By: Patricia Weleski Zysk

Introduction

“Memories of an ordinary family who lived extraordinary lives”

I have always considered my family as your everyday typical ordinary family. We do the same things other families do. We celebrate birthdays and weddings. We attend graduations and funerals. We laugh together. We cry together. We even fight together. We have the givers and the takers.  We have the devoted caretakers.  We have the too serious and the too sensitive. We have those with the sense of humors. We have the practical jokers. Some act like victims. Some act like heroes. We have the eccentric. We have the dramatic. But, this is who we are and who we are today is a direct result on where we came from.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and really wondered who was looking back? Have you ever asked yourself the question why? Why is my hair blond when every one of my siblings has brown hair? Why are my eyes green when my mother has brown eyes and my father has blue eyes? Is there a favorite saying you use or do you pronounce some words differently then your friends do? Are you a Catholic or are you a Lutheran? Many of the simplest everyday habits a person has are a direct result from the people whom came before them.

Winston Churchill once said “History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past, trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its echoes and kindle with pale gleams the passion of former days.”

When I began my investigation into our family’s history I never imagined that I would become obsessed with its past, so sit back, relax and take a journey with me into your past. We will visit our family’s earliest immigrants, the Voigt and Keller families. We will explore the Gallagher family who came to the shores of America in 1880. We will take a look at the Boland and McCaffery families then pry into the past lives of the Schroeder and Weleski families. As you read each family’s history, compare their life with your own. You may be surprised to learn you are not much different. Were they religious? What was their occupation or level of education? Did someone have a special talent or hobby? I hope when you complete this journey, you will know who you are and were you came from.

I want to take this opportunity to thank those family members and friends, who helped me along the way, my cousins Bill Cannon and Jean Nicholson for background information on the early Gallagher and Boland families. I also want to thank Uncle Jack for providing me with detailed information on the early lives of his parents, my grandparents William and Anna Gallagher and for sending me the book on Gallagher’s. I want to mention a few other people who have been supportive during this endeavor such as Michael Brooks, Editor of Laurel Hill and to all those at St. John the Baptist Church, Laurel Hill cemetery, Westminster cemetery, Holy Sepulchre cemetery, German Lutheran Archives and Ellis Island, my warm appreciation and thanks. Last but not least I want to thank my husband for his patience and support during the long hours of my research and for providing me company on those long day trips to churches and cemeteries so I could research.

Chapter I

“What is in a name?”

“What is in a name? That which we call a rose: by any other name would smell so sweet”.

William Shakespeare

William, John, Mary and Ann, if you are a descendant of a Gallagher, chances are your name is one of the four and if it is not your first name chances are it is your middle name. Maybe your name is Marie or Anna. If you are a Gallagher descendant, it is considered just another form of Mary and Ann. Were you born a William? Then you are probably nicknamed Will, Bill or Billy. If your father was named William, chances are your first born son is also a William. Is your name John? Then you were named after many ancestors most probably your grandfather on both sides of the family or a favorite Uncle.

Names are given to us at birth or baptism. Surnames are the family name we carry throughout our lives and pass on to future generations. Do you know that the way you spell your surname today was probably not how it was spelled one hundred years ago? Surnames change for many different reasons but the most common reason a surname may change is because of language. Did you know the name Voigt is also spelled Voight and Voyt? I believe the correct spelling of our family form of this name is Voigt. My information comes directly from the Voigt headstones at Bethanien Lutheran Church Yard in Roxborough. These are the oldest ancestor graves to date. If you travel over to Westminster cemetery, you will discover another group of Voigt graves.  Have you ever looked up the history of our cousin H.C. Voigt who fought at the Battle of Little Big Horn?  If you did, it was spelled as Voyt on the list of soldiers wounded and killed at that battle. But, if you read the story of H.C. Voigt, you will notice that it was spelled Voigt.  Do you know what H.C. stands for? It stands for Henry Charles, however, Henry Charles was not known as Henry but as simply Charles. John Keller was known as Jak. His wife Elisabeth spelled her name with an “s” instead of a “z”. Their daughter was given the name Maria Elisabeth at birth but was known as Mary her entire life. When Mary Keller married William Joseph Gallagher, they had two children William and Anna. They nicknamed William “Will” though through his life he was also called Bill. Anna Marie Gallagher married Collum McCaffery a man known as “Coll”. However, if you research his name in the Censes, you will also find it spelled Colum or Collin. His father was named Collum Owen but was known as Owen. When Anna Marie Gallagher married

Collum McCaffery she changed her name to Anna Marie McCaffery. When her brother William married Collum’s cousin Anna Marie McCaffery, then Anna Marie McCaffery became Anna Marie Gallagher. These two Anna’s actually switched last names.

What is in a name? Let me tell you. Sometimes the name you were given at birth may not be the name you were known as your entire life. Many of us grew up with a favorite nickname given to us by a friend or relative. My Uncle Gene used to call me “Patty Cake”, a nicknamed I carried into adulthood. Uncle Gene was not born with the name Gene; he was given the name Collum Eugene. He has two brothers, William Joseph and John Patrick. His brother William was called Billy while his brother John was called Jack. Some relatives were given nicknames that were not even close to their original birth names. My brother Michael was called “Ski”. Charles Schroeder was called “Dick”. His brother Elmer was called “Steve” whereas his brother Raymond was called “Mooney”. His sister Florence was known as “Hon” and Lillian was known as “Penny”.

Then you have surnames being changed all together like in the instance when my paternal grandfather John Wisloski decided to change his last name to Weleski.

What is the history behind our surnames? Did you know that at one time the surname Gallagher was spelled 30 different ways? Today, Gallagher is the most common name in Donegal, Ireland and the 14^th most common name in all of Ireland. Gallagher is typically spelled as Gallegher, Gallaher, Galliger and Galligher. Did you know that the name Gallagher means “Foreign Helper or Assistant”? The story begins with a Gallagher in 1521 who willingly agrees to help the O’Donnell’s fight against the English. He fights to his death. (The World Book of Gallagher’s)

O’GALLCHOBHAIR

“Powerful sept allied to the O’Donnell’s and based in Ballybeit and Ballyneglock”

Other Irish surnames in our family are;

Boland, Bolan or O’Beollain is the “name of two Irish septs, one in Sligo and one in Clare”. Bolands from the Clare sept are direct descendants from the brother of the once High King of Ireland

Doherty, Docherty, Dougherty or O’Dogherty which means “unlucky” or “hurtful”. This surname is another popular name in Donegal as well as Derry.

McCaffery, Caffery, Caffray, Caffrey, Caffry, McCaffrey, MacCaffery or MacGafraigh is a “sept related to Maguire of Fermanagh”. This name is common in Dublin and the Midlands.

Cannon, MacCaunneen, O’Cunneen, Cuneen, Queenan, Queenane, Cunneany, Cunnien, Cunneen, Cunnion, Kinnen, Robbett, Rabbit, Kenyon, Kinnane or MacCoinin is “that of a literary family of Earris, County Mayo. It is Anglicized Kenning and Kenyon as well as Cunneen and is also translated as Rabbit”. (Bill Cannon)

When a surname begins with the letter “O” it states the surname was a descendant of. When a surname begins with the letters Mc, M or Mac the person is a son of. Many of the Irish dropped these letters in front of their name to avoid persecution. (The World Book of Gallagher’s)

Even the country from which the Irish emigrated from has a meaning to its name. Ireland means Erie in Gaelic and Erin in English. It is also referred to as the “Emerald Isle” because of the beauty of its countryside.

The term we use when researching a surname is Onomastics which is defined as the study of the surname or last name and where it came from and what the name means.

What is your given name or first name? Is it Celtic or Teutonic? Maybe it’s from the

Hebrew language? Given names or as we call them first names originated from five

Languages: Hebrew, Teutonic, Greek, Latin and Celtic. (The World Book of Gallagher’s)

The most popular first names used in English speaking countries are Elizabeth, Mary, John and Joseph. How many family members do we have with those names? Are your relatives from Donegal? If so they may have one of Donegal’s most popular first names such as Eugene, Kathleen, Mary, Charles, Francis, Patrick, Hannah, Daniel, Sean, Joseph, William, John or Brigrid. If you have relatives from County Mayo, you might expect them to have the following names such as Daniel, Bridget, Ellen, John, Catherine, Mary, Ann, Francis or Patrick

If you do not have one of the popular Donegal or County Mayo first names, your name still has a meaning and some parents name their children a particular name because of what it stands for such as Matthew “gift of God” or Michael “God like”. Paul stands for “Little” or Henry “Ruler of the home”. My name Patricia means “Of noble birth”.

In additional to our Irish surnames, we also have German surnames that originated from the occupation or birth place. You may be called Frank of East Falls or simply Frank Maier. If you were of the nobility then you would have a middle name. You would be called Frank William Maier.

The Polish surnames have distinct endings. The “ski” or “orock” that comes at the end of a Polish surname is originally from the nobility to distinguish themselves from the common folk. But, it is of interest that Polish surnames all have German beginnings. (The World Book of Gallagher’s)

William, John, Mary or Ann are common Ancestral Gallagher names in our family that were started by our Gallagher descendants Patrick and Hannah and the tale goes like this.

Patrick and Hannah had a daughter named Mary and a son named William, William married a girl named Mary who was born Maria and she had a father and brother named John. Their children are called William and Anna Marie. William whose sister is called Anna Marie who had a daughter named Mary married a girl also called Anna Marie who had a father and uncle named John then they had their own William, John, Mary and Ann Marie. William had his own son William and a daughter named Katherine Mary who one day had her own daughter Mary Kate. John had a son John and another whom he called Paul William. However, his other son Eric when he had his own son called him William. Mary had a son Francis William who had his own Francis William and another one called John. Her daughter Patricia Marie named one of her own sons Joseph William, Mary also had a daughter Mary Ann who one day had a daughter Christine Mary. The youngest daughter of William and Anna Marie who was called Ann Marie had a daughter whom she called Angelina Marie.

Nine Williams, seven Johns, twelve forms of Mary and five forms of Ann born over six generations. What are the newest Gallagher members being named today? The new trend seems to give last names as first names to their children such as Kendal, Finnegan and Reilly.

Chapter II

“Migration to America”

Why did our ancestors leave their home, culture, language and family to travel to a vast unknown land? Though each family member may have had different reasons for leaving the country of their birth, they all had the same goal when reaching the shores of their new homeland, to find and live a better life for themselves and for any children they may bring into this world.

When the Voigt and Keller families came to America in the middle of the 19^th century they left behind a country that suffered serve depression, high unemployment rates, political unrest and a failed revolution. Between the years 1840 and 1880 nearly 4 million Germans migrated to America.

The Gallagher family came to America in late the 19^th century. They left behind a country that suffered famine, disease and high unemployment rates. Between the years 1840 and 1850 more then one and a half million immigrants entered this country from Ireland. Compare this number to 1820 when a total of 4,000 immigrants from various countries entered the United States.

The latest recorded family arrivals from aboard were the Bolands who left Ireland and entered America in the early 20^th century. They came to this country during the heaviest recorded history of United States Immigration. Between the years 1901 and 1910 more than eight and one half million immigrants entered this country from various countries to accept what was called “Liberty’s Invitation”. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”. (Ellis Island)

For many years historians have been studying the famous entry way to America “Ellis Island”. It is true that millions of immigrants came to America through the Port of Ellis Island. We have read stories of those who sailed through New York Harbor and felt emotions swell as they passed by the Statue of Liberty. We read the stories of those who entered Ellis Island and stood for hours in line to enter a country where they believed all things were possible. Most immigrants made it in, some were not so lucky. They were turned away because they were deaf or dumb or blind or cripple in anyway.

Ellis Island was the most famous port of entry into the United States but it was not the only one. Until the late 19^th century, the Port of Philadelphia was the second largest port of entry for immigrants. Some ships made more then one port stop once they reached America. Many first sailed to New York then went on to Philadelphia where more immigrants would be left off. Those immigrants from County Mayo, Ireland migrated to those cities already filled with County Mayo immigrants such as New York, Jersey City, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago. Other ports of entry for immigrants were Baltimore, New Orleans, Boston and Charleston. (Our Guide to Irish Research by Fianna)

The following relatives are those I could obtain passenger lists and/or immigration information about when and where they arrived.

