Benjamin Franklin Rousseau (1867-1933) was the 3rd of 5 children between Francis Marion “Frank” Rousseau (1836-1908) and Marth Jane Corey (1837-1912). Benjamin Franklin Rousseau married Clara May Currier (1869-1961) on 5 Feb 1891 in Fort Wayne, IN. Together they raised (6) children and moved to Los Angeles, CA ~1918.
Fort Wayne, Indiana (1891-1901) - Benjamin and Clara started their family in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Based on subsequent census birth records, the family lived in Indiana from 1891 to 1901. Unfortunately, I have been unable to locate them in the 1900 census, perhaps they were actually in between Indiana and Connecticut in ~1900.
1893 - Lorene Marie (1893-1988) was born
1896 - Grace M. (1896-1938) was born
1899 - Gladys E. (1899-1975) was born
1901 - Benjamin is listed as a Superintendent in a Fort Wayne Directory, but he may have left before publication.
New Haven, Connecticut (1904-1908) - Based on census birth records, the family lived in Connecticut from 1904 to 1908. Helen, Benjamin and Robert are listed as born in Connecticut and Benjamin JR’s WWII draft card listed New Haven, Connecticut as his birthplace. I have been unable to locate any records explaining why they moved or what Benjamin did in Connecticut. I suspect Benjamin moved for work, as all Ben & Clara’s siblings resided in IN, MI, OH, PA during this time.
1904 - Helen May (1904-1965) was born
1905 - Benjamin Franklin Jr (1905-1996) was born
1908 - Robert W. (1908-1931) was born
Fort Wayne, Indiana (1909-1918) - The family returned to Fort Wayne, Indiana shortly after the death of Benjamin’s father, Francis Marion "Frank" Rousseau, on 20 June 1908.
1909 – Benjamin’s occupation is “Agent” in a Fort Wayne Directory.
1910 – Benjamin’s occupation is “Manager of Wholesale Meats” in the census. His father was listed as a farmer in the 1900 census, so I’m not sure if Benjamin took over his father’s business or just took a different job.
1913 – Benjamin’s occupation is “Real Estate” in the Fort Wayne Directory.
1915 – Lorene marries Max Gormley (1890-1974) in Indiana. Max’s 1916 WWI Draft Card lists him as a salesman for Jewel tea Company in Fort Wayne, IN.
1919 – Last year Benjamin is listed in Fort Wayne Directory, but I believe the family left in 1918 prior to directory publication.
Santa Monica, California (1918-1930) - By January 1920, Benjamin’s family was residing in Santa Monica, CA as documented in the 1920 census. Benjamin is a “Real Estate Agent”. Lorene and her husband Max Gormley remained in Indiana, and are raising their family in Columbia IN, where Max works at an “Electric Light Plant”.
1918 – Gladys’s bio states the family moved to California in 1918. Sisters Gladys and Grace secured wardrobe jobs with producer Cecil B. Demille, he will go on to have legendary career in film making.
1923 (est) – Helen marries Pierre F. Sheetz a Candy Manufacturer. They go on to have 3 daughters (Joy Helen-1924, Barbara Jean-1926, Shirley Ann-1930).
1924 – Sisters Gladys and Grace join Mack Sennett’s movie comedies. They are credited as the costume and wardrobe department for “Picking Peaches” (1924). Vernon Bruce Dent plays a shoe store manager opposite Harry Langdon in “Picking Peaches”. Gladys received additional credits for costume in wardrobe for “Galloping Bungalows” (1924) and “Yukon Jake” (1924).
1926 – Gladys marries Ronald Lee Stanley on 17 Feb 1926 in Los Angeles. Ronald is a truck driver for motion picture studios, this is his 2nd marriage. They live in Glendale, CA.
1927 – Grace marries the actor Vernon Bruce Dent (1895-1963) on 15 April 1927. Vernon had an extensive film career spanning 438 motion pictures. If you watched the black and white Three Stooges shorts, you have likely seen him playing the “heavy” opposite the Stooges. He was in (86) of ~200 Three Stooge shorts, more than any other supporting actor.
