After receiving a fundamental education in the state schools, Helmer
George attended a business college in his native land, entering the in-
stitution at the age of twelve. When he had completed its course of
instruction he joined the navy of his country, in which he served three
years. He next took up photography, and after becoming familiar with
its principles and mechanical requirements, practiced it three years in
Sweden. In September, 1906, he came to the United States, landing in
New York but removing soon afterward to Boston, where he passed a



Hosted by Google



TIISTORV OF OAKLAND COUNTY 683

year and a half in an art school. He then returned to New York and se-
cured employment as an artist with Sarony and Marceau, two of the
greatest photographers of the Empire city, continuing to work for them
two years.
At the end of that period he took charge of a photograph gallery for
one of the most extensive operating firms in the business in this country.
They sent him to Detroit to open a branch house in that city, and this
he conducted for a year and a half, then came to Pontiac and opened
the studio in which he now owns and conducts his business. It is one
of the most completely equipped and ornately adorned in the state, and
it would be difficult to find one anywhere to surpass it in a city of the
size and rank of Pontiac, or even much larger.
