Essanay Studios Staff Directory
Compiled by David Kiehn – Historian, Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum
This listing of Essanay staff includes people who worked at all the various studio locations. It’s based on information in newspapers, trade magazines, films, photographs and from the families of Essanay personnel. Real and additional nicknames, if different than commonly reported, are in brackets. This list is by no means complete; any additional information is welcome.
Jack Yutaka Abbe (2 February 1895 Sendai, Japan – 3 January 1977) A stage actor before entering films with the Chicago Essanay in 1917 in The Curse of Iku.
Lawrence A. Abrott (22 July 1888 Sunol, California – 9 August 1961 Oakland, California) Abrott joined the company in Niles as a set carpenter in July 1912. By 1914 he was also appearing as an extra in films. His wife Alice appeared in at least one Essanay film, A Waiting Game. He remained with the company until the studio closed in 1916, then formed the Western Scenic Studio in Oakland, producing scenic backdrops, flats and theater curtains. It remained in operation into the 1990s.
Eugene Acker (13 May 1887 Stockholm, Sweden – 26 June 1971 San Francisco, California) Acker was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
George Ade (9 February 1866 Kentland, Indiana – 16 May 1944 Brook, Indiana) Ade was an author and playwright, creator of the George Ade Fables in Slang that were the basis for the Essanay film series of that same name.
Oscar Ahbe [Oscar William Ahbe] (8 March 1891 Chicago, Illinois – September 1966 St. Petersburg, Florida) Ahbe worked as a cameraman at the Chicago Essanay in 1917.
Sydney Ainsworth [Charles Sydney Ainsworth] (21 December 1873 Manchester, England – 21 May 1922 Madison, Wisconsin) Stage actor who came to movies in 1909, and joined Essanay in Chicago in 1913.
Joseph Allen (1872 Boston, Mass – 9 September 1952 Newton, Massachusetts) Began his stage career in Boston with the Castle Square Opera Company in 1896. Associated with George M. Cohan for 18 years. He came to the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
Viola Allen (27 October 1867 Huntsville, Alabama – 9 May 1948 New York, New York) Long stage career. Debut in films with Essanay. She was hired at the Chicago Essanay for the lead in The White Sister (1915).
Jerome Anderson aka Bud Jerome [Jerome W. Aronson] (September 1872 New York City – ?) One of G. M. Anderson’s brothers working in Niles, he acted with the company from early 1913 to January 1916. He was a shoe salesman in New York in the 1920s.
Gilbert M. Anderson aka George Maxwell Anderson, Broncho Billy, [Max H. Aronson] (21 March 1880 Little Rock, Arkansas – 20 January 1971 Pasadena, California) His family moved to St. Louis in 1884. In 1902 he was listed as an actor in the St. Louis city directory. He acted in New York City in Life (seven performances beginning 31 March 1902). He joined the Edison Film Company in October 1903, and left in March 1904. He was back in St. Louis by 1905 as an actor. He joined Vitagraph as a director in July 1905, and left in May 1906. He produced films for the Harry Davis Company from May 1906 to July 1906. He worked as a director for Selig Polyscope from July 1906 to March 1907. At Essanay he was a minority stockholder, secretary of the company, producer, director, writer and editor. He began to star in westerns in October 1909. He sold his share of Essanay to George Spoor at the end of January 1916. Anderson entered into a theatrical partnership with H. H. Frazee (forming the Frand Theatre Company) in April 1916, buying the Longacre Theatre in New York City. In August he signed with Lewis Selznick to produce and direct a film, Vera, the Medium, starring Kitty Gordon. That same year he and Lawrence Webber begin producing a series of plays. He built two theaters in San Francisco: the Gaiety and the Casino. In 1918 he formed the Golden West Producing Company with several San Francisco businessmen. It failed. In late 1921 he formed the Amalgamated Producing Company to make feature films and Stan Laurel comedies. He quit the film business in 1923. In 1958 he received an honorary Academy Award for his contributions to movies as entertainment. Later films: Red Blood and Yellow (1918), The Son of a Gun (1918), The Greater Duty (1921), The Bounty Killer (1965).
Leona Anderson [Leona Aronson] (3 April 1885 St. Louis, Missouri – 25 December 1973 Fremont, California) G. M. Anderson’s sister, she had modest success on Broadway in musicals from 1905 to 1908. She was an Essanay actress in Chicago in late 1914, and in Niles from January to August 1915. She married San Francisco real estate magnate Alfred Rosenstirn in 1916, but performed occasionally in plays and films produced by her brother. She revived her singing career in 1954 with Columbia Records, and in connection with it appeared on the Jack Parr, Ernie Kovacs and Steve Allen shows. Later films: Ashes (1918), Mud and Sand (1922), The House on Haunted Hill (1958).
Magna Anderson Actress with Essanay ca. 1917. Appeared in The Fable of the Wandering Boy and the Wayward Parents.
Nathan Anderson [Nathaniel A. Aronson] (1878 Texas – ?) G. M. Anderson’s brother, he joined Essanay in Niles as an actor in 1913, then wrote scenarios there in 1915, heading that department. He was a theater actor in San Francisco in the early 1920s, and worked in various San Francisco bookstores from 1926 to 1928.
Hal P. Angus (23 August 1890 Oakland, California – 20 April 1977 Castro Valley, California) Acted at Ye Liberty Theatre in Oakland from 1909 to 1910, acted in Niles with Essanay in 1912-13 and married Essanay scenario writer Josephine Rector in 1914. He was elected the first secretary-treasurer of the California State Council of Cannery Unions in 1939.
Tsuru Aoki (9 September 1892 Tokyo, Japan – 18 October 1961 Tokyo, Japan) Began in films with Ince in 1913. She acted in one film at the Chicago Essanay studio, The Curse of Iku (1918). Wife of Sessue Hayakawa.
Hazel Applegate (1886 – 30 October 1959 Chicago, Illinois) An actress at the Chicago Essanay studio from 1913, she came to Niles with Anderson and Chaplin in January 1915, and returned to Chicago in April.
Billy Armstrong [William Armstrong] (14 January 1891 Bristol, England – 1 March 1924 Sunland, California) His performing career began in music halls and burlesque with his father (Will H. Armstrong?). From 1910 to 1914 he was with Fred Karno’s company in England. His first film was The Tramp. He left Niles with Chaplin for Los Angeles in April 1915 and stayed until the unit disbanded. In 1916 he starred in Horsley’s Cub Comedies, worked at Keystone, then Rolin. His life was cut short by tuberculosis. Later films include: The Defective Detective (1916), A Royal Rogue (1917), Beach Nuts (1918), Do Husbands Deceive? (1918), Call the Cops (1919), Chicken a la Cabaret (1920).
Ed Armstrong [Reuben Edward Armfield] (15 September 1873 Peoria, Illinois – ?) A music hall and burlesque comedian, he was touring in 1908 throughout the United States and Canada with his brother Will H. Armstrong in their act “A Busy Night.” They settled at the Unique Theater in Los Angeles later that year with their Armstrong Musical Comedy Company. In April 1915, he joined Chaplin’s unit for the Essanay film By the Sea.
Will H. Armstrong [Will H. Armfield] (18 December 1868 Peoria, Illinois – 29 July 1943 Los Angeles, California) May have appeared in some of the films with his brother Ed for Essanay in Los Angeles.
Edward Arnold [Gunther Schneider] (18 February 1890 New York, New York – 26 April 1956 Encino, California) Began as an actor on stage with the Ben Greet Players. First films with the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Charles E. Ashley [Charles Edgar Ashley] (30 June 1879 London, England – ?) A longtime stage actor, he came to Essanay in Chicago in August 1914. Married to Gretchen Frase Ashley.
Thomas Atkin (18 March 1889 Pennsylvania – 3 April 1972 Orange, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Harold Atterage (9 July 1886 Lake Forest, Illinois – 15 January 1938 Lynbrook, New York) He acted with the Western Essanay in 1913 (BB’s Last Deed). He was a songwriter and wrote librettos for Broadway stage productions.
Agnes Ayres [Agnes Hinkle] (4 April 1898 Carbondale, Illinois – 25 December 1940 Hollywood, California) She began in films with the Chicago Essanay. Played opposite Rudolph Valentino in The Sheik. Mother: Emma Rendleman; Husband: Santiago Manuel Reachi; Daughter: Maria Reachi (1925 –)
Edward Julius Babille (3 May 1883 Wisconsin – 18 February 1970 Los Angeles, California) Casting director at the Chicago Essanay in September 1918. In 1914 he was an actor at the company. Wife: Elsie Klein Babille (18 Oct 1891 Wisconsin – 17 July 1980 LA)
Lloyd Bacon (4 December 1889 San Jose, California – 15 November 1955 Burbank, California) A vaudeville and stock company actor, he began film work with the Liberty Film Company in San Mateo. He joined the Niles Essanay as an actor in February 1915, left Niles with Chaplin in April, returned to Niles in July, and stayed until January 1916. He acted with Chaplin at Mutual, acted at Keystone in June 1917, then began directing. He made Lloyd Hamilton comedies for Mack Sennett, westerns at Fox and Universal, and a string of musicals at Warners. As an actor: The Vagabond (1916), Easy Street (1917), Blue Blazes Rawden (1918), Wagon Tracks (1919); as a director: The Singing Fool (1928), 42nd Street (1933), Marked Woman (1937), Boy Meets Girl (1938), It Happens Every Spring (1949).
Vernon Howe Bailey (April 1874 Camden, New Jersey – 1953) Writer and artist for the Chicago Essanay Vernon Howe Bailey’s Sketch Book series from 1915-1916.
William Bailey [William N. Bailey, Gordon Reineck] (26 September 1886 Omaha, Nebraska – 8 November 1962 Hollywood, California) Began with the Chicago Essanay in 1912 as an actor. Took up directing as well. Later directed comedies at Universal. Acted in The Eagle’s Eye (Wharton). Wife: Mary M. Bailey
George Bainbridge [George Francis Bainbridge] (30 September 1880 Chicago, Illinois – ?) He was an assistant director for Harry Beaumont at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916. He later worked at Selig.
Johnny Baker (1869 North Platte, Nebraska – 22 April 1931 Denver, Colorado) Foster son of William F. Cody, toured with him since he was 10 years old. Opened Cody Museum on Lookout Mountain, Colorado. He was with the Chicago Essanay company when they filmed The Adventures of Buffalo Bill on location in North Dakota in 1913.
Richard Foster Baker (25 January 1857 Detroit, Michigan – ?) He had 39 years experience as a director and actor on the stage (working in Rochester, NY 19 April 1910) before coming to the Chicago Essanay in 1910 to direct. He directed all of the George Ade fables to 1917. Health problems forced him to retire in 1917. Wife: Clara (1858 Pennsylvania – ?); Father: Benjamin Franklin Foster?; Mother: Abba Baker?
Leona Ball She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in October 1916.
Miss Ball She was an actor with the Chicago Essanay in May 1916. (Same as above?)
Don Barclay (26 December 1892 Astoria, Oregon – 16 October 1975 Palm Springs, California) He started in films at the Chicago Essanay in 1917.
Mabel Bardine She was in vaudeville from at least 1910, an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1917.
Charles Barton (25 May 1902 Sacramento, California – 5 December 1981 Burbank, California) Although he acted in one 1915 Broncho Billy film in Niles, it was his stage career that boosted him into film work in Los Angeles. Following a period of disenchantment, he became an office boy at the Lasky studio, and slowly moved up the ladder to become a director. In 1951 he began directing in television with the “Amos and Andy Show,” and later, “McHale’s Navy,” “Petticoat Junction” and “The Smothers Brothers Show.” As an actor: County Fair (1920), Beau Geste (1939); assistant director: Duck Soup (1933), Union Pacific (1939); as director: Wagon Wheels (1934), Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), The Shaggy Dog (1959).
Julien Barton He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1917.
Arthur W. Bates (1883 Illinois –16 August 1972 Chicago, Illinois) He began in films as an actor with the Chicago Essanay before 1915. After the studio closed he was employed by the Chicago Transit Authority. Nephew: Bert E. Bates
Bertram G. Bates (23 November 1888 Chicago, Illinois – January 1966 Illinois) He was an assistant director at the Chicago studio in 1918. He worked for the Atlas Educational Film Co in 1942.
Granville Bates (7 January 1882 Harvard, Illinois – 8 July 1940 Hollywood, California) Began in films in 1917 as an actor with the Chicago Essanay after a stage tour with May Robson.
Beverly Bayne [Pearl Beverly Bain] (22 November 1892 Minneapolis, Minnesota – 18 August 1982 Scottsdale, Arizona) She began in films as an actor with the Chicago Essanay in The Loan Shark. Married Francis X. Bushman in 1920. Long career on screen and on stage.
Grace Beals She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in May 1916.
George Bean He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1917.
Dewy Beard He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1917.
Harry Beaumont (10 February 1888 Abilene, Kansas – 22 December 1966 Santa Monica, California) He was an actor and director at the Chicago Essanay in 1916.
Noah Beery [Noah Nicholas Beery, Jr.] (15 January 1882 Kansas City, Missouri – 1 April 1946 Hollywood, California) He supposedly got his start in films as an actor at the Chicago Essanay thanks to his older brother William Beery. He was working at Lasky as an actor in September 1918.
Wallace Beery [Wallace Fitzgerald Beery] (1 April 1885 Kansas City, Missouri – 15 April 1949 Beverly Hills, California) He ran away to the circus as a kid, performing with elephants for the Ringling Brothers. From there he went into acting, working on Broadway, then touring with The Yankee Tourist in 1907. He was in Redlands with The Red Rose company only a few months after Essanay left there in 1911. His older brother William, an office worker at the Chicago Essanay, got him a job at the studio in August 1913. He starred in the Sweedie Comedies playing a Swedish maid, and in the George Ade Fables. He came to Niles in September 1915 to direct the Snakeville Comedies. When the studio closed he went to Keystone in Los Angeles. He was working at Garson Studio as a director in September 1918. His fame as an actor grew in the 1920s and blossomed in the 30s. His films include: The Last of the Mohicans (1921), Robin Hood (1922), The Sea Hawk (1924), The Lost World (1925), Chinatown Nights (1929), Min and Bill (1930), The Champ (1931), Grand Hotel (1932), Dinner at Eight (1933), Treasure Island (1934), China Seas (1935), The Man from Dakota (1940), Big Jack (1949).
William Chester Beery (5 April 1879 Clay County, Missouri – 25 December 1949 Beverly Hills, California) He worked in the Forepaugh & Sells circus, then Ringling Brothers. He started in films at the Chicago Essanay in the office in 1912(?), appearing in small parts on screen as needed in 1916. He began working for Richfield Oil in Los Angeles, September 1918.
Willie Belmont He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Frances Benedict He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in October 1916.
Hal Benedict (San Francisco, California) Graduated from Chicago Art Institute. Began in films at Essanay Chicago studio.
Charles Bennett He was an actor on the stage beginning with Edwin Booth in the 1890s, and many others before joining the Chicago Essanay in 1909. He later worked with Edison and came to California with Vitagraph in 1911, staying with Rollin Sturgeon’s company until 1914, when he went to the Keystone Company for five months. He played the uncle in Tillie’s Punctured Romance that year. He joined Biograph in February 1915 and went back to New York with them, from there appearing on the stage again.
Victor Benoit (1876 Ottawa, Canada – 16 January 1943 Newburgh, New York) Mainly a stage actor and writer, he worked at the Chicago Essanay studio as an actor in December 1916.
Milton Benson He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1913.
Rudolph Bergquist (November 1885 Illinois – 28 February 1928) Los Angeles, California. He began as a still photographer, went into moving pictures with the Chicago Essanay in the laboratory for two years, then worked as a cameraman, at least to 1914. Filmed many of Nazamova’s films at Metro. Worked at Fox for many years. Died in an auto accident during the making of The Sport Girl. Wife: Amelia (6 January 1886 Illinois – 10 March 1945 LA) and 3 children Ruth V. (1911 Illinois); Parents: Benjamin (1841 Sweden – ?), Caroline: (1866 Illinois)
William Berrigan He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1908.
Arthur Berthelet (12 October 1879 Wisconsin – 21 September 1949 Vista, California) Began directing at the Chicago studio in 1916 and was working as the last director at Essanay in September 1918. Wife: Leona (1880 Arkansas – 30 April 1958 San Diego) Actress; Son: Joseph Townsend Berthelet (1912 – 30 April 1958 San Diego) Note: Leona and Joseph died the same day.
Vedah Bertram [Adele Buck] (4 December 1891 Brooklyn, New York – 26 August 1912 Oakland, California) She was discovered by G. M. Anderson in December 1911. Beginning with The Ranch Girl’s Mistake (2 March 1912) at the western Essanay in Lakeside, California, and ending with Broncho Billy Outwitted (14 September 1912) in Niles, she made twenty-two films before her entry into Oakland’s Merritt Hospital in July 1912.
Martin Best [Henry Martin Best] (17 June 1881 Chicago, Illinois – 2 November 1975 Santa Monica, California) He worked some as an actor on stage before joining the Chicago Essanay. Later worked at Lasky and Vitagraph.
Matthew Betz [Matthew Von Betz] (13 September 1881 St. Louis, Missouri – 26 January 1938 Los Angeles, California) First films at the Chicago Essanay. Worked in vaudeville with his wife Lulu Slipp and other stage work. Returned to films in mid-twenties. Wedding March, Patent Leather Kid. Talkies – The Big House – and more.
Raymond J. Binder [Raymond Jerome Binder] (27 July 1884 Chicago, Illinois – 21 May 1941 Chicago, Illinois) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Eleanor Blanchard (1886 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – ?) She acted on stage for many years before she worked as an actor in films at Edison, at Melies in 1910, then the Chicago Essanay in 1912, then Lubin in 1914.
Peggy Blevins [Eleanor Blevins] (27 April 1894 Lincoln, Nebraska – 30 September 1979 Idaho Falls, Idaho) A young stage actress working in Northern California, she intermittently worked in Niles for Essanay in 1913 and 1914, and in Los Angeles with Selig in 1914, the Chaplin Essanay unit and Lubin in 1915. In 1917 she won $1000 in an automobile road race from New York to Washington D. C. She married an Idaho Falls, Idaho, attorney, Ralph Albaugh, in 1924. Other films: Yankee Doodle Dixie (1913), The Dead Soul (1915), The Beggar King (1916).
Alice Bliss She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1914.
Thelma Blossom She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in November 1917.
True Boardman [William True Boardman] (21 April 1882 Oakland, California – 28 September 1918 Norwalk, California) A stock company actor since 1903, his first film work was with Selig in Chicago. He came to Niles with his wife (actress Virginia Eames) and their son True Eames Boardman in July 1912. He distinguished himself in leading and supporting roles. He left in December 1914 for the Liberty Film Company in San Mateo, and when that under-financed company failed he went to Kalem in Glendale to star in the Stingaree film series and other films. Some of his films: When Thieves Fall Out (1915), On the Brink of War (1916), The False Prophet (1917), The Doctor and the Woman (1919).
True Boardman [True Eames Boardman] (25 October 1909 Seattle, Washington – 28 July 2003 Monterey, California) Like his father, True acted first at Selig, then the Niles Essanay from 1912 to 1914, went on to the Liberty Film Company and Kalem. But he didn’t stop there. Films include: A Boy at the Throttle (1915), Shoulder Arms (1918), Daddy Long Legs (1919). He wrote for movies (The Arabian Nights, 1942), radio (“The Lux Radio Theater”) and television (“Perry Mason,” “Bonanza”).
Madelyn Bode She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Fred W. Bogan He was “Soldier” Elder’s boxing trainer, and that association brought him to Essanay in Niles as an actor in 1912.
Robert Bolder (1859 London, England – 10 December 1937 Beverly Hills, California) He toured with his own company in South Africa. Came to U.S. with Olga Nethersole and company. His first film work at the Chicago Essanay in 1913. He had six children.
Gertrude Bondhill [Gertrude Margaret Schafer] (1880 Cincinnati, Ohio – 15 September 1960 Chicago, Illinois) Her first film work as an actor was at the Chicago Essanay studio. She later worked at Selig and Pike’s Peak Photoplay Company in 1915. She also worked on stage and radio. Husband: Leo Cavagna (Cincinnati); Son: Robert R. Cavagna (Lake Forest); Two grandchildren
Frank Borzage (23 April 1893 Salt Lake City, Utah – 19 June 1962 Hollywood, California) Left home for stage career at aged 14. Entered films in 1913 as an actor. Working as actor, director at Ince in June 1917. He acted in the Chicago Essanay film The Curse of Iku (1918).
Lois Boulton In 1910 she worked during the day as an actress with Essanay in Santa Barbara while performing at night with the Elleford Stock Company.
Homer A. Boushey (13 June 1876 Oakland, California – 9 February 1946 San Francisco, California) He was general manager of the Chicago Essanay in 1915. Grandson: Homer Boushey (California)
Lawrence A. Bowes (1 January 1885 Newark, California – 5 June 1955 Glendale, California) He was an actor on stage with the Ferris Hartman Company before joining Chaplin’s Essanay unit in Los Angeles in May 1915. He remained there until November 1915. Working at Midway Gas Company in September 1918. Other films: Picture Pirates (1916), A Warm Reception (1917).
Virginia Bowker [Virginia Corinne Bowker] She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Charles J. Brabin (4 April 1882 Liverpool, England – 3 November 1957 Los Angeles, California) Started in movies with Edison as an actor in The Yarn of the Nancy Bell (1908). Went to Vitagraph but returned to Edison. First directed at Edison in 1910 Usurer’s Grip. Chicago Essanay in May 1915. Working at Metro in September 1918.
Nell Bracy She worked at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Charles Bradley He was a writer at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Lily Branscombe [Lily B. Ashton] (28 February 1878 New Zealand – 26 September 1970 San Francisco, California) She came to the Chicago Essanay studio as an actor in 1911, after acting on stage with the Marlowe Theater company in Chicago for several years. Son: Herbert Ashton Jr. (1902 SF – 13 August 1960 San Mateo) Actor, director, author.
M. A. Breslauer aka Harris Breslauer, B. Harris, [Mervyn A. Breslauer] (28 April 1886 California – ?) He was a stringer for the San Francisco Call newspaper and a catcher on the San Rafael baseball team in 1911. He was hired in July 1912 as a press agent for Essanay, and played on the Niles baseball team until he left in November 1912. He returned to Niles in September 1913, worked in the prop department and acted. He switched to camera assisting in 1914 and worked with Harris Ensign on the Chaplin films in Niles. He left Niles with Chaplin’s Essanay unit in April 1915 and wrote press releases. Cameraman at Fox in September 1918.
