Random Acts of Kindness

I'm having a great week for random acts of kindness...

The first was from my newly found cousin Mary Anne. She took the time to pull out a box of her parent's things and dug up some photos to send to me. One was of our great grandfather John Manley. I already had one picture of him but it's very small and it doesn't give a good sense of what he looked like. In the picture that Mary Anne sent me I can see exactly what he looked like and I'm still smiling. Thank you Mary Anne ;-)

John J. Manley (1854-1933)

with Grandsons, Thomas (Left) and James (Right)

The second was from the St. Joseph's Care Group in Thunder Bay, ON. I went to get my mail this morning and there was a package containing a book commemorating St. Joseph's Hospital on it's 125th Anniversary. It is full of the early history of the hospital with lots of photos. This is significant to me because my great Aunt, Mary Flynn, later known as Mother Monica was the Foundress of St. Joseph's in 1884. She was the sister of my great grandmother Maggie Flynn who was married to John in the picture above. I haven't written about Mother Monica yet but will soon...I have so much information on her, it's going to be a big one. She is one of my ''truly amazing ancestors''. I had been in contact with the hospital last year looking for information. The fact that they remembered my interest and surprised me with this book really is a random act of kindness.

Seems appropriate to write this today, with it being Thanksgiving. We already had Thanksgiving in Canada in October, so Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends across the border. Today I am grateful for many things but especially to my cousin Mary Anne and the thoughtful people at the St. Joseph's Care Group.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom ~ Marcel Proust

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Wordless Wednesday - Vine Reunion Panorama

Various Vine's at Vine Family Reunion

Queen Victoria Park, Niagara Falls, ON circa early 1920's

List of Names

Printed on Back of Photo

 © 2009 Kindred Footprints

Wordless Wednesday - Glencastle, Co Mayo, Ireland

Glencastle, County Mayo, Ireland

Ancestral Home of Edward Manley (1819-1903)

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

George Adam Vine (1856-1953)

George Adam Vine was my 2nd Great Grandfather. He was a life long butcher and businessman, trap shooter, non smoker, non drinker and he sparred with ''Gentleman Jim'' Corbett in San Francisco. I think I would have liked to have known him.

George was born in Niagara Township, Ontario, Canada on November 17, 1856, 7th child of James Vine and Hannah Barker. He appears in the 1861 Census in Stamford Twp. with his family. Around 1864 the family moved to Louth Twp, Lot 23, Concession 5 where they built the ''Vine'' farm. He was baptized by Rev. J.B. Howard in Louth Twp. on December 26th, 1866 at the age of 10. His baptism was recorded in the Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Register, Vol 2, P.337. He appears again with his family on the 1871 Census.

Sometime during the 1870's George left home and went on an adventure to California. He traveled by train and spent some time in San Francisco, CA where he befriended James Corbett, later known as "Gentleman Jim", a Heavyweight Boxing Champion. After a while he settled in Santa Rosa, CA where he worked as a sheep butcher for a few years. By 1879 he had returned to Canada.

George married Ada (Addie) Alice Burtch on the 9th of April, 1879 in St. Catharines. Addie was born on December 6, 1860 and was the daughter of Israel Monson Burtch and Jane Slack of Louth Twp. The witnesses to the marriage were Charles Vine (George's brother) and Maggie Glass.

In 1880 George and Addie had their first child, Frank Charles born on the 21st of February in Grantham Twp. By the time of the 1881 Census the young family had moved to Stamford Twp. On the 8th of November, 1881 their second son, William Norton was born. These were the only children George and Addie had.

I'm not sure exactly when they moved, but as early as 1890 the family appears in Crookston, Minnesota where George established a meat market. In 1891 the ''Vine Block'' was built where George operated his business. This building is featured on a slide show titled ''Self Guided Walking Tour of Old Crookston'' from the visitcrookston.com website.

In 1897 George and family traveled back to Canada to attend the 50th Wedding Anniversary of his parents, James and Hannah Vine. Two years later, his father James Vine died and it would seem that George immediately packed up his life in Crookston and moved his family back to Canada. In 1901 George, Addie and both sons appear in the census in Grantham Twp. but not at the family farm. George started a butcher business in St. Catharines on Queen St, near King St and continued to do this until around 1930 when he retired.

George Vine (center) in his Butcher Shop
St. Catharines, ON

Vine Butcher Shop

Queen Street, St. Catharines, ON

In 1909, William Norton, 2nd son of George and Addie Vine passed away at the age of 27. I cannot find a death registration for him in Ontario and I have a feeling he may have been living in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the time of his death but more on this later. On the 31 of January, 1910 Frank Charles, 1st son of George and Addie Vine was married to Luella Catherine Hiscott, daughter of Albert James Hiscott and Diana Wood Haynes. I believe that this was when they moved to the family farm. I also believe that it was around this time that Hannah Vine, widow of James moved from the farm to 80 Welland Ave. in St. Catharines where she remained until her death. In 1910 George bought a home in St. Catharines at 109 Queen Street. He remained there for three years. In 1913 he bought the property at 186 Ontario Street where he remained for the rest of his life.

