Sosman & Landis: Shaping the Landscape of American Theatre. Employee No. 99: Ed Donnigan (Revised biography for Lawrence E. Donohue)

Copyright © 2023 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett

This biography is long and very complicated, but I could not let this particular story go. I will explain the method of my madness, then go from grandparents to the life and scenic career of L. E. Donigan.

Map of Chicago, 1885

Ed Donnigan was listed a scenic artist at Sosman & Landis in 1885. That year his name was included in a list of the firm’s staff members who made donations to the Grant Memorial Fund. On August 2, 1885, the Chicago Tribune reported that Donnigan donated 25 cents.

Ed Donnigan was actually Lawrence E. Donigan, the older brother of Chicago scenic artist, Peter J. Donigan, and the uncle of scenic artist George Patrick Woods. All three were associated with Sosman & Landis at one time of another, with Donigan still associated with the firm in 1913.

As a young man, Donigan changed his surname to Donohue.  Interestingly, one of his two younger sisters, Della, did the same thing about the same time. Their younger brother, Peter J. Donigan, and Della’s twin sister, Maggie, did not change their last name.

All four children – Lawrence, Maggie, Della and Peter, were listed in the 1880 US Federal census, living in Chicago with their mother Mary at 1027 Wentworth; all the ages and dates all coincide and they were all listed by the last name of Donegan.

Despite Laurence E. Donohue’s name change in the early 1890s, his professional name remained Lawrence E. Donigan, or L. E. Donigan.  I have come across many scenic artists who adopted professional names, names that were radically different from those of their biological parents.

When I first wrote about L. E. Donohue, I based his entire history on information from his death certificate, but never understood how the surname “Donigan” became part of the mix. Donigan is not a spelling variation of Donohue; they are two completely different surnames. My previous post was based on the premise that Donohue was his birthname, and his biological parents were Peter James Donohue (1842-1872) and Margaret Kelly Donohue (1844-1909), Irish immigrants that married after their arrival to the United States and soon settled in Alton, Illinois.

Now I know that many death records are full of incorrect information and inconsistencies that contradict other historical records, even actual gravestones. I always try to remember that it is the informant who provides crucial information, “facts” that are entirely dependent on their understanding of the deceased’s past.  If you factor in that the deceased may have been an orphan, illegitimate child, result of incest or rape, prostitute, illegal alien, or passing for another race, all bets are off.  Informants on a death certificate may also “cover” to avoid legal repercussions, or they are truly ignorant of the deceased’s early life. In other words, death certificates are not fool proof.

I could never confirm that his parents were Peter and Margaret Donohue. Despite Lawrence and Peter’s obituaries that listed Alton as their hometown, I was unable to find any official proof in historic records, directories, or newspaper articles; nothing confirmed that two boys were a part of any household with a variation on the surnames Donigan or Donohue.  

Concerning their purported parents, Peter and Margaret Donohue, little is known of them or their time spent in Alton. At one point they were members of the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, because there is one baptismal record for a child born to Peter Donohue and Margaret Kelly. Their son was names Jacob Patrick Donohue; born on March 19, 1872, baptized on March 29, and died on Jan. 2, 1873, at 9 months old. Peter Donohue passed away the same year as his birth. Madison County probate records date from August 29, 1872, and at the time of his passing he left his widow, children and an estate of $13,000 with four lots. For a relatively wealthy family, there is really nothing published about them in Alton newspapers from the time. Very odd, as this is a period of time that lists the comings and goings of many individuals. I have yet to locate the names of any children beyond Jacob. As far as how many children were born to the couple, in July 1878, widow Margaret Donohue wrote a letter to Judge Dale and mentioned six children. The letter concerned financial matters regarding the estate of her deceased husband. Margaret wrote “I had six children when he died. The oldest child was 7 years.”

Some family trees list the following children born to Peter James Donohue and Margaret Kelly

Bridget “Della” (1866-1934)

Mary Ann (1867-1959)

Peter Joseph (1870-1949)

James Patrick (1872-1872)

Here are the Donigan/Donohue children that I am trying to locate:

Lawrence (b. 1865)

Della M. (b. 1866)

Maggie (b. 1866)

Peter (b. 1871)

To date, I have only encountered only one article in Alton newspapers that even mentions P. J. Donohue. Donohue’s mention is from an event that occurred in Feb. 1872:

“Fire – On Saturday evening a frame dwelling house, north of the railroad, owned and occupied by Mr. P. J. Donohue, caught fire and was entirely consumed. The flames spread so rapidly that but little of the furniture could be removed” (page 3).” The article went on to explain that distance and lack of water in the vicinity contributed to the total loss of $1500, of which $1470 was covered by insurance.”

