Yves Saint Laurent on Findagrave
Birth: Aug. 1, 1936
Oran
Oran, Algeria
Death: Jun. 1, 2008
Paris
City of Paris
Ile-de-France, France
Fashion Designer. Leaving his home of Oran at the age of 17 he traveled to France to work with designer Christian Dior. At the time of Diors death in 1957 he was asked to take charge of the business. In 1960 he served in the French Army for a short time, as he suffered from great stress and had to leave for psychiatric treatment. After being released from Dior in 1962, YSL, his own label was started. This was made possible by the financial aide of his companion Pierre Bergé. In 1966 and 1970 Rive Gauche boutiques for women and men were opened. Laurent is best known for feminizing the qualities of mens wardrobes for women. In 1971 he posed nude for his mens perfume, "Pour Homme". The very popular "Opium" perfume was a Yves Saint Laurent product. The fashion house was sold for approximately six hundred million dollars in 1993 to the pharmacuticals company Sanofi. In 1999 he received a Lifetime Achievement award from The Council of Fashion Designers of America.
(bio by: Julie Karen Hancock (Cooper) Jackson)
Burial:
Cremated, Other.
Specifically: Ashes buried in the Majorelle Gardens, part of his estate in Marrakesh, Morocco
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
William Marsh Rice ~ A Biography
William Marsh Rice on Findagrave
Birth: Mar. 14, 1816
Springfield
Hampden County
Massachusetts, USA
Death: Sep. 23, 1900
New York
New York County (Manhattan)
New York, USA
Businessman, Educator. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts. Little is known about his childhood. He moved to Texas in 1838. In 1840 he started one of many businesses of which he would become involved. Houston and Galveston Navigation Company was established in 1851 and in 1858 Rice was the owner of a brig called the William M. Rice. It carried ice from Boston to Galveston. Rice also served as a director of the Houston Insurance Company, which insured carriers and freight. He incorporated the Houston Cotton Compress Company, several railroads and a stage line from Houston to Austin. He was the alderman from the Second Ward from 1855 to 1857 and he served on the petit jury and the grand jury in Harris County. He was a member of Liberty Company No. 2, an early formation of a volunteer fire department for the City of Houston, which was organized in 1852. Rice and T. W. House purchased a Hunneman Hand Fire Engine from Boston. The price was $2000.00 and would be the first fire truck that the volunteers acquired. It arrived in Houston in 1852. Serving in many capacities such as, Odd Fellow, director of the Houston Academy, trustee of the Houston Educational Society, the Second Ward School, and the Texas Medical College, Rice was among the wealthiest men in Texas. Rice married Margaret Bremond on June 29, 1850. She passed away on August 13, 1863. For the next two years he stayed in Monterrey, Mexico. He returned to Houston in 1866. On June 26, 1867 he married Julia Elizabeth Baldwin Brown, daughter of an early mayor of Houston. They moved to New Jersey but split their time between New Jersey and New York and took occasional trips to Houston for business. On one of the business trips Cesar Maurice Lombardi who was interested in building a high school in Houston approached him. Having changed his will previously to include a fund for a school for needy boys, Rice was interested. It was decided that he would fund an institute of higher learning. The charter for the William M. Rice Institute for the Advancement of Literature, Science and Art was incorporated in Austin, Texas on May 19, 1891. Due to his wife's health he moved to Houston in April 1896 with hope that the weather would improve her condition. After her death on July 24, 1896 a dispute ensued over her will. During the years of court proceedings, Rice's valet, Charlie Jones, to gain control of his estate, hatched a plan. He began drugging Rice with cyanide pills. Jones eventually murdered Rice with a lethal dose of chloroform. Jones was released although he did commit the murder. When the estate was settled in 1904 there was approximately three million dollars in an endowment for the university. On October 12, 1912, the William Marsh Rice Institute for the Advancement of Literature, Art and Science held its inaugural festival. At that time the endowment held a sum of about nine million dollars and all students were able to attend the university without charge. This privilege did not end until 1965.
