James Russell Forgan Jr. Married Nazi War Criminal Relative

James Russell “Russ” Forgan  SENIOR  married Ada Johnson – who later remarried and was Ada F. Addington of Chicago. Ada’s father was Jackson Johnson. (also see My family tree II – James’s sister Marion married my Great-Great uncle)

James and Ada had 3 children. Two daughters – Florence Forgan (married Henry P. Wheeler), Joan Forgan (married ? Parks of Denver, then Whitney Addington and one son) and one son – James Russell Forgan Jr.

James Russell Forgan Jr. married Petronella Von Woyrsch on June 9, 1968.

  

Together, in 1971, they helped resurrect Club El Morocco in New York. (see section at the end of this post)

Petronella, was a blood (direct) descendant of Remus Von Woyrsch, Guenther Von Woyrsch, and Seigfreid (SP?) and Udo Von Woyrsch.

Both Siegfried (her father) and Udo (born 1895) her Uncle, were sons of Guenther, Siegfried being an older brother of Udo.

They were both Nazis and the wedding announcement does not reveal her family Nazi connections.

New York Times Betrothal Announcement June, 1968.

However, I dug into this and this is what I found.

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Lieutenant General Egon von Gersdorff

Petronella von Woyrsch’s Maternal Grandfather, mentioned in her betrothal announcement above, was Egon von Gersdorff.

On July 16, 1908, Egon von Gersdorff started with 23.ID (Dresden) – German Army, World War I – he became a Lieutenant General. – Axis History Forum

I believe his full name was Carl Adolph Egon von Gersdorff

and I think this is a relative of his, perhaps his father?:

Carl von Gersdorff (1844-1904). 95 letters 1865-1887.
Gersdorff first met Nietzsche in Pforta in 1861. He assisted Nietzsche in the early 1870s with dictation and proofreading. After 1876, they never met again; Nietzsche broke off all correspondence in December 1877. With the help of Heinrich Köselitz, they were reconciled by 1881, and renewed their correspondence.

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Remus Von Woyrsch

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Remus Von Woyrsch, quoted in the New York Times, blames the English for World War I.

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Guenther (Gunther) Von Woyrsch

Born in Pilsnitz on 13 Nov 1858 to Karl Von Woyrsch and Caecilie Websky. Guenther married Princess Gertrud and had 5 children. He passed away on 30 May 1923 in Schwanowitz.

Woyrsch Coat of Arms

The Woyrsch are ancient Bohemian nobility, oldest know person lived 1370 in Freistadt.

 

 Günther v. Woyrsch, *Pilsnitz, county of Breslau, 13.11.1858, +Schwanowitz 30.5.1923, ooKreisewitz 25.10.1850 Getrud countess v. Pfeil u. Ellguth, *Kreisewitz 28.1.1866, +Hetendorf 13.3.1956, daughter of Ewald and Marie Brandt v. Lindau.

Günther was the son of:
Karl Wilhelm Remus v. Woyrsch, *Pilsnitz 28.10.1814, +there 31.12.1899,oo Wüstegiersdorf 4.1.1844 Cäcilie Websky, *Wüstegiersdorf 8.10.1825, +Breslau 12.4.1903, daughter of Martin and Karoline Friedrike Kramsta.

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Siegfried von Woyrsch
– Petronella’s father

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Oberleutnant aD (1. Garde Regt zu Fuss) Siegfried von Woyrsch, seems to have had the Hohenzollern’s Honor Cross, which is the Catholic branch -

The white and 3 black stripes is the PRINCIPALITY of Hohenzollern’s Honor Cross– the Catholic branch of the family’s House Order. DOUBLE Prussian and Hohenzollern branch Hohenzollern House Orders are not at all common.

Only four possible recipients of the 3 Orders on there from what we know from the Award Rolls–

Hauptmann aD (Pio Bn 14) Lothar Baas, of Feldflieger Abteilung 26
Oberleutnant aD Walter-Heinrich Garbsch (Fusilier Regt 40)
Hauptmann aD (Feldart Regt 14) Walter von Holst
or
Oberleutnant aD (1. Garde Regt zu Fuss) Siegfried von Woyrsch

The white and 3 black stripes is the PRINCIPALITY of Hohenzollern’s Honor Cross– the Catholic branch of the family’s House Order. DOUBLE Prussian and Hohenzollern branch Hohenzollern House Orders are not at all common.