I also combed through various census records, not necessarily relying on software to do my searching. The only connection that I have made between the Donohue and Donigan families in Alton is in an 1850 census report: household No. 90 included 18-yrs.-old “Margaret Donohue” and household No. 95 included  25-yrs.-old “L. Donegan.” Again, fifteen years before Lawrence was born.

L. Donegan was actually Lawrence Donegan/Dunnagan/Dunnigan/Dunigan; spellings change for the same person from one record to the next.

On May 12, 1851, Lawrence Dunnagan married Margaret Hoy/Hoey. By 1865, Lawrence and Mary Dunnigan were living with two other individuals, a male child under the age of 10 and another male between the ages of 10 and 20. Both Lawrence and Margaret were listed as in their 40s. Just so you are aware, the State Census for Alton, Illinois only recorded white people. The 1870 Census listed L. Dunigan married to a Margaret Dunigan, with other members of the household including James Dunigan (18 yrs.) and Mary Hoey (12 yrs.). L. Donigan was a quarry man and made the paper only once; April 18, 1878, when an accident occurred at the quarry (Alton Weekly Telegraph, 18 April 1878. P. 3). Lawrence and Margaret remained in Madison County for the remained of their lives, and are buried in Saint Patrick Cemetery. Their tombstone is engraved Lawrence Dunnegan (1822-1902) and Margaret Hoey Dunnegan (1822-1897).

I am going to stop here. The whole reason that I went into a deep dive of Alton history was to either prove or disprove that the Peter and Margaret Donohue were the parents. To date,  I have no concrete evidence that scenic artists Lawrence E. Donigan and Peter J. Donigan were raised in Alton by the Donohue’s.

I began to look at the life and career of Lawrence E. Donigan, with the belief that his parents were named Donigan, or a variation of this surname. Many more doors began to open. I was even able to identify possible grandparents. As with many surnames, Donnigan, Donigan, Donagun, Donagan, Dunagan, Dinagun, Donnegan, and Donegan, are just a few variations. Keep in mind that I have spent countless hours tracking down these individual and the legacy of their descendants.  I dug deep into Donegan family history over the course of a century and was surprised at what I uncovered…

The Grandparents: Wiley Donegan and Sidney Gray

The Donigan brothers’ story really starts with their grandparents Nelson G. W. “Wiley” Donegan (b. 1823) and Sidney Katherine Gray (b. 1824). And for the record, even if these two individuals aren’t related to the Donigans, their story needs to be told, because against all odds, they managed to succeed during a very difficult period of American History.

In some historical records, Sidney Gray lists that she was born in Orange County, Virginia, sometime during 1824.  Throughout her life, Sidney would cite the same birth year – 1824.  For geographical context, this is in the Central Piedmont Region, about 81 miles southwest of Washington D.C.  Her obituary states that the age of 12 yrs. old, Gray moved from Virginia to Christian County, Kentucky. No context was provided for this relocation.  In fact, this was a really big move; a 650-miles journey from Virginia to Kentucky to live in the exact same county where Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America, was born in 1808.

1887 City Directory listing Sidney Donegan as “Indian.”

Later in life Sidney was listed in directories as “Indian.”  In fact, she was Cherokee. This places Sidney’s birth in Cherokee lands, before the mass relocation of these indigenous people; an event know known as the Cherokee Trail of Tears (1837-1839). The Trail of tears was the forced westward migration of Native Americans to Oklahoma Territory (also referred to as “Indian Territory”). This policy was implemented during the Andrew Jackson administration. Jackson’s administration was from 1828 to 1837. It is estimated that approximately 16,000 Cherokee were forcibly removed from their homelands between 1836 and 1839, with at least 4,000 perishing while in transit. Later in life, Sidney’s daughter (Mary Donegan) listed that both her mother and father were born in Tennessee; Mary Donegan would also identify as part Cherokee.

