Temple, Gilbert Lawrence

TEMPLE, THATCHER, SMYTHE, SWANNELL

Posted By: Volunteer Subscribers
Date: 4/15/2003 at 21:43:53

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

GILBERT LAWRENCE TEMPLE.

Gilbert Lawrence Temple, a leading photographer of Clinton, Iowa, was born in Africa, Delaware county, Ohio, November 4, 1582, and is a son of Gilbert and Rebecca (Thatcher) Temple. The father was born in England, and received a good education in the schools of his native land. When a young man he came to America and located in New York state, where he engaged in teaching school and farming. There he married Miss Thatcher, and later removed to Delaware county, Ohio, where he purchased a farm, but subsequently made his home in Franklin county, that state. Religiously both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, and were most estimable people.

The subject of this review is the youngest in a family of six children. He first attended the common schools of his native state, and later was a student at Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio, for two years. In 1870 he embarked in the photographic business for himself at Beloit, Wisconsin, where he spent two years, and then sold out and went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was employed by J. F. Ryder, one of the leading artists of that city. There he became familiar with the best methods in vogue at that time.

We next find Mr. Temple in Clinton, November 13, 1874, as an operator for J. H. Reed, with whom he remained seven and a half years, and at the end of that time he went into business for himself as a member of the firm of Santee & Temple. This firm was one of the most popular in their line in the city, and received a liberal patronage. In 1884 Mr. Temple purchased his partner’s interest and has since conducted the business alone. He is not only the leading photographer of Clinton, but does the finest work in this part of the country, and is doing a successful business. His elegant studio is in the Howes Block and is finely fitted up.

On the 9th of September, 1873. Mr. Temple married Miss Eliza Smythe, of Jackson, Michigan, and to them were born two children: Edith, now the wife of D. G. Swannell, of Champaign, Illinois; and Ruth Thatcher, at home. Mr. Temple is a member of the National Association of Photographers, and occupies an enviable position among his professional brethren.