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| Jesse Betlach Family |
Jesse William Betlach was born August 28, 1883 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. He was the son of Frank and Jenny Litera Betlach. He married Elvira Cornelia Jernell, the daughter of Eric and Sophia Eriksson Jernell. She was born March 27, 1886 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Jesse and Elvira had four children: Jesse David Elvira Lois Jeannette John William |
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| Jesse was an accomplished artist and commercial illustrator. He worked in all areas of the professional artist, illustration, advertising and architectural field. He studied at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and was a member of the Attic Club which met twice a week at the Handicraft Building at 89 South 10th Street in Minneapolis. Local artists came each week to paint the models they hired and this is how the family acquired all of his canvases and framed original paintings. Minneapolis City Directories list Jesse's employment history: 1910....He is listed only as Artist 1911-1912....He worked for Will Brown Advertising Company 919 Andrus Building 1913....He worked for Union Engraving & Color Plate Company 1914-1919....He worked for Minnesota Engraving & Color Plate Company 207 S. 6th Street, Minneapolis 1920-1926....He is listed as Artist at 89 S. 10th Street 1927-1935....He is listed as a Commercial Artist at 89 S. 10th Street He also did illustrations for advertising for Donaldson's Department Store Knoor's Dairy Company Amenia Honey The McPhail School of Music Barrington Hall Coffee Northwest Mutual Savings and Loan Association Paris Chocolate Factory Soo Line Railroad Northland Knitting Company Weyerhaeuser Lumber Company and he did illustrations for the following magazines: Ideals The Friends and Christmas & the annual magazine Christmas Literature and Art |
Early records describe Jesse as having dark eyes and black curly hair as a child. His World War I Draft Registration Card has the following information: Date of Registration: September 12, 1918, Folwell Hall, University of Minnesota Home Address: 103 Orlin Avenue SE, Minneapolis Minnesota Occupation, Commerical Artist, for the Minnesota Engraving & Color Plate Company 4th South & 6th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota Height: Medium Build: Medium Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown |
Jesse's work as a commercial artist presented him many opportunities to do the work he so loved. In 1939 his artistry changed the look of the Indian Maiden on the Land O' Lakes butter carton. Land O' Lakes THE BUZZA COMPANY OF MINNEAPOLIS The Buzza Company was founded by George Buzza in 1907. It started selling college advertising posters but when the demand for these disappeared the attention of the company was turned to greeting cards. The Buzza Company was one of the best known producers of the framed lithographs or gift mottos. Mr. Buzza knew that sentiment sold and no sentiments were spared with syrupy verses and pretty pictures for mothers and sweethearts. Other motifs included patriotic and religious themes. Today these framed items can be found selling for as much as $125.00. After a slow start the company's sales hit $75,000.00 in 1917 and by 1927 sales topped the $2.5 million dollar mark. The company merged in 1928 with the Charles S. Clark Company of New York City, and in 1929 George Buzza sold his interest in the company and retired to California. The Company remained in business until the year 1942 when the stockholders decided to liquidate it due to large company losses. In the 1930's E.E. Blackley was president of the Buzza Company and during this time period Mr. Blackley acquired this Christmas themed painting done by Jesse. It is not clear if the intention was to use it for printing purposes or if he purchased the painting for his own private collection which was rather extensive. I have been in contact with David Grantham who currently owns this painting. He owned an antique store and did appraisals of furniture and glassware. During this time he had the pleasure to meet and ultimately become friends with Mr. Blackley's daughter, Elenor who was at the time in her 80's. She contacted him with the wish to liquidate her father's estate as she had no immediate heirs and had only limited connections with the relatives she considered "vultures on a limb waiting for the pickings!" The bulk of the assets went to colleges and shelters. It was at this time, in 1998 that Mr. Grantham acquired the painting and considers it to be a treasured possession. Elenor and David researched the artwork in her father's collection and many were sent to auctions houses such as Christie's and Sotheby's. It has been 10 years of hard, dedicated work which he continues to do today. He tells me that many of the larger auction houses do in-house appraisals if the work is deemed in the $10,000.00 or more range in value. Unfortunately because there were no past auction sales of Jesse's work on which to base an appraisal, his work was immediately put in the $2,000--4,000 range. |
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| Jess in his studio |
| This painting by Jesse was given to me by his granddaughter, Connie Betlach Cleary. |
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| In 1924 the book "Martha of India" written by Millie Bock Jacobson was published and copyrighted by Augustan Book Concern Jesse's illustrations are contained in this book |
| Details of the painting |
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| He played 1st Baseman for Java's Minneapolis City Baseball Team |
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| Elvira, Jess' wife was an accomplished writer. She was considered an authority on history dealing with Southeast Minneapolis and wrote many, many articles for the Argus Newspaper. Jesse died on February 26, 1958 in Minneapolis at the age of 74 Death Certificate Elvira died January 28, 1968 at the age of 81 Death Certificate They are both buried at Hillside Cemetery in Minneapolis |
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| Many, many thanks to Connie Betlach Cleary and David Grantham for their contributions to this page. It is greatly appreciated. ~Patty~ |
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| Click to enlarge |
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| Jess in his studio January 1956 |
| This painting was done for the Saturday Evening Post but never used. |
| Larger view |