Karl and Dorete Voigt        (Port of New York 1851)

Henry Charles Voigt           (Port of Philadelphia 1852)

John Keller                            (Port of Philadelphia 1858)

Patrick Gallagher                (Port of Philadelphia 1880)   

Hannah Gallagher               (Port of New York 1880)

John Boland                          (Port of New York 1908)

Ella Boland                           (Port of New York 1908)

Agnes Boland                        (Port of New York 1908)

Catherine Boland                 (Port of New York 1908)

Ellen Boland                         (Port of New York 1908)

John Boland Jr.                     (Port of New York 1908)

Chapter III

“Voigt”

The earliest known recorded family member in Philadelphia was a man by the name of Henry Voigt who was born in Germany in 1816 and resided in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia in the 1850 Censes. His occupation was listed as “Dyer” a 19^th century term used for Peddler or one who sells his wares. He was listed as being married to a woman named Frances. By the 1860 Censes, it appeared Henry may have been deceased because his wife Frances was now married to another Voigt by the name of Augustus. There were four children listed Eliza (Lilly) born in 1852, Mary born in 1854, Augustus born in 1856 and an infant named Fanny who was 3 months old. By the 1870 Censes a fifth child by the name of Kate born in 1860 was listed. Though I was able to trace another Henry Voigt backed to 1783, I cannot verify whether or not he was a descendant of our family. This Henry Voigt served in the Philadelphia militia from 1783 to 1790 under a Captain Conrad Rush in the 6^th CO. 4^th Battalion 1784. (Feb 15^th, 1814 (WILL) Willabstrbkxz book 5)

“Karl and Dorete”

According to the Naturalization Records, Karl and Dorete (Dorothea) Voigt came from Hamburg, Germany through the Port of New York in 1851. It was listed on Karl’s Naturalization Records (Publication Code 8660.1) that he and his wife arrived with two young children. According to the same Naturalization Records, there were five other Voigt’s listed as coming through the Port of New York in 1851. Their names were Friedrike, Heinrich, Johann, Emilie and Louise. Friedrike and Heinrich were listed as arriving with their wives. What is interesting is Karl and Dorete’s son Henry Charles Voigt came one year later from Germany through the Port of Philadelphia and made his Declaration of Intent at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on June 7^th, 1852. Henry took his Oath of Allegiance at the Common Pleas Court on September 26^th, 1854.

Karl was listed as being born in 1820 and died in 1895. He is buried at Bethanien German Lutheran Evangelical Churchyard. His wife Dorete was listed as being born in 1834 and died in 1926. She is buried with her husband. They are one of the few family descendants who have a headstone on their grave.

Dorete Voigt was the second wife of Karl Voigt and 14 years his junior. When they came to America in 1851, Karl was 31yrs old while his wife was only 17yrs old. The children they arrived with, were 4 and 6 yrs old. I doubt that any of the Voigt off spring listed in 1851 or 1852 was Dorete Voigt’s biological children. How old was Henry Charles in 1852 when he traveled to America? How many siblings did he have? These and many other questions I hope to have answers to someday.

While there is no direct verified evidence, it is believed that the Voigt family is originally from the state of Baden in the country of Germany. Baden is bordered by France in the West, Switzerland in the South and Bavaria in the East. Though the state of Baden was not always a part of Germany, the language was German and today Baden is considered the most industrialized state in Germany.

After the Voigt’s left Germany in 1851 they settled in a small town in the city of Philadelphia called Manayunk “our place for drinking” which is an Indian name given to the town when it was changed from its original name “flat rock” in 1824.

“Germans in Manayunk”

Did you know that many of today’s Main Line “old money” Philadelphians is direct descendants from the Wissahickon Mill and Roxborough Plantation owners from the 18^th century? Did you know that most of 18^th century Roxborough were of German ancestry?

In the year 1819, British immigrants began to arrive and build a large number of mills in the Manayunk area. This increase in mill construction would later be the reason Manayunk would be called the “Textile Hub” of the world during the 19^th century. While mills were built and supervised by the British, the Germans became its workers. The Manayunk mills began with the production of scrapple, lumber and beer. On any given clear day in the area, boats traveled up the canal with pig heads, oyster shells and empty barrels and returned down the canal with boats filled with scrapple, lumber and beer.  By 1840, it was home to 17 cotton and 15 wool mills.  When the Civil War broke out, the government awarded the mills of Manayunk a contract for all the Union’s uniforms and blankets. When the railroad replaced the canal in 1863, productivity boomed. When the war ended and the Great Industrial Revolution began, mill owners became increasingly wealthy and for the first time there was a noticeable class division between those who lived in Roxborough and owned the mills and those who worked the mills and lived in Manayunk. The class dividing line became Roxborough Ave. Those who lived above the line were owners and those who lived below the line were workers.

Life for a 19^th century immigrant with limited skills was hard. Most worked in mills surrounding their homes; they walked everywhere and worked long hard days. Children as young as 14 yrs old left school to work in the mills to help put food on their family’s  supper table. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Germans of all ages left families behind to fight the war. They believed by fighting in this war they were performing their patriotic duty to their new homeland.  Karl and Dorete’s son Henry Charles Voigt was just one of our German born ancestors to leave his family behind to fight in this war.

“Henry Charles”

Between 1820 and 1860, 1.3 million German immigrants arrived on the shores of America to seek better lives. One immigrant was a man by the name of Baron von Steinwehr who organized a regiment of German immigrants from the cities of New York and Philadelphia. This group of volunteers formed the 29^th New York and served for two years. The troops were trained in Manhattan then sent to Washington D.C. They were given uniforms that consisted of gray trousers with blue side stripes, dark blue jackets and a gray overcoat. Their first engagement was Bull Run July 21^st, 1861. The troops spent the winter of 1861-1862 guarding the roads going in and out of Washington D.C. The troop’s second engagement came in the summer of 1862 with the Second Bull Run.

Afterwards, they went on to Chancellorville. By May 1863, 436 out of the original 855 men were left, 57 of these men would join up with the 15^th New York. (History of the Civil War)

Henry Charles Voigt served in the 29^th New York with his cousin John (Johann) Ritter. (Film m551, roll 118) When the 29^th New York disbanded in May 1863, Charles would continue serving his country by joining the 7^th Cavalry. John Ritter would also continuing serving his country by joining the 15^th New York, Company C Engineers. (Film m551, roll 118)  Charles Ritter, John’s brother and John Keller, John’s cousin were already serving with the 15^th. (Film m551, roll 74)

The 7^th Cavalry was made up of mostly Civil War Veterans with only 10% being new recruits. The average soldier was 27yrs old. German immigrants made up 62% of the cavalry and Irish immigrants made up the last 32%. The 7^th was known for having excellent horsemen. The soldiers carried Colt Army Revolvers that were strapped on their hip and carried 199 rounds of ammunition on a Web Belt. Their carbines hung from its leather ring socket from their saddles. The 7^th were known as a proud fighting group of men and were divided into two wings then divided again into two sets of three troops. The right wing was commanded by Marcus Reno. His wing was further divided into three troops, M, A and G. The left wing was commanded by Frederick Benteen. His wing was further divided into three troops, H, D and K. To better understand how the 7^th Cavalry was broken down review the following.

(1)    General Armstrong Custer commanded the 7^th Cavalry

(2)    Marcus Reno commanded the Right Wing of the 7^th under Custer

(3)    Right Wing consisted of three troops M, A and G

(4)    Frederick Benteen commanded the Left Wing of the 7^th under Custer

(5)    Left Wing consisted of three troops H, D and K                               

It should be noted that each individual troop was led by its own Captain.

In 1874 the 7^th was sent out on a Black Hills expedition to search out a site for a new military post. It is also believed they were looking for gold. (Cavalier by Buckskin) When gold was discovered in the Black Hills in 1875, miners from every state came into the Black Hills and began to dig in what was considered the “Holy Ground of the Sioux”.

This action by the miners angered Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull and they and other Sioux went on a “Warpath”. The conflict between the Sioux and the miners continued for a year before General Phil Sheridan “Commander of the Army” organized a force to destroy the Indians. He sent George Crook and 1250 men who caught up with Crazy horse and 6,000 Sioux and Cheyenne at Rosebud River in Montana on June 17^th, 1876. When the Indians were driven back from George Crook and his men, the Indians crossed paths with Reno, Benteen and Custer at Little Big Horn on June 25^th, 1876. (The Wars of America)

Henry Charles Voigt was in M troop which was directly led under the command of Captain French. The following information was taken from the books “Interview with Private Ryan “and “With Custer on the Little Big Horn”.

When Marcus Reno’s group battalions moved out, they ran at a pace of 8 miles per hour. Hungry and exhausted they ran directly into a small group of Sioux. Reno’s men retreated into a ravine and remained there 36 hours without food or reinforcements. Since all three of Reno’s Left Wing troops were not together, M troop under the command of Captain French would arrive on the scene later. Upon M troop’s arrival, Captain French orders M troop to take the offensive against the Sioux. As the battle rages on more and more Indians arrive on the scene. Private Tanner of M troop is shot down. Alive and wounded, he lies in arrow range of the Sioux. Private Ryan of M troop yells out for volunteers to get Tanner to safety. Private Henry Charles Voigt of M troop is one of three volunteers who assist Private Ryan in getting Tanner to safety. They take a saddle blanket and carry Tanner out of arrow range. As the battle continues, the wounded are taken to the shelter of the ravine. Also located in the shelter of the ravine are the horses of the 7^th.

A long range shot rings out and hits Captain French’s horse, a huge buffalo hunter. The wounded and disoriented horse staggers and scares the other horses who are all tied up together. The frighten horses try to break free. Private Henry Charles Voigt runs out among the horses and grabs a hold of the reins of Captain French’s horse. When he begins to lead the horse away from the others, he is shot. Private Voigt’s brains spatter everywhere. When the battle ends, M troop would lose 14 men. Besides Private Voigt, Private Tanner would die from his wounds. A short distance away Custer and his group of men are massacred.

Marcus Reno assigns the task of burial detail to Private Ryan. Ryan buries Voigt and Tanner in the same grave. Their grave is a deep depression in the ground created by pack mules and horses. Because the ground is sun baked clay and cannot be dug, others are buried where they fell in mass graves of stone and brush.

Crazy Horse would be defeated in January of 1877.

Years later all the graves were moved and reburied.

According to the Civil War Pension Records, Henry Charles Voigt’s parents Karl and Dorete would receive their son’s war pension in 1881. When his cousin John Keller died in 1890, john’s wife Elisabeth received her husband’s war pension. The pension amount was one hundred dollars.

Information about Custer’s Last Stand can be found in the following books; “The American Frontier” by William C. Davis and “The Battle of the Little Big Horn” by Mari Sandoz.

A last note about Henry Charles Voigt; if you look for information about our cousin you may find it under H.C. Voyt or Voight.

Look for Henry’s parents Karl Voigt 1820-1895 and Dorete Voigt 1834-1926 buried at the Bethanien German Lutheran Evangelical Church Ground located at Martin and Pechin in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia. Also buried in the same cemetery are Emilie Voight and her family. (See Karl and Dorete)

There are more Voigt relations in Westminster cemetery. Of interest several of these relatives were interred April 19^th, 1912. They were removed from Glenwood cemetery which was once located at 27^th and Ridge Ave.

“Glenwood Cemetery”

Founded in 1850 in what was considered a rural neighborhood at 27^th and Ridge Ave in the North Philadelphia section of the city. It was not long before the area around the cemetery became industrialized with the building of stores and factories. The last burial to the cemetery was in 1921 then the cemetery became a dumping ground. By 1938 the city bought out the cemetery and had all the bodies removed and interred elsewhere. The city’s first housing project was then built on the ground. (Temple University Urban Archives)

Chapter IV

“Keller”

John Gottlieb Keller also known as (Joh, Jak) was born July 8^th, 1837 in the town of Mannheim in the state of Baden located in the southern part of Germany which borders France, Switzerland and Bavaria. There is not much information about his early years in Baden or who his parents were. According to the Naturalization Records, John G. Keller entered through the Port of Philadelphia on April 28^th, 1858. In May 1861 John joined the 3^rd Battalion New York German Heavy Artillery Regiment. By October 1861 the 3^rd Battalion changed to the 15^th New York Heavy Artillery. On December 19^th, 1861 the 15^th New York set out for Washington D.C. Battles and campaigns the 15^th New York were involved in were Gettysburg July 1^st, 1863, Wilderness May 5^th, 1864 and Spotsylvania May 8^th, 1863. On May 18^th, 1864 John mustered out of the service and returned to his home in Manayunk were he worked as a “Dyer” then as a “Steel Worker” in the mill. He later married his wife Elisabeth and together they produced six children.

Elisabeth Keller was born in 1847 in Germany. Exact date of birth and town where she was born is unknown. At this time, I do not know what her maiden name was. I hope to discover that and all other information about her at a later time.

Between the years 1876 and 1889, John and Elisabeth had six children. Henerita was born January 23^rd, 1876 followed by John on August 27^th, 1878. Susanna Helena Carolina was born November 13^th, 1882 followed by Maria Elisabeth (our direct descendant) December 26^th, 1884. Wilhelme was born January 9^th, 1887 and the youngest child Georg was born June 8^th, 1889.

“Age of Isms”

John and Elisabeth Keller lived in what historians call the “Age of Isms”. The 20^th century may have been known for its advances in politics and science but the 19^th century was known for its structural change in society. It was a time when the average ordinary everyday working man began to question his rights in the work place.

What events led to the change in society? For one, the huge migration of Europeans into America changed society. The railroad and steamship helped spread industry and its employees across the country. When gold was discovered in the West, people moved in droves to discover their fortunes. Slavery came to an end. The Victorian Age embraced by many prompted a list of behavioral do’s and don’ts in society. The creation of the Universal Postal Service, basic stamp and envelope allowed people to communicate across continents. (Natiomaster.com on 19^th century)

“Siblings”

Whether John Keller had siblings is unknown. When I researched the 1860 Censes, I came across a 23yr old Jacob Keller who lived with his mother Susannah and two brothers Gotlieb and Frederick. Though we know our Keller relation as John, there is a possibility that he could have been known as Jacob.  In addition, when John Keller died in 1890 he resided at 126 Walnut. Guess who is listed as living next door? According to the 1890 Philadelphia Directories, Gotlieb Keller lived at 128 Walnut in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia. Whether or not John Keller is related to these other Keller’s is all speculation.

