Hubert R. Wentorf Photo Collection Provides Glimpses into Two Rivers’ Past

Babies and buggies in front of John Braun’s Photo Studio and Jewelry Store on Washington Street, Two Rivers, in 1890. HUBERT R. WENTORF PHOTO COLLECTION, LESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY

The old adage “A picture is worth a thousand words” means a picture can convey an idea more quickly and effectively than the written word. Having a historic photograph accompany a local story about the past is always beneficial, besides a 500-word description of it.

Hubert R. Wentorf at the time of his retirement from Mirro Aluminum Co. in 1960. COURTESY WARREN A. WENTORF

Manitowoc County residents are fortunate to have access to several local photo collections which provide glimpses into our collective past. Historic photographs and picture postcards of local interest are in the collections of museums, historical societies and preservation groups in Manitowoc, Two Rivers, Mishicot, Centreville, St. Nazianz and Two Creeks.

The Hubert R. Wentorf photo collection at the Lester Public Library is one of my favorites. This nostalgic glimpse into Two Rivers’ past is a unique blend of photographs from the late 1800s to the mid 1950s.

Mr. Wentorf was both a local photographer and a collector of historical photographs. The images focus on local landmarks, industries, institutions, special events and people going about daily life in Two Rivers. Many of the photographs include group shots of organizations and civic groups.

Hubert Rudolph Wentorf was born May 15, 1894 at Two Rivers, son of Ernst and Sophie Bruhn Wentorf. After graduating from high school, he worked full time at the Standard Aluminum Co. (purchased by the Aluminum Goods Mfg. Co. in 1915). In 1912 and 1913, he taught evening classes of mechanical drawing and shop mathematics at the Two Rivers Vocational School. He continued his education with engineering courses at the UW-Extension.

In 1918, Wentorf joined the U.S. Army as a Sergeant First Class at Fort McHenry General Hospital No. 2, Baltimore, Maryland, where he taught mechanical drafting and machine shop practice to recovering soldiers wounded in World War I. Returning home after the war, he married Mathilda Zermuehlen in 1921. The Wentorfs had five children: Ruth, Joyce, Roger, Warren and Myrna.

For 45 years, Mr. Wentorf worked at the Aluminum Goods Mfg. Co. (which became the Mirro Aluminum Co. in 1957). He first worked as a shipping clerk, then trained as a tool and die maker. He became a maintenance foreman and master mechanic and later was manager of Plants No. 1 and 4 in Two Rivers. He retired in 1960.

Wentorf was a member of the Two Rivers Board of Vocational and Adult Education from 1941 to 1955, serving as president for nine years. He was a trustee of Grace Congregational Church from 1941 to 1958 and was active in civic affairs and fraternal organizations.

Mr. Wentorf was a member of the Two Rivers Historical Society and frequently showed his pictures of the community dating back more than a century at schools and to groups. He generously donated the photo collection to the local library.

He passed away on August 18, 1980, age 86, and is buried at Pioneers Rest Cemetery, Two Rivers.

Images from the Hubert R. Wentorf photo collection were digitized in 2010 under a federal Library Services and Technology Act grant to the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections Center and Lester Public Library. The 415 photos may be viewed online at https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ATwoRiversLocHist.