George and Addie Vine
109 Queen Street, St. Catharines, ON

George and Addie Vine
186 Ontario Street, St. Catharines, ON

St. Catharines Standard, January 30, 1913; Interview with George Vine regarding his views on the proposed King Street Viaduct...

"Few Oppose and Many Demand the King Street Viaduct"

St. Catharines Standard, November 17, 1951; Interview with George Vine on the occasion of his 95th Birthday...

"Happy 95th Birthday Mr. Vine"

Addie (Burtch) Vine died on the 8th of December, 1948. George died on the 9th of June, 1953 at the Maplehurst Hospital in Thorold, ON. He was 97 years old. George and Addie are buried together in the ''Vine Family Plot'' at Victoria Lawn Cemetery in St. Catharines, ON, Canada.

Obituary, St. Catharines Standard, June 9, 1953;

George Vine widely known and highly respected throughout the community and one of this city's oldest residents, of 186 Ontario St., passed away early this morning at Maplehurst Hospital, Thorold following a prolonged illness. In his 97th year, the late Mr. Vine was born in Niagara Township and had been a life-long resident of this district and for many years successfully carried on a butcher business from which he retired in 1930. In his younger life he was interested in all branches of sport, especially trap shooting. He was one of the oldest members of Welland Avenue Church and it will be with sincere regret that a host of friends will learn of his demise. He is survived by a son, Frank C. Vine of Grantham Township, a sister, Miss Laura Vine of this city, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The late Mr. Vine will rest at the Butler and Son Funeral Home, 33 Duke St., where service will be held on Thursday afternoon at 3:15 o'clock with interment in Victoria Lawn Cemetery.

Funeral, St. Catharines Standard, June 12, 1953;

Many relatives and friends gathered yesterday afternoon to attend the funeral of George Vine, 186 Ontario Street, and pay their final tribute of respect to one of this city's oldest residents, the service being held from the Butler and Son funeral home, 33 Duke Street, with Rev. J.M. Would officiating. The grave being banked with many beautiful floral tokens of sympathy. Interment took place in the family plot in Victoria Lawn Cemetery, Mr. Would also conducting the committal service. The following relatives of the deceased acted as casket bearers; Messrs. George Vine, Edward Vine, Clifford Vine, Donald Vine, grandsons; Clayton Vine and William Vine, grand-nephews.

Children of George Vine and Addie Burtch:
Frank Charles (1880-1961)
William Norton (1881-1909)

Parents of George Vine:
James Vine (1826-1899)
Hannah Barker (1832-1912)

Parents of Addie Burtch:
Israel Monson Burtch
Jane Slack

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Edward Manley (1849 < 1861)

This Edward Manley is a bit of a mystery to me. He was on the U.S. Federal Census in Portage, Livingston Co, New York in 1850 as the son of Edward and Margaret Manley, born in 1849. He doesn't appear anywhere else in the future. In the 1861 Census of Canada, Edward and Margaret appear in Grantham Twp. with three children, John, Hugh and Mary but no Edward. Later that year they had another son and named him Edward.

So I have to presume that this Edward died sometime before 1861. I have not been able to find a death record. The only clue I have is the cemetery records from Lakeview Cemetery in Thorold, ON. I have the record for the plot that contains the graves of Edward and Margaret Manley. It is a ''family'' plot and has provisions for up to six people. The six people buried here are;

1. Edward Manley
2. Margaret Manley (Dixon), wife of Edward
   
3. John Manley, son of Edward
   
4. Maggie Manley (Flynn), wife of John
   
5. Edward, see note
   
6. Margaret Griffin, see note
   

No 5. Edward - I am wondering if this could be our Edward, born in 1849. All of the other Edward's in the family are accounted for.

No 6. Margaret Griffin - This is the stillborn child of the sister-in-law of Edward (the 2nd Edward born in 1861), son of Edward and Margaret.

So, to Edward born in 1849, this is your page. I wish we knew more about you.

Parents of Edward Manley:
Edward Manley (1819-1903)
Margaret Dixon (1821-1881)

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Tombstone Tuesday - George Vine

 

My 2nd Great Grandparents

George Vine (1856-1953) and Addie Burtch (1860-1948)

George's Grandson, George C. Vine (1911-1973) and his wife Doris Routley (1909-1971)

Victoria Lawn Cemetery, St. Catharines, ON, Canada

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Tombstone Tuesday - "MANLEY" Headstone

"MANLEY" Headstone

Old Lakeview Cemetery, Thorold, ON, Canada

Individual Flat Markers in front

Father; John E., Grandparents; Jack & Margaret (McDonald), Cousin; Peggy (Dolan)

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Kreativ Blogger Award

I've been working on my family history for about five years or so but I've only been blogging about it for a few weeks. When I discovered this morning that I've been nominated for a Kreativ Blogger award I was kind of blown away.

Thank you so much to Kelly (Herstoryan) and Elizabeth  (Littlebytesoflife) for sending this along to me. I absolutely love your blogs and look forward to sharing many more stories with you. And thank you to Thomas at Geneabloggers for his encouragement to start blogging. It's becoming a little addictive. You all  ROCK!!

