Cochems, Edward W. (Edward William), 1874-1949,

Edward W. Cochems was a commercial photographer based in Santa Ana, California.

He was born in Chicago in 1874 and moved to Orange County in 1915, where he worked for several newspapers, including the Artesia News and Bellflower Herald. He operated his own commercial photography business, Cochems the Photographer, in four different Santa Ana locations between 1915 and ca. 1947. From 1939-1944 he taught photography courses at Lathrop Junior High School. Cochems was involved in many civic and fraternal organizations, and was the first President of the Association of Photographers in Santa Ana. He was a member of the Laguna Beach Art Association and also held a life membership in the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce. Cochems died in 1949.

From the description of Edward W. Cochems photographs, ca. 1919-ca. 1949. (University of California, Irvine). WorldCat record id: 47160087

Biography

Edward W. Cochems was born in Chicago on October 13, 1874 and died in Orange, California, on July 31, 1949 at the age of 74. He married Emma Glaser of Chicago, Illinois, on October 14, 1902; they had one daughter, Adeline, born on July 10, 1904.

Cochems came to Orange County from Los Angeles in 1915, where he had collaborated with Henry Hauser since 1912 in the operation of the following community newspapers: Artesia News, Bellflower Herald, a newspaper in Downey and the Buena Park Herald. A self-taught photographer, he operated his own commercial photography business, "Cochems the Photographer," in four different Santa Ana locations between 1915 and ca. 1947. His firm specialized in commercial photography, though he was engaged in making motion pictures and served as photography instructor from 1939-1944 for the adult education program at Lathrop Junior High School.

Cochems was involved in many civic and fraternal organizations, including IOOF (Odd Fellows), Knights of Pythias, Moose Lodge, Santa Ana Breakfast Club, and others. He formed the first Association of Photographers in Santa Ana and was its first President. He held a life membership in the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Laguna Beach Art Association. Additional biographical information, including essays written by Cochems and by his daughter Adeline, is on file.

From the guide to the Edward W. Cochems photographs, ca. 1919-ca. 1949, (University of California, Irvine. Library. Special Collections and Archives.)