Otto Breslin He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1913.
Thurlow Brewer He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in November 1915.
Freddie Bridges He was an actor at the Niles Essanay studio in 1912.
Oscar G. Briggs (9 June 1876 Wisconsin – 17 January 1928 Hollywood, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1914. Legit stage and vaudeville performer suffered a stroke while playing Zoombie the voodoo priest in Kongo. Widow: Bernice Howe Briggs
Texas George Briggs A cowboy and rifle marksman for the Kalem Company in 1911, he came to Essanay when they were at Lakeside, California, in January 1912. He remained with Essanay in Niles until the summer of 1913. In 1914 he was with the California Motion Picture Company in San Rafael and their Boulder Creek location in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Lottie Briscoe (19 April 1870 St. Louis, Missouri – 19 March 1950 New York, New York) Child actress on stage. As a stage actress in 1905, she was a leading lady with Harry McRae Webster’s company in Philadelphia. Her first film work with the Chicago Essanay in 1910. Moved to Lubin and stayed four years. Appeared in radio before retiring in 1935. Sister: Olive Rauh; Husband: Harry Mountford
William Brotherton He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in July 1917.
Betty Brown (1892 Nyack, New Jersey – ?) She was an actress at the Chicago Essanay in 1913.
Vincent Bryan (22 June 1878 St. Johns, Newfoundland – 27 April 1937 Hollywood, California) A vaudeville sketch writer (for Lew Dockstader, Eddie Foy, Bert Williams) and songwriter (“Budweiser’s a Friend of Mine,” “Merry Oldsmobile”), he joined Chaplin’s Essanay unit in Los Angeles to work on scenarios. He continued with Chaplin at Mutual. He also worked at Mack Sennett’s Keystone Film Company. His writing work includes: The Fireman (1916), The Scrub Lady (1917), Ambrose’s Day Off (1919).
Luvena Buchanan [Luvinia Buchanan] (29 June 1886 Texas – ? September 1971 Asbury Park, New Jersey) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1912.
Amanda Buckman [Amanda Frances Buckman Voss] (18 September 1890 New York, New York – 8 April 1972 New Orleans, Louisiana) She was an extra in Chicago Essanay films in 1910, when she submitted a story, Love at First Sight, to director Harry MacRae Webster that was accepted, and after several more stories were bought, she was hired on staff as a writer in 1911. She worked there until 1913, when she was offered a job on the stage with the Dave Lewis Company. She continued to freelance write, selling scripts to Vitagraph. She settled in New Orleans in 1915, working with the Coquille Film Company writing scenarios.
Cora Buckman [Cora Harris Buckman Hart] (2 November 1891 Potta County, Iowa – 4 March 1981 New Orleans, Louisiana) Sister of Amanda Buckman, she wrote at least one story for the Chicago Essanay studio in 1911.
Edward Bernard Buddemeyer (8 September 1884 Fort Wayne, Indiana – 20 June 1943 Chicago, Illinois) He came to the Chicago Essanay studio as an assistant electrician some time before 1917 and was still working for George Spoor in September 1918. Wife: Hazel C. Buddemeyer; Daughter: Jane C. (30 September 1922 Illinois – 28 November 1998)
Hazel C. Buddemeyer (25 March 1893 Illinois – 17 September 1973 Chicago, Illinois) She was supervisor of the film assembly room at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1910s. Wife of Edward.
Harry A. Buerkle He was a writer at the Chicago Essanay in 1913.
Chief Short Bull He was an actor in the Chicago Essanay film The Adventures of Buffalo Bill shot on location in North Dakota in 1913.
Al Bundrick An electrician with Essanay in San Rafael from 1911, he left Niles with Arthur Mackley’s unit for Los Angeles in November 1912, staying until the company disbanded in March 1913.
Elizabeth Burbridge (7 December 1895 San Diego, California – 19 September 1987 Tarzana, California) Her first film work as an actor was at the Chicago Essanay 1915.
William Burke He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in April 1916.
William Burne He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in January 1916.
William V. Burns 29 November 1892 Chicago, Illinois, he was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1915. He was working at Selig in Chicago June 1917.
William Burress (19 August 1867 New Cornerstown, Ohio – 30 October 1948 Los Angeles, California) A longtime stage actor, he came to work at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Robert Burroughs He was a catcher on the Niles Essanay baseball team, a propman at the studio and an actor from July 1914 to January 1916.
Frank C. Burton (19 September 1888 Grand Rapids, Michigan – 30 August 1918 Chicago, Illinois) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1908.
Francis X. Bushman (10 January 1883 Baltimore, Maryland – 23 August 1966 Pacific Palisades, California) An artist model and stage actor, his first film work was at the Chicago Essanay in 1911. He began working at Metro in 1915.
Marie Francis Bussey She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in December 1915.
Patrick J. Calhoun (1886 Bray, Ireland – ?) He came to the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916 as an actor.
E. H. Calvert [Elisha Helm Calvert] (27 June 1875 Alexandria, Virginia – 5 October 1941 Hollywood, California) Stage actor from 1901. His first film work as an actor was at the Chicago Essanay studio. He started directing at Essanay in 1912, while continuing to act. He was working for U.S. Government Film Production Division in September 1918. Wife: Lillian Drew
Master Billy Calvert [William Calvert] The son of E. H. Calvert, he acted at the Chicago Essanay in 1913.
Eva Campbell She was an extra at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Webster Campbell [William Webster Campbell] (25 January 1893 Kansas City, Kansas – 28 August 1972 Liberty, Kansas) Film work with Lubin, Ince and American Film Company in 1915, Vitagraph in 1916. Married Corrinne Griffith in 1916. He acted at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917. Directed films of his wife in the teens and he acted into the 1930s.
George Cantwell He was assistant scenario writer at the Niles Essanay studio from late 1913 to 1914. Other writing work: The Golden Heart (1913).
Neva Don Carlos (1888 Kansas – ?) She joined Essanay as an actress in November 1909 in Colorado and left after they returned to Chicago in June 1910. She worked with the Star and Garter company on tour in the fall of 1910, was in San Francisco for six months in 1911 and entertained at a Los Angeles cafe later that year.
Victor R. Carlson [Victor Ramlose Carlson] (18 April 1889 St. Louis, Missouri – ?) The brother of Wallace Carlson, he worked in the camera department at the Chicago Essanay.
Wallace A. Carlson [Wallace Anderson Carlson] (27 or 28 March 1894 St. Louis, Missouri – 9 May 1967 Chicago, Illinois) He began drawing cartoons at 50 cents apiece for Pasadena Cigar Store windows in 1908. His cartoons were published in the Chicago Inter-Ocean newspaper in 1909. His first movie work was for the Historical Film Company in 1914 of “Animated Cartoons of World Series.” He made animated films at the Chicago Essanay beginning in 1915. Son: Richard W. Carlson
Sidney Carlyle [Sidney D. Carlyle] (29 August 1893 Yarmonth, England – 3 November 1962 San Bernadino, California) His first film work as an actor was with the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Augustus F. Carney (1870s? Ireland – ?) Carney said he came to America when he was sixteen to live on an uncle’s California ranch. When he was twenty-one he went to New York and got a comedy role on stage. He was in a stage production of The Goddess of Liberty in Chicago (10 August 1909 to 15 January 1910) when he got an offer from the Chicago Essanay. Anderson latched onto him for the Hank and Lank series, then took him west. He became a star as Alkali Ike, and was lured away by Universal in October 1913. As Universal Ike he lasted until May 1914. He appeared in The Absentee, The Failure, The Straw Man, The Martyrs of the Alamo (all 1915), Blue Blood and Red (1916). After that he disappeared.
Harry Carr He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1913.
Sade Carr (13 April 1889 London – 17 November 1940 Carmel, California) In the Ziegfeld Follies of 1911, Al Jolson’s Honeymoon Express in 1913 and The Candy Shop at Anderson’s Gaiety Theatre later that year, she came to Niles in January 1915 as a possible choice for Chaplin’s new leading lady. Her stay was brief. She married an architect and moved to Carmel in 1929, opening a little restaurant, “Sade’s,” a popular gathering spot for artists and writers.
James Carroll He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1914.
Helen Carruthers (1892 – ?) She acted at Selig and Keystone before joining the Niles Essanay company in February 1915, and supposedly appeared in The Champion and other films before leaving in April.
Agnes Casagrande – see Elsie Crescy
Harry Cashman (20 June 1870– 12 December 1912 Chicago, Illinois) A light opera singer for several seasons with the Tivoli Opera Company in San Francisco, and longtime stage actor, he joined the Chicago Essanay in 1910 and remained there until his death.
Joe Cassidy [Thomas Joseph Cassidy] (23 August 1878 – ?) He joined the company as a stagecoach driver and cowboy in March 1911 in Redlands, California, trained horses to do tricks after the Niles studio opened, and stayed until the studio closed in 1916. His wife Gertrude also appeared in films occasionally. Working as a teamster at the Liberty shipyard in Alameda in 1918.
Dolores Cassinelli [Elvere Dolores Cassinelli] (4 July 1893 New York, New York – 26 April 1984 New Brunswick, New Jersey) He first film work was with the Chicago Essanay in 1911. She acted in independent film productions until 1925.
William Castelet He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Barbara Castleton (14 September 1895 Little Rock, Arkansas – 23 December 1978 Boca Raton, Florida) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in June 1917.
Bill Cato [William Stanley Cato] (19 April 1887 Wyoming – 9 January 1965 Los Banos, California) He was Broncho Billy’s stunt double in Niles beginning in June 1912. He became the boss cowboy of the company and stayed until the studio closed in 1916. He may have worked in Los Angeles briefly, but was working as ranch foreman for the Blossland Cattle Company in Atwater, California in September 1918 and by 1920 he was on a ranch in Los Banos.
Florence Cato [Donna Florence Perkes] (2 June 1892 South Bend, Oregon – 12 May 1969 Carmel, California) As Florence Perkes she was hired for her horse riding skills in August 1912 in Niles. She married Bill Cato (in 1913?) and stayed with the company until the studio closed in 1916.
Charles Chaplin (16 April 1889 London – 25 December 1977 Switzerland) The actor/director/writer came to Essanay in December 1914 after a year with the Keystone Film Company. His New Job was made in Chicago, followed by five films (including The Tramp) in Niles, and eight in Los Angeles. He signed with Mutual on 26 February 1916. Later films include: The Kid (1921), The Gold Rush (1925), Modern Times (1936), Limelight (1952).
Mary Charleston [Mary Charleston Walthall] (18 May 1890 Dungannon, Ireland – 3 December 1961 Hollywood, California) She came to the Chicago Essanay as an actor in 1916. Wife of Henry B. Walthall. Grandson: Mario Cueto Jr.
Colin Chase [Colin Collings] (13 April 1888 Lewiston, Idaho – 24 April 1937 Los Angeles, California) A newspaper artist with various Chicago newspapers, his first acting work was at the Chicago Essanay.
Jack Cherry – see Jack Pollard
Warren Chester He worked at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Leota Chrider She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Lillian Christy An actress with Vitagraph, Kalem and Bison, she came from the American Film Company to work in Niles around November 1913. She married Fred Church in December and they left the company together just before Christmas. Other films: The Half-Breed’s Daughter (1911), Custer’s Last Raid (1912), A Rose of Old Mexico (1913).
Fred Church [Frederick Rosell Church] (17 October 1889 Ontario, Iowa – 7 January 1983 Blythe, California) He was living with his family in Denver when he first worked in the movies with Selig in the summer of 1908. He worked with Essanay on Anderson’s first western series in January 1909. He joined Essanay full-time in October 1909 and, except for two months at Pioneer Park in Wyoming during the summer of 1910, he remained with the company until December 1913. Besides working in Anderson’s westerns he was Rawhide Bill and Coyote Simpson in the Snakeville Comedies. In 1914 he worked for the Frontier company in Santa Paula, Universal in 1915-17, Fox in 1917, and Anderson’s Golden West company in 1918. His theatrical stage experience dated from 1906, and he took it up again in 1919, managing several touring companies for Anderson’s Frand Theatre Company. In October 1921 he became president of the Amalgamated Producing Company, overseeing the Stan Laurel comedies Metro releases and a few features directed by and/or starring G. M. Anderson. Amalgamated ended with The Woman in Chains (1923). Church acted with the Casino Players at San Francisco’s Casino Theatre in 1924. In the 1920s and early 1930s he acted and directed for many short-lived film companies: Major Film Productions, Great Northern Pictures, Golden Eagle Pictures, Bell Film Production and others. He also starred in the Montana Bill series. He retired to a ranch in Victorville after a car accident in 1935. For the last 35 years of his life he was the caretaker for the Williams Mill lead mine in Quartzite, Arizona. His later films include: The Long Chance (1915), A Knight of the Range (1916), Du Barry (1918), Red Blood and Yellow (1918), The Son of a Gun (1918), Stacked Cards (1926), Secrets of the Range (1928), Western Methods (1929), Wild West Whoopee (1930), Riders of the Cactus (1931), Border Guns (1935).
Madelyn Clare (14 November 1894 Cleveland, Ohio – 20 September 1975 Raleigh, North Carolina) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in Young America (1922). Married Rev. Thomas Dixon, author of The Clansman.
Charles Clark He was a print timer at the Chicago Essanay in the 1910s.
Ethel Clayton (18 November 1883 Champaign, Illinois – 11 June 1966 Oxnard, California) She was acting on stage before G. M. Anderson hired her to work at the Chicago Essanay in 1909.
Marguerite Clayton [Margaret Fitzgerald] (12 April 1892 Salt Lake City, Utah – 20 December 1968 Los Angeles, California) Aspiring to be an actress, she answered an ad placed by Essanay in a San Francisco newspaper, was hired in May 1913 and became Anderson’s leading lady in September. In December 1914 she went to the Liberty Film Company, but returned in March 1915. She left Niles for good to work in features at the Chicago Essanay studio in October 1915 and stayed there until December 1917. After that she worked at Fox, Universal, FBO, Pathe and Paramount. She retired in 1928. In 1930 she married Victor Bertrandias, an aviator who served with Eddie Rickenbacker in World War I. Her films include: Hit-the-Trail Holliday (1918), The Pleasure Seekers (1920), Forbidden Love (1921), What Love Will Do (1923), Flashing Spurs(1924), Straight Through (1925), Wolf Blood (1925), The Palm Beach Girl (1926), Inspiration (1928).
Scotty Cleethorpe [George Cleethorpe] (17 December 1883 Scotland – ?) He was an actor and propman for Chaplin’s Essanay unit in Los Angeles in 1915 and went with Chaplin to Mutual. He worked for G. M. Anderson’s Golden West company in 1918 and was an assistant director at Jess Robbins Productions in 1921. Wife: Marie (? – 1932)
Roy Clements (12 January 1877 Sterling, Illinois – 15 July 1948 Hollywood, California) A longtime stock company actor hired by the Niles Essanay to direct the Snakeville comedy series in December 1913, he produced around seventy films by the time he left for Universal in September 1915. In 1917 he directed the Lyons and Moran Nestor Comedies. He worked at the Hal Roach Company in the 1920s. Films include: When Slim Picked a Peach (1916), A Proxy Elopement (1917), The Light of the Western Stars (1918), The Tiger’s Coat (1920), Nobody’s Fool (1921), Uncensored Movies (1923), The Devil Horse (1926).
Renee Clements She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in November 1916.
Renee Clemmons She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in January 1916. (same as above?)
Harry Clifton He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1908 until September 1910, when he joined the American Film Company.
William F. Clifton (9 December 1876 New Orleans, Louisiana – ?) Acting in films from 1910 with Gaston Melies, Vitagraph, Pathe and Kalem, he worked at the Chicago Essanay in 1917. In September 1918 he was acting on stage at the Illinois Theater in Chicago.
Eugenia Clinchard (5 July 1904 California – 15 May 1989 Panorama City, California) A well-known child actress in the San Francisco Bay Area from 1910 to 1917, she acted with Essanay in San Rafael in October and November 1911, and again off-and-on in Niles from August 1912 to December 1914. One of her granddaughters is actress Rebecca De Mornay.
Arthur Clippinger (6 November 1890 Peoria, Illinois – 22 November 1967 San Francisco, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1915. He was working as a salesman at the Art Craft Picture Company in Chicago in June 1917.
Jack Red Cloud He was an actor in the Chicago Essanay film The Adventures of Buffalo Bill filmed on location in North Dakota in 1913.
Hazel Coats She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in September 1917.
Edmund F. Cobb [Edmund Fessenden Cobb] (23 June 1892 Albuquerque, New Mexico – 15 August 1974 Woodland Hills, California) Joined Pike’s Peak Film Company as an actor in 1912, went to Lubin, then Frontier, Selig, Warner Features, Chicago Essanay in April 1915. Son: Eddie Fessenden Cobb (26 Sept 1915 – ?)
Buffalo Bill Cody [William Frederick Cody] (26 February 1846 Scott County, Iowa – 10 January 1917 Denver, Colorado) He was an actor in the Chicago Essanay film The Adventures of Buffalo Bill filmed on location in North Dakota in 1913.
Robert Coffee He was a prop man at the Chicago Essanay studio until September 1910, when he joined the American Film Company.
Frank J. Coleman [Frank John Coleman] (26 April 1888 Newburgh, New York – ?) He was an actor at Chaplin’s Essanay unit in Los Angeles, and continued with Chaplin at Mutual in June 1917. His later films include: The Fireman (1916), The Tenderfoot (1917), A High Diver’s Last Kiss (1918), A Fresh Start (1920).
Thomas Commerford (1 August 1855 New York, New York – 17 February 1920 Chicago, Illinois) He began his theatrical career in 1878 in New York at the Old Drury Theater. His first film work was with Selig in 1911, then he went to the Chicago Essanay in 1913.
Mabel Condon A magazine writer, she was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1913, to report what it was like.
Jack Connelly He was chief prop man at the Chicago Essanay studio in the 1910s.
Robert Conness (24 December 1867 La Salle County, Illinois – 15 January 1941 Portland, Maine) A longtime stage actor, he worked at the Chicago Essanay in 1917.
Jackie Coogan [John Leslie Coogan, Jr.] (26 October 1914 Los Angeles, California – 1 March 1984 Santa Monica, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in Skinner’s Baby (1917).
Curtis Cooksey (9 December 1891 Hanshaw, Kentucky – 19 April 1962 Hollywood, California) Stage actor. First film work at the Chicago Essanay in 1910.
Grace Cooper She worked at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Herbert Corthell (20 January 1878 Boston, Mass – 23 January 1947 Hollywood, California) Longtime stage actor, a featured comedian in 1907, stock and repertory. He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1913. Son: Edmund Ed Cameron (1922) Wife: Marion 1902
John H. Cossar [John Hay Cossar] (2 January 1858 London, England – 28 April 1935 Hollywood, California) A longtime stage actor, he worked at the Chicago Essanay beginning in 1913. son and daughter
Jane Cotton She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in May 1917.
Richardson Cotton (? – 24 September 1916 Ephraim, Wisconsin) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1915, hit by a car while on location with Essanay to film The Chaperon.
Oscar Courtney (1877 – 18 June 1962 Chicago, Illinois) Toured in the Younger and James Wild West Show. First film work with the Chicago Essanay in 1910s. Six daughters and a son.
Nell R. Craig (13 June 1891 Princeton, New Jersey – 5 January 1965 Hollywood, California) First work at the Chicago Essanay as an actor in 1914, then to Lubin for two years. Pathe for one year. Married to Essanay director Fred E. Wright.
Violet Craig She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in August 1917.
Sam Cramer He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
George Creel (1 December 1876 Lafayette County, Missouri – 2 October 1953 San Francisco, California) At eighteen he was a newspaper reporter in Kansas City, then editor of the Kansas City Independent from 1899 to 1909. He was editor at the Denver Post later in 1909 when he met G. M. Anderson and discovered the movies, but his one-film career remained a footnote in an active life, as a Denver police commissioner, chairman of the Committee on Public Information for President Woodrow Wilson during World War I, an appointee by Franklin Roosevelt to the Works Progress Administration national advisory board, and chairman of the San Francisco Regional Labor Board. A bid to become governor of California in 1934 was short-lived, but his marriage to famed actress Blanche Bates lasted nearly thirty years, until her death in 1941.
Elsie Crescy aka Elsie Crescy Lee [Elsie Crescy Vickers] (May 1880 Iowa – 22 October 1918 Brooklyn, New York) A stage actress since the 1890s, she toured with her husband E. Lawrence Lee in the midwest before working in films with him at the Chicago Essanay in 1908. She appeared in The Younger Brothers using the stage name Agnes Casagrande. After her husband’s death in 1908 she continued to work on stage as Elsie Crescy.
Thomas J. Crizer [Thomas Jackson Crizer] (28 October 1889 Millboro Springs, Virginia – 13 November 1963 Los Angeles, California) He started in Niles as a cowboy with Essanay in 1912, then learned to edit, probably on the Snakeville comedies. He edited Chaplin’s Niles films, and went with him to Los Angeles. In July 1915 he married Audrey Orpin, a Niles girl, and took her to Los Angeles. After the Chaplin unit disbanded he became the film editor for Hal Roach, working on, among others, Harold Lloyd’s Lonesome Luke Comedies. He stayed with Lloyd through the transition to feature films, editing Grandma’s Boy (1922), Safety Last (1923), and also working on Stan Laurel’s two-reelers for Roach. He co-wrote the story for Lloyd’s The Kid Brother (1927). His last writing effort was for the Tom Mix feature My Pal, The King (1932).
Louise Crolius [Mrs. Frank Burns] (? – 1 June 1931 Los Angeles, California) First film work with the Chicago Essanay in 1915. Aunt of actor James Gleason.
John Cronin (1868 – 17? June 1931 Columbus, Ohio) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1908. Owner of Cronin Shows in later years.
Iron Crow He was an actor in the Chicago Essanay film The Adventures of Buffalo Bill filmed on location in North Dakota in 1913.
Lester Cuneo (25 October 1888 Chicago, Illinois? – 1 November 1925 Hollywood, California) A stage actor, he came to films in 1910 with Selig, worked at the Chicago Essanay from 1914. Married to Francelia Billington. Shot himself. Two children.
Shorty Cunningham [Samuel Cunningham] (1858 Iowa – ?) Cunningham operated a candy and cigar store in the 1890s at Golden, Colorado. By 1902 he was in partnership with Joe Dennis at Dennis’s livery stable. Cunningham also became the mayor of Golden for a while. He and Dennis were all for the movies, working with G. M. Anderson on his first trip to Golden in 1907 and participating during his return in 1909.
