Mont Mettie Munger Vaudevillian

   

     I have touched on my maternal grand uncle's (through marriage) time on stage, singing and dancing in vaudeville shows.   Curiosity and fascination with the subject have driven me down the proverbial rabbit hole looking for additional vaudeville information.   Subscribing to the historical newspaper option through ancestry has given me the material I needed.  

     I have covered Mont's family life with his parents, wife and children.  Also his two composed, copywritten songs and his book, Song of Heaven in other blogs.  This one focuses on his vaudeville year from June 1907 to June 1908.

     To date I have no known knowledge as to whether Mont sang in the school or church choir, played an instrument in the school or town band or entertained his family, friends or schoolmates with singing and dancing.  At age twenty-two he made the decision to go on the vaudeville circuit, first as a solo act and then joining Charles Hasty's Vaudeville Company for several months.  I have culled the information from various newspaper articles and The Billboard.  I had hoped to add a photo of each theater; however, have not been too successful.  The venues have either burned down or have been renamed.  

     I have mentioned this story my mother told me in a previous blog.  Back in the 1930's, the Stark family would gather at Mom's Aunt Dorothy's apartment and Uncle Mont would entertain singing and running is fingers up and down the player piano while a piano roll was playing.  As a kid, she thought this to be hilarious.  Little did she know Mont WAS an entertainer when he was 22 and 23.

     This is probably a slim outline of Mont's vaudeville career.  He undoubtedly performed in many other venues and most weeks during the year.  This is what I was able to find researching in newspapers and on line.

1907

The Elwood Daily Record, Elwood, Indiana

     Mont Mettie Munger, performing high class singing and dancing at the Crystal Theatre, June 20, 21 and 22, 1907.

The Republic, Columbus, Indiana

July 24, 1907

The Orpheum--A New Bill

     The new bill at The Orpheum tonight will contain some good things.  Mont Mettie Munger, a refined singer and dancer, will be one of the big drawing cards.

The Republic, Columbus, Indiana

June 26, 1907

Identified as The Orpheum Theatre in Columbus, Indiana

Opened as a vaudeville theater on September 3, 1906

     Mont Munger, high class vocalist, performing at The Orpheum Theatre, Columbus, Indiana on June 24, 25 and 26, 1907.

The Billboard

Volume XIX, Number 27

July 6, 1907

Identified as the Opera House in Shelbyville, Indiana

Name changed to The Alhambra

     Mont M. Munger appearing at the City Opera House in Shelbyville, Indiana on July 13, 1907.

     This is the last article I found Mont appearing on his own without a company.  He joined Charles Hasty's Vaudeville Company sometime in July or August, 1907.

The Call Leader

Elwood, Indiana

August 15, 1907

     This article outlines Charles Hasty's vision for his vaudeville company and the first performance at the Crystal Theatre began on August 26, 1907.  Mont Mettie Munger was a featured act.

The Call-Leader, Elwood, Indiana

August 27, 1907

     "The company consists of the following well known vaudeville artists......Mont Munger, he phenomenal baritone singer, comedian and dancer....."

"The novelty number of the bill is the great sermon song, Pictures From the Book of Life, introduced by Mont Munger, the famous baritone.  A complete set of scenery and effects is carried especially for this allegorical production.  Nothing like it ever seen in vaudeville or elsewhere, before.  It is positively new and original."

The Call-Leader, Elwood, Indiana

August 27, 1907

The Call-Leader

Elwood, Indiana

August 28, 1907

     "......and Mont Munger sings Hasty's original song creation, Pictures From the Book or Life, with great success."

The Reporter-Times

Martinsville, Indiana

September 6, 1907

 

     Mont Munger in Charlie Hasty's all feature vaudeville company appearing at the Star Theatre in Martinsville, Indiana all week, Friday, September 6-Friday, September 13, 1907.

Elkhart Daily Review

Elkhart, Indiana

September 14, 1907

     Mont M. Munger at the Crystal Vaudeville Theatre the week of September 15-September 10, 1907.  Mont continues to be a member of Charles Hasty's company.  Although the internet only provided this small clip of the newspaper article, "Southern Reminscence's" was one of the mentioned acts in another newspaper article.

