Fred Hartsook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Frederick Hartsook
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| Born | 26 October 1876 |
| Died | 30 September 1930 (aged 53) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Fred |
| Occupation | Photographer, Rancher |
Fred Hartsook (born October 26, 1876 – died September 30, 1930) was a famous American photographer. He owned a chain of photography studios in California. At one point, his business was called "the largest photographic business in the world"!
Many famous people came to him for photos. These included Henry Ford, who made cars, and Charles Lindbergh, a famous pilot. Even movie stars like Mary Pickford and President Woodrow Wilson were his clients. Later in his life, Fred Hartsook also owned a resort called the Hartsook Inn. He also had two ranches where he raised special Holstein cattle. Fred was married to Bess Hesby. She was known as "Miss Liberty" at a big event in San Francisco in 1915.
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Fred Hartsook's Early Life and Photography Career
Fred Hartsook was born in Marion, Indiana, on October 26, 1876. He came from a family of photographers. His father and two uncles were all successful photographers. His grandfather was even the first photographer to open a studio in Virginia. The Hartsook family started taking pictures when photography was very new. They used early methods like the daguerreotype and wet plate processes.
After high school, Fred worked as an apprentice for his uncle. He was supposed to become a civil engineer. But he spent most of his time helping in his father's photography studio.
Fred later moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. He married Flora "Flossie" Newcomb in 1901. Flossie also came from a family of photographers. She even ran her own studio. Together, Fred and Flossie traveled around Utah with their photography studio. They had one daughter named Frances.
Moving to California and Building a Business
After 1906, Fred and his family moved to California. At first, Fred traveled around the state with his photography gear. He used a team of mules to pull his homemade darkroom. This allowed him to take photos wherever he went.
He then opened two studios, one in Santa Ana and another in Santa Barbara. But he eventually closed them to open a bigger studio in Los Angeles. This studio was on South Broadway.
Fred Hartsook's photography business grew very quickly. He opened studios in other cities along the Pacific Coast. These included San Francisco and Oakland. By 1921, he had about 20 studios. Some people even said he had 30 studios! His business was known as the "largest photographic business in the world."
Famous Clients and Special Photos
Most of his work was taking portraits of everyday people. But Fred Hartsook became very well-known because of his celebrity clients. He photographed many famous people from the silent movie era in Hollywood. These included Mary Pickford, Lillian Gish, and Carlyle Blackwell.
Other famous clients were pilot Charles Lindbergh and car maker Henry Ford. Opera singer Geraldine Farrar also had her picture taken by him. Even important politicians like President Woodrow Wilson visited his studio. In 1919, Fred took special photos of President Wilson. It was the first time the President had a formal photo session since he became president.
In 1919, Fred Hartsook married Bess Hesby. She was famous for being "Miss Liberty" at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. For their honeymoon, they stayed in a cabin in the beautiful redwood forest of Humboldt County, California.
Fred Hartsook's Later Life as a Rancher and Resort Owner
Fred's successful photography business allowed him to buy three large properties in California. He decided to become a rancher and a resort owner. He owned a huge amount of land, about 3,000 acres, in Kern County. This land was used for grazing animals.
He also had a 41-acre "country home and ranch" in Lankershim. This area is now known as North Hollywood. On this ranch, he raised special Holstein cattle that won prizes. He also raised Toggenburg milk goats and large hogs.
Sadly, in May 1924, his valuable herd of Holstein cattle caught a serious animal disease. It was called foot and mouth disease. Because of this, his entire herd of 366 animals, which were worth a lot of money, had to be lost due to the disease.
Fred's earlier training as a civil engineer helped him develop his properties. He was also used to driving mules. It was common for him to photograph famous people one day and then drive a big mule team on his ranch the next!
The Hartsook Inn
In the early 1920s, the Hartsooks bought their honeymoon cabin. They expanded it into a resort called the Hartsook Inn. This resort was built on 37 acres of beautiful redwood forests. In 1926, the resort even got its own post office. The area became an official postal place called Hartsook, California.
The Hartsook Inn became a popular spot for Hollywood celebrities. Famous guests included Mary Pickford and Bing Crosby. In August 1927, the Hartsook Inn burned down in a forest fire. But it was quickly rebuilt and reopened.
In 1928, Fred Hartsook's photography business ran into financial trouble. It was sold in an auction in January 1929.
Fred Hartsook passed away from a heart attack on September 30, 1930. He was almost 54 years old. His wife, Bess Hartsook, lived for another 46 years. She continued to run the Hartsook Inn until 1938. The inn later burned down again, this time due to a kitchen fire.
Fred and Bess Hartsook had three children: Helen, Frederick, and Delyte. Fred also had a daughter named Francis from his first marriage.
Fred Hartsook's Legacy
Even though the postal designation for Hartsook, California, didn't last long, Fred's name is still remembered. A street in the San Fernando Valley is named Hartsook Street. It runs near where his old ranch used to be. Close by is Hesby Street, named after his wife, Bess Hesby Hartsook.
In Humboldt County, there's a place called Hartsook Creek. It's a small river that flows into the South Fork Eel River. There's also a giant redwood tree called "the Hartsook Giant." These places help visitors remember the family name.
The Hartsook Inn was rebuilt after its fires. It continued to operate under different owners for many years. It even survived another fire in 1973. In the 1990s, the last owner sold the property to the Save the Redwoods League. This organization helps protect redwood forests.
Gallery
Photographs copyrighted by Hartsook Photo, S.F.–L.A. (San Francisco & Los Angeles).
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Carlyle Blackwell, 1915
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Champ Clark, 1915
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Geraldine Farrar, 1915
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Lillian Gish, 1915
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Blanche Sweet, 1915
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Mack Sennett, 1916
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Charlotte Burton, 1916
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Mary Pickford, 1918
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Henry Ford, 1919
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Charles Lindbergh, 1927
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