RUDOLPH UHLMAN

Photographer, was born April 5, 1829, at Chemnitz, Saxonia, where, after having received his education, he  visited the weaving school. There he had occasion to develop his talent for drawing, which he had shown already when a child, and after having graduated, he accepted an offer as designer in a weaving factory, which position he kept up to April 12, 1853, when he emigrated to America. He went from New York to New Haven, Connecticut, where he was employed for three years as designer in a suspender factory.

In 1856, he concluded to go West, and on his way he met the Massachusetts Aid Society, who went to Kansas. He joined them, and under General Jim Lane, took an active part in the skirmishes and battles fought during 1856 and 1857.

Then he went to the mountains, where he kept with success for two years, a general merchandise store.

In 1860, he came to St. Joseph, and opened a photograph gallery, which he has carried on successfully, as he endeavors to execute his work in the most artistic style, and ever took hold immediately of any new improvement or invention in his line of business.

He is an active member of the National Photographic Association of America.

He was married in 1863, to Miss Lisette Doll, a native of Baden, Germany. They have four children, Willie, born September 30, 1865 ; Fred., born April 28, 1868; Emma,' born May 4, 1870; Louis, born September 17, 1873.

Reference: 

History of Buchanan Co., Missouri

Union Historical Company

1881

OBITUARY

RUDOLPH UHLMAN.

We regret to have to announce the death of Mr. Rudolph Uhlman, of St. Joseph, Mo., which took place at Hot Springs, Ark., March 23d, after a sudden and brief illness.

Mr. Uhlman was sixty-nine years of age, and the oldest photographer of St. Joseph, where he had been located for the past forty years. Born at Chemnitz, Saxony, he came to this country when a young man, and worked as a designer of silks in the Eastern States for a few years. This was his chosen occupation, and he was an expert in his profession.

In 1859 he participated in the rush for gold to Pike's Peak, in which he was only partially successful. The money he accumulated in the venture he sent on to St. Joseph, only to find on his return there that it had been misappropriated by the friend to whom it was entrusted. It happened, however, that Mr. Uhlman had loaned money to a St. Joseph photographer before going West, and as the mortgage could not be lifted by the photographer, Mr. Uhlman foreclosed and took possession of the studio at the corner of Felix and Edmond Streets. This was in 1861.

Mr. Uhlman's skill as a designer enabled him to speedily reach success in photography, and it was not long before he had established an exceedingly lucrative business. This increased year by year, and at the time of his death Mr. Uhlman's enterprise and thrift had won for him reputation and an ample for

tune, which latter, however, he was not destined to enjoy.

While visiting Hot Springs he was seized with a violent attack of sickness, which ended with unexpected death, after a life of perfect health. He leaves a widow and four children, one of whom, Mr. W. F. Uhlman, conducts the photographic-supply business, established in his father's name some time ago. Mr. Uhlman and his family were held in great esteem by the residents of their city, and his unexpected passing will be regretted by all who knew his abundant good-will.

Reference:

Wilson's Photographic Magazine

Volume 35

1898