James Oliver Curwood (12 June 1878 Owosso, Michigan – 1927 Owosso, Michigan) At one time a writer for the Detroit News–Tribune, he freelanced as a writer from 1907 as the author of many novels and short stories. He also wrote for several film companies, including the Chicago Essanay. Son: James Oliver Curwood (15 Jan 1910 OS, Mi – 19 Nov 1996 Nassau, NY)
Joseph Daily (1862 – 23 September 1940 Englewood, New Jersey) A longtime stage actor, he was at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1911.
Clara Dale She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1914.
Jack Dale (1874 Canada – ?) A stage actor, he worked at the Chicago Essanay in 1916.
Juanita Dalmorez She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1913.
Hazel Daly (8 October 1890? – ?) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in February 1917. Married Harry Beaumont.
Lyda St. Clair Dalzell (July 1895 Illinois – 28 March 1974) She acted at the Chicago Essanay in 1917.
Margaret Dana (1895 Charleston, South Carolina – ?) Her first acting work was with the Chicago Essanay. Later she worked at Arrow.
Clinton Dangerfield He was a writer at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Camille D’Arcy (1879 – 27 September 1916 Chicago, Illinois) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Charles N. David [Charles Norman David] (6 August 1889 Chicago, Illinois – October 1977 Miami, Florida) Started at Essanay Chicago studio in the printing, perforating and laboratory department, working there 3 years. He became a cameraman at the Chicago Essanay, then with American and other Chicago studios.
Charles Belmont Davis (1866 – 10 December 1926 Ashville, North Carolina) Newspaper drama critic and novelist. He was a writer at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Ethel Davis She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in December 1916. Married to Essanay director J. Charles Haydon.
Pearl Day She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1908.
Vernon Roy Day(25 September 1869 Greenup, Illinois – 17 August 1945 Los Angeles, California) He worked with a railway express company, then the 1893 world’s fair in Chicago before joining George Spoor’s company in 1907 as office manager. He was the Chicago Essanay studio manager from 1910 ? to 1917. In 1917 he set up the Essanay studio in Culver City for the Max Linder comedies made there. He came to Niles in 1918 to sell the studio property.
Frank Dayton (1865 Boston, Massachusetts – 17 October 1924 New York, New York) A longtime stage actor, his first films were at the Chicago Essanay studio beginning on September 12, 1910.
Charles Allen Dealey (21 July 1867 Nevada – 9 August 1930 Oakland, California) A San Francisco photographer since the 1890s, he gradually took over all photographic operations at the Niles studio beginning in 1913. In 1915 he played small parts in several Essanay films and acted in Anderson’s last Niles film, The Man in Him (1916). In 1925 he helped set up the short-lived Hayward Film Company in Hayward, California.
L. Allen Dealey (6 August 1898 San Francisco, California – 26 May 1978 Oakland, California) One of Charles Allen Dealey’s sons, he acted at the Niles Essanay from January 1914, and possibly took still photos when his father was otherwise occupied.
Charles Dean He was a prop man at the Chicago Essanay in 1908.
Miss Delaney She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1913.
Ruth Dell She worked at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Joe Dempsey (1887 – 27 December 1959 West Newton, Massachusetts) He was a carpenter at the Chicago Essanay in the 1910s. In later years chief electrician at the Shubert Theater in Boston. daughter
Joe Dennis [Joseph Dennis Jr.] (1862 England – ?) He came to the United States when he was five, settled in Golden, Colorado at sixteen. For ten years he worked in the grocery business, then opened a livery stable. By 1902 he and Shorty Cunningham were partners. Their stable supplied the horses for G. M. Anderson’s Selig Polyscope westerns in Colorado, and they also worked with Francis Boggs at Selig after Anderson left that organization. Anderson used them again in 1909 with his first Essanay westerns. Dennis was good to have around, a deputy sheriff for nine years who knew just about every person and road in the county.
Orrin Denny (14 March 1882 Lewisville, Indiana – 6 August 1969 Alameda, California) He was the still photographer for Anderson’s unit beginning in October 1910, also responsible for the Negative Car, a railroad baggage car converted into a rolling laboratory. In April 1912 he joined the Nestor Film Company in Hollywood, then started his own lab in 1914. In 1916 he outfitted a railroad car as a lab for the Signal Film Corporation. Working for J. P. McGowan in September 1918. By the 1920s he was a wildlife cameraman.
Joe Derlin He was an Essanay cowboy in San Rafael in 1911.
Harry De Roy He was an actor with the Chaplin Essanay unit in Los Angeles in 1915.
Clarence Derwent (23 March 1884 London, England – 6 August 1959 New York, New York) Longtime stage actor, came to U. S. in 1915. He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in January 1918.
John Devereaux (22 March 1881 – 19 January 1958 New York, New York) Stage actor who also worked in films. With the Chicago Essanay beginning in 1914. Wife Louise was the daughter of actor John Drew. Son: John Drew Devereaux
G. T. Dillon He was a cameraman at the Chicago Essanay in 1913.
Henry E. Dixey (6 January 1859 Boston, Mass – 25 February 1943 Atlantic City, New Jersey) Famous stage actor, first worked in films at the Chicago Essanay in 1908.
Fred Dodge He worked at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Fodder Dolan [Frank Dolan] (1892 California – ?) Recruited as a pitcher for the Niles baseball team in April 1913, he also found work in the Essanay prop department. Despite offers to play elsewhere, he remained with Essanay until the studio closed in 1916, then immediately signed with the Pacific Gas and Electric baseball team. That year his team won the Tribune League pennant. He married local Niles girl Helen Enos in 1915, and she appeared in some of the last films made in Niles.
Frankie Dolan [Frank B. Dolan] (14 March 1894 Georgia – 12 November 1945 Los Angeles, California) He was an actor with the Chaplin Essanay unit in Niles in 1915 for Chaplin’s first two films there. Wife: Ethel
Helen Dolan She was an actor at the Niles Essanay studio in December 1915, married to Fodder Dolan.
Alice Donavan She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1910 – 1911.
F. Doolittle He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1911.
Lawrence D’Orsay (19 August 1853 Peterborough, Northamptonshire, England – 13 September 1931 London, England) Stage actor who came to U. S. in 1901. Playwright Augustus Thomas was so impressed by his personality that he wrote a play for him, and he became a star overnight. He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1918.
Royal Douglas [Royal Douglas Milne] (12 August 1888 Ripley, Canada – June 1924 Cleveland, Ohio) An actor at the Chicago Essanay from 1914, and assistant director to Richard Foster Baker for the George Ade Fables.
Woman Dress He was an actor in the Chicago Essanay film The Adventures of Buffalo Bill filmed on location in North Dakota in 1913.
Lillian Drew (1886 Chicago, Illinois – 4 February 1924 Chicago, Illinois) Acted in films at the Chicago Essanay from 1913. Wife of Essanay director E. H. Calvert. Mother: Marguerite Flannery
Helen Dunbar [Kathryn Burke Lackey] (10 October 1863 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 28 August 1933 Los Angeles, California) A comic opera singer and first ingenue with the Weber and Fields company. Her first film work was with the Chicago Essanay in 1910. She went to Metro to work with Francis X. Bushman in 1915. Daughter: Mrs. James (Ednah) Bush.
Ed Dunkinson Actor with the studio ca. 1914.
Harry Dunkinson [Harry Leopold Dunkinson] (16 December 1886 New York, New York – 14 March 1936) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914. Working at Universal in September 1918. Wife: Sarah
Bruce Duval [Bruce Bushman] Child actor at Chicago Essanay in 1913 son of Francis X. Bushman
Frances Duval [Frances Bushman] Child actor at Chicago Essanay in 1913 daughter of Francis X. Bushman
Josephine Duval [Josephine Bushman] Child actor at Chicago Essanay in 1913 daughter of Francis X. Bushman
Virginia Duval [Virginia Bushman] Child actor at Chicago Essanay in 1913 daughter of Francis X. Bushman
Allan Dwan [Joseph Aloysius Dwan] (3 April 1885 Toronto, Canada – 21 December 1981 Woodland Hills, California) He was working for the Cooper Hewitt Company when George Spoor hired him as a writer at the Chicago Essanay in 1909. In September 1910 he went to the American film Company as a writer, then director for three years.
James Francis Dwyer He was a writer at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Virginia Eames [Virginia Eames Boardman] (23 May 1889 Fort Davis, Texas – 10 June 1971 Los Angeles, California) An actress since 1906, she married actor True Boardman in 1909. She worked in Niles Essanay films from 1912 to 1914, then went to the Liberty Film Company, Kalem and others. Her son is actor/writer True Eames Boardman, her great-granddaughter is television actress Lisa Gerritsen. Her films include: A Blind Bargain (1922), Penrod (1922), The Village Blacksmith (1922), The Third Alarm (1922), The Mailman (1923), The Tomboy (1924), The Road to Ruin (1934), The Fugitive Sheriff (1936).
Lloyd Easterday [Lloyd Vernon Easterday] (21 May 1891 Niles, California – 15 November 1962 San Francisco, California) He started with Essanay as Chaplin’s chauffeur and graduated to business manager with the unit in Los Angeles in 1915. He was a chauffeur in Niles in June 1917.
Clement Easton [Henry Clement Easton] (26 December 1879 Summit, New Jersey – ?) An actor on stage, he began work in films with Edison, Universal, Thanhouser, then the Chicago Essanay as a director in 1915.
Mabel Eaton [Mabel M. Kamerman] (1875 Nebraska – 10 January 1916 Chicago, Illinois) Stage actor, first films at the Chicago Essanay circa 1914. Married to Leo Kamerman.
Maude Eburne (10 November 1875 Bronte-on-the-Lake, Canada – 8 October 1960 Hollywood, California) Stage actor who went into movies. Worked at the Chicago Essanay in 1918.
Lewis Edgard (26 March 1880 Somerset, England – 8 December 1917 New York, New York) A stage actor, he came to the United States in 1911. His first film work was with the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Annie Edney She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Alice Edwards She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Fred Egbert He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1918.
William Coleman Elam (7 May 1888 Orosi, California – 4 July 1945 Los Angeles, California) He joined the Niles Essanay as an actor in April 1912, and worked there until the studio closed in 1916. Later on he was a machinist and carpenter.
Soldier Elder [Willis Elder] (16 February 1890 Caneyville, Kentucky – 13 February 1941 Alameda County, California) A heavyweight boxer, he acted with Essanay in San Rafael beginning in June 1911, and also handled props. He stayed until mid-1913. In 1918 he was serving time on Alcatraz prison for a military conviction and was still in prison in 1930. His mother, Elizabeth Elder, lived in Evansville, Indiana.
Thomas Elliott (24 July 1882 Canada – 2 January 1980 Fremont, California) Hired as a set carpenter and blacksmith in November 1912, he stayed until the Niles studio closed in 1916. He’s a self-employed blacksmith in Niles in September 1918. He was the master mechanic for the Kraftile Company in Niles for over thirty years.
Mark J. Ellison [Mark Elliston] (1889 – 27 February 1925 Chicago, Illinois) He acted at the Chicago Essanay beginning in 1915.
Harry English (1861 – 3 April 1939 Englewood, New Jersey) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Harry Ensign [Harris Newton Ensign] (5 October 1883 Waterbury, Connecticut – 11 October 1943 Hollywood, California) Hired as a cameraman for the Niles Snakeville Comedies in September 1913, he left with Jess Robbins in April 1914 to work at Robbins Photo Plays. He returned to Niles in late 1914, was assigned to Chaplin’s unit in January 1915 and shot Chaplin’s first four Niles films. He left with Chaplin in April 1915 for Los Angeles, staying until that company disbanded in 1916. He eventually became the head of Paramount’s film lab.
Frank Erlanger [Frank Charles Erlanger] (25 March 1882 Budapest – 1961) A stage actor, he worked in films at Universal, Chicago Essanay, Kinemacolor, Majestic and Balboa.
Earl Esola [Joseph Earle Esola] (13 May 1892 Amador City, California – 15 November 1968 Eugene, Oregon) A shortstop with the Niles Essanay baseball team, he acted in films from August 1914 to January 1916. He was an attendant at Agnews State Hospital in June 1917.
Victor Eubank He was advertising manager at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914 and later a scenario writer at the company.
Chick Evans He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914 for a Sweedie film.
Rose Evans She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1911.
William A. Evans [William Arthur Evans] (1874? – ?) He was in Niles as a cameraman in September 1912, back from a trip to the Far East filming documentaries for Essanay. He went with the Mackley unit to Hollywood in November and stayed there when the company disbanded in March 1913.
Charles Frohman Everett He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in Young America (1922).
Harry Fagin He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Joyce Fair [Clare Booth Luce] (10 April 1903 New York, New York – 9 October 1987 Washington D.C.) She worked as an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1916. Married to Henry Luce, owner of Time, Inc. Stepson: Henry Luce III
Dot Farley [Alma Birdilla Farley] (6 February 1881 Chicago, Illinois – 21 May 1971 Woodland Hills, California) Began in films as an actor with the Chicago Essanay in 1909 until September 1910, when he joined the American Film Company.
C.D. Faulkner He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
Helen Ferguson (23 July 1900 Decatur, Illinois – 14 March 1977 Clearwater, Florida) She began in films as an actor with the Chicago Essanay in 1917. In 1933 she became a publicist.
Jules Farrar (1874 – ?) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay from 1913.
Gladys J. Field (1889 San Francisco, California – August 1920 Mount Vernon, New York) She was an actress at Ye Liberty Theatre in 1909, living in Alameda. In September 1909 she began acting with the Elleford Stock Company. She joined Essanay in Santa Barbara in January 1910. She left Essanay in late August 1911 when they were in San Rafael, but worked with the Mackley Essanay unit in Hollywood in 1913. By 1915 she was married to director John B. O’Brien. She died during childbirth. Her other films include: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Sheldon Lewis,1920).
Edward Fielding (19 March 1875 Brooklyn, New York – 10 January 1945 Hollywood, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in May 1916. Stage actor who came to Hollywood in 1939. Had a daughter.
David G. Fischer He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio until 1910, when he joined the American Film Company. He later directed films at Premier, Waldorf and his own production company.
Edna Fisher [Edna Levi] (14 August 1891 Omaha, Nebraska – 23 April 1978 Los Angeles, California) She was with the company in San Rafael as an actress from August to December 1911. She went to Vitagraph in Santa Monica, married director Rollin Sturgeon and retired from films in October 1912. In the 1940s she played small parts in films. A few of her films: At the End of the Trail, The Greater Love, The Prayers of Manuelo (all 1912).
Sallie Fisher (10 August 1880 Wyoming – 8 June 1950 Twenty-nine Palms, California) Appeared in musicals and vaudeville after first acclaim on stage in Chicago in 1910. She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in April 1916.
Stephen Fitzpatrick He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908.
Emily Fitzroy (24 May 1860 London, England – 3 March 1954 Gardena, California) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in October 1916.
Joe Flynn [John J. Flynn] Anderson’s chauffeur from 1912 to 1916, he also acted in Niles Essanay films, and did so again at Golden West.
Gertrude Forbes Stage She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913.
Grant Foreman He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
H. B. Forgan He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Billie Forrest aka Mabel Forrest [Mabel Washburn] (5 November 1894 Kinsman, Ohio – 5 July 1967 Woodland Hills, California) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915, and married Bryant Washburn in that year.
Maximillian Foster He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in November 1917.
Norman Fowler [Norman Elmer Fowler] (22 October 1887 Detroit, Michigan – ?) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913. He was in vaudeville in June 1917.
E. R. Fraks He was a foreman at the Chicago Essanay studio until September 1910, when he joined the American Film Company.
Laura Frankenfield She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in January 1916.
Eddie Fries [Edward W. Fries] (20 November 1890 Louisville, Kentucky – March 1974 Louisville, Kentucky) He played center field with the Niles baseball team, acted in films from August 1914 to December 1915 and wrote a sports column for the Township Register. He was a clerk for the Northwest Pacific Rail Road in Seattle in June 1917.
Hugh Fullerton He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in November 1917.
James Fulton He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in October 1917.
Anna Gallaghan She was forewoman in the lab at the Chicago Essanay studio until September 1910, when he joined the American Film Company.
Jack Gallagher He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in November 1917.
Lawrence T. Ganshirt [Lawrence Thomas Ganshirt] (9 January 1892 San Jose, California – 19 June 1966 Yosemite, California) He acted with the Niles Essanay company during the last few months of 1915. He was a machinist at an iron foundry in San Jose in June 1917.
Jack Gardner (1876 – 29 December 1929 Glendale, California) A stage actor, he first came to films with the Los Angeles Essanay in 1917. Married to Louise Dresser.
Mayme Gehrue She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Henry George (? – 22 February 1917 Chicago, Illinois) He was a prop man at the Chicago Essanay.
Denver Jack Geyer [John Lewis Geyer] (23 October 1883 Monroe Township, Putnam County, Ohio – 27 January 1953 Detroit, Michigan) A heavyweight boxer who worked briefly with the Niles Essanay in 1912, he blamed Soldier Elder for getting him fired and beat Elder soundly in a match at the West Oakland Club in August 1912.
A.D. Gibbs She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
William Gillette (24 July 1853 Hartford, Connecticut – 29 April 1937 Hartford, Connecticut) Actor, director, playwright. His first and only film was at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
J.H. Gilmour [John H. Gilmour] (1857 – 24 November 1922 Yonkers, New York) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1909.
Gertrude Glover (21 September 1895 Chicago, Illinois – March 1977 Boulder, Colorado) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916. She married Robert Watt in 1917 and retired from Essanay. Grandchildren, great grandchildren.
Marta Golden A Ye Liberty Theatre actress from June 1913, she had substituted briefly for Marie Dressler during the Gaiety Theatre flap in 1914. She wrote a script that was bought by Essanay in March 1915 (possibly A Bunch of Matches) and came to Niles to assist on it. She acted in the Chaplin Essanay films A Woman and Work in Los Angeles, then moved to the Keystone studio. By 1917 she was back on stage in San Francisco.
Goodlance He was an actor in the Chicago Essanay film The Adventures of Buffalo Bill filmed on location in North Dakota in 1913.
Alton Goodrich He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Fred S. Goodwins (? 1891 London – ? 1923 London) A stage actor, he was in New York when Chaplin signed with Essanay. He started with the Chaplin Essanay unit in Los Angeles beginning with The Bank and continued with Chaplin at Mutual as a press agent. After a renewed period of acting, he returned to England and began directing. Films as an actor: Amarilly of Clothes-Line Alley (1918), For Husbands Only (1918), Common Clay (1919), The Scarlet Kiss (1920), Her Winning Ways (1921).
Hope Gordon She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
William P. Gordon He had been working at the Idora Park Theater in Oakland when he was hired as a Niles Essanay assistant propman in February 1915. He joined the Chaplin unit and went with them to Los Angeles.
William M. Gorham (February 1874 California – ?) Anderson’s long-time accountant, he worked in that capacity with the Chaplin unit in Los Angeles. He later handled Anderson’s books in New York, and was secretary/treasurer of the Amalgamated Producing Company.
Ralph Graves (23 July 1900 Cleveland, Ohio – 18 February 1977 Santa Barbara, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1918.
Robert Henry Gray [Bob Gray] (2 August 1881 Houlton, Maine – ?) He joined Essanay as an actor while they were in Colorado in April 1910, traveled with them to Chicago and left in February 1911 to work for Lubin in Los Angeles. He was with Lasky in 1916-17. He’s a director at the Bay City Film Company in September 1918. Films include: Fate and Fugitive (1914), Jealousy (1915), Unprotected (1916), The Chorus Lady (1917), The Ranger (1918), The White Rider (1920).
Robert Henry Gray [Henry Virtue Goerner] (17 July 1891 Oakland, California – 26 April 1934 Los Angeles, California) An actor with Ye Liberty in 1910, he came to Essanay in San Rafael in June 1911. He left for the American Film Company in March 1912, but returned to Essanay in September 1913. In early 1914 he left again, for Los Angeles, and subsequently worked for Balboa, Kalem and Pathe. Later films include: The Disappearance of Harry Warrington (1915), Twin Souls (1916), Feet of Clay (1917), Petticoats and Politics (1918).
Evelyn Greeley [Evelyn Huber] (3 November 1888 Austria – 25 March 1975 West Palm Beach, Florida) Her first film acting was with the Chicago Essanay. She later worked at the World Film Company.
George Green He worked as a set carpenter(?) with the Chaplin unit in Los Angeles.
Alfred T. Griffin [Alfred Tibbits Griffin] (25 July 1888 Irvington, California – 10 September 1920 Los Angeles, California) An architect, he supervised the construction of the Niles Essanay studio and may have been involved with building Anderson’s bungalows in Niles. He also worked as a set carpenter at Essanay. In April 1914 he left with Jess Robbins to work at Robbins Photo Plays in Los Angeles. He returned to Niles in December 1914, then left with the Chaplin unit in April 1915 and worked there until Chaplin left in 1916. He went to Fort Lee, New Jersey, to work on Anderson’s Selznick picture Vera, The Medium in May 1916 and stayed on in anticipation of more work through June 1917. Returning to Los Angeles, he joined the Rolin Company in September as a set designer and probably was still working there when he died of acute appendicitis.
Alfred Gronell He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Bobbie Guhl He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1911.
Arleen Hackett (1876 – 1964) Stage actress engaged by the Chicago Essanay for the lead in In the Palace of the King (1915).
Michael Haley He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908.
Frank Hall [Franklyn Arthur Hall] (25 January 1886 Oakland, California – ?) He started acting at sixteen at the Grand Opera House in San Francisco. He married actress Clara Williams in 1909, probably when they were working together at the Charles King Stock Company. In August 1909 they were touring with “The Turning Point,” a playlet Hall wrote with Carl Birch. They joined Essanay in December in Colorado. Hall and his wife left in October 1910 for an engagement on stage in Chicago, then went to Lubin in Philadelphia. He worked at Selig beginning in 1912 and was there at least until 1914. He was an assistant director at the Brunton Studios for the Henry Walthall company in September 1918. In 1919 he was in charge of the scenario department at the National Film Company. His later films include: Tess of the D’Urbervilles (1913), Life’s Crucible (1914), A Boy at the Throttle (1915), A Branded Soul (1917), The Confession (1920). Second wife: Laura R.