     There is almost a month and a half from September 10- November 4, 1907, where I was unable to find any mention of Mont and vaudeville.  Perhaps he took a break from the circuit.  Perhaps he left the Hasty Company and was reestablishing himself as a single act.  The next newspaper mention of him is as an act; however, not with the Hasty Company.

The Chattanooga News

Chattanooga, Tennessee

November 4, 1907

page 3

     Mont M. Munger appearing at Automatic Vaudeville in Chattanooga, Tennessee from Monday, November 4-Thursday November 7, 1907, two shows daily.  Mont Munger a cleaver singing and dancing comedian who is real funny.

Pensacola News Journal

Pensacola, Florida

December 15, 1907

     Mont M. Munger, singing and dancing comedian, appearing at the Crescent Theater in Pensacola, Florida, December 15, 1907.

     This is the last article I was able to locate for 1907.  The newspaper subscription from ancestry does not cover all papers in the US; however, it does have a large selection and a good search engine.  Mont could have been performing in small towns, their newspapers not in my subscription or he may have been off the circuit and looking for a more permanent full time job.

     There are two additional shows in 1908 in which he has an act,  both in Ohio.   He is slowly moving east from his mother's home in Frankfort, Indiana to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he will spend the remainder of his life.  

1908

     

Dayton Herald

Dayton, Ohio

April 2, 1908

     Mr. Mont Mettie Munger, trinier, singing and dancing artist, appearing April 2, 3 and 4 at the Pastime Theatre in Dayton, Ohio

   

News-Journal

Mansfield, Ohio

June 16, 1908

page 10

     

     Mont M. Munger, refined singing and dancing performed at the Alvin in Mansfield, Ohio June 15, 16 and 17, 1908.

     Mont made his way to Pittsburgh and in October, 1908, he married my maternal grandaunt, Lucy Wilma Stark.  How and where they met is a story that is lost to the ages.  By 1909, Mont was employed in Pittsburgh as a stenographer.  His vaudeville days were behind him.

Additional Blogs on Flipside for Mont Mettie Munger:

 Mont Mettie Munger and Lucy Wilma Stark Munger

Mont Mettie Munger--Writer, Composer, Musician and Vaudevillian

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2021, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



William Walter Frederick

     

     My maternal granduncle, William Walter Frederick, son of Alfred F. Frederick and Lucinda Bell Orr Frederick was born in Franklin Square, Columbiana County, Ohio on October 2, 1871.  He was the second child born to the Frederick's and joined his older brother, Albert L. Frederick.

     I believe the boy was referred to as Walter.  He grew up in Franklin Square and later to Columbiana and Salem, all towns in Columbiana County, Ohio.  He was used to his father not being at home as Alfred Frederick worked for the railroad.  Walter had two brothers and two sisters, attended school, played with neighborhood friends, helped with chores, attended church and spent time with a large extended family living in the Columbiana County area.

Frederick Children circa 1886

William Walter Frederick

     This is the only photo I have of Walter.  He would be about fifteen, although he looks younger to me.  

     There are very few records and documents for Walter.  Another case where the 1890 census would be helpful.  

Railroad Fireman

      The railroad fireman fed and stoked the fire in the steam engine train.  Early engines burned from 40 to 200 pounds of coal per mile.  The fireman was also responsible for keeping the wheels lubricated.    

     Walter followed his father into work with the railroad.  From an article featuring Alfred Frederick in a Pittsburgh newspaper, I learned my maternal great grandfather worked for forty years with the P&LE Railroad.  I am not certain which company Walter was with since the tracks all met in larger towns and a person could switch trains.  

    Walter would have been twenty six in 1897. I have used this article to determine when the Frederick family relocated to the Pittsburgh area from Salem, Ohio.  Certainly he would have been employed with the railroad by this time and was probably visiting old friends and family in Salem.

     Probably over a decade ago, another researcher sent me this obituary.  My mother and I had already visited the Columbiana Cemetery and located the Frederick's buried there.  I knew Walter had died at a young age.  The obituary gives a glimpse into Walter's personality--a young man that made friends easily, personable.  