Now from a historical standpoint, when the English arrived in America, the Cherokee lived in the upper Tennessee River tributaries; an area that later became Virginia. The Tennessee River was once popularly known as the Cherokee River. Here is a link for more information about Cherokees in Virginia: http://www.virginiaplaces.org/nativeamerican/cherokee.html

It was after moving to Kentucky, that Sidney met her future husband, Wiley Donegan. Their wedding took place on Feb. 20, 1841. Unlike other entries in the Christian County marriage record, there was no other information added to their record beyond two names and a fate, not even the clergyman who performed the ceremony. Wiley Donegan did not secure emancipation until 1847. Prior to the Civil War, the marriage of enslaved people was considered illegal. That is not to say that it didn’t occur; consider Dred Scott’s marriage to another slave in the mid-1830s. The legality of Wiley and Sidney’ marriage in Kentucky could explain the lack of information in their 1841 marriage record.

Entry for marriage of Nelson G. W. Donegan and Sidney Gray in 1841.

It is also important to note that one route for the Trail of Tears passed through Christian County in the 1830s. Hopkinsville, Kentucky, (the county seat) was the location of a winter camp and ration stop along the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears. In fact, two prominant Cherokee leader perished in Hopkinsville, Chief Whitepath and Fly Smith. There is even a Trail of Tears commemorative park in Hopkinsville. This is the event that possibly placed Sidney in Christian County, Kentucky, where she met and married Donegan. Although Sidney was part of the indigenous community, she may have also become enslaved en route.

Six years after marrying Sidney, Wiley Donegan secured the necessary emancipation documents in St. Clair County, Michigan. There are a few scenarios of how Donegan ended up in St. Clair, one being that he escaped and secured fake emancipation documents. For geographical context, St. Clair is due south of Port Huron, Michigan. In fact, the Donihoo Family of St. Clair were active in helping slaves escape in the county by the early 1840s, helping them cross the mile-wide St. Clair River. If Donegon was the surname of the family who enslaved Wiley, Donnihoo may have been the family that helped secure his freedom.

Donegan’s emancipation document is dated April 27, 1847, from St. Clair County, Michigan, so he married as a slave six years earlier.

Emancipation record for Wiley Donegan at ancestry.com

Their first two children were born in Kentucky before Donegan’s emancipation: Cyrus Donegon (b. 1842) and Leana Donegan (b. 1844). Purportedly, their third child, Mary (b. Dec. 1847), was born in Illinois. However, in later years she would claim Kentucky as her birthplace. This was likely due to the Fugitive Slave Clause (also known as the Fugitive From Labor Clause, Article 4, Section 2, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution) that clearly stated “a person held to service or labor in one state” (an enslaved person) who fled to another state did not acquire freedom from slavery. Instead, the fugitive must be returned to the state from which they had fled. This means that the Donegan children born between 1842 and Wiley’s emancipation in 1847, of born in Kentucky would have been considered slaves. Also, It is important to remember that the census reports in 1850 and 1860 only included white people and “free blacks”, not slaves. Slaves were solely listed on slave schedules, solely identified by gender, age, and financial value.

In 1850, the US Federal Census listed all members of the Donegan family living in Springfield, Illinois, and their color as “M” [mulatto]. Keep in mind that Illinois was a Free, unlike nearby Missouri and Kentucky. Wiley Donegan’s occupation was listed as “laborer.”  The 1850 census reported listed that Donegan owned $200 worth of real estate. The Donegan household in 1850 included: Wiley (30 yrs.), Sydney (29 yrs.), Cyrus (8 yrs.), Leana (6 yrs.) Mary (4 yrs.) and George (1 yr.). Interestingly, not all the children were born in Illinois. For example. 4 yrs. old Mary was born in Kentucky in Dec. 1847. Keep in mind that Mary was the mother of Ed Donnigan, the 1885 Sosman & Landis employee.

In the midst of all this there are a series of court cases that debate the political implications of slavery in US Territories. In the 1857 Dred Scott v. Sanford case, the United States Supreme Court ruled that blacks were not citizens of the United States and denied Congress the ability to prohibit slavery in any federal territory.

In 1860, the US Federal Census listed the same household family members, but under the surname of Dunagan and their color as “black.” At 18 yrs. old, their eldest child, Cyrus, had already moved out. The remaining household members in 1860 included Wiley (39), Sidney (39), Leanna (16 yrs.), Mary (14 yrs.), George (11 yrs.) Narcissa (8 yrs.), Susan (6 yrs.), Purty (4 yrs.) and David (2 yrs.). In this census, Wiley was listed as a farmer with $600 of real estate and $800 of personal possessions.

