STEFFENS TO LAKE GENEVA et al

  Page 7   Images and text copyright Thomas Yanul

ABOVE, TWO VIEWS OF CEYLON COURT BUILDING

AS IT WAS AT THE CHICAGO COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.

 RIGHT PHOTO SHOWS DETAIL OF ENTRYSTEPS

 WHERE THE WEDDING PHOTO WAS TAKEN AFTER

BUILDING WAS MOVED TO LK. GENEVA

#Above is a portion of the 10x13" Steffens photograph made September 27, 1913, at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  The subject is the wedding of Gwendolyn Mitchell and Robert Hunter.  Gwen's parents  were owners of the summer home which was originally built as the Ceylon Court building at the Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1893.  Following the fair it was purchased by Chicago real estate mogul F.R. Chandler and brought to Lk. Geneva in 21 boxcars.  

The home was sold to the Mitchells  in 1901. Society photographer Steffens was part of this rather lavish affair that included 15 members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  

FOR HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE PRESS ON PHOTO NOTE: if you are using AOL browser photo may looked "solarized". Either set browser to no compression or use Int. Explorer to open page.

In 1928 John J. Mitchell, President of the Illinois Trust & Savings Bank,(which became Continental bank)and his wife were killed in a traffic accident and the home sold to F.L. Maytag of washing machine fame. They maintained the home until 1948 when the property was subdivided.The Ceylon court building was demolished in 1958.

Mitchell Tower at the University of Chicago is named after this donor.

THE ACCIDENT

CEYLON COURT#1     CEYLON COURT#2

Collection of the Author

POSTCARD OF CEYLON COURT BLDG. FROM THE LAKE DURING THE MITCHELL'S OWNERSHIP

RIGHT - GRANDSON OF MATHEW J. STEFFENS RICHARD J. STEFFENS AGE 20, AND AT ABOUT AGE 45 WITH WIFE  AND DAUGHTER, PATRICIA STEFFENS -NOW PATRICIA STEFFENS CLARK.  RICHARD WAS THE SON OF RICHARD(ROMEO) J.STEFFENS, ONE OF TWO SONS OF MATHEW J. STEFFENS.

HE WAS THE ONLY CHILD  OF THE MARRIAGE BETWEEN R.J STEFFENS AND MINNA SAWYER AS DESCRIBED BELOW,  RIGHT.

Photos and much help courtesy Patricia Steffens Clark.

 THE MARRIAGE OF RICHARD (ROMEO) JOSEPH STEFFENS

The following is a transcription of the text of a news article describing the wedding of Richard Steffens and Minna Sawyer which occured Oct.8, 1902, as described in the Coos County Democrat newspaper, Lancaster, New hampshire, Oct 15, 1902 (ed note-the official marriage certficate lists Oct.7 as the marriage date)

STEFFENS-SAWYER

"On Wednesday evening, Oct 8th,at the home of Mrs. Horace Sawyer on Main St., a few intimate friends witnessed the marriage of her only daugher,  Minna G., to Richard J. Steffens of Chicago. Because of the recent sorrow in their home the wedding was a quiet one, though marked by simplicity and good taste. The house was decorated with potted plants, ferns and palms while clusters of cut flowers furnished dashes of color here and there. The ceremony, a modified Episcopalian service, was performed by Rev. E.R. Stearns of the Congregational church.

After congratulations, dainty refreshments were served from a prettily  decordated table in the dining room by young lady friends of the bride.  Many gifts - tokens of good will from loving friends present and absent - were seen.  Conspicuous among these were the neck brooch and scarf pin, exquisite in design and finish, presented to the bride and groom by the latter's father; an elegant bronze chandelabrum[sic] from the groom's brother, and  a beautiful silver service, the gift of Governor Jordan and wife.

The Governor and his  family were also among the guests present.  At 10 o'clock the young couple, heavily laden with rice , flowers and good wishes left by coach for Whitefield, where they started on an extended journey by rail, after which they will make there home at Chicago." (there was some additional lineage which was cut off by the microfilmer)

My thanks to the New Hampshire State Library Ref & Inf Services section for the time and effort to locate the above material.

RICHARD WAS A SALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR EASTMAN KODAK DRYPLATE CO. WHICH  IS WHY HE WAS IN THE EASTERN U.S AREA AND MET MINNA SAWYER.

(documented in letter from George Eastman)

Additional info on Richard.  Richard and Minna returned to Chicago and two years later an only child, Richard, was born  July 16, 1904. After some years the two were divorced an Minna & her son returned to Laconia,New Hampshire to live with her mother.  The three moved toPortland, Maine, where Minna remarried in 1916 to a Mr. Henry Mann and lived in the Portland/So. Portland area the rest of their lives.  Son Richard had no contact with his father the rest of his life.

MJ Steffens in an uncharacteristic

"art" pose, To see head section

much larger click on photo.

Use return to come back

Coll. author

MRS. POTTER PALMER BY STEFFENS

4X5 1/2" IMAGE ON 9X11" SILVER SILK.

IMAGE WAS USED IN FRONTISPIECE OF

HER BOOK PUBLISHED SHORTLY AFTER

CHICAGO COLUMBIAN EXPOSTION.

Coll. Author