Here we have a nice portrait of Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) with his second wife and their children. Roosevelt was president from 1901 to 1909, and this image was taken while he was in office, in 1907. Both Mrs. Roosevelt and their 16 year old daughter Ethel wear the huge flowery hats that were in style then. It is obviously summer-time, not just because we can see ivy and a leafy bush in the background, but because everyone is in very light-colored clothing, except the two older boys who wear dark suit coats, though their pants are still light. They make a very poised group, though look a bit bored by the routine.

The photo is attributed to the Pach Brothers, and since it was the presidential family we can suppose they were photographed by one of the Pach’s themselves, rather than one of their employees. The original Pach Brothers were born in Berlin, Germany, and brought to New York by their parents in 1853. Gustavus or Augustus (1848-1904), Oscar (1850-1903), Gotthelf or Godfrey (1852-1925), and Morris (1837-190?) were all involved in the family photography business in the 1860s, but Morris soon left to go into the cigar business. In 1895 a fire destroyed their studio and 30 years worth of accumulated negatives.

Soon after 1900 the business passed into a second generation of Pach’s — effectively becoming Pach Cousins’ though they retained the well-know Pach Brothers name. Alexander L. Pach (1864-1938), a son of Morris, was the eldest of this new generation. Alfred Pach (1884-1965), son of Godfrey, was another important figure in the business. These two probably took this presidential image. Alfred was the last of the Pach’s in the business, but by the time of his death in 1965 the studio was incorporated, and so continued in business up until 1994.