The following has been submitted by the Logan County History Center:
By: Mary E. Mortimer
John S. Brentlinger was one of the first professional photographers at Indian Lake, Ohio.
He was also an acclaimed artist, and many times had his pet monkey on his shoulder while he painted.
His oil paintings of Indian Lake scenes were very peaceful and beautiful, and he simply signed them “Brent”.
Brentlinger was born in McGuffy, Ohio, in 1867. He married Elizabeth McClurg in 1892, and shortly after their marriage, they moved to the Indian Lake area.
His studio was located on the Old Bank Road overlooking the harbor at Lakeview.
Brentlinger specialized in portraits and various scenes and attractions of Indian Lake that he made into postcards.
They were produced using glass plates on sensitized postcard stock.
Each postcard was made one at a time, processed through various solutions, dried, and trimmed to size.
His wife and twelve children often helped him in the postcard-making process.
Brentlinger’s postcards quickly became very popular.
They were purchased, mailed, or hand-carried to thousands of people, which in turn sparked their interest in visiting Indian Lake.
His postcards are credited as being a large contributor to the early growth and promotion of Indian Lake.
Not only was Brentlinger a talented photographer and artist, but he also proved he was a man of great courage when he stood tied to the wing strut of an airplane to get the first aerial photograph of Indian Lake.
One of Brentlinger’s oil paintings hangs in the sanctuary of the Christ United Methodist Church in Lakeview in an alcove above the pulpit.
The J.M. Stubbs Family commissioned Brentlinger to paint a 9′ X 8′ painting of Jesus the Good Shepherd with his flock of sheep.
He painted the mural for the congregation’s new building at 110 Brown St. in Lakeview.
The night before the church dedication on March 24, 1925, Brentlinger and members of the church installed the painting as a surprise for Rev. William J. McGarity, the pastor of the church.
Brentlinger engaged in his artwork and photography until his death in 1939.
His paintings and postcards are a great historical record of the early days at Indian Lake.
Visit the Logan County History Center to learn more interesting aspects of Logan County History.
The History Center is open for tours Wednesday – Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Admission is free.
