Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
There were a few winning combinations for scenic studios during the turn of the twentieth century. The first was the combination of salesman and scenic artist. In this case, both intimately understood the design, painting and building process for stage settings. The second winning combination was the combination of scenic artist and stage carpenter; one built and one painted the settings. However, this meant that someone needed to also work sales. Buhler, Peltz and Carsen combined one scenic artist with two stage mechanics.
Harry H. Buhler was a scenic artist and Herman Peltz a stage mechanic; they both worked at the Criterion Theatre during the early twentieth century before forming Buhler, Peltz and Carsen. Yesterday, I explored the Buhler & Peltz combination at the Criterion Theatre. The two produced settings for a variety of touring shows, written and designed by Lincoln S. Carter between 1906 and 1908. These were huge mechanical affairs with brilliant stage effects that traveled across the country in railways cars packed with “special scenery.” Peltz later partnered solely with Robert Carsen to form “Peltz and Carson.” Both were primarily stage carpenters, an interesting combination at the time and it was a relatively short-lived business venture.
In 1918, Thomas G. Moses mentioned the studio of Peltz & Carsen, as he was looking for a space to rent while working for New York Studios. Today’s post focuses on Herman Maximillian Peltz, Sr.
Peltz was born in 1869, one of three sons born to Margaretha (b. 1840) and Thaugott Peltz (Dec 1801-15 Jan 1890). Little is known of his parents, his upbringing, or his introduction to the theater. However, his parents made the “Criminal Gossip” section of the newspaper when he was nine years old. On March 30, 1878, the “Inter Ocean” reported, “Margaret Peltz is a solitary North Side prisoner for assaulting and battering her husband Trangoth Pelts. Didn’t like his front name most likely” (page 8). That had to have been an embarrassing and tragic experience for the young Peltz.
Herman’s two brothers were Leo Peltz (1863-1940) and Max Peltz (1859-1890), each born in Chicago. Their father was a German immigrant, born in Lankreis Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, in 1801. At the age of 21 yrs. old Herman Peltz married Caroline “Lena” Zellner on 17 Sept 1890. The couple celebrated the birth of four children: Edith Mary, Matthew, Edward and Herman Max Peltz Jr. Only Herman Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps as a stage carpenter. In 1890, Peltz was listed in the Chicago Directory as a “laborer” living at 3640 S. Wood. No industry was listed, but it could have been theatrical; we don’t know. It is during the 1890s that “Herman Peltz” is mentioned as performer associated with several theatrical endeavors. Again, no indication as to when he began focusing on performance or backstage work. However, by 1906 he was working with Harry J. Buhler at the Criterion Theatre in Chicago. By this time, however, his skill set as a stage mechanic was well developed.
The 1910 US Federal Census listed Peltz’ occupation as a “contractor” in the “theatrical” industry. At the time he was lodging with business partner Robert Carsen (age 33), Alice E. McGinnis (divorced female, age 29) and her son Frank (age 11). All four were renting at 1364 Sedgwick Street in Chicago. I have not tracked down where Peltz’s family was living or why they were living apart. Carsen’s occupation was also listed as a contractor in the theatrical industry. Like Peltz, Carsen’s parents were German immigrants.
By 1917, Herman M. Peltz, Jr. was working at Peltz and Carsen. His WWI draft registration card lists that he was employed as a stage carpenter, like his father, for the firm. Interestingly, this ensured that the studio of Peltz & Carsen continued after the passing of Herman Peltz., Sr. in 1919.
Herman M. Peltz, Sr. passed away on June 13, 1919, and is buried at Oakridge Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. The cause of death was listed as “organic disease of the heart due to scoliosis and calcification of the coronary arteries.” Peltz & Carsen continued after the passing of one founded, still active in the early 1920s.
To be continued…
