“Chin Chin” – Majestic Theatre, Kankakee, IL – 2 Nov 1919

Posted on November 2, 2022 by Don Taylor

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Donna’s playing at the Majestic in Kankakee reminds me that not everything is online. In this case, I learned that “Chin-Chin” played in Kankakee only because the St. Anne Record (Saint Anne is about 5 miles southeast of Kankakee – 14 miles driving) had a short note on 6 November that said:

            Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Sprimont, Russell Dumontell, and Ruth Paradis drove to Kankakee last Sunday and saw Chin Chin at the Majestic.

Newspaper Search

Chronicling America has a U.S. Newspaper Directory Search feature. A search for all newspapers published in Kankakee, IL, results in four items returned.

The Progressive Era – 19??-19??.

  • The description is based on Volume 13, no 14 (9 May 1936). That suggests that the paper started about 1923, three years after “Chin-Chin” played at the Majestic.

Semi-weekly Kankakee County Democrat – 1895-1895.

  • The description indicates there was only one issue, 12 November 1895.

Semi-weekly Democrat – 1895-1???

  • The description indicates there were at least ten volumes, as Vol 10, No. 26 was published on 15 November 1895.
  • Holdings indicate that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library only has one issue, the 15 November 1895 issue.

Semi-weekly Democrat – 1???-19??

  • The description indicates there were at least 19 volumes, as volume 19, No. 57, was published on 20 January 1905.
  • Holdings indicate that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library only has scattered issues from 1905 to 1908.

So, it appears that none of the Library of Congress associated libraries include issues of interest.

Then, I contacted the Kankakee Historical Society. They had a copy of the October 31st paper that mentioned “Chin Chin” playing at the Majestic Theatre on November 2nd[I]. It read,

“Chin Chin”

Kankakee Daily Republican – 31 October 1919. Image courtesy Kankakee Historical Society.

In the production of “Chin Chin” the producer, Charles Dillingham, is providing a glorious festival of fun and spectacular attractiveness. Demonstrations of grotesque acrobatic specialties and dancing are numerous through this merry musical concoction.

Those who heard “The Pink Lady”, “The Little Café”, cannot fail to appreciate with pleasure the prospect of hearing further gems in “Chin Chin” from the gifted composer, Ivan Caryll.

Charles Dillingham long ago established a reputation for good taste in his productions so far as color, light, groupings, music and expression go to make up an ensemble. In the company are clever comedians, talented singers and dancers, besides plenty of beautiful, radiant women. The production in its original New York entirety will be seen at the Majestic, Sunday November 2, Matinee and Night.

Majestic Theatre, Kankakee, Illinois.

The 1921 Julius Cahn—Gus Hill theatrical guide and moving has a brief entry for Kankakee:

    • Population., 16,721. Majestic Theatre. L. C. Whealen, Mgr. S. c., L.F., 1,400.

The 1913 Julius Cahn—Gus Hill Theatrical Guide reports:

    • Kankakee is 56 miles SW. of Chicago. Theatre burned past season but understand same will be rebuilt. No details at hand.

Majestic Theatre, Kankakee, IL, circa 1939
Photo courtesy mred8 via Cinema Treasures

The Kankakee Majestic Theatre opened as the Remington Theatre in 1912 and burned the same year. It was rebuilt, and it reopened as the Majestic theatre in 1915. “Chin Chin” played there in 1919. The theatre remained open until 1957. It was developed into the Majestic Mall and reopened as the Town Theatre in 1970. The theater was restored again from 2009 to 2012 when it reopened once more, this time as the New Majestic Art and Conference Center.[ii]

Today

Endnotes

[i] My thanks to the folks at the Kankakee Historical Society for their assistance in this endeavor.

[ii] Cinema Treasures – New Majestic Arts and Conference Center, 150 N. Schuyler Avenue, Kankakee, IL 60901. https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/10158/photos/318299

Posted in 1919-20 - Chin Chin | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

50.ii.b. – Eva Dent (McCarty) Johnson – Obituary.

Posted on October 30, 2022 by Don Taylor

Part 1 of 2 – Margaret Ann Swann – Do Over

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.As I began working on my wife’s 4th great-grandmother, Margaret Ann Swann, I found that many of my sources were corrupt due to a software problem I had many years ago. Because of it I switched software several times and made a mess of my sources. Because of that, I needed to have a “do-over” and clean up many of my sources. I decided to start with-a cousin 3-times removed, Eva Dent McCarty Johnson. She is a good starting point because she appears in a DAR Lineage report, which provides a starting point to fix many of my broken along that line.

