to make his work as nearly perfect as possible in every particular, and treats all customers with the same courtesy and consideration. There has been a remarkable increase in the business since Mr. Baumgarten took hold of it and he has no dull times now. Parties wanting the best class of work do not have to go away to the cities to obtain it, whether it be in photograpy, and copying,enlarging, or anything that pertains to the business. Mr. Baumgarten has been fortunate in having so competant and trustworthy an assistant as Miss Hattie Schwerer, who has been employed in his studio constantly. She is liked by everyone and performs her duties to the satisfaction of customers as well as to her employer. Source is "Tomah Journal" dated November 16, 1895. Ann