Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: Charles A. Ogden
Charles Albert Ogden was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 14, 1889, according to the Missouri birth records (at Ancestry.com) and his World War I and II draft cards. His parents were William F. Ogden and Helen P. Hynes. A closer examination of the birth record revealed that Ogden had a twin brother, Edgar. Both were born at 1755 Morgan Street, probably at home.
In the 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Ogden was the youngest of five siblings, all of whom, except Ogden, a student, were working to support the family and their widow mother, a dressmaker. Edgar was not in the census. The family address was 4242 Easton Avenue in St. Louis.
Ogden graduated from the Riddick School, June 16, 1904. Information about his art training has not been found.
St. Louis city directories for 1908 to 1910, said Ogden was an artist who resided at 3615 Lucky Street. The same address was in the 1910 census. Commercial artist Ogden, who worked for a newspaper, and second youngest brother, John, lived with their mother.
The date of Ogden’s relocation to Chicago is not known
Another Ogden production was copyrighted by the Chicago Herald in 1915.
Ogden (Charles A.) Grandpa tells the children about Memorial day. (In Chicago herald.) [12450Chicago Commerce, May 26, 1916, reported the program of humor through music, song, verse and art that included Ogden’s Cartoonagrams.
© May 30, 1915; 1 c. June 7, 1915; A 385990; Herald feature syndicate, Chicago.
According to Ogden’s World War I draft card, he was a Chicago Herald newspaper cartoonist, whose address was 4334 Ellis Avenue. He was described as being of medium height, slender build with gray eyes and dark brown hair.
On September 27, 1919, Ogden married Lola A. Woodward in Colorado Springs, Colorado, according to the State of Colorado, Division of Vital Records, Marriage Record Report.
The 1920 census said Ogden lived with his in-laws in Chicago at 7106 South Eberhart Avenue. Ogden was an advertising agent. The Cook County, Illinois, Birth Certificates Index said Ogden had a daughter, Corlita Woodward Ogden.
Advertising illustrator Ogden and his mother were tenants at 931 Sunnyside in Chicago in the 1930 census. Ogden’s ex-wife had remarried. She and daughter Corlita both had the Reich surname.
Ogden’s mother passed away November 17, 1935.
In the 1940 census, Ogden was divorced and living alone at 5220 Kenmore Avenue in Chicago. He was a freelance advertising salesman. His highest level of education was the eighth grade.
Ogden signed his World War draft card on April 27, 1942. The Chicago resident lived and worked at 4544 North Racine.
The Chicago Tribune, June 27, 1955, published a letter from Ogden who commented on the “Whistler’s Mother” painting.
At some point Ogden moved to California.
Ogden passed away April 12, 1971, in Los Angeles County, according to the California Death Index. The Social Security Death Index said his last residence was at Long Beach. Ogden was laid to rest, next to his second wife, Marie, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
—Alex Jay
Labels: Ink-Slinger Profiles
