Maybelline Family's unsung hero, from the Greatest Generation, my grandfather, Preston Williams.

             Evelyn, Billy and Preston Williams in Chicago, 1925.

On Nov. 26, 1923, though Preston and Evelyn were unprepared for a Child, their son William Preston Williams Jr., Billy, was born.  Preston was crazy about the child that brought sunshine back into his soul, and not since the Great War had he felt a desire to "make something of himself."

However, when the pressure of daily responsibilities became too oppressive for him he once again turned to alcohol for self medication as the torture of Post Traumatic Stress disorder clouded his thinking. 

Like so many men from the "Lost Generation" his fear of cheating death and survivors guilt caused great anxiety and a need to run away from those he loved the most.

Read more about Preston Williams and his struggle to survive in a changing world that he felt, "left him behind."  

Memorial to the Maybelline Family Veterans who fought for their Country during WWl and WWll.

Today I honor the men in my family who served in the Armed Forces and fought in WW1 and WW11.

Maybelline family Veteran William Preston Williams, WW1.

This Memorial Day marked the 5TH anniversary of my father's death and brought to mind the War Heroes in the Maybelline Family.  Here are a few pictures of my grandfather Williams Preston Williams as he prepared to leave his home and family and fight for our Country during World War l.

This is what Chicago looked like when my grandfather William Preston Williams joined the Navy in 1917.  He was just 18 years old with visions of being a War Hero.  Like so many boy's from the Lost Generation he imagined the war would quickly end and he'd return unscathed by the ravages of battle - only to be greatly disillusioned with a broken spirit.

This is what was going on in the Maybelline Family at the same time.  Tom Lyle introduced Maybelline to the public as Silent Film became popular and Silent Film Stars were seen on screen with heavily made up eyes.

Theda Bara "THE VAMP" - 1917.  This is what was going on in Hollywood when WW1 broke out.  Women began to be conscious of the their eyes and buy Maybelline.  An interesting fact -  Maybelline was sent in an unmarked package insuring the buyer her privacy since Maybelline was so frowned upon at the time.

1917 Maybelline became available through mail order. 

Screen from the Silent Film WINGS.  This is what Preston was heading into.  He was a rear gunner on one of those Flying Sticks in the sky.


 

Preston with his parents Susan and TJ.  His mother was grief stricken after already losing her first son, Pearl to TB and the thought of losing another son to War was too much for her.  TJ on the other hand was proud his son was fighting for his Country like so many Patriots that went before him in the Williams Family.  He also thought the Navy might straighten his wild card son up a bit. 
                                                                               

Preston was leaving his family to go fight the enemy, an enemy he and so many young American boys thought would be easy to destroy.  It was far from easy, and Preston came home with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, never to be the same again.  Here he is with his little sister Eva on the left, Frances Allen, Tom Lyle Williams Noel James Williams and Bennie Gibbs.

Mabel Williams on the left with her brother Preston, Helen, one of the first Maybelline models, Frances Allen Williams, Bennie Gibbs and Tom Lyle Williams in front of his new "PAGE "Convertible in Chicago. 

Tom Lyle enlisted as well but was denyed service because he was the sole supporter of his entire family according to his draft card in 1917.  Noel was married to Frances and also supported the family managing the Maybelline Company. He might have been too old for service at the time. 

Maybelline Ad during WW11, promoting War Bonds.

My father, Bill Williams (W.P. Williams Jr.) in the Philippines during WW11. Detailed in my book.

                        Maybelline Ad during WW11.

My Father's first cousin, Noel A. Williams,  joined the Navy right out of High School.

            Noel A. in his Navy uniform during WW11.

My father's first cousin - (on his mother Evelyn Boecher Williams side) - Bill Stroh.  Bill Stroh, is seen here on the right, standing with two Naval buddies on their Ship during WW11.

Bill Stroh in the middle.  I have done several posts about Bill Stroh and his 1965 Shelby 350 Mustang racing car.

Bill Stroh, during WW11. Want to know more about Bill Stroh, check him out in my archives.

