Donna 100 Years ago – Alhambra, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Posted on January 14, 2025 by Don Taylor

100 Years ago
January 17-23, 1925
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

“Donna 100 Years Ago” recounts the vaudeville career of my grandmother, Madonna Montran, also known as “Donna Montran” and “Donna Darling.” In the 1920s, Donna was a prominent headliner, touring the country with her many shows.

Background

In January 1925, Donna was the star of her “Bathing Beauty Revue,” featuring herself and Murray Earle. From January 11th to the 15th, she performed at the Parkway Theater in Madison, Wisconsin. She then traveled to Milwaukee, where she opened at the Alhambra Theatre on the 17th.

Preshow Advertising

On January 14th, both the Milwaukee Journal and the Milwaukee Sentinel began advertising her upcoming show, billed as “Coming Saturday – Donna Darling, Mack Sennett’s Prize Winner, and Her Bathing Beauty Revue with ‘Miss America.'” Notably, this was one of the few venues where Donna’s act was the sole vaudeville performance, sharing the bill with a silent film titled “A Man Must Live” starring Richard Dix.

Show Advertising

Newspaper Clipping - Alhambra showing Bathing Beauty Revue

Alhambra Clipping – From the Donna Darling Collection

In 2017, I had the chance to digitize a scrapbook documenting Donna’s life. It included a clipping from the Alhambra Theatre, advertising her “Special Added Attraction: Bathing Beauty Revue – Thirty Minutes of Fast Fun and Music by the Bathing Girls from the Hollywood Studios… Featuring Donna Darling (Mack Sennett’s Prize Winner) and Murray Earl (from Geo. White’s Scandals).” The ad included a photo of Donna and described the show as “A Fast, Clean, Clever, Miniature Musical Comedy.” Thanks to Genealogy Bank, I learned the ad appeared in the January 17th Milwaukee Journal and the January 18th Milwaukee Sentinel.

The final advertisement for Donna’s show at the Alhambra ran in the January 22nd Sentinel. It mentioned the “Last Two Days” for Donna and her Revue, suggesting she performed at the Alhambra through the 23rd.

The Alhambra Theatre

Originally opened in 1896, as the Uihlein Theater.[i]  But because of pronunciation problems, the name was soon changed to “Alhambra.”  It was built by the Uihlein family, the owners of the Schlitz brewery.

Specifications for the Alhambra Theatre [vi]

Photo of the Alhambra Theatre Courtesy of the Milwaukee Public Library.

Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Public Library

Seating Capacity: 2500

Proscenium opening: 43 ft
Front to back wall: 35 ft
Between side walls: 85 ft
Apron 4 ft
Between fly girders: 60 ft
To rigging loft: 70 ft

The theatre was demolished in 1961.[ii]

Endnotes

[i] Pronounced “EE-Line.”

[ii] Cinema Treasures: Alhambra Theater, 334 W. Wisconsin Avenue.

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Photo Friday – Dana, Gruver, Hinkley, & Kinney

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 048
Hinkley Family Photographs (2024.13.43)
Portland, Maine – Scarborough, Maine
By Don Taylor

This photo album, part of the Linwood D. Dyer Photo Collection, is in poor condition. Many photos are glued in place, making it impossible to examine their backs. However, the photos in the album focus on the Hinkley family. The collection contains hundreds of images, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, Maine. My goal is to connect these images with their descendants, who may never have seen them before. The original collection is housed at the Scarborough Historical Society[i].

Ernest Cogswell Kinney – 1909

Photo of Ernest Cogswell Kenney, 1908

Ernest Cogswell Kenney, 1908

Page 49 features a single photograph. The original label is difficult to read, but a slip of paper with the image identifies the subject as Ernest Cogswell Kinney. The label appears to also read “Ernest Cogswell Kinney” as it fits the spaces and legible charactors. The photograph is dated 1909.

Ernest Cogswell Kinney was born in New York on April 8, 1879. In this photograph, taken in 1909, he would have been approximately 30 years old. He married Eleanor Tisdale Hinkley on June 9, 1909.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree on Ancestry.

Howard Hinkley Dana – c. 1915

Photo of Howard Hinkley Dana, 1913

Howard Hinkley Dana, 1913

Page 50 of the album features a single photograph of a baby labeled “Howard Hinkley Dana – b. 1913.”

The 1920 U.S. Census records Philip & Florence H. Dana’s household with a son, Howard H. Dana, aged 5 years and 11 months, suggesting a birthdate of January 1914.