Frank Hamilton [Frank Arthur Hamilton] (26 February 1874 St. Louis, Missouri – ?) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908, left 1910, returned April 1913. He was in vaudeville in September 1918. Wife: Lucile
Gilbert P. Hamilton [Gilbert Porter Hamilton] (February 1863 Chebeague Island, Maine – 29 January 1935 Chicago, Illinois) Began in the film business as a projectionist in 1896 for the Jenkins Eidoloscope, traveling for two years. He was a Biograph projectionist for five years, and a Kinodrome projectionist for four years. In 1907 he became the Chicago Essanay’s first cameraman, until 1909, when he became studio manager. He left in September 1910 to work for the American Film Company, left there in 1911 to start the St. Louis Motion Picture Company, then the Albuquerque Film Company, and others. In 1920 he was a director in Hollywood. In 1930 he was a motion picture salesman in Cincinnati, Ohio. Son: Gilbert P. Hamilton, Jr. (9 February 1890 Ft. Wadsworth, New York – ?) Actor at Metro in June 1917.
Virginia Hammond (20 August 1893 Stanton, Virginia – 6 April 1972 Washington D. C.) She acted at the Chicago Essanay in 1916.
Burford Hampden (2 August 1898 New York, New York – March 1986 Vero Beach, Florida) An actor with the Stewart Walker company in New York, he came to the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Audrey Hanna [Audrey Hanna Darling] (30 July 1907 Illinois – 6 September 1990 Santa Clara, California) She was a child actress with the company from April 1912. She left Niles with her father Jay Hanna in November as part of the Mackley unit, then went elsewhere at the end of March.
Jay Hanna [Wylis Jay Brackney Hanna] (22 October 1886 Oshkosh, Wisconsin – 7 August 1957 Santa Clara, California) He joined Essanay as an actor in April 1912 in Lakeside, California, went to Hollywood with the Mackley unit in November and stayed through March 1913. In April 1914 he joined the Dick Wilbur stock company in Stockton for a tour through the San Joaquin Valley. In the 1920s he was in New York as an actor on Broadway.
Gladys Hanson [Gladys Snook] (5 September 1883 Atlanta, Georgia – 23 February 1973 Atlanta, Georgia) A stage actor, she came to the Chicago Essanay in 1916. Her collection with Roy Uselton in Atlanta, Georgia
David Hargan [David Theodore Hargan] (29 June 1887 Chicago, Illinois – June 1964 Broward, Florida) He was a cameraman at the Chicago Essanay in 1912. Went on a filming expedition to Africa in 1914 with Essanay cameraman Conrad Luperti. By June 1917 he was doing camera and laboratory work at the Emerald Motion Picture Company in Chicago. He was still living in Chicago in 1930. By World War II he was self employed as United Motion Pictures, Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio. Wife: Ada (1889 Wisconsin – 28 Mar 1977 Columbus, Ohio); Daughter: Georgia aka Gloria Mae (1922 Illinois – 1972 Ohio); Granddaughter: Claudia Sticht Homerville, GA
Billy Harper He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in December 1915.
Tommy Harper He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Carman Harris (1900 Chicago, Illinois – ?) She acted at the Chicago Essanay and the American Commercial Company.
Arthur Harrison (1888 Lakeside, Ohio – ?) He was the assistant director on one film, probably at the Culver City studio, since he went from there to the Rolin Film Company.
R. Paul Harvey [Roy Paul Harvey] (10 September 1883 Sandwich, Illinois – 15 December 1955 Los Angeles, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917. Actor with the George Ebey company at the Macdonough Theater in Oakland in September 1918.
Clara Haskell She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Eldon Hatch (3 November 1886 Sandy, Oregon – 26 September 1947 Los Gatos, California) He was a Los Gatos resident who acted with Essanay while they were in town from October 1910 to February 1911.
Thelma Haugh She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Ullrich Haupt (8 August 1887 Falkenberg, Germany – 5 August 1931 Santa Maria, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915. son born 1921
Jack Hawks [John Gerald Hawks] (13 October 1874 San Francisco, California – 10 April 1940 Hollywood, California) He worked as a scenario writer in 1911 and 1915 with the western Essanay. In 1914 he wrote for the Vim Film Company in Alameda, California. Later he directed, wrote or edited films for Ince, Universal, Goldwyn, FBO and Metro. Some of the films he worked on: Mr. Silent Haskins (1915), The Cold Deck (1917), Blue Blazes Rawden (1918), Shadows (1919), The Penalty (1920), A Blind Bargain (1922), The Sea Hawk (1924), The Last Warning (1929), Aloha (1931).
J. Charles Haydon [James Charles Haydon] (27 March 1875 Frederick, Maryland – 21 September 1943 Baltimore, Maryland) A longtime stage actor, his first was with the Edison company. He also worked at Kinemacolor, Bosworth and Oz. He directed at the Chicago Essanay beginning in 1915. Son: J. Charles, Jr. (after 1907 – ?); Wife: Ethel
Elaine Hayman She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
Herbert Haywood She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Myrtle Healy She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Eva Heazlett [Mrs. Eva B. McKenzie] (5 November 1889 Cecil, Ohio – 15 September 1967 Hollywood, California) A stock company actress since 1899, she joined the Niles Essanay in March 1915 with her husband Robert McKenzie and worked there until January 1916. Her later films include: Knight of the West (1921), Virtuous Husbands (1931), The Wrong Miss Wright (1937), You Can’t Take It With You (1938), Heavenly Days (1944).
Emily Brown Heininger She was an actor with Chicago Essanay in 1915, a writer at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916, and a freelance writer with other studios at that time.
E. Hellwig She was a Niles Essanay scenario department assistant in September 1913.
Jack Henderson (1878 Syracuse, New York – 1 January 1957 New York City) He acted with the Chaplin unit in October 1915. His other films include: A Royal Rogue (1917), Scars and Bars (1918), Jiggs in Society (1920).
Ben Hendricks, Jr. (2 November 1893 New York, New York – 15 August 1938 Los Angeles, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915. Had a son.
Ruth Hennessy [Mrs. Ruth Hopper] (1893 Illinois – ?) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913. Wife of E. Mason Hopper. Mother: Alice Hennesey (1857 Illinois – ?); Daughter: Audrey Mason Shamroy (14 July 1917 California – 1 June 1991 Los Angeles, California)
Al Herman [Adam Herman Foelker] (15 August 1889 Troy, New York – 28 September 1958 Los Angeles, California) A boxer who began with the Niles Essanay as a prop man and actor in late 1913, he left for Liberty Films in August 1914. He returned in February 1915 and went with the Chaplin unit to Los Angeles. Assistant director for Henry Lehrman in June 1917. He became a director in the 1920s and continued doing so for television. His films include: Beyond the Trail (1926), Sporting Chance (1931), Gun Play (1935), The Clutching Hand (1936), The Utah Trail (1938), Arizona Frontier (1940).
Herbert Heyes (3 August 1889 Little Falls, Washington – 31 May 1958 Los Angeles, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Madrona Hicks (1 January 1879 California – 4 July 1954 Oakland, California) The wife of Orlando Hicks. In May 1914 she began acting at the Niles Essanay, and worked until the studio closed in 1916.
Orlando Lee Hicks (19 January 1870 Kentucky – 10 February 1947 Oakland, California) He joined the Niles Essanay company as a set carpenter in October 1914, sometimes filling in as an extra in crowd scenes, and remained at Essanay until the studio closed in 1916.
Rodney Hildebrand (22 March 1892 Chicago, Illinois – 22 February 1962 Los Angeles, California) A long-time stage actor, he joined the Niles Essanay in October 1915 and stayed until the studio closed in 1916. Acting for Harry Bishop company in Oakland in May 1917. His later film work includes: Early to Wed (1926), Mother Macgree (1928), Bright Eyes (1934), Life Begins at Forty (1935), The Whole Town’s Talking (1935), It Could Happen to You (1937).
Lee Hill (8 July 1875 Minneapolis, Minnesota – ?) He acted with the Chaplin unit from June 1915, and also worked at Majestic, Vogue, Ince, Selig and Universal. His films include: The Witness (1915), To Him That Hath (1918), Girls (1919), The Deceiver (1920), Guilty (1922).
Hazel Hinchman She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Charles Hitchcock [Charles W. Hitchcock] (1878 Illinois – ?) He was a vaudeville performer before coming to the Chicago Essanay in 1911. He was living in Lake Shiff, Illinois in 1930.
Raymond Hitchcock (22 October 1865 Auburn, New York – 24 November 1929 Beverly Hills, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913. Wife: Flora Zabelle
Walter Hitchcock (1872 Walden, Massachusetts – 23 June 1917 New York) A stage actor, he worked at Pathe and Lubin before coming to the Chicago Essanay in 1912.
Florence Hoffman She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1911.
Miss Hoffman She was a stenographer at the Chicago Essanay studio. (same as above?)
Miss Hogan She was a switchboard operator at the Chicago Essanay studio.
Harold Holland [Harold Leopold Holland] (27 March 1884 Gravesend, England – ?) His first film work as an actor was with Biograph in 1913. He worked with the Chaplin Essanay unit in Los Angeles in 1915, and was with the Triangle studio in September 1918. Daughter: Florence Louise Holland
Edna Phillips Holmes (26 February 1878 Canada – 26 February 1952 Los Angeles, California) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1918. Wife of Taylor Holmes.
Gerda Holmes (2 April 1891 (Denmark?) – ?) Pronounced Yerda. First film work as an actor at Thanhouser, for five months, then the Chicago Essanay beginning in 1914. wife of Rapley Holmes.
Rapley Holmes [William Rapley Holmes] (1867 Canada – 11 January 1928 Strathroy, Ontario, Canada) A longtime stage actor, he was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Taylor Holmes [Frank Taylor Holmes] (16 May 1878 Newark, New Jersey – 30 September 1959 Hollywood, California) Stage actor. First films with the Chicago Essanay in 1917. Actor at Triangle studio in September 1918. Wife: Edna Phillips Holmes; Daughter: Madeleine Holmes – Actress.
Lloyd Holton He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Allen Holubar [Joseph Allen Holubar] (3 August 1888 San Francisco, California – 20 November 1923 Los Angeles, California) Actor on stage. Came to films in 1913 as an actor at Universal, then moved to directing. Acted in a few films at the Chicago Essanay with his wife Dorothy Phillips. Daughter: Gwendolyn Morrisey (b. 1917)
John R. Hope He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
C. E. Hopkins [Clyde E. Hopkins] (25 June 1893 Garrett, Kansas – 19 November 1958 Los Angeles, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
E. Mason Hopper (18 December 1881 Enosberg, Vermont – 3 January 1967 Woodland Hills, California) Was on the stage from the age of 14 in vaudeville and musicals, and also was a cartoonist. He came to the Chicago Essanay in 1910 as a writer, then directed films beginning with Mr. Wise, Investigator, released 25 July 1911. Wife: Ruth Hennessey; Daughter: Audrey (1917 CA – ?)
Arthur Hotaling [Arthur Douglas Hotaling] (3 February 1873 Albany, New York – 13 July 1938 Moreno, California) He began working in films at the Lubin Company in 1895. He came to the Chicago Essanay in 1917 to direct a series of comedies with Italian actor Amedee Rastrelli. Wife: Mae Hotely; Daughter: Lola
Irene Estelle Hough (1895 Omaha, Nebraska? – ?) First prize as the most beautiful telephone operator in the country landed her a role in The Way of the Woman at the Chicago Essanay.
Mae Howard (1870 – 1 February 1935 Los Angeles?) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in January 1916.
Warda Howard [Eduarda Howard] (July 1880 San Francisco, California – 17 March 1943 New York) Stage debut in Oakland, California in 1904. Her first film was at the Chicago Essanay in The Inner Brute. Wife of Essanay actor John Lorenz. Married Leo Kennedy d. 1939.
Earl H. Howell (1883 Missoula, Montana – 18 July 1918 Boston, Massachusetts) He worked for years in vaudeville with his wife/partner May McCaskey. From November 1909 to March 1910 they acted with Essanay in Santa Barbara. His last two years were with the Temple Players in Maiden, Massachusetts.
Otto Hubel (4 February 1890 or Sept 1886 Chicago, Illinois – ?) He was an electrician at the Chicago Essanay studio until September 1910, when he joined the American Film Company. Mechanic at Peoples Gas and Light in Chicago in June 1917.
Orral Humphrey [Thomas Orral Humphry] (3 April 1878 Louisville, Kentucky – 12 August 1929 Hollywood, California) A stage actor since 1890, he worked for ten years with Ye Liberty in Oakland and with Essanay in Niles from June 1913 to February 1914. He later acted at Universal, Keystone and Paul Gerson Pictures. His films include: Beauty and the Rogue (1918), Huckleberry Finn (1920).
Fred Ilenstine (13 November 1889 Santa Maria, California – 16 February 1968 Santa Barbara, California) He was an actor/cowboy with the western Essanay beginning in January 1910, traveling with them to Chicago. He probably left the company when they were in Santa Monica in 1911, returning to Santa Barbara. He worked with the American Film Company when they came to Santa Barbara in 1912.
Lloyd Ingraham (30 November 1874 Rochelle, Illinois – 4 April 1956 Woodland Hills, California) A stock company actor since he was fifteen, his first film work was with Universal in mid-1912. He joined the Niles Essanay in April 1913 as an actor and director, then returned to Universal in March 1914. He directed for Majestic-Reliance, Fine Arts and American with stars Mae Marsh, Douglas Fairbanks, Lillian Gish and Mary Miles Minter. Among his many films as director: Hoodoo Ann (1916), American Aristocracy (1916), Mary’s Ankle (1920), Hearts and Fists (1926), Arizona Nights (1927), Kit Carson (1928) As an actor: Intolerance (1916), A Front Page Story (1922), Scaramouche (1923), The Spoilers (1930), Modern Times (1936), Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941), The Savage Horde (1950).
Lois Ingraham (24 June 1908 Nebraska – 3 June 1955 Los Angeles, California) She and her sister Zella (three years older) were Lloyd Ingraham’s daughters. While Zella is credited with only one Essanay film, Lois was on the screen frequently in 1913. Lois later married writer Ken Gamet. Her other films: Hearts and Fists (1926), Heroes of the Night (1927).
Zella Ingraham She was an actor at the Niles Essanay studio in 1913.
Eleanor Ingram She was a writer at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917.
Charles E. Inslee (1870 New York – ?) He was in films from 1908 with Edison, Biograph, Bison and Kalem. He acted with the Chaplin Essanay unit in Work and stayed until October 1915. A few films: The True Heart of an Indian (1909), Little Dove’s Romance (1911), The Little Fat Rascal (1917), Cold Steel (1921), The Man Who Woke Up (1921). Father Robert ny mother-Mary nh wife-Anna 1871
Ann Ivers She acted with the Chaplin unit in July 1915. Her films include: Martin Eden (1914).
Marguerite Ives She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913.
Fred Jackman [Fred Woodruff Jackman] (9 July 1881 Toledo, Iowa – 26 August 1959 Los Angeles, California) His first work as a cameraman was at the Chicago Essanay studio around 1911. From there he worked at Pathe and Triangle before shooting Harold Lloyd’s first comedies with Hal Roach. He became chief cameraman for the Mack Sennett studio, and shot their Mabel Normand features. He was the second president of the American Society of Cinematographers. Wife: Carrie
Carroll C. James He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Edward R. James He was a prop man at the Chicago Essanay studio until September 1910, when he joined the American Film Company.
Bud Jamison [William Edward Jaimison] (15 February 1894 Vallejo, California – 30 September 1944 Hollywood, California) He began performing in cafes, found work in stock companies, went into vaudeville and joined the Niles Essanay in January 1915. A Night Out was his first film. He went to Los Angeles with the Chaplin unit and that’s when he met Hal Roach. After the Essanay Chaplin unit folded Jamison joined Roach’s Rolin Film Company for Harold Lloyd’s Lonesome Luke Comedies, and from there seemed to specialize in short comedy films, working in an incredible number of them. His films include: Luke’s Movie Muddle (1916), Lonesome Luke, Messenger (1917), Beach Nuts (1918), A One Night Stand (1918), Just Rambling Along (1918), Do Husbands Deceive? (1918), Hoot Mon (1919), Dante’s Inferno (1924), Buck Privates (1928), The Dentist (1932), Wonder Bar (1934), Men in Black (1934), It Always Happens (1935), The Wrong Miss Wright (1937), Pest from the West (1939), Li’l Abner (1940), Phony Express (1943).
Jean Jarvis (23 May 1903 Denver, Colorado? – 16 March 1933 Hollywood, California) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Arthur Jasmin [Arthur Christopher Jasmin] (3 April 1899 St. Paul, Minnesota – 19 August 1954 Los Angeles, California) He acted in Niles from August 1915 to January 1916. His films include: A Tokio Siren (1919), Salome (1923).
Dorothy Jefferson Actress with the Chicago Essanay beginning about September 1915.
Bud Jerome – see Jerome Anderson
Jack Jesperson Chicago Essanay actor ca. 1908.
Edward Jobson (29 February 1861 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 7 February 1925 San Jose, California) A longtime stage actor, he worked at Essanay, probably at Culver City, then the Balboa Film Company, and many other companies. Films include: Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923).
Emory Johnson aka Alfred Emory Johnson (16 March 1894 San Francisco, California – 18 April 1960 San Mateo, California) An architecture student from the University of California at Berkeley, he came to Niles out of curiosity and asked for a job. He was hired as a camera assistant in September 1913, but got interested in acting and stepped in front of the camera. He went with Jess Robbins to Los Angeles as a camera assistant for the Robbins Photo Plays Company in April 1914. In September 1914 he went to the Liberty Film Company to star, and when that company failed he returned to Los Angeles. After acting at Pathe, Universal and Paramount he started directing and became highly successful in the 1920s, but his career declined in the 1930s. In 1945 he moved to San Mateo to operate a portrait studio. He died from severe burns after falling asleep while smoking in bed. His films include: The Way of the World (1916), Prisoners of Love (1921), The Third Alarm (1922), The Mailman (1923), The Last Edition (1925), The Lone Eagle (1927), Phantom Express (1932).
Faye Jones She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Jessie Jones (1892 Garden City, Kansas – ?) She went from modeling to acting at the Chicago Essanay, then Selig.
Lena B. Jones She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Margaret Joslin [Margaret Lucy Gosling Todd] (6 August 1883 Cleveland, Ohio – 14 October 1956 Glendale, California) Married to Essanay actor Harry Todd, she began appearing in films when the company was in Colorado in September 1910. She made a hit a few months later in Alkali Ike’s Auto and from then on became a regular in the Snakeville Comedies. She stayed with Essanay until the Niles studio closed in 1916, then moved with her husband to Universal briefly before settling in at Rolin to work in the Toto, Lonesome Luke and Stan Laurel comedies. She retired to raise her daughter. Films include: Lonesome Luke, Messenger (1917), Just Rambling Along (1918, Beach Nuts (1918), Do Husbands Deceive? (1918), Hoot Mon (1919).
John Junior (17 December 1890 Minneapolis, Minnesota – ?) His first film work as an actor was with the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Mabelle Heikes Justice [Mabelle Snyder] (1868 Indiana – 11 March 1926) A novelist and short story writer, she wrote scenarios for Vitagraph, Mutual, Fox, Metro, Lubin and the Chicago Essanay.
Eleanor Kahn Actress with Chicago Essanay studio ca. 1912.
Darwin Karr (25 July 1875 Almond, New York – 31 December 1945 Los Angeles, California) A longtime stage actor, he entered films in 1911 with Edison, then Solax, Vitagraph and in 1915 the Chicago Essanay.
Charles Kaufman [Charles Emmet Kauffman] (29 August 1878 Columbus, Ohio – 3 January 1963 Los Angeles, California) He was a cameraman at the Chicago Essanay studio from 1909 to 1913. He worked at the Robert Brunton Studios in September 1918. He was working in Los Angeles in the 1920s, cameraman at the Pacific Studio in San Mateo in 1928, Denver, Colorado in 1930, and was a self-employed photographer in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 1942. Wife: Clara; Son: Charles Jr.; Son: Robert
Madge Kearns Actress. She was an extra at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Harry G. Keenan (15 June 1867 Richmond, Indiana – 18 April 1944 Santa Ana, California) An actor since the 1890s, he joined the western Essanay sometime in 1911, but was gone by the end of the year. He returned in April 1913 and left again in January 1914 for American. He resumed stage acting in November 1916. His films include: The Cup of Life (1915), Soul Mates (1916).
June Keith [June Smith] Her first film work as an actor with the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Danny Kelleher [Daniel P. Kelleher] (13 May 1896 California – 26 April 1958 Los Angeles, California) A Niles boy, he gradually worked his way in with the Niles Essanay as an assistant propman in 1913. He was in charge of props with the Chaplin unit and went with them to Los Angeles. He worked as a lighting technician in the 1920s, switched to sound with RKO and continued at that job for 27 years.
William Kellogg He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908.
James T. Kelly (10 July 1854 Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland – 12 November 1933 Los Angeles, California) His stage-acting experience dated from 1876. He joined the Chaplin Essanay unit in Los Angeles in September 1915, and continued with Chaplin at Mutual. He later worked for Universal and Hal Roach. Films include: Easy Street (1917), The Immigrant (1917).
Kitty Kelly [Audrie Alspaugh Chase] (24 October 1887 Kansas – 19 November 1965 San Antonio, Texas) She was a movie review columnist at the Chicago Tribune, and submitted stories and scenarios to the Chicago Essanay beginning in 1915.
Thomas Kelly He joined the western Essanay company as an actor in October 1911, and left some time in 1912 after he came to Niles with his daughter Violet.
Violet Kelly A child actress and daughter of Thomas Kelly, she occasionally worked as Baby Kelly from 1911 to 1912 at the western Essanay.
Aubrey M. Kennedy [Aubrey Mark Kennedy] (21 June 1887 Winnipeg, Canada – 20 October 1953 Alameda County) He was the Chicago Essanay studio manager from 1909 to September 1910 when he left to help form the American Film Company. He was manager of Universal studio in Los Angeles in 1913. Wife: Agnes C. (b. 1889 – ?) Daughter: Valerie (b. 1908 – ?) Son: Aubrey Jr. (b. 1915 Danville, CA)
Jerome Kennedy He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Lem F. Kennedy (4 February 1880 Jasper, Tennessee – ?) He was an actor at the Culver City Essanay and Fox.
Harry D. Kenneth (1854 – 18 January 1929 Newark, New Jersey) Longtime stage actor. First film work with the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Bruce Kent He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Doris Kenyon [Margaret Doris Kenyon, Doris Kenyon Sills Mlynarski] (5 September 1897 Syracuse, New York – 1 September 1979 Beverly Hills, California) She was an actor at the Pathe and Wharton studios before coming to the Chicago Essanay in 1917. She later worked at Famous Players, acted opposite Rudolph Valentino in Monsieur Beaucaire. Married Milton Sills. Four grandchildren
Jack Kenyon (14 July 1879? Louisville, Kentucky? – ?) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908.
