Two Stories: Jacob Sedlacek and Henry Strasburg, Omaha, c. 1880, Part Two

Yesterday's post looked at the image of Jacob Sedlacek, the subject of this carte de visite.  Today we see what can find out about the photographer, Henry Strasburg of Omaha, Nebraska.  I'll warn you now, it's a sad story.

In 1870 Henry is living in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa and is employed as a photographer.  The census tell us that he was born around 1845 in Prussia.  He is sharing a place with Ernest Mueller, a fellow  photographer, and Ernest Burhom, a watchmaker.  I couldn't find a studio owned by Ernest Mueller or Henry Strasburg in Council Bluffs, but there is one owned by Joseph Mueller, which was in operation from 1865 until the 1870s, save for a short time in 1866 after the studio burnt to the ground and was rebuilt.  Joseph Mueller had a second studio in Omaha, and if Henry Strasburg worked for Mueller,  this may provide a reason why Strasburg ended up there. (Source: Pioneer photographers from the Mississippi to the continental divide by Peter E. Palmquist, page 455) 
 
Henry was born in 1845, Germany according to the 1880 US Census for Omaha.  His wife, Elizabeth, was born in Kentucky in 1849.  They had four children in 1880:  Rosalie, age six, Heinrich, four; Ottilie, two; and Elise, 6 months.  Henry is listed in the Omaha City Directory for the years 1878 to 1883.  His photographic studio is located at 220 South 13th Street.

I found a website online with a history of the eldest son, Heinrich, which tells us that Henry, Sr. died sometime around 1884, of influenza, shortly after losing both his wife and daughter to the same illness.  This left son Heinrich, and another brother, George, as orphans.  George was adopted by a family, while Heinrich, at the young age of eight, went to work. Note:  I have not been able to find a George Strasburg in any records. This could mean George was born after the 1880 census.

The Douglas County Nebraska Marriage 1854-1881 book, page 150, provided more details about Henry Strasburg's parentage, as well as his wife's.  Henry's parents were Henry and Rosa (Schindler) Strasburg.  Henry (b. ca 1845) married Elise Hocket, age 25, born Louisville, KY.  They were married 21 August 1873.

Since the children of Henry Strasburg were scattered after their parents' deaths, and did not get placed with family, it is probably an indication that the Hocket and Strasburg grandparents were either dead or could not accept the children.

Image of Jacob Sedlacek, photographed by Henry Strasburg

Happy New Year to the Streib Family, North Dakota, 1907

This card was mailed from Brooklyn, NY and postmarked  December 20, 1907.  It is addressed to "Mr. William Streib & Family, New Salem, North Dakota" and signed "from your Sister & Family, E. Behlert"

The Streib Family was a straightforward search.  They appear in the 1910 Census, living in New Salem, North Dakota. The family consists of:

William, head of household, b. 1863, Germany
Mary, wife, b. abt. 1864, Austria
Anna, daughter, b. abt. 1892, Illinois
Elmer, son, b. abt. 1894, Illinois
Martha, daughter, b. abt. 1896, Illinois
Esther, daughter, b. abt. 1899, Illinois

William came to the US from Germany in 1881. I found his passenger record:  March 21, 1881 on the ship P. Caland, from Rotterdam to New York.  He was 17 years old and seems to have been travelling alone.

Esther's birth record, dated Nov 28, 1898 from Chicago, IL lists Mary's maiden name as Mueller. 

I haven't figured out whose sister "E. Behlert" is yet.  I found an Elizabeth Behlert on the 1911 US Federal Census in Brooklyn, with husband, Charles Behlert.  I haven't found a document listing Elizabeth's maiden name.  I will follow that possibility some more, and if I find anything new, will post an update here.

Don't you just love the artwork on this postcard?  It was made in Germany.

Happy New Year, Everyone! 

Update January 3, 2012:  This postcard, along with a second one, addressed to Esther Streib, have been reunited with William Streib's great grand-daughter.  As well, a third postcard was found in February, addressed to William Streib.  In total, 3 postcards reunited.