All 4 survived the 1914 war, hence their aD ranks as shown

Siegfried von Woyrsch (born March 19th 1893 in Schwanowitz; promoted to SS-Obersturmführer on the 4th of July 1934 (perhaps he played a role in the Night of the Long Knives with his brother Udo?) ; member of the staff of the 16th’s.

23) von Woyrsch, Siegfried / Unit – 16. Standarte / ———- / SS# 243.111 / Last Grade – SS-Obersturmführer / Exit date – 01.03.1935 – Panzer Archive

 1  October 1934 | Full name | service positions | Party Number | SS No. | lieutenant | First Lieutenant |

1057 | Woyrsch of Siegfried | Staff 16th  Sta.  | | 243 111 | 05/27/34 | 07/04/34 | (sic)

Obersturmführer was a Nazi party paramilitary rank that was used in several Nazi organizations, such as the SA, SS, NSKK and the NSFK. Translated as “senior assault (or storm) leader”, the rank of Obersturmführer was first created in 1932 as the result of an expansion of the Sturmabteilung (SA) and the need for an additional rank in the officer corps. Obersturmführer also became an SS rank at that same time.

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Udo Von Worysch
-Petronella Uncle

Full name: Udo gustav Wilhem Egon von Woyrsch

Udo von Woyrsch was born in Schwanowitz or Zwanowice, Brzeg County, in Silesia in 1895. (He died 14 January 1983) His family owned an estate there. His family had originally come from Southern Bohemia, and had established themselves around 1500 in Troppau / Opava (Moravian Silesia). The family were recognised minor nobility : one ancestor had even served as a Prussian royal chamberlain and his uncle was the Prussian General Field Marshal Remus von Woyrsch (1847–1920). – Wikipedia

The Woyrsch are ancient Bohemian nobility, oldest know person lived 1370 in Freistadt. Udo was the son of:Günther v. Woyrsch, *Pilsnitz, county of Breslau, 13.11.1858, +Schwanowitz 30.5.1923, ooKreisewitz 25.10.1850 Getrud countess v. Pfeil u. Ellguth, *Kreisewitz 28.1.1866, +Hetendorf 13.3.1956, daughter of Ewald and Marie Brandt v. Lindau.

Günther was the son of:
Karl Wilhelm Remus v. Woyrsch, *Pilsnitz 28.10.1814, +there 31.12.1899,oo Wüstegiersdorf 4.1.1844 Cäcilie Websky, *Wüstegiersdorf 8.10.1825,+Breslau 12.4.1903, daughter of Martin and Karoline Friedrike Kramsta.

Udo first married:

Marie-Eva von Eichborn

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Whom he divorced in 1935.

Marie Eva Edelgard Elfriede Ottilie, *Pischkowitz 5.3.1902, oo Pischkowitz 25.6.1924 Udo Gustav Wilhelm Egon v. Woyrsch, *Schwanowitz 24.7.1895, owner of Schwanowitz and Pramsen (both in the county of Brieg), marriage got divorced 19.5.1935, she took her old surname since 18.5.1936. Udo in ooII. Bad Salzbrunn 21.9.1935 Inez Freiin v. Tschammer u.Quaritz, *21.12.1908.

She was the daughter of the landowner Wolfgang von Eichborn Kowitz.

The daughter of Marie Eva v. Eichborn and Udo v. Woyrsch was:

Tatjana Marie Eva Cäcilie, *Breslau 4.6.1925, oo Tillamook, Oregon,18.12.1953 Ramon Clitton Lee, *Raymond 28.10.1912, +Long Beach 28.8.1964.

Then he married Inez Freiin (Baroness) von Tschamm u. Quaritz in 1934.

His second marriage was to Inez Freiin Tschammer und Quaritz (* December 21, 1908 in Lower Tschirnau, Guhrau District, Lower Silesia; †?) on 21 September 1934 in Bad Salzbrunn (Lower Silesia). She was the daughter of the landowner Siegfried Freiherr von Tschammer und Quaritz (of the House Stephanshain). – wikipedia

He had one child with his first wife and three with his second.

according to
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/GEN-DE/2001-10/1004058440
und Birn, a.a.O. Udo von Woyrsch was married to Baroness Ines von Tschammer und Osten in 1934…

His orange card in his SSO file shows he had one child with his first wife and three with his second.