DAR Member #455124, Helen (Johnson) Roy’s lineage for her second Generation mentions, “Monument and tombstone, Spring Lake Cemetery, Aurora, Ill.” What a great clue to begin with. My search of Find-a-Grave found photos of Helen’s mother and her mother’s marker. It also includes a copy of her mother’s obituary. Looking at Helen’s mother’s obituary I learned:

MRS. JOHNSON, RESIDENT HERE 91 YEARS, DIES
[8-2-45]

Mrs. Eva McCarty Johnson, 91, of 920 Hardin avenue, last surviving member of the family of her father, Samuel McCarty, founder of Aurora, and one of the city’s best known women, died last night at her home.

Born in Aurora on April 30, 1854, in the old McCarty home which stood on the grounds now occupied by the K. of C. club at Main street and Lincoln avenue, Mrs. Johnson had resided here her entire life. She had long been active in civic and welfare affairs.

Mrs. Johnson was a past president of the Aurora Women’s club and of the Y. W. C. A., and a member of the board of the Old Ladies Home, now Sunnymere for about 40 years. She was a charter member of Minerva Coterie and a worshipper in the First Methodist church since childhood.

In her girlhood days she attended Center school and old Jennings seminary. She was married in 1880 to Hiram Nye Johnson, of Aurora, who preceded her in death in 1910.

She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Robert Roy and Mrs. Ward Downs, and one son, Edwin N. Johnson, all of Aurora, also six grandchildren and to great grandchildren.

Services will be held at the Downs funeral home Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, the Rev. R. M. Furnish, pastor of the First Methodist church officiating. Internment in Spring Lake cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Eva Dent (McCarty) Johnson (1854-1945) – Photo courtesy Find a Grave.

Besides adding this obituary and the photo of Eva to my sources and linking them to the many facts, I corrected my other sources associated with Eva. My unique numbering system identifies Eva McCarty as person 50-ii-b. (How I get there:)

50.  3rd Great-Grandfather – David Swayze.
50-ii.    The second child of David – Emily Ann Swayze.
50-ii-b.  The second child of Emily Ann Swayze – Eva Dent McCarty.

Family Search Profile: K4FB-QB3.
Ancestry Public Trees.

Posted in Darling-Huber | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Photo Friday – Nanos, Naples, Woodrow, & Woudt

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Don Taylor
Catherine Nanos (m. Hadjutanis) Viola Nanos (m. Imhoff), & Bernice Woudt (née Dunn) (m. Kerwin)

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

 Catherine Nanos (m. Imhoff), circa 1934.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Catherine Nanos, 47 Middle St #147.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Catherine Nanos (m. Imhoff), circa 1934.

    The 1934 Portland City Directory lists James A (Harriet) Nanos living at 47 Middle St. Also at that address is Viola Nanos, an inspector at 120 Center.

  • Neither James, Harriet, Catherine, or Viola appear in any proceeding or subsequent Portland City Directories. Nor do they appear in the 1930 or 1940 US Census records in Maine.
  • The 1930 US Census does list James Nanos, his wife Harriet, 15-year-old daughter Catherine, and 14-year-old daughter Viola living in Detroit, Michigan.
  • Catherine Nanos married Eugene Imhoff on the 27th day of October 1937.
  • Maine Birth Records indicate that Catherine was born on 28 November 1915 in Lewiston, ME.

This photo portrays Catherine Nanos (1915-1993) circa 1934, when she was about 18 years old.

Ancestry has three public trees that refer to Catherine N Nanos. Family Search has profile LYG3-1N7 for Catherine Imhoff [née Nanos], who was married to Eugene Imhoff. I have uploaded two photos of Catherine to her Family Search Memories.

Either Margaret or Elsie R Woodrow, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Margaret Woodrow, Me Gen. Hospital #919.”

What I found:

  • Either Margaret or Elsie R Woodrow, circa 1935.

    The 1935 Portland City Directory does not list Margaret Woodrow; however, it does list Elsie Woodrow, a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).