According to his obituary, Howard Hinkley Dana was born in Westbrook to Philip Dana and Florence Hinkley Dana. He married twice: first to Ann Clifford in 1939, and then to Eileen Rand in 1976. He passed away on October 29, 1981, in Boston following surgery.

He is survived by his wife Eileen, his brother Philip Dana, Jr. of Falmouth, his sister Frances Jordan of Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, his son Howard Dana, Jr. of Cape Elizabeth, and four daughters: Catherine D. Nelson of Madison, Connecticut, Matilda Migsakos of Weston, Massachusetts, Margaret Brown of South Portland, and Molly Dana of New York City.

I added this photograph to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree on Ancestry.

Charles K Hinkley – Feb 1862.

Photo of Charles K Hinkley of Gorham, Maine - 1962.Page 54 of the album contains two thumbnail photographs. The first photograph is labeled “Charles K Hinkley – Gorham, Me – Feb 1862.”

I have identified Charles K. Hinkley as the son of Stephen and Sophronia (Shedd) Hinkley, born on November 16, 1843 in Gorham, Maine. He resided in Gorham during the 1860 U.S. Census and when he registered for the draft in 1863.

Based on the date on the photograph and Charles’ birthdate, I am confident that this is a portrait of Charles K. Hinkley taken in 1862 when he was 18 years old.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree on Ancestry and to his profile on FamilySearch.

Stephen Hinkley – c. 1862.

Photo of Stephen Hinkley, c. 1862.

Stephen Hinkley, c. 1862

Page 54 of the album features a photograph labeled “Stephen Hinkley” alongside a photograph of Charles K. Hinkley. Given that both photographs were likely taken, printed, and mounted together in the album, it is reasonable to assume they were captured within a similar timeframe.

Since Charles K. Hinkley’s father was Stephen Hinkley, and considering the contextual information, it is highly probable that the photograph depicts Stephen Hinkley. Based on the likely timeframe of the album’s creation, the photograph of Stephen Hinkley is likely from the 1860s.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree on Ancestry and to his profile on Family Search.

Elbert, Eleanor, & Margaret Hinkley Gruver – Fall 1911.

A photo of Elbert, Eleanor, & Margaret Hinkley Gruver - Fall 1911.

Elbert, Eleanor, & Margaret Hinkley Gruver – Fall 1911.

“A photograph of three children labeled “Elbert, Eleanor, & Margaret Hinkley Gruver – Fall 1911″ is located on page 54 of the album.”

My previous research identified the three children of Elbert Asa and Margaret (Hinkley) Gruver as:

  • Eleanor Gruver was born on June 29, 1902. She married Victor H Hicks in 1937 and died on November 10, 1993, in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
  • Elbert Gruver, born 1905.
  • Margaret H Gruver was born on May 28, 1911, in Rome, New York.”

I am confident this is a photo of the three children taken about 1911 when Margaret was an infant.

I added this photograph to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree on Ancestry and linked it to each of the three children.

 Conclusion

I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.[ii]

Feel free to use these photos in your genealogical activities. Please cite “Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society.”

Endnotes

[i] Scarborough Historical Society Accession number: 2024.13.43.
[ii] Dontaylorgenealogy.com

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Montrans in the News – 1914 Card of Thanks

Posted on January 6, 2025 by Don Taylor

Montran Monday
By Don Taylor

 

This week, for Montran Monday[i], I found the following article:

This week’s entry is from the Marion Leader-Tribune (Marion, Indiana) dated November 19, 1914, page 8.

Clipping from the Marion Leader-Tribune, Nov 19, 1914, page 8 - Text transcribed in article.

Marion Leader-Tribune, Nov 19, 1914, page 8.

CARD OF THANKS.

We wish to thank our friends and neighbors and Rev. Wells for the kindness and sympathy shown us in the sickness and death of our dear, beloved mother, and for the many beautiful floral offerings.

MRS. JENNIE MONTRAN.
MRS. EMMA McCANN.
MRS. E. J. KLINGENSMITH.
MRS. J. C. CAMPBELL
WILLIAM J. CALDWELL,
AND GRANDCHILDREN.

 

I learned:

My search for a Caldwell who died in November (before the 18th) 1914 in Marion, Indiana, yielded one candidate – Mary J Caldwell (15 Aug 1841-11 Nov 1914).

Mary’s death certificate[ii] indicates

  • Born: 16 Aug 1841, Pennsylvania.
  • Father: Francis Hawthorn. Bandbridge, Ireland.
  • Mother: Elizabeth Walker, Belfast, Ireland.
  • Married: William J Caldwell, Dec’d.
  • Died: 11 Nov 1914 at 3007 South Gallatin, Marion, Grant County, Indiana.
  • Informant: Mrs. Emma McCann.

