Amanuensis Monday - Working on my Brown Ancestors

The Plain Speaker,
21MAY1937, pg18

After a recent breakthrough in my Barrett line I decided to work on my Brown line. They are connected. Mary Barrett married Thomas Brown Sr. in 1901 and they had 6 children: Marian Veronica, Thomas Joseph Jr, Edward John Sr, Walter, Alice, and Hubert.

One of the reasons I'm working on my Brown line is that, well, it needs work, but also because my cousin, Nancy O'Donoghue, once told me that we were related to coach Hubie Brown. I've looked at articles on Hubie Brown and I have no doubt that she was right, but I need to start collecting the proof as to where he belongs. As I was doing that I came across more article on Rev. John A. Brown who I blogged about previously.**

So what does the priest, John Brown, have to do with Hubie Brown? John was Hubie's uncle and my first cousin twice removed. I also realized that while I had posted on Reverend Brown before I never updated my family tree. So continuing on with this post is making me rectify that situation.

"Rev. John A. Brown

Tomorrow morning at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, John A. Brown, of Hazleton, will be ordained to the holy priesthood with an impressive service in which a large number of monsignor and clergymen will participate. Rev. Brown is a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brown of this city, and is a nephew of Patrick Brown, of West Hazleton and Thomas and Neil Brown of this city, and comes from one of the oldest Hazleton families.

After graduating from St. Gabriel's high school. Mr. Brown entered St. Mary's College in Maryland and later followed his theological studies at St. Charles' College, Columbus, Ohio, and completed his preparation at Mt. St. Mary's College in Emmittsburg, Maryland.

After tomorrow's ordination, Father Brown will come here to celebrate his first mass at St. Gabriel's church on Sunday morning, May 23 at 10:30 and among the officers of the high mass will be his first cousin, Rev.. Father Charles A. McElwee, of Scranton, also a former Hazleton resident."

The Thomas mentioned in this article is my great grandfather, a child of Neil and Nancy Brown nee McCoy. John's father, Charles Sr., is my 2nd great uncle.

The Standard Speaker
21JUL1969, pg22

"Msgr. John A. Brown, a former city resident, who was elevated to his present position in the Roman Catholic Church on July 9 by Pope Paul VI during ceremonies conducted by the Bishop of Raleigh, N.C., is the brother of Mrs. Gertrude McLaughlin, of Alexandria, Va., who attended the ceremony; Mrs. Helen Cassidy and Mrs. Esther Cassidy, both of Elizabeth, N.J.; Leo Brown, of Cumberland, Md., and Charles Brown, of Elizabeth, N.J.

Msgr. Brown also has two sisters living locally, Mrs. Genevive (sic) Hooper, 585 Arthur St., and Mrs. Lawrence Gallagher, of Harwood. He is a son of the late Charles and Anna (LeGrande) Brown.

Msgr. Brown is pastor of St. Eugene's R.C. Church, Asheville, N.C. and Chaplain to the Catholic Daughters of Asheville."

This second article helps me fill in some of the details of my Brown ancestors even more than the first. My great grandfather isn't mentioned in it. This was because Thomas Sr died in 1955, but the article doesn't mention his other aunts and uncles so even if Thomas had still been alive he most likely wouldn't have been mentioned. Since John never married, being a priest and all, the sisters listed are easy to place in my tree. I placed husbands with the sisters mentioned in the article except for Mrs. Lawrence Gallagher. John had six sisters in my family tree and only five are mentioned here. The wife of Lawrence Gallagher would be either Ann (born 1900) or Mariam (born abt 1912).

A quick look in the Pennsylvania Death Certificates online shows me that Ann Brown died on February 19th 1919. She never married so unless there's another sister hiding out there, Mariann is Mrs. Lawrence Gallagher. I did find it a bit odd the she is listed by her husband's given name and not her own. Her other sisters are noted by their own given names. Could Mariam's husband be the only one still living? Possible, but not the subject of this post.

It's wonderful that the post lists all of those localities because apparently the children of Charles and Anna Brown nee LeGrande escaped Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Knowing where they might be can help me find other information. So now that I've entered all of those tidbits into my tree I can rummage around looking for marriage dates, obituaries, children, etc.

How does it pertain to Hubie? Well, Hubie was born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania and moved when he was about three years old...to Elizabeth, New Jersey. Oh...and his father's name was Charles. Yes. These two clippings are a great start to working on my Brown side and seeing where Hubie will fit in.