Cause of death: Murder by chloroform
(bio by: Julie Karen Hancock (Cooper) Jackson)
Birth: Mar. 14, 1816
Springfield
Hampden County
Massachusetts, USA
Death: Sep. 23, 1900
New York
New York County (Manhattan)
New York, USA
Businessman, Educator. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts. Little is known about his childhood. He moved to Texas in 1838. In 1840 he started one of many businesses of which he would become involved. Houston and Galveston Navigation Company was established in 1851 and in 1858 Rice was the owner of a brig called the William M. Rice. It carried ice from Boston to Galveston. Rice also served as a director of the Houston Insurance Company, which insured carriers and freight. He incorporated the Houston Cotton Compress Company, several railroads and a stage line from Houston to Austin. He was the alderman from the Second Ward from 1855 to 1857 and he served on the petit jury and the grand jury in Harris County. He was a member of Liberty Company No. 2, an early formation of a volunteer fire department for the City of Houston, which was organized in 1852. Rice and T. W. House purchased a Hunneman Hand Fire Engine from Boston. The price was $2000.00 and would be the first fire truck that the volunteers acquired. It arrived in Houston in 1852. Serving in many capacities such as, Odd Fellow, director of the Houston Academy, trustee of the Houston Educational Society, the Second Ward School, and the Texas Medical College, Rice was among the wealthiest men in Texas. Rice married Margaret Bremond on June 29, 1850. She passed away on August 13, 1863. For the next two years he stayed in Monterrey, Mexico. He returned to Houston in 1866. On June 26, 1867 he married Julia Elizabeth Baldwin Brown, daughter of an early mayor of Houston. They moved to New Jersey but split their time between New Jersey and New York and took occasional trips to Houston for business. On one of the business trips Cesar Maurice Lombardi who was interested in building a high school in Houston approached him. Having changed his will previously to include a fund for a school for needy boys, Rice was interested. It was decided that he would fund an institute of higher learning. The charter for the William M. Rice Institute for the Advancement of Literature, Science and Art was incorporated in Austin, Texas on May 19, 1891. Due to his wife's health he moved to Houston in April 1896 with hope that the weather would improve her condition. After her death on July 24, 1896 a dispute ensued over her will. During the years of court proceedings, Rice's valet, Charlie Jones, to gain control of his estate, hatched a plan. He began drugging Rice with cyanide pills. Jones eventually murdered Rice with a lethal dose of chloroform. Jones was released although he did commit the murder. When the estate was settled in 1904 there was approximately three million dollars in an endowment for the university. On October 12, 1912, the William Marsh Rice Institute for the Advancement of Literature, Art and Science held its inaugural festival. At that time the endowment held a sum of about nine million dollars and all students were able to attend the university without charge. This privilege did not end until 1965.
Cause of death: Murder by chloroform
(bio by: Julie Karen Hancock (Cooper) Jackson)
Brian Piccolo ~ A Biography
Brian Piccolo on Findagrave
Louis Brian Piccolo
Birth: Oct. 31, 1943
Pittsfield
Berkshire County
Massachusetts, USA
Death: Jun. 16, 1970
New York
New York County (Manhattan)
New York, USA
Professional Football Player. Famously not picked in the NFL draft after 20 rounds, "Pic", as he was often called, went on to make a career in the National Football League as a running back for the Chicago Bears, despite his small size and slow speed. What he lacked in the usual qualities of a football player he made up in determination and hard work. A letterman in a Fort Lauderdale, Florida High School, he attended Wake Forest University. During his senior year, 1964, he led the nation rushing. This fact may have led Chicago Bears coach George Halas to sign him as a free agent. Halas actually held a press conference to announce the fact. Although on the team, he spent the year of 1965 on the practice squad while the number four pick of that year, Gale Sayers, was chosen as Rookie of The Year. In 1966 he was active in all 14 games with 103 passes caught and 317 rushing yards. Although improved in his play each year it was a struggle for him to make the team. Piccolo and Gale Sayers, the "Kansas Comet", had become the first interracial roommates before the 1967 season. They soon became fast friends and fierce competitors. During the ninth game of the season in 1968 Sayers was felled by a knee injury that put him out for the season. Piccolo stepped in for the last five games and scored his first two NFL touchdowns, gained 450 yards and had 281 pass receptions. Piccolo helped his friend successfully return to the game by helping with his rehab. It was a physical as well as a mental job. He was determined not to win his spot on the team due to an injured player. When the season started in 1969, Piccolo was ready to prove his point, as Sayers had returned, fully recuperated. Suffering from a lingering cough Piccolo continued to play. A pre-season x-ray and physical exam had shown no problems. During a game on November 16th he took himself out of the game. Having never removed himself from the game the team managers and his friends and family were concerned. A rare cancer was diagnosed and treatment began. Although he was determined to continue playing football he was not able to overcome his disease. At the time treatments for such a rare disease were not available. Piccolo died at the Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York, at the age of 26. After his death the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund was founded. It began with a group of friends, teammates and family members. Through the efforts of the fund the cancer that took his life now has a better than 80 percent cure rate. A related cancer to Piccolos disease which the fund also supports, testicular cancer, now has a 95 percent cure rate. In 1991 the fund began supporting breast cancer research. Wake Forest University Students started the Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund Drive in 1980 in his memory. As to this date, 2009, in the 29 years of the fund, they have raised over eight million dollars which they donate to the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Brian's life is chronicled in the book "Brian Piccolo: A Short Season" by Jeannie Morris. "Brian's Song", a film starring James Caan as Piccolo and Billy Dee Williams in the role of Gale Sayers was released in 1971. Gale Sayers documented his life and his story with Piccolo in the book "I Am Third".