In the early 1860s, the Donegan family moved north, settling in Michigan. Their move likely coincided with the onset of the Civil War. In 1865, Nelson Green Wiley Donegan passed away in Van Buren, Arlington County, Michigan. His will, dated June 26, 1865, left his estate to his wife, Sidney Katherine Donegan, and his eight living children. The children were not named in his will.

The Donegans in Springfield, Illinois

The 1870 US Federal Census listed that the Donegans were again living in Springfield, Illinois. As in 1850, the color for the entire household was listed as “M” and included Sidney (46), Narcissa (19), Susan (16), Presley (4), David (12) and George Gloss (30, laborer, b. Louisiana). Sidney and most of her children remained in Springfield for the remainder of their lives. Despite residing in the same area and at the same addresses, the spelling of the surname continued to vary over the years, shifting between Donigan, Donnigan, Donegan, and Donnegan; all the same family. Interestingly, in 1875, Mary’s brother George Donnegan was listed as a painter, living at 640 north 3d, in the Springfield Directory.

In 1887, the Springfield Directory listed the following members of the family:

Donnegan, Sidney Mrs. (Indian), wid Wiley, bds 1038 s 3d

Donnegan Susan (col) domestic, rear 423 s 6th

Donnegan George W. (col), lab, h 1038 s 3d

Donnegan, Presley (col), barber, h 627 n 2d

The mention of Sidney’s connection to the indigenous community brought me to her listing the “Dawes Applications (overturned), 1896” database (available at ancestry.com).  This database contains applications for enrollment into the “Five Civilized Tribes – Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole, from the Muskogee, Oklahoma area office.” The description notes, “Application files may include documents such as affidavits, depositions, letters, memorials, objections, lists of evidence, receipts for service of papers, notices of appeal, and references to case numbers. Some files contain further documents and background information that may provide more detail on the applicant’s life.”

Sidney Donegan’s tribe was listed as Cherokee, and her case number listed as 749. Mary Byrd, her daughter (Lawrence and Peter’s mother) also shared the same case number. In numerous records, I had encountered the name Mary Bird while researching the Donegan family history. It was her marriage license from 1903 that helped me connect the dots. Bird was the surname that Mary used when marrying Frank Hatchel in Oklahoma.

Their Mother: Mary Donegan/Mary Bird/Mary Hatchel

I have yet to locate a marriage record that connects Mary to any gentleman named Bird, although there were plenty black businessmen in Springfield Illinois with that surname. What I do know is that Mary Donegan moved from Springfield to Chicago by 1880. In the Windy City, she raised for children alone, listing herself as a widow.

Mary and her children all went by the mast name Donegan in 1880: Lawrence E. “Ed” Donegan (b. 1865), Maggie Donegan (b. 1866), Della Donegan (b. 1866), and Peter J. “Pete” Donegan (b.1870). The small family was living at 1027 Wentworth Ave. in Chicago. Lawrence’s occupation at the time was listed “works in painting house.” “Painting House” possibly meant scenic studio. At fifteen years old, he was the right age to start an apprenticeship, working as a paint boy. All five of the Donagans listed their birthplace as Illinois, and all five listed their parents as Irish.  This is suspect; Mary’s children (Lawrence, Maggie, Della, and Peter) should have listed Illinois for their mother’s (Mary) birthplace (Illinois), and not Ireland.

In 1885, the two of Mary’s children were using variations of Donegan for their surname. That year, Lawrence was listed as a Sosman & Landis employee – Ed Donnnigan – and his sister Maggie listed her name as “Margaret E. Donnegan” when she married William Smith O’Brien (1852-1929) on Jan. 7, 1885, in Cook County, Illinois. By the way, William was also a painter; one would continue to work as an artist until his passing in 1929. In 1885, Lawrence was 20 yrs. old, Maggie and Della were 19 yrs. old, and Peter was 15 yrs. old. Lawrence, Maggie’s husband and Peter were all painters at this time.