** Tombstone Tuesday - Who Is Rt. Rev. John Brown
** Sunday's Obituary - A Genealogical Angel Sent This to Me

Random Acts Of Genealogical Kindness - Lydia Gibbs nee Smith

Easton Express, 15APR1964, pg 38

Because we all have collateral information surrounding those obituaries and news articles we copy for our records.  Let's share them and hope that they benefit someone researching their genealogy.

“Mrs. Harry Gibbs

The funeral of Mrs. Lydia H. Gibbs, of 780 S. Tamiami Drive, Port Charlotte, Fla., formerly of Stewartsville, was held this afternoon in Stewartsville Presbyterian Church.  Mrs. Gibbs was the widow of Harry Gibbs.

Rev. Earl D. Davis assisted by Rev. M.H. Loololan, former church pastor, officiated.  Interment was in Stewartsville Presbyterian Cemetery.  The pallbearers were George Baylor, George Cole, Ernest Hagerty, Frederick E. Hans Jr., James Csovelak and Delroy Smith.”  

OK...I cheated for this one a little.  Since Lydia had a memorial on FindAGrave, I used her birth year (1892) in my search.  I found her and her husband, Harry, in the 1930 census with their 3 children, Cora, William and Doris.  According to FindAGrave her name was Lydia Hanna Gibbs nee Smith. 

Rest in peace Lydia.

Random Acts Of Genealogical Kindness - Charles Pavlina

Easton Express, 15APR1964, pg 38

Because we all have collateral information surrounding those obituaries and news articles we copy for our records.  Let's share them and hope that they benefit someone researching their genealogy.

“Charles Pavlina

Charles Pavlina, 82, of 51 Green Row, Oxford, died unexpectedly yesterday at his home.

Mr. Pavlina was a miner for 37 years.  He was employed at the Alan Wood Steel Co. in Oxford before he retired.

He was a native of Austria-Hungary.  His wife, Julia, died 21 years ago.  He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Oxford, and the Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union, Wilkes-Barre.

Survivors include a son, John, Oxford; three daughters, Mrs. Mary Petersack and Mrs. Julia May, both of Oxford, and Mrs. Sophia Jurinko, Phillipsburg; a sister in Austria, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the DeVoe Funeral Home, Washington, followed by a Requiem High Mass at 9:15 a.m. in St. Rose Church”

The Social Security Death Index has Charles being born on February 3, 1882 (remember this is not proof of birth!).  The SSDI and the obit apparently have the name wrong, or a variant, because Charles and his family can be found in the 1930 census under the name Pavolina...and his and Julia's tombstone on FindAGrave is Pavolina as well!

Random Acts Of Genealogical Kindness - Karl A. Morgenthaler

Easton Express, 15APR1964, pg 38

Because we all have collateral information surrounding those obituaries and news articles we copy for our records.  Let's share them and hope that they benefit someone researching their genealogy.

“Karl A. Morgenthaler

A Requiem Mass for Karl A. Morgenthaler, 70, Columbia, N.J., was celebrated this morning in St. Jude Catholic Church, Blairstown.  Mr. Morgenthaler died Monday in Monroe County General Hospital, East Stroudsburg.

Rev. Michael Garry was the celebrant.  Interment was in Cedar Ridge Cemetery, Blairstown.  The pallbearers were James R. Snedeker, Howard KaKay, Richard Baumbach and Roy Fostle.

The funeral was conducted from the MacFadden Funeral Home, Belvidere.”  

There is a memorial for Karl on FindAGrave that shows that he served with Co E 132 Infantry during World War I and was a Sergeant.  He was awarded the Purple Heart, was born on November 15, 1893, and is buried with his wife, Myrtle.

Karl's Social Security Death Index information on Ancestry.com showed that his last residence was in New Jersey (which we knew from the obit), but that his card was issued in Illinois.  Oh, how I love the SSDI.  Without that piece of information it may have been much more difficult for someone researching Karl to know that he lived in Illinois!  In fact, Karl's WWI enlistment card was filed in Illinois.  We see from his military marker on his gravestone that he served in WWI and even received the Purple Heart, but did you know that Karl claimed exemption from service on that draft card citing tuberculosis?  Another nice piece of info gleaned from his draft card was that he was single in 1917 when filling it out.  That will help someone narrow down a marriage date.

A possible match for Karl can be found in the 1930 US Federal Census with his wife listed as Irene.  Living next door to a Philip and Katharina Morgenthaler who this Karl lived with in previous censuses.  If this is the right Karl, then he was born in Illinois and lived there through the 1940 census.  This Karl is marked as a veteran of WWI, but that doesn't mean it's him.  There were lots of veterans for that war. By the 1940 US Federal Census this couple had one child, a son, name Karl.  Is this the correct Karl?  Probably, but more research to confirm this would need to be done.