“The End of a Life”

In August 1890, John Keller was critically burnt in a mill accident where he worked. He died on August 14^th, 1890. Official cause of death was listed as Wassersucht, German term for dehydration. On August 17^th, 1890 he was buried at Bethanien German Lutheran Evangelical Church Ground located at Martin and Pechin. When John died he left behind a wife and several young children ranging in ages 1yr to 14yr.

Elisabeth Keller lived 15 more years before she died on February 4^th, 1905. She was buried with her husband on February 8^th, 1905. (Lutheran Archive Center)

If you visit Bethanien Lutheran Evangelical Church Ground, look for the headstone of Karl and Dorete Voigt. The Keller grave is to the right of them. The Keller grave does not have a headstone.

”Bethanien German Lutheran Evangelical Church Yard”

Bethanien German Lutheran Evangelical Church Yard is a small German cemetery located at Martin and Pechin Streets in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia. The cemetery is located between groups of row homes facing Martin Street. It is about the size of two or three house lots. The first burial occurred in 1819. The cemetery is the responsibility of Bethany Lutheran Church located one half of block north of the grave yard. Unfortunately, the burial records for this small grave yard were lost.

“126 Walnut”

The house which John and Elisabeth lived on Walnut Street no longer exists. The house has been torn down. In addition, four blocks of what used to be called Walnut Street located on the east side of Ridge Avenue is now called Shurs Street.

“Children of John and Elisabeth”

Though John and Elisabeth Keller had six children, I only have information on two of them. First, John Gottlieb Keller jr. was the second child and first son of John and Elisabeth. John married the younger sister of William Joseph Gallagher. Her name was Sally and she was the youngest child of Patrick and Hannah Gallagher. John and Sally longed to have a child but it was not meant to be. So when a nephew of theirs died at 18months old (son of Buddy McCaffery) he was buried in the graves of John and Sally Keller. What they never had in life, they gained in death. John and Sally Keller are buried at St. John the Baptist Church ground in Section D, Lot 72, and Range N. According to the burial records of John and Sally Keller, the burial lot was purchased by John Keller’s younger sister Mary Keller Gallagher on May 27^th, 1947 the date of her brother’s death. The cost of the burial plot was $50.00 but she was given a $25.00 discount because she was very active in the church. The grave faces the streets Hackett and Vaugh near Loftus. When John Keller died in 1947, he resided at 317 Roxborough Avenue.

Maria Elisabeth Keller was the fourth child and the third daughter of John and Elisabeth. Though she was born Maria Elisabeth, she was known as simply Mary her entire life. She was born and raised in the Lutheran religion but as an adult was baptized in the Roman Catholic faith. On August 26^th, 1905, Mary married an Irishman by the name of William Joseph Gallagher son of Patrick and Hannah Gallagher. Together they had three children William, Anna and Patrick. Like her Father-in-law Patrick Gallagher, Mary remained an active member of St. John the Baptist Church until her death in 1958. (See William and Mary)

As a post note; until I researched the life of John and Elisabeth Keller, I was under the impression that they had only one son John. However, I was wrong because a second son was born in 1889 by the name Georg. What ever happened to baby Georg? Since my grandparents were not aware of this second son born to John and Elisabeth one year prior to John’s death in 1890, I have to conclude that Georg died in infancy or childhood. He maybe buried with his parents at Bethanien Lutheran Church Yard. (Lutheran Archives Center)

“Memories of a Long Ago Past”

As I was growing up I was told many stories about my great great grandfather John Keller and his involvement in the Civil War. I clearly remember the pride in my grandfather’s eyes as he told me about his grandfather’s patriotism. He would point to the framed Military papers of John Keller which hung proudly on the Living Room wall of his home and which were passed down to him by his mother Mary Keller. My talks with Grandpop prompted me to explore John Keller’s past on my own. My first research stop was Gettysburg where his regiment fought against the South. I proudly read his name on the stone monument dedicated to his and other New York regiments located in the interior of the battlefield. It was the fire that lit my passion for more information and ever since I have been on a quest to search and seek those who have come before me.

Grandmom used to tell me about the early days of her marriage to Grandpop. She remembered the days when each and every Memorial Day she and her Mother-in-law walked up to Bethanien German Lutheran Evangelical Church Ground at Pechin and Martin Streets and watched the American Flag being raised and taps being played over the graves of all the German immigrants who fought proudly for their new country in the time of war. One of those graves was that of her mother-in-law’s father John Keller.

Chapter V

“Gallagher”

“An Irish Blessing”

May you be poor in misfortune

Rich in blessings

Slow to make enemies

Quick to make friends

But rich or poor

Quick or slow

May you know nothing but happiness

From this day forward

Patrick Gallagher was the first Irish descendant to come to America. Though it has been difficult to pin point, it appears he arrived through the Port of Philadelphia. (The World Book on Gallaghers)  According to the Naturalization Records his exact date of arrival was September 30^th, 1880. More difficult to pin point is his exact date of birth in Donegal, Ireland. While researching Patrick Gallagher’s history, I discovered various ages in various records. He was listed in one record as being married at 10yrs old and another as being a father at 14yrs old. Even his funeral records at St’ John the Baptist Church had a “?” after his recorded age of 46yrs old. When was Patrick Gallagher born? I am afraid we will never know. Tracing a date of birth is virtually impossible in 19^th century Donegal for many reasons. First, keeping good records did not occur until after 1864 and I believe Patrick was born between 1850 and 1860. Second, a fire in 1922 in Dublin destroyed many records. Third, a typical Irish family had a child nearly every year and their birth was generally not recorded. As years passed and the child became an adult, their exact age was usually forgotten. According to 19^th century Irish History, most recorded dates of births are generally within 10 years of their exact age.

I am not sure of the exact town Patrick was born and raised in but according to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, there was a Patrick Gallagher who resided in Clyhore, Donegal in 1875. (Film 101016, Section 3)

To further complicate matters is whether or not Hannah (Dougherty) Gallagher, Patrick’s wife traveled to America with him. According to the passenger lists in New York, Hannah arrived through the Port of New York on the same day September 30^th, 1880 that her husband Patrick arrived through the Port of Philadelphia. The ship that she arrived on was called “Abyssinia” and it left Liverpool, England on September 18^th, 1880. (It should be noted that ships did stop at more than one port and it was common for a ship to stop in New York and continue to Philadelphia)

Patrick Gallagher married Hannah Dougherty in 1877. While in route to America they stopped in Scotland where their first child Grace was born April 27^th, 1878. (Bill Cannon)

They spent two years in Scotland before coming to Philadelphia in 1880. After they arrived in Philadelphia, they set up residence in the town of Manayunk. Their second child Mary was born in 1881 (Bill Cannon’s descendant) followed by William Joseph in 1884 (my descendant) and then Sally in 1887.

According to the 1895, 1900 and 1910 Censes, Patrick and Hannah Gallagher lived at 127 Seville Street and listed Patrick’s occupation as a “Weaver” in a “Carpet Mill”. Mills were a popular workplace in the late 19^th and early 20^th century Manayunk. (See Germans in Manayunk under Voigt) Though many Irish immigrants arrived in America with few or no skills, it was known that those Irish from Donegal were skilled weavers, a skill handed down from generation to generation. (History of Donegal)

“Donegal Tweed”

Earthly browns of turf and moorland

Gold of gorse and wheaten sheaves

Greens of Ireland’s meads and pastures

Rusts of autumn leaves

Reds from mountains ash and bramble

Drifting peat smoke’s hazy grey

Blues of slate, of sky, of speedwell

White of hawthorn spray

The tradition of hand weaving dates back so many years that historians cannot even trace its origin. (History of Donegal)

Donegal is a county in Ireland that is set in a valley surrounded by mountains and the bay of Donegal. The Gallagher name is the most common name in Donegal and is the 14^th most common name in all of Ireland. (History of Donegal)

When researching the Gallagher name in Manayunk, I was surprised to discover how many Gallagher’s lived on a single block. The Irish had large families in the early 20^th century and when a son or daughter married they either lived with their parents or moved to their own house down or across the street. When you think about it half of today’s Manayunk and Roxborough population could be direct descendants of a Gallagher. According to the 1910 Censes, Patrick and Hannah Gallagher lived on Seville Street along with their youngest child Sally and her husband John Keller Jr. A few houses down lived a Timothy and Hannah Gallagher with six of their ten children along with a son-in-law and four grandchildren. In the back of their house lived another Gallagher family, William and Mary Gallagher and their two young children William age 4 and Anna age 2. What impressed me most during my research of the Irish families in the early 20^th century Manayunk was they lived and worked as a unit. It was very common for the sons and daughters in a family to leave school to go to work and contribute their earnings to the family. Everyone lived for the well being of the family. Parents helped children. Children helped parents. They worked together. They prayed together. They celebrated together.

Patrick Gallagher died June 28^th, 1913 and was buried in the Catholic section of Westminster Cemetery. According to the cemetery’s records, Hannah Gallagher purchased the plot. It lists Patrick’s age at death as being 46yrs old. The age is questionable. It is most likely he was closer to 56yrs old. Even the funeral records at St. John’s have a large (?) following Patrick’s age. He was laid out at his son-in-law James Silverthorn’s home on 3908 Terrace Street. (James was the husband of Patrick and Hannah’s oldest daughter Grace) Patrick was a member of the Holy Name Society at St. John the Baptist Church where his funeral mass took place on July 2^nd, 1913. At the time of his death, Patrick lived at 127 Seville Street.

“Corporal Works of Mercy”

Feed the hungry; clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty

Shelter the homeless, tend the sick, visit those in prison

Bury the dead

“Spiritual Works of Mercy”

To convert the sinners, instruct the ignorant, counsel the wayward

Comfort the sorrowing, bear adversity patiently, forgive offenses

Pray for the living and the dead

As a member of the Holy Name Society of St. John the Baptist Church, Patrick would have devoted his life to helping those in need by following the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. When he was buried at Westminster cemetery on July 2^nd, 1913, it would not be long before Patrick shared his final resting place with others who may not have been able to afford their own burial plot. According to the cemetery’s burial records, Hannah purchased Lot 339 after the death of Patrick. By August 5^th, 1913, three more bodies were interred in Lot 339. What I found interesting is that none of the names of those buried with Patrick are familiar. Who were these people buried in Lot 339?

In addition, a second question remains. Was there an epidemic in the Manayunk and Roxborough areas in the summer of 1913? I searched for recorded epidemics in 1913 and discovered none. What did these people die from? Their ages ranged from 24yrs to 46yrs and recorded burial dates were July 5^th, July 10^th and August 5^th.

In the early 20th century, it was not unusual for one family to donate or share the cost of a cemetery plot with another family because they did not have the money to bury their loved one. This resulted in one burial plot filled with more than one family. Because Patrick was a member of the Holy Name Society, it does not surprise me that his final resting place would be shared with others.

After the death of her husband, Hannah moved into the home of her son William and his wife Mary on 3902 Terrace Street. There she remained until her own death on January 13^th, 1926 from a stroke. She was buried with her husband Patrick at Westminster cemetery.

“Waking the Dead, an Irish Wake”

The Irish wake is a Celtic custom where a vigil is held over the dead until the body is buried. Though, we Americans prefer to view our dead in the comfort of a Funeral Home, today many parts of Ireland still hold the vigil in their homes. It is a custom that stems from years gone by. Join me in a typical Irish wake.

The visitor enters the room where the body has been laid out. It is polite to tell the family members how well the deceased looks. The visitor will then take a long look around the viewing room which will have candles lit, the cross placed on a table and fresh white linen that is only taken out when someone dies. It is polite to compliment the women on what a great job they did arranging the body and viewing room. After compliments are given to each and every woman who participated in the arrangement, the visitor will then express his condolences to each and every family member of the deceased. Once this task has been completed, it is polite to sit down and have a glass of “wee wan” or whiskey (men) or a glass of port. (Women) At midnight, the rosary is said then supper is served.  The men ate in the kitchen while the women ate with the body. Once the meal was finished, games and storytelling began, music played and professional criers wailed.

“Irish Family Superstitions”

Growing up in an Irish family meant growing up with superstitions. Do not put your shoes on the table, its bad luck. Do not open an umbrella in the house, its bad luck. If you lie to your mother, you will not be able to look upon her face in the casket. If you lay a hand on your mother, when you die your hand will forever stick up out of the grave. One of my favorite superstitions is the one about being happy. Never admit to being happy or you will jinx yourself.

“Then There Were Words”

Have you ever really listened to how an Irish family member spoke? It was not until I entered the Workforce that I realized some of the terms I used were not terms used by all.

