Copyright © 2021 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
Frank Lewis was an advertising man who specialized in ad drops and billboards. He sporadically worked as scenic artist at Sosman and Landis Scene Painting Studio between 1905 and 1915
Frank Marshall Lewis was born on January 15, 1865, in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He was one of ten children born to William Robert Lewis (1836-1920) Amanda Shields (1844-1908). The growing family moved west, and by 1870 was living in Whiteside County, Illinois. Between the ages of 4 and 14, Frank grew up on a farm near Garden Plain, Whiteside County, Illinois. He and many of his siblings left the farm and headed to Chicago.
By the age of 25 yrs. old, Lewis was listed in the 1890 Chicago Directory as a scenic artist, living at 104 Newberry av. He focused on the creation of advertising curtains for theaters, billboards and painted signage. Five years later, he opened his own advertising firm F. M. Lewis & Co. On March 31, 1896, the “Chicago Tribune” reported “Flames Cause Big Loss” when the Walker Building, Nos. 338-344 on Wabash Avenue near the Auditorium, was destroyed by fire (page 5). Business losses included F. M. Lewis & Co., advertisers with “loss, $1,000; insurance, $1,500.”
The business immediately bounced back, and was soon incorporated. “F. M. Lewis & Co. even established a regional branch in New York. By 1895 F. M. Lewis & Co., with offices in the Temple Building, Albany, NY, was advertised in the “Mural Signs and Painted Bulletins” section of the July issue for “Billboard Advertising.”
By 1900 Lewis was living at this brother-in-law’s home, with three of his younger brothers. His younger sister Lula had married another scenic artist from Whiteside county – Frank H. Atkinson. Atkinson later made a name for himself as an author of Sign Painting and Scenic Art instructional publications. In 1900, however, he was living with his wife, Lula Lewis Atkinson and four of the Lewis brothers at 303 Winchester Avenue in Chicago. Atkinson’s household included: Frank (Designer, b. Oct 1871), Lula (b. Oct 1867), Frank M. Lewis (Advertiser, b. Jan 1865), M. D. Lewis (Traveling man, b. July 1871), Chas. L. Lewis (Traveling man, b. May 1878) and Fred S. Lewis (Student, b. Oct 1880.). I will explore the life and career of Atkinson tomorrow, as he also worked at Sosman & Landis during the early twentieth-century.
In 1904, Frank M. Lewis married Miss Roy Price, on Nov. 22, 1904, in Davenport, Illinois. Marriage records list Lewis’ occupation as an Advertising Contractor in St. Louis, Missouri. They were married by J. B. Donaldson, Pastor, witnessed by Martha Like and Flora Fairman. “The Daily Times” of Davenport, Iowa (Nov. 23, 1904, page 6) reported “Chicago Young Couple Wedded in Davenport. At the home of the bride’s sister, Mrs. Fred Fairman. 550 Esplanade avenue, Davenport at half after four o’clock yesterday afternoon occurred the marriage of Miss Roy Price of Chicago to Mr. Frank Marshall Lewis, also of Chicago. Rev. J. B. Donaldson of the First Presbyterian church of Davenport, officiated. It was a quiet wedding, the bridal couple being unattended, only a small company of the relatives being present. The house was beautifully decorated for the occasion with a profusion of cut flowers and greenery. An elegant wedding dinner followed the ceremony. The bride is a charming young woman who during her frequent visits in this city at the Fairman home and also her sister Mrs. M. S. Like, has been complimented by many friendships. The groom is a prominent advertising man of Chicago. The young couple departed last weekend for St. Louis from where they will embark in the private yacht of the groom for the river trip to New Orleans, where the honeymoon will be spent.”
Lewis continued work as a scenic artist in the advertising field, specializing in ad drops and painted billboards. In 1915, F. M. Lewis & Co. became associated with “Studies in Marble,” a very interesting vaudeville act that toured the Orpheum Circuit. On October 13, 1915, the “Lincoln Journal Star” reported, “F. M. Lewis & Co. will present as one of the features of this week’s Orpheum bill ‘Studies in Marble Art,’ magnificent reproductions of the works of famous European and American masters, including such striking subjects as ‘The Charge,’ ‘Peter Pan,’ and ‘Roman Warriors.’ The audience will be treated to a unique and brilliant spectacle combining novel and beautiful water and lighting effects” (page 3). On October 18, 1915. A brief review of the production appeared in the “Kansas City Globe.” It simply reported, “F. M. Lewis and company presented studies in marble art. Poses were difficult, but artistic, and gave a very pleasing effect” (page 2). The show seems to have only toured for a year.
