Selected Families and Individuals

Notes


Martin J. Coleman

A search of Irish birth records from 1864 to 1868 has not revealed a birth record for Martin J. Coleman.

In 1900, Martin J. Coleman rented a home in Philadelphia. The edge of the page that shows the street and house number is obscured by black tape. The house number may be 3430 and the street (judging by entries on adjacent pages) may be Clearfield St. (Clearfield runs parallel to Allegheny Ave. The house number would put the residence near the end of the street about two blocks from Long Hill Cemetery.) Living in the home with Martin (33) were his wife of seven years, Delia (33), and children George (5) and Eva (2). The couple also had a a third child who died prior to 1900. Also living in the household was 31 year old unmarried Patrick Coleman, believed to be Martin's brother. According to the census, Martin came to America in 1877. He had been in the States for 23 years and was a naturalized citizen. He was employed as a bartender.


Delia Agnes Carr

Delia arrived in America in either 1889 (per 1900 census) or 1887 (per 1920 census). The 1890 Philadelphia City Directory lists a Delia Carr, dressmaker, at 1744 N. 27th St. She became a naturalized citizen in 1892 (per 1920 census).

In 1920, 53 year old widow Delia Coleman owned a mortgaged home at 2431 Oakdale St. in Philadelphia. Living with her were her sons, George A. (24) and Joseph M. (17). Joseph attended school. According to the census, Delia was not employed, but both boys were.

At tthe time of the 1930 census, Delia Coleman (67) owned a home worth $4000 at 503 Luray St. in Philadelphia. She lived with her unmarried son, Joseph (27). Delia did not work outside the home. The family did not own a radio set. One of the questions asked by the census was "number of years married." Interestingly, Delia answered "30" to this question, even though she had been married only 10 years before her husband died.

Delia is not buried with her husband because she didn't "want to be over there in all those weeds."


infant Coleman

BIRTH-DEATH:1900 Census, Philadelphia, PA; ED 963, sheet 4, line 34


Hugh Cosgrove

Hugh Cosgrove RIN #191
!BIRTHDATE:(sources vary)1900 Census, Washington DC, ED 74, sheet 3, page 84,
line 100 lists year of birth as 1860. Pension applications give date as
October 1859. Death certificate lists age as 58 or 56 years (1858 or 1860).
Army enlistment lists age as 23 yrs, 0 months in Oct, 1880 (1857), request
for a duplicate citizenship record (in 1910) states he was "about" 15 at his
arrival in America in 1873 (1858). Widow's request for pension gives
husband's year of birth as 1852. Obituary gives age as 65 (1851).
!BIRTHPLACE:Register of Enlistment, US Army (5th reg, Troop G, Cavalry)
!MARRIAGE:Marriage Records of Holy Trinty Church, Georgetown University,
Washington DC, page 127
!DEATH:death certificate #227740, Washington, DC

According to the 1930 census record of his daughter, Mabel Cosgrove Clark, Hugh was born in Cookstown, Irish Free State. There is a Cookstown in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. County Tyrone is adjacent to County Fermanagh, but Cookstown is on the opposite side (north) from the border with County Fermanagh.


Mary Margaret Agnes Nolan

Mary Margaret Nolan RIN #192
!BIRTH-CHR:Baptismorum Registrum, 1858-1871, p 174, Holy Trinity Church,
Georgetown University, Washington, DC
!MARRIAGE:Marriage Records of Holy Trinty Church, Georgetown University,
Washington, DC, page 127
!DEATH:death certificate #306312, Washington, DC


Irwin Aloysius Cosgrove

Irwin Cosgrove is buried in the Nolan Family Lot #354. (James Nolan, purchaser of the lot, was the grandfather of Irwin Cosgrove.)

From The Chronicle Telegram (Elyria, OH), 5 Feb 1932:
PELLAGRA DATES BACK TO DAYS OF CIVIL WAR
WASHINGTON - Knowledge of the existence in the United States
of pellagra dates as far back as 1864, the United States Public Health Service
reports. It was long thought that cases of this dietary deficiency disease first
were reported after the turn of the century, but certain studies recently inaugu-
rated by the Health Service have revealed unique historical evidence concerning
pellagra.
In 1864, a physician in New York and another in Massachusetts each
reported a case of pellagra. Another New York physician reported cases in 1882
and 1902. Most reports, however, have come from the South, where Negroes
and poor whites, feeding chiefly on corn pone, poorly cooked pork, meal, flour,
potatoes and molasses, have suffered in great numbers.
In 1912, a South Carolina practitioner announced, after a study of
clinical records of the state hospital for the insane and correspondence with state
officials and physicians, that pellagra had existed there at lease since 1828.
It was not until 1919, however, and years subsequent, that Dr. Joseph
Goldberger of the Health Service dispelled theories that pellagra was communicable
and due to a bacillus. By experiments with human “guinea pigs” in Mississippi
and South Carolina, Goldberger determined that pellagra was entirely of dietary
origin. It is most prevalent among the poor dirt farmers of the South, and in years
of depression, such as 1907 and again this year, it manifests itself more strongly
than usual.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

It is now known that pellagra is a disease due to deficiency of B vitamins, seen primarily in people whose diet consists chiefly of corn products.


