Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
George and Theresa Korb made room for Earle Ackerman in their home and provided a space for him after death. Scenic Artist Earle Van Buren Ackerman (1877-1970) shares a gravestone with George Washington Korb (1889-1957) and his wife Theresa Elizabeth Zsiday Korb (1893-1947). By 1935 all three were living in Franklin, New Jersey. Earle was thirteen years older than Korb.
Theresa “Tessie” Elizabeth Zsiday was the daughter of Joseph Zsiday (1868-1926) and Elizabeth (Elza) Absalom Faber (1871-1962). Each left Hungary and arrived on America’s shore in 1890. Joseph Zsiday was a shoemaker.
Their first child Theresa “Tessie” Elizabeth Zsiday was born on Sept. 28, 1893. The 1910 census listed “Tessie” as a sixteen-year-old, the eldest of four children living at home in Brooklyn, New York. Her younger siblings were Julia (Jule) Agnes (1896-1964, married Paul Julius Zaber), Charles (1899-1977, married Anna Marie Offerding) and Joseph Jr. (1904-1989, married Rose Lillian Glod) At the time, Tessie was working as an operator in a fur factory. She married George Washington Korb on Feb 4, 1913. Their marriage announcement in the Brooklyn “Chat” specified, “George W. Korb, 23, of Newark, N. J., and Theresa E. Zsiday, 19, of 187 Throop avenue” (18 Jan., 1913, page 23.) The couple celebrated the birth of two children, Ethel M. in 1922 (married Ralph Mathews) and George Earle, on March 9, 1926.
George W. Korb, Sr. was born in Harrison, New Jersey, on February 22, 1890. The son of Ed J. Korb and Mary Ehehardt. His WWI draft registration card lists his physical appearance as tall and slender with brown eyes and light hair.
From 1909 to 1913, George W. Korb was working as a clerk, and boarding at 96 Spruce in Newark, New Jersey. It was not until 1910 that Korb partially transitioned from working as a clerk to a scenery painter. The 1910 US Federal Census listed both Korb and his brother Edward as living with their grandmother, Chrystina Korb. At the time he was nineteen years old.
In 1916, George W. Korb was again listed in the Newark City Directory as a clerk, living at 797 S. 13th Street. He remained at the same residence in 1917 and by 1918 he was again listed as a scenic artist. In 1918 Korb worked for Joseph A. and Wray Physioc at Physioc Studios at 624 West 24th St in New York City. In 1922, the Physioc studio burned to the ground. This was the same year that Korb founded the Beaux Arts Scenic Studio with Earle Ackerman. Of the Physioc Studio devastation, newspapers reported, “One of the most spectacular fires seen in New York for many months last Wednesday gutted the Physioc Studios at 449 and 451 First Avenue, and for four hours threatened the destruction of Bellevue hospital.”
In 1920, his brother Edward lived with George and Tessie on South 13th St. in Newark, New Jersey. By this time, George was working for himself, listing his occupation as proprietor of a scenic studio. He was likely working under his own name at this time.
From 1922 to 1925 the Newark Directory listed that Korb as working at Beaux Arts Scenic Studios. I have only located one mention of the firm. The “New York Clipper,” reported, “Earl Van Ackerman and George W. Korb, doing business as the Beaux Arts Scenic Studio, filed the suit against Dudley for the sum of $638 plus interest from July 8, 1922. In their complaint the plaintiffs allege, that scenery worth $1,628 was sold to Dudley, on which he paid $990, leaving a balance which they seek to recover” (7 Feb. 1923, page 5).
Little else is known of George’s later years beyond his obituary noting that he worked as a scenic artist for CBS in New York.
Theresa passed away on Jan. 23, 1947 at the age of fifty-four yrs. old. Her obituary in the “Courier-New” announced, “Mrs. George W. Korb of Howard Ave. died last night (Jan. 23, 1947) in Somerset Hospital (24 Jan. 1947, page 17). In addition to her husband, Mr. Korb is survived by her mother, Mrs. Elisabeth Zsiday; one daughter, Mrs. Ralph Mathews; and one son George, Korb, all of this place; and a sister and two brothers. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Taggart Funeral Home, Bound Brook.”
On July 22, 1957, George Korb passed away. His obituary in the “Courier-News” announced, “South Bound Brook – George W. Korb, 68, of Howard Ave., died Saturday (July 20, 1957) in New York following a sudden attack. A native of New York, he was a resident here for the past years. He was employed by CBS television in New York. Surviving him are one son, George E. of Green Brook; one daughter, Mrs. Ralph Mathews of Franklin Township; one brother, Edward of Pleasantville; and four grandchildren. Services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Taggart-Chamberlain Funeral Home, Bound Brook, with Rev. Daniel U. Smith of the Reformed Church officiating. Burial will be in the Bound Brook Cemetery” (22 July 1957, page 20).
Earle Ackerman passed away on April 29, 1970, in Philipsburg, New Jersey.
To be continued…
