George Alexander Lucien Rheims

Who was George Alexander Lucien Rheims?

George Alexander Lucien Rheims was a prominent American businessman and Titanic survivor who led an extraordinary life spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born into a wealthy family in New York City, Rheims became an international importer and played a pivotal role in his family’s millinery business. His survival of the Titanic disaster in 1912 and subsequent business ventures made him a notable figure in both American and French society.

Early Life and Family Background

George Alexander Lucien Rheims was born on January 6, 1879, in New York City. He was the son of Leon Rheims, a French immigrant who had come to the United States in the late 1850s, and Jeanette Kearns, a New York native born to French immigrant parents. The couple had married on October 25, 1867, in Brooklyn.

The Rheims family was extremely wealthy, as evidenced by their living situation in 1880:

Resided at 4 E. 30th Street in New York City
Employed eight female servants
Leon Rheims owned a successful millinery goods business

George had several siblings, including:

Rosalie (later Comtesse de Roussy de Sales)
Gaston
Charles
Leon Jr.
Henry

Family Business and Early Career

The Rheims family was deeply involved in the millinery import business, which faced both triumphs and challenges:

In January 1892, a devastating fire at their Union Square location destroyed goods valued between $200,000 and $250,000
The family business continued to operate with stores in Paris, Boston, and New York City
George’s father, Leon Rheims, died in Paris on January 31, 1894, leaving a substantial estate valued between $300,000 to $400,000

International Travels and Business Ventures

George Rheims lived a life characterized by frequent international travel, split between the United States and France. His passport applications and travel records paint a picture of a man constantly on the move:

Lived in France from 1883 to 1887
Returned briefly to the United States in 1900 and 1905-1906
Made numerous trips between Europe and America for business purposes

Some notable journeys include:

April 7, 1906: Arrived in New York City from Le Havre aboard the S.S. La Lorraine
October 5, 1907: Arrived with his brother Gaston Richard Rheims aboard La Provence
February 2, 1910: Arrived in New York City on the Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse, listed as an importer

Marriage and Personal Life

George Rheims married Marie Lamoine Loring in late 1911 or early 1912. Marie was born on September 21, 1880, in Chicago, Illinois. Interestingly, her parents reportedly refused to accept Rheims as their son-in-law.

The Titanic Disaster: A Brush with Death

George Rheims’ life took a dramatic turn when he boarded the ill-fated RMS Titanic in Cherbourg on April 10, 1912. Here are key details of his Titanic experience:

Boarded with his brother-in-law, Joseph Holland Loring
Paid £39 12s for ticket 17604
Assigned adjoining staterooms on B deck

The Night of the Disaster

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, Rheims and Loring were in the smoking room discussing the ship’s speed when they noticed an unusual vibration. After the collision with the iceberg, Rheims recounted:

“No one seemed to know for twenty minutes after the boat struck that anything had happened. Many of the passengers stood round for an hour with their life belts on, he said, and saw people getting into the boats.”

In the chaos that ensued, Rheims:

Ran to his stateroom to grab a picture of his wife
Stripped off heavy clothing with Loring
Prepared to enter the water near the bow
Was separated from Loring in the pandemonium
Ended up near Collapsible Boat A

Survival in Collapsible Boat A

Rheims’ account of his survival is harrowing:

Swam for a quarter of an hour before reaching the boat
Found 18 occupants in the half-submerged vessel
Seven people in the boat reportedly died during the night
Rheims claimed he had to take charge of the boat
Used pieces of boards to paddle away from the mass of people in the water

Life After the Titanic

The Titanic disaster had a profound impact on Rheims’ life:

His wife Marie was pregnant at the time and gave birth to their son, George Loring Rheims, on July 29, 1912, in Paris
In early 1913, Rheims filed a claim for $10,700 for shock and anguish, and $6,418 for lost baggage
Among the items he claimed to have lost were a turquoise scarf pin, a fur coat, eight suits of clothes, and 48 shirts

Later Years and Legacy

George Rheims continued to lead an eventful life after the Titanic:

Frequently traveled between the United States and France for business
Renamed his company to George Rheims & Cie. by June 1917
Lived in various locations including Paris, Pasadena, and Seattle
Required to register for the draft in World War II in 1942, while retired and living in Seattle
Moved to Biarritz, France with his wife Marie in 1950
After Marie’s death in 1954, married Dolores Maria Josefa Lolita Candela

George Alexander Lucien Rheims died on March 1, 1963, in Biarritz, France, at the age of 84 (eighty-four). He was buried in plot #76-1892 in the Passy’s Cemetery in Paris. His legacy lives on through his descendants and the significant estate he left behind, valued at over $400,000, which he bequeathed to his wife, grandson, and other family members.