  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Elsie R. Woodrow, a graduate nurse living at 180 Grant, apt 2.
  • New Hampshire Marriage records indicate that Elsie R Woodrow married Arthur Fortin on 5 August 1939. Her parents were Ezra H and Lena M (Pilbro) Woodrow.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Elsie Forton, wife of Arthur, living in Colebrook, New Hampshire. She was working as a nurse in private care and had lived in Portland, Maine, in 1935.
  • Further research revealed that Elsie’s mother’s middle name is May.

I believe this photo is probably Elsie Woodrow. However, I am uncomfortable with making that identification because the photo package indicates “Margaret Woodrow,” and I can find no records showing there was a Margaret Woodrow who was a nurse at Maine General Hospital in 1935.

I have not identified the individual in this photo sufficiently to upload to either Family Search or Dead Fred, so I only include the individual’s image here.

Viola Nanos (m. Hadjiyanis), circa 1934.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Viola Nanos, 47 Middle St. #148 – DSCN4398P.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Photo of Viola Nanos (m. Hadjiyanis), circa 1934.

    Viola Nanos (m. Hadjiyanis), circa 1934.

    The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Viola Nanos, an inspector at 120 Center living at 47 Middle St. Also at that address are James A and Harriet Nanos.

  • Neither James, Harriet, Catherine, or Viola appear in any proceeding or subsequent Portland City Directories. Nor do they appear in the 1930 or 1940 US Census records in Maine.
  • The 1930 US Census does list James Nanos, his wife Harriet, 15-year-old daughter Catherine, and 14-year-old daughter Viola living in Detroit, Michigan.
  • The 1940 US Census lists James Nanos, his wife Harriet, and his 23-year-old, Rhode Island born daughter Viola.
  • Michigan Marriage records indicate Viola married Anastasios Hadjiyanis in Detroit on 16 May 1948.

I am sure this photo is of Viola Nanos circa 1934.

Ancestry has one public tree that refers to Viola Nanos, daughter of Dimitrious James and Harriet (Cardasis) Nanos. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Viola. Her obituary appears in the Detroit Free Press dated 8 January 2017. I uploaded a photo of Viola photo to Dead Fred and a second photo of her to my Flickr photostream. 

Unknown Child (probably) related to Maria Naples of Portland, ME.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Maria Naples, 28 May St #415.”

What I found about this photo envelope:

  • Photo of an Unknown Child (probably) related to Maria Naples of Portland, ME.

    Unknown Child (probably) related to Maria Naples of Portland, ME.

    No Maria Naples is listed in the 1935 Portland City Directory.

  • The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Mrs. Alice M Hoyt living at 28 May Street.
  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Gabriel Porciello living at 28 May Street.
  • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Gabriel Leo M Jenks living at 28 May Street.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Mary Jane Naples, the six-year-old daughter of Frank J & Margaret M Naples, living in Portland, Maine. Margaret’s middle name is Mary; however, Mary Jane appears to be a twin to Katherine J Naples.
  • Ancestry Family Trees suggest that Frank J Naples was the son of Vincenzo and Maria (Mary) Napolitano. He had a sister, Maria Santa Napolitano, and a sister Maria “Mary” Concetta Napolitano.

Being unable to associate any Naples with 28 May Street, Portland, or to associate a Mrs. Marie Naples with a child, I am unable to identify the child in this photo. However, I suspect the child is somehow related to the Napolitano family of Portland, Maine. I have not identified the individual in this photos sufficiently to upload to either Family Search or Dead Fred, so I only include the individual’s photo here. 

Bernice Woudt (née Dunn) (later Kerwin), circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Bernice I Woudt, 363 Cumberland Ave #338.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Photo of Bernice Woudt (née Dunn) (later Kerwin), circa 1935.

    Bernice Woudt (née Dunn) (later Kerwin), circa 1935.

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Mrs. Bernice I Woudt, an elevator operator at 22 Monument Square, residing at the rear at 363 Cumberland Ave.

  • Bernice I Woudt (née Dunn) and Mansur Orange Kerwin married on 12 May 1938 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Bernice was 44 years old and the daughter of William Smith and Cora Lynn (Barter) Dunn.

This photo is of Bernice Irene Woult (née Dunn) (later Kerwin) about 1935.

Ancestry has nine public trees that refer to Bernice Irene Dunn. Family Search has profile L2YM-GLG for Bernice Irene Dunn. I uploaded a photo of Bernice to her Family Search Memories.

