Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
Thomas G. Moses pasted an article about scenic artist, Henry C. Tryon, in his scrapbook. I first encountered the clipping as an undergraduate while creating an index of Moses’ diary and scrapbook; it was part of an independent study project with Lance Brockman. For quite some time I have looked for additional information about Tryon, never discovering much more information than was cited in the tattered old newspaper clipping. This week I discovered the reason; Tryon changed his name when he was twenty-five years old.
On September 19, 1872 Chicago’s “Inter Ocean” newspaper reported, “Petition of Henry B. Hornbeck. Petition to change above name to that of Henry C. Tryon. Petitioner is an artist, and has been known by the name Tryon among his friends and in business, and it is important that he should retain the name. A notice of his application for the above purpose, which has appeared for three weeks in the Legal News, is appended to the petition. Willett & Herrings, solicitors” (page 6). He had been working for some time with the stage name of Tryon, yet was still listed in city directories as Hoornbeck, and Hornbeck.
The 1870 Chicago Directory listed Henry Hoornbeck at 384 W. Lake. He was living with his mother and brothers, Dell and Spencer. As a scenic artist, he became associated with Allen’s Globe Theatre in Wood’s Theatre. Like other itinerant artists, by 1871 Tryon was painting scenery across the country. One of his projects included the stock scenery collection for Frazer’s Hall in Lawrence, Kansas. On February 25, 1871, the “New York Clipper” reported, “Frazer’s Hall, Lawrence, Kansas, has just been fitted up with an elegant and complete set of scenery, painted by Henry C. Tryon, of Chicago. Best hall in the city for any and all purposes.”
The 1872 Chicago Directory listed “Henry C. Tryon, scenic artist” residing at 128 W. Randolph. At the time, he was living with the sculptor Horatio Tryon (b. 1826) and Horation’s wife, Estella Tryon. It is unclear as to when Henry met the Tryons or the exact nature of their relationship was in 1872. However, the 1872 business section of the Chicago Directory listed both Horatio L. Tryon and Henry C. Tryon in the “Artists” section, each residing at 128 W. Randolph. In print, it looks like a father and son partnership. Six years later, Henry was still boarding with the Tryons, now residing at 198 W. Lake Street. Interestingly, a William P. Tryon was part of the household, also boarding at the same place. Keep in mind that William Patterson Hornbeck was a brother of Henry B. Hornbeck. Henry’s younger brother, Spencer Hornbeck, also adopted the name Spencer Tryon while working with his brother out west a decade later.
In 1883, “The Salt Lake City Herald” credited a scene painted by Mr. W. C. Morris and Mr. Spencer Tryon, elaborating, “Mr. Spencer Tryon is a brother and pupil of Henry C. Tryon, the artist of the Salt Lake Theatre. He is very talented, and although scarcely more than a boy in years, has produced some very fine work here and at the Tabor Grand Opera House, Denver” (30 June 1883, page 8). Again, all roads lead back to the Tabor in this story. In addition to Henry C. Tryon and Henry E. Burkcy, Spencer Tryon was also painting scenery for the Tabor Grand in Denver.
In regard to the Hoornbeck’s adopted family, Horatio Tryon was an artist and sculptor. He made a name for himself in the East before moving to Chicago, working in New York during the 1850s. The 1857 New York Directory listed, “Tryon, Horatio, marble, h. 270 W. 31st .”
By 1863, Horatio Tryon’s Civil War Draft Registration listed him working as a sculptor in New Haven, Connecticut. Shortly after registering for the draft, Tryon relocated to Chicago, soon being listed in the 1864 directory at 221 Washington. Horatio Tryon remained in Chicago for the remainder of his life, passing away in the late 1870s. By 1878 Estella Tryon was listed as a widow by 1878, but again, still living with Henry C. Tryon.