Louis Albert Schweinberg

In 1900, 18 year old Louis "Schurmberger" lived with his parents and siblings at the family home at 417 Verona St. in Braddock, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Louis was employed as a day laborer.

In 1910, 28 year old Louis Schweinberg rented a house at 524 Seddon Ave. in North Braddock, PA with his 27 year old wife and their two sons, Cyril (5) and Edward (18 months). Louis was employed as a laborer in a factory.

In 1920, 38 year old Louis Schweinberg lived in a mortgaged house at 418 Seddon Ave. with his 36 year old wife Laura and their two sons, Cyril (15) and Edward (11). Louis worked at the Westinghouse in Braddock as an assembler (making rheostats and such).

By the time of the 1930 census, the family had moved to 528 Seddon Ave., a home the family would own until Laura's death in 1975. The house was valued at $5500. Louis and Cyril were both employed as laborers... Louis at an electric plant, and Cyril in the steel works. Edward was a clerical worker for a steam railway. The Schweinberg family owned a radio set, as did many of their neighbors. Adjacent homes in the census were owned by the Quiigley and Anderson families.


Laura Appolonia Singer

Laura Singer was about eight years old when her father sold the farm in Fulda to a coal company and moved the family to North Braddock, PA (outside Pittsburgh). Laura was a third-generation American... she was born here, as were her mother and her grandmother. Despite this, when Laura started to attend St. Joseph's school in Braddock, she spoke no English.

In 1900, 17 year old Laura Singer lived with her parents and younger siblings in the family's rented home at 18 Hickory Street, North Braddock. Laura was employed as a clerk in a store.

From the Zanesville Signal (pg 15) 21 Sep 1939:
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Noll entertained at dinner Monday evening at their home in Olive,
and covers were laid for Rev. Fr. H.A. Estadt of Columbus, Mrs. Laura Schweinberg of
Pittsburgh, Pa., Mrs. Cecelia Tuma of Marietta, and Mrs. Joseph Estadt, Matilda and
Clarence J. Estadt and Miss Marguerite Noll, all of Caldwell.


Cyril Francis Schweinberg

Records conflict on year of birth:
1) Social Security Death index states 1904.
2) Younger brother Ed Schweinberg says 1904
3) Headstone says 1905.

Cyril was quiet and introspective, in counterpoint to his brother's gregarious nature. As a young man, Cyril was involved with a woman named Mabel Spangler. His brother Ed remembers that Mabel was a very attractive girl who had won a prize in a beauty contest. Cyril and Mabel wanted to get married, but several family members -- notably Aunt Dora Schweinberg Heil -- strongly disapproved because Mabel wasn't Catholic. Cyril and Mabel broke up. Cyril never married.

Cyril suffered a stroke in his 50s, and walked with a cane. He lived with his mother until his death.


John Joseph Kearney

Sources vary on year of birth:
1874 or 1875 -- calculated from 1910 census

In 1910, John Kearney (35) and his wife of three years, Elizabeth (28) rented part of a two-family home at 204 Fourth Avenue in Rankin, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Living with them were their two daughters, Mary (2), and Florence (6 mos). John worked as a laborer in a blast furnace. John came to America in 1894 and was a naturalized citizen. Elizabeth arrived in America in 1907, according to the census.


Elizabeth Gray

Year and place of birth obtained from Passenger list of the SS Arabic. NA Pub. # T 715, reel 1020, vol. 22 group 26, list 19.
Place of Birth: Parish of Killevy, Townland of Clonlum, (Barony: Orior Upper, Poor Law Union of Newry), County Armagh

Elizabeth Kearney was found as a passenger on the SS Arabic, which arrived in New York on 19 Oct 1907. John was not with her.

In 1920, widow Elizabeth Carney (40) rented the home at 104 Comrie Avenue in the 4th Ward of Braddock, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Living with her were her children, Mary (11), Florence (10), Alice (7), John (6) and Josephine (3). All of the children attended school except Josephine. The children were all natives of Pennsylvania. Elizabeth was born in Ireland, as was the children's late father. Elizabeth was employed doing day work at a school. According to the census, Elizabeth came to America in 1908 and was a naturalized citizen. The year of her naturalization is unclear, but it looks like 1894 (which is very unlikely.)