To my surprise, I discovered my family had their own vocabulary. When grandmom was overly warm on a hot summer day, she was not just “hot” she was suffocating. If someone talked nonstop, they were “Windbagging”. If someone was hungry and wanted to eat, they wanted just “a bite to eat”. If you were dealing with a problem, you were “bearing your cross”. What is your favorite term? Do you have one?

Many questions about our Irish heritage have yet to be answered. Patrick and Hannah Gallagher are the first Irish immigrants in our family history to leave Ireland and start a new life in America. They had four children. Grace married James Silverthorn and together they had three sons, Charles, Raymond and Elwood. Mary married George Cannon and together they had nine children, Marie, George, Charles, Joseph, James, Grace, Hannah, Catherine and Aloysius. William married Mary Keller and together they had three children, William, Anna Marie and Patrick. Sally married John Keller and though they did not have any children in life, they have a child in death. (See Keller Siblings)

Chapter VI

“William and Mary”

“Health and long life to you, land without rent to you, a child every year to you and may you die in Ireland”

William Joseph Gallagher son of Patrick and Hannah (Dougherty) Gallagher married Maria Elisabeth Keller (Mary) daughter of John and Elisabeth Keller on August 26^th, 1905 at St. John the Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Helena O’Keefe and Edward Carr stood as witnesses. Though Mary was raised as a Lutheran, this girl born to German immigrants converted to Catholism and spent her entire life an active member of St. John the Baptist Church.

William Joseph Gallagher was an Irishman raised by Irish immigrants who were devout Catholics themselves. His father Patrick was a member of the Holy Name Society at St. John the Baptist Church and a great influence on his daughter-in-law up until his death in 1913.

How this German Lutheran girl and this Irish Catholic man met is unknown. But they fell in love and married and resided in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia not far from the homes of their parents. Their first child William Joseph was born April 15^th, 1906 and baptized at St. John’s on April 29^th, 1906. George and Mary Cannon stood as godparents.

A second child was born eighteen months later on November 5^th, 1907 and was named Anna Marie. When Anna Marie was baptized on November 17^th, 1907 at St. John’s, Thomas Welte and Grace Silverthorn stood as godparents. A third child Patrick was born but died shortly after his birth. The midwife who delivered the newborn cut his umbilical cord too short which caused the newborn to bleed too death. It is a tragedy Mary carried throughout her life. But, it would not be the last medical mistake someone made to affect a Gallagher baby’s life. (See William and Anna)

Not much is known about the early days of William and Mary’s married life. They lived on Seville Street in the early days of their marriage according to the 1910 Censes. By the time William’s father died in 1913 and his mother came to live with them, William and Mary resided at 3902 Terrace Street. When William and Mary’s son William married in 1928, he and his new bride Anna Marie McCaffery lived with them. Between 1928 and 1930, the 3902 Terrace Street property was destroyed by a fire. In the 1930 Censes, William and Mary along with their son William and his wife Anna Marie lived in the home of Collum and Anna Marie McCaffery. Anna Marie McCaffery was William and Mary’s daughter. Besides the adults, Collum and Anna Marie McCaffery’s two young children resided in the house. They were listed as Collum Jr. (Buddy) and Mary. Also listed on the 1930 Censes were the occupations of those who held outside jobs. Collum, William and William II were listed as working in a steel mill. Mary was listed as a scrubwoman in the hospital.

What was life like for William and Mary in the early 20^th century? The Victorian Age came to a close with the death of England’s Queen Victoria. The textile mills in Manayunk were booming. Automobiles began to replace the horse and buggy. Women got to vote. World War I broke out and with nearly 75% of all Philadelphia General Hospital personnel out of the country because of the war, the flu pandemic of 1918 took the lives of 13,000 Philadelphians between its onset in September and its end in November of 1918. By the time their daughter married Collum and their son married Anna Marie, the stock market crashed and the Great Depression began. Hard times arrived at their doorsteps. (Philadelphia History)

The worst years of the Great Depression were the years 1932 and 1933 when unemployment rose to an all time high of nearly 24%. Bread and soup lines became the norm. Healthcare was unaffordable. People lost their homes and businesses. Disease became rampant among the poor and starving. Things were not any different for William and Mary and their children and grandchildren. William lost his job at the steel mill. Mary scrubbed floors at the hospital. William and his son spent days looking for work. They performed many sorts of odd jobs just to pay the bills. Stubborn Irish pride prevented them from accepting handouts. Things would not turn around for them or the country until the United States entered World War II in 1941.

Most details about William and Mary between 1940 and 1964 are not from any documents located in my research but from stories handed down through the generations.

Grandmom remembered her father-in-law struggled to find permanent employment after he lost his job at the steel mill during the Depression.  She recalled the long hard hours her mother-in-law worked at the hospital as a scrubbed woman. William and Mary lost the only home they owned in a fire and remained in the home of their son-in-law and daughter until their deaths. Mary lost her brother John Keller in 1947 and purchased his burial plot at St. John’s. In the 1950’s, Mary suffered from breast cancer and had a

mastectomy. After her first great grandchild Michael Joseph Weleski was born in 1958, Mary died. My mother, her granddaughter recalls the last moments of Mary Keller Gallagher’s life. My mother remembered sitting beside her grandmother’s bedside and hearing the long drawn out heavy labored breathing of what my mother called the “death rattle”. She knew her grandmother wanted her to hold her hand as she struggled for breath but my mother was afraid. It is a regret my mother carries to this day. When Maria Elisabeth (Mary) Keller Gallagher died she was buried at Our Lady of Calvary cemetery in Montgomery County. She has been remembered through the generations as a proud strong German woman who lived her life devoted to God, Country and Family. Also interred in Our Lady of Calvary cemetery with Mary is her husband William who died in 1964, Collum and Anna Marie McCaffery, Collum (Buddy) McCaffery and Mary McCaffery. The headstone located on their graves does not have William and Mary Gallagher’s names recorded on it. However, they are in that burial plot.

The burial place of the infant Patrick Gallagher is unknown. However, it is very possible he was interred at St’ John the Baptist Church yard.

Chapter VII

“McCaffery”

Collum Owen McCaffery was born in Ireland in 1860. (Exact location unknown) He came to America in 1890. (1920 Censes) According to the 1910 Censes, he lived in Manayunk in the 21^st ward, district 373. His wife was listed as being deceased and he had four children living at home. Their names were listed as Annie (Anna), Katie (Katherine), John and Collum Jr. According to the 1910 Censes, the only child born in Ireland was his eldest child Annie. The other three are listed as being born in Pennsylvania.

In the 1920 Censes, Collum Owen McCaffery was listed as being 60yrs old and lived with his daughter Annie and her husband and two children.

By the 1930 Censes, the elder Collum McCaffery was no longer listed. He probably died between the years 1920 and 1930. Collum Owen McCaffery was also known as “Owen” and he is probably the brother of John McCaffery’s father who lived in Paterson, New Jersey.

“Collum’s son”

Collum McCaffery son of Collum Owen McCaffery was born on November 18^th, 1899. He married Anna Marie Gallagher and together they had two children. Coll McCaffery also known as “Buddy” was born July 25^th, 1924. His sister Mary was born two years later. According to the United States Social Security Death Index, Collum died in April of 1972. Cause of death was Colon Cancer. His wife Anna Marie died in September of 1987. Both are interred in Our Lady of Calvary cemetery.

Also listed in the Death Index is the son Of Collum and Anna Marie McCaffery. Coll (Buddy) McCaffery died in June of 1985. Cause of death was Heart Failure. He is interred with his parents in Our lady of Calvary cemetery.

It should be noted that before her death in 1987, Anna Marie Gallagher McCaffery buried her husband, daughter and son. Her daughter Mary died from Colon cancer and is also interred in Our Lady of Calvary cemetery.

Of interest, the United States Social Security Death Index began reporting deaths after 1962.

Upon my investigation of Collum Owen McCaffery, I can only conclude that his son Collum and my grandmother’s father John McCaffery were first cousins.

Chapter VIII

“Boland”

Probably of the most difficult times I had researching our family was when I tried effortlessly to locate records of the Boland’s. When I was growing up I was told my grandmother’s maternal grandmother’s name was Ellen (Doherty) Boland who was married to a man called John. In the year 1915 when John and Ellen Boland’s daughter Agnes (Bridget) McCaffery died at the age of 28yrs, John purchased her burial plot at Holy Sepulchre cemetery. The burial records stated John and Ellen Boland resided at 11 S. Osborne Street in Manayunk. It was not until I spoke with a distance cousin by the name of Jean Nicholson that I was finally able to connect the dots on my research.

According to the 1910 Censes, John Boland was listed as living in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, PA. Living at home were his wife Ella (Ellen), two daughters Kate (Catherine) and Ellen and one son John. Another daughter Mary was married to Bernard Cafferty and lived in Philadelphia with her family. I could not locate his second eldest daughter Agnes (Bridget) Boland but I was told by my cousin that Agnes was a servant in a private household. John and Ellen Boland’s home in Lower Merion Township was a small farm owned by Westminster cemetery. In exchange for free room and board, John Boland dug graves at Westminster cemetery. How long they resided at this home is unknown. However, the small farm in Lower Merion reminded John and Ellen of their small farm in County Mayo, Ireland.

Most of the Boland’s came to America in the year 1908. But they did not travel altogether as one group but came in groups of two or three. The eldest child of John and Ellen, Mary Boland Cafferty came to America between 1901 and 1902 with her husband Bernard. Though I could not locate the Boland family in the 1920 Censes, I was able to track down Mary and Bernard Cafferty. By the 1930 Censes, John’s wife Ellen was deceased and he resided in the home of his son John and his daughter-in-law Margaret along with their three children. The elder John was listed as being retired. His son was listed as being a laborer in a Chemical lab.

As I researched across the ocean to Ireland, I located where John Boland may have been born and who is parents may have been. However, the below information as it pertains to age does not correspond with the 1910 Censes age. In 1910, it listed John and Ella Boland as being born in 1850 which would have made them 60yrs old. But, as I recall in the Gallagher Chapter, 19^th century Ireland did not always record the correct age. (See Gallagher)

John Boland was born December 27^th, 1864 in Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland. His parents were listed as William Boland and Hanora Kelly. (Parish Registers of Crossmolina, County Mayo) John Boland married Ella (Ellen) Doherty and they resided on a small farm in Ballina, County Mayo where they had five children. Ballina is located in the Central Northern part of County Mayo. County Mayo is on the West Coast of Ireland. Their first child Mary was born in 1884 followed by Agnes (Bridget) in 1887 then Catherine (Kate) in 1888. Ellen (Ellie) was born in 1891 then John was born in 1894. When or where Ella (Ellen) Doherty was born is still a mystery.

I have yet to locate the records which give me the exact date of death for either Ellen or John Boland. It is believed that Ellen died sometime in 1919 and her husband John died after 1930. Both John and Ellen are interred in the churchyard at St. John the Baptist.

The Boland Siblings

“Mary and Bernard”

Mary Boland married Bernard Cafferty in Ireland in the year 1901. (1920 Censes) It is believed they came to America between the years 1901 and 1902. So far there is no verifiable information as to what Port they entered into. They resided in the East Falls section of Philadelphia on Ridge Avenue directly across from the Dobson’s Mill. Together they had seven children, Michael, Annie, Margaret, Helen, Bernard, Regina and Alice. According to the 1920 Censes, their ages ranged from 18yrs (Michael) to 4mons (Alice). Bernard’s occupation was listed as a Laborer as was his wife’s Mary. Though at this time I do not have the exact dates of death for Mary and Bernard, they are interred at Holy Sepulchre cemetery.

(Their Grandson)

Charles Sumner Walsh was born October 8^th, 1948 to Regina Cafferty Walsh. He joined the Armed Forces in 1967 and served in the Marines, RECON, Battalion 3. He was sent to Vietnam on December 19^th, 1967. On March 15^th, 1968 at the age of 19yrs old, Charles was killed while serving his country in Quang. The jeep he rode in hit a mine and exploded. He lost the bottom half of his body in the explosion. He was buried at Beverly National cemetery in New Jersey. PFC Charles Sumner Walsh’s name can be found on Panel 44E, Row 62 on the Honor Wall in Washington DC. (Veteran Profile, The Virtual Wall)

“Agnes and John”

Agnes Bridget Boland was known her entire life as Bridget. On June 6^th, 1911 at St. John the Baptist church she married John McCaffery. Her first and only child Anna Marie was born one year later in the home of her Boland grandparents at 11 S. Osborne Street on July 5^th, 1912. Anna Marie McCaffery was baptized at St. John’s on July 21^st, 1912 and her godparents were John and Catherine Boland, the siblings of Bridget.

Because Agnes died when her only child was 3yrs old, there is little information about her life. On August 4^th, 1915, it is said that Agnes suffered appendicitis and died while on the operating table. It is said that Agnes was afraid of hospitals. Therefore, she delayed her surgery. Many people in the early 20^th century viewed hospitals as places to die instead of places to get well.

According to her burial records, Agnes was laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre cemetery on August 7^th, 1915. The address at the time of her death was listed as 3809 Cresson Street in Manayunk. After Agnes’s death in the summer of 1915, her only child Anna Marie was sent to live with Agnes’s parents on 11 S. Osborne Street.

