Copyright © 2021 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
Harry Naile worked as a carpenter at Sosman & Landis in the 1920s. He bridged the transition between the first and second iterations of the company, personally assisting Thomas G. Moses on projects between 1922 and 1925. This was after Moses and Fred R. Megan purchased the firm’s name in 1924.
Harry Elmore Naile was born on June 15, 1879 in Pierceton, Indiana. He was the oldest of five children born to Louis Phillip Naile (1855-1918) and Mary Elizabeth Orr (1854-1900). His parents were married on Sept. 21, 1878. The 1880 US Federal Census listed a ten-month old Harry living with his parents in Pierceton, Indiana. At the time his father was listed as a house carpenter. The couple’s five children were Harry (1879-1930), Charles Frederick “Fred” Naile (1884-1929), Roy Naile (b. 1886), Alta Grace Naile (b. 1891) and Ralph Brian Naile (1897-1958).
Harry’s mother passed away in 1900, and his father remarried a much younger woman named Nora A. Phipps. Nora started out as a servant in the Naile household in Pierceton, listed in the 1900 census as caring for the three youngest Naile children, ages 13, 8 and 2. She was a year younger than her stepson Harry, having been born on May 5, 1880. Nora and L. Phillip were married in Chicago on August 6, 1902, but did not stay long in the city. It was around this time that Louis Phillip Naile began going by his middle name, and began listing himself in directories as L. Phillip. By 1906, the L. Phillip, Nora, and all of their children moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. That year they celebrated the birth of their only daughter, Loretta A. Naile.
Prior to the move, Harry and his younger brother Fred had briefly moved to North Dakota. The 1900 US Federal Census listed Harry E. Naile and his younger brother Fred living in Pleasant Lake and boarding at the Lester Holbrook farm. There was a third border staying with the Holbrook family, Peter Hobeny, but he doesn’t appear to have had any affiliation with the Nailes. In 1900, Naile was working as a printer. Fred, only 15 yrs. old at the time, was listed as a laborer.
By 1906, Harry and L. Philip Naile were listed in the Kalamazoo City Directory, each working as a carpenter and living at 118 E. Vine Street. Neither were listed in the city directory the year before or after; their stay in Kalamazoo was short. None of the Nailes were listed in the 1907 Kalamazoo Directory, but they were again listed in 1908, all living at 803 S. Park Ct.
In 1907, Harry headed west to Colorado. That year he was listed in the Colorado Springs Directory as and employee at “The Zoo,” and boarding at 1008 Cheyenne Road. During the summer of 1907, Harry married Georgia Evelyn Robinson (1888-1975) in Colorado Springs on June 1. Georgia was the only child of William W. Robinson (1863-1926) and Mary A. “Mamie” Rogers (1869-1954), born in Kansas. Georgia’s father was a well-respected sign painter in the area and likely the reason for her meeting Harry Naile.
By 1908, Harry and Georgia moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. The couple lived with Harry’s father and stepmother at 803 S. Park Court. The extended Naile household also included Harry’s siblings, A. Grace, C. Frederick and Roy E.
The extended Naile family did not live together for long. Harry, Georgia and C. Frederick moved to Chicago by 1910. The 1910 US Federal Census listed his father’s household was still in Kalamazoo at 830 S. Park; it included L. Phillip, Nora A., Ralph B. and Loretta. Interestingly, the Kalamazoo City Directory that year listed Roy E. Naile as boarding at his parents’ home. During this time, L. Phillip worked as a contractor.
The 1910 US Federal Census listed Harry Naile as a carpenter in the theatre industry, living at 6146 S. May Street in Chicago. He and Georgia were living with two other couples: George R. and Nellie Buckley, as well as William R. and Louisa Church. Buckley was also working as a sign painter, whereas Church was listed as a “collector” in the “installment house” industry. I have no idea what that means. Regardless, Harry and Georgia did not stay in the Midwest for long They returned to Colorado Springs that year. I have yet to locate a definitive explanation for their departure, but it coincided with the death of Harry’s stepmother.