Always keep in mind that just because someone filed for an exemption from military service didn't mean that they didn't serve, especially when Soldiers were in demand.  Thank you for your service, Karl and rest in peace.

Random Acts Of Genealogical Kindness - Golden Little

Easton Express, 15APR1964, pg 38

Because we all have collateral information surrounding those obituaries and news articles we copy for our records.  Let's share them and hope that they benefit someone researching their genealogy.

A short one for tonight, but a unique name.

“Golden Little

Golden Little, 53, of 102 Center St., Clinton, died this morning in the Hunterdon Medical Center.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.” 

Not a lot of information in this brief announcement, but a rather unusual name so hopefully the information would be able to help someone search a few days forward for the full obituary or burial announcement or narrow down a death certificate request.

From a quick Ancestry search of "Golden Little" in New Jersey, I came up with a match in Clinton, New Jersey. In the 1930 census Golden is living with his parents, Howard and Jennie, and his sister, Gladys.

According to FindAGrave (he has a memorial there) he is buried in Locust Grove Cemetery.

Random Acts Of Genealogical Kindness - A. Austin King

Easton Express, 15APR1964, pg 38

"A.  Austin King, 84, Ex-Mayor Of Netcong

A. Austin King of 93 Allen St., Netcong, a former borough mayor, died yesterday after a long illness.  He was 84.

King, a Democrat, served as mayor for several years before 1925.  He was also a school board president in this community.

Survivors are a son and three daughters.

Services will be held tomorrow."

His FindAGrave memorial can be viewed here.

A quick search of the 1920 census shows A. Austin King with his wife, Grace, and children Albert, Elizabeth, Grace and Catherine.  His wife had been "Mary" in other census records and on FindAGrave. Hopefully, this little clip will find a loved one someday.

Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness - Horatio Harris

Because we all have collateral information surrounding those obituaries and news articles we copy for our records.  Let's share them and hope that they benefit someone researching their genealogy.

"Horatio Harris

Horatio P. Harris, 92, of 309 Sussex St., Shimer Manor, Pohatcong Township, died last night in Easton Hospital where he was admitted Saturday. Before that he was a guest at the Northampton Convalescent Home since March 16.

Mr. Harris was a drill press operator at Ingersoll-Rand, Phillipsburg, for 28 years, retiring in 1954.

His wife, the former Mabel Tomey, died in 1968.

Born in New York City, on Jan. 17, 1884, he was a son of the late Charles R. and Emma Redfern Harris.  He lived in Shimer Manor 44 years.

He was a member of Old Greenwich Presbyterian Church, a former trustee and elder of the church, and taught its Adult Bible Class for a number of years.

Surviving is a daughter, Miss Elsie L. Harris, with whom he resided.  Two sons, Charles and Franklyn, died before him.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Greenwich Presbyterian Church.  Interment will be in the Greenwich Presbyterian Cemetery.  Arrangements were made by the Rupell Funeral Home, Phillipsburg."

These are the sorts of articles I love to share.  So much great genealogical information.  A well-written obituary and well worth having for anyone searching for Mr. Harris!

Random Acts Of Genealogical Kindness - Richard H. Wiseburn

Easton Express, 07SEP1959, pg 16

Because we all have collateral information surrounding those obituaries and news articles we copy for our records.  Let's share them and hope that they benefit someone researching their genealogy.

"Richard H. Wiseburn

Richard H. Wiseburn, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold J. Wiseburn, 12 Taylor St., Washington, N.J., died yesterday at Muhlenberg Hospital, Plainfield, N.J. after a short illness.

Mr. Wiseburn was born in Oxford.

He was employed at the Grand Union store in Washington after his graduation from Washington High School in June.  He was a member of the Washington Presbyterian Church.

Surviving, in addition to his parents, are a twin sister, Elizabeth Jane; two brothers, Robert L. and John A., both at home; a paternal grandfather, John L. Wiseburn, Washington, and a maternal grandfather, Arthur Schaarschmidt, St. Petersburg, Fla.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the DeVoe Funeral Home, Washington."

Richard has a memorial on FindAGrave.com.  May he be remembered and rest in peace.

Random Acts Of Genealogical Kindness - Paul A. Warren

Easton Express, 07SEP1959, pg 16

Because we all have collateral information surrounding those obituaries and news articles we copy for our records.  Let's share them and hope that they benefit someone researching their genealogy.

"Paul A. Warren

Paul A. Warren, 60, of 102 S. Lehigh Ave., West Catasauqua, died Saturday at his home after an illness of more than eight months.  He was the husband of Roxie Nonnemaker Warren.

