Ben Turpin
One of my distant relations was a silent film star. He was evidently famous for his cross-eyed stare.
One of my distant relations was a silent film star. He was evidently famous for his cross-eyed stare.
From the Article:
Crowther, Bosley (1939, October 15). When We Were Young :Out of the Past, Billy Bitzer Brings Forth Some Glorious Memories. New York Times (1857-Current file),p. 143. Retrieved January 8, 2009, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2005) database.
Crowther, Bosley (1939, October 15). When We Were Young :Out of the Past, Billy Bitzer Brings Forth Some Glorious Memories. New York Times (1857-Current file),p. 143. Retrieved January 8, 2009, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2005) database.
Leecy - Not sure that he's really related as our Turpin's came from VA in the 1840's to AL prior to the Civil War and Ben Turpin's ancestor, Edward, was Mexican, born there in the 1840's. (His wife was from New Orleans.) Haven't been able to establish a connection
ReplyDeleteHi Leecy, Ben Turpin's great-grandfather came from Bordeaux, France to Louisiana and married a New Orleans girl about 1805. Ben was named after his grandfather, Bernard, a successful auctioneer. His uncle was Dr. Charles C. Turpin. Ben's father was Ernest Turpin, a candy maker (b Tampico, Mexico), who married Sarah Buckley c1866 in N.O. They had three children, Ernestine (b10/1867), Ben (b9/1869), and Octavia (b2/1871), all moving to NYC c1877. Ben never had any children of his own (tho he had 3 wives, Norma, Carrie, Babette); Ernestine married Julius Knies & had one son, Julian. He preceded her in death in her 102nd year. Octavia is lost to time, last known whereabouts a patient at Buffalo State Hospital in 1900.
ReplyDeleteSteveR, Phila, PA
Check out my Ben Turpin photo gallery
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/wiggleyears/
If he is related, but sure to tell me! Thanks, Steve