The rules of the Kreativ Blog award state that I must reveal 7 things about myself that you probably don't know and then pass the reward on to 7 more Kreativ Bloggers. The 7 things about myself will take some thought, but finding 7 Kreativ Bloggers to pass this on to will be no problem at all. There are so many amazing, inspiring bloggers out there with great stories being told.

What you might not know about me;

1. If given the choice of buying something or making it myself, I will always choose to make it myself. Like cooking from scratch or sewing/knitting something.

2. I've spent half my life working in the transportation business and have decided to spend the other half doing something else. I'm hoping to get into a Library Information Science program this January. Fingers crossed.

3. I'm half Irish, half English and Catholic (talk about conflicted) and am married to a Russian/German Mennonite. Makes for an interesting family tree.

4. I have a HUGE fear of heights, but I didn't let it stop me from riding the Niagara SkyWheel (a gigantic ferris wheel) earlier this year. I will fly on a plane to get somewhere but I WON'T LIKE IT.

5. My ''hometown'' is about 2 hours away from where I live now, so going there on day trips to explore cemeteries, libraries and visit old relatives is one of my favorite things to do.

6. I'm reading the classics by way of my iPhone. When I need some down time, I make a cup of tea, grab my knitting, put in my earphones and listen away while I knit. Right now, it's Emma by Jane Austen.

7. I went to the remote, north west part of Ireland last year just so I could stand in the spot that my ancestors came from and breathe the air. It was the most remarkable experience of my life.

Now I pass the Kreativ Blogger Award to these 7 bloggers;

We Tree
Life From The Roots
Tonia's Roots
Apple's Tree
Acadian and French-Canadian Ancestral Home's
Grace and Glory
Canada Genealogy, or, 'Jane's Your Aunt'

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Genealogy and Serendipity...

I'm going to take a detour from genealogy facts for a moment and tell you about one of those goosebump raising "Genealogy and Serendipity'' moments. I can't believe how many of these I have had over the past few years.

About 3 years ago I was ''surfing'' for anything Irish and came across a site of Irish cultures and traditions and started reading an article called ''Shrovetide - The Marrying Season''. It was written by Bridget Haggerty and posted on the site www.irishcultureandcustoms.com

As I started reading it talked about the match-making season starting the day after Epiphany, January 6th. That stuck out because I got married on January 6th. Then my eyes scrolled over to the picture attached to the article and the goosebumps popped out. The picture on the post is the same picture that was on my Wedding Thank-You cards...and I got married long before I had done any genealogy work or knew anything about my Irish ancestry.

The Wedding Procession by Samuel Luke Fildes

You can read the article here...

PS - I'm still waiting for my husband to surprise me with a framed print of this picture. Wink, wink, hint, hint...

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

The King Street Viaduct

Article published in the St. Catharines Standard, January 30, 1913 with ''Comments from prominent St. Catharines businessmen regarding the proposed King Street bridge"

George Vine - "The building of the King Street Viaduct will open up thousands of acres of the finest land for factory sites and building lots" is the way George Vine, 186 Ontario St., views the proposition. "Think how long the ravine would remain unbridged in a progressive western city! Only long enough to get the work done. And that is how it should be here. One has only to look across the canal to see this section to realize the vast possibilities ahead of the city when it is properly opened up. It is an ideal location for great manufacturies and with the bridge erected the many progressive firms in the United States who are looking to locate Canadian branches would readily be impressed with the splendid advantages offered. The coming of factories means the coming of workmen, and these men must have homes. And this addition to our population would make the demand for stores to supply the needs of those homes. I am not the son of a prophet, but I can see a great future ahead for that section, when the viaduct becomes an accomplished fact, as I feel sure it will. Let me tell you something. This city within the last week has realized a wonderful change of sentiment regarding that bridge. I can name you many men who formerly opposed the Viaduct who are now supporters and many more who had been only half-hearted supporters who are now enthusiasts. I have spent considerable time among the people of the west end and I can vouch for a decided number who have told me that their votes will go for ''the ideal route'' for they now realize the great advantage it will be to the city as a whole".

"Speaking of the alternate route for a moment, my idea is that there is no earthly use in spending money to build a bridge that will soon have to be rebuilt, and which at least will be but a zig zag eyesore".

"The King Street route is our only proper outlet, "the ideal route" that within a reasonable radius will open to us valuable territory from which the revenue will within a very short time more than doubly repay the cost of the bridge. Let the good work go on".

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Surname Saturday - Munnelly (Manley)

"Manley, yes, but I like it too"...Famous words from an Irish Spring soap commercial in the 1970's. I heard this over and over again throughout high school.

While researching my family, I was very surprised to learn that my great, great grandfather who emigrated from Ireland was actually a Munnelly. I had never heard this before and I'm pretty sure that if the generation before me knew this, they would have said something. The immigration records at Grosse Ile, Quebec where he landed in 1846 record him as Edward Munnelly. Every other record after that records his name as Manley.

In researching the name Munnelly I discovered that the only place that it is really common is in the north west portion of County Mayo, Ireland which not surprisingly is where my gg grandfather came from.