In 1930, widow Elizabeth Kearney (52) owned a house worth $10,000 at 7452 Schoyer Ave. in Swissvale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Living with her were her children, Mary (21), Florence (20), Alice (18), John (17), and Josephine (13). Only Jack and Josephine attended school. Elizabeth's year of immigration is given as 1890, and she was a naturalized citizen. She was not employed at the time of the 1930 census. The Kearneys were the only family on that census page who did not own a radio set.


infant Kearney

baby Kearney

ALL: notes of Florence Kearney O'Sullivan (sister of subject) state that her
mother gave birth to two children who did not survive.


infant Kearney

baby Kearney

ALL: notes of Florence Kearney O'Sullivan (sister of subject) state that her
mother gave birth to two children who did not survive.


Elias Coburger

At the time of the 1870 census, Bavarian-born Elias Coburger (31) lived in part of a two family house in Newark's 13th Ward. He lived with Rosa (25), a native of Austria, and four girls: Emilie (5), Sarah (4), Bertha (3) and Riva (?) (Mar 1870). Elias worked as a butcher. Elias owned no real estate, but his personal possessions were valued at $500 (more than most other men on that page of the census). Elias was not a citizen. The fact that Elias and Rose were from two different countries suggests that they may have met and married in America.

In 1880, Elias Coburger (40) lived in the Village of Irvington, Clinton Township, Essex County, New Jersey. Living in the household were his wife, Rose (35) and children Emily (15), Sarah (14), Bertha (12), Moses (9), William (6), Fannie (4), Lena (2) and Louis (8 months). Sarah, Bertha and Moses attended school. Elias Coburger was a butcher and meat dealer. He and Rose were born in Germany; all the children were born in New Jersey.

The Newark (NJ) City Directories (Newark Public Library) 1883 directory lists Elias Coburger, but 1884 directory lists only "Coburger,Rose, widow." The state of NJ has been unable to find a death certificate for Elias (years searched 1881 - 1885). Oheb Shalom Cemtery, Newark, NJ has graves for Elias and Rose Coburger. Rose was buried in 1915, but no year is listed for Elias. The author has not visited the cemetery.

The 1930 census entry for Elias Coburger's daughter, Bertha Coburger Behrend, states that her father was born in Austria and her mother was a native of Bohemia. Their differing birthplaces suggests that Elias and Rose may have met and married in America.


Rose Adler

Rosa Coburger, widow of Elias, lived at 2037 Third Ave., New York City in 1890.

The state of NJ has been unable to find a death certificate for Rose in 1915. (The search was made before knowledge that Rose remarried after Elias' death.) Oheb Shalom Cemtery, Newark, NJ has graves for Elias and Rose Coburger. Cemetery records indicate that Rose was buried in 1915. This researcher [Lynn Coleman Coburger] has not visited the cemtery.


Rina Coburger

The first name is difficult to read in the 1870 census.


Moses Coburger

Records conflict: a search of NJ death records reveals a death certificate for Edward Coburger with the word Edward crossed out and "Moses" written above it.

Moses Coburger died at the age of 8 months on April 6, 1884. Moses parents are listed as Elias and Rose Coburger. Moses Coburger will be listed twice in this database: once as Moses, born 1871, and once as Moses E., born Sept. 1883.


Moses Edward Coburger

Records conflict: There are references to two children named Moses:
1) a search of NJ death records reveals a death certificate for Edward Coburger with the word Edward crossed out and "Moses" written above it. Moses Coburger died at the age of 8 months on April 6, 1884. Moses' parents are listed as Elias and Rose Coburger.

2) The 1880 US Census, NJ, Essex County (Newark), Clinton Twp, Village of Irvington, ED 96, sheet/pg 22, lines 9-18, NARS microfilm T9, reel 1055 (Soundex T763, reel 7) lists a Moses Coburger born in 1871, child of Elias.

Moses Coburger will be listed twice in this data base: once as Moses, born born 1871, and once as Moses E., born Sept. 1883.


John P. Cope

John Cope's birthdate from the 1900 census (25 Feb 1851) is not correct, since he appears as a 1 year old child in the 1850 census.

In 1880, shoemaker John Cope (30) lived in Newark, Essex Co., New Jersey (street address is illegible) with his wife Rose (29) and children Mary (5), Henry (4) and George (9 mos), and a French-born boarder named August Fagan. August is assumed to be Rose's brother. John, Mary and Henry were born in New York; Rose and August were natives of France, and George was born in New Jersey.