On Feb. 9, 1911, Harry’s stepmother died from complications after having an abortion. Nora was only 30 yrs. old when she passed away at the Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. Harry’s little stepsister, Nora’s only child Loretta, was 3 yrs. old at the time. The second oldest Naile child, Charles Frederick, moved home with his new wife Leona in 1912. Charles was employed as a motorman at M U Traction that year. That situation did not last for long, as both Charles and Leona moved out by 1913. By now, the youngest Naile boy from the first marriage, Ralph, was old enough to work and employed as a messenger.
By 1914, Phillip Naile married his third wife, Lucy Hedges (b. 1862), and Ralph moved out. Ralph began boarding at the Y.M.C.A. in Kalamazoo. His father’s third marriage did not last for long. L. Phillip Naile passed away in 1918.
During all of this, Harry and Georgia pretty much stayed to themselves. In 1910, the couple moved from Chicago to Colorado Springs. It appears that Harry initially purchased his father-in-law’s painting business, W. W. Robinson & Co., after the move. Robinson planned to relocate to California, but he never left the state. Instead, he simply opened another painting business in La Jara, approximately 150 miles southwest of Colorado Springs (as the crow flies).
W. W. Robinson placed a series of ads after his move to La Jara in 1910. On May 20, 1910, Robinson placed an advertisement in “The La Jara Chronicle,” announcing, “W. W. Robinson. Formerly of Kansas City, Mo., but for the past 14 years located at Colorado Springs, Colo., doing a general painting business, recently sold out and was expecting to locate in California, but after looking over this beautiful valley, has decided to locate here. HE DOES All Kinds of Painting both plain and decorative. Also Paper Hanging. He employs only first-class workmen and guarantees their work. Give Him Your Work and he will finish it to your satisfaction. Mr. Robinson can be found either at office of Chas. Magnes, or at Seyfer’s Drug Store, until he can secure a suitable building.” On July 1, 1910, another advertisement in “The La Jara Chronicle,” stated, “W. W. Robinson HE DOES All Kinds of Painting both plain and decorative. Also Paper Hanging He employs only first-class workmen and guarantees their work. HE WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE WORK IN Romeo, Manassa, Sanford, Richfield AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY ON SHORT NOTICE Mr. Robinson can be found at Seyfer’s Drug Store or Office of Chas. Magnes, La Jara. Give him your work and he will finish it to your entire satisfaction” (page 3).
Robinson’s stay in La Jara only lasted a few years. He was back in Colorado Springs by 1912, running a new iteration of W. W. Robinson & Co. W. W. Robinson and H. E. Naile were listed as the proprietors. Interestingly, it was no longer a painting firm at all, but a tailor shop. This surprised me and I can’t imagine what happened to prompt a painter and carpenter to open a tailor shop, unless it was their wives’ business. At this time, it was still fairly common men to appear as proprietors on a business run by women; a business that they had nothing to do with.
Advertisements for W. W. Robinson & Co. in the “Colorado Springs Directory” announced:
W. W. Robinson & Co. The K. C. Cleaners. Tailors for both men and women. All garments made to individual measure. Suits and Coats for men and women range in price from $15 to $50. Alterations of all kinds done on short notice. Cleaning, pressing, dyeing and repair work called for and delivered, Phone Main 595, 128 Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo.”
The tailor business, like Robinsons’ stint in La Jara, was short-lived. Harry and Georgia moved back to Chicago in 1913 where Naile resumed work as a theatrical carpenter. In 1913 Polk County Directory in Colorado listed, “Naile, Harry E. (Georgia), removed to Chicago, Illinois.”
By 1914, the Chicago Directory listed Harry E. Naile as a carpenter, living at 3635 Vincennes Ave. The 1915 Chicago Directory listed Harry E. Naile as a carpenter, living at 3641 Vincennes Ave. In 1917, Harry E, Naile was still listed as a carpenter, but now living at 514 E. 42nd St.
