Buck and Fritz

photographer: Buck and Fritz
Nicolette Island,
Minneapolis, Minn

reverse of the card at the left

John J Fritz
(1868 - aft 1906)
Timeline sources: US census, Minnesota census, city directories

1868 Jul
Minnesota John J Fritz is born to Andrew Fritz and Mary N
1894
St Cloud, MN, city directory as photographer at St Germain; res 927 13th
1895
St Cloud, MN, MN state census as photographer
1896
St Cloud, MN, city directory as photographer at St Germain nw cor 7th; res 927 13th
1897
St Cloud, MN, city directory as photographer at 701 ½ St Germain; res same
1899, 1900, 1903
St Cloud, MN, city directory and US census as photographer at 701 ½ St Germain; res 418 5th av s
1905
St Cloud, MN, MN state census as photographer; res 418 5th av s

1906, 1908
St Cloud, MN, city directory as photographer at 609 ½ St Germaine; res 418 5th av s
1910
St Cloud, MN, city directory as photographer with The Fritz Studio (with Frank X Fritz) at 24 7th av s; res 418 5th av s
1912
St Cloud, MN, city directory as photographer at Fritz Studio with brother Frank X Fritz, 24 7th av s
1913 - 1927
there are no St Cloud, MN, city directories available
1918 Jul 28
St Cloud, MN Find A Grave, John J Fritz dies in Olmstead Co, MN

St Cloud (MN) Times - 18 Jul 1939

Elmer Ellsworth Buck
(1863 - 1940)

Timeline sources: US census; city directories, newspaper items as noted

1863 Oct 03
High Forrest, MN, Elmer Elsworth Buck was born to Edward D Buck and Sarah Marie Scott
1887
Minneapolis, MN city directory NOT listed (Albert Buck is listed as photographer at 257 7th av n
1890
Minneapolis, MN, city directory NOT listed
1894
Minneapolis, MN state records daughter Evelyn M Buck is born
1897, 1898
Minneapolis, MN city directory as artist with I E Burt Co; res 3901 Thomas av s
1899
Minneapolis, MN, city directory as sec-treas for Clark Portrait Co; res 3901 Thomas av s
1900 Jun 13
Minneapolis, MN, US census as portrait artist
1902 -1905
Minneapolis, MN, city directory with Adrian Studio; res 3901 Thomas av s
1905 Jun 16
Minneapolis, MN, MN state census as artist

1906
Minneapolis, MN, city directory NOT listed
1907, 1908
Minneapolis, MN, city directory as artist at 3901 Thomas av s; res same
1909
Minneapolis, MN, city directory as artist at 112 s 5th (same business address as Jacob Harris)
1910 Sep 07
Minneapolis, MN, US census as artist
1910, 1911
Minneapolis, MN city directory as artist at “Buck and Harris” (Jacob Harris) studio at 406 s 9th
1912
Minneapolis, MN, city directory as photographer at 309 Nicolette av; res Wayzata L M
1913 - 1915
Minneapolis, MN city directory as artist at 503 ½ Hennepin av
1916
Minneapolis, MN city directory “Moved to Zillah, WA”
1920 Jan 24-26
Yakima, WA, US census as fruit farm labor (living on farm)
1920 Jan 26-27
Yakima, WA, US census as no occupation given (staying on Fruit Farm with daughter Evelyn and family)

1930
Seattle, WA, US census as janitor
1940 Apr 26
Tenino, WA, US census as apartment manager
1940 Dec 21
Rochester, WA, Elmer Buck died

Elmer Buck seems to quit photography completely in 1915 and move to Washington state.

Although there is almost a year by year accounting of the locations of E E Buck, there is no mention of being partners with John J Fritz. The only hint is the Buck residence in 1912, at 309 Nicolette av which is a few blocks from Nicolette Island. Nicolette Island is in the Mississippi River which runs between Minnesota and Wisconsin at Minneapolis. But that is when John Fritz is engaged in business with his brother Frank X Fritz. Still, keeping the studio in St. Cloud,Fritz could have partnered with E E Buck for a short term in 1912. It’s possible; it’s speculation.

The only sure conclusion is that the partnership of Buck and Fritz was a short one.

St Cloud City Directory ad from 1903

The two cards at the right were done by Ella L Buck. So far, no connection has been made to Elmer Ellsworth Buck.

photographer: Ella L Buck
Fort Atkinson, WI
Example from auction site

photographer: Ella L Buck
Fort Atkinson, WI
Example from auction site

Not the one you were looking for?
Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. Listed here are all the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY. This is a work in progress. For a look at the original postings go to
LOST GALLERY.