Copyright © 2023 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
Sometime between the Dec. 1875 and May 1876, Joseph S. Sosman and Perry Landis began working and traveling together. By 1877, they were known as “Messrs. Sosman & Landis, scenic artists, of Chicago.”
When they met in 1875, the two shared one thing in common – Fairfield, Iowa.
Fairfield, Iowa
Here’s a little context for this small midwestern town…
Chas. H, Fletcher’s publication, Jefferson County, Iowa. Centennial History, gave the following information:
“In 1875 the population was 1,544; 304 families; 247 militia; 361 voters; 354 dwellings; 10 school-houses; 1 church; 50 church members; 376 school children; 18,034 acres improved land; 3,956 acres unimproved land; 105,034 rods of fence; 1,077 acres wheat; 4,591 acres corn; 208 acres rye; 1,330 acres oats; 22 acres barley; 28 acres buckwheat; 9 acres sorghum; 8,553 acres grass; 106 acres potatoes; 4,398 acres natural timber, 2 acres planted timber; 3,550 rods hedge. Bearing fruit trees: 9,536 apple; 122 pear; 250 peach; 36 plum; 1,785 cherry. Stock: 757 horses; 2,166 cattle; 2,898 hogs; 1,605 sheep, 33 mules and asses. 86 stands of bees 15 miles of Railroad. Value of school property, $6,425. Railway station, Fairfield.”
Of Fairfield’s community, Fletcher wrote:
“In 1876 the city presents greater proportions, showing a healthy growth in twenty-nine years. There are 13 grocery stores doing a business of over $200,000; 1 wholesale grocery house, $60,000; 2 restaurants, $25,000; 2 general stores, $100,000; 7 dry goods stores, $150,000; 4 clothing stores, $37,000; 3 boot and shoe stores, $50,000; 2 hat and cap stores, $25,000; 3 jewelers, $25,000; 5 drug stores, $70,000; 3 book stores, $30,000; 4 meat markets, $50,000; 6 millinery stores, $75,000; 10 saloons, $100,000; 3 stove and tinware stores, $60,000; 2 foundries, $40,000; 1 woolen factory and 1 woolen goods store, $30,000; 2 flouring mills, $50,000; 2 butter and egg depots, $40,000; 2 hardware stores, $50,000; 4 grain houses, $150,000; 2 furniture stores, $40,000; 3 harness, 6 tailor, 5 wagon, 10 boot and shoemaker, 7 blacksmith, 1 gunsmith and 4 barber shops, doing a business of $100,000; 3 lumber yards, $125,000; 1 furniture factory, $50,000; 3 livery stables, 2 bus lines, 1 broom factory, $75,000; and in addition to these there are three banks, 19 lawyers, 14 doctors, 4 dentists, 1 taxidermist, 6 insurance agencies, 1 pension agency, 2 justices of the peace, 3 telegraph office, 2 R. R. depots, 1 patent medicine manufactory, 4 private schools, 1 union school, 4 hotels, 1 OPERA HOUSE, 3 public halls, 2 musical instrument dealers, 3 newspapers, 3 coal dealers, 1 public library with 4,620 volumes, 10 church organizations, 9 church edifices, 1 Masonic hall, 1 Odd Fellows hall, 1 Zetagathain hall, 1 Knights of Pythias hall, and 1 Ancient Order of Workingmen hall.
Semon’s Opera House in Fairfield, Iowa. Image posted at jeffersoncountyheritage.org/photo-archive/
In 1875, Joe Sosman arrived in Fairfield to paint scenery for the newly-constructed opera house. That same year, Landis’s return to his hometown was repeatedly mentioned in the Fairfield Ledger.
The Fairfield Ledger building in Fairfield, Iowa. Image posted at jeffersoncountyheritage.org/photo-archive/
The Landis family moved to Fairfield in 1844, initially staying for five years. Although they briefly relocated to Indiana in 1849, the family returned to Fairfield by 1854. They remained in the Fairfield area until 1868. This mean that Perry grew to adulthood on a farm in the area. Despite his move to Denver in 1871, Landis maintained close relations with many Fairfield friends and family.
Landis periodically returned to Fairfield for brief visits throughout 1875. His arrivals and departures were often noted in the newspaper.Landis was at a crossroads in life. In May 1875, he closed Perry Landis & Co. in Denver, a lightning rod firm. Landis then returned to his family in the east, making stops in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. It was in Ohio that Landis purportedly met Sosman. Their connection to Fairfield would have been provided an instant connection. Their meeting was recounted years later in a Dramatic Mirror interview with Landis. The article reported, “With only a few stray dollars in his pocket Mr. Landis was practically on his uppers when he met Mr. Sosman in Ohio by accident…the two men became friendly and finally chummed it.” It is possible that Sosman was visiting his older brother when he first encountered Landis. Capt. William Sosman lived in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Prior to their meeting, Sosman painted scenery in Fairfield. On Sept 23, 1875, The Macomb Journal reported:
Joe Sosman, Macomb’s talented young artist, left the city Monday last for Fairfield, Iowa, where he goes to paint scenery for a new hall erected there. He will be gone about three or four weeks and will do a job that will suit the Fairfieldians to a T (page 3).