J. Warren Kerrigan [George Warren Kerrigan] (22 July 1881 Indiana – 9 June 1947 Balboa Beach, California) Actor on stage. First film work with the Chicago Essanay in 1910. Own company in September 1918.
Benjamin Killackkie He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908.
Martin A. Killilay [Martin Aloysius Killilay] (17 June 1883 Kansas – 28 March 1964 Sacramento, California) A center fielder on the Niles baseball team, he also acted for Niles Essanay on occasion from October to December 1914 and was an assistant cameraman that year. Rotary helper at Standard Oil in September 1918.
General King He was an actor in the Chicago Essanay film The Adventures of Buffalo Bill filmed on location in North Dakota in 1913.
Ruth King She was an actor in the Essanay films in Culver City, California, directed by W. S. Van Dyke in 1917.
Florida Kingsley (1876 Jacksonville, Florida – 19 March 1937 Bay Shore, Long Island, New York) Longtime stage actor, came to the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
Ann Kirk [Maria Rosa Vazzi] (7 February 1894 New York City – ?) Started show business career in the Ziegfeld Follies in 1911. Her first film work was with the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
David S. Kirkland [David Swim] (26 November 1878 San Francisco, California – 27 October 1964 Vista, California) He’d acted for years on the stage before joining Essanay in June 1911. He left in December but was back in November 1912 and was directing by September 1913. He also acted in a few Snakeville Comedies, as Dr. Hippy, Dr. Dopeum or Dr. Killem. In December he left for the Burr McIntosh Film Company in Pleasanton. In March 1914 he was directing Universal Nestor dramas, then Sterling Comedies, Keystone Comedies in 1915 and Fox Sunshine Comedies in 1917. After World War I he directed features with Constance Talmadge, Fred Thompson and others. Films include: The Crippled Hand (1915), A Virtuous Vamp (1919), The Perfect Woman (1920), Nothing But the Truth (1920), The Ladder Jinx (1922), The Tomboy (1924), The Tough Guy (1926), The Gingham Girl (1927), Riders of the Cactus (1931), El Impostor (1937).
Ludwig Kreiss He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Charles La Due He worked at Essanay as a cowboy from September 1913 to the spring of 1914.
Jack Lait [Jacquin Leonard Lait] (13 March 1881 or 1882 New York – 1 April 1954 Beverly Hills, California) Newspaper reporter for Chicago Tribune in September 1918. Wrote several stories for films, including The Roaring Road, some of Texas Guinan two-reelers. Wife: Laura B. Lait (2 Feb 1883 IL – 27 N ov 1971 LA); Sons: Jack and George; Great-granddaughter Janet Laura Hughes; Great grandson: Carl Hughes, Jr.
Dee Lampton (6 October 1890 Ft. Worth, Texas – 2 September 1919 New York City) He was working as an actor for Keystone before he joined the Chaplin unit in September 1915. He later worked at Rolin in his own series. Films include: Luke’s Movie Muddle (1916), Skinny Gets a Goat (1917), Kicking the Germ Out of Germany (1918), Do Husbands Deceive? (1918), Hoot Mon (1919).
Charles Lane [Charles Willis Lane] (25 January 1869 Madison, Illinois – 17 October 1945 Los Angeles, California) A stage actor for 25 years before entering films at the Chicago Essanay. He later worked Famous Players (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)
Howard Lang (12 May 1874 New Orleans, Louisiana – 26 January 1941 Hollywood, California) Character actor. He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Jack Langtry He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908.
Francine Larrimore (22 August 1898 Rouen, France – 7 March 1975 New York, New York) She had some stage experience before she entered films at Pathe, Gaumont and Edison. She joined the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917. She later worked mostly on the stage.
Rod La Rocque [Roderick la Rocque de la Rour] (29 November 1896 Chicago, Illinois – 15 October 1969 Beverly Hills, California) Stage debut at the age of 8 in Duluth in Salomy Jane. First film work at the Chicago Essanay in 1915. Wife: Vilma Banky
Miss Lavalliet She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1911.
Robert S. Lawler [Robert Sheehy Lawler] (14 September 1884 California – 20 July 1967 San Francisco, California) At the age of twenty he was on stage as an actor at Ye Liberty with Lloyd Ingraham, D. W. Griffith and Landers Stevens (father of film director George Stevens). He tried the movies in May 1912 with the Niles Essanay studio. Other films include: Hoodoo Ann (1916), Casey at the Bat (1916), The Babes in the Woods (1917), Common Property (1919).
Jack Le Beau He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908.
Benjamin P. Lee (20 August 1858 Peoria, Illinois – 16 April 1937 Los Angeles, California) Stage manager at the Columbia Theater in Chicago, he was hired as a set carpenter by Anderson in September 1910. He went with Mackley’s unit to Los Angeles in November 1912 and stayed there when the company disbanded in March 1913. Later he was the stage carpenter at the El Capitan Theater in Los Angeles.
E. Lawrence Lee [Edward Jenkins] (1846? Dayton, Ohio – 30 December 1908 Chicago, Illinois) Longtime stage actor, playwright. He was an actor and director at the Chicago Essanay studio from 1907 to 1908. Wife: Elsie Crescy
General Lee He was an actor in the Chicago Essanay film The Adventures of Buffalo Bill filmed on location in North Dakota in 1913.
William Lee (1863 – 22 September 1913 Chicago, Illinois) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio until September 1910, when he joined the American Film Company as an actor and director.
Arthur Leeds [John Arthur Leeds] (13 September 1882 Port Arthur, Canada – ?) A stage actor, whose first film work was at the Chicago Essanay studio, and a writer with Selig for 8 years.
George Le Guere (17 July 1887 Memphis, Tennessee – 21 November 1947 New York, New York) Longtime stage actor, at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Robert W. Leicester (28 February 1890 Rochester, New York – 2 July 1953 Los Angeles, California) Scenic artist at the Chicago Essanay beginning in 1908. Later worked at the San Francisco Opera Company, and many Hollywood studios. Wife: Violet Wherry Leicester; Son: Robert Jr.; Son: William – TV and film actor
Anne Leigh She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in December 1915.
Bonnie Leonard She was an actress with the Chaplin unit in September 1915.
Cyril Leonard He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Florence Levy She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
Sheldon Lewis (20 April 1868 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 7 May 1958 San Gabriel, California) Longtime stage actor, with the Chicago Essanay in 1915. Also worked at Pathe in The Clutching Hand and Exploits of Elaine. Wife: Virginia Pearson
Henry Lilienthal [Carl Henry Lilienthal] He was an occasional stagecoach driver and full-time night watchman at the Niles studio from 1914 to 1916.
Max Linder (16 December 1883 Bordeaux, France – 31 October 1925 Paris, France) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917, and moved his company to Culver City, California for the last of his three Essanay films.
C. J. Lionel He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917.
Anna Little [Mary H. Brooks] (7 February 1891 Siskiyou Co., California – 20 June 1984 Los Angeles, California) An actress with Ferris Hartman in 1908, her first movie work was with the western Essanay from April to August 1911. She was at Bison the next month, then went to Universal. She later worked at Triangle, American, Fox and Paramount. Her films include: Custer’s Last Raid (1912), Damon and Pythias (1915), Man Afraid of His Wardrobe (1915), Rimrock Jones (1918), Blue Blazes Rawden (1918), The Roaring Road (1919), The Love Expert (1920), Chain Lightning (1922).
Louis Long He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917.
John Lorenz [John Aloysias Lorenz] (6 December 1886 Buffalo, New York – 30 April 1972 Paramus, New Jersey) A stage actor with the Chicago Essanay in 1915. Wife: Warda Howard
Elsa Lorimer She acted with the Niles Essanay from January to March 1914.
Leota Lorraine (14 March 1893 Kansas City, Missouri – 9 July 1974 Los Angeles, California) With the Chicago Essanay company for 18 months beginning in 1915.
Marguerite Loveridge – see Marguerite Marsh
Edward T. Lowe, Jr. [Edward Thomas Lowe, Jr.] (29 June 1890 Nashville, Tennessee – 17 April 1973 Los Angeles, California) Sold his first scenario to the Chicago Essanay in 1911. Still a writer at Essanay in June 1917. Retired in 1946 and burned all his scripts and mementoes. Wife: Helen Lowe (1898 IL); Daughter: Elizabeth A. (1917 IL); Daughter: Edithe H. (1927 CA) Helen Lowe She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1911.
Nelson Lund He was a prop man at the Chicago Essanay studio until September 1910, when he joined the American Film Company.
Walter Lundin (20 April 1892 Chicago, Illinois – 21 June 1954 North Hollywood, California) He began at the Chicago Essanay developing film, working for three and a half years in the lab until September 1910, when he joined the American Film Company. He was a cameraman at American, then at the St. Louis Motion Picture Company for two and a half years. He started at Rolin in 1915 on the Lonesome Luke comedies and continued with Harold Lloyd to 1939.
Conrad A. Luperti [Conrad August Luperti] (18 May 1880 Germany – ?) He came to the United States in 1910. Was a cameraman at the Chicago Essanay from 1911? to the days of Natural Vision in 1925.
Henry Lutzenberger He was an electrician at the Chicago Essanay studio in 191-?
Marion Lydston She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Mr. Lynch He was office manager at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1910s.
Marie MacDonald She was an extra at the Essanay Chicago studio in 1915.
Norman MacDonald He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio from 1911 to 1914.
Arthur Mackley [Arthur James Mackley] (3 July 1863 Scotland – 21 December 1926 Hollywood, California) An actor since the 1880s, he was working in a Chicago theater when Anderson asked him to join his western Essanay company. Mackley and his wife Elhilda went west in September 1910 and his first role was as a sheriff. He started directing in 1911, but it was a series of films in 1912-13 beginning with The Sheriff’s Luck (him in the lead) that made his reputation. After running a unit in Hollywood from November 1912 to March 1913, he left Essanay in May for a European vacation. In August he returned to direct for Reliance-Majestic, but towards the end of his life only acted. Films include: Loot (1919), The Sheriff’s Oath (1920), Shootin’ for Love (1923), The Hurricane Kid (1925).
Julia Mackley [Elhilda Loretta Mackley] (30 October 1878 Virginia – 2 July 1964 Los Angeles, California) In 1910 she began playing small roles at the western Essanay. In 1912 she was even singled out, notably in The Loafer’s Mother. When her husband Arthur began his sheriff series she played opposite him. Other films include: Intolerance (1916), The Mother and the Law (1919).
Mary MacLane (2 May 1881 Winnipeg, Canada – 6 August 1929 Chicago, Illinois) She starred in the Chicago Essanay production of Men Who Have Made Love to Me (1918) based on her book.
Thomas MacLarnie (1869 or 1871 North Adams, Massachusetts – 1 December 1931 Brighton, Massachusetts) Longtime stage actor. First film was the Chicago Essanay’s The Blindness of Virtue. He left Essanay in September 1915 for Australia. From 1918 on he performed in Lightnin’ in New York and on the road.
John Maddern (? Newcastle, New York – ?) A stage actor, in vaudeville, first film directing at the Chicago Essanay.
Addison Madeira 1(5 November 1858 Lorington, Kentucky – 9 October 1930 Kansas City, Missouri) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Edna Mae [Edna Mae Rosewell] (1885 – 26 October 1965 Chicago, Illinois) Acted in the Chicago Essanay and Monarch films in Chicago. Five sons: Henry, Edward J., Raymond, Earl and Andrew Waltz
Mae MahoneyShe was assistant auditor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 191-?
Harry Mainhall [Harry Richards Mainhall] (1888 Oakland, California – ?) Stage career before joining the Chicago Essanay in 1911, first as an actor, then directing and writing, too. After 125 films he had a breakdown in 1915 and it took him 9 years to recover.
Mario Majeroni (1870 Italy – 18 November 1931 New York, New York) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Fred Malatesta [Federico M. Malatesta] (18 April 1889 Naples, Italy – 8 April 1952 Burbank, California) Came to U.S. from Argentina in November 1914. He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Mr. Mammeys He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
Al Mann He worked in the shipping department at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1910s.
Alice Mann (1890 Plainfield, New Jersey – ?) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1918. The year before she’d appeared in Roscoe Arbuckle’s Comique films.
Martha Mansfield [Martha Ehrlich] (14 July 1899 New York, New York – 30 November 1923 San Antonio, Texas) First film work for the Chicago Essanay in 1917 with Max Linder. In the Ziegfeld Follies. Cigarette ignited her dress on film location and she died from burns.
Crittenden Marriott (1866 Baltimore, Maryland – 28 March 1932 Washington D.C.) Worked at a writer at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Marguerite Marsh [Margaret Loveridge] (1892 Lawrence, Kansas – 8 December 1925 New York City) A Biograph actress and sister of Mae Marsh, she worked at the western Essanay when Vedah Bertram was incapacitated in March 1912. Her films include: Blue Blood and Red (1914), Intolerance (1916), The Americano (1916), Casey at the Bat (1916), Fields of Honor (1918), The Mother and the Law (1919), Women Men Love (1921).
Sam Marshall [Samuel Lyman Atwood Marshall] (18 July 1900 Catskill, New York – 17 December 1977 El Paso, Texas) He and his family settled in Niles by 1913. When he was in the eighth grade he was screen-tested and got a job with the Niles Essanay company. In 1914 and 1915 he acted in the Snakeville Comedies and two Chaplin films. His career was cut short when he moved with his family to El Paso. He was a reporter for the El Paso Herald and Detroit News, served as a military historian in the U.S. Army and retired as a brigadier general.
Albert Martin He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Shorty Martin He was a Niles resident recruited as an actor in May 1914.
Frances Mason She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
Billy Mason [William C. Mason] (1887 South Dakota – 24 January 1941 Orange, New Jersey) Started with the circus. Hired by Theodore Wharton at Pathe. Came to Chicago for stage work and hired by Wharton at the Chicago Essanay in 1912. Went into vaudeville in 1914.
Junius Matthews [Junius Conyers Matthews] (12 June 1890 Cathay, Illinois – 18 January 1978 Los Angeles, California) Stage actor, working at the Chicago Essanay during the day in 1911 while performing at night on stage.
Ernest Maupain [Ernest Maupi] (1881 Toulon, France – 10 January 1949 France) A stage actor, debut in films with the Chicago Essanay’s The White Sister (1915).
General Maus He was an actor in the Chicago Essanay film The Adventures of Buffalo Bill filmed on location in North Dakota in 1913.
Edward Mawson (1862 – 20 May 1917 New York, New York) Stage actor. He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Adolph H. Mayer (12 January 1872 San Francisco, California – 19 January 1944 San Francisco, California) A film projectionist since 1898, he was the operator in the Niles Essanay studio screening room. In the 1920s he was a freelance cameraman in San Francisco. He was a projectionist in 1941 at the Embassy Theater in San Francisco.
Edna Mayo (23 March 1893 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 5 May 1970 San Francisco, California) A stage actor, whose first film work was with the Chicago Essanay in 1915. Husband: Mr. White
Emil T. Mazy (27 December 1865 Belgium – 6 June 1943 Los Angeles, California) He joined the Chaplin unit in Los Angeles in April 1915 as a scenic painter and followed Chaplin to Mutual.
Mary McAlister (27 May 1909 Los Angeles, California – 1 May 1991 Del Mar, California) A child actress with the Chicago Essanay from 1915 to 1917.
Randall McAllister He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Harry McCabe (1881 Chicago, Illinois – 11 February 1925 Los Angeles, California) His career in show business began with the Ringling Brothers circus, then repertory companies, vaudeville, and films at the Chicago Essanay in 1908. He worked at Selig seven years, then Biograph and American.
May A. McCaskey She and her partner/husband Earl Howell came to the western Essanay in November 1909 from the Curtis Stock Company, and acted in films until Essanay left Santa Barbara in March 1910. She was with her husband as a member of the Temple Players in Maiden, Massachusetts, when he died in 1918.
Alice McChesney [Alice Annie McChesney] (25 April 1894 Glen Ellyn, Illinois – 3 October 1967 Norfolk, Connecticut) Her interest in movies began as a piano player in her hometown movie theater, the Glen Theater. She won a contest sponsored by the Chicago Herald American, a one-year contract with the Chicago Essanay. She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio from 1915 to 1917, first as an extra, then as a billed performer starting in 1916. She married Charles M. Wilson on 19 November 1921.
Edna (Margaret?) McClellan She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913.
Lila McClemmon She came from Oakland to act on occasion from 1913 to 1915. She was seriously hurt in a stagecoach accident in Niles Canyon in November 1914.
Vera McCord (1872 Iowa – 3 March 1949 New York City) Her parents were living in Oakland, California, when she joined the Niles Essanay as an actress in June 1913 after several years in New York working on Broadway. In July she was on stage at Ye Liberty in Oakland, in October at the Oriental Theater in San Francisco.
Russell McDermott (19 June 1905 Decatur, Illinois – 23 January 1993 Palm Springs, California?) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio, debuting in Pants in 1917.
Charles McDonald (26 May 1886 Springfield, Mass – 29 December 1964 Hollywood, Florida) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908.
Bill McGeehan (1879 – 29 November 1933 Sea Island Beach, Georgia) A sports writer, he appeared in an Essanay scenic film shot in Canada in 1917.
Paddy McGuire (1884 Ireland – 16 November 1923 Norwalk, California) He reportedly worked on stage with the Kolb and Dill company for five years before joining the Chaplin unit in February 1915 as an actor. He went with Chaplin to Los Angeles, and joined Vogue Films in November. By 1917 he was with Fox. His films include: Bungling Bill, Detective (1916), The Iron Mitt (1916), Bing! Bang! (1917), Ladies First (1918).
Charles J. McGuirk [Charles James McGuirk] (29 December 1888 West Orange, New Jersey – 4 December 1943 Reno, Nevada) He came to the Chicago Essanay as a writer in 1916 and remained at least until June 1917.
William Anthony McGuire (9 July 1885 Chicago, Illinois – 16 September 1940 Beverly Hills, California) Broadway show writer, screenwriter. He was a writer at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Ella McKenzie (9 April 1911 Oregon – 25 April 1987 Hollywood, California) A niece raised by Robert and Eva McKenzie, she became an actress at the Niles Essanay in May 1915. Her cousin Ida got in the act too and they became known as the McKenzie Twins. She continued film acting into the 1930s, and married film comedian Billy Gilbert. Her films include: Jane Goes A’Wooing (1919), The Last Warning (1929), Alice Adams (1935), Riders of the Dawn (1937), The Wrong Miss Wright (1937).
Ida Mae McKenzie (15 January 1911 Oregon – 29 June 1986 Los Angeles, California) She came to Niles with her parents Robert and Eva McKenzie in March 1915 and worked in her first film in May 1915. She acted at the Niles Essanay until January 1916, was in the Educational Film Company Chester Comedies in 1920, was a regular on “The Red Skelton Show” TV show and a contestant coordinator for “Hollywood Squares.” Films include: Jane Goes A’Wooing (1919), The Village Blacksmith (1922), Abraham Lincoln (1924), The Godless Girl (1929), International Squadron (1941).
Robert McKenzie (22 September 1883 Ballymena, Ireland – 8 July 1949 Matunuck, Rhode Island) An actor on stage for years, he was at Ye Liberty in Oakland in June 1913, played leads with the Dick Ferns-Florence Stone Company in Long Beach in May 1914 and joined the Niles Essanay for his first film roles in March 1915. He stayed in Niles until January 1916, then moved his family to Los Angeles. His wife Eva Heazlett and daughters Ella, Ida and Fay also acted in films, and worked in his McKenzie Players stage productions. He died while in rehearsals for a play in Matunuck. A few of his many films include: Oliver Twist (1916), A Western Demon (1922), Single-Handed (1923), Bad Man’s Bluff (1926), Cimarron (1931), Tillie and Gus (1933), Six of a Kind (1934), It Always Happens (1935), Life Begins at Forty (1935), The Wrong Miss Wright (1937), Buried Alive (1939), Saps at Sea (1940), The Spoilers (1942), Duel in the Sun (1946).
Margaret McLin She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Archer McMackin (7 February 1888 Lake City, Iowa – 8 February 1961 Des Moines, Iowa) First film work as a writer at the Chicago Essanay in 1909. Graduated to directing in 1912. Left in 1913 for the Albuquerque Film Company for nine months. Worked briefly at Reliance, Keystone, then Universal, before settling in Santa Barbara with the American Film Company directing one-reelers from March 1915 until October 1916. Worked as a screenwriter at various companies until 1920 in Los Angeles. Returned to Iowa in 1922.
Duncan McRae (1881 London, England – 4 February 1931 London, England) A stage actor, he worked in film at Mutual, Edison, Pathe and Essanay in Chicago. He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916. Later he produced plays in London. married to Gertrude McCoy
Dexter McReynolds He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Dwight A. Meade aka Dwight Arthur Meade (30 January 1885 Elgin, Illinois – 1 April 1963 Danvers, Massachusetts) He was an actor of longtime stage experience, at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1911 in between theatrical jobs for about a year while having a series of operations on his throat. Later had extensive radio work.
Don Meaney [Donald Anthony Meaney] (2 May 1888 Chicago, Illinois – ?) A writer with Billboard and the Chicago Examiner, he joined the Chicago Essanay advertising department as manager in 1913, editing its Essanay News newspaper. He joined Universal in 1914 as manager of publicity. He was a casting director for Ince in 1917.
Larry Medeiros (8 July 1889 Honolulu, Hawaii – 22 July 1963 Fremont, California) He joined the Niles Essanay as a set carpenter in 1913, went to Los Angeles on 13 April 1914 with Jess Robbins to work at Robbins Photo Plays, returned to Niles, then went to Liberty Films in September 1914. Back in Niles by February 1915, he probably worked at the Essanay studio until it closed in 1916. He became a carpenter at Pacific States Steel in Niles.
Emelie Melville (1850 or 1852 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 20 May 1932 San Francisco, California) Stage actor since 1867, retired in 1912 from the stage. She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915. Daughter: Grace Thorpe Minor Princeton, NJ
Jules Mendel (6 May 1875 California – 17 March 1938 Los Angeles, California) Stage actor in Los Angeles for many years. He was an actor at the Los Angeles Essanay studio in 1915. Wife: Teddy La Due aka Marie Mendel (26 Oct 1889 CA – Dec 1970 Anaheim, CA); Daughter: Cennette (1922 CA); Daughter: Elizabeth (1926 CA)
Jack Meredith (1890 Belfast, Ireland – ?) He acted at the Chicago Essanay in 1915, later working at Selznick and Triangle.
Leigh Metcalfe [Edward Leigh Metcalfe] (3 May 1894 St. Louis, Missouri – ?) A newspaper and magazine writer, he worked at Essanay in 1917?, around the time he was advertising editor at the Chicago Herald.
