Pecinovsky, John , Died 1899 - 1942

PECINOVSKY

Posted By: S. Ferrall - volunteer
Date: 11/16/2011 at 20:26:09

Bonair's "Half and Half Man" Will Be Buried as He Lived
Bonair, Ia. - Bonair's "half and half man," John Pecinovsky, about 40, tavern operator in this village of 100 persons, seven miles northwest of Cresco, Howard county, is dead, and at his request he will be placed in his grave in the manner in which he lived.

For years Pecinovsky wore suits in which half of the coat was white and the other black, one trouser leg white and the other black. One side of his face was always kept shaved smooth while the other was permitted to support a luxuriant crop of whiskers.

Pecinovsky leaves his widow and two children. Funeral services will be thursday at Assumption Catholic church in Cresco.

~Waterloo Daily Courier, April 7, 1942
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Iowa Celebrity Dies
John S. Pecinovsky, 43, widely known as the "half and half man" and made famous by Ripley, was buried recently at Cresco. About three years ago Pecinovsky, in opening a tavern in Bonair, began his rise to fame thru an advertising stunt in which he allowed his beard and hair to grow long only on one side; he dressed in clothes which attracted notice from the fact that the right side of each garment was constructed of dark material and the left side in white. Tourists came from far and wide to see him.

~Postville Herald, April 22, 1942

Note: several newspapers in Iowa carried the story of Pecinovsky's death. One stated that he had been born in Chickasaw county, and date of death was April 6, 1942.