Early life Nelson Eddy

eddy born in providence, rhode island, child of caroline isabel (née kendrick) , william darius eddy. father machinist , toolmaker work required him move town town. nelson grew in providence , pawtucket, rhode island, , in new bedford, massachusetts. boy, redhead , acquired nickname bricktop . adult, red hair streaked silver, hair photographed blond. came musical family. atlanta-born mother church soloist, , grandmother, caroline netta ackerman kendrick, distinguished oratorio singer. father moonlighted stagehand @ providence opera house, sang in church choir, played drums, , performed in local productions such h.m.s. pinafore. parents divorced when 14.

living in near poverty, eddy forced drop out of school , moved mother philadelphia, brother, clark kendrick, lived. uncle helped eddy secure clerical job @ mott iron works, plumbing supply company. later worked reporter philadelphia press, evening public ledger, , philadelphia evening bulletin. worked briefly copywriter @ n.w. ayer advertising, dismissed singing on job. eddy never returned school, educated himself correspondence courses.