This is one of those pieces in which more information surfaces about unanticipated subjects than that you were originally researching. About the 57-year-old Mrs. John Potteiger little public information readily springs forth. There are a few John Potteigers, but the biographical information does not align with the dates in which Strunk was in operation as a photographer (late 1800's through at least 1919). Only one possibility was discovered. According to the January 23 edition of the 1915 Reading Times, The Hawthorne Literary Society of Ontelaur.ee (Ontelaunee) High School was called to order by its President, John Potteiger. (page 9). Morton Montgomery's Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals gives a nicely detailed Potteiger line-up, but nothing that makes me comfortable enough to identify Mrs. Potteiger with any certainty. Perhaps the family would be willing to shed some light on her identity. 

     I did turn up a little information about the Strunk Studio. Strunk was successful and able to establish his studio in Reading. In Wilson's Photographic Magazine 1893 there is a reference that states Strunk "will erect a four-story building, combining residence and photographic establishment, containing all modern improvements, at once."* Yet another contemporary magazine discusses Strunk's venture in more detail. "John D. Strunk, 730 Penn Street, Reading, Pennsylvania purchased the two-story brick store front and dwelling, 10 North Ninth Street, for $11,500. About September 1st, when possession will be given, Mr. Strunk will tear down the structure and erect a three-story building with skylights and his business will be moved to the new location. It is expected that the new building will be completed about April 1, 1919"**

*Wilson's Photographic Magazine, Volume 30 p 127 Edward L. Wilson, 1893

**Bulletin of Photography: The Weekly Magazine for Professional Photographers, Volume 22; Volumes 543-568 F.V. Chambers, 1918 p. 596

Author HistoryKeeper, currently lives in Dover, Delaware, with family, both two- and four-footed. I am a history enthusiast, who has great regard for the past and is especially proud of the Pennsylvania German culture. In addition to my work here at Passed Time, I am currently working on a project for the German Historical Institute's Immigrant Entrepreneurship: German-American Business Biographies (http://www.ghi-dc.org). I also contribute to various newsletters and am working on another book...or two. Feel free to email me at pcsuter@hotmail.com for questions, comments, information, a shared love of history, an idea, etc. Please be aware, Files with Attachments will not be opened, but immediately deleted.