You can clearly see this on the map of Ireland generated from searching "Munnelly" on Public Profiler/Worldnames. The dark blue area has by far the highest concentration of this surname. It indicates the root of the name as Celtic Irish.

Legend has it that a portion of the O'Doherty clan from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal were forced out by the English and sent to County Mayo in the late 16th or early 17th century. The English thought this would be a fate worse than death. The first name of one of the O'Doherty men was O'Maonghaile and the story goes that his descendents took their father's first name as their last, possibly to distance themselves from conflict between the O'Doherty's and the English back in Donegal. Eventually the 'O' was dropped and the name became Munnelly. This O'Doherty clan has been traced back to Cathaoir O Dochartaigh, the leader of the O'Doherty clan in the 16th century and further back to Niall Noígíallach or in English, Niall of the Nine Hostages, High King of Ireland in the late 4th and early 5th centuries. This would be amazingly fabulous if it is true, but I have MUCH research yet to do to verify this.

Below is a history of the name Munnelly that I picked up last year at a little shop in Westport, Co Mayo, Ireland...

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Happy 95th Birthday Mr. Vine

My great, great Grandfather George Vine is interviewed by the St. Catharines Standard on the occasion of his 95th birthday, November 17, 1951...he's got some opinions ;-)

Although he's only five years short of the 100 year mark, George Vine, retired St. Catharines butcher, says he could still ''put the gloves on'' with any boxer and give him a run for his money. "I'm right as a kite and feel as well as any man can feel," he beamed yesterday during a surprise interview on his 95th birthday. "My appetite is good and my memory's not bad - I can still remember the names of most of my first teachers."

The merry old gentleman celebrated his birthday quietly at the big home at 185 Ontario Street where he has lived for 38 years. On hand to help celebrate the occasion were his niece, Mrs. Martin A. K. Cosens, who keeps house for him now, and his son Frank. Thursday his son brought him a duck and Mr. Vine cooked it himself for his birthday treat. Last night there was a birthday cake, at least the packages brought in by son Frank indicated as much. Mr. Vine Sr. loves to cook, he says, and at one time could bake anything "from a pancake to a wedding cake".

Unlike most people of his age, Mr. Vine has no particular formula for his longevity. He doesn't drink, doesn't smoke now and he believes walking is the best exercise for anyone.

Liquor A Curse!

"Never touch liquor," he said. "One of the biggest curses man ever had! And all those soft drinks people drink nowadays are no good either. It will kill 'em all!" As for smoking, the old gentleman had this to say: "I used to smoke but I cut it out some years ago. Found it hurt my throat. You're better off if you don't smoke, especially women." In Mr. Vine's younger days only old women smoked. They used to sit in their rocking chairs all afternoon and smoke their long clay pipes, he recalls. "I didn't mind that, but today, I just shudder when I see a woman light up a cigarette," he said.

A great walker, Mr. Vine remembers the day (when he was only 83 years old) he walked from his home on Ontario Street out to his son's farm on Lock Two Hill, pitched wheat with his grandson all day, then walked home again at night. "Wasn't even stiff the next day." he boasted. "These cars will kill people. They'd be much better off to walk!"

Mr. Vine thinks that people nowadays ''don't go to bed until it's too late." He said he goes to bed every night at nine o'clock, and until recently got up at 5 a.m. Last spring he suffered pneumonia which slowed him down a little so that now he gets up as late as 7:00 or even 8:00 in the morning.

Retired in 1925

A well known and prosperous butcher in St. Catharines, Mr. Vine retired 25 years ago. For many years he owned and operated a meat shop on Queen Street across from the Post Office. As he puts it, he was always a butcher and knew his trade so that he always did well in that business.

He recalls that as a young lad of 19 he took the train to California (when they were still cutting the railway lines through the Rockies) and worked in Santa Rosa, about 400 miles from San Francisco, for two years as a sheep butcher. Mr. Vine didn't go in for the gold rush business, he said. He also spent 10 years in Minnesota where he owned a meat packing house and had a prosperous business. Perhaps it was this influence that led him to wear the tall rancher's hats and square coat which made him a familiar figure in St. Catharines for many years. He thougt it was a great joke when he was told yesterday that he looked like a Senator from the Deep South.

George Vine was one of the first men to ''put on the gloves'' with the famed Jim Corbett - "Gentleman Jim". It was in San Francisco when Mr. Vine was a lad of 18 and Gentleman Jim was a shy kid of 13. The two became good friends during George Vine's brief stay in the Golden Gate city and used to box often.

Life has treated Mr. Vine kindly since he was born in Niagara-on-the-Lake 95 years ago. His only complaint is that he can't walk uptown much anymore since his bout with pneumonia last spring. However, he says he still gets a kick out of life and hopes to celebrate his 100th birthday.

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Mary Manley McKenny (1859-1918)

Mary Manley was the third child and only daughter of Edward and Margaret Manley. She was born in Port Dalhousie, ON on the 6th of February, 1859. She moved to Thorold, ON as a young child and spent the whole of her life there. Mary appeared in the census listings of 1861, 1871 and 1881 in the household of her parents. In 1881 census, at the age of 22 she was listed as a dressmaker.