Conclusion

  • I fully identified three of five Two of them have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories
  • One individual did not have a Family Search profile but did appear in Ancestry trees, so I posted one photo of her to Dead Fred and a second photo to my Flickr Photostream.
  • I did not identify two individuals, so their photos are here only.

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

Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have a higher image quality than the images linked here.

For all postings of the Ethel Wight Collection, please see here.

Endnotes

[i] The Wight Studio was in Portland, Maine. Many thanks to Ethel Wight’s family for access to and permission to use the collection of their great aunt.

[ii] These images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bound to the Grand Jury

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Don Taylor

Grandpa Brown In the News

90 Years Ago
By Don Taylor

No longer front page news, the story of Grandpa Brown moved to page 2. At this point, Grandpa Brown had been in jail for 10 days. He was awaiting the Grand Jury to convene in two and a half months. I thank NewspaperArchive.Com for having the newspaper available online for me to transcribe.

BROWN BOUND TO GRAND JURY;
HELD IN WALKER JAIL

Brainerd Daily Dispatch – 27 October 1932, Page 2.

A Cass county grand jury will consider the case of Clifford Brown, Brainerd, charged with first degree manslaughter in connection with the death of Irwin Thompson, Brainerd, dealer in used furniture, who died after being struck in an altercation at Little Pine resort near here. Brown is being held in the Cass County jail at Walker in lieu of furnishing bond, the amount of which has not been announced. In his preliminary hearing before Justice of the Peace Bilben at Walker, Brown was bound over to the grand jury which will convene in Walker January 10.

Grandpa made bail after he was bound to the Grand Jury. Good thing as they didn’t convene until January 10th, 2½ months later.

Posted in Brown-Montran, In the news | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Photo Friday – Wolcott, Wood, & Woodbury

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 103

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

George H. Wolcott, circa 1934

The envelope this negative was in says, “Geo. H. Wolcott, I P Co, Kansas City, MO #67.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • George H. Wolcott, circa 1934

    The 1922 Kansas City City Directory lists George H Wolcott, a traveling salesman at Irving-Pitt Co.

  • The 1930 US Census lists George H Wolcott, a 47-year-old salesman in Seattle, Washington. He was born about 1883 in New York, his father was born in Massachusetts, and his mother was born in Maine.
  • In 1914, George Howard Wolcott applied for a passport. George was born in Olean, New York, on 20 January 1883. He made his residence in Kansas City, MO. He requested his passport to be sent to him c/o Irving Pitt Mfg. Co. His passport was returned and then redirected to #54 Franklin St., New York City.
  • The Massachusetts Masonic Membership Cards lists George Howard Wolcott, a salesman living in Roxbury. He was born in Olean, New York, on 15 Jan 1883. He died on 15 Jan 1967.

This photo is of George Howard Wolcott, born 15 Jan 1883 in Olean, New York, and who died 15 Jan 1967.

I have not found George in any Ancestry trees, nor does he appear in any Family Search profiles. Because I feel confident about George’s birth and death dates, I created a Family Search Profile for him– GNXS-67P and uploaded two photos of him to his Family Search Memories.

Miss Frances M. Woodbury, circa 1935

This negative envelope says, “Miss Frances M. Woodbury, 11 Higgins St #629.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Frances M. Woodbury, circa 1935

    The 1938 Portland City Directory lists Frances M Woodbury living at 11 Higgins. She is a music teacher.

  • The 1940 US Census lists Frances M Woodbury, the 27-year-old daughter of James and Lillian Woodbury, living at 11 Higgins, St. Frances and her parents were all born in Maine.

This photo is of Frances M Woodbury, born 31 May 1912 in South Portland to James Franklin and Lillian May (Harmon) Woodbury.

Ancestry has 25 public trees that refer to Frances. Family Search has profile G79S-RXP for Frances Marion Woodbury (1912-1971. I uploaded a photo of Frances to her Family Search Memories.

Frank Roy Wood, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. L. Wood, 113 Franklin St #991.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Frank Roy Wood, circa 1935

    This photo (ID #991) was taken about 1935/1936.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Frank L (wife Mae) Wood as a janitor working and living at 113 Franklin St.
  • The 1940 Census lists Frank L, his wife May, and his son Frank (age 6), Wood living at 133 Washington Ave.
  • Frank Roy Wood was born on 26 Feb 1934 to Frank L and May (Powers) Wood.