(bio by: Julie Karen Hancock (Cooper) Jackson)
Cause of death: Embryonal Cell Carcinoma
Louis Brian Piccolo
Birth: Oct. 31, 1943
Pittsfield
Berkshire County
Massachusetts, USA
Death: Jun. 16, 1970
New York
New York County (Manhattan)
New York, USA
Professional Football Player. Famously not picked in the NFL draft after 20 rounds, "Pic", as he was often called, went on to make a career in the National Football League as a running back for the Chicago Bears, despite his small size and slow speed. What he lacked in the usual qualities of a football player he made up in determination and hard work. A letterman in a Fort Lauderdale, Florida High School, he attended Wake Forest University. During his senior year, 1964, he led the nation rushing. This fact may have led Chicago Bears coach George Halas to sign him as a free agent. Halas actually held a press conference to announce the fact. Although on the team, he spent the year of 1965 on the practice squad while the number four pick of that year, Gale Sayers, was chosen as Rookie of The Year. In 1966 he was active in all 14 games with 103 passes caught and 317 rushing yards. Although improved in his play each year it was a struggle for him to make the team. Piccolo and Gale Sayers, the "Kansas Comet", had become the first interracial roommates before the 1967 season. They soon became fast friends and fierce competitors. During the ninth game of the season in 1968 Sayers was felled by a knee injury that put him out for the season. Piccolo stepped in for the last five games and scored his first two NFL touchdowns, gained 450 yards and had 281 pass receptions. Piccolo helped his friend successfully return to the game by helping with his rehab. It was a physical as well as a mental job. He was determined not to win his spot on the team due to an injured player. When the season started in 1969, Piccolo was ready to prove his point, as Sayers had returned, fully recuperated. Suffering from a lingering cough Piccolo continued to play. A pre-season x-ray and physical exam had shown no problems. During a game on November 16th he took himself out of the game. Having never removed himself from the game the team managers and his friends and family were concerned. A rare cancer was diagnosed and treatment began. Although he was determined to continue playing football he was not able to overcome his disease. At the time treatments for such a rare disease were not available. Piccolo died at the Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York, at the age of 26. After his death the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund was founded. It began with a group of friends, teammates and family members. Through the efforts of the fund the cancer that took his life now has a better than 80 percent cure rate. A related cancer to Piccolos disease which the fund also supports, testicular cancer, now has a 95 percent cure rate. In 1991 the fund began supporting breast cancer research. Wake Forest University Students started the Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund Drive in 1980 in his memory. As to this date, 2009, in the 29 years of the fund, they have raised over eight million dollars which they donate to the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Brian's life is chronicled in the book "Brian Piccolo: A Short Season" by Jeannie Morris. "Brian's Song", a film starring James Caan as Piccolo and Billy Dee Williams in the role of Gale Sayers was released in 1971. Gale Sayers documented his life and his story with Piccolo in the book "I Am Third".
(bio by: Julie Karen Hancock (Cooper) Jackson)
Cause of death: Embryonal Cell Carcinoma
Tim Flock ~ A Biography
Tim Flock on Findagrave
Birth: May 11, 1924
Fort Payne
DeKalb County
Alabama, USA
Death: Mar. 31, 1998
Charlotte
Mecklenburg County
North Carolina, USA
Auto Race Car Driver. Stock-Car Racer and NASCAR'S Grand National Circuit Series Champion in 1952 and 1955. In 1955 he won a record 18 pole positions and 18 victories which was thought by some to be unbeatable. His record stood until 1967 when Richard Petty achieved 27 victories. He and his brothers Bob and Fonty raced together and were known as "The Fabulous Flock Brothers". For a time he raced with a monkey named Jocko Flocko in the passenger side of his car. In 1998 he was honored by NASCAR as one of their 50 greatest drivers.