Mary was married to John McKenny on the 19th of January, 1888. The wedding was held at Holy Rosary Catholic church in Thorold and was officiated by Rev. T.J. Sullivan. John was the son of Timothy McKenny and Margaret Fleming. He was born in New York but was residing in Thorold at the time of the marriage. The marriage witnesses were Timothy McKenny and Mary Roberts.

Mary Roberts is one of my ''Dixon Dots''...she was the daughter of Frank and Bridget Dixon of Port Dalhousie. Ten years earlier in 1878 Mary Manley was the marriage witness for Catherine Dixon, another daughter of Frank and Bridget Dixon.

Mary and John McKenny owned a home at 23 Carleton Street in Thorold. Between 1888 and 1898 they had five children, three girls and two boys and while their own family was growing they also took in Mary's father Edward, her brother Francis and John's brother Timothy.

Tragedy struck the McKenny family in October of 1918 when the matriarch, Mary Manley McKenny passed away. Mary had become ill from food poisoning and died on Oct 3rd. Just three weeks later, on Oct 25th their daughter Bridget Bertha died after developing pneumonia from influenza at the age of 28. Five years later, on Oct 26th, 1923 John McKenny passed away.

As far as I have been able to determine, the remaining four McKenny children stayed in the same house on Carleton Street for the rest of their lives. None of them married or had children. When the last one died in 1975 the house was sold and today it no longer exists. I wonder what happened to the family treasures that must have been in that house.

Mary Manley McKenny, her husband John and all five of their children are buried together in Old Lakeview Cemetery in Thorold, ON

Obituary, St. Catharines Standard, October 4, 1918;

Death of Mrs. McKenny
A wave of sorrow passed over the town on Thursday when the word that Mrs. Mary Manley, beloved wife of John McKenny, had passed away after an illness of two weeks. Besides her sorrowing husband, five children are left to survive: Margaret, Bertha and Frances at home and John and Edward, who are both serving overseas. Four brothers: Hugh Manley of Chicago, IL, John of Merritton, Frank and Edward at Thorold also survive. The funeral will take place to Lakeview cemetery, Thorold on Saturday morning.

Obituary, St. Catharines Standard, October 27, 1923;

McKenny
At his late residence, 23 Carleton Street, Thorold on Friday morning, October 26, 1923, John Patrick McKenny. Funeral on Monday, October 29th from the family home at 8:30 am to the Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, where requiem mass will be chanted at 9 am. Interment in Lakeview Cemetery, Thorold.

Children of Mary Manley and John McKenny:
Margaret Anne (1888-1975)
Bridget Bertha (1890-1918)
John Aloysius (1891 -1971)
Edward Manley (1894-1962)
Frances Mary (1898-1970)

Parents of Mary Manley:
Edward Manley (1819-1903)
Margaret Dixon (1821-1881)

Parents of John McKenny:
Timothy McKenny
Margaret Flemming

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Tombstone Tuesday - John and Maggie Manley

This is the tombstone of my paternal great grandparents, John Manley (1854-1933) and his wife Maggie Flynn (1857-1894) located in Old Lakeview Cemetery, Thorold, ON, Canada. This cemetery is located on the banks of the Welland Canal, fitting since John spent his life working on building it. I love that all of my direct ancestors and their family members are buried here, together! It is serene and peaceful, all you can hear are birds chirping and the occasional toot of a ship passing by. They would love that ;-)... and here is my first attempt at a charcoal rubbing.

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Hugh Manley (1856-1925)

Hugh Manley was the second surviving son of Edward and Margaret Manley. He was born on the 14th of September, 1856 in Port Dalhousie, ON with the same humble beginnings as his older brother John. When he died in 1925 he was a hero...

He appeared in the census listings of 1861 and 1871 with his parents in Grantham Twp. and Thorold, ON. On Jan 28, 1879 Hugh married Henrietta (Ettie) Potter, daughter of Martin Potter and Eliza McCarthy at Holy Rosary RC church in Thorold, ON. On the 24th of June, 1879 Ettie gave birth to their first son, Edward A. Manley. Sometime later that year or early in 1880, Hugh, Ettie and Edward moved to Chicago, IL. I'm not sure what inspired this move but the family spent the remainder of their lives there.

Their infant son Edward became ill and died on the 19th of April, 1880. At the time of his death the family was living at 127 North Market St. in the 18th Ward. Henrietta gave birth to their second child, a daughter on Jun 4, 1881 and named her Margaret Frances. She was born at 13 E. Erie Street in Chicago. Margaret Frances died on the 7th of Sep, 1882 at the age of 15 months. On the 9th of March, 1883 Ettie gave birth to their second son who they named John Joseph Manley. At some point they moved to 8 Pleasant St in the 22nd Ward. It was there that Hugh's wife Ettie died on the 13th of January, 1894 leaving Hugh with his young son John.