About the time that two of her children moved to St. Louis, each changing their surnames, Mary moved west to settle in Langston, Oklahoma Territory. Between the Civil War and Statehood, approximately 27 all-black towns were established in Oklahoma. Langston, Kansas, was founded by African-American Edward P. McCabe, a former State Auditor in Kansas. McCabe sought to escape create a black-majority state in Oklahoma Territory. Encouraging African-Americans to settle in an All-Black town. Langston was named after John Mercer Langston. Across the country, including in Chicago, lots of land in Langston were advertised in African American newspapers and by traveling salesmen who visited communities. For more information about the establishment of All-Black Towns in Oklahoma visit: https://web.archive.org/web/20121103020841/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/A/AL009.html

In Oklahoma Territory, Mary married Frank Hatchell. Now known as “Mary Bird,” she still listed her parents as Sidney Gray and Wiley Donagan on the marriage license; so, same woman. On June 13, 1901, Mary Bird married Frank Hatchell in Kay County, Oklahoma Territory.

Marriage application and license for Mary Bird, daughter of Wiley Donegan and Sidney Gray, to Frank Hatchel.

At the time, Mary was 55 yrs. old and her husband was 61 years old. The color for both bride and groom were listed as “black.” The marriage license listed that the current residence of Mary Bird was in Langston, Oklahoma, and that of Frank Hatchell was in Peckham Oklahoma. Peckham was due north of Langston, but quite a ways away – about 80 miles.

The two lived in Newkirk, Kate County, Oklahoma Territory. On June 21, 1901, “The Republican News Journal” announced, “Frank Hatchell, an old colored soldier living west of the city was married Saturday June 15, 1901, to Mrs. Mary Bird of Langston, Oklahoma, by Rev. Adams, the colored Methodist minister of this city” (page 5). Hatchel had fought in the Civil War with the 1^st Michigan Colored Infantry and the 102 Regiment of the USC Infantry.

Sadly, their marriage only lasted a few years, as Hatchel passed away in 1906.

On Feb 23, 1906, The Democrat-Herald of Newkirk, Oklahoma, announced, “Frank Hatchel Dead” (page 4).  His obituary reported, “Frank Hatchel, a veteran of the Civil War died on his farm southwest of Peckham, on the 15h inst. The funeral services were held at A.M.E. church, this city, at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon. Rev. Adams officiated assisted by Rev. Jones of the Baptiste church and Rev. G. W. McKay of the A.M.E. church. The deceased met death bravely, being perfectly resigned to his fate. He leaves a wife and two daughters to mourn his loss.” On Feb. 28, 1906, Mary placed an announcement in the Republican News Journal:

“Card of Thanks.

I take this means of thanking my many friends who so kindly assisted me during the illness and death of my husband.

Mrs. Mary Hatchell” (page 5).

Mary never returned east, but remained in the area with her two step-daughters, Eveline and Genevieve Hatchel. They sold the Hatchel property that winter. On Dec. 14, 1906. The Democrat-Herald listing the following real estate transfer:

“Eveline Hatchel, Mary Hatchel and Genevieve Hatchel to John Werner et al, ne ¼ 28-28-1e” (page 1). Mary continued to live in Newkirk, Oklahoma, until her passing in 1935. She was 88 years old. In both the 1920 and 1930 US Federal Census reports, Mary listed her birthplace as Kentucky and the birthplace of both parents as Tennessee. 

Her mother Sidney returned to Springfield and lived with her son George at 1038 S 3^rd Street, until her passing the year after Mary wed Hatchel. Sidney Donavan lived with her son George, who  supported his family by working as a janitor at a school house. In 1900, the US Federal Census report listed the “color” for the entire Donegan family as “B” [black].  Interestingly, the Donegan’s were the only black family in the neighborhood. All of their neighbors were white, with the exception of a few household servants.  

Sidney Donegan, passed away at the age of 77 years old.

Gravestone of Mary Hatchel (Mary Donegan, mother of Lawrence and Peter Donigan).

Her obituary was published in the Illinois State Journal, of Springfield, Illinois, on Jan. 27, 1902. It provides a little more information about the Donegan family:

“Died Jan. 26, 1902, at the residence of her son, George W. Donagan, of apoplexy, Mrs. Sidney Donagan, aged 77 years and 10 months. She is well known among the colored population of Springfield. Born in Orange county, Va., she came to Kentucky when 12 years old, and finally to Illinois with her husband in 1846. Mr. Donagan farmed in the vicinity of Springfield eleven years. He died in 1865.” She was survived by six children: George W. Donagan, Presley Donagan, Leana Outland, Susan Dinagan, and Mrs. Mary Hatchel. All of her children, with the exception of Mary, remained in the Springfield area. Sadly, non of the grandchildren were mentioned.

Lawrence E. Donigan/Laurence E. Donohue

The surname change from Donigan to Donohue happened sometime between 1885 and 1890.

In 1890, Lawrence E. Donigan was listed as Laurence E. Donohue in the Chicago Directory, residing at 20 Gurley. Four years later he married, also using the surname of Donohue.  His name was listed in the Marriage License section of The Inter Ocean on June 26, 1894 (page 8) –

“Laurence Donohue, Mary Dennewille (27-21).” Many African American last names hold the weight of slavery; individuals who used the surname of an enslaver. We will never know what promoted Lawrence to change his surname, or if his mother completely severed contact with her family.  In the back of my mind, I hope that Lawrence changed his name from an enslaver to a liberator.  Again, the family that helped slaves to their freedom in St. Clair County during the time that Wiley Donegan secured his emancipation papers was the Donihoos.

Regardless of reason, it cannot be discounted that all of Mary’s siblings in Springfield were consistently listed as “col.” [colored] in the Springfield Directory. In Chicago, Mary passed for white, and was not listed by anything else.

Fifty years later, Lawrence’s two surnames were mentioned in his obituary:

On March 2, 1944, the Oak Park Leave announced,”Mr. Donahue (known as Lawrence Donigan, professionally) was a scene painter and in years past painted scenery in the theatre throughout the United States, including New York Civic Opera House, Detroit Opera House, and Civic Opera House in Chicago and Ravinia.”

Shortly after marrying in 1894, Lawrence and his wife relocated to St. Louis, Missouri. In St. Louis they celebrated the birth of their first child, Lawrence Edward Donohue Jr. (May 1895). At the time, their address was listed as 1302 Sidney St. Lawrence and his family remained in the St. Louis area for a few years, listed as artist in the St. Louis City Directory in 1895 and 1897.  In 1897, their address changed to 1448 S 16^th. Their second son, James P. Donohue, was also born in St. Louis in 1898.  In 1899 the Donohues returned to Chicago.

Lawrence and Mary were living in Chicago when their third son, Walter J. Donohue, was born in 1899. The 1900 U. S. Census report listed L. E. Donohue and his family living at 20 Vernon Park, Chicago; a location where they would remain until the 1930s. In Chicago, Donohue resumed painting under the name Donigan, going by Lawrence E. Donigan, or L. E. Donigan.

In 1900, Donigan was listed as “scenic artist for the Grand Opera House” in the Memphis City Directory, rooming at 441 ½ Main. This was a very common occurrence. Despite having a permanent residence and family in another city, scenic artists would list themselves in directories for the cities they were working in at the time. This meant “rooming, “boarding,” or just listing the address of the theater where they were working; this was to ensure that they were able to receive mail during extended absences from their permanent residence.

In 1901, Lawrence and Mary celebrated the birth of Mildred.

By 1902, Lawrence worked at the Academy of Music in Chicago, placing an advertisement in the “Chicago Tribune” on July 20, 1902: “WANTED FRESCO PAINTER: Must draw and paint ornaments. Academy of Music. L. E. Donigan.”

In 1906, Lawrence and Mary celebrated the birth of their last child, Mary Florence. And this is about the time where a third Donegan relation becomes a scenic artist.

Their Nephew: George Pat Woods

George Pat Woods was the nephew of L. E. Donigan and Peter “Pete” Donigan. Woods was Sosman & Landis employee No. 98. George was one of Della’s sons.

George Patrick Wood was born in Chicago on April 10, 1891, although his birth was not registered with the State of Illinois until July 31, 1891. Later in life, he would go by George Pat Wood in newspaper article. He was one of three sons born to George Wood (b. abt. 1854) and Della B. Donohue (b. abt. 1870). His two younger brothers were Arthur Francis Wood and Walter James Wood. In 1900, the three boys were listed as “inmates” at the “St. Louis Home of Refuge.” The term “refuge” is a little misleading, as the home was well known as an abusive penal institution for juvenile offenders, as well as orphans. It remains unclear as whether all three boys were arrested for delinquent acts or committed by a family member, but their young ages suggest the latter. The ages of the three boys were listed as 9, 7, and 5 yrs. old.  I have no idea how long they stayed at the St. Louis Home of Refuge or remained in the St. Louis area.