Los Angeles, California (1930- ) – By April 1930, Benjamin Sr. (63) is no longer working and the family is now living in Los Angeles. Grace and Gladys have married and moved. Sons Benjamin Jr and Robert W. are working as chauffeurs. I wish I could find out who they drove, given their sister’s connections, I suspect they drove many Hollywood stars. Lorene and husband Max Gormley have moved their family to Los Angeles, Max is a Real Estate Broker. They have six sons and one daughter. Reviewing their children’s birth records, I have determined they moved to Los Angeles between 1920-1922. Grace and husband Vernon Dent live in Los Angeles at 3622 Empire Drive, Vernon is an “Actor - Moving Pictures”, Grace is no longer working. Gladys and husband Ronald Lee Stanley live in Glendale, Ronald is listed as “Truck Driver - Motion Pictures” and Gladys is listed as “Designer - Ladies’ Furnishings”. Ronald lists his profession as “Trucking” in 1931-1939 Glendale Directories. Helen and husband Pierre F. Sheetz live in Los Angeles with their two daughters, Pierre is listed as “Superintendent - Candy Manufacturer”. Their 3rd daughter, Shirley Ann, will be born in June 1930.
1931 – Robert W. dies at just 23yrs old, it appears he suffered from mental problems, his death certificate lists A-type Catatonic Psychosis (schizophrenia) & Exhaustion – I suspect this meant he committed suicide.
1933 – Benjamin Sr. dies at 66yrs old, his death certificate lists Diabetes Mellitus, heart disease and clogged arteries. Unfortunately, insulin was not widely available until he 1980’s.
1938 – Grace M. dies at just 42yrs old, her death certificate lists chronic Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart). Grace’s widower, Vernon Dent, marries his 3rd and final wife Hortense Eunice Boroughs on 27 Aug 1938, just 6 months after Grace died. Vernon will build an impressive comedic career in Hollywood but will not have any children.
By the April 1940 Census, Clara has moved in with her daughter Helen and Pierre F. Sheetz’s family, who live in Los Angeles with their three daughters. Pierre is listed as “Superintendent – Chain Candy Store”.
Compiled by Rich Kreder - 5 June 2020
Fort Wayne, Indiana (1891-1901) - Benjamin and Clara started their family in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Based on subsequent census birth records, the family lived in Indiana from 1891 to 1901. Unfortunately, I have been unable to locate them in the 1900 census, perhaps they were actually in between Indiana and Connecticut in ~1900.
1893 - Lorene Marie (1893-1988) was born
1896 - Grace M. (1896-1938) was born
1899 - Gladys E. (1899-1975) was born
1901 - Benjamin is listed as a Superintendent in a Fort Wayne Directory, but he may have left before publication.
New Haven, Connecticut (1904-1908) - Based on census birth records, the family lived in Connecticut from 1904 to 1908. Helen, Benjamin and Robert are listed as born in Connecticut and Benjamin JR’s WWII draft card listed New Haven, Connecticut as his birthplace. I have been unable to locate any records explaining why they moved or what Benjamin did in Connecticut. I suspect Benjamin moved for work, as all Ben & Clara’s siblings resided in IN, MI, OH, PA during this time.
1904 - Helen May (1904-1965) was born
1905 - Benjamin Franklin Jr (1905-1996) was born
1908 - Robert W. (1908-1931) was born
Fort Wayne, Indiana (1909-1918) - The family returned to Fort Wayne, Indiana shortly after the death of Benjamin’s father, Francis Marion "Frank" Rousseau, on 20 June 1908.
1909 – Benjamin’s occupation is “Agent” in a Fort Wayne Directory.
1910 – Benjamin’s occupation is “Manager of Wholesale Meats” in the census. His father was listed as a farmer in the 1900 census, so I’m not sure if Benjamin took over his father’s business or just took a different job.
1913 – Benjamin’s occupation is “Real Estate” in the Fort Wayne Directory.