Henry Meyer He was superintendent of the lab at the Chicago Essanay studio until September 1910, when he joined the American Film Company.
Charles Michelson He was a writer at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
General Miles He was an actor in the Chicago Essanay film The Adventures of Buffalo Bill filmed on location in North Dakota in 1913.
Ed Miller He was in charge of publicity at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1909.
Paul Miller He was an actor with the Chicago Essanay in November-December 1909.
Jack Milton He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Charlotte Mineau (24 March 1891 Bordeaux, France or 24 March 1887 Michigan – ?) She came to the Chicago Essanay from Selig to act in the summer of 1914. She appeared in Chaplin’s one film there, then joined his Essanay unit in Los Angeles. She acted in his Mutual comedies and later worked with Mary Pickford. Films include: Easy Street (1917), Carolyn of the Corners (1919), You Wouldn’t Believe It (1920), The Extra Girl (1923), Sparrows (1926).
Howard Missimer (1866 Millersburg, Pennsylvania – before 1930) A longtime stage actor, he began film work at the Chicago Essanay in 1911. Wife: Carrie (1879 Kansas – 1968 Detroit) 2 children.
Belle Mitchell (24 September 1889 Michigan – 12 February 1979 Woodland Hills, California) She acted on stage extensively before and after her work with the Niles Essanay, which began in September 1915 and continued until the Niles studio closed in 1916. In the 1930s she worked at Paramount, Republic, MGM and Universal. Some of her films: Just Rambling Along (1918), Hoot Mon (1919), The Leavenworth Case (1936), The Firefly (1937), The Mark of Zorro (1940), One Night in the Tropics (1940).
Doris Mitchell She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913.
Grant Mitchell (17 June 1874 Columbus, Ohio – 1 May 1957 Los Angeles, California) Newspaper reporter, lawyer, then stage actor debut in 1902. First film work appears to be with the Chicago Essanay circa 1916. Came to Hollywood in 1933.
James Mitchell He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908.
Elsie Mobley She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
William V. Mong (25 June 1875 Chambersburg, Pennsylvania – 11 December 1940 Los Angeles, California) A longtime stage actor, he worked at the Chicago Essanay ca. 1917.
Anzinette Anzonetta Moore She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Colleen Moore [Kathleen Morrison] (19 August 1899 Port Huron, Michigan – 25 January 1988 Templeton, California) She worked at the Essanay Chicago studio during the making of The Prince of Graustark (1916) playing a maid.
Ira H. Morgan aka Joe Morgan [Ira Harry Morgan] (2 April 1889 Fort Ross, California – 10 April 1959 San Rafael, California) His first work in the movie business was with Gaumont as a projectionist in Portland, Oregon, where he also shot newsreels. In April 1913 he opened a nickelodeon theater in Sunnyvale, California, with his father-in-law. He joined the Niles Essanay that year as a cameraman, left Niles for San Mateo and the Liberty Film Company in August 1914, met and married actress Rena Carlton after the death of his first wife, then returned to Niles after the Liberty Company failed. In 1916 he joined the American Film Company in Santa Barbara and was there until entering the U. S. Signal Corps in 1918. On his return from World War I he worked with King Vidor, Marion Davies and many other famous names at MGM. He shot dozens of films in the 1930s, 40s and 50s before his retirement in 1957. He was a longtime member of the American Society of Cinematographers. Films include: Dust (1916), The Jack Knife Man (1920), When Knighthood Was in Flower (1922), Janice Meredith (1923), Tell It to the Marines (1926), The Taxi Dancer (1927), Sinner’s Holiday (1930), The Vampire Bat (1933), Modern Times (1936), Fighting Valley (1943), Leave It to the Irish (1944), The Lost Tribe (1949), Devil Goddess (1955).
Louis J. Morissette (3 September 1891 St. John, Kansas – ?) With Kalem in early 1911 as a cowboy, he joined the western Essanay in San Rafael that June. He left Niles with the Mackley unit in 1912 and stayed in Los Angeles when it disbanded in March 1913. He worked at the American Film Company in 1916 on the Art Acord “Buck Parvin” series and other films at least to 1920.
Corbett Morris [Louis Thompson] In May 1909 he acted with the Charles King Stock Company in Long Beach. He worked as an actor with the western Essanay in February 1910 while acting at night as a member of the Girton Stock Company.
Frank Morris He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917.
Sam Morris (1864 San Francisco, California – 2 November 1910 Chicago, Illinois) In his youth he was an usher at the Bush Street Theater in San Francisco with David Warfield. He later worked in vaudeville and theatre stock companies. He came to Chicago in 1893, and soon thereafter became stage manager of the Hopkins Theater, where he produced and acted in over 300 plays. His first film work was with the Chicago Essanay in 1910 as an actor and director, then he was hired by American Film Company, but died suddenly of diabetes after making only a few films in Chicago.
Chick Morrison [Charles Pacific Morrison] (3 April 1878 Morrison, Colorado – 20 June 1924 Hollywood, California) He worked in Colorado as a cowboy with Selig director Francis Boggs in the summer of 1908, and with Essanay in Anderson’s first western series in January 1909. In September he joined Essanay full-time and traveled with them until April 1911, switching to the American Film Company. He later worked in The Squaw Man (1914), in The Half-Breed (1916) with Douglas Fairbanks and many others until an accident at the Hal Roach Studio ranch; a horse he was riding stumbled, fell on him and crushed him to death.
Meta Morrison (1892 – 28 November 1982 Chicago, Illinois) Her first film work as an actor was with the Chicago Essanay in 1910s. Daughter: Gloria Anne Heidemann and a grandson
Pete Morrison [George David Morrison] (8 August 1890 Westminster, Colorado – 5 February 1973 Los Angeles, California) Like his brother Chick, Pete also worked with Selig and the western Essanay in Colorado as a cowboy in 1908, 1909 and 1910, but stayed home until summoned by his brother to the American Film Company at La Mesa in late 1911. He went with the company when it settled in Santa Barbara and remained with them until 1916. He worked in westerns at Triangle in 1917, just as it was floundering, but he kept busy all through the 1920s. In 1935 he retired and moved back to Colorado to live on his ranch. A few films: Man Afraid of His Wardrobe (1915), Fighting Back (1917), The Law’s Outlaw (1918), The Fighting Brothers (1919), The Better Man Wins (1922), Mystery of Lost Ranch (1925), Chinatown Nights (1929), Five Bad Men (1935).
Jessie Mosley She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio until September 1910, when she joined the American Film Company.
Howard S. Moss [Howard Stanley Moss] (9 June 1881 – ?) Wrote and directed The Dream Doll at Chicago Essanay studio in 1917.
Jean Moyer She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Mr. Mullen He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
Ann Murdock (10 November 1890 Port Washington, New York – 22 April 1939) A stage actor. Following work at the Chicago Essanay in 1916 she acted at Edison, McClure and Empire All Star.
Ben Murphy (10 May 1893 Niles, California – 18 August 1968 Fremont, California) A local boy, he played small parts at the Niles Essanay studio in 1915.
Frank Murphy (1882 NY – ?) He was a set carpenter and actor with the western Essanay from December 1909 to April 1910.
Anita Murray She acted in a stock company with Essanay actor Lee Willard in 1909. In April 1913 she acted at the Niles Essanay studio.
Edgar Murray (1892 – 16 October 1959 Hollywood, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Marion Murray (1885 – 11 November 1951 New York, New York) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916. husband– Jed Prouty
W.J. Murray He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1911.
George Myers (1879 – 17 December 1936 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Vaudeville actor known as George Carson, or Carson and Willard. Actor with Chicago Essanay ca. 1908. Sons: George Jr. and Carl
Richard R. Neill (12 November 1875 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 8 April 1970 Woodland Hills, California) Stage actor since 1900. He acted at Edison for four years before coming to the Chicago Essanay in 1917.
Milton Newman He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
Renee Noel She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Harry Norton He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913.
Carleton Null He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio ca. 1915.
Ned Nye [Edgar Wilson Nye] (1871 – 1 December 1924 Hollywood, California) Vaudeville actor, turned to writing. With the Chicago Essanay studio.
Florence Oberle (1870 Tarryton, New York – 10 July 1943 Glendale, California) Stage actor. She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915. Son: John F. Oberle (1896 NY – ? )
Eugene O’Brien (14 November 1880 Boulder, Colorado – 29 April 1966 Los Angeles, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915 and 1916. Star in 1920s.
Jack O’Brien [John B. O’Brien] (13 December 1884 Roanoke, Virginia – 15 August 1936 Los Angeles, California) Before joining Essanay in Chicago in June 1909 he was with the Augustus Thomas Stock Company. He went to Colorado in September 1909 with Anderson as actor and business manager, left to make The Life of Buffalo Bill in July 1911. He later directed with the Circle Ranch Film Company, Universal, Mutual, Powers, Famous Players, Metro, Thanhouser, De Luxe and his own company, O’Brien Productions. Films include: Captain Macklin (1915), Hulda from Holland (1916), The Foundling (1916), Lonely Heart (1921), The Outlaw’s Daughter (1925).
Miss O’Connor She was an auditor at the Chicago Essanay studio.
Quapaw Lord Orry (12 May 1912 – June 1915 Oakland, California) The bulldog in The Champion, owned by Ted Killhofer of Oakland, California, was reportedly in other Niles Essanay films.
Sophie Osborn [Sophia Osborn] (1900 California – ?) A child actress, she and her brother Gordon were acting with the Elleford Stock Company in Santa Barbara when the western Essanay arrived and she worked with them in February and March 1910.
Frank Owens He was an actor at the Chicago Selig Polyscope studio in 1912 and the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Freeman H. Owens aka Freeman Harrison Owens (20 July 1890 Pine Bluff, Arkansas – 9 December 1979 Pine Bluff, Arkansas) He was a cameraman at the Chicago Essanay studio from 1915 to 1917.
Henry Oyen [Henry Olaf Oyen] (29 November 1883 – ?) He was a writer at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Jane Paddock She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Hazel Padgett [Hazel Mitchell Padgett] (1895 Kentucky – ?) With Pathe in 1911 as Hazel Mitchell, she married Slim Padgett in January 1912 and worked with him and other cowboys (including Hoot Gibson, Dick Parker, Wallie Padgett, Wolf Verdugo, Jim Cathcart, Inez Clampitt and Hart Hoxie) in the traveling Frontier Days wild west show. She and Slim acted with Arthur Mackley’s unit in Los Angeles starting in November 1912 and came to Niles when Mackley returned in April 1913. They stayed until September 1913, went back to Los Angeles and worked in films there. She was at Fox in Bing! Bang! (1917).
Slim Padgett [Harrington William Padgett] (3 August 1887 Spearville, Kansas – 11 July 1964 Los Angeles, California) He and his brother Wallie were working as cowboys with Kalem in 1911. They quit along with Dell Eagles, Jessie Snow, George Souards, Hoot Gibson and Dick Parker in April to work elsewhere and some of them joined the Frontier Days wild west show that toured in 1912. After Slim and his wife Hazel worked with the Niles Essanay from November 1912 September 1913, Slim had a long career in westerns with William S. Hart, Buck Jones, Hoot Gibson, Pete Morrison, Jacques Jaccard, Fred Thompson and Tom Mix. He retired in 1945 after breaking his hip in a fall. Some of his films include: Wild and Woolly (1916), Sunset Sprague (1920), Just Pals (1920), West of Arizona (1925), Shootin’ Irons (1927), My Pal, the King (1932).
Al Parks He joined the western Essanay as a cowboy in the summer of 1911, played on the Niles baseball team in 1913 and left Essanay that year. He was working at Universal in 1916.
Mary Parkyn A stage actress, she worked at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Peggy Parr (1890 Baltimore, Maryland – ?) Her first work as an actor in films was with the Chicago Essanay in 1915. From there she went to Metro, Klever Comedies with Victor Moore, then Fox.
Harriet Parsons (1906 Burlington, Iowa – 2 January 1983 Santa Monica, California) Daughter of Louella Parsons. She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1911. Her first film with Essanay was The Magic Wand (supposedly). In later years she was a writer and producer.
Louella Parsons (6 August 1881 Freeport, Illinois – 9 December 1972 Santa Monica, California) She was a writer at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1911. Left to work as a reporter for the Chicago Record–Herald in 1914. Worked at New York American paper in New York in 1922, a Hearst paper.
Ellis Paul He was a child actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Jack Paul He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio from 1915 to 1917.
Logan Paul (1849 Ayr, Scotland – 15 January 1932 Brooklyn, New York) A longtime stage actor, he was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908. Daughter: Edwina Honor
Earl B. Pearson He joined the Niles Essanay as a scenic painter in 1912. In November he went to Los Angeles with the Mackley unit and stayed in that city when Mackley closed the unit in March 1913.
Charles Mortimer Peck (28 July 1871 Fairbury, Illinois – 4 November 1941 Los Angeles, California) A newspaper writer, he entered the film business in 1913 writing scenarios for Fox, Balboa and American. He sold stories to the Chicago Essanay in 1917.
Perc Pembroke aka Stanley Pembroke, Scott Pembroke, [Percy Stanley Pembroke] (13 September 1889 San Francisco, California – 21 February 1951 Alhambra, California) He acted on stage at the Alcazar Theatre in San Francisco in 1913 and came to the Niles Essanay studio in October 1913 for his first film work. He acted at the Liberty Film Company in San Mateo in February and March, 1915, and returned to Niles after that, working behind the scenes more frequently (possibly as an assistant director), staying until the studio closed. At Golden West he was an assistant director to Jess Robbins from May to September 1918. He was also an assistant for the Amalgamated Producing Company shorts with Stan Laurel in 1922, and directed Laurel in 1923 for Hal Roach, then for Joe Rock in 1924, and directed at Century in 1925. In July 1927 he was signed by Columbia to direct comedies as Scott Pembroke, a name given to him by his wife, actress Gertrude Short. (Scott was a family name on his mother’s side.) In the 1930s and 40s he was a writer, often working with William Anthony McGuire. Some of his films include: The Son of a Gun (1918), Shootin’ Mad (1918), Mud and Sand (1922), Uncensored Movies (1923), Rupert of Hee Haw (1924), Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pride (1925), Polly of the Movies (1927), The Black Pearl (1928), Shanghai Rose (1929), The Medicine Man (1930), The Oregon Trail (1936).
Frank Pementel (28 March 1889 Decoto, California – 1 February 1934 Niles, California) He was recruited as a cowboy by the Niles Essanay studio in April 1912 and remained with the company until it closed in 1916. He was a horse dealer with his brother Manuel for the rest of his life. Right leg amputated.
Arthur A. Penn [Arthur Ambrose Penn] (12 February 1875 London – 6 February 1941 New London, Connecticut) He was a Niles Essanay publicity writer in September 1913, wrote the lyrics to Marie Dressler’s Merry Gambol stage production, the music for the Essanay song “Broncho Billy” in 1914, composed more than thirty operettas, and a popular song, “Smilin’ Through,” which served as the basis for the 1932 movie Smilin’ Through. Wife: Eleanor
Pansy Perry aka Pansy Pearl Perry, [Mrs. Pansy Pearl Claggett] (7 March 1887 Idana, Kansas – 15 March 1952 Los Angeles, California) Her first film work as an actor was for G.M. Anderson when he was at Selig in 1907, and worked for him again at the western Essanay in Colorado in 1909. Two of her brothers were cameramen Paul and Harry Perry. Her sister Pauline Millan 13 August 1882 Kansas – 15 September 1985 San Diego, California was a singer and actor [The Squaw Man (1914)].
Dorothy Phillips [Mary Strible] (30 or 28 October 1889 Baltimore, Maryland – 1 March 1980 Woodland Hills, California) She worked as an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1911 (first film, The Rosary), sometimes with husband Allen Holubar. Grandson: Richard Morrissey; Daughter: Gwendolyn Morrissey
Ishim Pishin He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Harry Pollard aka Snub Pollard [Harold Fraser] (9 November 1893 Melbourne, Australia – 19 January 1962 Burbank, California) He came to the United States with the Pollard Lilliputian Opera Company. As an actor with stage experience from 1910, he joined the Niles Essanay company in March 1915. He went with the Chaplin unit to Los Angeles and moved to Rolin for the Lonesome Luke Comedies. He starred in his own films for Hal Roach and acted in many, many films until his death. A few of his films: Lonesome Luke, Social Gangster (1915), Luke’s Movie Muddle (1916), Lonesome Luke, Messenger (1917), Bees in His Bonnet (1918), His Royal Slyness (1920), The Dumb Bell (1923), Do Your Duty (1927), Midnight Patrol (1934), The White Legion (1937), Arizona Days (1938), Phony Express (1943), Limelight (1952), Pete Kelly’s Blues (1957), Pocketful of Miracles (1963).
Jack Pollard [John Leslie Cherry] (10 July 1887 Sydney, Australia – 11 January 1968 Palm Beach, Florida) He came to the United States with the Pollard Lilliputian Opera Company in 1901. An actor at the Gaiety Theater in December 1914, he worked in Niles in 1915 and went with Chaplin’s unit to Los Angeles, but mostly worked in Hal Roach’s Essanay films, and may have worked at some point as an actor at the Chicago Essanay under his real name, Jack Cherry. In later years he was a musical conductor in New York.
Katherine Anne Porter (15 May 1890 Indian Creek, Texas – 18 September 1980 College Park, Maryland) An actor at the Chicago Essanay for six months in 1914, it is claimed.
William Postance (4 June 1874 High Holborn, London, England – 14 April 1953 Hoboken, New Jersey) Began theatrical career in 1899 as a callboy. Long stage career. Actor at Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Victor Potel [Victor Alfred Potel] (12 October 1889 Lafayette, Indiana – 8 March 1947 Hollywood, California) G.M. Anderson hired him in Chicago on 20 July 1910 to play Lank in his Hank and Lank Comedies. He went west with Anderson’s division in September, played supporting roles in westerns, then became Slippery Slim in the Snakeville comedy series created by Anderson. He left Essanay on 1 September 1915 to work in a comedy series directed by Roy Clements at Universal, similar to Potel’s character roles at Essanay. He subsequently worked for many companies, among them Triangle-Keystone, Sunshine Comedies, the Victor Potel Homespun Comedy Company, MGM, Goldwyn and Paramount. Films include: When Slim Picked a Peach (1916), Mary’s Ankle (1920), Quincy Adams Sawyer (1922), The Law Forbids (1924), The Virginian (1929), Doughboys (1930), Ruggles of Red Gap (1935), Three Godfathers (1936), Christmas in July (1940), Sullivan’s Travels (1941), Hail the Conquering Hero (1944), The Egg and I (1947).
Francis Powers (4 June 1865 Marner, Virginia – 10 May 1940 Santa Monica, California) He was a director at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908.
William Pratt He was a director at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1909.
Dean Preston [Dean Bradley Preston] (10 January 1890 Hayward, California – ?) He was a Niles studio clerk in August 1913.
Alador Prince He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1918.
Eva Prince She worked as an actress at the Niles Essanay studio in August 1915.
Eva Prout aka Evebelle Ross Prout (9 May 1894 Zanesville, Ohio – August 1972 Pottsville, Pennsylvania) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay beginning in 1911. Husband: Ernest Geiger
Edna Purviance [Edna Olga Purviance] (21 October 1895 Paradise Valley, Nevada – 13 January 1958 Woodland Hills, California) She was hired as an actress in January 1915 and came to Niles to play opposite Chaplin in A Night Out. She remained for all of his Essanay films and went with him to Mutual, then First National. Her last film opposite him was The Pilgrim, then he directed a starring film for her, A Woman of Paris, both released in 1923. She married aviator John P. Squire.
Paul Raas (25 March 1887 Laussane, Switzerland – ?) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914, professional wrestler June 1917.
Charles W. Racey (28 November 1887 Chicago, Illinois – ?) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in The River of Romance (1915). Son: Robert Lawrence Racey (1913 – 1989)
Vida Ramon She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
John F. Rand (19 November 1871 New Haven, Connecticut – 25 January 1940 Hollywood, California) An acrobat and vaudeville performer, he joined Chaplin’s unit in Los Angeles as an actor in July 1915, and worked with Chaplin several times over the years. Films include: Easy Street (1917), Bow Wow (1922), The Circus (1928), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936)
Mon Randall [Monell Louis Randall] (13 April 1890 Haley, Idaho – July 1935 Corona, California) A newspaper cartoonist for the San Francisco Examiner, Los Angeles Bulletin and Chicago Tribune, he worked as a poster designer at the Chicago Essanay to August 1915.
Amedee Rastrelli He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917.
E. J. Ratcliffe [Edward J. Ratcliffe] (10 March 1863 London, England – 28 September 1948) Came to U.S. in 1885 with theatrical company. Hired for the Chicago Essanay film In the Palace of the King (1915) to play King Philip II of Spain.
Cyril Raymond (1897 England – 21 March 1973 London, England) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1911.
Frankie (Frances) Raymond [Mary Frances Raymond] (24 May 1869 Selma, Massachusetts – 18 June 1961 Hollywood, California) Stage actor from 1890. She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio beginning in 1915. Retired in from films in 1950. Husband: David Henderson
Whitney Raymond He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
Josephine Rector (25 September 1885 Indiana – 1 October 1958 Castro Valley, California) She sold her first scripts to the western Essanay when the company was in Los Gatos in 1910-11, worked again with them in San Rafael and took over the scenario department in Niles when they arrived in April 1912. She also acted in small parts in San Rafael, then took on leads in Niles. She quit Essanay in April 1914 and married Hal Angus later that year. She was with the Pacific Motion Picture Company in May 1914 and the Yolo Film Company in March 1915.