The 1890-1891 Newark City Directory (A.M. Holbrook, 1891) shows shoemaker John Cope at 423 Fifteenth Ave., in Newark.

In 1900, John Kope (49) and his wife, Rose (48) rented part of a two-family home at 41 Sixteenth Ave., in Newark. (The other part of the home was occupied by widow Kate Werner and her children.) John and Rose Cope had been married for 28 years. Living with them were their children Mamie (24), George (20), Francis (17), Charles (15), Annie (12), Josephine (9), and Rose (6). Also living in the household were Rose's parents, Marie (70) and Joseph Fagan (70). Annie and Josephine Cope attended school for 10 months of the previous year. The older children did not go to school, but worked in a cutlery factory. Little Rose was too young to attend school.

According to the 1900 census, John and his oldest child Mamie were born in New York. John's parents were born in Germany. Rose and her parents were natives of France who immigrated in 1854. All the children other than Mamie were born in New Jersey. Everyone in the household except little Rose could read, write, and speak English. John Cope worked as a shoemaker, but he had been unemployed for four months during the previous year.

The 1900 census indicates that the Copes did not have any children who died prior to 1900. (Rose had given birth to 8 children, all of whom were still living at the time of the census.) Only seven of those children lived at home with their parents. The directions for census-takers in the 1900 instructed them to record the month and year of each person's birth. The census representative who visited the Cope family on 4 Jun 1900 took the unusual step of recording not only the month and year, but also the date of each person's birth. (Thank you, Charles J. Zilliax!)

The Cope family later moved to 409 1/2 Bergen Ave. John Cope was a shoemaker. In 1907 he took a job as a night watchman at the Specialty Paper Box Co. at 181 Chestnut St., Newark. His duties included keeping an eye on the furnace fires.

John died of heat prostration on August 14, 1908 at the Specialty Paper Box Co. According to an article in the Newark News, the position of his body indicated that he was engaged in raking the furnace fires when he died. His death certificate does not list his date or place of birth, nor the names of his parents or their birth places. All of this information was "unknown." The name of the informant is not listed.


Rosalie Fagan

In 1910, widow Rosa Cope (58) lived in an apartment at 409 Bergen St. in the 16th Ward of Newark, New Jersey. Living with her were her unmarried children George (29), Charles (23), Josephine (18) and Rose (16). None of the children attended school. Rose was not employed, but all of the children were. The 1910 census concurs with the 1900 census stating that Rose and her parents were born in France; she came to America in 1854; she had eight children, all of whom were living in 1910. Rose's daughter Frances Coburger lived in an apartment nearby.

Records conflict on date of birth: 1900 US Census states 15 Feb 1852. Death certificate states 15 Jan 1853.


George Cope

Records of St. Peter's RC Church, Newark, NJ show John George Kop, son of John Kop and Rosalie Sagan born 3 Sep 1879 baptized on 7 Sep 1879 by Gottfried Prieth. Sponsors: John & Elise Miller. Family records owned by Mildred Halligan Burnett state that his date of birth was 3 Feb 1879.

In 1900, 20 year old George Cope lived with his parents, siblings, and maternal grandparents in a two-family home at 41 Sixteenth St. in Newark, NJ. George worked as a cutlery buffer.

At the time of the 1910 census, George Cope (29) lived with his widowed mother and three of his siblings on Bergen Street, Newark, New Jersey. George was employed as a metal buffer. The census records the house number as 409. In actuality, it was 409 1/2.

Irene Wodzinski Coburger, wife of John Cope's nephew, stated "the Cope boys were extremely tall and died of heart problems in their 20s or 30s before they were married."


Charles Joseph Cope

In 1900, Charles Cope (15) lived with his parents, siblings, and maternal grandparents in the Cope family's rented home at 41 Sixteenth St. in Newark, NJ. Charles did not attend school; he worked as a hardware stamper.

The 1900 census gives Charles' birth date as 22 Mar 1884. Family records of Mildred Halligan Burnett indicate that his birthdate was 22 Oct 1885.

At the time of the 1910 census, Charles Cope (29) lived with his widowed mother and three of his siblings at 409 Bergen Street, Newark, New Jersey. Charles worked as a house plumber.

Charles Cope was informant for his mother's death certificate in 1913.

In 1920, unmarried Charles Cope (34) lived with the family of his sister and brother-in-law, Josephine and William Halligan at 411 Bergen St. in Newark. Charles was a bartender in a hotel.

Irene Wodzinski Coburger, wife of Charles Cope's nephew stated "the Cope boys were extremely tall and died of heart problems in their 20s or 30s before they were married."