Mr. Warren had been employed in the Bethlehem engine terminal of the Central Railroad of New Jersey for the last 31 years.

Among his survivors is a sister, Mrs. Ruth Rising, Portland.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Oliver S. Burkholder and Son Funeral Home, Catasauqua."

Random Acts of Genealogical Kindess - James E. Koerner

Easton Express, 07SEP1959, pg 16

Because we all have collateral information surrounding those obituaries and news articles we copy for our records.  Let's share them and hope that they benefit someone researching their genealogy.

"James E. Koerner

James E. Koerner, 48, of Joilet, Ill., died last night at 8 o'clock in his room at the Union Hotel, Flemington.  He had been a guest at the hotel since June.

Dr. John Lincoln, of Flemington, Hunterdon County physician, performed an autopsy later and listed the cause of death as pneumonia.

Barton Evans, Flemington police chief, said that Koerner was clerk on a construction job at the Cary Chemical Co., near Fleminton.  He was employed by the Scientific Design Co., In., of New York City.

The body was removed to the Holcombe Funeral Home, Flemington, for later removal to Illinois."

This was one of the articles that made me want to post some Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness.  I don't know if Mr. Koerner left a wife and children back in Illinois, but unless someone knew he died in Flemington, New Jersey.

Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness - Clarence E. Rose

Easton Express, 07SEP1959, pg 16

Because we all have collateral information surrounding those obituaries and news articles we copy for our records.  Let's share them and hope that they benefit someone researching their genealogy.

"Clarence E. Rose

Clarence E. Rose, about 45, of Metuchen, N.J., died unexpectedly at a Monroe County resort yesterday at 3:30p.m.

Mr. Rose, an accountant employed by the Anderson Roofing Co., Perth Amboy, N.J., suffered a coronary occlusion, according to a resort physician.  He is survived by a 10-year-old son.  The funeral will be held in Metuchen."

Rather sad that they don't mention his son's name.  Perhaps there's a better obituary in a local Metuchen, NJ newspaper.

Sunday's Obituary - Lillian Blanchfield

Easton Express, 04MAY1976

"Lillian Blanchfield

Miss Lillian L. Blanchfield, 85, of 65 Glen Ave, Phillipsburg, died yesterday in Oxford.

Born in Beaver Meadows, Pa., she was a daughter of the late Martin and Anna Boyle Blanchfield.

She was a member of Sts. Philip and James Catholic Church.

Survivors include nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday at the Finegan Funeral Home, Phillipsburg, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St.s Philip and James Church.  Interment will be in the parish cemetery."

Lillian was my great grand aunt.  I don't know much about her except that she was talked of fondly by my mom.  Rest in peace, Aunt Lillian.

Random Acts Of Genealogical Kindness - John E. Mount

Easton Express, 07SEP1959, pg 16

Because we all have collateral information surrounding those obituaries and news articles we copy for our records.  Let's share them and hope that they benefit someone researching their genealogy.

"John E. Mount

John E. Mount, 66, of 15A Morris St., Phillipsburg, died yesterday at the Veterans Hospital, East Orange, N.J.  He was ill three weeks.

Mr. Mount retired a year ago.  Born in Flemington, he was a son of the late Theodore and Mary Buchanan Mount.

Surviving are his widow, the former Josephine Megargel; a step-son, Harry D. Megargel, Alpha; four brothers, Joseph, Phillipsburg; Clyde, Buffalo, N.Y.; Theodore, North Plainfield, N.J., and Milton, Flemington; four sisters, Neva Gahan, Trenton, N.J.; Mrs. Marjorie Hurlbert, Buffalo; Mrs. Frances Castner, Phillipsburg, and Mrs. Mamie Gahan, Bellefontaine, Ohio.

The funeral will be held at 8:15 a.m. Thursday at the Finegan Funeral Home, followed by a requiem High Mass at 9 a.m. in Sts. Philip and James Catholic Church."

Sunday's Obituary - Anna Blanchfield nee Boyle

Easton Express, Friday, 15JAN1926, pg 8

Continuing on this week with all those Blanchfield obituaries that I've been hanging on to for years without posting.

Anna Blanchfield nee Boyle was the daughter of Manus Maurice Boyle and Alice Monaghan.  A coal miner, Manus left his pregnant wife and daughter, (Bridget) Mary, and went to Australia to mine for gold.  He died in the shipwreck of the Royal Charter on his return voyage on October 26, 1859.  He never got to hold his daughter, Anna (my 2nd great grandmother) who was born 2 months after his departure.

