about Micheaux: photos

Oscar Micheaux' family

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(You may click on this photo for an even larger version.)

A faded photo shows Oscar's family in Great Bend in approximately 1908. Standing (left to right) are Oscar's sisters Ethel, Ollie, Maude, and Ida. Seated are sisters Getrude and Veatrice on either side of Bell and Swan, Oscar's parents. Kneeling is Swan Micheaux, Jr., Oscar's brother. Oscar is not pictured.

Sisters Ollie, Maude, Gertrude, and Veatrice were all graduates of Great Bend High School. Swan, Jr. apparently dropped out of Great Bend High School, but was hired by Oscar in the film industry as a favor to his mother. The brothers had a falling out in 1927 when Oscar fired Swan, Jr. as Secretary-Treasurer of Micheaux Book and Film Company. Oscar later chronicled the stormy relationship in the lost silent film "The Wages of Sin."

The Micheaux family's address in Great Bend was 2532 8th St. The house is gone, but the lot is just east of Magnus Archery Company at 8th and Washington in Great Bend.

Olive ("Ollie") and Ethel graduated from Great Bend High School in 1909. Veatrice graduated from Great Bend High School in 1910. Gertrude graduated from Great Bend High School in 1914. Swan, Jr. apparently never received his high school diploma, but was hired by Oscar in the film industry as a young man.