Benjamin Strauss was born January 27, 1871, in
Cleveland, Ohio. He spent his boyhood there, attending the
public and high schools, and after securing his education went to work
in the photographic studio of his brother, J. C. Strauss, in St.
Louis.
He began to learn the photographic art at the
bottom, performing the humblest duties at first, but finally rose to
the position of understudy to his famous brother.
In 1900 he decided to launch in business for
himself, and coming to Kansas City bought a share in the business of
George Curtiss. A year later he bought Mr. Curtiss out, and is
now sole owner.
He has come to be in Kansas City what his
brother had been for thirty years in St. Louis, and by example and
with the spur of competition has done much to establish a higher
standard of photographic art in Kansas City.
At the recent convention of the Missouri
Photographers' Association in Pertle Springs, Mr. Strauss was given
the highest award for portraitures.
He is an Elk and also belongs to the Knights
of Pythias.
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