Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: George Marcoux
George Edward Marcoux was born on April 11, 1896, in Waterbury, Connecticut, according to his World War I and II draft cards.
In the 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Marcoux was the oldest of two sons born to John, a machinist, and Mary J. The family resided in Waterbury at 108 Maple Street.
Marcoux was joined by three sisters and a paternal grandmother (twice widowed) in the 1910 census. The Marcoux family were Waterbury residents at 124 Locust Street.
Marcoux signed his World War I draft card on June 5, 1917, and lived at 260 Walnut Street in Waterbury. He was employed at the Waterbury Clock Company. Marcoux was described as medium build and height with brown hair and eyes. The Herald Statesman (Yonkers, New York), April 15, 1946, said Marcoux “served with the 69th (Rainbow) Division and fought in nine battles in France.”
Marcoux has not yet been found in the 1920 census. The 1925 New York state census recorded Marcoux and two sisters, Evelyn and Florence, as lodgers in New York City at 365 West 116 Street. Marcoux and Evelyn were stenographers and Florence a saleslady.
Newspaper artist Marcoux and his wife Anna were Brooklynites in the 1930 census. They lived at 256 East 37 Street. Information about Marcoux’s art training has not been found.
American Newspaper Comics (2012) said Marcoux assisted on Percy Crosby’s Skippy beginning in 1927 into the early 1930s. When cartoonist Harry Haenigsen’s took a month-long break, starting May 26, 1930, from his series, Marcoux, Joe Strauss and Al Smith filled in for him. Marcoux created Toddy which ran from 1934 to February 25, 1939. It was distributed by the McNaught Syndicate.
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| Scranton Republican, Oct 27 1934 |
A few years later freelance artist Marcoux moved to Yonkers, New York according to the 1940 census. He and his wife made their home at 197 Valentine Lane. Marcoux’s highest level of education was one year of high school.
From around 1910 to 1920, Who’s Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999 said Marcoux contributed gag cartoons to Collier’s, Life, Parent’s Magazine and the Waterbury Republican, and was an animator. In the 1940s, Marcoux also found work in the comic book industry, mainly with publisher Street & Smith. Marcoux is best known for his creation Supersnipe.
On April 26, 1942, self-employed cartoonist Marcoux signed his World War II draft card. His address was unchanged. Marcoux stood five feet six inches, weighed 150 pounds, had brown eyes and was bald.
Marcoux passed away April 14, 1946. The Herald Statesman said Marcoux
…died…of a heart attack in Naugatuck, Conn., where he had gone to visit his Summer home over the weekend.
Mr. Marcoux…was engaged in freelance commercial art work. He also voluntarily taught art in the United States Veterans’ Hospital on Kingsbridge Road, the Bronx, in therapy programs there.
For ten years Mr. Marcoux was creator of “Skippy,” another nationally syndicated comic strip.
…He was chaplain of Yonkers Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, for the last three years and formerly of the Rainbow Division veterans in Westchester County, who make their headquarters in White Plains.Eight months later Marcoux’s brother passed away December 20, 1946 in Waterbury. The following day the Herald Statesman said John was a New York Evening World cartoonist and “Since 1931, when the New York Evening World went out of existence, Mr. Marcoux had been associated for about seven years with Percy Crosby, creator of ‘Skippy,’ and also had done free lance work.”
…Surviving besides his mother, are two sisters, Mrs. Daniel Gauvin, also of Ardsley, and the former Lillian Marcoux, wife of Dr. Neale Towne of Naugatuck, and one brother, John Bernard Marcoux of Waterbury.
—Alex Jay
Labels: Ink-Slinger Profiles
Comments:
I have inherited 3 original pencil/ ink drawings/cartoons by George Marcoux. They were given to an aunt by Mrs. Daniel ( Evelyn)Gauvin . They date from the 1920's to 1930's. I'm interested in any information you might have of living relatives or avenues in which to sell these pieces. Thank you . meg914@comcast.net
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: 9/20/2018 11:19 AM
: 9/20/2018 11:19 AM 