Ancestry Family Trees indicate she had a son, William J Caldwell, which confirms this is the correct person article. My review of the three public trees failed to find a Montran as a relative and the Jennie’s in the tress did not provide any trees.

Conclusion

Jennie Montran mentioned in the article is another dead-end in my Montran Project.

ENDNOTES

[i] Montran Monday – My grandmother’s father was John Montran. She used the surname, as a young child and again when she began in show business. The name is uncommon and most of the Montrans I see in the newspapers are my grandmother during her early vaudeville career. However, with the constant flow of newly digitized material, I often learn of new articles which contain the Montran name. I pay attention to the finding and try to determine a possible relationship of any Montrans to Donna’s father, John Montran.

[ii] Ancestry – Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017 – (Indiana Archives and Records Administration; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011; Year: 1914; Roll: 06.

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Photo Friday – Gruver, Hinkley.

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 047
Hinkley Family Photographs (2024.13.43)
Portland, Maine – Rome, New York
By Don Taylor

This photo album, part of the Linwood D. Dyer Photo Collection, is in poor condition. Many photos are glued in place, making it impossible to examine their backs. However, the photos in the album focus on the Hinkley family. The collection contains hundreds of images, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, Maine. My goal is to connect these images with their descendants, who may never have seen them before. The original collection is housed at the Scarborough Historical Society[1].

 Helen Hartwell Hinkley – 1896 & 1907

Photo of Helen Hartwell Hinkley in 1907

Helen Hartwell Hinkley, 1907

Pages 42 and 43 showcase six photographs of Helen Hartwell Hinkley at different stages of her life.

Born in Maine on June 10, 1885, Helen was the youngest of nine children born to Rufus Henry and Frances Elizabeth (Prindle) Hinkley. She attended Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, but spent most of her life in Portland, Maine. Helen passed away in Scarborough on March 10, 1973, and was laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery in Portland.

I’ve incorporated these six photographs of Helen, taken between 1896 and 1907, into my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree on Ancestry.

Eleanor & Elbert Asa Gruver – c. 1910

Photo of Elbert Asa Gruver, Jr., circa 1910.

Elbert Asa Gruver, Jr., circa 1910.

Page 45 features three photographs, all of which are labeled:

  • Eleanor Gruver 1902-
  • Elbert Asa Gruver Jr. 1905-
  • H. H. H.

The two photographs of the Gruver children were taken at the Hanson Studio in Portland, Maine.

Photo of Eleanor Gruver, circa 1910.

Eleanor Gruver, circa 1910.

Elbert appears to be approximately five years old in his photograph, dating it to around 1910. Given that both photographs were taken by the same photographer and share a similar style, I believe the photograph of Eleanor was also taken around 1910, when she was about eight years old.

The “H. H. H.” photograph resembles other photographs of Helen Hartwell Hinkley.

I added the photographs of Eleanor and Elbert Jr. to their profiles in mu Linwood Dyer Collection family tree on Ancestry.

Conclusion

I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.[ii]

Feel free to use these photos in your genealogical activities. Please cite “Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society.”

Endnotes

[1] Scarborough Historical Society Accession number: 2024.13.43.
[2] Dontaylorgenealogy.com

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Cleaning up my Howell Research

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Don Taylor

Howell-Darling Research
By Don Taylor

I recently discovered several death certificates, which I had downloaded in 2015, related to my wife’s Howell family line but were overlooked. This collection included a mix of processed, unexamined, and partially extracted documents for the Howell-Darling family tree.

Document Processing

Over the course of a few days, I accomplished the following tasks:

  1. Extracted and incorporated data from over 30 death certificates and records.
  2. Repaired 38 broken citations.
  3. Removed six duplicate entries.
  4. I added 45 new individuals to my family tree.

Individuals Covered

The death certificates and records pertained to various family members, including:

  • Howell family members (e.g., Anna Lee Howell Boseman, Ashley Long Howell, David Bushrod Howell, Peter Fletcher Howell)
  • Hobbs and Vincent relatives (e.g., Annie Hobbs Armstrong, Barkett Vincent, Benjamin J. Vincent)
  • Long family members (e.g., Benjamin Lafayette Long & Joseph John Long)
  • Other connected individuals (e.g., Bessie Johnson Tippett, Hazel Valentine, William A Merritt)

Outcome

This thorough review and organization of documents has significantly improved the accuracy and completeness of my Howell-Darling family tree. All document images are now available in my Ancestry Family Tree for future reference.

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