1915 – Lorene marries Max Gormley (1890-1974) in Indiana. Max’s 1916 WWI Draft Card lists him as a salesman for Jewel tea Company in Fort Wayne, IN.
1919 – Last year Benjamin is listed in Fort Wayne Directory, but I believe the family left in 1918 prior to directory publication.
Santa Monica, California (1918-1930) - By January 1920, Benjamin’s family was residing in Santa Monica, CA as documented in the 1920 census. Benjamin is a “Real Estate Agent”. Lorene and her husband Max Gormley remained in Indiana, and are raising their family in Columbia IN, where Max works at an “Electric Light Plant”.
1918 – Gladys’s bio states the family moved to California in 1918. Sisters Gladys and Grace secured wardrobe jobs with producer Cecil B. Demille, he will go on to have legendary career in film making.
1923 (est) – Helen marries Pierre F. Sheetz a Candy Manufacturer. They go on to have 3 daughters (Joy Helen-1924, Barbara Jean-1926, Shirley Ann-1930).
1924 – Sisters Gladys and Grace join Mack Sennett’s movie comedies. They are credited as the costume and wardrobe department for “Picking Peaches” (1924). Vernon Bruce Dent plays a shoe store manager opposite Harry Langdon in “Picking Peaches”. Gladys received additional credits for costume in wardrobe for “Galloping Bungalows” (1924) and “Yukon Jake” (1924).
1926 – Gladys marries Ronald Lee Stanley on 17 Feb 1926 in Los Angeles. Ronald is a truck driver for motion picture studios, this is his 2nd marriage. They live in Glendale, CA.
1927 – Grace marries the actor Vernon Bruce Dent (1895-1963) on 15 April 1927. Vernon had an extensive film career spanning 438 motion pictures. If you watched the black and white Three Stooges shorts, you have likely seen him playing the “heavy” opposite the Stooges. He was in (86) of ~200 Three Stooge shorts, more than any other supporting actor.
Los Angeles, California (1930- ) – By April 1930, Benjamin Sr. (63) is no longer working and the family is now living in Los Angeles. Grace and Gladys have married and moved. Sons Benjamin Jr and Robert W. are working as chauffeurs. I wish I could find out who they drove, given their sister’s connections, I suspect they drove many Hollywood stars. Lorene and husband Max Gormley have moved their family to Los Angeles, Max is a Real Estate Broker. They have six sons and one daughter. Reviewing their children’s birth records, I have determined they moved to Los Angeles between 1920-1922. Grace and husband Vernon Dent live in Los Angeles at 3622 Empire Drive, Vernon is an “Actor - Moving Pictures”, Grace is no longer working. Gladys and husband Ronald Lee Stanley live in Glendale, Ronald is listed as “Truck Driver - Motion Pictures” and Gladys is listed as “Designer - Ladies’ Furnishings”. Ronald lists his profession as “Trucking” in 1931-1939 Glendale Directories. Helen and husband Pierre F. Sheetz live in Los Angeles with their two daughters, Pierre is listed as “Superintendent - Candy Manufacturer”. Their 3rd daughter, Shirley Ann, will be born in June 1930.
1931 – Robert W. dies at just 23yrs old, it appears he suffered from mental problems, his death certificate lists A-type Catatonic Psychosis (schizophrenia) & Exhaustion – I suspect this meant he committed suicide.
1933 – Benjamin Sr. dies at 66yrs old, his death certificate lists Diabetes Mellitus, heart disease and clogged arteries. Unfortunately, insulin was not widely available until he 1980’s.
1938 – Grace M. dies at just 42yrs old, her death certificate lists chronic Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart). Grace’s widower, Vernon Dent, marries his 3rd and final wife Hortense Eunice Boroughs on 27 Aug 1938, just 6 months after Grace died. Vernon will build an impressive comedic career in Hollywood but will not have any children.
By the April 1940 Census, Clara has moved in with her daughter Helen and Pierre F. Sheetz’s family, who live in Los Angeles with their three daughters. Pierre is listed as “Superintendent – Chain Candy Store”.
