The Extraordinary Photography of J.R. Koontz
John Ray Koontz lived on his family’s farm, Elmwood, outside Bremen, his entire life, June 9, 1874 to November 22, 1947. Named for his Uncle John who passed away the day he was born, Koontz had ten siblings and never married or had any children. A printer by trade, he kept busy on the farm and pursued his many interests.
Beginning in the 1890s, Koontz created some fascinating photographs, combining natural talent with technical skill and an interest in broader cultural ideas. His photos evolved over time with camera technology and art trends. On the backs of many of his early prints, Koontz recorded what was going on behind the scenes, noting the position of the sun, if he was in the shade and the type of camera he used.
This attention to detail was combined with a heartfelt connection to his subject matter, often family, friends or farm scenes, and informed by his keen interest in the larger world of ideas. Koontz seems to have kept up with changing camera technology and artistic trends in photography, from his earliest photos into the 1920s. As you explore the photographs below, note how these changes are reflected in his pictures.
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- Katherine Kuntz, c.1890s
- Katherine Kuntz, c.1890s
- Katherine Kuntz, c1890s
- Adam Kuntz Jr, c.1890s
- Adam Kuntz Jr, c.1890s
- Adam Kuntz Jr, c.1890s
- Adam Kuntz Jr, c.1890s
- Adam Kuntz Jr, c.1890s
- Adam and Katherine Kuntz, c.1890s
- Little Girl, c.1890s
- Kuntz Sister, c.1890s
- Photo of a Photo, c.1890s- Adam Kuntz Jr in Civil War Uniform
- Photo of a Photo, c.1890s
- J.R. Koontz
- J.R. Koontz, c.1890s
- Koontz Brothers Processing Corn, c.1910s
- George Kuntz with Pig, c.1900s
- Left to Right: Ida Kuntz, c.1900s Unknown, Unknown, Katherine Kuntz
- Katherine Kuntz in Garden, c.1900s
- Kuntz Brothers in Garden, c1900s
- Clarence Kuntz (Left) Boxing with Unknown (Right), c.1900s
- Bert Kuntz, c.1900s
- Kuntz Brothers with Motorcycle Left to Right: Elmer, Earl and Milo, c.1910s
- A Band at Elmwood Farm, c.1910s
- Ida Kuntz (Teacher) with Class, c.1910s
- Ladies Posing with Greenery, Photographer notes photo as Double Exposure
- Painting Elmwood Farm House, 1903
- Children in Elmwood Orchard, c.1910s
- Adam Kuntz headed to Cider Mill, c.1900s
- Clarence Kuntz at Elmwood Farm, c.1910s
- Clarence in Elmwood Farm Flower Garden, c.1910s
- Children Playing, c.1900s
- Kuntz Brothers with a Berger (right) and Bees, c.1900s
- Kuntz brothers Leapfrogging, c.1900s
- Men Felling Tree
- Kuntz Brothers Sharpening Blade, c.1910s
- Left to Right: Unknown, Elmer Kuntz, Milo Kuntz (in tree), Elizabeth Kuntz, c.1900s
- Left to Right: Milo, Unknown, Lizzie, and Elmer Kuntz, c.1900s
- Kuntz Brother wearing Adam Kuntz Jr’s Civil War Sword, c.1900s
- Kuntz Brothers on Hay Wagon, c.1910s
- Kuntz Brothers in Horse Drawn Carriage, c.1910s
- Boy with Dog, c.1900s
- Toy Train Set
- Toy Train Set
- Owl in Tree
- Peacock
- Group of Children
- Person in Santa Mask
- Kuntz Brothers Doing Handstands
- Kuntz brothers Shooting
- Elmwood Farm
- Elmwood Farm
- Elmwood Farm
- Horse and Tractor
- Elmwood Farm
- Elmwood Farm in Winter
- Elmwood Farm in Winter
- Kuntz Brothers Playing with Toy Train Set
- Musician Playing Chello
- Kuntz Siblings- Back Row, Left to Right: Clarence and Milo Front Row, Left to Right: Elizabeth and Ida
- Kuntz Brother with Racoon
- Kuntz brothers in Snow with Snowman
- Photo Album Collage from Adam and Katherine Kuntz 50th Anniversary Celebration
- Children Playing with Wagon
- Kuntz Siblings Playing Left: Unknown Right: Ida Kuntz
- Men with Fire Wood
- Kuntz Children Playing
- Adam Kuntz Jr Working in Field
- Kuntz Brother with Horse
- Adam Kuntz Jr Working in Field
- Horses Carrying Log
- Kuntz Brothers Playing with Water
- Young Hunters in Woods, c.1910
- Victor Berger on Garden Glider, c.1910
- Boys in Woods, c.1910s
- Game Wardens at Elmwood Farm, c.1915
- Kuntz Brother with Raccoon, c.1915
- Kuntz Brother with Wheelbarrow, c.1910
- Young Men Playing Checkers at Elmwood Farm Cabin Using Legs as Table, c.1910
- Elmwood Farm house
- Young Men Dressed as Ladies, c.1911
- Young Man in Hunting Garb, c.1910s
- Homemade Snowmobile, c.1915
- Kuntz Brothers (Earl-Left, Unknown-Right) with Yale Motorcycle and Plow, c.1913
- Motorcycle with Sidecar, c.1913
- Auto Party, c.1910s
- Photographic Joke Postcard with Milo Kuntz, c.1915
- Larking Young Folks, Ladies Dressed as Men and Men Dressed as Ladies, c.1900
- Larking Young Folks, Ladies Dressed as Men and Men Dressed as Ladies, c.1900
- Photgraphic joke Postcard with Kuntz brothers, c.1915
- Children with Fallen Tree, c.1908
- “Larking” young Folks, Ladies Dressed as Men and Men Dressed as Ladies, c.1911
- Man on Tractor in Field, c.1910s
- Man on Tractor in Field, c.1910s
- Man on Tractor in Field, c.1910s
- Ditchers, c.1915
- Motorcycle Work Shed, Possibly Destroyed by Storm or Torn Down Deliberately, c.1914
- Kuntz brothers and Friends with Ladder, c.1913
- Young Men with Wheelbarrow, c.1910
- Ladies with Motorcycle, c.1920s
- Motorcycles at Elmwood Farm, c.1921
- Man on Motorcycle, c.1920s
- On Elmwood Farm, c.1920s
- Kuntz Lady (Possibly Ida Kuntz) on Motorcycle, c.1920s
- Riding Motorcycle through Hilly Countryside, c.1920s
- Kuntz Family, Katherine Kuntz far Right, on Bremen Bridge, c.1920s
- Man on Bremen Bridge, c.1920s
- Girl Getting Mail in Snow, c.1920s
- Katherine Kuntz with Daughter or Granddaughter, c.1920s
- Katherine Kuntz at Elmwood Farmhouse, c.1920s
- Boys in Snow, c.1920s
- Man Atop Tree Stump, c.1920s
- Man Carrying Buckets, c.1920s
- Earl Kuntz with Bicycle, c.1920s
- Kuntz Ladies Left to Right: Katherine Kuntz, Mabel Kuntz, Ida Kuntz, and Elizabeth Kuntz, c.1920s
- Girl Siting on Fence Post, c.1920s
- Kuntz Ladies with Car, c.1920s
- Kuntz Ladies, c.1920s
- Kuntz Ladies, c.1920s
Looking for more? Stop into the Museum to see J.R. Koontz’s photographs in person, learn about his influences, life, and how his work changed over time. The Museum is located at 123 N Michigan St., Plymouth, Indiana. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.