By 1918, Naile is listed as a stage mechanic at the Chateau Theatre, 3810 Broadway in Chicago. He and Georgia are now living at 514 E. 42nd Street. On his WWI draft registration card that year, Naile was described at 5’-7” with a slender build and blue eyes. Interestingly, no hair color was listed on the registration. In regard to the Chateau Theatre, it was built in 1916 with a seating capacity of 1800. The Chateau Theatre later became known as the Vogue Theatre.
Sometime within the next four years, Naile began working at Sosman & Landis. It was tumultuous time for the Nailes. On Jan. 1, 1920, the “Chicago Tribune” published a notice placed by Naile (page 36): “PERSONAL – AFTER THIS DATE I WILL not be responsible for any debts contracted by anybody except myself. Harry E. Naile.” I have to wonder what was going on to prompt such an announcement. Maybe it simply concerned his father’s estate and unpaid bills from 1918. Regardless, he and Georgia were living in the South Tower at 57 East Van Buren Street, South Town Chicago. This multi-family complex was home to dozens of theatrical technicians and performers. The 1920 US Federal Census, however, only listed Harry as living in the South Tower. Georgia was also living in Chicago though, so it may have been an oversight.
An obituary for Georgia’s grandmother confirms her residence in Chicago that year. Oct. 22, 1920, “The Jacksonville Dily Journal” reported, “Tuesday, October 9. Mrs. H. M. Lansing passed the 86th milestone in her journey of life, and the event was fittingly observed at her home, 802 North Diamond street, Mrs. Lansing received several nice presents as reminders of the day. A splendid dinner was prepared under the skillful supervision of her daughters, Mrs. Eva A Coker, of Pisgah, and Mrs. Mamie Robinson of Colorado Springs, and granddaughter, Mrs. Georgia Evelyn Naile of Chicago. The day was one of much enjoyment and those who were present joined in wishing the venerable hostess many more such happy days. Mrs. Lansing was remembered in a very substantial way by her highly esteemed son-in-law, Will W. Robinson, of Colorado Springs, Colorado” (page 6).
Naile was repeatedly mentioned by Moses in his memoirs from 1922 to 1925. Projects completed by Moses, with Naile’s assistance as a stage carpenter, included scenery for the Little Rock Scottish Rite Theatre (Arkansas), Tacoma Scottish Rite Theatre (Washington), Binghamton Scottish Rite Theatre (New York), the Pasadena Scottish Rite Theatre (California) and the San Jose Scottish Rite Theatre (California).
In 1922, Naile and Moses delivered new scenery to the Scottish Rite Theatre in Tacoma, Washington. Of the project, Moses wrote, “Harry Naile showed up the latter part of February. We then started to get things into the Temple, and it began to look like a job… On the completion of our contract and on the eve of our departure, the trustees gave us a dinner in our honor, which was attended by Harry Naile, it was very fine – we certainly felt honored.”
Naile and Moses then headed to San Francisco for a few projects, including scenery for a Shrine Circus, and then head on to Oakland, California, for more work.
In 1923, Naile assisted with the removal of the old scenery and installation of the new scenery for the Little Rock Scottish Rite Theatre. In a letter from Charles E. Rosenbaum to Sosman & Landis on April 23, 1923, Naile was mentioned by name. Rosenbaum wrote, “As time is now limited in which this work must begin and be finished, we must insist that Mr. Naile the expert stage carpenter will be here not later than May 20th next, to begin to dismantle our present stage and make preparation for equipping the new one. Mr. Moses is to either come when Mr. Naile does, or as soon thereafter that is necessary in order not to delay the work of painting, constructing and erecting the scenery.” Of Nailes work on the project, Moses wrote, “Naile and his men are not giving me full service and I am getting desperate, as to my ability to pull the contract through with profit.”