Ancestry has two public trees that refer to Frank Roy Wood. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Frank Roy Wood, although his father, Frank L Wood, born 1 March 1901, is profile LL4Y-1Q5. I uploaded a photo of Frank Roy to Dead Fred

Unknown Children
(Probably the children of Mrs. May Wood)

Envelope Identification.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. May Wood, 81 Morning St #61.”

What I found regarding this photo package.

  • The 1934 Portland City Directory list no one living at 81 Morning Street.
  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Mrs. Jennie Goldstein as living at 81 Morning St.
  • The 1936 Portland City Directory available on Ancestry is missing page 1086; however, MyHeritage has the page and it shows Mrs. Jennie Goldstein still at that address.
  • The 1940 US Census lists two May Woods in Maine.
    • May Wood, Wife of Frank L Wood and mother of son Frank (see above).
    • Mae B Wood is a 68-year-old widow. She has no children in her household.
  • There are 11 other Wood women who have M as a middle initial and live in Cumberland County, Maine.
    1. Florence M Wood, the 50-year-old wife of Sherman W Wood. There are no children in the household.
    2. Elene M Wood is a single 17-year-old.
    3. Hilda M Wood is a divorced 23-year-old daughter of Eva C Scott. There are no children in the household.
    4. Florence M Wood is the 30-year-old wife of Frank C Wood. They have three daughters, Lorraine (10), Ruth (9), and Audrey (6).
    5. Erd M Hoyt is the 27-year-old wife of Russell D Hoyt. There are no children in the household.
    6. Grace M Wood is the 44-year-old wife of Raymond J Wood. There are no daughters in the household.
    7. Alice M Wood, the 18-year-old wife of Lester H Wood. There are no children in the household.
    8. Alice M Wood, the 63-year-old wife of Harry Wood. There are no children in the household.
    9. Julia M Wood, the 57-year-old wife of Alfred C Wood. There are no children in the household.
    10. Frances M Wood is a three-year-old living in South Portland.
    11. Gertrude M Wood, a single 17-year-old.
  • Only Florence M Wood, the 30-year-old wife of Frank C Wood, is a potential candidate.
  • Ancestry Family trees suggest that Florence M Wood is Florence Madeline (Reddy) Wood.

Probably May Wood’s Children

Because I cannot connect either May Wood to 81 Morning Street and because Florence M Wood’s middle name was Madeline and not Mae/May, I cannot identify the children in this photo. (Although I suspect they are Lorraine and Ruth Wood, circa 1934.) I have not identified the children in this photo sufficiently to upload to either Family Search or Dead Fred, so I only include the individual’s image here.

 

Unknown Children
(Probably the children of Mrs. William Wood.)

Envelope writing

This photo is from the Ethel Wight Studio, Portland, Maine. The negative envelope says, “Mrs. Wm Wood, 84 High St #985.”

What I found regarding this photo package.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Donald L Anderson, Mrs. Dora C Palmer, and George Van Vakias living at 84 High Street.
  • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists George A Street, William O Ward, and George Van Vakias living at 84 High Street.
  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists two William Woods.
    • William H jr (Louise B) is a salesman living at 150 Park Av, Apt 9
    • William S is an attendant at 140 Free, residing at 785 Congress.

  • Probably Mrs. William Wood’s children.

    The 1940 US Census lists William H Wood, Jr, married to Louise Wood. They have three daughters, Annabelle (12), Dian (11), and Helen (1), and they live at 56 Ocean in Portland. The photo is of two boys, so it can’t be this William Wood.

Because I cannot connect either family with the Wood surname to 84 High Street and cannot identify a William Wood family with two sons the right age, I have not identified the children in this photo. I only include the picture of them here.

Conclusion

  • I fully identified two of the individuals have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories
  • I identified one individual that did not have a Family Search profile but did appear in Ancestry trees, so I posted his/her image to Dead Fred.
  • I was unable to identify four of the individuals and only have their photo here.

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

Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have a higher image quality than the images linked here.

For all postings of the Ethel Wight Collection, please see here.

Endnotes

[i] The Wight Studio was in Portland, Maine. Many thanks to Ethel Wight’s family for access to and permission to use the collection of their great aunt.

[ii] These images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | Tagged , , | Leave a comment