On the 22nd of April, 1896 Hugh married Mary R. Cooney in Chicago, IL. Mary, Hugh and John appear together in the 1900 census living in the 25th ward. Hugh's occupation is listed as a 'Stationary Engineer'. As yet, I have not located Hugh, Mary or John in the 1910 census but by the time of the 1920 census Hugh is listed as a lodger (alone), in the 23rd Ward. His son John had married in 1910. I do not know what became of Mary R. Cooney, Hugh's second wife.

Why is our Hugh Manley a hero?

Hugh had been employed with the Chicago Board of Education as a Stationary Engineer since 1903. In 1912 he transferred to the Moos School at 1711 N. California Ave., where on the 7th of March, 1923 a horrific accident occured...

Hugh Manley, for 22 years a member of Local No. 143 of Chicago, Ill., and for 15 consecutive years elected without opposition to it's Board of Trustees, passed to his eternal rest October 26, 1925. The old adage that ''For every man God has his plan'' was surely a truism in the life and death of this departed brother.

Brother Manley entered the service of the Chicago Board of Education as an engineer custodian in 1903. Being successful in the promotional examinations he rapidly passed to the top group or division in the service. He entered into the active work of the Local No. 143 soon after joining it's ranks. Though a man who seldom took the floor in debate, his wisdom was attested by his long service as a trustee and member of the Executive Board.

His death is attributable to an accident that occured in the Moos School on March 7, 1923, where he was engineer custodian until his death.

Never has a more heroic deed been performed than that of Mr. Hugh Manley. On that eventful morning Hugh Manley allowed the water in his two boilers to rise to a high level as he wished to ''blow them down''. He opened the blow-off cock in the rear of the boiler and stepped to the front to watch the water as it came down.

When the water had reached the level he desired he turned to go back to the rear of the boiler and was met by a geyser of boiling hot water coming from the blow off basin which had become clogged. Knowing he had no time to spare, as the two 100-horse-power boilers were carrying 80 lbs of steam and the roaring fires in the furnaces beneath them generating more steam every minute, also realizing the danger of an explosion, with the lives of twelve hundred children and teachers in his trust, he arose to the occasion and waded through this seething cauldron, closed the valve and collapsed on the floor. He was pulled out of the water, rushed to a hospital and after several weeks of terrible suffering was able to cripple about. From that time until his death he was never well. He spent several months in hospitals and was practically always under a doctor's care.

His brave act was recognized by the Chicago Board of Education with resolutions and compensation for his time, a tribute much appreciated by Hugh Manley. His funeral was attended by the sorrowing officers and members of Local No. 143 and Board officials. Mr. Manley's supreme sacrifice brings to mind the old saying that, "Greater love hath no one than to lay down his life for his fellow man".

Chicago Public Library; Municipal Reference Collection

On July 25, 1923 (p.8) the Chicago Daily Tribune reported that the Chicago Board of Education had presented Hugh with a reward for heroism in the amount of $250.00

Hugh died on the 26th of October, 1925 from injuries suffered in this accident and is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Chicago with his first wife Ettie and their infant son Edward. At the time of his death he was living at 3121 Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL.

To honor his memory the Chicago Board of Education named and dedicated a school in his honor which is still in operation today. The school opened in 1927 and on Apr 26, 1929 a Memorial Service was held in Hugh's honor by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 143. The full program of the Memorial Service is here.

Hugh Manley Career Academy High School
2935 West Polk Street
Chicago, IL 60612
http://www.manleyhighschool.org

Children of Hugh Manley and Henrietta Potter:
Edward A. (1879-1880)
Margaret F. (1881-1882)
John J. (1883-1967)

Parents of Hugh Manley:
Edward Manley (1819-1903)
Margaret Dixon (1821-1881)

Parents of Henrietta Potter:
Martin Potter
Eliza McCarthy

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Remembering Our Hero...

Following is the Program from the dedication ceremony to name a school in honor of Hugh Manley, held on April 26, 1929 at the Manley Junior High School in Chicago, IL...

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MEMORIAL SERVICES

INTERNATIONAL UNION of OPERATING ENGINEERS
LOCAL 143

In Memory of
BROTHER HUGH MANLEY

FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 26, 1929
at the
MANLEY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Polk Street and Francisco Avenue
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

"Greater Love Hath No One Than This, That He Lay Down His Life For His Fellow Man"

Program

1. INVOCATION ~ Rev James P. Kiely
2. CHAIRMAN ~ President James J. Spain, Local 143, I.U.O.E.
3. SONG ~ ''Recessional" - Kipling, Apollo Quartet
4. ADDRESS ~ Mrs. Johanna Gregg, Former Member Board of Education
5. ADDRESS ~ Mr. John Howatt, Chief Engineer, Board of Education
6. SOLO ~ "The Old Refrain" - Fritz Kreisler, Miss Hazel Anderson, Soprano; Miss Rhea Shelters, Piano
7. ADDRESS ~ Mr. Joseph Gonnelly, Superintendent of Junior High Schools
8. SONG ~ "Going Home" - Dvorak, Apollo Quartet
9. ADDRESS ~ Mr. Ernest Withall, Business Manager, Board of Education
10 ADDRESS ~ Mr. William J. Bogan, Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools
11. SOLO ~ "There Is No Death" - Geofrey O'Hara, Miss Hazel Anderson, Soprano; Miss Rhea Shelters, Piano
12. ADDRESS ~ Mr. H. Wallace Caldwell, President, Board of Education
13. SONG ~ ''Good-bye" - Turnbull, Apollo Quartet
14. ADDRESS ~ Mr. John J. Cullinan, Past President, Local 143, I.U.O.E.