HEDY LAMARR in H.M. Pulham ESQ flaunts makeup in public after WW l..

After World War 1, nice girls didn't paint and powder themselves.  However a new breed of women emerged in 1920 and that's the target market Maybelline captured.  

After the end of World War I, Harry (Robert Young,) gets a job in a New York City advertising company, where he falls in love with a vivacious,independent coworker, Marvin Miles (Hedy Lamarr)... However, she cannot bring herself to fit into his traditional idea of a wife's role. 

Lash-Brow-Ine, became Maybelline in 1917 and Hollywood Stars like Ethel Clayton endorsed the new eye beauty product...helping launch the idea that nice girls did make up their eyes!!  

Nice girls before World War 1, aspired to make a good marriage and not have a career.

When Tom Lyle Williams founded Maybell-Laboratories and produced Lash-Brow-Ine and Maybelline he published a book called The Woman Beautiful, suggesting the virtues of beautifying your eyebrows and eyelashes .

By the 1920's Dime stores couldn't keep Maybelline stocked fast enough...Women were stepping out of the kitchen...into the workplace... painting and powdering their face's in public

and feeling quite comfortable pulling out their make up bag.

TCM was showing Hedy Lamarr and Robert Young in a classic 1941 film called, H.M.Pulham ESQ.  Check out this one minute scene and you'll see the point I've been trying to make.  Hedy Lamarr's character was a modern Maybelline girl in about 1918. 

My Vintage Maybelline Mini Make Up Bags have arrived and are ready for purchase.  Check them out at 
http://www.maybellinebook.com/p/make-up-bags.html
SOLD OUT

Happy Veterans Day

 On this special Veterans Day.....
God Bless the brave men and women past and present who put their lives on the line for us.

WASHINGTON — Before the United States was born, there was a Marine Corps. For the last 236 years Marines have fought tirelessly to preserve the freedom of the United States and the traditions of the Corps.

Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War 1. 

Veterans Day has always had special for me, because my grandfather William Preston Williams fought overseas  for his country.  He returned with Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD,) a severe anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to any event that results in psychological trauma.

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Maybelline's contribution during World War ll, included promoting War Bonds, raising moral and honoring all branches of the Service.

 This Maybelline ad says - Save your money the safest way - Buy U.S. War Bonds Regularly.

Read more about my grandfather, Preston and my father Bill, during the Wars, in The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It. 

This weekend I will be posting a video of my cooking segment at AZTV, making Frances' Depression Era, Chocolate Icebox Cake last month.

Also stay tuned for video and pictures of my Laguna Beach presentation at Laguna Beach Books hosted by the Association of American University Women last weekend.   

Maybelline family Veteran William Preston Williams, WW1.

This Memorial Day marked the 5TH anniversary of my father's death and brought to mind the War Heroes in the Maybelline Family.  Here are a few pictures of my grandfather Williams Preston Williams as he prepared to leave his home and family and fight for our Country during World War l.

This is what Chicago looked like when my grandfather William Preston Williams joined the Navy in 1917.  He was just 18 years old with visions of being a War Hero.  Like so many boy's from the Lost Generation he imagined the war would quickly end and he'd return unscathed by the ravages of battle - only to be greatly disillusioned with a broken spirit.

This is what was going on in the Maybelline Family at the same time.  Tom Lyle introduced Maybelline to the public as Silent Film became popular and Silent Film Stars were seen on screen with heavily made up eyes.

Theda Bara "THE VAMP" - 1917.  This is what was going on in Hollywood when WW1 broke out.  Women began to be conscious of the their eyes and buy Maybelline.  An interesting fact -  Maybelline was sent in an unmarked package insuring the buyer her privacy since Maybelline was so frowned upon at the time.

1917 Maybelline became available through mail order. 

Screen from the Silent Film WINGS.  This is what Preston was heading into.  He was a rear gunner on one of those Flying Sticks in the sky.