Udo had 4 grandchildren. Three of them are in California and one in Germany. The three in California are from Udo’s first marriage to Marie-Eva.

It is sad to view the 1938 portraits of August and Helene Von Cramon when they were proud and respected. Shortly thereafter, in early 1939, they attended the 80th birthday of the Kaiser, but Helene died later that year and August died in 1940.

Later, one of their nephews was persecuted by Goering for having a Jewish wife, the husband of their granddaughter was executed for being involved in the July 20 1944 plot against Hitler, and a son-in-law was sent to Theresienstadt concentration camp. A nephew-in-law [Udo von Worysch] was imprisoned for war crimes. Quite likely after WWII the family lost any estates which were situated behind the Iron Curtain.

Udo was the leader of Abschnitt VI (Breslau),  and also Himmler’s adjutant, then his ‘chief of staff’. He also had a full-time job managing his father’s estate. -Heinrich Himmler: A Life  By Peter Longerich

Udo, was a “favorite” of Heinrich Himmler.

…SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Udo Von Woyrsch who, as one of Himmler’s favorites…..

He repeatedly entertained Himmer at his estate in Lower Silesia, and enjoyed the “privilege” of addressing the Resichsfuhrer SS with the familiar “Du”.

Holocaust David Ceserani

From early 1914 to 9 February 1919 Udo von Woyrsch served with the Germany Army as an Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) in the Great War. From 10 February 1919 to 23 August 1920 he was associated with an organization called the Grenzschutz (“border protection”). He was awarded a variety of medals during the war, including the Iron Cross (First Class) and later the Cross of Honour 1914-1918 Combatants. – wikipedia

Udo was involved with the Freikorps during the 1920’s. Early on, he joined the NSDAP (Member Number 162,349) and the SS (Member Number 3,689). Himmler charged him with organizing the SS in Silesa, he became the first commander of the SS-Obeabschnitt Sudost.

according to
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/GEN-DE/2001-10/1004058440

Udo was always landing himself in trouble with Himmler because of his self-opinionated attitude and rudeness to other SS-Führer. You can see one of his personality traits emerging in the famous photo of the SS-Führer on the steps of the Brown House.

In 1933, he was elected to the Reichstag, and in June of 1934 he participated in the Night of the Long Knives, ordering the execution of his SS rival Emil Sembach.

Udo took command in Silesia and on the orders of Goring arrested a number of SA leaders, disarmed all SA headquarter’s guards and occupied the Breslau police headquarters, and murdered some of the SA officers as well.

The purge operations in Breslau and in the whole of Silesia were personally directed by the commander of Oberabschnitt Südost, SS-Gruf. Udo von Woyrsch together with Ernst Müller. Various sources maintain that he had trouble with some of his men. It is also mentioned that there was a major roundup and arrest on an “armed SA camp” which briefly resisted the SS attackers. This might be a focal point, perhaps the SA-Staf. Nixdorf was one of those in that camp.

During the night of 3O june to 1 july 34,…

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=142600

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Himmler was offering von Woyrsch, whom he had had to dismiss as leader of oberabschnitt east for being involved in unauthorized murders associated with 30 June 1934, a chance to ‘prove himself’ by taking radical action in Poland.

-Heinrich Himmler: A Life  By Peter Longerich

People killed in night of the long knives

Emil Sembach (Born 2 April 1891, SS Oberführer. Attached to SS headquarters in Silesia, he was expelled for embezzlement in February 1934 and had denounced Kurt Wittje’s homosexuality to the Minister of Defence and to the Reichswehr. He then asked Frick for protection. Udo von Woyrsch, who had a personal vendetta against Sembach, discussed the case with Himmler in June and Sembach was arrested the afternoon of 30 June 1934 in Brieg (HQ of SS Oa Sudost) and taken to Oels. On 1 July Sembach was taken into the mountains and shot by a Commando under SS-Hauptsturmführer Paul Exner on Woyrsch’ orders OR , drowned in a reservoir near Brieg)

http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=4558

Udo had a close friendship with Himmler and Heydrich. So even though he was “removed” just 6 months later, on January 1, 1935 he was promoted to SS Obergruppenfuhrer (then the second-highest rank)

Note: as far as I can tell ‘Einsatzgruppen” means “special operations group”