Inscription on Tablet Erected At Hugh Manley Career Academy

This tablet is erected in memory of HUGH MANLEY by the School Engineers of Chicago, Local 143 International Union of Operating Engineers of which he was a member and officer.

Hugh Manley sacrificed his life in the performance of his duty as Engineering Custodian of the Moos School where on March 7, 1923 by preventing a boiler explosion which would have probably resulted in loss of life to the faculty and pupils. He received injuries which ultimately resolved in his death.

In recognition of this heroic act the Chicago Board of Education has named this school in his honor as a lasting memorial.

"Greater Love Hath No One Than This, That He Lay Down His Life For His Fellow Man"

Tablet Committee
Jacob G. Bennema, Chairman ~ Garnet Fee ~ Edmond Herzog

Officers ~ Local 143
INTERNATIONAL UNION of OPERATING ENGINEERS

James J. Spain, President
Garnet Fee, Vice-President
James D. Dohney, Recording Secretary
Charles Christner, Financial Secretary
Jacob G. Bennema, Treasurer
Austin Waldron, Conductor
David Hyde, Guard
Nicholas A. Lies, Trustee
Fred Hickman, Trustee
Edmond Herzog, Trustee

Executive Committee

James J. Spain, Chairman
Charles E. Driscoll
Garnet Fee
Michael P. Sullivan
James Fleming
Jacob Bennema
Arthur McCracken
Arvid Olson
Edmond Herzog

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

John J. Manley (1854-1933)

John Joseph Manley (my great Grandfather) was the first surviving child of Edward and Margaret Manley. He was born in Port Dalhousie, ON on the 18th of November, 1854. His life began in a humble shanty town built by Irish canal workers and ended as a highly respected and prosperous contractor. Certainly, a testament to the values and work ethics passed on by his parents who knew too well the meaning of hardship and struggle.

John J. Manley (1854-1933)

My Great Grandfather

During his childhood, the family moved out of the shanty town and attained permanent residence in Thorold, ON. John began working on the Welland Canal as a young boy pulling a mule train and progressed over the years until he was a self employed contractor.

On the 28th of Jan, 1885 John married Margaret (Maggie) Flynn at St. Patrick's RC church in Merritton, ON. The Rev Father Finan officiated and the witnesses were Joseph Battle and Mary Ann Foley. Maggie Flynn was the daughter of Thomas Flynn and Cecily Reynolds who had immigrated to Canada from Co Cavan, Ireland.

Maggie Flynn (1857-1894), wife of John J. Manley

My Great Grandmother

Over the next nine years, John and Maggie had three sons and then tragedy struck when Maggie passed away on the 12th of Aug, 1894. The youngest boy (my grandfather) was not quite one year old at the time of her passing. John never remarried and raised the boys on his own with the help of Maggie's sister Sarah and her brothers, Thomas and John. John and his boys remained very close to the Flynn family for the remainder of their lives.

Aunt Sarah Flynn with Manley boys, Thomas, Edward and John Jr.

In 1913 John moved to Toronto and became a partner and vice-president at the C.S. Boone Dredging and Construction Co. In 1917 several of the partners from this company along with Harry Dixon of Port Dalhousie formed a new company called The Toronto Drydock Co¹. John was involved with both of these concerns until his retirement in 1930. In August of 1932 the third Welland canal opened and John was interviewed for an article in the Toronto Star about the opening which he attended.

In May of 1933 just prior to his death John traveled by ship to Rome, Italy (reason unknown).  John's sons Edward and John Jr both follwed in his footsteps and worked all of their lives in the dredging and canal construction business, while his middle son Thomas became a man of the cloth who would rise to prominence within the Catholic church. John died at his home on the 25th of November, 1933 at the age of 79.

Obituary, The Toronto Star, Nov 25, 1933 (Front Page)

DREDGING OFFICIAL DIES IN 80TH YEAR

John J. Manley Widely Known for Welland, St. Lawrence Canal Work

The death occurred today of John J. Manley, who from 1913 to 1930 was vice-president of the C.S. Boone Dredging and Construction Co., and treasurer of the Toronto Dry Dock Co. Limited, at his home, 348 Wolverleigh Blvd, in his 80th year. Born in Port Dalhousie, Mr. Manley was one of the best known dredgemen in the Dominion, having done a great deal of work on both the Welland ship canals and on the development of the St. Lawrence canals. He had also helped with harbor development of Toronto and Port Arthur. He retired about three years ago. Mr. Manley's kindness and geniality had endeared him to a host of friends. He was made a life member of the Knights of Columbus by the St. Catharines council a year ago. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society. Surviving are three sons: Rev. Thomas J. Manley, pastor of St. Joan of Arc parish, Toronto; Edward J., Toronto and John Jr., Merritton, Ont. The remains are resting at the home of his son Edward, 40 St. Clair Ave. W. The funeral will be held Tuesday, with mass at Merritton at 11 am. Interment will take place at Thorold Cemetery.

