Copyright © 2021 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
William C. Maier worked for Sosman & Landis from approximately 1910 to 1920. Thomas G. Moses mentioned Maier in his 1917 memoirs but did not mention his role at the firm. Maier was mentioned by Thomas G. Moses in his 1917 memoirs. He wrote, “Closed a contract for two scenes with Gatts and Company, $825.00 for ‘Katzenjammer Kids.’ We hustled it out. Maier and I went to Michigan to put it on and nearly froze coming back. 14 degrees below zero. As there was no train, we had to ride home in the trolley.” This is the only mention of Maier in Moses’ memoirs. Here is my post about their 1917 project: https://drypigment.net/2020/03/27/tales-from-a-scenic-artist-and-scholar-part-944-thomas-g-moses-and-the-katzenjammer-kids-1917/
Five years earlier, in 1912, Maier was listed as a technical director at Sosman & Landis. That fall, Maier was representing the firm in Davenport, at the Lyric theater on Perry Street at E. 2nd Street. Previously known as the Princess Theatre, the building was extensively renovated and began featuring high-class vaudeville. J. Harry Blanchard was the new manager of the New Lyric, with Sosman & Landis delivering new scenery and stage machinery. On Nov. 2, “The Daily Times” reported, “The stage has been enlarged to meet the requirements of all vaudeville acts that will be brought here.”
Less than a week later, Maier was featured in another “Daily Times” article on Nov. 7:
“HE PRAISES THE LYRIC.
William C. Maier Thinks the New Theater is a Charming Place.
Wm. C. Maier, technical director for Sosman & Landis, America’s leading scenic directors, today paid a glowing tribute to the new Lyric theater. Mr. Maier’s duties take him from coast to coast and he has seen the interior of practically every theater in the country, therefore his opinion is of more than ordinary value. In his conversation today Mr. Maier stated that the decorations and color effects in the lyric effects in the Lyric were as charming and harmonious as he has ever seen. The stage of the Lyric, he claims, is as large as that of the Princess in Chicago, and is the best equipped, both as to the comfort of the actors and the handling of scenery, he has ever come in contact with” (Davenport, Iowa, page 7). This same article was also published in the “Quad-City Times” on Nov. 7, 1912 (page 3).
Maier was still working for the firm in 1918. His draft registration card listed his occupation as “stage craft,” with his employer being Sosman & Landis. At the time, his physical appearance was described as tall, medium build, brown hair and brown eyes. He was recently married and listed his residence as 703 Kilbourne in Chicago.
Maier had married Louisa A. Wiehle on June 17, 1917, each 38 years old at the time. In various historical records, Louisa is also listed as Louise, and her maiden name as Weihle, Wieble, and Wickle; all a result of software regognition systems. Born in Illinois, Louisa was the daughter of German immigrants Ernst W. Wiehle (1842-1922) and Susana Hennen (1853-1924). She was one of four surviving children born to the couple, with her siblings being William C. (b. 1875); Amelia (b. 1883) and Annie (b. 1887). In 1910 the US Census listed Louise as a dressmaker, still living with her parents and two of three siblings, William and Annie. At this time, her father and brother were working as harness makers.
Maier was also a German immigrant, one of many working at Sosman & Landis. He was born on February 10, 1879, in Stuttgart, Württemberg, Germany. His parents were Wilhelm Conrad Maier (b. 1848) and Eva Dorothea Gläser (also recorded as Dorothy Glaeser/Glaser). The couple was married in 1875 and emigrated to America with their infant son in 1880. Interestingly, Maier’s German birth and baptismal records indicate that he was christened Karl Willhelm Maier. Although his birth date, birthplace and the names of his parents remain consistent, his name was changed to William C. Meier in America; no junior added. This may have occurred upon entry to the United States, possibly starting as a typographical or registration error. Regardless, his new name, William C. Maier, would remain consistent for the remainder of his life, including his death record and obituary.
In 1899, Maier became a naturalized and later registered for the WWI draft, but I have yet to find any indication that he served in the military.
The 1920 US Federal Census also listed similar information for William C. Maier, but his official occupation was now “Stage Manager,” however still working in the Theatre Industry. Little is know of Maier after Sosman & Landis closed or his work in the 1920s.
Maier passed during the spring of 1929. His obituary was published in the “Chicago Tribune” on May 8 (page 45): MAIER – William C. Maier. Dearly beloved husband of Louise A., nee Wiehle, fond brother of Sophie Brown, Elizabeth Clavelle, and Charles Maier, Member of Union Park Lodge, No. 610, A.F. & A.M., Lincoln Park chapter, No. 177, R.A.M., St. Bernard Commandery, No. 35, K.T., Medinah Temple. Funeral Wednesday, May 8 at 2 P.M., from late residence, 1117 S. Mayfield-av. Interment Waldheim.”
After the passing of her husband, Louise’s brother, William C. Wiele, moved into their home. Lousia was still listed as the head of the household, remaining at her previous residence, 1117 Mayfield Ave. S.
Louise passed away June 30, 1956. She is buried next to her husband at Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois.
To be continued…