Eddie Redway [Percy Saylor] (1870 – 9 April 1919 Reading, Pennsylvania) Longtime stage actor. He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Arthur Reeves [Arthur Edward Reeves] (1 May 1892 Chicago, Illinois – 10 October 1954 Hollywood, California) He began as an electrician at the Chicago Essanay in 1910, by 1915 he was a cameraman, and remained at the studio at least to June 1917. Wife: Grayce (1896 IL – 11 July 1959 LA); Daughter: Dolly Nichols?; Daughter: Barbara Hite
Ben Reynolds [Benjamin Franklin Reynolds] (21 July 1890 Woodville, Michigan – 14 February 1948 Los Angeles, California) He was an Essanay cameraman, probably at the Culver City studio in 1917. Later worked with Erich von Stroheim and others at MGM. Wife: Adelaide
Grantland Rice [Henry Grantland Rice] (1 November 1880 Murfreesboro, Tennessee – 13 July 1954 New York, New York) A sports writer, he appears in an Essanay scenic film shot in Canada in 1917. Daughter: Florence Rice
Ralph Richmond [Ralph Vanderpew Richmond] (12 December 1881 Alvarado, California – 18 March 1937 Oakland, California) Justice of the Peace in Niles in September 1918. He appeared in several Essanay Niles films including the last one with G. M. Anderson in 1916. Wife: Bertha; Grandson: Robert R. (Richmond 1941)
Thomas Ricketts (15 January 1853 London, England – 19 (20?) January 1939 Los Angeles, California) Stage acting debut in 1882. First film work with the Chicago Essanay in 1907 as director and actor. Went to American in September 1910. A character actor in films for many years. Wife: Josephine Ditt
Josephine Ricketts [Josephine Ditt Ricketts] (7 September 1868 Chicago, Illinois – 18 October 1939 Los Angeles, California) Stage actress. First film work with the Chicago Essanay in 1907 or 1908. Went to American in September 1910. Husband: Thomas Ricketts
Fritzi Ridgeway (8 April 1898 Missoula, Montana – 29 March 1961 Edwards Air Force Base near Lancaster, California) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916. Made over 100 films in her career. Husband: Walter Simms
Margie Rieger She joined the Niles Essanay company in January 1915 as an actress, went with the Chaplin unit to Los Angeles in April and ended her film career in July.
Mary Roberts Rinehart (12 August 1876 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – 1958 New York City) Several of her stories were made into films by the Chicago Essanay.
Hal Roach [Harry Eugene Roach] (14 January 1892 Elmira, New York – 2 November 1992 Los Angeles, California) He got his start in films by answering a want ad in a Los Angeles paper for extras in Universal westerns. In 1914 he inherited $3,000 and decided to produce films with a partner, Dan Linthicum. Their company, Rolin, was broke by early 1915 so Roach found a job for a month at Charlie Chaplin’s Los Angeles-based Essanay studio at the Bradbury mansion, directing a series of one-reel films with the cast members Chaplin didn’t need each week. When Rolin got a distribution contract with Pathe, Roach was back in business producing Lonesome Luke Comedies with Harold Lloyd. After a slow buildup to success, Linthicum was bought out and the company became Hal Roach Studios, a formidable rival to Mack Sennett and one that would outlast the Keystone Company.
Joseph A. Roach [Joseph Anthony Roach] (18 or 17 June 1886 St. Louis, Missouri – 15 April 1945 Los Angeles, California) He was a writer at the Chicago Essanay in 1914. Later worked with Roscoe Arbuckle and others. Married to Ruth Stonehouse. Second wife: Theresa (1904 Oregon – ?)
Spider Roach [James F. Roach] (22 September 1893 San Francisco, California – 10 December 1956 Agnew, California) A lightweight boxer, he was with the western Essanay in February 1912 at Lakeside, played right field on the Niles baseball team, and acted with the company until November 1914. He continued to fight professionally in the 1920s, then became a trainer and worked with the United States Olympic boxing team in 1932. He was a coach for the Olympic Club in San Francisco for 28 years.
Jess Robbins [Jesse Jerome Robbins] (30 April 1888 Galion, Ohio – 11 March 1973 Los Angeles, California) He managed a nickelodeon theater in Middletown, Ohio, as a teenager in 1907. In 1908 he became a cameraman with the Chicago Essanay, at the end of that year going west with Anderson to shoot the company’s first films in California. His first wife Nancy came along, playing small parts during his second trip with Anderson in 1909. Anderson’s division settled in Niles in 1912 and Robbins became the general manager of that studio in 1913. He left a year later to start the Robbins Photo Plays Company in Los Angeles, but returned to supervise the Charles Chaplin films for Essanay in December 1914. When Anderson sold out to Spoor, Jess was supposed to take over the Niles studio, but it closed in February 1916, and Robbins went to New Jersey to set up Anderson’s studio space in Fort Lee for the feature film Vera, The Medium. Robbins worked again with Anderson in 1918, directing Golden West films. Jess also directed Anderson’s first Amalgamated film, The Lucky Dog, with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Jess spent the rest of the 1920s directing Lupino Lane, Jimmy Aubrey, Syd Chaplin, Baby Peggy, Ben Turpin and others. He quit the movie business in 1929, but kept busy running a taxi service, a machine screw factory and, in his eighties, he was a machinist at a water purifying equipment company. Some of his films: When a Woman Loves (1914), The Son of a Gun (1918), The Backyard (1920), Too Much Business (1922), The Ladder Jinx (1922), A Front Page Story (1922), The Law Forbids (1924), Skirts (1928).
Nancy Robbins [Nancy E. Robbins] (1890 Ohio – ?) She worked as an actor with the western Essanay from 1909 to 1910. Husband: Jess Robbins
Stewart Robbins (7 November 1889 Grand Rapids, Michigan – ?) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Jack Roberts [John Alexander Roberts] (5 September 1890 San Francisco, California – 17 September 1960 Ben Lomond, California) In his youth he worked on several cattle ranches including the Hayes Ranch and the Miller and Lux Ranch. He participated in the last cattle drive at the Chowchilla Ranch in 1912. He was a cowboy with the Niles Essanay company from the spring of 1913 to 1915. He was a ship fitter at the Union Iron Works in San Francisco in June 1917.
Anna Robinson She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Edna Robinson An actress at Ye Liberty in Oakland from 1908, she worked at Essanay in November 1915.
Ethel G. Robinson (16 March 1886 Oakland, California – 16 March 1971 Forestville, California) She acted with the western Essanay in San Rafael in 1911. Her father, Merritt Robinson, owned a livery stable in town.
Kite Robinson [Edward Ray Robinson] (29 May 1888 Deadwood, South Dakota – ?) He was a prop man (1911-1913), carpenter (1914), an actor and a first baseman (1912-1915) on the Niles baseball team. He joined the western Essanay company when they were in Los Gatos in 1910 and traveled with them to Niles. He married Niles girl Malvina Chaix in October 1912. When the Niles studio closed he got a job with the Orpheum Theatre in Oakland as an electrician, but by 1920 he was in Los Angeles as a propman in the movie business. He was an art director in Hollywood in 1930.
William Robinson [Morris Hamburg] (September 1859 England – 6 February 1917 Chicago, Illinois) He began in films as an actor with the Chicago Essanay in 1911.
Patrick T. Rooney [Frederick J. Ratsch] (28 April 1885 Chicago, Illinois – 15 January 1933 Hollywood, California) He joined Essanay as an actor in June 1911. He replaced Anderson’s chauffeur, Richard Young, in November 1911 after Young had an accident, then had an accident of his own in February 1912. He left Niles for Lubin in May 1915, later working with Douglas Fairbanks. He was briefly married to actress Grace Darling. He worked sat Vitagraph in September 1918. His films include: The Actors’ Boarding House (1915), Some Medicine Man (1916), A Pirate Bold (1917).
Albert Roscoe (23 August 1888 Memphis, Tennessee – 8 March 1933 Hollywood, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Jackson Rose [Jackson Joseph Rose] (29 October 1886 Neshvio Minsk, Russia – 23 September 1956 Hollywood, California) Commercial photographer, first film work as a cameraman in 1910 with the Chicago Essanay after a year in the lab. He stayed at Essanay until 1917.
Wesley Ruggles (11 June 1889 Los Angeles, California – 8 January 1972 Santa Monica, California) After touring the Pacific Coast in stock companies he began his film work as an actor at Keystone in 1914. He joined the Essanay Chaplin unit in July 1915, stayed until it disbanded, worked as an actor at Vitagraph, and a director at FBO, Paramount, Universal, RKO, Columbia and MGM. His films include: The Plastic Age (1926), Silk Stockings (1927), Cimarron (1931), I’m No Angel (1933), Arizona (1940).
Martha Russell She was an actress with the Chicago Essanay from 1910 to 1912, began giving lectures on making movies in 1911 managed by her husband Charles C. Pyle, returning to Essanay in April 1912. She left Essanay in September 1912 to go on another lecture tour. In 1914 she was in a vaudeville skit with Essanay actor Patrick Calhoun contrasting the on and off-screen lives of a romantic movie couple.
William A. Russell (1878 Illinois – 11 January 1914 Hollywood, California) He began as a propman with the Chicago Essanay studio in 1909, left with Anderson for Colorado in September, and also filled in as an actor. He left Niles with the Mackley unit for Los Angeles in November 1912. Tuberculosis prevented him from returning in 1913, and he never recovered.
Bessie Sankey (1891 Oakland, California – ?) She began acting with Ye Liberty in Oakland in April 1907, toured with the Marjorie Rambeau Company in 1912, and joined the Niles Essanay company in November 1912. She left in May 1913, toured with Oliver Morosco’s stage production of The Traffic and continued in the theater until at least 1917. Her films include: Blue Grass (1915), The Heart of New York (1916).
Stanley Sargent (31 March 1895 California – 28 September 1949 Los Angeles, California) The son of a Monterey superior court judge, he joined the Niles Essanay company as a cowboy in October 1912 and stayed until October 1914.
Ruth Saville (7 June 1892 Allessandro, California – 31 March 1985 Los Angeles, California) She began acting on the stage in 1905 and was with the Belasco Stock Company by 1909. She came to the Niles Essanay studio in September 1915 and stayed until January 1916. Her long career included many appearances on stage, radio and television. Films include: None So Blind (1916), Never Too Late (1965).
Bernice Sawyer [Nellie Bogdon] (25 May 1911 San Francisco, California – 17 March 1978 Brooklyn, New York) She was a child actress in Broncho Billy and the Baby, the first of her three 1915 Anderson Niles Essanay westerns when she was staying with the Sawyers, friends of her family. As Sally Phipps she began a second movie career (named as a Wampas Baby Star in 1927) working in several Fox films until 1930, when she took a part in the Kaufman and Hart play Once in a Lifetime. Her films include: Bertha the Sewing Machine Girl (1926), The Cradle Snatchers (1927), None But the Brave (1928).
Eva Sawyer (2 January 1882 California – 27 May 1955 Oakland, California) Wife of Niles Essanay set designer Warren Sawyer, she acted in Niles from the fall of 1914 to the closing of the studio in 1916, except for two months recovering from a stagecoach accident in Niles Canyon in November 1914.
Warren Sawyer aka Warren Robert Hallowell Sawyer (4 August 1877 Ohio – 11 April 1952 San Leandro, California) On the stage crew at the Orpheum and Ye Liberty theaters in Oakland, he joined the Niles Essanay company in June 1913, took charge of the prop department, and occasionally acted in small parts until the studio closed in 1916. Thereafter, he once again worked in Oakland theaters as a stage carpenter.
Ruth Schrock She acted for the western Essanay in Morrison, Colorado, in September and October 1909.
Betty Scott She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Dick Scott [Richard Scott] He was an actor with the western Essanay in Santa Barbara in February 1910 while performing at night with the Girton Stock Company.
Elizabeth Scott She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Estelle Scott She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Gertrude Scott (? Kent, England – 23 December 1951 England) She was an actor with the Chicago Essanay in 1913.
Lee Scott [Edmund Lee Scott] (16 August 1863 Milpitas, California – 27 March 1940 Redwood City, California) The owner of the Live Oak saloon in Niles Canyon, he became the janitor at the Niles Essanay studio in July 1913, when his business failed. He also acted in films until the studio closed in 1916. His wife Elizabeth was an extra with the company in late 1915.
Leon A. Searle [Leon A. Searl] (? – 27 January 1919 Flushing, New York) He was an animator at the Chicago Essanay in 1916.
Margaret Seay She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 191-?
De Wess Seewir aka De Weese Coltone Seewir (24 May 1889 Kansas City, Missouri – ?) His first work as an actor in film was with the Chicago Essanay in March 1915.
John Seitz [John Francis Seitz] (23 June 1892 Chicago, Illinois – 27 February 1979 Woodland Hills, California) He worked in the lab at the Chicago Essanay in 1909 until September 1910, when he joined the American Film Company, becoming a cameraman. Worked at the St. Louis Motion Picture Company. Became one of the great cinematographers.
Evelyn Selbie aka Jet Selbie [Evelyn Selby] (6 July 1880 Louisville, Kentucky – 7 December 1950 Los Angeles, California) An actress on stage since the 1890s, she came to the Niles Essanay studio from the Melies Film Company in October 1912. She stayed until March 1915, then went to Universal. She later played small roles in a variety of films: The Devil to Pay (1920), Cafe in Cairo (1924), Camille (1927), King of Kings (1927), Wings (1929), The Return of Fu Manchu (1930), The Merry Widow (1934), Two in a Crowd (1936), Tower of London (1939).
Charles Allen Seltzer [Charles Alden Seltzer] (15 August 1875 – ?) He was a writer at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917.
Edna Sharpe (23 July 1890 Oakland, California – 27 January 1967 San Francisco, California) An actress at Ye Liberty in 1910, she joined the Niles Essanay company in September 1912 and worked off and on until July 1913. Her grandmother owned the Belvoir Hotel in Niles.
Brinsley Shaw [Sheldon Brinsley Shaw Jr.] (1876 New York City – 3 July 1931 New York City) An actor on stage since the 1890s, his first film work was with New York Cameraphone. He joined the Chicago Essanay company in May 1910, worked for G. M. Anderson’s western Essanay from 1910 to 1913, and left in October 1913 for Vitagraph, later acting at Lubin, Universal and Metro. He returned to the Broadway stage in the late 1920s. His films include: The Man of Mystery (1917), The Hornet’s Nest (1919), Hearts Are Trumps (1920), The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921), Three Wise Fools (1923), Bucking the Truth (1926). His wife was Helene.
H.S. Sheldon [Harry Sophus Sheldon] (1877 Denmark – 18 March 1940 New York, New York) Actor and playwright. He was a writer at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915-16.
Tommy Shirley [Thomas P. Shirley] (1899 – 24 January 1962 New York, New York) His first work as an actor was with the Chicago Essanay in 1911. Continued in Hollywood, appearing in King of Kings. Radio work included announcing for Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy. Television work included series Love of Life, and first role on Broadway in Advise and Consent.
Colonel Sickles He was an actor in the Chicago Essanay film The Adventures of Buffalo Bill filmed on location in North Dakota in 1913.
E. M. Sincere He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
Marion Skinner She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915 to 1917.
John Slavin [John C. Slavin] (1869 New York, New York – 27 August 1940 New York, New York) Started stage career at 10 in a San Francisco minstrel show. Also worked in musical comedy and vaudeville. He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915. Son: Ray Slavin (New York)
Sam W. Small, Jr. (? Atlanta, Georgia – ?) He was a newspaper writer who worked at the Chicago Essanay in 1917.
Arthur Smith [Arthur T. Smith?] (1878 – 14 April 1958 Norwalk, Connecticut) He was an actor with the western Essanay from September 1909 to June 1910.
Clara Smith She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913.
Honus Smith He was an assistant carpenter at the Chicago Essanay studio, in 1916 was property man with the studio. He acted in The Strange Case of Mary Page as a property man in a road company.
Joseph G. Smith In January 1909 he was a car mechanic in Denver; in October he was a western Essanay actor, and remained so until March 1911.
Will E. Smith [William E. Smith] (20 June 1888 Kingman, Kansas – 1972) He started as a film projectionist for George Spoor’s Kinodrome company, and was a Chicago Essanay cameraman from 1915 to 1917.
J. Bradley Smollen [James Bradley Smollen] (8 June 1891 Racine, Wisconsin – 10 August 1966 Duarte, California) A newspaper writer, first at the Racine Journal-News, then Chicago Examiner, he wrote stories for the Chicago Essanay in 1917, living at 5063 Winthrop in Chicago, was working in Los Angeles in 1921 at Vitagraph.
Hans A. Spanuth [Hans August Spanuth] (8 June 1884 – 23 January 1976 Waukegan, Illinois) Produced Oliver Twist in 1912 with Nat Goodwin and founded Commonwealth Motion Pictures in 1917. Director at Essanay. Daughter: Jean Jordan; Two grandchildren; Two great grandchildren
J. N. Spence He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Martha Spier (1885 Germany – ?) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1910. In 1911 she was at Pathe.
Bob Spoor [Robert E. Spoor] (20 November 1875 Waukegan, Illinois – 18 June 1932 Chicago, Illinois) He was a brother of George Spoor and worked at the Chicago Essanay Film Company studio from about 1913, and was general superintendent from 1917 to at least September 1918. He died in an accidental fall from a balcony at the studio, at that time the Spoor–Abbe Film Manufacturing Company.
Clinton Dewitt Spoor (28 September 1882 Waukegan, Illinois – 23 February 1942 Waukegan, Illinois) He was a brother of George Spoor and worked at the Essanay Film Company Chicago studio as an electrician. By 1917 he was working at the Academy Theater in Waukegan in that capacity.
George K. Spoor (18 December 1871 Highland Park, Illinois – 24 November 1953 Chicago, Illinois) In the fall of 1895, Spoor was managing the Opera House in Waukegan, Illinois, when he met inventor and Waukegan resident Edward Amet, who had an idea for the Magniscope, a motion picture projector. In 1896, the projector was a reality, and Spoor set up a service to rent films with a projector and operator to vaudeville theaters. When Amet sold his ownership in the system to someone else in 1898, Spoor recruited one of his projectionists, Donald Bell, to adapt a Sears and Roebuck projector into a useful and reliable machine. Bell worked out a prototype and went to a Chicago machine shop, where he met Albert Howell, a gifted mechanic, who transformed the prototype into the Kinodrome projector. Spoor set up his Kinodrome service along the same lines as the Magniscope, placing them in over 120 Orpheum theaters from the midwest to California. In 1905, he established the National Film Rental Company in Chicago. In 1907, he and Gilbert M. Anderson formed the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company, with Spoor as president. Spoor signed up Essanay as a member of the Motion Picture Patents Company on December 18, 1908, and began a period of continuous growth for Essanay, with a studio at 1333 Argyle Street in Chicago in 1909. By 1916, when Anderson sold out his share of the company to Spoor, the Chicago studio had expanded twice. Spoor closed the studio in 1918, and devoted his time to financing two inventions: a continuous film processor unit, that was being sold to studios by the late 1920s, and Natural Vision, a wide-screen 3–D film system that premiered in Chicago in 1930, and drove Spoor into bankruptcy. He received an honorary Academy Award in 1948 as a pioneer in the film industry.
Harry Spoor [Henry Alfred Spoor] (21 December 1873 Waukegan, Illinois – 22 November 1929 London, England) He was the treasurer at the McVickers Theater in Chicago from 1897 until he went to London to run the Essanay film exchange beginning in 1909 under an agreement with his brother George Spoor.
Judge Spoor [Walter Garfield Spoor] (16 April 1880 Waukegan, Illinois – after 1950) He was a brother of George Spoor and worked at the Chicago Essanay Film Company studio. By 1917 he was manager of the Academy Theater in Waukegan.
Major Spoor [Marvin Wilbur Spoor] (4 October 1892 Waukegan, Illinois – 3 December 1951 Evanston, Illinois) He was a brother of George Spoor and worked first in the lab in 1913, then as a cameraman at Chicago Essanay studio from 1914 to June 1917, continuing on with his brother for Spoor’s Natural Vision process films to 1933.
Mollie Spoor [Mary Louise Spoor Brand] (March 1887 Waukegan, Illinois – 18 October 1985 Lake Bluff, Illinois) She was an illustrator trained at the Art Institute of Chicago and the sister of George Spoor. She designed the Indianhead logo for the company.
Jack Squire (1894 New York, New York – ?) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay, also working at Fox and Lubin.
Earl Stanhope He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Minnie Stanley (1878 – 1 April 1948 New York, New York) Longtime stage actor. She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Hallworth Stark He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
H. Tipton Steck [Harry Tipton Steck] (24 October 1888 Chicago, Illinois – 3 June 1953 Bel Air, California) A writer for the Chicago Tribune in 1908, his first film work as a writer with the Chicago Essanay in 1909. Stayed until the studio closed in 1918, then moved to Los Angeles, working at Ince, Universal and Warners. Became advertising manager at Citizen’s National Bank in Los Angeles.
Leo Stein He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Arthur Steinguard He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Al Steis aka Albert Victor Steis (14 January 1879 Washington Heights, Illinois – 12 April 1950 Chicago, Illinois) Superintendent of Chicago Essanay lab from 1911 to 1930. Wife: Daisy (1887 Indiana); Son: William B. 18 Dec 1912 Chicago – 15 Jan 1997 Rome, Georgia); Grandson: William B. Steis Jr. Malibu, CA
John Steppling (8 August 1870 Essen, Germany – 5 April 1932 Hollywood, California) A stage actor, he worked at the Chicago Essanay studio for two years, then left for American, acting in the Billy Van Deusen series with director Archer McMackin. He later worked at Universal and other companies. Wife: Martha; Grandson: John Steppling (screenwriter and playwright); Great grandson: Alexis Steppling
Margaret Steppling She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913. Daughter of John Steppling.
Kathleen Stevens (1894 Decatur, Illinois – At the Chicago Essanay in 1915)
Charles J. Stine (19 August 1864 Freeport, Illinois – 5 June 1934 Bay Shore, New Jersey) Longtime stage actor, beginning in 1878. His first film work was at the Chicago Essanay from March 1913. Daughter born in 1913.
Carl Stockdale [William Carlton Stockdale] (19 February 1874 Worthington, Minnesota – 15 March 1953 Woodland Hills, California) He acted in many western Essanay dramas with Anderson and played Dr. Bealy Byers (his real-life wife was Clara Byers) in the Snakeville Comedies. He went to the Liberty Film Company in February 1915, returned to Niles in March, acted in Chaplin’s The Bank in Los Angeles, and appeared in Essanay features directed in 1917 by W. S. Van Dyke. Like his stage career, his movie career was long and active. A few films include: Intolerance (1916), Open Places (1917), Molly O (1921), The Extra Girl (1923), The Love Parade (1929), The Vampire Bat (1933), Lost Horizon (1937), The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941).
Frank Stockdale [Franklin E. Stockdale] (30 November 1870 Fairfield Co., Ohio – 31 December 1950 Los Angeles, California) The brother of Carl Stockdale, he was an actor with the Niles Essanay studio from March to October 1914. He had very small parts in many films, among them: The Gold Rush (1925).
William T. Stockdale (16 July 1845 Pennsylvania – 24 June 1923 Los Angeles, California) The father of Carl and Frank, he was an actor at the Niles Essanay studio during the summer of 1914.
Lewis Stone (15 November 1879 Worcester, Massachusetts – 12 September 1953 Santa Monica, California) Broadway actor before entering films. He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916. He came to Essanay after his debut in Honor’s Alter, an Ince film in 1915. Long career at Metro.
