Delano had a photographer as early as 1869 - Henry A. Ball

(from the History of Wright County, MN Illustrated, 1881)

HENRY A. BALL, a native of Albany county, New York, was born on the 9th of December, 1845. In 1862, he enlisted in the One hundred and thirteenth New York Infantry, serving till the close of the war. Returned to the state of New York, and in 1865, moved to Menominee, Wisconsin, where he learned the photograph business. In 1866, he moved to Greenwood, Hennepin county, Minnesota, and in 1869, to Delano, Wright County, and opened a photographic gallery, since which time this has been his home. He has rooms also at Howard Lake, and spends a portion of his time taking views over the country. He and Daniel Fish, now of Minneapolis, under the firm name of Ball and Fish, started the first newspaper in this place, known as the “Big Woods Citizen.”

(from The Delano Eagle, Sept. 1881)

PHOTOGRAPHER – “Hank Ball whose name is well known throughout the county as a first class photographer, and one of the most genial souls living, has his headquarters here, and although he divides his time between the different towns where his galleries are located, Delano is his home and the Delanoites claim him as their own. In his business he always gives satisfaction, and in society his company is always in demand.”

William J Coffin was living in Delano in 1885, along with his wife Lucinda (nee Hollingsworth), daughter Josephine, son Samuel and younger brother Newton K. Coffin.

William was born in 1848 in Indiana, the son of Samuel and Rachel Coffin. The family had moved to Nicollet county in Minnesota by 1858. The 1880 census of St. Peter, MN., enumerates William as a photographer apprentice. I cannot find and further record of W J Coffin ; his wife Lucinda and daughter and son were living in Corwin Iowa in 1900. By 1920 Lucinda, listed as a widow, was living in Brooklyn, New York, with her children, both who were lino-typers working for newspapers – Josephine for the New York World, and Samuel with the New York Evening Post.

(from the Delano Eagle, 1890)

“Mr. R. M. Bohn is negotiating for the purchase of I. H. Grafft's store building on River street. He intends to use the front room on the lower floor for a hair-dressing room, and the back part of the same story for bath rooms. The upstairs will be remodeled and converted into a photograph gallery by using the glass roof now on the present photograph gallery building which Mr. Bohn intends to convert into a residence.” (note: not able to identify photographer, nor exact location of these buildings.)

(from the Delano Eagle, December 14, 1893)

“Everybody is interested now-a-days, not only of having a good picture of themselves but of their friends, and the best place to get them is at the gallery of I. P. Wood, the photographic artist, who has his gallery located on Lower River street. He is a natural born artist and a neat and excellent workman, executing his work in an artistic and highly finished manner. No one should fail to see some of his beautiful samples and remember too and ask for his prices. His studio and parlors are equipped with all the best and most modern improvements. He does view taking, copying and all the work pertaining to the photographic art. Mr Wood served three years in the late war, being enlisted in Co. G, 23rd Wisconsin Vol.”

(I could not find any other references to Mr. Wood in the Delano or Wright County area. I did find Civil War records for an Ira P Wood, born in 1834 in New York, who was in the 23rd Wisconsin Vol. Infantry,)

Albert A Lindquist was a photographer working in Delano for several years.

1900 – U.S. Federal Census – Watertown, Carver Co., MN

L. A. Lindquist – age 56 – born Sweden – farmer

Christina Lindquist - age 54

Geo – age 25 – farm laborer

Ernest – age 23 – farm laborer

Albert – age 21 – photographer

Elmer – age 16

Chas – age 11

Edward – age 8

1905 – Minnesota State and Territorial Census – Delano, Wright Co., MN

Albert Lindquist – age 26 - photographer

1910 – U.S. Federal Census – Delano, Wright Co., MN

Albert Lindquist – age 31 – photographer, own shop (boarding with Eleanor Steffes)

(from the Delano Eagle, April 12, 1917)

“O. C. Damsberg has bought the building owned by Victor Peterson and originally built by A. A. Lindquist. The building has been moved to Bridge Street near J. M. Beck’s store and will be used for a tailor shop.”

1917/1918 – WW I Draft Registration

Albert Alfred Lindquist - photographer, working for Victor Peterson

1920 – U. S. Federal Census – Delano, Wright Co., MN

Albert A Lindquist – age 41 – photographer, Photo shop, working on own accord

Armand Stein – age 17 – barber, Barber shop

In 1930 Albert Lindquist was living with his elderly father, Louis A. Lindquist in Watertown, and in 1940 he was living with B. E. Sandquist, age 69, who was working as a photographer. A. A. Lindquist was not shown as having an occupation in 1940. Mr. Lindquist died December 45, 1945.

Victor Peterson was born December 12, 1882, in Sweden, and immigrated to the United States with his parents in about 1887.

(from the Delano Eagle, March 10, 1910)

“The Photo Studio will reopen under new management March 15”

March 14 1910)

1910 – U. S. Federal Census - Delano, Wright Co., MN – Railroad Ave.

Victor Peterson – age 27 – photographer, own shop

Luella Peterson – age 22

Helen Peterson – age 1 (from the History of Wright County,, Vol .II, 1915 – business listing)

Victor J. Peterson – photographs

1920 – U. S. Federal Census – Delano, Wright Co., MN – Third St.

Victor Peterson – age 37 – proprietor, photo gallery

Luella Peterson – age 32 (Victor Peterson)

Helen – age 11

Mayra – age 8

The Peterson Photo shop was located on 2nd Street, between Railroad and Bridge avenues.

By the 1930 census, Victor Peterson had moved to San Diego, California. He was not working as a photographer. Mr. Peterson died April 12, 1976 in San Diego.

(from the Delano Eagle 1946 MAINSTREET Special Edition)

“Peterson’s Photo Shop, known throughout the country for the fine quality of its photo finishing, was one of the pioneers in the field, having been established by Victor Peterson. Owned today by Mr. and Mrs. John Irwin, the plant has wholesale and retail customer in almost every state in the union. Quality finishing plus fine service has accounted for the steady growth of this organization over the years. All of the pictures in this publication were finished at the Peterson Photo Shop which in 1945 added a complete portrait finishing department.”

1940 – U. S. Federal Census - Delano, Wright Co., MN

Loretta Jaunich – age 28 – photographer, own shop

1941 – Feb. 14 – Lauretta Jaunich married John Irwin….”Flash Irwin”

(from the Delano Eagle 1946 MAINSTREET Special Edition)

The Delano Photo Studio was opened here by Rex Bell, photographer for MAINSTREET in the fall of 1945. On the first of August, 1946, Mr. Bell disposed of his interests to Gordon Tweten and Franklin Bell who have changed the name of the concern to the Gordon Franklin Studio.

The studio is well equipped to take pictures under any conditions, from sports or candid shots to formal portraits. It is located next door to the Krumm Barber and Beauty Shop on River street.”

Clotilidis Beck had a photography studio in Delano in approx. 1912-1919. Miss Beck was the daughter of J. M. Beck, who was a music teacher.

Miss Beck’s Photography Shop in Delano, 1917