“Mrs. Martin Blanchfield

Mrs. Anna Blanchfield, wife of Martin Blanchfield, died at 9 o’clock last evening at her home, 34 Heckman street, Phillipsburg, from paralysis, with which she was stricken two weeks ago.  During the eight years that Mrs. Blanchfield made her home in this town, coming here from Hazleton, Pa., she made many friends.

Besides her husband the deceased is survived by the following children:  Mrs. Robert Flynn, Misses Anna, Josephine, Lillian and William and Joseph Blanchfield.  A sister, Mrs. Mary Fay, of Hazleton, also survives her.  She was a faithful member of Sts. Philip and James’ Catholic church and the Rosary Society.”

A shame that her two daughters that predeceased her were not mentioned.  Mrs. Abraham (Mary) Turnbach and my great grandmother, Mrs. Edward (Alice) Quirk.  It reminds us that just because we come across an obituary doesn’t mean that the information in it is complete (or in many cases correct).  A shame when researchers get a piece of information like this and stop.

Sunday's Obituary - Be Careful What You Say

John Trunzo

This is actually a very sad story.  John Trunzo was the 6th of 8 known children of Raffaele and Giovanna Trunzo nee Ferraro.  He was also my step-father's father.

The news article below doesn't tell all the details of the story.  It mentions a heart ailment that John was suffering from, but my step-father believes that his lungs were also affected.  He told me his memories of the event...what he may have remembered and what had been told to him by his mother later.  His father worked at the Royal Battery Company, and I'm told that he never wore his protective mask at work, which means that he was exposed to all the chemicals in the air at the factory.  My step-father recalls that this is what caused his hospitalization.

I had been concerned that he had been scalded with battery acid or something along those lines, but I was told that all of his injuries were internal.  He looked fine on the outside and my step-father remembers visiting his father in the hospital.

What caused John to jump?  Was it really that his recovery was going too slowly?  Family history leads us to believe that it was something else.  John's parents were immigrants from Italy and they spoke Italian at home.  As a result John and his siblings also spoke/understood Italian.  So when some of the other men were standing in the hospital, perhaps in what they believed to be out of earshot, and began speaking about John's condition in Italian, he not only heard them, but he understood them.

John Trunzo and unknown woman

What were they talking about?  What did they say? According to my step-father they talked about how hopeless his condition was.  How he would never be the same and how he'd be scarred for life.  Do you know any Italian men?  I do.  The thought of being "scarred" or somehow "weak" or permanently disabled is a pride-crippling thought. And John apparently felt that this was the only way to restore that pride. To take his own life rather than wither away and perhaps not be able to support his family.  So he jumped.  He died.

It makes me sad...pride.  Had it not been for pride and the stupidity of those gentlemen standing around talking, my step-father may have had a much longer time with his father.  My baby sister may have known her grandfather.

Everything happens for a reason though.  John's wife, Frances, did remarry and she had many more sons and daughters for my step-dad to grow up with and enjoy his adult years.  I wish I could have had the opportunity to meet John as well, but I am grateful for the wonderful step-family that I have and I love them all.

Life.  Sometimes things absolutely suck but without it, we'd be different people.  Without it there never would have been those other children.  We're in pretty good hands after all.  Rest in peace John Trunzo.

Unknown NJ newspaper

"Hospital Patient Jumps to Death

John Trunzo, 29, Sick in St. Peter's 3 Months; Dies Instantly [hand-dated Dec. 17, 1939]


Despondent over his slow recovery from a heart ailment, John Trunzo, 29, of 23 Hardenbergh street, jumped to his death from the second floor of St. Peter's Hospital early last evening.

Trunzo has been a patient at the hospital since early in September.

Early last evening he was administered oxygen and given a cup of tea by a nurse.  She left the ward for the chart room and upon her return, she found a wind open and Trunzo missing from his bed.

The nurse peered out the window and saw the body of Trunzo on the concrete pavement below.  She spread the alarm and hospital attaches rushed to the aid of the patient.

Death Instantaneous

Carried into the hospital, Trunzo was pronounced dead.  It was announced that death was instantaneous.  Mrs. Trunzo was summoned shortly after the accident.

Coroner William H. Jaqui was called and after an investigation, he removed the body to his morgue.

Detectives Charles Reilly and James McCormick of the local police and Detective James Bates of the prosecutor's office made an investigation.  Statements were taken from the hospital attaches and ward patients who saw Trunzo leap to his death.

Death was officially given as suicide.

Trunzo had been a resident of this city for the past few years and before his illness was employed by the Royal Battery Company.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a three [crossed out and hand-written in four]-year-old son, James.

No arrangements have been made for the funeral."