At the time, Sosman was working with fellow scenic artist J. C. Blaine. Aftre completing the opera house project, Sosman and Blaine extended their stay, remaining in town until late November. They then headed 28 miles northeast to Washington, Iowa, where they painted scenery for Everson’s Hall. Also known as Everson’s Opera House, the venue was located in the county courthouse on the second floor.
As in Fairfield, Sosman & Blaine contracted several other painting projects after completing the stage scenery for Everson’s Hall. They also painted a business chart, very similar to the one created a month earlier in Fairfield. On Nov. 4, 1875, the Fairfield Ledger credited Sosman & Blaine with painting “the most beautiful and attractive business chart ever seen in Fairfield.” The article reported, “In size it is 8×16 feet, and contains the business cards of about twenty of Fairfield’s businessmen. The chart is made of wood, securely fastened to the wall. The cards are beautifully and artistically finished in oil. The work is very creditable to the artists, Messrs. Sosman & Blain, who handsomely painted the scenery at Semon’s Opera House.”
On Dec. 17, 1875, the Washington Gazette listed “Sausman & Blaine – New style of advertising” in the “New Advertisements section (page 3). The article about their endeavor reported:
“New Style of Advertising.
The center attraction to the crowds who visit the post office is the new and elegant advertising bulletin recently put three by Messrs. Sausman & Blaine, the scenic artists and commercial advertisers who have just completed the painting of the scenery for “Everson’s Opera Hall.” The work throughout stamps them as first-class artists in their line, and the bulletin is certainly the handsomest, neatest and most attractive thing we ever saw in the line of advertising. It is painted on canvas, in oil colors, and in size is 8 x 16 feet. The cards. Twenty-five in number, are beautifully and artistically designed and are ornamented with the names and businesses of twenty-five of Washington’s most enterprising and wide-awake businessmen. The whole number of cards were taken the first day, and numerous applicants for cards were made after the required number was obtained, which pointedly shows that our business men know how to appreciate a good thing when they see it, but Messrs. S & B have made an imperative rule to take as advertisers but one firm in each distinctive branch of business, and erect but one bulletin of twenty-five cards in each city, and have adopted as their motto ‘first come, first served,” hence but first-class advertisements have or will be taken. In conclusion, we can heartily endorse Messrs. Sausman & Blaine as gentlemen who fulfill their contracts satisfactorily in every respect, and we wish them success and bespeak for them the liberal patronage which their work deserves, wherever they go.”
Sosman & Blaine had been advertising in Washington newspapers since their arrival the month before. On Nov. 24, 1875, the Washington Evening Journal advertised: “SIGN PAINTING. Messrs. Sosman & Blain, the Scenic Artists who are now at work painting the Scenery for Everson’s Hall, will, on completion of their work at the Hall, take orders for Sign Work. Fine Signs and Window Curtains made a specialty.”
Sosman & Blaine likely parted ways around the holiday season. Sometime between the end of December 1875 and May 1876, Sosman left Blaine, met Landis, and established a new partnership. The two became not only fast friends, but also business partners. They became inseparable for the next three decades.
The Fairfield Ledger announced their return to Fairfield during the spring of 1876.
On May 11, 1876, the Fairfield Ledger reported “Perry Landis and J. S. Sosman spent a few days in the city last week” (page 3). A similar announcement was published the next month. On June 11, 1876, the Fairfield Ledger announced, “Perry Landis and J. S. Sosman spent a few days in the city last week” (page 3).
Changing Course in 1875
We will never know the details surrounding their first encounter. However, 1875 was a year of transition for both Sosman and Landis. They met at a perfect time.
The Landis family was occupied with activities surrounding the sale of their vineyard in Connersville, Indiana. The property had been purchased by his parents in 1868, bringing the entire family closer to its aging matriarch, Perry’s paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Moss. After her passing in 1871, Perry left for Colorado. His older brother, Joseph Landis, later managed the sale of the vineyard from his nearby home in Liberty. The sale again gathered the Landis family to Indiana.
On Sept. 30, 1875, the Liberty Herald published the following announcement, “Farm for Sale.
The finest Fruit Farm in Fayette county, at a bargain. 3,000 Grape Vines; other fruit in proportion; Hedge Fence around the entire farm. Every foot tillable land, second bottom. Offered at a great bargain. Address JOE. LANDIS, Liberty, Ind.” (page 3). The Landis family vineyard in Connersville, Indiana, was sold in March 1876. On March 7, 1876, the Connersville Examiner announced, “William porter has purchased Landis’ farm south of town for which he paid $8,000.” After the Connersville property was sold, Perry’s parents and younger siblings moved to Rushville, Indiana, where Henry H. Landis (Perry’s father) opened a jewelry and watch repair shop.