Compiled by Rich Kreder - 5 June 2020
Benjamin Franklin Rousseau (1867-1933) was the 3rd of 5 children between Francis Marion “Frank” Rousseau (1836-1908) and Marth Jane Corey (1837-1912). Benjamin Franklin Rousseau married Clara May Currier (1869-1961) on 5 Feb 1891 in Fort Wayne, IN. Together they raised (6) children and moved to Los Angeles, CA ~1918.
Fort Wayne, Indiana (1891-1901) - Benjamin and Clara started their family in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Based on subsequent census birth records, the family lived in Indiana from 1891 to 1901. Unfortunately, I have been unable to locate them in the 1900 census, perhaps they were actually in between Indiana and Connecticut in ~1900.
1893 - Lorene Marie (1893-1988) was born
1896 - Grace M. (1896-1938) was born
1899 - Gladys E. (1899-1975) was born
1901 - Benjamin is listed as a Superintendent in a Fort Wayne Directory, but he may have left before publication.
New Haven, Connecticut (1904-1908) - Based on census birth records, the family lived in Connecticut from 1904 to 1908. Helen, Benjamin and Robert are listed as born in Connecticut and Benjamin JR’s WWII draft card listed New Haven, Connecticut as his birthplace. I have been unable to locate any records explaining why they moved or what Benjamin did in Connecticut. I suspect Benjamin moved for work, as all Ben & Clara’s siblings resided in IN, MI, OH, PA during this time.
1904 - Helen May (1904-1965) was born
1905 - Benjamin Franklin Jr (1905-1996) was born
1908 - Robert W. (1908-1931) was born
Fort Wayne, Indiana (1909-1918) - The family returned to Fort Wayne, Indiana shortly after the death of Benjamin’s father, Francis Marion "Frank" Rousseau, on 20 June 1908.
1909 – Benjamin’s occupation is “Agent” in a Fort Wayne Directory.
1910 – Benjamin’s occupation is “Manager of Wholesale Meats” in the census. His father was listed as a farmer in the 1900 census, so I’m not sure if Benjamin took over his father’s business or just took a different job.
1913 – Benjamin’s occupation is “Real Estate” in the Fort Wayne Directory.
1915 – Lorene marries Max Gormley (1890-1974) in Indiana. Max’s 1916 WWI Draft Card lists him as a salesman for Jewel tea Company in Fort Wayne, IN.
1919 – Last year Benjamin is listed in Fort Wayne Directory, but I believe the family left in 1918 prior to directory publication.
Santa Monica, California (1918-1930) - By January 1920, Benjamin’s family was residing in Santa Monica, CA as documented in the 1920 census. Benjamin is a “Real Estate Agent”. Lorene and her husband Max Gormley remained in Indiana, and are raising their family in Columbia IN, where Max works at an “Electric Light Plant”.
1918 – Gladys’s bio states the family moved to California in 1918. Sisters Gladys and Grace secured wardrobe jobs with producer Cecil B. Demille, he will go on to have legendary career in film making.
1923 (est) – Helen marries Pierre F. Sheetz a Candy Manufacturer. They go on to have 3 daughters (Joy Helen-1924, Barbara Jean-1926, Shirley Ann-1930).
1924 – Sisters Gladys and Grace join Mack Sennett’s movie comedies. They are credited as the costume and wardrobe department for “Picking Peaches” (1924). Vernon Bruce Dent plays a shoe store manager opposite Harry Langdon in “Picking Peaches”. Gladys received additional credits for costume in wardrobe for “Galloping Bungalows” (1924) and “Yukon Jake” (1924).
1926 – Gladys marries Ronald Lee Stanley on 17 Feb 1926 in Los Angeles. Ronald is a truck driver for motion picture studios, this is his 2nd marriage. They live in Glendale, CA.
1927 – Grace marries the actor Vernon Bruce Dent (1895-1963) on 15 April 1927. Vernon had an extensive film career spanning 438 motion pictures. If you watched the black and white Three Stooges shorts, you have likely seen him playing the “heavy” opposite the Stooges. He was in (86) of ~200 Three Stooge shorts, more than any other supporting actor.