     The W.J. Frederick mentioned was Walter's uncle, William Jackson Frederick, his father's brother.  William Jackson Frederick was a successful business man and for a time, was elected mayor of Garrett, Indiana.  The two women mentioned, Edith and Queen, were Walter's cousins, Mary Edith Frederick and Queen Elizabeth Fredrick.  

     The tracks that Walter traveled the final days of his life belonged to the B&O Railroad.  Garrett, Indiana was a stop on their track.  I am not certain the the P&LE Railroad also used those tracks; however, the P&LE did run from Pittsburgh to Youngstown where Walter would have made a connection to go home.  

     It was from Walter's Mahoning County, Ohio death information that I learned he followed his father into railroading as a railroad fireman.  The medical diagnosis of his death was typhoid fever.

 

   

     William Walter Frederick, age twenty seven, died on February 24, 1899 in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio.  He was buried in Columbiana Cemetery, Columbiana, Columbiana County, Ohio.  His parents were laid to rest beside their son.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2021, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Edna Mercedes Frederick Zeigler Gween of Columbiana County, Ohio and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Edna Mercedes Frederick Zeigler Gween
circa 1922

     My maternal grandmother's sister and my maternal grandaunt, Edna Mercedes Frederick.  Edna was the fourth child born to Alfred F. Frederick and Lucinda Bell Orr Frederick.

     Edna was born on August 24, 1876 in the town of Columbiana, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Edna's father, Alfred Frederick reported the birth.

     The Frederick family may have moved to Salem in Columbiana County in the mid 1880's and stayed there until the move to Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  On the 1880 Ohio Federal census, Edna's father, was employed with the railroad.  He was probably not at home for long stretches of time.  They had to live in towns where the railroad station or the rail yard was easily accessible for his work.  

Frederick Family Children
Circa 1886

     I never met my grandaunt; however, my mother, had memories of her when Aunt Edna would visit in the 1920's and early 1930's.  Apparently, Edna and her sister, Martha Marie Frederick (my maternal grandmother) were not that close.  They would talk on the telephone.  My mother's Aunt Edna would bring her presents, dolls and stuffed animals when she was young.  She remembers her as having a somewhat domineering personality; however, also had a giving nature.  I wish I had more photographs of her.  I wish I had met her.

Pittsburgh Daily Post
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
September 3, 1899
Page 13

The Pittsburgh Press
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 September 3, 1899
 Page 16

     On September 6, 1899, twenty four year old Edna May Frederick married twenty seven year old Henry G. Zeigler at her parents home on River Avenue, Esplen, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Henry G. Zeigler (sometimes referred to as first name as Harry and surname as Ziegler) was born on March 31, 1873 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Stewart B. Zeigler and Alethea D. Gunning Zeigler.

1900 Pennsylvania Federal Census
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
June 6, 1900

     The newly married Ziegler's moved in with Henry's parents at 5018 Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh. They are enumerated there on the 1900 Pennsylvania Census report, June 6, 1900. Henry (listed as Harry) was a clerk in the shoe department.  Henry's parents are running a boarding house.

     Into Henry and Edna's early married life came two tragedies.  I never knew of these two births and deaths until I subscribed to the newspaper portion of ancestry.  My mother certainly did not know her Aunt Edna had two additional children.

Pittsburgh Daily Post
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 November 12, 1900
Page 5

     Alethea Marie Zeigler, infant daughter of Harry G. and Edna M. Zeigler, died on November 11, 1900 at the residence, 5018 Liberty Avenue.  The baby was 4 months, 14 days old, having been born on June 28, 1900.  She is buried in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, along with numerous Zeigler relations.  

The Pittsburgh Press
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 17 April 17, 1902
 Page 13

     Two years later, the Zeigler's lost another infant, Robert Caldwell Zeigler on April 16, 1902 at 5018 Liberty Avenue.  Robert was born in December, 1901 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Robert is buried at Allegheny Cemetery Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, with his infant sister.

     Mary Alethea Zeigler was born in 1903, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania to Henry and Edna Zeigler.  

