| Jesse Betlach Family |
| 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 |
| Jess in his studio |
| This painting by Jesse was given to me by his granddaughter, Connie Betlach Cleary. |
| 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 |
| He played 1st Baseman for Java's Minneapolis City Baseball Team |
| 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 |
| Many, many thanks to Connie Betlach Cleary and David Grantham for their contributions to this page. It is greatly appreciated. ~Patty~ |
| Click to enlarge |
| Jess in his studio January 1956 |
| This painting was done for the Saturday Evening Post but never used. |
| Larger view |