By 1920, Frank M. and Roy were living at 113th St. in Chicago. Lewis briefly left the advertising industry, listing his occupation as “automobile accessory.” The couple was living with Roy’s niece Helen Fairman. Sometime between the 1920 and 1944 Frank remarries Hester “Hettie” Elizabeth Slaymaker (1877-1946). I have yet to locate any death certificate or divorce papers for Roy Lewis. Frank M. Lewis married Hester E. Slaymaker in Chicago, Cook County, on Dec. 12, 1944. The 1940 census listed Hettie as an unmarried and unpaid worker, living with William and Elizabeth Ferguson in Erie, Whiteside County, Illinois. At the age of 63 yrs. old, her relationship to the 73-yrs. old couple was listed as “housekeeper.” I would bet that after her mother died, she had nowhere to go. Like Frank Lewis, Hettie also grew up in Whiteside County. She was the daughter of Samuel and Mary Slaymaker. Like Frank, her parents moved west from Pennsylvania and each grew up on a farm. They must have had quite a bit in common, with many shared experiences of their youth. In her youth, Hattie worked as a school teacher in Albany, Illinois; the same town where Frank’s parents were laid to rest. Sadly, their marriage only lasted two years, with Hettie passing away in Mount Clemens, Michigan the fall of 1946.
On October 29, 1946, the “Daily Gazette” announced the death of Mrs. Frank Lewis. The obituary reported:
“Sister Succumbs”
Erie relatives received word Tuesday morning of the sudden death of Mrs. Frank Lewis, 69, at 2 o’clock Tuesday morning at the home in Mt. Clemens, Mich. Her brothers, Albert, Harris, and George Slaymaker and her nephew Delbert Slaymaker left early for Chicago from where Albert and George accompanied their brother Charles to Mt. Clemens. Mrs. Lewis, the former Hettie Slaymaker of Erie was married to Mr. Lewis about two years ago and has since resided in Mt. Clemens. Surviving besides the brothers mentioned are a sister Mrs. Clyde Ford of Geneseo and a brother Jesse of Morgan, Minn.
On October 30, 1946, the “Daily Gazette” provided a little more information about Hattie’s life:
“Funeral of Mrs. Frank Lewis of Mt. Clemens, Mich., Here Saturday”
Funeral services for Mrs. Frank Lewis of Mt. Clemens, Mich., will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock in the Erie Methodist church. Interment will be in the Kingsbury cemetery in Newton township. The remains will arrive in Sterling Thursday night.
Mrs. Lewis, the former Miss Hettie Slaymaker, was born near Erie in Newton township Jan. 17, 1877, the daughter of Samuel and Mary Blean Slaymaker. She attended the Kingsbury school. the family later resided in Geneseo for a few years and then in Albany where she was a teacher in the school for a number of years. Several years ago, she and her mother and sister came to Erie to reside and she cared for her in her declining years. Mrs. Slaymaker’s death occurred here a number of years ago.
Hettie, as she was known to her many friends, was an active member in the Methodist church during her residence there transferring from the Kingsbury Presbyterian church. In November 1944 she was married to Frank Lewis of Mt. Clemens, Mich., and her home had since been in that city. She transferred her church membership to a Presbyterian church there but retained her membership in the Methodist Friendly Circle class here.
Surviving besides the husband are a sister, Mrs. Clyde Ford of Geneseo and five brothers, Albert, George and Harris Slaymaker of Erie and brothers Jesse Slaymaker of Morgan, Minn., and Charles Slaymaker of Chicago.
Lewis passed away on Aug. 27, 1953 and is buried in Kingsbury Presbyterian Cemetery in Newton Corners, Whiteside County, Illinois. His obituary was published in “The Dispatch” of Moline, Illinois on August 29, 1953 (page 11):
“ALBANY- Frank Lewis, 88, formerly of Albany, died Thursday in Mt. Clemens, Mich., where he had been ill for some time. The body will be brought to the Fay Funeral Home in Fulton tomorrow night, and the funeral will be held at 2 Monday in the Fay Funeral home. Burial will be in Kingsbury Cemetery near here. He was one of 10 children of William and Amanda Lewis. He was married twice, the second time to Miss Hettie Slaymaker, and both wives preceded him in death. Surviving are four brothers, Fred of Crete, Lydon of Comanche, Ia., Ross of near Mobile, Ala., Earl of Denver. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Luna Atkinson, and four brothers,- Clare, Will, Dell, and Paul.”
Lewis was last remembered by a fellow scenic artist forty-five years ago. The following was written by former Sosman & Landis scenic artist, John Hanny, to Dr. John Rothgeb at the University of Texas on July 14, 1976. Hanny wrote, “[Sosman & Landis] was a wonderful place to work – especially for young and hopeful painters where they could get fine training and experience working with such men as Thomas G. Moses. David Strong, Fred Evans, Frank Lewis, Fred Scott, and William Nutzhorn and others.”
To be continued…