HenryB. Hoornbeck not only created a new name, but also a new birthplace and background story. Years later, the article about Tryon pasted in Thomas G. Moses’ scrapbook provided the following information:
“Henry C. Tryon. Born in Chicago in 1847. After graduating from the public schools, and while o his 17th year, he enlisted in the army in a regiment attached to the Second Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, serving until the close of the war. Afterward was a pupil of the Pennsylvania Academy of Design, with the purpose of becoming a landscape painter, drifting there by choice and mostly by accident into scene painting, which he has practiced in nearly every State in the Union. Was an artist at Wood’s Museum at the time of the great fire, and afterward at McVicker’s Theater. He is better known in all the other large cities than in Chicago. Has been a pupil of the eminent artists William Hart, N.A. and Thomas Moran, N. A. and accepted an associate member of the Chicago Academy in 1874. He earned a 2nd degree and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He had a large and varied practical experience, is a close student, has a fine education, and has given considerable attention to newspaper writing on art and theatrical subjects. His most noticeable points of excellence and perhaps free and carefulness in the handling of foliage brilliancy and quality of color and the delightful shape of them.”
Here is the history for Henry B. Hornbeck (Hoornbeck) that I have uncovered to date: Henry was born in Huron, Ohio, the son of Jacob Hoornbeck (1813-1864) and Anna Maria Hammer Hoornbeck (1824-1892). In 1850, the family was living in Portland, Ohio. Henry’s siblings included William Patterson (1848-1907), Mary (1851-1854), Sarah (1854-1858), Dell (1855-?), and Spencer (1863-?). In some historical records, Henry C. Tryon, was listed as Spencer’s father; possible with the sixteen years age spread. The patriarch of the family, Jacob Hoornbeck, passed away in 1864. At some point during the 1860s, the Hornbeck family moved to New York.It remains unclear what prompted the move.
Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts list a Henry B. Hornbeck, enlisted in New York on February 16, 1865 and mustered as a private in the 69th Infantry on that same date. He was reportedly 19 yrs. old at the time, with his birth year noted as 1846. Military records list his occupation as a clerk, describing Henry as 5’-3 ¼” with light hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion.
In Chicago, the earliest mention of a Henry C. Tryon in the newspapers appears in 1868. That year a “Henry C. Tryon” was listed as playing the role of “page” in “Elizabeth,” starring Mrs. Lander (Jean Davenport) at the opera house (“Chicago Tribune,” 11 Feb., 1868, page 4). Two years later, Tryon was listed as one of the scenic artists for Allen’s Globe Theater in Chicago. He was also painting for Wood’s Museum, working there up until the great fire of 1871. As most other artists at this time, Tryon was worked as an itinerant artist, especially in the west. During the winter of 1870, Tryon found additional work in Lawrence, Kansas. The “Daily Kansas Tribune” reported, “Mr. Henry C. Tryon, from Allen’s Globe Theater, Chicago, is at present painting the scenery for the stage in Frazer’s Hall” (The Daily Kansas Tribune, 28 Dec. 1870, page 3). The installation consisted of “drop curtain, seven sceneries, tormentor wings and front drapery, representing a garden, palace, landscape, kitchen, prison, parlor, plain chamber and street, with wings and borders complete.
He also worked in Topeka, Kansas, that year. On January 31, 1871, the “Kansas State Record” reported, “Mr. H. C. Tryon, the scenic artist from Chicago will commence painting scenery for “Esther,” to-day. Look out for something beautiful. Mr. Tryon is one of the finest artists in the West” (Topeka, Kansas, page 4).
1872 advertisements in the “New York Clipper” announced, “Henry C. Tryon. Late Scenic artist Woods Museum, Chicago is prepared to paint scenes and drop curtains for theaters, public halls, etc. 363 W. Indiana St. Chicago, Illinois” (13 April 1872, page 20). By summer of 1872, advertisements about Tryon still appeared in the “New York Clipper,” but with a new address – 210 Clark Street.
To be continued…