Preston with his parents Susan and TJ.  His mother was grief stricken after already losing her first son, Pearl to TB and the thought of losing another son to War was too much for her.  TJ on the other hand was proud his son was fighting for his Country like so many Patriots that went before him in the Williams Family.  He also thought the Navy might straighten his wild card son up a bit. 
                                                                               

Preston was leaving his family to go fight the enemy, an enemy he and so many young American boys thought would be easy to destroy.  It was far from easy, and Preston came home with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, never to be the same again.  Here he is with his little sister Eva on the left, Frances Allen, Tom Lyle Williams Noel James Williams and Bennie Gibbs.

Mabel Williams on the left with her brother Preston, Helen, one of the first Maybelline models, Frances Allen Williams, Bennie Gibbs and Tom Lyle Williams in front of his new "PAGE "Convertible in Chicago. 

Tom Lyle enlisted as well but was denyed service because he was the sole supporter of his entire family according to his draft card in 1917.  Noel was married to Frances and also supported the family managing the Maybelline Company. He might have been too old for service at the time. 

 If you have read The Maybelline Story these pictures will enhance the visual for you.  If you haven't purchased a signed copy yet just click on maybellinestory.com and one will be mailed to you directly.  I will continue with WWll Maybelline family Veterans tomorrow.  Stay tune for more wonderful pictures and stories.

Maybelline's Black Sheep - Preston Williams.



Preston, Eva, Tom Lyle, Mabel, Noel, Susan and Sheriff T.J., 1916.

 Tom Lyle's brother Preston has no interest in being part of the Maybelline company.

Preston in front with Ches Haines, 1922.

Why was that? After all he had every opportunity to become part of the executive team for the Maybelline Company.  Oh, if only Preston had shown a little passion or devotion for the family business!  You'll have to read The Maybelline Story for the full scoop about my grandfather Preston but for now here are a few clues into his early years and why he  did it HIS WAY. 

As a child Preston envisioned himself heading out West searching for high adventure and had no desire to  work the family farm in Kentucky.  He was forever attracting trouble, though preferred periods of isolation where he might master his thoughts while fishing, hunting rabbits in the woods or just reading about cowboys while perched on a tree limb next to the barn.  Needless to say he was all boy and detested any restraints put on his free spirit.  However, his refusal to submit to his father T.J. brought  sure and swift consequences.

As Sheriff, TJ was likely to lock boys who got “too big for their britches” in a jail cell for an overnight stay.  Breakfast the next morning was served only after repentance had been made. But no matter what the punishment, Preston proved a hard nut to crack, and his willful behavior often drove T. J. into a rage. 

My great grandfather, Sheriff T.J., tried everything to break my grandfather's wild streak - from extended lectures, whippings, to finally the jail cell with no dinner - but Preston didn't care and when his father was out of sight, he simply pulled out a dime-novel rolled up in his pocket, leaned back and read about the Wild West or dreamed about Tom Mix in his latest Western movie....  

My grandfather ran off and joined the navy at 17 during the Great War, World War 1, only to return a broken man with PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Read more about Preston's wild adventures that left a wake of destruction in my family for generations to come, in The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It.

Preston Williams, 23 in 1922.



Maybelline's Cosmetic King and Queen of the 1920's.

Evelyn and Preston Williams, 1935

Preston Williams, 1900-1936

Tom Lyle's baby brother, and one of Chicago's hottest playboys during the 1920's.  A shell-shocked World War 1 Vet, he turned down a position at the Maybelline Co. to continue his destructive lifestyle, as a tough guy who boxed for prize money, scabbed for during railroad strikes, modeled for  Lord and Taylor. Only one word sums up Preston Williams - "Evelyn Boucher." 

Evelyn Boucher Williams 1901-1978

One of Chicago's reigning beauties in the 1920's. She ran away with the circus at 16, joined the Russian Ballet at 18 but gave it all up after meeting and falling in love with both Preston and Tom Lyle Williams on the same day. 

Read about Preston and Evelyn's white hot love affair and her never ending devotion to her brother in law Tom Lyle Williams, founder of the Maybelline Company in The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It, by Sharrie Williams with Bettie Youngs, published by Bettie Youngs Books.