(bio by: Julie Karen Hancock (Cooper) Jackson)
Birth: May 11, 1924
Fort Payne
DeKalb County
Alabama, USA
Death: Mar. 31, 1998
Charlotte
Mecklenburg County
North Carolina, USA
Auto Race Car Driver. Stock-Car Racer and NASCAR'S Grand National Circuit Series Champion in 1952 and 1955. In 1955 he won a record 18 pole positions and 18 victories which was thought by some to be unbeatable. His record stood until 1967 when Richard Petty achieved 27 victories. He and his brothers Bob and Fonty raced together and were known as "The Fabulous Flock Brothers". For a time he raced with a monkey named Jocko Flocko in the passenger side of his car. In 1998 he was honored by NASCAR as one of their 50 greatest drivers.
(bio by: Julie Karen Hancock (Cooper) Jackson)
Monday, April 14, 2014
Martin Dies, Jr. ~ A Biography
Martin Dies, Jr. on Findagrave
Birth: Nov. 5, 1900
Colorado City
Mitchell County
Texas, USA
Death: Nov. 14, 1972
Lufkin
Angelina County
Texas, USA
US Congressman. Born in Colorado City, Texas, his father, Martin Dies Sr., would be elected to the United States Congress when Martin Jr. was nine years old. He graduated from Beaumont High School in Beaumont, Texas and went on to earn a law degree from the National University in Washington, D.C. in 1920, joining a law practice in Orange, Texas at that time. In 1930he was elected as a Democrat to represent Texas's 2nd District in the United States House of Representatives, and was the youngest member of Congress when he took his seat in 1931. He became well known for his work as the Chairman of the House Un-American Activities Committee, which had been established in 1938 to investigate suspected communists. Starting in 1947 the committee's mission was to prove that the screen writers guild had communist members that were trying to place subversive propaganda into films. He would represent the 2nd District in Congress from 1931 to 1945, and then as an At-Large Delegate form 1953 to 1959, practicing law in the interim. When he was finished with public office he would go on to write magazine articles and an autobiography, "The Martin Dies Story" (1963).
(bio by: Julie Karen Hancock (Cooper) Jackson)
Birth: Nov. 5, 1900
Colorado City
Mitchell County
Texas, USA
Death: Nov. 14, 1972
Lufkin
Angelina County
Texas, USA
US Congressman. Born in Colorado City, Texas, his father, Martin Dies Sr., would be elected to the United States Congress when Martin Jr. was nine years old. He graduated from Beaumont High School in Beaumont, Texas and went on to earn a law degree from the National University in Washington, D.C. in 1920, joining a law practice in Orange, Texas at that time. In 1930he was elected as a Democrat to represent Texas's 2nd District in the United States House of Representatives, and was the youngest member of Congress when he took his seat in 1931. He became well known for his work as the Chairman of the House Un-American Activities Committee, which had been established in 1938 to investigate suspected communists. Starting in 1947 the committee's mission was to prove that the screen writers guild had communist members that were trying to place subversive propaganda into films. He would represent the 2nd District in Congress from 1931 to 1945, and then as an At-Large Delegate form 1953 to 1959, practicing law in the interim. When he was finished with public office he would go on to write magazine articles and an autobiography, "The Martin Dies Story" (1963).
(bio by: Julie Karen Hancock (Cooper) Jackson)
Flowers of Spring ~ 2014
The flowers this year have been abundant. By far the most wildflowers we have seen in years. There is just something about spring that brings the promise of new life. I always wonder at the beauty but at the same time it makes me realize that we must take the time to enjoy things while they are here because they last only for a short while. Even the wildflowers.
I saw a prison near Plymouth Rock.
It was overgrown with weeds.
Ragweed and thistle, milkweed and thatch.
They sprang from every crack.
Some day their roots will pry the walls apart.
I won't be around.
But I saw them last summer and they were in bloom.
They were springing up from the wall
With all of the strength they were given to tell the world they were there.
And bees came.
And drank from them.
Just like any garden flower.
They had nectar to give too.
-----Nick Nolte as Lee Umstetter in Weeds-----
Parsons Pearl and Joplin Rose ~ Bluebonnets ~ 2014
My adorable girls, Joplin Rose and Parsons Pearl posing in the bluebonnets at Rob Fleming Park. Although Joplin is a Wisconsin girl she has definitely taken to the Texas way of life. She loves the bluebonnets!
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| Joplin Rose - Parsons Pearl |
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| Joplin Rose - Parsons Pearl |
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| Joplin Rose |
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| Joplin Rose |
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| Parsons Pearl |
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| Parsons Pearl |
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| Parsons Pearl - Joplin Rose |
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| Joplin Rose |
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| Joplin Rose - Parsons Pearl |
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