It should be noted that there was a Bridget Boland who arrived through Ellis Island October 8^th, 1908 on the ship “Majestic”. She was listed as being 21yrs old, born in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, had a fair complexion, black hair, blue eyes and was 5”3”.

The Boland family was not the only difficult family to research. It was nearly impossible to find any information on John McCaffery. Family legend states that John McCaffery was from County Mayo, Ireland. However, while researching the McCaffery name in the Irish archives, I discovered that the McCaffery name was not popular in County Mayo but in Dublin and the Midlands. I have no proof as to where John McCaffery was born or when he came to America. It is very possible that John McCaffery was born in Paterson, New Jersey. However, I did locate a John McCaffery who arrived through Ellis Island on April 26^th, 1909 on the ship “Caledonia”. He was listed as being 5”9” with brown hair and blue eyes. He was 21yrs old. He came to America from Feroranagh, Ireland with $16 dollars in his pocket. (American Family Immigration Center of Ellis Island) In the 1910 Censes, I located another John McCaffery in Paterson, New Jersey. He was listed as being born in 1864 and a widower. Is this man the father of John McCaffery who married Agnes Boland? It is a very strong possibility because after the death of his wife Agnes, it

is known that John spent a great deal of time in Paterson, NJ.  Did John McCaffery have siblings? Again, the possibility is strong because in the 1910 Censes there is a John McCaffery who lived with his brother Edward in Manayunk. This John McCaffery was listed as being 22yrs old. (See McCaffery)

After his wife died suddenly in 1915, John began to drink heavily. Though he provided financially for his young daughter, he did not raise her. In the early 20^th century, it was not uncommon for a young motherless child to be sent to live with a female relative. In Anna’s case she was sent to live with her maternal grandparents. When her beloved grandmother died when Anna was 7yrs old, Anna was sent to live with her Aunt Kate. (See William and Anna)

One of the reasons it is impossible to track John McCaffery in the 1920 or 1930 Censes is because John lived in various places. When he died August 9^th, 1930 his address on the burial records was listed as 4135 Terrace Street. But he did not live there. The address belonged to his daughter and her husband. John was homeless at the time of his death at age 46yrs old. He was buried on August 11^th, 1930 with his wife at Holy Sepulchre. Cause of death was complications of pneumonia relating to alcoholism. It is a strong possibility that John also suffered from Tuberculosis. At the time of his death, he was a patient in a TB ward at the hospital where he died. According to the funeral records at St. John the Baptist church, John McCaffery did not have a funeral mass. It appeared he was not in good standing with the church when he died.

According to the burial records of John and Agnes McCaffery, they shared a burial plot with another family. When a family did not have the money to bury their dead it was not uncommon in the early 20^th century for more than one family to share one plot. (See Gallagher)

Of interest, the house at 11 S. Osborne Street is no longer standing. When or why the house was torn down is a mystery. However, it is possible the house was removed to make room for the city to build a wall to separate the railroad from the other houses on the block.

“Catherine and Daniel”

While archiving records at St. John the Baptist church I discovered marriage records for Catherine Boland and her husband Daniel Malervy. They are recorded as being married at St. John’ on April 30^th, 1913. Witnesses who stood for them were listed as John Boland and Mary McCaffery (could be Cafferty)

Daniel and Catherine Malervy had a daughter Helen on October 5^th, 1915. Helen Malervy was listed at St’ John’s as being baptized on October 17^th, 1915 and her godparents were John and Helen Boland. (Could be Ellen not Helen) Daniel and Catherine had a second daughter who died at birth and was buried with her grandmother Ellen Boland at St. John’s Churchyard.

I also came across several other names of interest while researching St. John’s records. First, there was James Malervy who was listed as being buried from St. John’s on June 19^th, 1925. He was the father of Daniel Malervy and it appeared he lived with Catherine and Daniel at the time of his death at 3827 Terrace Street. Age at the time of his death was listed as being 68yrs old. Cause of death listed was Heart Attack. He was interred in the churchyard of St. John the Baptist. Another name listed in the records at St. John’s was Michael Malervy who was buried from St. John’s April 10^th, 1919 but was interred in St. Mary’s churchyard. He was listed as being 49yrs old and lived at 3806 Sharpe. It appeared he was the younger brother of James Malervy and Daniel’s uncle.

Catherine Malervy died from Heart Failure on September 17^th, 1959 and was buried from St. John’s on September 18^th, 1959. Her address was listed as 3827 Terrace Street at the time of her death. She is interred at Holy Sepulchre cemetery. I was unable to locate the funeral records of her husband Daniel. However, according to his granddaughter Jean Nicholson he died in 1934 and was interred at Holy Sepulchre.

Daniel and Catherine Malervy’s only living child Helen married Mahlon Nicholson and together they had two daughters Helen and Regina (Jean). Helen and Mahlon Nicholson are interred at Westminster cemetery.

Of interest, the name Malervy was also spelled Malarvy and Malervey in some records.

“Ellen and John”

Ellen Boland married John DeSanto (could be DiSanto) and they had one child John DeSanto. Sources state that the young John DeSanto was in an accident which severed his arm. Shortly afterward, his mother suffered some form of mental or emotional breakdown that eventually lead to her commitment at the state run facility “Byberry”.

She spent the remainder of her life there. At this time, I do not know the burial places of Ellen or her husband John.

Their son John DeSanto met with his own tragic end in a car accident. (Jean Nicholson)

Burial place is unknown.

“John and Margaret”

I do not know much about the life of John and Ellen Boland’s youngest child John Boland except that he was my grandmother’s godfather and played a nurturing role in my grandmother’s life after the tragic death of her mother. In the 1930 Censes, John was listed as being married to a woman named Margaret and they had three children, Anna (9yrs), Margaret (5yrs) and John (2yrs). Whether or not anymore children were born to John and Margaret after 1930, I do not know. John’s occupation was listed as a laborer in a Chemical Lab and he lived in Germantown. It was also listed that his father John Boland lived with him in 1930.

Chapter IX

“William and Anna”

“May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows your dead?”

William Joseph Gallagher II was the first born of William and Mary Gallagher’s three children. Born on Easter Sunday April 15^th, 1906 just as the season of spring had come underway, this little boy entered the world with brown hair and twinkling laughing brown eyes. Though I do not know much about his younger years, he left school after the eighth grade to get a job. He had a devilish funny sense of humor and loved to fish and hunt and respected all of nature’s gifts. William was known as “Will” and “Bill” and grew up in a loving and nurturing family with both his parents and a younger sister.

Anna Marie McCaffery was the only child of John and Agnes McCaffery. Born on a hot summer day July 5^th, 1912, this little girl came into the world with hair the color of a sunset and eyes as golden green as an autumn’s day. Her early years were spent in the love and care of her mother and father. However, tragedy fell upon this little girl with the sudden and unexpected death of her mother.

As was the custom in the early 20^th century when a small child became motherless, it was not unusual for the child to be placed in a relative’s home where there was a mother figure such as an aunt or grandmother. In the following with this tradition, little three year old Anna was sent to live with her maternal grandparents who resided at 11 S. Osborne Street, the house where she was born three years earlier.

Life with her Boland grandparents was bliss. Anna spent countless hours in the company of her grandmother watching and learning how to cook. It was by her grandmother’s side that Anna learned the art of tea making and appreciated the afternoon cup of tea with a slice of jelly bread. This was a tradition; Anna took with her all the days of her life.  Great sadness struck Anna when at the tender age of 7rs old; her grandmother died which left Anna yet again motherless.

Though Anna’s father visited her and brought her gifts and paid her keep, he was unable to provide her with what she needed most, a stable home. So once again Anna was sent to live with a relative. This time she was sent to live with her Aunt Catherine or better known as Aunt Kate.

  Life with Aunt Kate was nothing less than cruel. Discipline was swift, fierce and physical. I remember having many conversations with grandmom (Anna) about her life as a child. Her memories were mostly painful especially the memories she had while she lived with Aunt Kate. Although, she remembered her Uncle Daniel as being kind and gentle, she remembered her Aunt Kate as being unkind and ungentle. The house at 3827 Terrace Street appeared to the outside world as being perfect. The house was always clean and neat with its polished table tops and fine Irish linen. Family portraits decorated all the living areas. It was a picture perfect family, the father, mother and two girls. (Anna and her cousin Helen) The girls attended Catholic school. They attended Sunday mass. But what the outside world could not possibly know is the cruelty that went on behind closed doors. Aunt Kate suffered severe mood swings. She was also known to like a drink. When prohibition went into effect, many folks hid their alcohol in the backyard. Aunt Kate was no exception. Whether Aunt Kate suffered from alcoholism or a mental illness is unclear. However, what is known for sure is that she beat the girls and sometimes the beatings were severe. Most beatings were given in the basement. At times, Anna was tied to a chair. The beatings occurred when chores were not performed to Aunt Kate’s satisfaction such as the tables were not polished correctly or there was lint on the floor.

Anna and Helen endured these beatings for many years until the day when Anna came home from school and an angry and out of control Aunt Kate grabbed Anna as she walked through the front door. She beat Anna until she was covered in blood. Hurting and crying Anna ran out the door and to a neighbor’s house. From that point on Anna lived in the comfort and safety of the Gallagher’s at 3902 Terrace Street. Not long after Anna moved in with the Gallagher’s that her younger cousin Helen arrived on the same door step and asked to be taken in. However, Helen was returned to her parents.

William and Anna first met through the marriage of Anna Marie Gallagher, William’s sister and Collum McCaffery, Anna’s cousin. When William was 22yrs old and Anna just 16yrs old, they married at St. John the Baptist church on December 1^st, 1928. Witnesses who stood for them were Collum and Anna Marie McCaffery. After they married, they remained in the home of William and Mary Gallagher on 3902 Terrace Street.

Between 1928 and 1930 a fire swept through the 3902 Terrace Street house. William and Mary Gallagher along with their son William and his wife Anna moved into the home of Collum and Anna McCaffery and their two young children. Before, William and Anna’s first child William Joseph Gallagher III was born on March 10^th, 1931, William and Anna moved into their home at 4135 Terrace Street.

Before the birth of her first child, Anna’s father John McCaffery died. He was buried with his wife at Holy Sepulchre cemetery on August 11^th, 1930. (See Boland)

William Joseph Gallagher III was baptized at St. John the Baptist church on March 29^th, 1931. His godparents were Collum and Anna McCaffery. A second son John Patrick was born two years later on May 31^st, 1933. He was baptized at St. John’s on June 18^th, 1933 and his godparents were Collum McCaffery and Mary Gallagher. Between the births of William and Anna’s second and third child, they moved from the house on Terrace to 219 Jamestown. Collum Eugene Gallagher was born December 17^th, 1935. After an uneventful labor and delivery, Anna brought into the world a beautiful dark haired, dark eyed, faired skinned very Irish looking little boy. But tragedy struck when a careless nurse who attended the birth at the hospital placed too many drops of medication in the newborn’s eyes thus caused the child to become blinded in one eye. Further complications arose when the newborn’s mother was prevented from nursing her child in the days following the birth thus causing the breasts of the mother to become engorged and infected placing an even greater strain on both the new mother and her child. After this tragedy, Anna vowed never to have another child in a hospital.

Collum Eugene Gallagher was the third child of William and Anna to be baptized at St. John the Baptist church. Date of baptism was January 5^th, 1936 and his godparents were Raymond Silverthorn and Hannah Cannon.

William and Anna moved to 4137 Terrace Street before the birth of their fourth child. Mary Louise Gallagher, the long awaited first daughter of William and Anna came screaming into the world on May 4^th, 1938. She was the first child of William and Anna’s to be born at home with the assistance of both a physician and her mother-in-law Mary Gallagher. While Anna was in labor with her daughter, her mother-in-law needed to leave her side to attend the viewing of Father Eugene Murphy, Pastor of St. John the Baptist church and also godfather to Mary Gallagher. Mary told her daughter-in-law Anna to wait until her return to have the baby. Well, the baby was not born until her return. After the child was born, it is said that her father William held the infant in his arms and sang her a song about a girl named Mary Lou. The new parents had already planned to name their newborn daughter Mary after the child’s grandmother and also the Virgin Mary but they had not decided on a middle name. The child was then given the middle name Louise by her father. Mary Louise Gallagher was baptized at St. John’s on May 15^th, 1938 and her godparents were Collum McCaffery and Mary Hayes.

As a post note, Father Eugene Murphy was interred in the churchyard of St. John the Baptist church.

It would be over four years before the fifth and final child of William and Anna was born. After living their entire lives in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia, the family relocated to a house closer to William’s new employer Midvale Steel Mill. Ann Marie Gallagher was born on August 5^th, 1942 and unlike her siblings who were all baptized at St. John the Baptist Church, little Ann Marie was baptized at St. Columbus church. Her godparents were Collum (Buddy) and Mary McCaffery. Address at the time of Ann Marie’s birth was 2722 Croskey Street.