Los Angeles, California (1930- ) – By April 1930, Benjamin Sr. (63) is no longer working and the family is now living in Los Angeles. Grace and Gladys have married and moved. Sons Benjamin Jr and Robert W. are working as chauffeurs. I wish I could find out who they drove, given their sister’s connections, I suspect they drove many Hollywood stars. Lorene and husband Max Gormley have moved their family to Los Angeles, Max is a Real Estate Broker. They have six sons and one daughter. Reviewing their children’s birth records, I have determined they moved to Los Angeles between 1920-1922. Grace and husband Vernon Dent live in Los Angeles at 3622 Empire Drive, Vernon is an “Actor - Moving Pictures”, Grace is no longer working. Gladys and husband Ronald Lee Stanley live in Glendale, Ronald is listed as “Truck Driver - Motion Pictures” and Gladys is listed as “Designer - Ladies’ Furnishings”. Ronald lists his profession as “Trucking” in 1931-1939 Glendale Directories. Helen and husband Pierre F. Sheetz live in Los Angeles with their two daughters, Pierre is listed as “Superintendent - Candy Manufacturer”. Their 3rd daughter, Shirley Ann, will be born in June 1930.
1931 – Robert W. dies at just 23yrs old, it appears he suffered from mental problems, his death certificate lists A-type Catatonic Psychosis (schizophrenia) & Exhaustion – I suspect this meant he committed suicide.
1933 – Benjamin Sr. dies at 66yrs old, his death certificate lists Diabetes Mellitus, heart disease and clogged arteries. Unfortunately, insulin was not widely available until he 1980’s.
1938 – Grace M. dies at just 42yrs old, her death certificate lists chronic Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart). Grace’s widower, Vernon Dent, marries his 3rd and final wife Hortense Eunice Boroughs on 27 Aug 1938, just 6 months after Grace died. Vernon will build an impressive comedic career in Hollywood but will not have any children.
By the April 1940 Census, Clara has moved in with her daughter Helen and Pierre F. Sheetz’s family, who live in Los Angeles with their three daughters. Pierre is listed as “Superintendent – Chain Candy Store”.
Compiled by Rich Kreder - 5 June 2020
Fort Wayne, Indiana (1891-1901) - Benjamin and Clara started their family in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Based on subsequent census birth records, the family lived in Indiana from 1891 to 1901. Unfortunately, I have been unable to locate them in the 1900 census, perhaps they were actually in between Indiana and Connecticut in ~1900.
1893 - Lorene Marie (1893-1988) was born
1896 - Grace M. (1896-1938) was born
1899 - Gladys E. (1899-1975) was born
1901 - Benjamin is listed as a Superintendent in a Fort Wayne Directory, but he may have left before publication.
New Haven, Connecticut (1904-1908) - Based on census birth records, the family lived in Connecticut from 1904 to 1908. Helen, Benjamin and Robert are listed as born in Connecticut and Benjamin JR’s WWII draft card listed New Haven, Connecticut as his birthplace. I have been unable to locate any records explaining why they moved or what Benjamin did in Connecticut. I suspect Benjamin moved for work, as all Ben & Clara’s siblings resided in IN, MI, OH, PA during this time.
1904 - Helen May (1904-1965) was born
1905 - Benjamin Franklin Jr (1905-1996) was born
1908 - Robert W. (1908-1931) was born
Fort Wayne, Indiana (1909-1918) - The family returned to Fort Wayne, Indiana shortly after the death of Benjamin’s father, Francis Marion "Frank" Rousseau, on 20 June 1908.
1909 – Benjamin’s occupation is “Agent” in a Fort Wayne Directory.
1910 – Benjamin’s occupation is “Manager of Wholesale Meats” in the census. His father was listed as a farmer in the 1900 census, so I’m not sure if Benjamin took over his father’s business or just took a different job.
1913 – Benjamin’s occupation is “Real Estate” in the Fort Wayne Directory.
