Painted portrait of John Pearsol by Arthur Armstrong. Seated man faces slightly right. Dark hair parted on his right. Clean shaven except for fringe beard. Grey blue eyes. Black coat, black waistcoat, white shirt, and black bowtie. Reddish chair back visible at left. Dark brown background with blue and pale red at right of arm. Canvas mounted onto masonite. Small envelope pasted to bottom center inscribed "John. H. Pearsol." Paper tape on joint of maosnite and frame.
Cnavs: extensive craquelure Varnish somewhat darkened. Two tiny areas of paint loss at lower left.
Frame streaks of dark brush marks. minor gesso chipping.
Object ID
2013.006.2
Notes
Label:
John H. Pearsol and Cecilia Pearsol
Arthur Armstrong, circa 1847
John H. Pearsol (1818-1887) was a well-known printer for many years in Lancaster County. He was also a reformer. During America's Age of Reform, Pearsol dedicated his life to the Temperance Movement, a widespread, organized campaign aimed at regulating and even prohibiting the consumption of alcohol.
Portrait of Mrs. John Pearsol by Arthur Armstrong. Seated woman facing slightly left. Dark brownhair parted twice, gathered at back of head. Blue grey eyes. Light colored pleated dress with horizontal stripes, lace collar and v neckline. Large rectangluar brooch at neck. long gold chain leads to watch at waist. reddish chair at right side. Dark background. Small empty envelope pasted to bottom of background reads: "cecilia Ober Pearsol/(Mrs. John H.)" Two paper stickers at top right read; " Mister Cochran/ Shand--gen 63 III/Tel. 610651"
Overall condition is fair to good. canvas apparently mounted on masonite. Extensive craquelure. Top third of background overpainted with dark, matte paint; poorly colormatched. Varnish has darkened. possible small patches at lower left.
Frame: fair condition. blotchy gold overpaint. some gesso losses.
Oil on canvas. woman seated facing slightly to right wiht head facing more forward. Left arm draped over chair back. Brown hair parted at center, wearing low crowned cap with elaborate bows and lace coering ears to neck. Gray green eyes. Black pleated dress with stiffening around waist, v-neckline with embroidery or lace collar. Wrapped in soft grey shawl with left hand exposed. Low backed chair is reddish. Background is various browns. Stencil on back: 'A. Armstrong/Artist/ Lancaster, Pa." "1845" painted below stencil. Frame: wooden with multiple stepped profile on molding. Gilded.
Extensive craquelure. Raised stretcher line. Sagging canvas top left and left side. Scattered dark spots across right 2/3. Frame: good overall with worn gilding and inpainting and soil. Minor chips at outside edges. Back uncovered. Mortise and tenon stretcher with keys; some missing or replaced. At left bottom miter joint, a strip of gesso crack filler is loose and pressing against canvas.
Object ID
2009.020.1
Credit
Given in Memory of Marsha Sener Schuyler by Janet Godfrey Alspach and Gretchen Godfrey
Graduated from F & M. Enlisted in the army, 1942. Military intelligence. Security for Bob Hope, Frances Langford, Al Jolson. Undercover agent/had privilieges of field grade officers. Called back in 1951. Served as first lieutenant.
00:00:22 life prior to military
00:00:29 from Lancaster,
00:00:32 Graduated from McCaskey, (first class in 1938)
00:00:38 attended F & M College (1938 to 1942)
00:00:49 drafted six months before graduation
00:00:56 obtained six month deferment
00:01:13 obtained degree in 1942 (sociology)
00:02:14 One hundred plus in graduating class
00:02:29 Lowell Thomas speaker at graduation
00:03:02 wanted military intelligence work
00:03:09 Basic at Keesler field, Mississippi
00:03:22 Went to radio school in Sioux Falls, SD
00:03:32 trouble learning morse code
00:03:48 transferred to counter-intelligence corp
00:04:12 school about three months long
00:04:28 learned lockpicking and investigative work
00:04:54 went to Miami, Florida
00:05:20 detachment with ATC
00:05:46 Snyder had experience with radio
00:06:07 others had gone to air mechanics school
00:06:28 worked undercover in radio and mechanics fields
00:07:09 trips back and forth to Africa
00:08:00 flight miles totalled 41,790
00:08:58 sent to Marikesh
00:09:27 worked undercover on base
00:09:33 tried to stop any sabatoge
00:10:07 investigations did not turn up any sabatours
00:10:36 assigned to USO tours
00:11:14 Bob Hope, Gracie Fields and others
00:11:38 "short snorter"
00:11:49 flights over the equator
00:12:53 start with a dollar bill
00:14:04 General Gerow and Secretary Stinson autograph
00:14:24 helped with billets and security for USO
00:14:57 Served in Casablanca
00:15:31 went undercover. Did not wear insignia on uniform
00:16:05 passed as civilians on government duty
00:17:03 lived in officers quarters
00:17:10 had field grade officers privilgeces
00:17:24 personnel investigations
00:17:38 made connections with other allied intelligence forces
00:18:08 Germans had been evicted from North Africa
00:19:46 agents strung across North Africa
00:20:05 Reports sent by courier
00:21:14 lived in an apartment in Casablanca
00:21:54 learned French from lady landlord
00:22:38 carried a weapon.
00:23:01 picked to go to Africa due to training
00:23:22 did not find any sabatoge
00:24:16 maintained relations with local law enforcement
00:24:45 Overseas April 1943 to December 1944
00:25:25 Went to 2nd Air Force in Colorado Springs
00:25:58 discharged at Ft Meade, Maryland
00:26:48 went to law school at Dickinson college
00:27:12 Father was a dentist
00:27:42 tried to get into Univ of Pennsylania
00:27:53 graduated from Dickinson after two years
00:28:34 received direct commission to 1st Lt
00:28:48 recalled during Korean War
00:29:14 served a year and a half
00:29:36 served in counter intelligence
00:29:54 practice handled by older attorney
00:30:13 practiced law for 52 years
00:30:20 semi-retired now
00:30:43 soliticor for RRTA and Sheriff of Lancaster county
00:31:18 used G.I. Bill for schooling
00:32:04 tuition $400 to $500 a year in the 1940s
00:32:44 main thrust, maintain security for air bases
