George Edmond Pearce

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      Sex: M

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Individual Information

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     Birth Date: 17 May 1889 - New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
    Christening: 
          Death: 9 Apr 1976 - Portsmouth General Hospital, Portsmouth, Portsmouth (city), Virginia, USA
         Burial: 14 Apr 1976 - Lafayette Cemetery No 1, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
 Cause of Death: 
Events
•  Occupation: Commercial Artist, 1930, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA. 
•  Occupation: Engraver at a newspaper, 1910, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA. 

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Parents

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         Father: Thomas B. Pearce
         Mother: Theodora H. Bensel

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Spouses and Children

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1. *Ruth Elise Rathke
       Marriage: Abt 1925
       Children:
                1. George E. Pearce Jr.

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Notes

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General:

He was a watercolor artist and a magician.

Per Louisiana birth records 1790-1899:
Given: George Edmond Surname: Pearce
Father: Thomas B. Mother: Dora Bensel
Sex: M Color: W
Birth Date: 17 May 1889
Volume: 87 Page: 951

1900 US Census: 6/2/1900, 2919 Magazine St, 11th Ward, 5th Precinct, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Thomas B. Pearce is 38 year old white male head of household, and rents his home. Employed as a machinist, he was born in May 1862 in Louisiana, his father in Ohio, his mother in Louisiana. His wife of 13 years is 37 year old Theodore N. Pearce, born January 1863 in Louisiana, her parents in Germany. They have two sons born in Louisiana: George Ed Pearce, 11, born May 1889; and Edmund Pearce, 5, born April 1885.

Per 1910 US Census: 4/11/1910, 912 Antonine, 12th Ward, 3rd Precinct, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Thomas B. Pearce is a 45 year old white male head of household, who rents his home. Thomas works on his own accord as locksmith in a shop. Thomas was born in Louisiana, his father in Ohio, his mother in Louisiana. He is in his first marriage, 21 years, to Theodora N. Pearce. Theodora's age is listed as 32, obviously wrong. Theodora was born in Louisiana, her parents in Germany. She has had 5 children, 2 still living. The oldest George E. Pearce, is 20, single, born in Louisiana, and works as an engraver at a newspaper. The youngest, Edwin T. Pearce, is 7 years old.

Per WWI Draft Card: dated 6/5/1917
George Edmond Pearce is 28 years old, lives at 1022 Arabella, New Orleans, Louisiana. Born May 17, 1889 in New Orleans, LA., he is a natural born citizen. He is employed as a commercial artist for Gralle-Egerton Engler at 316-318 St Charles St. George is single, white, and has no one dependent on him, and claims no exemption from service. His description is medium height, medium build, blue eyes and brown hair.

Per 1930 US Census: 4/8/1930, 5935 Columbus St, 14th Ward, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Head of household is George E. Pearce, a 41 year old white male, employed as a commercial artist. George is a WW veteran, and rents his home for $50 per month. George, who first married at age 36, is married to 35 year old Ruth A. Pearce. As Ruth was first married at age 28, it is possible this is her 2nd marriage, or the census is wrong. They have a 5 year old son, George E. Pearce, Jr. Also living in the home is Ruth's mother, 69 year old Christine Rathke, a widow who first married at age 30. Christine owns a home valued at $8,500. All family member were born in Louisiana, as were their parents, except Christine, whose parents were born in Germany.

Per tombstone in Lafayette No 1, New Orleans, LA
http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/monitor/1248/4_200/4_293.html for tomb info
GEORGE E. PEARCE, SR.
HUSBAND OF RUTH RATHKE
Born May 17, 1889 Died Apr. 9, 1976

SS Death Index
GEORGE PEARCE
Born 17 May 1889 died Apr 1976
last residence 23321 (Chesapeake, Chesapeake City, VA)
Social Security #436-01-3080 Issued in Louisiana

Per Obituary in the Times-Picayune 4/13/1976 Page 12, 4/14/1976 Page 12
PEARCE
George Edmund Pearce, Sr., at Portsmouth, General Hospital, Portmouth, Virginia, on Friday, April 9, 1976 husband of the late Ruth Rathke Pearce, father of George E. Pearce, Jr., of Cheapeake, Virginia, brother of Thomas E. Pearce, of New Orleans, La., grand father of Dr. Glenn T. Pearce, of Rochchester, York, Mrs. Nancy Pearce Green, of Columbia Maryland, and Suzanne M. Pearce, of Chesapeake, Virginia, also survived by 2 great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends of the family, also members of New Orleans Art League, American Guild of Variety Artist, International Brotherhood of Magician (George Pearce Ring No. 27 of New Orleans,) are invited to attend the funeral services from the House of Bultman, St. Charles Ave., at Louisiana Ave., on Wednesday afternoon, April 14, 1976 at 11 o'clock [typo?]. Pastor Donald K. Norris, officiating. Interment in Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. (Washington Ave. at Prytania St., Visitation after 9:30 a.m., Wednesday.

Research:

Per Linda Silbernagel, he was a watercolor artist and a magician. He gave Audrey and Bill Silbernagel a large watercolor boat scene for a wedding present.
They now live in New York.