In later years, Wood credits that his uncle, Pete Donigan, as the one who helped George get a foothold in the scene painting business. On July 31, 1927, Cincinnati Commercial Tribune featured Pat Woods in an article entitled, “Born to Blush” (page 33).  The article reported,

‘Pat,’ as he is known by members of the Stuart Walker Company got his start in the scene-painting business when he visited his uncle in Chicago. This uncle, one Peter Donegan, is a sort of scenic baron in the Windy City, doing the stage sets for the Chicago Opera Company and for most of the large theaters. His studio proved a fascinating place to hang out, and presently the nephew began dabbing in paint. Soon he was a regular member of the force. And so he began, rather far up the line as scenic artistry goes, by designing stage sets for the Chicago Opera. Following other successful positions, Pat was retained to assist in fashioning stage sets for Max Reinhardt’s first production of ‘The Miracle,’ the most stupendous and magnificently stages spectacle the American stage has ever seen. In between these high-light occurrences, Pat was for two seasons with the Metropolitan Opera Company. He was with Stuart Walker when Mr. Walker had the Portmanteau Theater and made all the original sketches for the company one season. Between times he has taken jaunts to Europe to provide him with inspiration for his work; there have been visits to old world museums and cathedrals where he has studied color and technique and gained experience which he had been able to translate into renewed efficiency when he has returned to his duties.”

Although there is no direct mention of Wood working at Sosman & Landis, he likely started at the firm about the same time as John Hanny and Art Oberbeck, c. 1905-1907. His uncle L. E. Donigan was still living in Chicago and associated with the firm in 1902.  He was part of the crew sent to Cincinnati to paint for Sosman, Landis & Hunt. For historical context, in 1894, Sosman & Landis partnered with David H. Hunt to lease the Pike Theatre in Cincinnati and manage a touring stock company.

On Dec. 14, 1902, the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune reported, “CHRISTMAS ATTRACTIONS. The Christmas pantomime of ‘Cinderella’ will be presented one week from today at the Pike. Manager Hunt has done something never before attempted by a stock organization – prepared in four weeks an extravaganza such as David Henderson and other spectacle producers required four or five months to build. Scenic artist Reid had as his assistants, L. E. Donigan, Otto Schessling, William Thompson, George Smith and four helpers. Scenic carpenter Buck has had twelve carpenters in his department. Property Master Bruehl has had four assistants. Electrician H. Homer has had four assistants, the services of three women have been required for four weeks sewing on the scenic materials and the supplies for the stage alone have required an outlay of over $5,000. In the big transformation scene in the last act there will be 175 grown people and 75 children. A gold coach, drawn by eight of the smallest ponies on earth, will be the feature” (page 26).

That year Donigan was also associated the Academy of Music. On July 20, 1902, Donigan placed a want ad in the Chicago Tribune (page 7):

“WANTED – FRESCO PAINTER; MUST DRAW and paint ornaments. Academy of Music. L. E. Donigan.” Donigan remained in Chicago, continuing to list his surname as Donohue in census reports.

The 1910 US Federal Census listed Lawrence Donohue living at 857 Vernon Park Pl., in Chicago with his wife and children. Donahue, now 47 years old, listed his occupation as a theatre decorator. Other members of his household included: Mary M. Donahue (36 yrs.), with children Lawrence E. (14 yrs.), James P. (13 yrs.), Walter J. (10 yrs.), Mildred (8 yrs.) and Florence (3 yrs.). The report also notes that Mary gave birth 6 times, with 5 surviving children.

On July 8, 1913, both Donigan and Wood were mentioned in the “Des Moines Tribune” while working at the Empress Theatre in Des Moines, Iowa. The article reported, “…the elaborate settings that will adorn the stage of the new theater and three scenic artist, L. E. Donigan [Lawrence E. Donahue], George Wood, and Arthur Overholt [Arthur Oberbeck] are rapidly transforming the white canvas of the wings and drops and borders into surfaces of colored beauty.”

The Donohue family’s home remained at Vernon Park Place in Chicago, although the renumbering of streets shifted their house number from 20 to 857.

By 1922 Lawrence E. Donigan became associated with the Oliver Player production,. He painted scenery for the at least two of their productions, including the adventure melodrama, “The Barrier” and “Fair and Warmer.” His scenery for “Fair and Warmer” was mentioned in the South Bend Tribune on April 29, 1922, (page 6). The article reported, “Scenery for the play is of necessity of the rudest sort representing the rough cabins of Alaska. L. E. Donigan, scenic artist for the Oliver players has endeavored to reproduce the actual atmosphere of the mining country with the aid of Mr. Burnham, who has himself spent many months in Alaska (page 6).

