Findeisen and Lewis families in garden

One of the founders of the Southeast Chicago Historical Society donated a large cache of historic black and white photographs from his neighbors, the Findeisens. Anna Nega and Linus Findeisen emigrated from Germany in the 1880s and settled on the East Side. They married in 1890 and had four sons. Although Linus Sr. at first worked in the steel mills, later he and his sons set themselves up as plasterers in a family business. Although possessing only had elementary school educations, the Findeisens were able to become relatively prosperous. The family was interested in photography and took a great many pictures in the decade before and during World War I. In addition to joking images of family homelife, their photographs depict a family pleasure boat named the “Oro” that they used on local waterways as well as numerous family vacations to surrounding states. Their photographs also document the experiences of their son Linus Findeisen Jr. who served as a soldier during World War I and was stationed in Texas. Linus Jr.’s son was also a plasterer and would live on the East Side along with other cousins and extended family.