5703 Callowhill Road
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

1910 Pennsylvania Federal Census
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
April 19, 1910

     

     Edna Frederick Zeigler is again enumerated with her in laws along with her young daughter.  They are living in a rental property at 5703 Callowhill Road, in the Highland Park neighborhood near the Pittsburgh Zoo.  She is listed as single and employed as a telephone operator.  Henry G. Zeigler is enumerated on April 20, 1910, as a roomer in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio and employed as a shoe salesman.  He lists himself as married 11 years.  

     From the two censuses, it is somewhat unclear as to their marital status.  They do divorce and Edna remarries; however, I was not able to find the date.

     By September 12, 1918, Edna had married William Clinton Gween.  Bill was born on April 16, 1876 in Redstone Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.  He was the son of George Gween and Eliza Jane Harris Gween.  He was employed at Westinghouse as a machinist.  This was the first time I had seen Edna's middle name listed as May.  On her death certificate, it is listed as Mercedes.  The personal information was given by her daughter.  

838 Sheridan Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

1920 Pennsylvania Federal Census
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
January, 1920

William C. Gween, head, rent a house at 838 Sheriden Avenue, age 43, married, born in Pennsylvania, both parents born in Pennsylvania, employed as a foreman at an electric company.

Edna M. Gween, wife, age 43, married, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, employed as a clerk in a brokers office.

Mary A. Zeigler, step daughter, age 16, single, born in Pennsylvania, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Ohio, attended school.

     The Gween home is in the Highland Park neighborhood of Pittsburgh, near the Pittsburgh Zoo and near the street where Edna and Mary lived with the Zeigler's in 1910.

     Aunt Edna Frederick Gween and Cousin Mary Alethea Zeigler make a visit to see, Martha Jean Stark, my mother, circa 1922.  When I identified the photos, I misnamed Aunt Edna as I did not know she was married to William Gween back in the 1920's.  

     I had this photograph dated circa 1923.  Upon further inspection, I wonder if women were still wearing semi high top boots/shoes then?  My maternal grandparents are on the far left hand side of the photo.  Martha Marie Frederick Stark second row and behind her, Charles Edward Stark.  In the back row on the far right hand side are Mary Alethea Zeigler and her future husband, Robert Bruce Quinn.  

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 23 January 23, 1924
Page 8

          This was an interesting find. I was wondering why I could not locate Edna and Bill Gween in Pittsburgh after 1920. Now I know why. They moved to Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 September 26, 1925
 Page 8

     On November 4, 1925, Mary Alethea Zeigler married Robert Bruce Quinn in a ceremony at Emory Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Robert was born on July 7, 1898 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  He was the son of Thomas Brown Quinn, Sr. and Margaret Frances Wells Quinn.

 

          Mary Zeigler Quinn was employed by the Joseph Horne's Company in Pittsburgh  and performing in a Christmas holiday program.

1930 Pennsylvania Federal Census
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

April 16, 1930

Edna M. Gween, age 52, married, born in Pennsylvania, both parents born in Pennsylvania, employed as a telephone operator for an auto company, renting a room at 224 South Negley Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

     I have not been able to locate Bill Gween on a 1930 census.  I wonder if Edna gave the information to the enumerator or the owner of the house?  Edna and her parents were all born in Ohio, not Pennsylvania.  Is she still married to Bill Gween?

426 Lamar Avenue
Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania

     No listing for William Gween with Edna so far in the 1930's.  I think they simply separated.  Did not divorce.  Edna's current residence is a multi family apartment.  She may be renting the single bed and bath on the first floor front.  I will note that in a 1936 obituary for George Gween, William's father, that William is listed as living in Pittsburgh.

540 Aspen Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

1940 Pennsylvania Federal Census
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
April 10, 1940

     Edna Gween, renting an apartment at 540 Aspen Street, head, age 63, married, born in Ohio, lived in the same house in 1935, employed as a telephone operator at an automobile dealership, salary is $1,107.00.  

     There is no 1940 census for William C. Gween.  He has gone off the grid and from his obituary, returned to Fayette Township, Pennsylvania and was living alone in a rural house in New Salem.

