Copyright © 2021 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1899, there was a “Mr. McAndrews” representing the Sosman & Landis Scenic Studio. At the time, the firm was going after a scenery project in Barre, Vermont, bidding against Huoist Theatrical Scenery of Troy, New York.
“On May 11, 1899, the “Barre Evening Telegram” reported, “The city council met in special session last night to confer with several representatives of scenic houses about scenery for the new opera house. Mr. McAndrews, representing Sosman & Landis of Chicago advocated raising a portion of the roof 38 feet wide 5 feet above the present altitude. Mr. Huoist, representing a firm in Troy, N.Y., showed a model and sample of scenery. Advocated the use of trip lines and leaving the roof the same as present. Both are prepared to submit estimates by next Tuesday. Mr. Morton agreed to add the stripe to the decorations of the rooms in the city hall and a resolution was adopted awarding him the contract for $250. Executive session to consider some other bids on scenery” (page 1).
By May 17, 1899, the “Barre Evening Telegram” announced “Scenery Let. Huoist Theatrical Scenery Co., of Troy, N.Y., the Successful Bidders. The Price to be $1,226 for Nine Complete Scenes. Sosman & Landis $52 Higher for Less Pieces” (page 1). Sosman & Landis were the nearest competitors to Huoist, but their price for $1,278 was for several fewer pieces.
It has been a challenge to track down “Mr. McAndrews,” as it is extremely difficult to locate a scenic artist or salesman with a common last name. However, I believe that this was E. H. McAndrews, also known as Edward H. McAndrew; over the years, the “s” was dropped from the last name. Both Edward H., and his brother Robert T., McAndrews, worked as scenic artists in the East, primarily contracting projects in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
Edward was a very typical example of the scenic artist/salesman hired by Sosman & Landis at this time. Since the founding of the firm, Sosman & Landis hired regional scenic artists, those familiar with a specific area of the country, to go after scenery jobs beyond the Midwest. This made sense, as it gave them not only access to local theatre networks, but also added credibility to their firm when competing against regional competitors.
Edward was one of four children born to Patrick McAndrews and Agnes E. Calhoun between 1859 and 1865. The oldest child Francis “Frank” was born in 1859 and youngest child, Elizabeth, was born six years later in 1865. Edward and Robert were the middle children. In 1870, the McAndrews family was living in Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania. At the time, the children listed at home were: Frank (11 yrs.), Robert (8 yrs.), Edward (6 yrs.) and Elizabeth (5 yrs.).
Patrick McAndrews passed away in 1875, leaving a wife with young children still at home. Agnes was still listed in the Pottsville City Directory over a decade later, as it appears, she never moved. In 1887, when was living with Robert at “Race c Lawson.” Although Robert was listed as a boiler maker at the time, he was working as an artist two years later. In 1888, Edward was also working as an artist in the area. On August 3, 1888, the Sunbury, Pennsylvania, “Northumberland County Democrat” reported, “Prof. E. H. McAndrew, an artist, who works from nature, has arrived in this city and intends getting up a class. He has recently been in Shamokin and Easton and comes highly recommended” (page 1). Shamokin was located approximately halfway between Pottsville and Sunbury, to the west. Easton was near Allentown, Pennsylvania.
It remains unclear as to when Edward and Robert began their scenic art careers, but both completed projects in larger metropolitan cities by the 1890s. By 1896, Edward was credited as a “well-known” scenic artist. On April 21, 1896, the “Fall River Globe” of Fall River, Massachusetts, reported, “Corse Payton is the only manager of popular price attractions that has discovered the secret of being able to carry scenery for eight first class productions and give attention to every little detail. Having the scenery, costumes, properties and other effects as the experienced stage manager requires for proper presentation of each play in the repertoire. All of the scenery used is the finest that can be painted and is from the brush of E. H. McAndrew, a well-known artist who has painted some of the most elaborate spectacular productions of the day. Everything that is used on stage is carried by Mr. Payton, who guarantees perfect satisfaction and will refund twice the amount paid for any ticket by any person not perfectly satisfied with any of his performances. Yesterday’s productions were presented to full houses and the general verdict was that the company was much superior to many of the high-priced attractions. In a word the company is one of rare excellence, and well worthy of the public patronage. Tonight ‘The Galley Slave’ will be presented, and tomorrow there will be two grand bills, ‘East Lynne’ in the afternoon. And ‘The Plunger’ in the evening” (page 6). Fall River is about sixty miles south of Boston where McAndrews both lived and worked.
By 1900, Edward was living in Philadelphia, but continuing to work as a scenic artist and performer throughout the region. Edward also worked in Manchester, New Hampshire, where he met his future wife Dora G. Shaw.
On Nov. 15, 1900, Edward married Dora “Grace” Shaw in Boston. Grace was the daughter of railroad electrician, Eugene Shaw, and dressmaker, Susan A. Shaw, born on Jan. 14, 1877 in Barnet, Vermont. Their marriage license listed Grace’s current residence as Manchester, New Hampshire; with Edward’s current residence as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Edward and Grace listed their occupations as actor and actress, respectively.
McAndrews continued to work as a both a performer and scenic artist. On May 14, 1901, the “Portsmouth Herald,” announced, “E. H. McAndrews, the scenic artist of Manchester was in town today” (Portsmouth, New Hampshire, page 6). At this same time, his brother, R. H. McAndrew, was listed as a scenic painter in the Manchester, New Hampshire, City Directory, boarding at the Hotel Windsor. The two continued to work throughout the region.
By 1908, Edward and his wife Grace were living in Barnet, Vermont, Grace’s hometown. In Barnet, they celebrated the birth of their only son, John, sometime between 1908 and 1910; records vary for his birth year.
The family then moved to Canada, although this date is a little flexible too, ranging from 1906 to 1910. It is possibly that Edward was working in Toronto, while Grace raised their son in Vermont, but everything is a bit sketchy. Much of the information pertaining to the Edward McAndrews life in Toronto was included in a 1921 Canadian Census. That year, the McAndrew household included Edward, Grace, John and Susan A. Shaw (Grace’s mother). At the time, Edward’s occupation was listed as an artist in the theatre industry, listing 1906 as his year of immigration.
The McAndrews returned to the United States by 1930, although the exact date remains uncertain. The 1930 US Federal Census that listed E. H. McAndrew as a scenic artist in Wilmington, Middlesex, Mass., living with his wife Grace, son John, mother-in-law Susan and brother, Robert T. McAndrew. Robert was listed as a sign painter.
I have located precious little about Edward or Robert after this. However, Edward passed away four years later. His obituary was published in the “Boston Globe” on October 12, 1934:
“MCANDREW- In Wilmington, Oct 11, Edward H. Funeral from his later home, Middlesex av., Saturday Oct. 13, at 8:15 a.m. Requiem high mass at St. Thomas’ Church, Wilmington, at 9 o’clock. Relatives and friends are invited” (page 12). He was still living in Wilmington at the time. Edward H. McAndrew is buried at Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington, Mass.
To be continued…