Ruth Stonehouse (28 September 1895 Victor, Colorado – 12 May 1941 Hollywood, California) First film work as an actor with the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912. Married to Joseph Roach. Second husband (1930) – Felix Hughes, brother of Rupert (d 1961 Los Angeles)
George Strongheart [Nipo T. Strongheart] (15 May 1891 Yakima Valley, Washington – 30 December 1966 Los Angeles, California) His first film work was with Selig, then Chicago Essanay, and later the Peerless Motion Picture Company at Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Dixie Stuart (1893 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – ?) She sang in musical comedies for eight years before entering films as an actor at the Chicago Essanay around 1914. Later worked at Albuquerque, Pathe and American.
Earl Sudderth [Robert Earl Sudderth] (14 September 1891 Lenoir, North Carolina – 10 June 1957 Oakland, California) A student of the artist A. D. M. Cooper, he was a scenic painter with the Niles Essanay studio beginning in November 1913. He went to the Liberty Film Company in September 1914, but returned to Niles by March 1915. He later worked at Lawrence Abrott’s Western Scenic Studios in Oakland.
Marion Sullivan She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Ted Sullivan (1889 – 29 December 1927 Brooklyn, New York) Stage actor. He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Frank Sund [Frank J. Sund] (5 April 1892 Dundee, Illinois – 4 April 1933 Long Beach, California) He was recruited for the Niles Essanay baseball team in September 1913 as a catcher, was a scenic painter with the company and an actor from October 1913 to June 1914.
Gloria Swanson [Gloria Mae] (27 March 1899 Chicago, Illinois – 4 April 1983 New York, New York) Her first film as an actor was with the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914. She went from there to Keystone, then Triangle and fame.
Peggy Sweeney (1893 or 1890 Baltimore, Maryland – ?) She had no professional stage experience when she joined the Chicago Essanay as an actor in 1913.
Ethel Sykes She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Josephine Sylvester She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Richard Taber (1884 Long Branch, New Jersey – 16 November 1957 New York, New York) Longtime stage actor. His first appearance as a film actor was with the Chicago Essanay company in 1915. Co-author and actor with James Gleason is Broadway hit Is Zat So? (1925) Later worked in TV.
Louis Talbot He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908.
Beth Taylor (28 June 1888 New York City – 1 March 1951 Hollywood, California) She acted with the Belasco Stock Company in Los Angeles in 1909, Ye Liberty in Oakland in 1911, played opposite Charles Ruggles at the Alcazar Theatre in San Francisco later that year. She joined the Niles Essanay company in August 1912 and left in December for the Redmond Stock Company in Sacramento. She went to Hollywood in 1921.
Maverick Terrell (12 June 1875 Indiana – 16 August 1943 Hollywood, California) Writing for Max Linder at the Culver City Essanay studio in 1917.
Louis Theuer He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Jane Thomas She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Edmund Thompson He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915. Weighs 300 pounds.
Elmer C. Thompson (1884 Nebraska – ?) He joined the western Essanay company in Santa Barbara as an actor in January 1910, traveled to Chicago with them and returned west with the company, leaving them by May 1911.
Hugh E. Thompson (20 May 1887 St. Louis, Missouri – ?) A stage actor, his first film work was at the Chicago Essanay on March 2, 1915.
Robert P. Thompson (1888 Waterloo, Iowa – ?) He was an actor and assistant director at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
John Thorn (1880 – 28 August 1935 Mercer, Pennsylvania) He worked as an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
May Thorn She acted in Broncho Billy and the Sisters as one of the sisters in 1914 at the Niles Essanay studio.
Francis Thorp He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
Fred Tilden He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917.
Elizabeth Tinder She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Harry Todd aka William Todd [John Nelson Todd] (13 December 1863 Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania – 15 February 1935 Glendale, California) His stage career began in 1877 in a production of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. He acted with the Chicago Essanay in its early days, went to Selig in 1909, then returned to Essanay by February 1910. Anderson took him west in September 1910. He acted in many Essanay western dramas and also appeared as Mustang Pete in the Snakeville Comedies, as did his wife Margaret Joslin. Their daughter Marguerite was sometimes an extra in films. Harry stayed with Essanay until the Niles studio closed in 1916, then worked at Universal, Rolin, Golden West, Metro, Columbia and many others. Among his many films: Luke’s Movie Muddle (1916), Lonesome Luke, Messenger (1917), Skinny Gets a Goat (1917), Red Blood and Yellow (1918), The Son of a Gun (1918), Hoot Mon (1919), Fickle Women (1920), The Jack Knife Man (1920), Penrod (1922), The Hurricane Kid (1925), King of the Congo (1929), The Fighting Legion (1930), The Texas Ranger (1931), It Happened One Night (1934).
Ida Totheroh She was an actor at the Niles Essanay studio in 1915. Wife of Rollie Totheroh.
Jack Totheroh (24 August 1914 Niles, California – ?) He was an actor at the Niles Essanay studio in The Bachelor’s Baby (1915). Son of Rollie Totheroh.
Rollie Totheroh [Roland Herbert Totheroh] (29 November 1890 San Francisco, California – 17 June 1967 Hollywood, California) He came to Niles to play on the baseball team in August 1912, and became an actor with the Niles Essanay studio. He learned to operate a movie camera and took up that profession with Essanay in June 1913, working on Broncho Billy westerns and Snakeville Comedies. His wife Ida (a sister of Kite Robinson’s wife Malvina) appeared in some of the last Essanay films in 1915, and Rollie’s son Jack was the baby in The Bachelor’s Baby. When the studio closed in 1916 he went to Los Angeles, was hired by Chaplin for his Mutual films and continued to work with him until retirement in 1954. He was a member of the American Society of Cinematographers. Some of the films he photographed: Easy Street (1917), A Dog’s Life (1918), The Kid (1921), A Woman of Paris (1923), The Gold Rush (1925), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936).
Joseph Byron Totten (1 June 1875 Brooklyn, New York – 29 April 1946 New York, New York) Playwright, stage actor, his first film work was with the Chicago Essanay in 1908, then in 1914 as an actor, writer and director. Wife: Leslie B. Totten
Robert H. Townley He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913.
Albert Tracey He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1913.
J. Travers He was an actor with the western Essanay from January to August 1910.
Richard C. Travers [Richard Tibb] (15 April 1885 Hudson Bay Trading Post, Canada – 20 April 1935 San Pedro, California) He practiced medicine before answering the call to the theatrical stage. He worked at Lubin for two years before joining the Chicago Essanay in 1913.
Ben Turpin [Bernard Turpin] (19 September 1869 New Orleans, Louisiana – 1 July 1940 Santa Monica, California) A vaudeville veteran, he was discovered by Anderson and became Essanay’s first actor in their first film, made in Chicago in 1907. He went with Anderson on his first trip to California in 1908 and acted in Essanay’s Colorado westerns in January 1909, but quit the company that spring and returned to vaudeville in his “Happy Hooligan” act. He came back to Essanay in 1913, worked in the Sweedie Comedies and the George Ade Fables, and acted in Chaplin’s first Essanay film, His New Job. He came to Niles with Chaplin, appearing in Chaplin’s first two Niles films. His wife Carrie often acted with him at Essanay in Niles. After the Niles studio closed in January 1916, he worked in the expanded version of Burlesque on Carmen, then went to Vogue Films for a year. At Mack Sennett’s Keystone studio he reached his greatest success. Some of his films: A Clever Dummy (1917), East Lynne with Variations (1919), A Small Town Idol (1921), Three Foolish Weeks (1924), Million Dollar Legs 1932), Keystone Hotel (1935), Saps at Sea (1940).
Carrie Turpin (1878 Quebec, Canada – 1 October 1925 Beverly Hills, California) The wife of Ben Turpin, she acted at Essanay in Niles from March 1915 until the studio’s closing in 1916.
Roy Tyrrell He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
Lenore Ulrich (21 July 1892 New Ulm, Minnesota – 30 December 1970 Orangeburg, New York) Stage actress. Here first film work was with the Chicago Essanay in 1912. She was signed to an exclusive contract to David Belasco in 1916, and didn’t return to film work until 1929.
Corene Uzzell (1890 Houston, Texas – ?) She worked as an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1917.
Reina Valdez [Rena Jones] (December 1890 Springfield, Massachusetts – ?) A dancer, she went into movies with Lubin, joined the Niles Essanay company as an actress in September 1913 and left in March 1914. She also worked at Kalem, Lasky, Eclair and directed at Ideal. Her films include: The Weaker Mind (1913), The Woman He Married (1915), Mismated (1916).
Virginia Valli [Virginia McSweeney] (10 June 1895 Chicago, Illinois – 24 September 1968 Palm Springs, California) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917. She married Charles Farrell in 1931 and retired from acting.
W.S. Van Dyke [Woodbridge Strong Van Dyke II] (21 March 1889 San Diego, California – 5 February 1943 Brentwood, California) He was an assistant director at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915-1916, and then a director at the Culver City Essanay studio in 1917.
Ernest Van Pelt (31 March 1883 Kansas – 1 July 1961 Los Angeles, California) He began his theatrical career at the Burbank Theater in Los Angeles, working there three and a half years. He was with the Keating and Flood Musical Comedy Company in Portland, Oregon, in 1911. He and his wife Ella partnered in a vaudeville routine, “The Chattering Chums.” For two years he was an actor with Dillon and King in the San Francisco Bay Area, then he came to the Niles Essanay studio as an actor in July 1914. He played Hiram Clutts in the Snakeville Comedies, and acted in several of the Chaplin Niles films. He left Essanay in April 1915. In 1926 he and his brother Homer produced a series of two-reel films starring Fearless, the dog detective. For twenty years he worked in the public relations department at Loew’s, Incorporated, a theater management company. His films include: Bring Him In (1921), Avenging Fangs (1927), I Live for Love (1935).
Teddy Virgo He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
M. C. Von Betz – see Matthew Betz
Frank A. Wade He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Fred H. Wagner (16 April 1877 Chicago, Illinois – June 1965) He was a cameraman at the Chicago Essanay in 1913, an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916, a claims adjuster with Essanay in 1918.
Warren Wait He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Antoinette Walker (1874 – 14 July 1970 Topsfield, Massachusetts) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1916.
Ethel Wallace (1888 Springfield, Missouri – 7 September 1956 Springfield, Missouri) Musical comedy singer. Appeared as The Girl in Essanay Chicago’s The Other Girl (1915). Daughter: Cynda Glenn
Grace Walsh She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917.
John Walters (7 August 1876 –?) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay.
Studge Walters He was a prop man at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908.
William Walters [William C. Walters] (5 May 1884 Sylvia, Kansas – 23 January 1944 Hollywood, California) He worked in vaudeville with his wife before joining the Chicago Essanay as an actor in 1911. Wife: Dorothy
Anna May Walthall (3 October 1894 Alabama – 17 April 1950 Van Nuys, California) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915. Married name Anna Mae Eldridge. Daughter of Henry B. Walthall.
Henry B. Walthall (16 March 1878 Shelbey County, Alabama – 17 June 1936 Monrovia, California) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915. Grandson: Mario Cueto (St Tampa, Florida)
Carrie Clark Ward (9 January 1862 Virginia City, Nevada – 6 February 1926 Hollywood, California) A veteran stage performer, she joined the Chaplin Essanay unit in Los Angeles as an actress in July 1915 and stayed until October. Later films include: The Honor System (1917), Penrod (1922), Scaramouche (1923), The Eagle (1925).
Irene Warfield (1896 – 10 April 1961 New York, New York) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913. Debut in Grist for the Mill.
Dorothy Warrington She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
Dorothy Warshauer She won a contest sponsored by the Chicago Herald and Essanay to find the most popular girl in Chicago, and was then cast in the title role of Sue (1915).
Bryant Washburn aka Dwight Ludlow (28 April 1889 Chicago, Illinois – 30 April 1963 Woodland Hills, California) A stage actor from 1907, his first film work was with the Chicago Essanay in 1911. Married to Mabel Forrest in 1914.
Bryant Washburn IV (12 October 1915 Chicago, Illinois – ?) He appeared in films at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1916.
Howard Watrous He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Minor S. Watson (22 December 1889 Marianna, Arkansas – 28 July 1965 Alton, Illinois) Stage actor. He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913.
Harry Watson, Jr. (? West Bay City, Michigan – ?) Was with the Ringling Brothers circus, Ziegfeld Follies, and vaudeville before acting in films for the first time in the Musty Suffer series begun by Kleine and continued by Essanay in Chicago in 1917.
Red Watson [James C. Watson] (1891 – ?) He was a boxer who joined the western Essanay in San Diego in January 1912. He acted, and played on the Niles baseball team before leaving in late 1913. Took out a license to wed Mary Sullivan on 15 July 1913.
Harry McRae Webster (1870 New York – ?) Stage director. Hired by the Chicago Essanay studio in late 1910 to re-constitute the staff after the American Film hired away most of the company. Directed there for five years. In Grantwood, N J in 1920. Son: Wayne McRae Webster (1913, Chicago); Grandson: Thomas Webster
Kate Webster She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Helen Weer March (1895 Anderson, Indiana – ?) First film work as an actor with the Chicago Essanay, then went to World, Frohman,
Famous Players, Lubin and Fine Arts.
Estelle Wells (1895 Detroit, Michigan – ?) Acted with American, Chicago Essanay, Mirror, Metro, Pathe, World, Peerless, and Famous Players.
Philip Wells He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917.
Charley West He was an electrician with the Niles Essanay company in December 1913.
Hazel West (1896 Louisiana – ?) She was an actress with Essanay in August 1915. Her husband was the Niles Essanay studio scenic painter Leo West.
Howard Dunbar West (21 September 1880 San Francisco, California – 5 November 1965 Yountville, California) He was a Niles Essanay assistant cameraman from 1913 to 1916. Guard for Spring Valley Water Company June 1917.
Leo Goden West (1 June 1891 Sacramento, California – 23 September 1966 Santa Cruz, California) A student of artist A. D. M. Cooper, he was a Niles Essanay scenic painter and actor from January 1914 to January 1916. He worked at the Strand Theater in San Diego from 1919 to 1924, in Hollywood after that, and then at CBS television until his retirement in 1959. He moved to Santa Cruz and taught classes in art to senior citizens during his last years. His son Davis West was a scenic painter for the San Francisco Opera.
Neva West [Neva West Clements] (10 September 1883 California – 5 October 1965 Glendale, California) The wife of Niles Essanay director Roy Clements, she’d been a stage actress before their marriage, and signed with Francis Boggs in May 1909 when he was visiting San Francisco with Selig Polyscope, but in June 1910 she was back on stage with the Girton Stock Company at the Grand Theater. She played small roles at Essanay in 1914 and 1915.
Bert Weston (1884 – 6 June 1930 Hollywood, California) A burlesque actor, he was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1917.
Mildred Weston She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1911.
Theodore Wharton (12 April 1875 Milwaukee, Wisconsin – 27 November 1931 Hollywood, California) He began in films in 1907 as a freelance writer, selling scenarios to Edison and Kalem. He was a director at American Pathe in 1910, and moved to the Chicago Essanay in 1911. Famous for serials
Arthur S. White (11 September 1881 England – 27 September 1924 Los Angeles, California) He was a scenic painter and actor with the western Essanay from September 1909 to March 1912. In May he was with Bison, then worked for the American Film Company and, lastly, the Fox Film Company.
Leo White [Leo Weiss] (10 November 1882 Graudenz, Germany – 20 September 1948 Hollywood, California) He made his debut as an actor on stage in 1902, and came to the Chicago Essanay studio in July 1912. His first film was Three to One. He appeared in some of Essanay’s George Ade Fables and many other comedies for the company. He was in Chaplin’s Essanay film His New Job, came to Niles with Chaplin and went with Chaplin to Los Angeles. After Chaplin left Essanay Leo reportedly directed additional scenes for Burlesque on Carmen to expand it from two reels to four reels. He originated his character of the French count in the Chaplin Essanay films and kept playing the role in the King Bee films of Chaplin imitator Billy West. He also acted with Chaplin in some of Chaplin’s Mutual films, worked at the Hal Roach Studios and was a contract player with Warner Brothers for fourteen years. A few of his many films: Dough-Nuts (1917), The Handy Man (1918), The Chauffeur (1919), The Devil’s Passkey (1920), Blood and Sand (1922), Why Worry (1923), Ben-Hur (1925), Roarin’ Ranch (1930), Rasputin and the Empress (1932), The Kennel Murder Case (1933), The Thin Man (1934), A Night at the Opera (1935), The Great Dictator (1940), Meet John Doe (1941), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), In Old New Mexico (1945), My Wild Irish Rose (1947). Sons: Jack (1906 – ?); Son: Leo Jr. (1911 – ?)
Master White He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913. son of Leo White
May White She acted with Essanay in Niles briefly before leaving with the Chaplin unit for Los Angeles. She continued with Chaplin at Mutual. Films include: The Beauty Hunters (1916), The Adventurer (1917).
Mrs. Margaret A. Wiggin (? Indiana – ?) Acted at the Chicago Essanay, Selig, Rothacker and Wholesome Films.
Lee Willard [Asa Lee Willard] (13 June 1873 Illinois – 9 December 1940 San Francisco, California) A stage actor beginning in 1903, he joined the Niles Essanay company in April 1913 and remained with the company until the studio closed in 1916. He continued acting both in Los Angeles and in the San Francisco Bay Area for the rest of his life. Films include: The Mediator (1916), The Last Edition (1925), The Ice Flood (1926), The Fourth Commandment (1927), The Man with Nine Lives (1940).
Clara Williams aka Clara Hall [Clara Williams Hall] (3 May 1888 Seattle, Washington – 8 May 1928 Los Angeles, California) An actress on stage since 1908, she came to the western Essanay in December 1909 with her husband Franklyn Hall. Her first film was The Cowboy and the Squaw. She and Hall left Essanay in October 1910, went back to Chicago for an engagement on stage and returned to films with Lubin in Philadelphia. After a year she came to California and joined the New York Motion Picture Corporation studio in Santa Monica, known as Inceville. She worked there until signing with Paralta in 1917. She retired after marrying director Reginald Barker in 1920. Some of her films: The Bargain (1914), The Italian (1915), Hell’s Hinges (1916), The One Woman (1918).
Frank D. Williams (21 March 1889 Nashville, Missouri – ?) Educated in Pittsburg Living as a photographer in Denver in 1910. With Roscoe Arbuckle in New York in 1917. First work as a cameraman at the Chicago Essanay in 1912?
Josephine Williams (1855 Liverpool, England – 14 June 1937 New York, New York) Longtime stage actor. She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1908.
Miss Willis She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913.
Louise Willis (1880 – 2 January 1929 Chicago, Illinois) Character actor. She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914. Daughter: Mrs. J. B. Allen (Lila); Son: Charles Willis; One granddaughter
Shortie Wilson [Tom Wilson?] (? – ?) He was an actor with the Niles Essanay company from December 1914, and went to Los Angeles with the Chaplin unit in April 1915.
Lawrence C. Windom [Lawrence Clement Windom] (5 October 1872 New York, New York – ?) Longtime stage director. His first film work was at Pathe before joining the Chicago Essanay in 1915. Director at Triangle Film Company in September 1918.
Fritz Wintermeier [Fred C. Wintermeyer] (15 April 1892 Muscatine, Iowa – 18 March 1970 Newport Beach, California) He came to Niles as an actor in the summer of 1912, left for Los Angeles in 1913, returned in March 1914. He stayed with the Niles Essanay company until February 1916, when he brought the rough-cut of G.M. Anderson’s feature, Humanity, to New Orleans and then assisted him in New York and Fort Lee during the making of Vera, the Medium. As Fred Windermere he directed films in the 1920s, and married actress Belle Bennett in 1924. His films include: Drummer of the 8th (1913), The Prince Chap (1916), Won By a Nose (1920), The Verdict (1925), Broadway After Midnight (1927), Devil Dogs (1928).
Darr Wittenmyer [Darrell Wittenmyer] (10 October 1888 Martinez, California – 6 Dec 1940 Yountville, California) Raised in Oakland, California, he joined the Niles Essanay company in February 1914 as a bookkeeper, actor and baseball player (second base) and stayed until the studio closed in 1916. He married Niles girl Mae Enos.
Frank Wonderly He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Frances Wood She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Frederick Wood He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Jack Wood aka John A. Wood, [Leonard Louis Woods] (27 October 1897 Canon City, Colorado – 3 September 1942 Los Angeles, California) He was a cowboy for the Arthur Mackley unit in Los Angeles in 1912, came to Niles when the unit disbanded and stayed until May 1914. He worked at Universal beginning in 1916, and by 1919 was in several John Ford westerns.
Marie Woods She was a Niles Essanay actress in 1914.
Martin Woods He was a Niles Essanay actor in 1914.
Olif Worman He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1918.
Charles Wright (1881 – 22 August 1926 Emporia, Kansas) Vaudeville comedian, touring companies. He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1914.
Fred E. Wright (8 March 1871 Dover, England or Catskill Mts, New York – 12 December 1928 New York, New York) At first a Shakespearean actor, he directed plays for 15 years before entering films at Pathe. Came to the Chicago Essanay in 1915. Married to Nell Craig.
Fred Wulf He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1912.
Fred Wyatt He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
I. A. R. Wylie He was a writer at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1915.
Cecil Yapp (4 April 1879 Quebec, Canada – 4 February 1959 St. Paul, Minnesota) He was an actor at the Chicago Essanay in 1915.
James Young [James L. Young, Jr.] (1 January 1875 Baltimore, Maryland – 9 June 1948 New York, New York) A longtime stage actor, he worked at Vitagraph for 5 years before joining the Chicago Essanay in 1917 as an actor and director.
Richard Young He was a western Essanay cowboy and Anderson’s chauffeur from June to November 1911 until a car accident nearly killed him. He was alone, driving at night when the car went off the road and rolled over into water. He would have drowned if a passerby hadn’t pulled him free, but he was in a hospital for a month and never rejoined the company.
Henry Youngman (7 November 1846 Shelbyville, Indiana – 24 December 1940 San Francisco, California) He was a Civil War veteran and Niles resident, hired when the Niles Essanay studio opened in June 1913 to take care of the horse stable. He also acted in many Essanay films until the studio closed in 1916.
Flora Zabelle (1880 – 7 October 1968 New York, New York) She was an actor at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1913. Husband: Raymond Hitchcock
Harry Zeck [Harry Zech] (1884 Lancaster, Pennsylvania – 11 December 1944 Los Angeles, California) He was a cameraman at the Chicago Essanay studio in 1910, left for American in October, returned at some point and stayed until 1917.
