Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1921 Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Got an electric train for Woodland and spent a day with Mr. Stuart Webster, manager of the Strand Theatre Company. Went back to San Francisco and returned to Woodland where I failed to close, so I hustled on to Willows, putting in a day with Jacobs. Had to get out of Willows at 4:00 A.M. – some job.”
At sixty-five years old, Moses’ life had not slowed down one bit. He had previously worked with Webster on other Strand Theatres across the country, so the failure to close this particular contract must have been disappointing, to say the least. Moses then returned to work on an existing contract in Willows, California. The Willows project was one partnered with Flagg Studios. Throughout 1921-1922 Moses continually traveled to California and worked in Flagg’s shops. Charles M. Jacobs was the vice-president of the Edwin H. Flagg Studio in 1921.
Jacobs forms an interestingly link between Illinois scenic artists and those who moved to California during the early twentieth century. He is also one of many scenic artists who also worked as both a photographer, as well as working in the early film industry. A fascinating individual in his own right.
Charles M. Jacobs was born on July 3, 1865, in Macomb, Illinois; Macomb is the county seat of McDonough County. Years later, a census report would list that the highest level of education Charles received in Macomb was 8th grade; an impressive achievement at that time.
Interestingly, Joseph Sosman moved to Macomb after the Civil War, first working as a scenic artist in the 1870s there. To put this in perspective, Sosman worked as a painter in Macomb by the late 1860s. One of his earliest projects was painting scenery for the opera house with T. B. Harrison, a Chicago scenic artist. Sosman remained in town after that, working as a scenic artist, a sign painter and decorator. He also traveled as an itinerant artist, painting scenery for a number of other opera houses in the region. Even after establishing Sosman & Landis, Sosman still listed Macomb as his home in the 1880 U. S. Federal Census, living with his parents. By 1882, “Joe” Sosman’s success as a founder of a major scenic studio was heralded in the “Macomb Daily Journal.” The article reported, “Nearly all the county readers of the Journal know ‘Joe’ Sosman, and that he is in Chicago in the scenery-painting business, but few, if any, are aware of the prominence of the firm of which he is the senior partner.” Macomb was a small town, with a population that grew from 2,700 in 1870 to 3,100 by 1880. When the Macomb newspaper article described Sosman’s success, Charles Jacobs was only seventeen. However, most scenic artists entered the profession between sixteen and seventeen years old. Although Charles worked as a scenic artist, his profession was primarily listed in city directories as that of a photographer.
Charles was the son of Mark F. Jacobs (1837-1910) and Mary M. Tucker (1833-1909). Mark worked as a carpenter while Mary worked at a local Millinery store. The family was wealthy enough to employ domestic servants from 1870 onward. In 1880, Ida Laughlin, who cooked for the family, was listed in such a role.
Charles grew up in Macomb with a younger brother, Walter (b. October 30, 1867). Sadly, Walter passed away on April 3, 1888 at the age of twenty years old, only a few months after his older brother married.
On December 31, 1888, Charles M. Jacobs applied for a license to marry Fannie Estelle Ayars in Davis County, Kansas. On January 1, 1889, the couple was married in Junction City, Kansas, by William D. Christian. By January 5, 1889, the “Junction City Weekly” included an announcement about “The Ayars-Jacobs Wedding.” The marriage did not last long, with both Charles and Fannie remarrying. In 1905, Fannie married vaudeville actor William “Billy” Rabbie. The two performed in a vaudeville act, Tragically, Fannie committed suicide in 1920 while her husband was away performing.
Charles also remarried shortly after his divorce from Fannie. On April 4, 1894, he married Jenia Shriner (b. July 1866) and the two celebrated the birth of two daughters, Myla (b. Feb. 1895), Pearl (b. May 1897). Charles and Jenia’s marriage certificate lists McDonough Country, Illinois, suggesting that the two met in Macomb.
Here is where it becomes interesting: Edwin H. Flagg also married his first wife, Harriet Myrtle Shriner (1878-1976) in McDonough Country on Jan 11, 1899. Flagg soon moved west, eventually settling in California by 1903. In California, he established two scenic studios, one in San Francisco and the other in Los Angles. It was in California that Flagg hired Jacobs, with Jacobs becoming vice-president of Flagg Studios by 1921. It is too coincidental for there not to be some relation by marriage.
Charles’ wife Jenia Shriner was the daughter of Levi H. Shriner (b. 1838-1915) and Harriet E. Collins Shriner (1843-1917). Born in Indiana, Levi moved to Illinois and worked as farmer in McDonough County, likely just outside of Macomb. The couple were married on Dec. 27, 1864 and celebrated the birth of three daughters: Junia A. (b. 1866), Mary P. (b. 1871), Myrtle (b. 1879). Jenia’s parents were buried in Macomb’s Oakwood Cemetery.
In 1900, Charles, Jenia and their two daughters were living at 322 South Campbell in Macomb, where Jacobs worked as a photographer. He was still working as a photographer in 1910, but now the small family was living at 326 West Adams Street; a move up in residences. Although Jacobs listed “photography” as his occupation in 1910, his work was now for the “studio” industry; a departure from previous records.
Sometime between 1910 and 1914 the Jacobs family move to California. By 1915, Charles M. Jacobs, 1915, living at 255 S. Normandale in Los Angeles. A real estate transaction noted in the “Los Angeles Times” reported that Charles M. Jacobs purchased an eight-bedroom house on the west side of Normandie avenue between Third and Fourth streets for $5,000 (17 Dec. 1911, page 94). After his move to California, Jacobs worked as a scenic artist, listing himself that way in the city directory. The 1920 Census listed that Jacobs worked as a scenic artist for a scenic company that year. The 1921 Los Angeles City Directory listed “Chas. M. Jacobs, v-pres Edwin H. Flagg Scenic Co. h. 255 S. Normandie av.” He was still at his previous residence, but now actively managing Flagg Studios. In 1921, both Charles and his wife have separate listings in the Los Angeles Directory, yet each is still living at 255 S. Normandie avenue.
Between 1923 and 1924 both of Flagg’s studios burn down, leaving Jacobs in a lurch concerning future employment as Flagg attempted to rebuild his business.
After the fire the family moved to 15119 Dickens Street. By 1926, Jacobs is solely listed as “artist” in the San Fernando City Directory, with no specific affiliation to any studio. He was also listed in the 1937 Van Nuys Directory; both listings with the same address. Jacobs continued to live on Dickens Street for the remainder of his life. However, 1930 US Federal Census listed Jacobs as a carpenter, working for the “theatrical studio” industry. This temporary shift was likely due to the economic downturn after the market crash in 1929. By 1940 the US Census listed Jacobs as a retired artist, still at 15119 Dickens. Jacobs was listed as “retired artist.”
Charles M. Jacobs died on July 20, 1945, in Los Angeles, California. His passing received little fanfare, with his obituary simply announcing:
“JACOBS – At home, July 20. Charles M. Jacobs, 80, of 15119 Dickens St., Sherman Oaks. Graveside services will be directed by Praisewater Mortuary , Monday at 2 p.m. at Inglewood Cemetery. Leaves his widow, Mrs. Junia; and two daughters, Mrs. Myla E. Friend, of Sherman Oaks; and Mrs. Gwen Van Winkle, of Hollywood.”
To be continued…