Einsatzgruppen Logo

Einsatzgruppen (German: “task forces”;^[1] singular Einsatzgruppe; official full name Einsatzgruppen der Sicherheitspolizei und des SD) were SS paramilitary death squads that were responsible for mass killings, typically by shooting, of Jews in particular, but also significant numbers of other population groups and political categories. The Einsatzgruppen operated throughout the territory occupied by the German armed forces following the German invasions of Poland, in September, 1939, and later, of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941. The Einsatzgruppen carried out operations ranging from the murder of a few people to operations which lasted over two or more days, such as the massacres at Babi Yar (33,771 killed in two days) and Rumbula (25,000 killed in two days). The Einsatzgruppen were responsible for the murders of over 1,000,000 people, and they were the first Nazi organizations to commence mass killing of Jews as an organized policy. – wikipedia

1939 – 31 August – Six Einsatzgruppen were constituted under the code word “Tannenberg” for the occupation of Poland.

Essentially, Germans dressed up as Polish soldiers,  then “invaded” a German radio station and planted a dead body of a “Polish radical” there. The Codeword that started the Operation (means GO!) was “Grandma’s dead.”

Historical Dictionary of German Intelligence By Jefferson Adams, p 455

More details in the below video.

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1939 – 3 September -  Udo Woyrsch’s group was established. The “Einsatzgruppe for special duty in the Upper Silesian Industrial Area” (“Einsatzgruppe z.b.V. für das oberschlesische Industrialgebiet”), established by order of Hitler on 3.09.1939, under the command of SS Obergruppenführer Udo von Woyrsch,were reknown for their ruthlessness.

Obergruppenführe = Lieutenant General

Note: there seems to be some confusion regarding this – another source has Udo’s group as being established in August, and another one has it as being established by Himmler, and that it was Himmler that gave the order on September 3, 1939.

EINSATZGRUPPE z.b.V. VON WOYRSCH
Established: Aug. 1939
Disbanded: 20. Nov. 1939
EG-Führer:
SS-Ogruf. Udo von Woyrsch and SS-Oberf. Dr. Dr. Otto Rasch:

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Also referred to as the “Fifth” Einsatzgruppe, which was set up at the headquarters of Eberhard Schongarth, the commander of the security police in Cracow, and set out at the beginning of July for the eastern Polish terriroties; from August it was referred to as “Einsatzgruppe z.b.V. (Krausnick, “Eisengruppen”. 180 f.)

“…responding to the news of alleged disturbances in the industrial district  of eastern Upper Silesia, he [Himmler] ordered SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Udo Von Woyrsch to establish an Einsatzgruppe z.b.V. (‘for special assignments’) and made him responsible for ‘radically crushing the Polish uprising that is flaring up […] with all available means”.
-Heinrich Himmler: A Life  By Peter Longerich

Udo’s men committed horrific atrocities on the the Jews of Poland.

Even the early days of September 1939 were marked by terror, when Einsatzgruppe z.b.V. under SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Udo von Woyrsch began to advance from Kattowitz behind the rear guard of the 14^th Army of Wehrmacht Army Group South. The force had been rapidly assembled from mixed units of security and regular police specifically for duty in upper Silesia on Himmler’s teletyped order of the evening of 3 September.

… Einsatzgruppe z.b.V., in contrast to other special units, unleashed a wave of systematic violence against the Jewish population which included mass executions and attacks on Jewish Intitutions. Presumably these acts were carried out on the personal initiative of SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Udo Von Woyrsch who, as one of Himmler’s favorites…..The brutality of their behavior is clear enough….but eloquent entries in the daily reports of Einsatzgruppe z.b.V. referring to “synagogues catching fire”, “incidental shootings”, “pacification actions”, and “shooting insurgents”. (The Reports date from 6 to 22 September 1939, see Krausnick, Ensatzgruppen, p 41,52.)

-Holocaust David Ceserani

Those daily reports were rather horribly understated, as you might imagine.

If anyone could point me to pictures of what his group did specifically – I would like to add them to this record.

1939 – mid September – Von Woyrsch’s group began mass shootings of Polish Jews, aristocrats, intellectuals and priests.

After it had become clear that there was no significant uprising in the ‘area of operations;, Himmler extended von Woyrsch’s mission. He appointed him ‘Special Police Commander’ in the area of the 14^th Army and ordered him to ‘disarm and crush the Polish bandits. Executions.’ Himmler was offering von Woyrsch, whom he had had to dismiss as lleader of oberabschnitt east for being involved in unauthorized murders associated with 30 June 1934, a chance to ‘prove himself’ by taking radical action in Poland. What was required was murderous initiative, and in fact Einsatzgruppe z.b.V. was to carry out numerous pogroms against Jews in its path through Poland.

