“Marie Dressler Marries George Francis
Hopper A Fat, Freckles’ Red Hair Man The Treasurer for the Lillian Opera
Company’ ‘A man with baggage of His own with a 37 year Chorus Girl Named Dora
Rhinehardt who claims to be in a common Law marriage with him.”
The marriage between the
beloved Actress Marie Dressler, AKA Leila Marie Koerber born November 9, 1869 Cobourg,
Northumberland, Ontario, Canada and died July 29, 1934 Santa Barbara, Santa
Barbara, California, USA, The daughter of Alexander Rudolph Koerber and Anne
Henderson. Entered into a marriage with a man named George Francis Hopper Treasurer
for the Lillian Opera Company Who she described as fat, red hair and freckles
of a man.
Now who is George Francis
Hopper? often referred to often in misspelling of his name George Hoeppert or
as George Hoppert. Neither name is
correct. George Francis Hopper was born
1862 in Baltimore, Maryland the son Alexander Hopper and Rebecca Waters. He was
a manager and a Treasure in the Theatrical Business Where he met Marie while
working as a Treasurer at the Lillian Opera Company.
He was described as Fat, Red Hair and Freckles’. He was financially well off with his own
assets. On May 6, 1894 Greenville,
Hudson, New Jersey, USA. Mr. Hopper enter into marriage with Leila Marie
Koerber officiated by Dr. Chapman Episcopal Minister Witnessed by her parents
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander R. Koerber.
The marriage was with
controversy with a Chorus girl named Dora Rhinehardt 37 years who was abandon
by her first husband George Harris a variety actor. Dora claimed she entered into a Common Law
Marriage with Mr. Hopper in 1887. She
cooked and slaved over his every need as if they were really married and she
was behind his fortune and claims he had given her $1000. However, George
claims it was for her to leave him alone. Then She confronts Marie at the Casino and
assaults MS. Dressler tells her that she has letters to prove her relationship
and then she threatens legal action against her and not only she assaults her
she hotly berates George and threatens legal action against him as well.
Legal Troubles [August 6-9, 1894] After only a couple of month of
Marriage George is suing his employer Thomas Canary for money that was owed to him brought assault
charges due Mr. Canary caused bodily harm to his employee George Francis Hopper, ex-Treasurer
of the Lillian Russell Opera Company, who charges Manager Thomas Canary, of the
Casino, with assault on him arrested for
an alleged assault, told his story to Judge Voorhis, at Jefferson Market Court,
today. Mr. Hopper entered in the Mr.
Canary’s office demand money that was owed to him. Mr. Canary refused and he assaulted George
and refused to pay him. Then Mr. Canary gave his version, and they didn’t agree
at all. Canary alleged that instead of
striking Hopper he had been assaulted by the latter. In the struggle, he said, Hopper’s eye had
been blackened. Justice Voorhis
entertained a complaint of disorderly conduct, and Canary was put under $500
bonds, which was furnished by Harry Miner.
Now the Divorce, On October 29,
1896 Judge Beach in the Special term of the Supreme Court grants Miss
Dressler’s divorce due her matrimonial trouble were brought to the public
notice when she horsewhipped, in the lobby of the Casino, the woman who had
weaned her husband’s affections from her.
She was playing in the Lillian Russell Company, in 1894, when she met
the man whom she afterward married, George F. Hopper. She subsequently learned that another woman
had been known as Mrs. Hopper for some years, though no marriage ceremony had
been performed. Mr. Hopper quickly
drifted back to his former love. The
horsewhipping followed, and then the divorce suit.
Abraham H. Kaffenburgh, who
served the summons and complaint on Mr. Hopper, in Miner’s Bowery Theatre, said
in the defendant had remarked to him when he took the papers:
I think it is pretty late in the
day to bring a suit against me. My wife
knew what my relations with this woman had been, both before and after our
Marriage.
The divorce was finalized on
November 12, 1896 with absolute divorce due to Mr. Hopper relationship continued
with Rhinehardt. MS. Miss Dressler did not seek any damages or
support due to she was self-sufficient and can take care of herself
George Francis Hopper died
September 7, 1929 Brooklyn, Kings, New York, USA 67 years old, who died on
Sunday was at one-time treasurer for Miner’s Bowery Theatre and Proctors Fifth
Avenue Theatre. He was born in
Baltimore. For Ten years he has been
connected with the producing firm of Leffler and Bratton. Funeral Services were held Campbell’s Funeral at Broadway and 66th Street NYC, under the auspices of the Actors’ Fund of American.
Sources:
1.
Title: Excited Honeymoon
The
Evening World News New York, New York May 7, 1894 Page 3
2.
Title: Theater World Page 14
The
Salt Lake Herald Salt Lake City, Utah Page: 14
May 27, 1894
3.
New York Times September 10, 1929 Funeral
Services For George F. Hopper
4. 4. Title: Hopper-Canary
Case Post-pond
The Evening World New York, New York Page: 6 August 6, 1894
5.
Title: Canary Put Under Bonds.
The Evening World New York, New York
Page: 2 August 8, 1894
6.
Titled: Manager Canary Under Bonds. Charged with Disorderly Conduct by
Ex-Treasurer George F. Hopper
New
York Herald, New York, New York Page: 6
August 9, 1894
7. 7. NEW JERSEY, MARRIAGES, 1670-1980
Reference ID p23 rn95
Greenville, [Jersey City]
Hudson, New Jersey, USA
Family Search.org
ordered the
Record through the New Jersey State Archives July 26, 2016
8.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK CITY
MUNICIPAL DEATHS, 1795-1949
NYC Death Record Certificate #: cn
18675
Order July 26, 2016
9.
Order the divorce Documents New York City State Archives July 26, 2016
10.
Parents
Familysearch.org
By Jeannette K. Rook
July 26, 2016
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