1915 – Lorene marries Max Gormley (1890-1974) in Indiana. Max’s 1916 WWI Draft Card lists him as a salesman for Jewel tea Company in Fort Wayne, IN.
1919 – Last year Benjamin is listed in Fort Wayne Directory, but I believe the family left in 1918 prior to directory publication.
Santa Monica, California (1918-1930) - By January 1920, Benjamin’s family was residing in Santa Monica, CA as documented in the 1920 census. Benjamin is a “Real Estate Agent”. Lorene and her husband Max Gormley remained in Indiana, and are raising their family in Columbia IN, where Max works at an “Electric Light Plant”.
1918 – Gladys’s bio states the family moved to California in 1918. Sisters Gladys and Grace secured wardrobe jobs with producer Cecil B. Demille, he will go on to have legendary career in film making.
1923 (est) – Helen marries Pierre F. Sheetz a Candy Manufacturer. They go on to have 3 daughters (Joy Helen-1924, Barbara Jean-1926, Shirley Ann-1930).
1924 – Sisters Gladys and Grace join Mack Sennett’s movie comedies. They are credited as the costume and wardrobe department for “Picking Peaches” (1924). Vernon Bruce Dent plays a shoe store manager opposite Harry Langdon in “Picking Peaches”. Gladys received additional credits for costume in wardrobe for “Galloping Bungalows” (1924) and “Yukon Jake” (1924).
1926 – Gladys marries Ronald Lee Stanley on 17 Feb 1926 in Los Angeles. Ronald is a truck driver for motion picture studios, this is his 2nd marriage. They live in Glendale, CA.
1927 – Grace marries the actor Vernon Bruce Dent (1895-1963) on 15 April 1927. Vernon had an extensive film career spanning 438 motion pictures. If you watched the black and white Three Stooges shorts, you have likely seen him playing the “heavy” opposite the Stooges. He was in (86) of ~200 Three Stooge shorts, more than any other supporting actor.
Los Angeles, California (1930- ) – By April 1930, Benjamin Sr. (63) is no longer working and the family is now living in Los Angeles. Grace and Gladys have married and moved. Sons Benjamin Jr and Robert W. are working as chauffeurs. I wish I could find out who they drove, given their sister’s connections, I suspect they drove many Hollywood stars. Lorene and husband Max Gormley have moved their family to Los Angeles, Max is a Real Estate Broker. They have six sons and one daughter. Reviewing their children’s birth records, I have determined they moved to Los Angeles between 1920-1922. Grace and husband Vernon Dent live in Los Angeles at 3622 Empire Drive, Vernon is an “Actor - Moving Pictures”, Grace is no longer working. Gladys and husband Ronald Lee Stanley live in Glendale, Ronald is listed as “Truck Driver - Motion Pictures” and Gladys is listed as “Designer - Ladies’ Furnishings”. Ronald lists his profession as “Trucking” in 1931-1939 Glendale Directories. Helen and husband Pierre F. Sheetz live in Los Angeles with their two daughters, Pierre is listed as “Superintendent - Candy Manufacturer”. Their 3rd daughter, Shirley Ann, will be born in June 1930.
1931 – Robert W. dies at just 23yrs old, it appears he suffered from mental problems, his death certificate lists A-type Catatonic Psychosis (schizophrenia) & Exhaustion – I suspect this meant he committed suicide.
1933 – Benjamin Sr. dies at 66yrs old, his death certificate lists Diabetes Mellitus, heart disease and clogged arteries. Unfortunately, insulin was not widely available until he 1980’s.
1938 – Grace M. dies at just 42yrs old, her death certificate lists chronic Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart). Grace’s widower, Vernon Dent, marries his 3rd and final wife Hortense Eunice Boroughs on 27 Aug 1938, just 6 months after Grace died. Vernon will build an impressive comedic career in Hollywood but will not have any children.
By the April 1940 Census, Clara has moved in with her daughter Helen and Pierre F. Sheetz’s family, who live in Los Angeles with their three daughters. Pierre is listed as “Superintendent – Chain Candy Store”.
Compiled by Rich Kreder - 5 June 2020
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