-Heinrich Himmler: A Life  By Peter Longerich

In mid-Sept 1939 Himmler sent a “Special Duty” Einsatzgruppe (Action Group) commanded by Udo von Woyrsch to liquidate Polish intellectuals in the area of Katowice, Poland, and to deport the Jews of Danzig, West Prussia, Poznan, and Upper Silesia into the interior of Poland,

(Hoehne 342)

1939 – On 20 September the 14th Army reported mass shootings, especially of Jews by the “Einsatzgruppe Woyrsch“. Gerd von Rundstedt, the head of the German military government in Poland told Himmler Einsatzgruppe would no longer be tolerated.

On 20 Sept 1939, the head of operations of the German 14th Army in Poland, commanded by Generaloberst Wilhelm List, reported that his troops were becoming restive “because of the largely illegal measures taken in the Army area by Einsatzgruppe Woyrsch’s mass shootings of Polish Jews, aristocrats, intellectuals and priests. The troops are especially incensed that, instead of fighting at the front, young men should be demonstrating their courage against defenseless civilians.” Generaloberst Gerd von Rundstedt, the head of the German military government in Poland, then told Reichsfuehrer-SS Heinrich Himmler that SS-Obergruppenfuehrer Udo von Woyrsch’s Einsatzgruppe would no longer be tolerated in the Operations Zone.

(Hoehne 343)

1939 – 20 November – Udo’s “Einsatzgruppe for special duty in the Upper Silesian Industrial Area” is disbanded.

EINSATZGRUPPE z.b.V. VON WOYRSCH
Established: Aug. 1939
Disbanded: 20. Nov. 1939
EG-Führer:
SS-Ogruf. Udo von Woyrsch and SS-Oberf. Dr. Dr. Otto Rasch:

1939 – On 4 October, Adolf Hitler secretly declared an amnesty to protect the SS men who had served in Einsatzgruppen in Poland from military trials. These SS men had been accused of war crimes by Germany Army officers, in connection with mass shootings and other atrocities against Polish Jews and the intelligentsia of Poland. This amnesty included, among others, the two SS men who had shot the 50 Jews in a Polish synagogue on 14 Sept 1939. – (Snyder Ency 7)

Udo Von Worysch was captured by the English approximately June 1, 1945.

There is a document in the Harvard collection of the Nuremberg trials, where Udo admits to some kind of “testing” of incendiaries on people.

HLSL Item No.:  795

Personal Author: Udo von WOYRSCH (SS General of the Police)  Literal Title: Affidavit.  Descriptive Title: Affidavit concerning experiments on incendiary bomb injuries.  Document Date: 3 May 1947  Language of Text: English Document Type: Trial document; from the case files of documents prepared for use in the trial. Trial Name: NMT 01. Medical Case – USA v. Karl Brandt, et al.

Nuremberg Trials Documents

There’s a video covering the Einsatzgruppen part of the Nuremberg trials, Nuremberg Case #9 Einsatzgruppen. (starts at 7 minutes)

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1945 – 1948 – Udo was a prisoner of the British and was sentenced to 20 years at Spruchkammer Bergedorf, but released in 1952.

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In August 1957, Udo was found guilty of the “Roehm purge”.

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according to
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/GEN-DE/2001-10/1004058440

He was again sentenced to 10 years in 1957 in Osnabrück for his part in the Röhm Putsch. He was released in 1960.

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James Russell Forgan Jr. and Club El Morocco

Apparently at some point, James divorced Petronella (or perhaps she died?) as at the time of his death in 2001, his wife is listed as Kathryn Zahony Livingston.

Forgan was with Petronella at least as late as 1982, where they were involved in a tax lawsuit.

Lawyer:

Russell died at home in NYC Oct. 22, 2001, after a long illness through which he battled gallantly.

Born in Lake Forest, Ill., he prepared at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Mass. At Princeton he received a degree in modern languages, and was a member of Triangle Club, Theatre Intime, and Key and Seal Club.

After serving as aide-de-camp to an Army general during the Korean War, he returned to NYC, where he successfully pursued a career in finance, investments, and filmmaking. In the late 1970s he sold his seat on the NY Stock Exchange, moved to England and then to Palm Beach, before returning to NYC and further financial ventures.

