| The
Diamond Years of Texas Photography |
| Equal
Before the Lens: Jno. Trlica's Photographs of Granger, Texas |
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Hallettsville
Photographer
Left a Legacy of Memories
Henry Jacob Braunig
by Murray Montgomery
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Some
people just use an old shoebox, while others use store-bought albums, but no matter
how we choose to save them, old photographs are sure to provide precious memories
of the past.
And we are indeed fortunate that there have always been individuals
who have dedicated their lives to recording our history through the art of photography.
Today, as in yesteryear, professional photographers can be found in nearly every
town – large or small. Many years ago, Hallettsville had one of the best of these
image-makers. His name was Henry Jacob Braunig.
Braunig
was born April 1, 1861, on a farm near Old Meyersville in DeWitt County. His mother
and father came to Texas in the 1840s. When he was 2 years old, his father was
killed in the Civil War. His mother remarried a man named Nau and young Braunig
was raised and went to school in Yorktown. He was in school there for about seven
years – according to Braunig, that was all the education being offered at the
time. |
| In
her book The Diamond Years of Texas Photography, Ava Crofford includes an autobiography
which was written by Braunig in 1937. In it he gives a brief summary of his life
claiming only to have written it “so [his children] might know of some of the
happenings of their Dad’s earlier life.” | |
At
the age of 14, young Henry Braunig became restless and decided it was time to
leave the farm and seek a new life. “In 1875 I left home on horseback to make
my way in the world, Cuero, Texas, was my destination,” he wrote. His first job
was with Graves Brothers Drygoods Co. – although he made good money at that job
Braunig was not happy with his living conditions and decided to move on.
He
was working as a clerk in Cuero when he met Pius Fey, the man who would become
his future partner. Fey was a traveling photographer who made his headquarters
in Cuero. Braunig was not in good health when he met Fey and the photographer
suggested that he accompany him, as his assistant, on his next trip to the mountains
in the spring of 1875. “My acceptance led to an almost lifelong partnership, for
it continued from 1878 to 1909 – 31 years – and today we are as good friends as
were ever called by that name,” wrote Braunig.
The
new partnership operated under the name of Fey & Braunig and together the two
men formed one of the most respected photography businesses in Texas. Fey operated
a studio in Cuero while Braunig was located in Hallettsville. In 1888 Braunig
built a new home and married Mary A. Lindenberg. They raised five children here
and were together until her death in 1912. After the passing of his “beloved Mary,”
he continued to be quite active in community affairs – serving as alderman for
eight years and as chief of the local fire department for nearly a quarter of
a century. One of his fondest memories was that of having been elected as president
of the State Fireman’s Association. |
| | In
1895 the photography firm of Fey & Braunig designed and built this building specifically
for use as a photography studio. The studio was on the second floor, with a stationery
and bookstore downstairs. Today the building is home to Hallettsville Florist
and Gifts.
Photo by Murray Montgomery |
In
1895 Fey and Braunig built a new two-story building designed especially for use
as a photography studio with the upper floor having large windows and skylights
to take advantage of natural light. The partners operated a stationery and bookstore
downstairs. By all accounts this was the first building west of the Mississippi
that was built purposely for use as a photography studio. That unique building,
standing on the south side of the square, is still in use today and is home to
Hallettsville Florist and Gifts.
The affiliation of Fey and Braunig lasted
for some 31 years and even after they ended the partnership in 1909, the two men
continued to be the best of friends. |
| According
to many, Henry Braunig was an outstanding photographer of his era. next
page | |
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