John Steinke (ca. 1895-ca. 1971) was a free-lance amateur photographer of German descent who was born in New York, but moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Most of his photographic activity appears to have spanned the 1920s-1940s. He lived in at least two different locations in Bratenahl during his lifetime: East 118th Street and Burton Avenue. By vocation, he worked in the sheet metal industry. As a photographer, he worked in a wide variety of genres, experimenting with fine-art photography as well as commissioned work for various organizations in the Cleveland area. He submitted, and had his work shown in Cleveland and other nearby cities, as well as at shows in the Smithsonian, Canada, France, Greece, and Japan. Steinke played an important early role in the Cleveland Photographic Society, being president of the club in 1923, as well a member of the Board of Trustees. He played a crucial role in not only forming, but also leading the club's Photographic School, doing much of the teaching himself. When the school expanded and featured a faculty of teachers, he focused on teaching the technical aspects of photography. He also championed teaching photography to young people. He led a free six-week course in photography for high-school students and Boy Scouts. Steinke made personal donations of photographic equipment to the Society, and he played an important role as manager in the Society's regularly hosted print competitions. Steinke resigned from the Cleveland Photographic Society after a disagreement with the club president Ralph Hartman regarding the appropriate role of the club's Lecture Bureau. After his resignation, he taught classes at the Y.M.C.A., and soon formed another photography group known as the Cleveland Camera Guild.
From the description of John Steinke papers, ca. 1920s-1950s. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 760305571