L. E. Donigan was listed in the 1923 Grand Rapids MI Directory, working as an artist, and boarding at 621 Shawmut NW. He continued to work throughout the region. On November 14, 1925, the South Haven Daily Tribune reported,

“L. E. Donigan of Grand Rapids, theatrical scenic artist, was here Friday to look over the auditorium of the new Central school building with the view of submitting a bid on the scenery and other equipment. Mr. Donigan equipped the stage of the auditorium of the high school building at Covert” (page 2).

The Market Crash of 1929 changed everything for many scenic artists, including Donigan.  John Hanny described the shifted in a letter to Dr. John Rothgeb: “The depression of 1929 just about stopped the production of stage scenery – at least in Chicago. Road shows, musical, etc. if any were being produced in New York and Hollywood. At this point the studios disappeared but the scene painter couldn’t disappear and had to become freelancers. There was no such thing as a steady job and the boys were hard put to find a day’s pay.” Despite a downturn in the industry, Lawrence’s little brother continued to soar. On Oct. 29, 1930, the “Detroit Free Press” reported. “At the studios of the Detroit Opera society in the old Fox-Washington theater, Peter J. Donigan, chief scenic artist of the Ravinia Park Opera, was introduced and his work for the last two months exhibited” (page 7). In article entitled “Opera Backers See 1931 Equipment.” Peter is the subject of my next post.

The 1930 US Federal Census reported that Lawrence Donahue was still painting, but now in the building industry. He was seldom employed as “L. E. Donigan. During the 1930s, the Donahue family home moved from Chicago to Oak Park, the same western suburb that had housed many other scenic artists since the 1890s, including Thomas G. Moses and Joseph Landis (Perry’s older brother). Over the next decade, Lawrence slowly fades from public record and simply retired.

The 1940 US Federal Census listed the Donahue residence as 829 South Cuyler, Oak Park. The household included: Lawrence (head, 76 yrs.), Mary (wife, 68 yrs.), Marie (Mary Florence) Krbec (daughter, 33 yrs.) and Marcelle Krbec (grandson, 9 yrs.). Their son James P. Donohue’s 1942 draft registration card still listed this address. At the time he employed by the U. S. Army Signal Corps in Chicago.

Both Lawrence E. and Mary Donahue passed away in 1944, within weeks of each other.

On Feb. 13, 1944, Mary Donahue’s obituary was published in the “Chicago Tribune” (page 18). It announced:

“Mary Muir Donahue, of 821 S. Cuyler avenue, Oak Park, beloved wife of Lawrence, fond mother of Lawrence E., James P., Walter T., Mildred M. Cotey and Mary F. Krbec, sister of Walter Dinnerville, Ina Frank and Louise Humphries. Resting at funeral home, 17, Madison street, Oak Park, Funeral notice later.”

Ten days after the announcement was published, Lawrence passed away on Feb. 23, 1944. The Illinois Death Index lists both surnames for Lawrence on his record: “Lawrence E. Donigan or Donahue.”  The entry verifies his identity, listing his father as Peter Donahue, mother as Margaret Kelly, and wife was Mary Meier Donahue.

On March 2, 1944, the Oak Park Leaves announced,

“L. E. Donohue Dies;

Scenic Artist

Lawrence E. Donohue of 821 South Cuyler died on Wednesday, February 23, at his home after suffering from an ailment of two years standing. His wife, the late Mary Muir Donahue passed away on February 12 of this year. Mr. Donahue (known as Lawrence Donigan, professionally) was a scene painter and in years past painted scenery in the theatre throughout the United States, including New York Civic Opera House, Detroit Opera House, and Civic Opera House in Chicago and Ravinia. He was a business agent for the Scenic Artists’ union 350 for a number of years and was active until a few weeks before his death, despite poor health.

Born in Alton, Illinois, in 1864, Mr. Donohue has resided in the village for the past fifteen years. He was the father of Lawrence E., Walter J., and Mrs., Mildred M. Coty of Chicago, and of James PO., and Mrs. Mary Krebec who live at home, and brother Peter J. Donigan and Mrs. Mary Berry of Chicago. Services on Saturday were conducted at Ascension church with burial at All Saints” (page 50).

I will explore the life and career of Lawrence’s older brother, Peter J. Donigan (1871-1949) in my next post.