William and Anna Gallagher were two people who loved each other dearly and lived a life with many hardships. Soon after they were married the stock market crashed and the Great Depression began. World War II came and ended. The Korean War came and with it they saw their eldest son William go to war. The innocence of the 1950’s made room for the chaos of the 1960’s. They experienced a world full of political and civil unrest. Through it all they managed to raise five children.

William and Anna rented many homes throughout their lives. The first and only house they ever owed was 3907 Ridge Avenue which they purchased from the Schroeder Family in 1955. In the years prior to the ownership of their home, they moved many times for many reasons. Sometimes the landlord wanted to raise the rent or sell the property. Once they were forced out of their home because the landlord placed a limit on the number of children that were allowed to live in the house. When a soldier returned from World War II and bought the 2722 Croskey Street property they rented, they found themselves the victims of a severe post war housing shortage and were forced to rent 3919 Ridge Avenue, a house uninhabitable.

They moved into 3919 Ridge Avenue in 1946. The children were sent to live with various relatives until William could install windows, build a bathroom and construct a floor over a large gape between the first floor and the basement. Shortly after the house was habitable the children returned to live with their parents. In January of 1955, the Gallagher family had the opportunity to purchase their first home with the help of their son William and his Veteran Administration Home Load. They bought 3907 Ridge Avenue, a three story house with a center hall, living and dining rooms, kitchen and a shed on the first floor, three bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor and two bedrooms on the third floor. The house had a backyard and a coal furnace heated the house. William and Anna lived in this house until 1969.

Before William and Anna moved in 1969, they saw four of their five children marry and start families of their own. The first to marry was their daughter Mary Lou. She married Ronald Weleski and together they had two children Michael Joseph and Patricia Marie. The marriage ended in divorce within five years. Her second marriage to Arthur Maier was successful and together they had three children Mary Ann, Arthur Louis and Francis William. The second child of William and Anna’s to marry was John Patrick. He left Philadelphia in 1963 and met and married A California girl by the name of Pauline Eleanor Mundwiler. Pauline had been previously married and had a son Eric. John and Pauline went on to have five more children John, Matthew, Brian, Paul and Kathleen.

Ann Marie Gallagher married Francis Sciolla and they had two children Angelina Marie and Francis. The last child to marry was William and Anna’s eldest son William. He married Dolores Miller and they had two children William Owen and Katherine Mary.

When the neighbor began to deteriorate and William was forced into early retirement from Midvale Steel, they put the house up for sale and moved to an apartment in the Northeast section of Philadelphia. However, that was not their last move. They moved five more times before William’s death in 1980 and Anna moved twice more before her own death in 1990.

December 1^st, 1978, the entire family joined together to celebrate the 50^th Wedding Anniversary of William and Anna Gallagher. The priest came to 8229 Wilson Street, the home of Arthur and Mary Maier and the happy couple repeated their Wedding vows. A dinner was held in their honor at the Cottage Green Restaurant afterwards. The days leading up to the celebration, I spent time in the company of my grandfather as he shopped for the perfect Wedding Anniversary card for grandmom. He chose a card decorated with flowers and played music when he opened it. It was one of the last times I saw Grandpop well and happy.

The year 1979 proved to be a year of reoccurring illness for Grandpop. After prostrate surgery, he bled and received several units of blood. After that he spent much of his time in and out of the hospital. After numerous tests, there still was not a proper diagnosis to what ailed him. Over the course of a year we watched as his mental status slowly deteriorated. What was once a healthy vibrant man was now almost in a vegetative state who needed constant care. His physicians thought he had cancer but all the tests proved negative. What was causing this man to be so ill? No one knew. There were no answers. Grandmom had a hospital bed set up in the living room of her apartment and cared for her husband 24 hours a day. My mother came over to help. Tests continued and his health failed. By the early Fall of 1980, Grand pop was once again admitted to the hospital. It was his last admission. While a patient in the hospital, Grandpop suffered Cardiac Arrest. The Clinical staff resuscitated him and placed him on ventilator. The next thirty days were hell.

Grandpop did not want to be on “Life Support”. As sick and frail as he was, he had the strength to dislocate the tube from his throat. The nurses tied his hands down. When we went to see him in the hospital we were greeted with the sight of a man tied to the bed, naked where the blankets fell off and covered in blood where the vent connected at his throat. My mother immediately untied and covered him then went out to have words with his nurses. It became a game. They tied him down when we left. We untied him when we came. It was at this time we learned the hard lesson about “No not resuscitate orders”. It was too late for Grandpop. The damage was done and once a patient is placed on “Life Support” they cannot be taken off it without a “Court Order” unless the patient was proved to be “Brain dead”. The only power Grandmom had in this circumstance was to place an order on his chart that stated if heart stopped again it was not to be resuscitated.

Thanksgiving Day November 27^th, 1980 was bleat. We had dinner and visited Grandpop. Shortly after we arrived home from the hospital we received a call. Grandpop was dead.

Men that Grandpop knew at Midvale Steel Mill twenty years earlier came out to pay their respects to him and his widow. The Funeral Home quickly filled with family and friends, those who loved him and those who respected the kind of man he was. I remember the solemn moment Grandmom walked over to the casket and placed her arms around Grand pop and cried out his name. The sound was heart wrenching. It was exactly what my mother did when she entered Grandpop’s hospital room after being told he had died.

Grandpop was interred in Our Lady of Grace cemetery in Langhorne, PA on December 1^st, 1980 what would have been the 52^nd of his and Grandmom’s Wedding Anniversary.

Cause of death listed was recorded as Cardiac Arrest fro Multi-Organ failure. He came into this world on an Easter Sunday and left on a Thanksgiving Day.

Grandmom lived ten years after her beloved husband died. Though she packed away his clothes in a trunk which stood at the end of her bed, she never gave the clothes away. When the cold weather came, she wore his sweater. She refused to go to the movie theater because she wanted his last movie to be her last movie. From the time of Grand pop’s death, I believe Grandmom began to prepare for her own. She packed way special under clothes. She wrote a personal letter to her family which stated what she wanted to give them. She informed us of her last wished in regards to “Life Support” and “Funeral Arrangements”. She grieved for him the rest of her days.

“Last Years”

It was spring of 1988 when my parents took a trip to Mexico. Grandmom called me to tell me she was having terrible pain in her back. The doctor was out to see her and gave her an injection but the pain had gotten worse. I drove up to her house and when I saw her I knew something was terribly wrong. I called her doctor and told him I was taking her to the emergency room at the hospital. She could barely walk and I practically carried her to the car. In the emergency room she was given an injection of morphine and was admitted for tests. I called Aunt Ann, then left to bring her to the hospital. Though, Grandmom loved and accepted me as a daughter more than a granddaughter, I did not feel comfortable making medical decisions for her within my Aunt. The following day Grandmom was given a CAT SCAN. A tumor as large as a grapefruit resided on the far back wall of her Abdominal Cavity. She needed a biopsy. By this time, she was receiving morphine injections for pain every three hours and the prognosis was not favorable. Grandmom could die. What should I do? Up to this point in Grandmom’s life, Mom was the sibling who took care of all her personal, medical and financial needs since Grand pop’s death in 1980. I called Mexico and left an emergency message. When she got the message, she was on the next flight home.

I can still remember the relief I felt when Mom walked through those hospital doors and took over. Grandmom was transferred to another hospital where she could receive the treatment she needed. She was taken for radiation then given chemotherapy. My Mom drove her to and from all chemotherapy treatments and doctor visits. When Grandmom needed tests, my Mom was there. When the chemotherapy treatments took their toll on Grandmom and she required constant attention, my Mom ordered a hospital bed to be set up in the dining room of her home so she could give Grandmom the care she needed. Sometimes I spent the night with my mother to help her. Mom was up all hours of the night because the fevers and medications Grandmom took made her delirious and Mom was afraid Grandmom would get out of bed and get hurt. It was during that year I learned what it meant to be a daughter. My mother was a hero. She gave selfless unconditional love and care to her mother. Somehow amongst all the insanity she was able to maintain a cool head and make the sometimes difficult decisions that needed to be made. After 18 months of radiation, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, vomiting and hospital stays, Grandmom went into remission. But it was short lived.

May 1990, I took Grandmom out shopping then to lunch. At the store she was short of breath and did not want me to leave her side. After we loaded the car with our packages we stopped for lunch or as Grandmom always called it “a bite to eat”. Grandmom told me stories of her childhood as we ate. Then she mentioned she needed to make an appointment with the doctor because she had a cough that kept her up at night. Her statement created a red flag in my mind. I knew in my gut, her statement meant bad news.

It was a short time later that my mother, grandmother and I sat across the doctor in his office as he told us the bad news. The cancer was back and it was in the left pleural space in her lung. He recommended more chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy began immediately. The side affects this time around were strong and fierce for Grandmom. She immediately lost her hair and vomited constantly.

July 5^th, 1990 was Grandmom’s 78^th birthday. I made her a bowl of soup and a cup of tea. She took a sip of the tea then asked me to help her to bed. Her birthday cake sat on the kitchen table. It was a patriotic cake all red, white and blue that Uncle Frank and Aunt Ann brought to her the day before. It would be her last one.

Grandmom was sick and weak. At her next doctor appointment he ordered her to be admitted into the hospital. The doctor took a wheelchair, placed Grandmom in it and pushed her over to the hospital himself. It was her last admission.

“I wish it would rain” were the softly spoken words from the bed. Grandmom was struggling to breathe and it was hot and humid outside. “I wish it would rain” she said again. I knew what she was thinking. She thought if it rained she would not struggle so much. But I knew the truth. The heat and humidity did not make her struggle; it was the cancer that ate away at her lungs. I left my position at the window and sat next to her bedside. “I have always loved you as my daughter” she whispered. “I would kiss the ground you walk on” she quietly said. Shortly thereafter the priest from her parish walked in with my mother and my Aunt Ann.

Grandmom appeared sleeping almost comatose as the priest began to give her the “Last Rites” as per Catholic protocol. The four of us held hands around Grandmom’s bed and prayed the rosary. Once the priest left my Mom and Aunt got into a discussion about the priest and how young and handsome he was. Miraculously, Grandmom opened her eyes and in that voice only grandmom had when she chastised us said “He is a man of God” and “He should not be called handsome”. We all laughed.

Grandmom was a very religious woman who said the rosary twice everyday. If you called her on the phone during her rosary hour, she promptly hung up on you. We all knew never to call her at 10AM or 3PM, her rosary hours. The parish priests visited her often first at her home then at the hospital. It was not until her viewing and Funeral Mass did we realize to what extend the parish priests held her in awe.

The last week of Grandmom’s life, we held a daily and nightly vigil at her beside. Grandmom was never left alone. The doctor informed us the treatments did not work and the cancer had spread to the other lung. The family gathered and made the decision to stop treatment and make Grandmom comfortable. A “Do Not Resuscitate Order” was signed and posted on her chart. Her lungs quickly filled with fluid and it would be a matter of time before she ceased breathing on her own. Morphine was gradually increased. She fell unconscious. Just days before her death, Grandmom woke up one last time. She pointed to the ceiling directly in front of her and said “Look at all the people in the light”. Then she cried out “Nana” “Nana”. (Nana was the nickname given to her sister-in-law Anna Marie McCaffery)

Grandmom died the evening of July 30^th, 1990 with my mother and I sitting beside her each holding her hand. She took her last breath. She entered the light.

Grandmom was laid out in her parish church the morning of her funeral. The priest came down from the altar several times to knee at her casket to pray. He looked at her as though he looked at a saint. She was very beautiful in spite of her illness. Two priests from my parish came to say Mass with her parish priest. My eldest son Shaun was the altar boy. Nuns from both parishes filled the pews. We wondered if we indeed had a saintly woman before us. (Priests and Nuns from my parish came in respect for Uncle Gene who worked at the parish school)

Anna Marie McCaffery Gallagher was buried with her husband at Our Lady of grace cemetery in Langhorne, PA.

There are a few more things I wanted to mention about my grandmother before I end this chapter. Her cancer was diagnosed as Non-Hopkins Lymphoma. When she was 12yrs old she came down with Rheumatic fever which affected her heart. She spent her entire adult life under the care of physicians for her heart. In the early 1970’s, she suffered a major heart attack.

On a more personal note, Grandmom felt the loss of her mother her entire life. When she became a mother herself, her greatest fear was dying before her children were raised. When she spoke about her mother she said she could not remember her face and this sadden her greatly. Her greatest desire was to have a photo of her mother so she would remember what she looked like. That desire was never fulfilled.

When Grandmom’s cancer returned in early 1990, she told my mother that she was glad she had her as a daughter and she asked my mother to take care of Uncle Gene. It is a promise which was fulfilled.

Chapter X

“3907 Ridge”

“Fact or Fiction”

We know that life is full of myths and legends, truths and half-truths whether it pertains to a person, a place or a thing. Have you ever stood outside of an old house and wondered what secrets or tales are hidden behind the door? That is exactly what I found myself doing on more then one occasion as I stood on the grounds of Laurel Hill cemetery and looked out across its vast lawns to the three story 19^th century house across the way. 3907 Ridge Avenue is a house full of secrets and tales of all those who have lived behind its walls.