1875-1876 It was a period of transition for the entire Landis family.
Sosman was also changing the course of his own career. In Fairfield, Sosman was assisted by fellow scenic artist and stage carpenter, J. C. Blaine. Sosman & Blaine not only painted stock scenery for Fairfield’s new opera house, but also completed several other painting projects for local businesses in the area. After Fairfield, Sosman & Blaine traveled 28 miles northwest to Washington, Iowa. In late November, they painted scenery for Everson’s Hall. On Nov. 24, 1875, the Washington Evening Journal published the following advertisement for the pair: “SIGN PAINTING. Messrs. Sosman & Blain, the Scenic Artists who are now at work painting the Scenery for Everson’s Hall, will, on completion of their work at the Hall, take orders for Sign Work. Fine Signs and Window Curtains made a specialty.” The partnership of Sosman & Blain ended shortly after this time. The reason for their parting may have had to do with Sosman’s encounter with Landis. By the spring of 1876, Sosman & Landis were traveling together.
Sometime between December 1875 and May 1876, Joe met Perry and the two became inseparable.
One of their first projects was in Marshalltown, Iowa. yet each managed to visit family that summer. On August 10, 1876, The Macomb Journal reported, “J. S. Sossman returned yesterday from Marshalltown, Iowa, where he has been fitting up a hall with stage scenery. Mr. Sossman’s reputation as an artist, has gone beyond the State, and he finds ample employment for his talents, which are first-class” (page 3). Marshalltown was north of Fairfield, 75 miles due west from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Despite work, each managed to return home and visit family.
On July 6, 1876, the Herald of Liberty, Indiana, reported, “Perry Landis, lately returned from Fairfield, Iowa, witnessed the flight of the eagle in Liberty the 4th” (page 3). Again, Perry’s older brother, Joseph Landis, worked as a jeweler in Liberty.
Sosman also returned home to Macomb, but did not stay for long. By late August, he traveled to the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Macomb newspapers dubbed the event as simply “The Centennial” or Centennial, as it was so well-known. A thorough description of the exposition fairgrounds was even published in the Macomb Journal on August 3, 1876 (page 1). The same newspaper reported Sosman’s departure for the Centennial. On August 24, The Macomb Journal announced, “Joe Sossman started for Centennial Monday. Joe’s artistic eye will take in everything worth seeing at the great exposition” (page 3).
The Main Building at the Centennial Exposition in 1876.
Here is a link to more information about the 1876 Exposition: https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/centennial/
Sosman was among many Macomb citizens to attend the event that year; their comings and goings announced in the newspaper. Keep in mind that this was a significant event that introduced both Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone and the Remington Typographic Machine (typewriter) to the American Public on a grand scale.
At the onset of 1877, Sosman was still referred to as “Macomb’s artist.” On March 22, 1877, “The Macomb Journal” announced, “Joe Sosman, Macomb’s artist, arrived at home this morning” (page 3). By the end of the year, both Sosman and Landis began citing their business residence as Chicago. Each continued to make headlines in their hometown newspapers and throughout the region.
On June 15, 1877, the Brazil Manufacture and Miner of Brazil, Indiana, reported, “We had the pleasure of meeting, a few days since the ever happy and ever pleasant face of our genial old-time friend Perry Landis, who visited Brazil in the interest of science, art and beauty” (page 5).
Then an interesting article popped up in Sosman’s hometown news. It is perplexing, and I have yet to really track this down. However, I am going to include it anyway. On June 27, 1878, “The Macomb Journal” reported, “The individual who says Forepaugh’s circus had anything to do with Joe Sosman’s return to Macomb, is a ‘liar, a scoundrel, and a villain’………..Those tramps are goin north, in quest of binding. It is hoped the law will harvest a full crop of the rogues, soundly thrash, and scoop them into the Joliet bion, to go through a sweat, form which they may come out with a disposition to work, instead of ‘bum’ for a living….” (page 3).
By the end of 1877, both Sosman & Landis were working on a project in Wilmington, Ohio. On Dec. 20, 1877, the Clinton Republican” reported, “The Town Council have contracted with Messrs. Sosman & Landis, scenic artists of Chicago, for the painting of a drop curtain and seven scenes for the stage of the new Town Hall. These gentlemen will begin the work about the 1st of January, and it will take them some six weeks to two months to complete the job. They come highly recommended, and no doubt will do such good work as will add to the general attractiveness of the capacious and beautiful Auditorium” (page 3). For geographical context, Wilmington, Ohio, is 50 miles northeast of Cincinnati, Ohio.
To be continued…