Russell had a lifetime special interest in writing and producing plays and screenplays. He helped revive the El Morocco nightclub, launched a school for backgammon-playing, helped establish a distinguished young sculptor, and patented an invention.

Russell was celebrated in memorial remarks by his stepdaughter, Valerie Livingston, for his well-honed wit, his theatrical sense of ceremony, and his ability to remain a gentleman in even the most trying of circumstances.

 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy, and a stepson, Bret Livingston, as well as his stepdaughter. To them, all his classmates extend their deepest sympathies.

The Class of 1952

-Princeton Obit

Forgan Jr. apparently never had any children of his own.

FORGAN-James Russell, Jr. Age 71. Investment banker. Died peacfully at home on October 22, 2001 after a long illness in New York City. Beloved husband of Kathryn Zahony Livingston; dear brother of the late Joan F. Parks of Denver, Florence F. Wheeler of Lake Forest and Ada F. Addington of Chicago. His survivors include a stepson Bret B. Livingston, a step daughter Valerie V. Livingston, 10 nephews and nieces and 13 grand nephews and nieces. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Russell Forgan of New York City and Watch Hill, RI; the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. David R. Forgan of Evanston, IL and Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Johnson of St. Louis, MO. He was born August 4, 1930, graduated from the Buckley School in New York City, St. Marks School in Southborough, MA and Princeton University Class of 1952. He served as an Army Lieutenant in the Korean War. He held a seat on the New York Stock Exchange. His lifetime special interest was writing and producing plays and screen plays. He was a founder of the night club, El Morocco when it was revived in the 60s, and in the 70s launched a school for backgammon playing. Private funeral services are planned for October 25 in Watch Hill, RI. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2001 at 11:00 AM at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Fifth Ave & 53rd St. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to St. Mark’s School in Southborough, MA., or Princeton University in Princeton, NJ. – New York times paid death notice October 28, 2001

 

The El Morocco (sometimes nicknamed Elmo or Elmer) was a 20th century Manhattan nightclub frequented by the rich and famous in the 1930s and 1950s. It was famous for its blue zebra-stripe motif (designed by Vernon MacFarlane) and its official photographer, Jerome Zerbe.

History

In 1931, John Perona (born Eriane Giovanni Perona in Chiaverano in the Province of Turin, Italy), an Italian immigrant, with Martín de Alzaga opened El Morocco as a speakeasy at 154 East 54th Street, on the south side of 54th Street in the middle of the block between Lexington Avenue and Third Avenue, where the Citigroup Center now stands.

After prohibition was repealed, it became one of the most popular establishments in New York City. Its regular clientele consisted of fashionable society, politicians, and entertainers. Part of what made the club the ‘place to be’ was the photographs taken by Jerome Zerbe which were always in the news the next day. Everyone always knew from the background zebra stripes on the banquettes where the celebrities had been.

The neighborhood started changing after World War II, and eventually Perona moved El Morocco to a four-storey townhouse at 307 East 54th Street, on the north side of the street near the corner of Second Avenue in 1960.

Perona died in 1961, and his son, Edwin took over the proprietorship. Later that year, Edwin Perona sold the club to John Mills, who owned it for three years.

It was then owned by Maurice Uchitel and Sheldon Hazeltine. Before taking over El Morocco, Uchitel owned the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach for several years.

William Casey, Forgan Junior’s dad’s OSS Buddy – liked to hang out out there

Box/Folder: 518 : 5

Club El Morocco (New York City)

http://www.oac.cdlib.org/view?docId=kt1s20357r&view=dsc&style=oac4&dsc.position=2501

Interesting tidbits –

*First club to use a velvet rope.
*In 1950, Humphrey Bogart was banned for life.

James Russell Forgan jr – in 1971 helped resurrect the El Morocco as a private dinner club.

             

Schenectady Gazette - Jan 17, 1972
P21 Waycross Journal-Herald - Dec 20, 1971

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The club opened December 16 (or 17th) 1971

Reading Eagle - Dec 17, 1971  P 9

Geoffrey M.T. Jones was the Manager.

 

The Milwaukee Sentinel - Dec 22, 1971  p 10

 

Forgan’s friends the Onassis’s came to the Opening of the new El Morocco.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Dec 17, 1971  p 9

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The End