Despite Moses’ concern in Little Rock, he requested that Naile be on site for the Binghamton Scottish Rite project. Moses wrote, “I insisted on having Naile on the job, so Hunt allowed me to send for him. He and Mrs. Naile arrived on the 1st of October and we then proceeded to get things going.”
By 1925, Moses and Nail were working at the Scottish Rite Theatre in Pasadena, California. The Pasadena Scottish Rite had purchased a used scenery collection from Little Rock, Arkansas, that needed to be touched-up, supplemented, and installed. Nail was in charge of both the used stage machinery and scenery installation. Of the work, Moses wrote, “Harry Naile is coming along with his work fairly well, and we will finish on time without a doubt.” Naile was also mentioned in “Pasadena Evening Post” on Feb. 14, 1925 (page 16). The article reported, “The final work of hanging and installing the curtains will be under the supervision of Harry Naile, a member of the Sosman & Landis company. This work demands such expert workmanship that Mr. Naile was brought from Chicago so that no mistake in installation could be made”
After the Pasadena Scottish Rite project, Moses and Nail worked in San Jose. Of that endeavor, Moses wrote, “I started for San Jose on March 27th and found Naile had everything in good shape.” It was in the midst of the San Jose project that Moses’ health began to fail. He was unable to complete the job, relying heavily upon Naile and Fitch Fulton to finish everything up. Moses later wrote, “The members of the studio were very kind to me, and my room was filled with flowers; the studio boys did not forget me. I here realized what brotherly love meant. Fulton and Naile went to Los Angeles to do the Fullerton job which was carried through without a hitch. Walter handled the payments in Los Angeles, and everything was done on time and highly satisfactory, and was settled for promptly.” Moses does not mention Naile again in his memoirs.
Naile’s departure from Sosman & Landis may have had something to do with the death of his father-in-law in 1926. In 1925, William W. Robinson was still listed as a painter in the Colorado Springs Directory. The next year, he was listed as a salesman, living at 22 N. Chestnut. In 1927, the Colorado Springs Directory simply listed, “Robinson, Wm. W. died Aug 21 ’26 age 63.” To date, I have only located one official notice for his passing; it was in a newspaper in Jackson, Illinois. On August 22, 1926, “The Jacksonville Daily Journal” reported, “Will Robinson Dies in Colorado Springs. A telegram was received Saturday by Clyde C. Swales of this city telling of the death of his cousin, Mrs. Georgia E. Naile’s father, Will W. Robinson. Mr. Robinson died at his home in Colorado Springs yesterday. He had been ill but a week. Mrs. Robinson is a sister of Mrs. George Swales of this city” (page 5). To date, this is the only obituary notice that I have located for Robinson. His widow, Mary A. Robinson, soon began working as a housekeeper, living at 1418 N. Royer.
I have yet to come across any other information about the Naile’s from 1926-1929. However, Harry E. Naile is listed in the 1930 US Federal Census, living at the Kenmore Beach Hotel, at 552 Kenmore Avenue in Chicago. Naile’s occupation was listed as “superintendent” at a theatrical supply company, although it remains unclear as to which firm he was working for. If more information comes to light, I will update this post.
Naile died shortly after the US Federal census was taken that year, passing away on September 15, 1930. He was only fifty years old at the time and I have not located any death record or obituary notice. Only the Colorado Springs directory noted his passing: “Naile Harry L. E. died Sept 12 ’30 aged 51”. Naile was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado (plot T-077).
Harry Naile’s gravestone in Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Georgia was left a widow at 46 yrs. old. Like her mother, she never remarried. Of Georgia’s own passing 45 yrs. later, Colorado Springs’ “Gazette Telegraph” announced, “Mrs. Georgia Naile, 2612 W. Cucharras, passed away Tuesday at a local nursing home. Arrangements later” (12 March 1975, page 4). Both Georgia and Harry are buried in Colorado Springs’ Evergreen Cemetery.
To be continued…
