Part 671: Charles E. Rosenbaum, Bestor G. Brown and Joseph S. Sosman
I have examined Bestor G. Brown and Brown’s special system over the course of several posts, placing both within the context of Midwestern stage carpenters and scenic artists.
Brown’s special system was manufactured by Sosman & Landis and marketed by Bestor G. Brown, western sales representative of M. C. Lilley & Co. Documented examples of Brown’s special system include Little Rock, Arkansas, Guthrie, Oklahoma , Duluth, Minnesota, Wichita, Kansas, Memphis, Winona, Minnesota (1909, recently demolished), Tennessee, Cheyenne, Wyoming, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Portland, Maine, Grand Forks, North Dakota, Asheville, North Carolina, and Tucson, Arizona.
Thomas G. Moses credited with origin of Masonic designs to David A. Strong. In 1911 after Strong’s unexpected death, Moses wrote, “Strong was the ‘daddy’ of all Masonic designs and he was a 32nd Degree man.” We know that Strong was both a scenic artist and stage carpenter, instrumental in some of the earliest Scottish Rite scenery for the Oriental Consistory of Chicago.
Moses mentioned three other men in his memoirs who he credited with “the starting of the scenic decoration of real Scottish Rite degree work”– Joseph S. Sosman, Bestor G. Brown and Charles E. Rosenbaum.
In 1930, he Moses wrote letters Frank M. Jefferson at the Albert Pike Memorial during April 1930. In the last, he mentions the three men:
“April 20, 1930
My Dear Brother Frank,
I have tried for sometime to write you, to thank you for sending the wire that announced the death of one of my best friends. A man that I had all of the Brotherly Love for that was possible to give.
While at times, he would go for me rough-shod for some neglect of mine, but at the same time would go out of his way to help me in more ways than one, he gave me more sound judgment on my work than I have had from anyone outside of Bestor Brown – and I have put it to useful work. I am going to ask a favor. I want a photograph of Mr. Rosenbaum to place with the one I have of Bestor Brown, my two advisors in my chosen vocation.
Thanking you in advance and with best regards to all.
Sincerely and fraternally yours,
Thos. G. Moses”
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“April 29, 1930
My Dear Jefferson,
Yours of the 25th received. I will visit Little Rock, every time I am in your vicinity, as I count on a warm welcome by my friends.
You mention having enclosed a photo of C. E. Look about your desk and you will find that you did not include it. I shall certainly be pleased to receive it.
I wish you would remember me to the Harris boys and father, Bill Leipzig (I have forgotten how to spell his name) also to Gene Smith and others.
Thanking you again for the photo which you will send.
I am sincerely yours,
Thos. G. Moses”
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“April 30, 1930
My dear Frank,
The photo has arrived. I had supposed it was one you intended to include with your letter. I don’t know how to thank you enough for this wonderful portrait you have been kind enough to send me. I will now have the 3 men that had all to do with the starting of the Scenic decoration of real Scottish Rite Degree work: Rosenbaum, Brown and Sosman. Many – many – thanks for the photo.
I am sincerely yours,
Thos. G. Moses”
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Charles E. Rosenbaum was president of the C. E. Rosenbaum Machinery Company in Little Rock, Arkansas. Like Brown, he held many offices in the Fraternity, including S.G.I.G. of Arkansas and the Lieutenant Grand Commander of the Supreme Council. Tomorrow, I will look at the remarkable life of Rosenbaum, a man who insisted one should never lose sight of the fact that a business is built on honor and should be maintained in the same manner.
To be continued…
