Born in London and reared in Germany. Emil W. Lender, became successively a Philadelphia alderman wild west show trouper and Oklahoma rancher before achieving his ambition to becoming a painter of plains animals.

That he succeeded is attested by the fact that his pictures of buffalo, Indians, wolves and wild horses hang in some of the most important art collections of the country.

Already well known for his pictures of sheep, horses and other domestic animals, Lenders was attracted by the picturesque Indians, bronchos, cowboys and wild steers in Col. W.P. "Buffalo Bill" Cody's wild west show when it was showing in the old Madison Square Garden in New York City. He joined the show, traveling with it and studying the western actors and animals.

An invitation from Col. Joe C. Miller of the 101 Ranch and Cody's insistence brought the artist to Oklahoma to live and paint. He established "Thunderbird" ranch near Miller's south of Ponca City.