The first relatives to live at 3907 were Charles and Mary Schroeder and their children. This house saw many lives born into the world. It also saw many deaths. Edwin, Howard and Pearl Schroeder died in infancy. Earl Schroeder died in the summer of 1939 at the age of 13yrs old. Though his death was first thought to be the result of a tragic drowning accident, it was later discovered he died from a congenital heart defect. Earl Schroeder was laid out in the parlor of his parents’ house on 3907 Ridge. His casket was then carried across the street and interred in Section Z of Laurel Hill cemetery. February 19^th, 1945 Marie Schroeder Weleski died two days after delivering a healthy baby boy. She was 38yrs old. As her brother before her, she was laid out in the parlor of 3907 Ridge. But her tale goes a little deeper. Months before the birth of her baby, Marie had a premonition. She told neighbors that she would never hold the baby she carried. On February 17^th, 1945 Marie’s third child, a boy was born. Shortly after the birth, Marie suffered a stroke and lapsed into a coma. She died two days later. She never held her newborn child. As Marie Schroeder Weleski lay in her casket, the cradle of her newborn was placed beside his mother. Then, something amazing happened. Marie’s daughter Lillian awoke from a dream where she heard her mother’s voice. “Check the baby”.

Lillian went downstairs to where her brother slept in his cradle beside the casket and discovered a blanket wrapped around the child’s head. Marie was the second Schroeder to be carried across the street and interred in Section Z in Laurel Hill.

Charles Schroeder died later that year in 1945. He too was laid out in the parlor at 3907 Ridge Avenue then carried across the street and interred in Section Z in Laurel Hill. Within six years, three Schroeder family members died premature deaths, were laid out at 3907 Ridge and interred in Laurel Hill cemetery.

Tragic and premature deaths of loved ones before their time have had a place in history for thousands of years. We all have read about haunted castles and graveyards. The folks in Gettysburg, PA swear they have seen numerous Civil War ghosts walk across the battlefields. Do the ghosts know they are dead, perhaps not? In the years that followed the deaths of Earl, Marie and Charles caused some people to ask that very same question.

The closet door in the third floor bedroom opened and closed on its own. The shades shot up suddenly and unexpectedly. The rocking chair rocked back and forth even though no one sat in it. Footsteps were heard where no one walked. An unwelcome eerie feeling overcame those who ventured into the basement. It did not matter who resided in the house. When the Schroeder family moved out in 1955 and the Gallagher family moved in, it continued on.

Spirits haunted their dreams. William Gallagher dreamt his son was shot and it indeed came to pass. His eldest son served in the Army as a Paratrooper and was shot. Mary Gallagher, daughter of William and Anna Gallagher married Ronald Weleski, son of John and Marie (Schroeder) Weleski in 1957. When Mary was pregnant with her second child she feared her fate would be the same as her mother-in-law because her child was due to be born on February 19^th. The child was born February 14^th and she did not experience the same fate. When John Gallagher was getting married, Mary dreamt she saw the groom but not the bride at the church. The day John Gallagher was to be married, his bride never showed up at the church. She later was killed in a motorcycle accident with the guy she stood up John for.

Legends and tales, spirits and ghosts, fact or fiction, we may never know. Did the spirit of Earl run through the house as if he were at play? Did Marie sit in the rocking chair that moved back and forth as though she held a child in her arms? Was it Charles in the basement shoveling coal into the furnace as he done so many times before? Legends and tales, spirits and ghosts, fact or fiction, you decide.

By late 1969, the house was no longer occupied by family.

“East Falls”

The 3907 Ridge Avenue house is located in a section of Philadelphia called East Falls. According to the Philadelphia Almanac and Citizen’s manual, the section called East Falls was founded in the middle of the 17^th century by a Dutch Navigator who named the river in which he sailed “Schuylkill” which means Hidden River. At the time, the

LeniLenape Indians traveled up the Schuylkill each summer to hunt and fish for the abundance of wildlife in what is now called Fairmount Park. The Indians called the river “Ganshowahanna” which means Falling Waters. The first official name given to the East Falls section of Philadelphia was “Fort St. David’s” by a bunch of wealthy Welshmen who built a hunting and fishing lodge on the east bank of the river where the falls was once located. (One block south of Midvale Avenue where the railroad now stands) (The falls were removed in the 19^th century when the Fairmount dam and Manayunk canals were built)  When a village was built around the lodge, it also assumed the name “Fort St. David’s” until the city of Philadelphia was occupied by the British and the Hessians took over the lodge during the Revolutionary War. When the British were forced out of the city by General Washington’s Army, the British ordered the Hessians to burn the lodge and village. When the village was rebuilt, it took a new name “Falls of the Schuylkill”. It was in 1946 that the area would take on its current name “East Falls”.

“Historic East Fall Facts”

Washington’s Army crossed at the Water Falls and camped in the area on their way to Valley Forge.

The mansion of the first governor of Pennsylvania Thomas Mifflin was located on the land between Ridge-Midvale-Stanton-Frederick. It is known that both Washington and Lafayette spent time at the mansion.

“Schuylkill River”

Did you know that the Schuylkill canal was hand dug by immigrant Irishmen in 1820? Did you know that “hand dug” canal was 108 miles long?

According to the Schuylkill Canal Association, the reason canals and dams were built was to bring boat loads of coal up the river to Manayunk. At the time the Schuylkill canal and dams were built, the area was filled with fertile soil, wildlife, trees, clay, limestone, iron and coal. But, that all changed.

To make passage ways around the many water falls of the river for the boats to travel up stream, 18 dams and 23 canals were built. Water streams that flowed from the river were then rerouted or damned so that large amounts of water could be used in the new mills and factories being built in Manayunk. When the railroad came to Manayunk and coal was much more easily transported, the Industrial Revolution began. It also was the beginning of the end for the river and its surrounding wildlife.

Industrial waste and sewage from the mills and factories were dumped daily into the river which destroyed the fish and bird life of the area down stream. (East Falls) The coal sediment that was continuously dumped in the river smothered life on the river’s floor and clogged water ways and streams. It was not long before the river was destroyed by the industry. By the early 20^th century, the river met its fate.

According to Mr. John Frederick Lewis, President of the Art Jury of Philadelphia in 1924  “Redeeming the lower Schuylkill from being an open sewer with its dump collecting station, its oil refineries, abattoir, chemical and paint manufactories and garbage disposal plants and making it a beautiful river”. Though he pushed for the city to recognize the importance of saving the river from pollution, clean up of the river did not begin until after World War II. There was not a “Clean Water Act’ in place until 1972. Since then efforts have been made to restore the river to its former beauty. Today, we see the return of fish and bird life.

As a final note, it may be of interest to know that America’s railroads, canals, bridges and tunnels in the 19^th century were mostly built by immigrant Irish.

Chapter XI

Schroeder

The Schroeder family has the most members of all the families I have written about in this family history. Though I will mention the parents of Charles and Mary Schroeder, this history will focus on Charles and Mary themselves and their fifteen children.  

Charles August Ernest Schroeder was born November 22^nd, 1886 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is the eldest child of Carl and Anna Marie Schroeder’s five children. Charles’s father Carl Friedrich Schrieder was born August 3^rd, 1855 in Dorf Puz, Kreis Berendt, Prussia and came to America at the age of 25yrs in 1880. He settled in Manistee, Michigan. His parents were called Gottlieb and Lenora Schrieder. It is believed that his father was a farmer who shredded wheat. Anna Marie (Heese ) Schrieder was born on February 2^nd, 1864 in Zempelburg, Preussen and at the age of 11yrs migrated with her family to first Chicago, Illinois then to Valpariso, Indiana and finally to Manistee, Michigan where she met and married her husband on April 22^nd, 1883 at the Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church by Reverend Hermann Lemke. (Peggy Schroeder Antal) The only thing we know about Anna Marie’s parents is that her father‘s name was John.

The name Schrieder was probably changed to Schroeder when Carl came to America. The name Schroeder may have also been spelled at one time as “Schroeter”. In addition to Charles, Carl and Anna Marie had four other children, John, Anna, Edward and Albert.

Mary Schroeder, Charles wife was born Mary Mervine on March 16^th, 1889 in Philadelphia, Pa. Though I do not know anything about her mother, her father, Alexander Mervine served in the 68^th regiment Pennsylvania during the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. He was captured in Chancellors Ville, VA. on May 2^nd, 1863 and sent to Libby Prison until he was paroled on May 16^th, 1863. Even though he spent a short amount of time imprisoned it is believe that the time spent there caused him to go deaf. By the end of his life he suffered from poor eyesight, rheumatism and heart disease. He died when he was 75yrs old. The Mervine family is originally from Alsace Lorraine, France. Mary (Mervine) Schroeder was not an only child; she had three siblings, William, Caroline and Anna.

Charles Schroeder and Mary Mervine met and married in Philadelphia. After their first child Charles Jr. was born in 1905 they moved out to Charles’s Home State of Wisconsin. During the next fifteen years Charles and Mary Schroeder moved back and forth between the states of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.  According to the 1910 Censes, they lived backed in Philadelphia with their four children Charles (4yrs), Marie (3yrs), Helen (2yrs) and an infant named Florence. Also living in the Schroeder home was Mary’s older brother William Mervine. According to the 1920 Censes, Charles and Mary must have again just arrived back in Philadelphia because their youngest child Dorothy was listed as being born in Wisconsin and was only two months old .Their other eight children listed on the 1920 Censes were Charles (14yrs), Marie (13yrs), Helen (11yrs), Florence (10yrs), William (8yrs), Elmer (6yrs), John (4yrs) and Raymond (1yr).

After 1920, it appears that Charles and Mary Schroeder remained in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the remainder of their lives.

Charles Schroeder was employed in many different occupations during life. He worked as a “milkman”. He worked on the “docks”. He rang the bells at St. James the Less church in the East Falls section of Philadelphia and he dug graves at both St. James the Less Church ground and Laurel Hill cemetery.

By the 1930 Censes, Charles and Mary had completed their family of fifteen children and at this time a few of the older children had already left the nest. Charles was now 43yrs old and Mary was 41yrs old. Their children Charles, Marie and Florence no longer lived at home with their parents in 1930. Those children that died in infancy were Edwin, Howard and Pearl. The remaining Schroeder children listed in 1930 as living at home were Helen (22yrs), William (18yrs), Elmer (17yrs), John (14yrs), Raymond (11yrs), Dorothy (10yrs), Lillian (7yrs), Edna (5yrs) and Earl (3yrs). Earl and Pearl were twins.

Raising a large family in the 1930’s could not have been easy. Though I imagine the Schroeder family like most other large families, had the older children help with the younger children?

Though Charles and Mary had lost three children in infancy, they would live to see two more of their children die prematurely and tragically.  August 13^th, 1939, Earl Schroeder was thought to have drowned while swimming in Beech wood, N. J. It would not be until later that a coroner’s report would state that the young 13yr old had died of a congenital heart defect. Though he was found in the water, his lungs were not full of water. Therefore, he had to have died prior to falling into the water. According to Laurel Hill cemetery’s burial records, his father Charles purchased plot #504 in section Z on August 14^th, 1939 for $100.00. Earl was laid out in the Living Room of his parent’s home on 3907 Ridge Avenue until he was buried on August 17^th, 1939 at 2.30 in the afternoon. The funeral director listed was William Turner on 4170 Ridge Avenue. The superintendent of Laurel Hill cemetery in 1939 was listed as William J. Proud.  It was noted that the body of Earl Schroeder was placed in the center of the grave. Six years later he would be joined by his sister Marie (See Weleski) then by his father.

  Just one month after the death of his youngest child, Charles purchased the adjoining plot #506 right next to Earl’s grave. Before his own death on November 3^rd, 1945 at the age of 59yrs, Charles would live to bury another child his beloved daughter Marie. (See Weleski)

According to Charles’s burial records, he was laid out at his home on 3907 Ridge Avenue and was laid to rest at 2:15 in the afternoon on November 7^th, 1945 in plot #504.  William Turner on 4170 Ridge Avenue was listed as the funeral director and William J. Proud as the cemetery’s superintendent. In six years, three Schroeder’s would die, be laid out at 3907 Ridge Avenue and buried in section Z in Laurel Hill cemetery.

Death at a young age was not Mary Schroeder’s destiny for she lived to see five generations before her death at age 90yrs in March of 1979. At the time of her death, Mary resided at 4452 Malta Street in Philadelphia. She was laid to rest on March 13^th, 1979 at 2:00 in the afternoon in plot #506. The funeral home listed is Turner’s on Ridge Avenue and the superintendent at Laurel Hill cemetery was listed as Peter Kerch.

When Charles purchased plots 504 and 506, he wanted to have room for any future Schroeder burials. Currently, there are a total of five bodies in two plots. There are seven burial graves left that can be used in the Schroeder plots.

Also buried in Laurel Hill cemetery in Section V by Lehigh Avenue is John Schroeder and his wife.

Historical information on Laurel Hill cemetery can be found in the Weleski chapter.

“St. James the Less Church”

The church and grave yard of St. James the Less are located at Hunting Park and Clearfield in the East Falls section of Philadelphia. Built in 1846 on what was then known as Nicetown Lane and Lamb Tavern Road on land once own by Laurel Hill cemetery, the church grave yard is filled with important Philadelphia families such as the Dobson’s who own the Dobson Textile mill on Ridge and Scott’s Lane and dominated Philadelphia’s society from the middle of the 19^th century through the early 20^th century.