611 Aurelius Street
Swissvale, Pennsylvania

     Edna's daughter and son-in-law were living in Swissvale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in 1940.  Mary, age 37 was not working outside the home and Bob, age 43, was employed as a assistant metallurgist at a steel mill.  They lived in Swissvale in 1935, but not in the same house.  Bob's salary is $2,160.   

     It appears on the census that Bob rents the house at 611 Aurelius Street; however, I think he owns it with a mortgage.  Actually the Quinn's lived at 611 Aurelius in 1935, taken from his World War I Veterans Compensation Files.

1610 Oak Grove Street
Swissvale, Pennsylvania

     In 1942, Bob was employed by the Heppenstall Steel Company and he any Mary were living at 1610 Oak Grove Street in Swissvale.  This information was taken from Bob's World War II Draft Card.  

     For the remainder of the 1940's I have found no information for Edna or her daughter and son-in-law.  I do know at a point in time, Edna moved in with Mary and Bob.

     Although my mother had little contact with her Aunt Edna and Cousin Mary, they did send a congratulatory card to her on the birth of her son and my brother.  I believe they were all living together in 1952.  

     William Clinton Gween, age eighty one, died in his home, a rural residence in New Salem, Fayette County, Pennsylvania on November 11, 1957.  The death certificate indicates he had lived there for ten years.  Edna M. Gween is listed as his wife.

     Bill's death was heavily covered in the local newspapers.  Edna M. Gween, of Pittsburgh, is listed in all three obituaries, as his wife.  In one, step daughter, Mary Quinn, is mentioned.  

Find A Grave photograph

     He was buried on November 14, 1957 in Pleasant View Cemetery, Smock, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. There is a Gween family plot, with his parents and siblings also buried there.

Home of Robert Bruce Quinn and Mary Zeigler Quinn
824 Alpine Boulevard
Wilkins Township, Allegheny County

     Edna Mercedes Frederick Zeigler Gween, age eighty four, died on January 22, 1961 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, 824 Alpine Boulevard.  

The Pittsburgh Press
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 January 24, 1961
Page 26

          Edna's sister, Mrs. Charles E. Stark, is my maternal grandmother.  My nickname for her was "Teek".  When Aunt Edna died, I was thirteen.  I never heard anything about the death.  Teek, age eighty one, was somewhat crippled with rheumatoid arthritis and never learned to drive a car.  I wonder if she was able to attend her sister's funeral?

     Edna was buried on January 25, 1961 at William Penn Gardens of Remembrance, Churchill, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Possibly no grave marker.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 October 7, 1969
Page 28

Find A Grave photograph

     Mary Alethea Zeigler Quinn, age sixty six, died on October 4, 1969, probably in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  She was buried on October 7, 1969 in William Penn Garden of Remembrance, Churchill, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania., .  I have not visited the cemetery to know if she is buried beside her mother, Edna Mercedes Frederick Zeigler Gween.

     

The Pittsburgh Press
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 September 27, 1971
Page 39

     Robert Bruce Quinn died on September 24, 1971 and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  I wonder why Bob chose Woodlawn as his final resting place?  I have not seen any relations buried there and his wife of forty four years, is buried in William Penn.  

     I did not cover Bob's service in World War I.  He enlisted as a private in the Aviation Reserve Corps in Ithaca, New York on January 5, 1918 and served until June 12, 1918 when he was discharged as a private first class.  Second he enlisted as a Marine on June 26, 1918.  He was promoted to corporal on October 25, 1918 and honorably discharged on April 15, 1919 at Paris Island, South Carolina.  

Children of Henry G. Zeigler and Edna Mercedes Frederick Zeigler:

1. Alethea Marie Zeigler, born on June 28, 1900, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, died on November 11, 1900, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. 
2. Robert Caldwell Zeigler, born on December, 1901, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, died on April 16, 1902, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
3. Mary Alethea Zeigler, born 1903, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, died on October 4, 1969, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Married Robert Bruce Quinn on November 4, 1925, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  No children.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2021, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser