Wordless Wednesday: 3 Generations
Here’s a photo of 3 generations: Clyde Hoover, his son-in-law, grand-daughter-in-law, and great grand-daughter Kris Hocker (yeah, that’s me!), circa 1971.
Clyde Hoover and great-grandaughter Kris Hocker
Triangle Factory Fire: Identifying and Remembering the Victims
Almost 100 years ago on March 25th, 1911, a fire broke out on the top floor of a factory in the Asch building in New York City. Within 18 minutes 146 people were dead. Many threw themselves out of the ninth floor windows to escape the flames. Six of the victims were too badly burned to be identified.1
Survivors recounted horrific stories of their escape from the building. They found locked exit doors that blocked their escape.2 A fire escape that bent under the weight of everyone trying to flee. Firefighter’s ladders were several stories too short and the water from their hoses didn’t reach the top floor.
The Triangle Waist Company was like many other sweatshops of the time. The workers worked excessively long hours in poor and dangerous conditions for low wages. The were young, mostly immigrants—very often women. Workers were often sourced by sub-contractors, who paid the workers and took a cut of the profit. Owners sometimes didn’t know who were working for them, or even how many people were working for them at any given time.
This system made it difficult to identify the victims. No newspaper or city agency at the time had a complete list of the victims’ names. Many of the names on the existing lists were found to be misspelled, belonged to survivors of the fire or even people who’d never worked at the factory.3
Now, thanks to the hard work of research Michael Hirsch all 146 victims have been identified. Mr. Hirsch, a co-producer for the upcoming documentary “Triangle: Remembering the Fire,” consulted approximately 32 newspapers from the time period, including both mainstream and ethnic papers. He, then, matched his discoveries against census records, New York vital records, records kept by unions and relief agencies, and spoke with descendants. He was able to identify the last six victims as:
- Josephine Cammarata (age 17), possibly a cousin of Concetta Prestifilippo
- Dora Evans (age 18)
- Max Florin (age 23)
- Maria (Tortorelli?) Lauletti (age 33), her younger sister Isabella Tortorelli also died
- Concetta Prestifilippo (age 22), possibly a cousin of Josephine Cammarata
- Fannie Rosen (age 21), changed her name from Faiga Reznik
Many of the techniques used by Hirsch can aid in family research—compiling and comparing information from a variety of sources in an attempt to positively identify an individual. What fascinates me about this story is the wider benefit that family historians can create with their research. An acknowledgment and some sense of closure as we learn about the tragedies that befall our family members. The descendants and relatives of these six victims will now have the public acknowledgment of the loss their families suffered that terrible March afternoon in 1911.
You can learn more about the Triangle Factory Fire at the Remembering the Triangle Factory Fire website or the website for the HBO documentary Triangle: Remembering the Fire.
What tragedies have you found in your family research? How did you learn of them and what follow-up research did you do on the event?
A Photographic Clue
Going through the family photos, I came across another photo labeled as Jessie.
Peter, Christina, and May Bonnington and Jessie (Alexander) Bonnington
Comparing it to the previous one, it certainly looks like the same woman (see woman on right). This photo is labeled: “Taken a week past Sunday when up. That is Roy [or Rog] next door sitting on Crissie’s knee” and also “Peter Chrissie May Jessie & a little boy that always with May.”
I believe that this refers to Peter and Christina (Law) Bonnington. Peter, a son of Peter Purvis and Elizabeth (Buchanan) Bonnington, was born 2 Oct 1873 in Whitburn, Linlithgow, Scotland, and died 22 Aug 1956 in Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. He married on 2 Dec 1914 Christina Isabella Graham Law, daughter of David and Isabella (Garvies) Law, both deceased by 1914. Christina was born in 1886 and died 25 Jan 1939.
Jessie was Jessie Hunter Crawford (Alexander) Bonnington, wife of Robert Bonnington, Peter’s brother. Robert was born 20 May 1881 in Bathgate, Linlithgow, Scotland and died 1 May 1939 in Canongate and Portobello, Midlothian, Scotland. The couple married 8 Jun 1910 at the Carlton Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland. Jessie, daughter of James and Jessie (Blackwood) Alexander, was born ca 1881/2 and died 18 Dec 1958 at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.
I haven’t ordered the birth record, so I don’t know who May belongs to, but I believe her to be Jessie May Bonnington, born 1911 in Canongate, possibly the daughter of Robert and Jessie (Alexander) Bonnington.
I believe the photo was likely taken about 1914 or so, possibly at Robert and Jessie’s home.
A Photographic Mystery
I have a few photos that likely belonged to my paternal great-grandmother Isabella Aitken (Smith) Hocker or her mother Eliza Craig (Bonnington) Smith. Most of them are not labeled, but even the ones that are don’t actually tell me enough to identify the people in them. And, of course, everyone who might know has long since passed away.
For instance. The following photo was labeled “Davie, Aunt Jessie & my Willie.” There was no date or location indicated.
Davie, Aunt Jessie & my Willie
I have no idea who the people in the photo are. When my great-aunt Betty Jean refers to “Aunt Jessie,” I believe she’s referring to Jessie, wife of Lou Orr of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I’ve never been clear on just who they were besides friends of my great-grandmother. I’ve never heard of “Davie.” And “my Willie” could refer to several men.
My great-grandfather was named William Hocker, but neither of the men in the photo is him. Isabella’s father was named William Smith, but he died in 1905 and I have reason to believe this photo was taken in 1914. Isabella also had a brother and a son named William. Her son was not born until 1918 and I don’t know for certain what happened to William Smith Jr. after 1900. He would have been 22 years-old in 1914. Family lore says he enlisted in the Army in World War I under the assumed name “John Norwood” and remained in France after the war.
The mystery deepened a little when I saw this photo.
Davie or Willie in 1914
This photo is labeled “age 17 years, 28th May 1914” in ink, then as “Uncle Alex” in pencil in a different handwriting. It was taken by “Jas. C. Stevenson” of Bowhill Studio in Cardenden according to the label on the front. The photo was taken in Scotland. The young man does not look like other photos I’ve seen of Isabella’s Uncle Alex, who would have been 39 years old in 1914.
However, it looks a lot like the young man in the previous photo—who I presume to be Davie. So, if I can assume (dangerous, I know) that the photos were taken at the same time and location, then the previous photo was taken in Scotland in 1914. Isabella’s Aunt Margaret (Bonnington) married David Simpson in 1890. If they had a son named David, he might have been the correct age to be this young man. Even if this is true, however, it doesn’t tell me who “Aunt Jessie” or “my Willie” were.
Do either of these photos look familiar? If you can help solve the mystery, please drop me a note. The curiosity is killing me!
UPDATE: I couldn’t stand it. I went to Scotland’s People and searched for children of David and Margaret (Bonnington) Simpson. Their son William Bonnington Simpson was born 28 May 1897 and turned 17 in 1914. So, “Davie” is likely David Simpson, while “my Willie” is David and Margaret’s son William. The handwriting likely belongs to Margaret (Bonnington) Simpson—the “my” to distinguish the boy from her sister Eliza’s son William.
I still don’t know who “Aunt Jessie” is, so if you’re related to the Simpson family and know the answer, please contact me.
UPDATE: “Aunt Jessie” is most likely Jessie Hunter Crawford (Alexander) Bonnington, wife of Robert Bonnington, Margaret (Bonnington) Simpson’s brother.
Wordless Wednesday: Henry D. Snyder Family
The Henry Snyder family
A family photo circa 1889: Saraphine K. (Witmer) Snyder, Lillian Witmer Snyder, and Henry D. Snyder of East Greenville, Pennsylvania.
Witmer Family, ca 1911
It’s amazing what you find when you go looking. I was rescanning some photos that are already on the site at a higher resolution to send to a cousin and came across this photo.
Witmer Family circa 1911
It features the following family members: (seated) Henry and Saraphine (Witmer) Snyder, Lillian (Snyder) and Russ Greulich, Lydia (Kline) and Edward Witmer; (standing) Gertrude Witmer, Horace and Mary (Breish) Witmer. I don’t know who the two girls are or the woman and teenager behind and to their left (our right). But it does clear up a question I had about the following photos:
Russ Greulich 1911
Witmer Grandchildren circa 1911
I’ve always wondered who these children were and how they fit into the family. Now I know that the infant in the middle is my grandfather Russ Greulich. I still don’t know who the two girls are, though. Do you?
Fearless Females: How Did They Meet?
Today’s entry to celebrate Women’s History Month in the blog meme Fearless Females is:
How did they meet? You’ve documented marriages, now, go back a bit. Do you know the story of how your parents met? Your grandparents?
My parents both went to Pennsylvania State College in Centre County, Pennsylvania. My father was in a fraternity and my mother in a sorority. They met, I believe, through those groups.
The Hockers, 1941
When my paternal grandmother was eighteen, she left Pine Glen and took a job as domestic help, looking after the children, the house, etc. for the Bogar family in Harrisburg. (She’s still friends with Mrs. Bogar!) My grandfather was working with his father, a carpenter, who was doing some work on the Bogar’s house when they met. My grandfather told us that he took one look at grandma and knew she was the woman he’d marry. She made him wait, however, until she was twenty-one and could get her mother’s blessing on the marriage.
I don’t know how my maternal grandparents met. They never talked about their families. I do know that the Greulichs and Wieders lived in neighboring communities in northern Montgomery County. My maternal grandparents were even cousins-by-marriage. My grandfather’s Aunt Katherine Greulich married my grandmother’s Uncle John William Wieder. Perhaps they met through the family. My grandfather’s parents, however, were not keen on the marriage. Apparently, E. J. Wieder, my grandmother’s father had “gone through a fortune” and that somehow made my grandmother a less than stellar match for their only son. Edwin J. Wieder was a jeweler for 30 years in Pennsburg—a business he opened shortly before his marriage in 1905. He was a postmaster for Pennsburg for nine years and a town burgess for eight years. He also served on the town council and as an auditor. It’s quite likely that he lost the jewelry business during the depression (1932-1935).
My grandmother was a physical education teacher by vocation, but a musician—a violinist—by avocation. My grandfather once told my mother that grandma’d turned down a career as a violinist to marry him. She likely got her passion for music from her mother Mary Catharine “Mae” Waage, who was a “successful and well liked music teacher” before her marriage.[1 “A Pretty Home Wedding,” Town and County, Apr 1905] Grandpa was also a amateur musician. He played trombone and one summer played in a shipboard band for his passage to Europe. My maternal grandmother also made my grandfather wait for marriage. They waited two years until she got her teaching certificate.
Fearless Females is, a blogging meme, presented by Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog in celebration of National Women’s History Month.
Shockey’s Counterfeit Currency
In a previous post I wrote about connections some of my Hoovers had with the Shockey family of Washington County, Maryland. In reviewing the PDF file of Maryland Historical Magazine, volume 13, number 3, I found reference to the Shockeys again. This time in relation to counterfeit money during the Revolutionary War. I’d read about this elsewhere online, but it was interesting to read about it in the minutes of the Committee of Observation for Elizabeth Town.
In reviewing reference to fines paid to the Committee by local Mennonites, I saw the following:
1777, March 1st To Cash paid the Regulars for standg Guard over Isaac Christn Shockey, Jno Tedrow and Jno Acton… 4 [pounds]..17 [shillings]..0 [pence] 1
Then somewhat earlier in the document, I found the confession of John Tedrow.2
Sunday evening Febry 2d 1777… John Tedrow A Prisoner in this Town, for passing counterfeit Virginia Money, was brought before Committee, upon Examination confessed that he went to Isaac Shockeys on tuesday the 21st of Jany last tarried there some Days that sd Shockey agreed to give hime the sd Tedrow 150 dollars of sd Counterfeit Money, in order to pass out of which Tedrow was to return one half, but afterward sd Shockey only gave him 78 Dollars saying there was no more sign’d, and that the person who sign’d the Money, would sign no more, at that time, because he purpos’d to have it press’d, thinking it not yet compleat, that said Tedrow when pass’d what he had receiv’d, was to repair to sd Shockey for more, who promised to supply him therewith, and that he the sd Tedrow might return what he pleas’d in Lieu of the 78 Dollars receiv’d that there was at Shockey’s a certain Person dress’d in white Broad-Cloath Coat Jacket and Breeches, with a velvet Cape on Coat, whom he the sd Tedrow suspected to be the Signer of sd Money, that sd Tedrow asked sd Shockey that Gentleman’s name, Shockey replied he knew it not, and that he refus’d to tell his Name to any person, that a certain Christian Hearn was at Shockeys in the Company with the aforesaid Gentleman, said he was a Captain, and came on purpose to Recruit.
Sign’d John his X mark Tedrow
Upon receiving the aforegoing Confession of John Tedrow it is ordered that a strong Guard be sent to apprehend Isaac Stophel, Felty and Abraham Shockey, and all others whom they may have reason to suspect to be concern’d with the said Counterfeit Virginia money and them or either of them bring before this Committee to answer sd Charge and likewise to bring all Counterfeit money, Materials thereto belonging, and all fire Arms that may be found in their or either of their possessions.3
Monday Feby 3d 1777… The Guard sent to apprehend the Shockeys return’d, and delivered to Committee the Bodies of Isaac, and Christian Shockey, who on Examination denied the Charge of being privy to, or concern’d with the making and passing Counterfeit Virginia Money. Ordered that the said Shockeys be confin’d in Irons in the Common Goal for this County until legally discharged therefrom Redd from the Guard a Rifle Gun got at Valentine Shockey’s marck’d on the Butt W.S.4
Tuesday Feby 4th… John Acton (agreeable to order) was brought before Committee, charg’d with writing & sending a Letter to Isaac Shockey at said Shockey’s Request, to the Intent that said Shockey and his Banditti might rescue John Tedrow a Prisoner, (for passing Counterfeit Virginia Money) from the Guard who then had said Tedrow in Custody, upon Examination acknowledged the Charge Therefore ordered that sd Acton be kept in Irons close confin’d in the Common Goal, untill legally discharg’d therefrom.5
Saturday Feby 8th 1777… Ordered that Capn Andrew Linck pay David Harry £2…12…6 for his services and nine men under his Command in apprehending Isaac and Christian Shockey—and that the Shockeys pay the same to Committee.6
Monday Feby 10th 1777… Information being made to Committee that a certain Christian Kearn and James Quigg (alias) Quick residing near Baltimore are principally concern’d, with the Shockeys, in making and passing Counterfeit Virginia Money—Resolved that a Letter be sent to the Committee of Baltimore giving them Intelligence thereof, that they may take Order therein.7
Monday Feby 24th 1777… On Motion resolved that Letters be sent immediately to the Committees at Reading and McAllister Town informing them that this Committee has receiv’d Intelligence that a Certain Christian Kearn, James Quigg (alias) Quick and Benjn Lewis are Principally concern’d in making and passing the present Counterfeit Virginia money now circulating, that they hold a Lodge near sd Town, that the Paper of sd money was made at the Paper Mill on Schuykill near Reading Town. That a Letter be likewise sent to the Committee at Chambers Town giving them intelligence that this Committee has been inform’d that a certain Benjn Nugent near sd Town is concern’d wth the aforsd persons in passing sd money, that sd Committees may take order therein and apprehend such Malefactors.8
Saturday March 1st 1777… Ordered that Baltzer Gull pay John Adair 10/6 for three standing Guard over Isaac, Christr Shockey, Jno Tedrow and Jno Acton, the sum of £4..17 that a Rifle belonging to Christr Shockey be apprais’d and sold to defray the Expence…
Ordered that Baltzer Gull pay John Fackler £2. for his and seven Men’s Services in assisting to apprehend John Acton &c living at Green Spring Furnace.9
March 1st 1777…By Do [Cash] paid to John Fockler for him & 7 Men going as Guard to Green Spring furnace for John Acton &c 2£..—..— 10
The Shockey story goes on. I found this in an online message board:
The following information is from historical newspapers available on line.
Apr. 8 1777- Dunlap’s Maryland Gazette- ” 10 Pounds Reward – Broke out of Frederick County gaol the following persons Isaac Shockey, Christian Shockey (son of Valentine), Christopher Shockey, John Tutterow and John Acton, who were committed upon suspicion of counterfeiting and passing counterfeit Virginia money.”
November 23, 1779 -Pennsylvania Packet – ” At the Court of Oyer and Terminer held at Carlisle for the Hon. Thomas McKean and William Atlee, Justices. Christopher Shockey was tried and convicted and received the sentence of death for passing counterfeit 30 dollar bills of Continental money dated 22nd July 1776”
And from legislative document ‘We hear that the execution of the sentence of death lately pronounced at Carlisle, against Christopher Shockey for the counterfeiting of paper money is ordered to be done at Carlisle on Wed. 8th of Dec.’11
Fearless Females: Marriages
Today’s entry for Fearless Females is about family marriages:
Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.
Elmer and Lillian Greulich marriage record, 21 Sep 1901
My great-grandparents Elmer Calvin Greulich and Lillian Witmer Snyder were married on 21 Sep 1901 in East Greenville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvnia.1 Elmer, born 6 Aug 1880, was the son of immigrant Karl Philipp (Charles Philip) Greulich and his second wife Caroline Krauss Wolf. Elmer was a cigarmaker. Lilliam, born 26 Oct 1879, was the daughter of Henry D. and Saraphine K. (Witmer) Snyder. She was a teacher.
My great-grandparents Edwin Joshua Wieder and Mary Catharine “Mae” Waage were married on 19 Apr 1905 in Pennsburg, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.2 Edwin, born 29 Mar 1880, was the son of Emanuel and Alavesta Esther (Dillinger) Wieder. Edwin was a jeweler, then a baker and postmaster at Pennsburg. Mae, born 27 Oct 1877, was the daughter of Dr. Charles Theodore and Lydia S. (Eshbach) Waage of Pennsburg. She was a music teacher and later a postal clerk in Pennsburg. Coverage of their wedding stated:
E.J. Wieder and Mae Waage Marriage Record
“A Pretty Home Wedding. Amid Profuse Decorations in the Presence of a number of Relatives and Invited Guests Two if Our Young People are Married.
A pretty wedding was solemnized at 3:30 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon at the residence of Dr. C. T. Waage, of Pennsburg, when his only daughter, Miss Mae C. was united in marriage to E.J. Wieder Jr. of Pennsburg. The ceremony was performed by two uncles of the bridge, Revs. O.F. Waage, of Pennsburg, and Rev. Kehm, of Sellersville…
…The bride was attended by Miss Stella Troxell, cousin of the bride, of Philadelphia, and Charles W. Keely, of the firm Dotts & Keely, of Philadelphia, was best man. Miss Gertrude Anders, of Lansdale, presided at the piano, and Dr. Fred Waage, cousin of the bride, was usher…
…The guests present were Dr. and Mrs. C. T. Waage, parents of the bride, Mr. and Mars. E. J. Wieder, parents of the groom, John Wieder [brother], Miss Cora Wieder [sister], Miss Lizzie Bobb [cousin of the bride], Miss Ada V. Waage [aunt], Mrs. and Mrs. M. K. Gilbert, Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Hunsberger, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Steckel, Misses Vinnie Mensch [cousin’s F.O. Waage soon-to-be bride], Nora Kneule, and Florence Dyson, of Pennsburg; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ott [groom’s cousins], and Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Moyer [groom’s aunt and uncle] and daughter of Limeport; Mrs. Frank [Dillinger] Heller [groom’s aunt] of Standard; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Anders, of Landsdale; Miss Alice Welker, of Red Hill; John Hillegass and Miss Bertha Raudenbush, of East Greenville; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jacoby, Mr. and Mrs. Cressman, Mrs. Dr. Ritter, Harry Kehm [bride’s cousin] and Miss Tillie Cressman, of Sellersville, and George Welker, Mr. and Mrs. F. F. Huber, Mrs. C. F. Schoenly, George Day, Frank Haring, Misses Sarah Weil and Nora Keller, members of the St. Mark’s choir.”3
William and Isabella (Smith) Hocker
My great-grandparents William Howard and Isabella Aitken (Smith) Hocker were married 13 Oct 1914 in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania by Rev. H. Everett Hallman.4 Will, born 17 Aug 1890, was the son of Albert Curtin and Lillian Ainsley (Leedy) Hocker. Will was a carpenter. Isabella, born 4 Apr 1893, was the daughter of William and Eliza Craig (Bonnington) Smith. She was telephone operator in Harrisburg.
Clyde and Nora (Houdeshell) Hoover
My great-grandparents Clyde L. and Nora Melinda (Houdeshell) Hoover were married 16 Apr 1908 in Dubois, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.5 Clyde, born 30 Oct 1886, was the son of Samuel Thomas and Victoria (Walker) Hoover of Pine Glen, Burnside Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Clyde was a lumberman. Nora, born 26 Oct 1891, was the daughter of George W. and Lovina Caroline (Force) Houdeshell. Nora, aged 16, was a cook at a lumber camp. Her father apparently told all his daughters at age 16 to either get married or get a job. Nora, I’m told, refused to give her consent to a marriage for any of her daughters who didn’t wait until they were 21 years old.
Fearless Females is, a blogging meme, presented by Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog in celebration of National Women’s History Month.