Also buried at St. James the Less is the Wanamaker family who once owned the largest department store in the country. Buried in the church’s North chapel are John Wanamaker (1838-1922), his wife Mary (1839-1920), their sons Thomas (1868-1908) and Lewis (1863-1928). In 1909, a tower was built in memory of Thomas that contains 15 church bells, 2 chapels and the Wanamaker family vault. The lid on the vault can be raised with an iron chain that runs through the center of the 50 foot tower. (Church of St. James the Less)

Historical information on the East Falls neighborhood can be found in the chapter under 3907 Ridge. 

Chapter XII

Weleski

John J. Weleski was born John J. Wisloski on July 3^rd, 1904. Place of birth is unknown. John was the son of Eva Wisloski. Information regarding his father’s name or the whereabouts of his father’s final resting place is unknown. It has been said that any conversation regarding his father was strictly forbidden by his mother.

John had two brothers Andrew and Samuel and four sisters Eva, Anna, Mary and Julie.

Eva Wisloski, John’s mother died July 11^th, 1932 and was buried at Westminster cemetery on July 15^th, 1932 in the Lansdowne Section, Lot 327 in grave number one. She was 58yrs old. Cause of death listed at St. John the Baptist church is Cancer.  The lot holder is recorded as Eva Wisloski. Therefore, she either purchased the lot prior to her death or it was her daughter Eva who purchased the lot before she married. The lot contains ten burial plots and twenty graves. Currently there are eleven graves filled. According to Eva’s grandson Ronald Weleski, Eva spoke her native language Polish and never learned English. When Eva came to American or where she is originally from is unknown. I hope to discover this information in the near future.

While researching archival records at St. John the Baptist Church located in Manayunk, I came across the death records of Andrew and Samuel Wisloski. Both were listed as dying on the same day from Asphyxiation. This information prompted me to investigate the reason behind the Wisloski brothers’ cause of death. Upon further investigation, I discovered that after an evening of drinking, the Wisloski brothers’ got into a fist fight at home and unbeknownst to both of them the gas pipe above the stove was inadvertently hit by one or both of them causing the release of gas. Both were asphyxiated by the gas fumes. Andrew was 50yrs old and Samuel was 40yrs old at the time of their death. The date of death was listed as March 11th, 1938 and the funeral mass was held at St. John’s on March 16^th, 1938 at 9AM. Burial was held on the same date at Westminster cemetery

in lot 327, grave number two. Residence listed at the time of their death was 166 Roxborough Avenue.

Also listed in the Lansdowne Section, Lot 327 are the graves of Eva Bednarski buried October 17^th, 1945 and her husband Peter Bednarski buried on December 17^th, 1945. Both are listed as being in grave number three. Eva is listed as being age 62yrs and Peter is listed as being age 60yrs at the time of their deaths. George Kraft was buried on April

20^th, 1954 and his wife Anna Kraft was buried on July 9^th, 1990. Both are listed as being in grave number four. George was 58yrs old and Anna was 90yrs old at the time of their deaths. In grave number five are the remains of Mary Lowry buried on January 17^th, 1968 and her husband John Lowry buried on November 25^th, 1975. Mary was listed as being age 66yrs old and John was 75yrs old at the time of their deaths. The last plot used in Lot 327 is number six where the remains of Anna Elia buried on April 11^th, 1979 and her husband Patrick buried on June 24^th, 1994. Anna was listed as being 55yrs old and Patrick was 72yrs old at the time of their deaths. (Westminster cemetery burial records)

The early years of John Wisloski life are mostly unknown. What I do know of John’s earlier life is that he was raised in a Polish Catholic family in the Roxborough Section of Philadelphia and he was the sixth of seven children. When he was 19yrs old he was a boxer and was known as “Buck Fleming”. He married Marie Schroeder, moved to the East Falls section of Philadelphia and together they had three children Lillian, Ronald and John.

The following information is from the stories of family members and you will need to decide for yourself if it is true or not. John was a drinker. When his two older brothers Andrew and Samuel died in 1938, John took the deaths very hard. Before his own death in 1956, John would experience the lost of his mother in 1932, his brothers in 1938 and both his wife and his sister Eva in 1945. It has been stated that after the death of Andrew and Samuel, John began to drink heavily. His family suffered physically, emotionally and financially. When his wife passed away in 1945 after the birth of their third child, the drinking became severe. When he died before his 52^nd birthday, he lived in a room in a Center City Hotel where he worked as an Elevator man. He also drove a Taxi Cab. For reasons unbeknownst to his living family, between the births of his second and third child, John changed his last name from Wisloski to Weleski. While reviewing the records at St. John’s, I noticed that both Lillian and Ronald were baptized under the name Wisloski but when John was born, he was listed under the name Weleski. Why or the exact date the name was changed remains a mystery.

The marriage between John and Marie was not a happy marriage. Witnesses have stated that Marie was seen as being sad. This was especially true during the pregnancy of her third child. There are also myths surrounding the unhappy Marie during the pregnancy.It has been stated by family members that when Marie finished hanging baby clothes on the clothesline in the backyard of her house on 3427 Commissioner Street in the East Falls section of Philadelphia, she walked away and for a moment paused and looked over her shoulder at the clothes blowing in the wind with such sadness that the next door neighbor asked her what was wrong? Marie told her that she would never hold the baby she was carrying. On February 17^th, 1945, Marie gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Soon after the child’s birth and before she could hold her child, she suffered a stroke and fell into a coma. On February 19^th, 1945, Marie died. The neighborhood of East Falls fell into shock. How could a woman who was as sweet and gentle as Marie, suffer such a tragedy. What will now become of her children?

Marie was laid out at her parents’ home on 3907 Ridge Avenue. It has been stated that the newborn baby John was placed in a cradle beside the mother’s coffin. During the night, Lillian, baby John’s older sister would awake suddenly from a dream were her mother tells her to check the baby. Lillian went downstairs to the Living room where the baby slept beside the casket and noticed he had his blanket wrapped around his head. From that point on, Lillian was very protective of her infant brother.

The casket of Marie Weleski was carried from the house on 3907 Ridge to the cemetery across the street. Marie was laid to eternal rest beside her brother in Section Z, lot 504. The funeral director was listed as William Turner on 4170 Ridge Avenue and the cemetery’s superintendent was William J. Proud. Marie was laid to rest at 2:45pm on February 22^nd, 1945.

Laurel Hill has kept excellent burial and grave care records of all those buried in Section Z, Lots 504 and 506. A copy of a letter sent to John Weleski on February 23^rd, 1945 from the Gardner at Laurel Hill asks John whether or not they should place a hemlock evergreen grave blanket from their Greenhouse showroom upon Marie’s grave for 6.00 dollars. For many years, Laurel Hill had their own greenhouse and Gardner and it was common for the relatives of the decease in the cemetery to have the Gardner plant ivy or place evergreen blankets on the graves of their loved ones.

On May 19^th, 1956, John died from either a Heart Attack or a Stroke probably related to Alcoholism. He was laid to rest with his wife at Laurel Hill in section Z, Lot 504.The funeral director was listed as William Turner and the cemetery’s superintendent was listed as Earl Proud. John was buried on May 26^th, 1956 at 11:15AM. Address listed at the time of his death, was 3210 W. Norris Street, the address of his daughter.

For many years, his son Ronald paid for the upkeep of the graves at a cost of 15.00 dollars a year. Grave care ceased on August 28^th, 1967. Care was temporarily continued in 1979 by Edna Sanford. In addition, headstones for the Weleski and Schroeder graves were erected in 1979. (Laurel Hill burial records)

It should be noted that some Schroeder family members do not agree with what was recorded in the 1910, 1920 and 1930 Federal Censes Records. Between 1905 and 1920, the records list Charles and Mary Schroeder as going back and forth between the states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Some relatives believe this information is untrue. In addition, the Censes listed Charles Schroeder as having different occupations. Occupations listed in the 1920 and 1930 Censes listed Charles as being a Solicitor and then a Delivery Man in the Grocery Business. Later he was recalled by others as digging graves at both St. James the Less and Laurel Hill cemeteries before his death in late 1945. Again, this information was voiced by some relatives as being incorrect. It should also be noted that the cemetery and funeral home records listed John Weleski address at the time of his death as 3210 W. Norris Street and that he was not homeless. Some relatives believe he lived with his daughter and she lived in New Jersey. Other relatives believe he lived with his daughter but she still lived in Philadelphia at the time of his death in 1956.

I want to take this opportunity to say that all the information listed was taken from documented records and from interviews

with various family members.

LAUREL HILL CEMETERY

Laurel Hill cemetery was founded by a man named John Jay Smith and designed by an architect by the name of John Notman in 1836. By the early 19^th century church grave yards had become overcrowded. Alternative places to bury the dead were needed so John Notman designed a cemetery in a rural section of Philadelphia with rolling hills and lush landscapes. It would be the nation’s only second largest rural cemetery of its time.

Once the estate of Joseph Sims, the property was located approximately three miles from Center City. In its early days there were so many visitors to Laurel Hill that the cemetery had to give out tickets. Visitors came to the cemetery by way of the Schuylkill River. The boat would take them to a landing right below the cemetery. Rows of steps leading up the hill from the river brought them to their destination.

Many rich and famous people are buried at Laurel Hill from Revolutionary and Civil War figures to Industrial Revolution giants. Several bodies that once were interred in other cemeteries have been reburied at Laurel Hill. The cemetery is filled with magnificent and unusual monuments ranging from the largest mausoleum of Henry Disston, Industrial Revolutionist who erected it in 1878 at a cost of 60,000 dollars to the plain headstone of Civil War‘s General George Gordon Meade which simply says, “George Gordon Meade, Major general U.S. Army, born at Cadiz, Spain Dec. 31, 1815, Died at Philadelphia Nov. 6, 1872, he did his work bravely and is at rest”.

In 1998, the cemetery was designated as a National Historical Landmark by the National Park Service and United States Department of the Interior and placed on the National Register of Historic places.

Chapter XIII

“Memories Never Die”

“Cuimhnich air Na daoine o’n d’thainig Thu” “Remember the men from whom you are sprung”

As our journey into the past comes to an end, it reminds me how very important our memories are. What memories can you recall? Do you ever take the time to just sit back and remember?

Grandpop and Grandmom have been gone a long time but their memories make it feel as though they walked the earth just yesterday. I can still see Grandpop’s smile. He had a smile that went all the way to his eyes. When he was happy those eyes twinkled with delight. When he was up to no good, those same eyes had the very devil in them. Grand pop could fill a room with his mere presence. He had the power of his height and the strength of his confidence. He filled my life with his kindness and gentleness, his love and understanding, his strength and forgiveness. He was the greatest story teller and I sat for hours and listened to his adventures both true and fiction. He taught me to fish and play pool. Walking with him in the park meant carrying a big stick to ward off the wild dogs. Though in all honesty, I do not recall ever seeing a wild dog in the park.

I can still remember Grandmom standing at the kitchen stove frying fish and making macaroni and cheese for Uncle Gene’s Friday evening meal. When she walked, she scurried. Her feet could move a mile a minute. I never saw anyone’s feet move as feet as her feet. She almost gave the appearance of flying when she crossed the street for fear the street light would change before she reached her destination. When my youngest son Joseph wanted a bike for his 6^th birthday, Grandmom came with me to the store. When there was not a salesman in sight to help us with this purchase, Grandmom marched right up to the manager and asked him if anyone bothered to come to work today. The stunned look on the manager’s face was priceless. Needless to say, we left the store shortly after with a new bike in hand.

Memories of those who came before us are priceless gifts in themselves. I remember sitting on the floor watching “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” as a child with my siblings and Grandmom began dancing and singing the Christmas song. When my mother was in the hospital having my youngest brother, Grandmom made us pancakes for dinner and when word came that the newest member of our family was a boy, Grandmom danced across the dining floor announcing we had a baby brother.

Our memories of those who came before us are how we teach future generations our family history. Summer evenings as a child meant sitting on the front steps of 3907 Ridge with my grandparents and sometimes my uncles. If I was lucky Grandpop would take me for an ice cream at the drug store. When the Charles’ truck came around my uncles bought chips or pretzels and sometimes a special box of cookies. Summer evenings also meant the occasional drive-in movie. My mother would load us all in the car and away we would go for that special treat called a movie.

When we moved out of East Falls to the Northeast when I was 10yrs old, I left behind my best friend Linda Kenney. I used to go into the basement of our new house and cry. One time my Grandmother came down and found me in tears. She hugged me tight and told me everything would be alright. There are some hugs a person never forgets.

Every memory touches our lives in some way. When was the last time you remembered?

Conclusion

“Life Marches On”

This journey has now come to a close but it does not end. Each new day is the beginning of a new journey. My research will continue until I discover answers to all my questions. I will reach into the past, savor the present and grasp the future. I hope you enjoyed your trip and maybe learned a lesson or two in your travels. Join me again when we seek that for which we will find.