'Luke and Duke'.
Carroll M. Sexton was an American illustrator and cartoonist, known for the military humor strip 'Luke and Duke' (1934), syndicated by King Features. Even though the cartoonist signed with "C. M. Sexton", several sources referr to him as "Caroline M. Sexton", under the assumption that the artist was a woman.
Early life
Carroll Marcus Sexton was born in 1896 in West Orange, Essex County, New Jersey. His parents were Cornelius Martin Sexton and Susan Imelda Grimes, and he had three siblings. During World War I, he served in the US Army as a private in the 112th Field Artillery Regiment. Back in civilian life, Sexton worked a variety of commercial art and illustration jobs, including cover drawings for Collier's magazine.
Cover drawing for Collier's magazine (8 November 1930), and a fashion illustration by C.M. Sexton.
Cartoonist
Back in civilian life, Sexton used his World War I experiences as inspiration for his daily newspaper comic strip 'Luke and Duke'. Distributed by King Features Syndicate from 11 June through 10 November 1934, it featured the slapstick adventures of two American soldiers (nicknamed "doughboys") during the Great War. The strip was however short-lived, and remained Sexton's only excursion into comics. In topics and style, Sexton's strip was similar in content to Bill Mauldin's later 'Willie and Joe' World War II comics (1940-1948).
'Luke and Duke'.
Further career
Starting in 1934, Sexton spent six years working for the advertising and sales promotion department of the United States Rubber Company. In 1940, he was appointed advertising and merchandising manager of the Bielfield Tire Company in Detroit and Cleveland. By 1950, he lived in Queens, New York City.
Sexton family Christmas card.
Personal life
Unfortunately, Carroll M. Sexton Sr. did not have many productive years due to severe alcoholism. He died in 1969 at the age of 73, and was burried at Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York. In his marriage to Gwladys Freese Sexton (1897-1988), Sexton had three children: Carroll M. Sexton Jr. (1922-1994), Patricia "Patsy" Sexton (1924-1968), and Barbara Sexton, who in adult life worked as a potter.
Gladys and Carroll Sexton.