Funeral, St. Catharines Standard, Nov 29, 1933

FUNERAL LATE J.J. MANLEY

Widely Known Dredge Man and Contractor Buried at Thorold

The funeral of the late John J. Manley, dredgeman and contractor of Dominion -wide prominence was held yesterday to Thorold. The late Capt. Manley passed away at his home, 348 Wolverleigh Boulevard, Toronto. The funeral cortege proceeded from Toronto to St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Merritton where solemn high mass was sung, and Interment later took place in Lakeview Cemetery, Thorold. At the church, where a large concourse of friends of the deceased had gathered to pay their final tribute of respect, the chief celebrants of the mass were Rev. Father Thomas J. Manley, Toronto as celebrant, assisted by Rev. Father Cullinane of Fort Erie as deacon and Rev. Father J.A. Morgan of Port Colborne as sub-deacon. Among the visiting priests were Fathers O'Brien, Lawly and Ryan of Toronto; Mgr. Morris of St. Catharines; Father Battle of Port Dalhousie and Staley of Thorold. Visiting priests were also present from Kingston, Fort Erie, Port Colborne and other points in the dominion. The guards of honor were members of the Knights of Columbs, St. Catharines. The pall bearers were all close friends of the deceased; Messrs. E. Miles, J. Cowan, Harry Dixon, Toronto; Thomas Flynn, Niagara Falls; Charles Curley, St. Catharines; Dr. T. J. Sexton, Merritton. Friends were in attendance at the service from as far west as Goderich and Windsor, including many representatives of contracting firms. Beautiful floral tributes completely covered the gravesite in Lakeview Cemetery.

John and Maggie are buried together at Lakeview Cemetery in Thorold, ON next to John's parents Edward and Margaret.

Children of John Manley and Maggie Flynn:
Edward Joseph (1886-1939)
Thomas Joseph (1889-1947)
John Joseph Jr. (Jack) (1893-1936)

Parents of John Manley:
Edward Manley (1819-1903)
Margaret Dixon (1821 - 1881)

Parents of Margaret (Maggie) Flynn:
Thomas Flynn (abt 1807 - abt 1869)
Cecily Reynolds (abt 1818 - 1882)

1. Scanner, v. 8, n. 6 (March 1976), John N. Bascom, editor, Maritime History of the Great Lakes, Toronto Marine Historical Society

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Pioneer of Thorold Recalls Past Canals

The following article (about my great Grandfather) appeared in the Toronto Star on Aug 6, 1932, p.27

PIONEER OF THOROLD RECALLS PAST CANALS
John J. Manley Only Regrets He'll Never See Sea Water

Thorold, Aug 6 - On the spot where Lord Bessborough stands this afternoon to open the new Welland canal here, 65 years ago there frequently wandered a barefoot Thorold boy in search of wild strawberries. The man whom that boy has since become is John J. Manley, Wolverleigh Blvd., Toronto, who was born in Port Dalhousie almost 78 years ago, and who has spent almost all his life working on various canals. Because he drove a mule team on the second Welland canal as a youth, and because he was present at the turning of the first sod for the third Welland canal in October, 1871, and because he now is a partner in an engineering concern which blasted 2,000,000 cubic yards of rock for the fourth and latest Welland canal, John Manley feels attached to it.

Of course, he hasn't been able to get a ticket to go in the special visitor's enclosure here today, but he pretends that doesn't matter. Step aside, let the young fellows come along, he says. He can see perfectly well from here, he says; and maybe he can, but he knows that isn't the point and so do you. ''This fuss is all very fine,'' Mr. Manley said today, ''but the Welland canal will never be worth what it cost until we get the St. Lawrence development. We must have the seaway. It will come. I won't see it. A young man today will.''

The government decided at once to enlarge the canal to provide for nine-foot navigation. The 39 wooden locks were reduced to 27 by increasing the lift of each. The new locks were built of cut stone and were each 150 feet long and 26 1/2 feet wide, with nine feet of water on the sills. This improvement, begun in 1843, was completed and the canal was opened in 1845. Nine years later John J. Manley was born in Port Dalhousie, the northern terminus of the canal, and 16 years after that again the young man was driving one of the teams that hauled the sailing vessels through the channel. There was no eight-hour day then, and you drove until the trip was completed. Forty-eight hours was considered good time for the trip. If you were lucky and there was no boat waiting to return, you got some sleep.In 1871 a canal commission, reporting on general conditions, advised the further enlargement of the Welland canal and it was decided to undertake extensive alterations. Locks were called for 270 feet long, 45 feet wide and having a 12 foot depth of water. The contract for Sections 15, 16 and 17 were let to a Thorold syndicate headed by one John Brown, Mr. Manley recalls, and in October of 1871 the first sod was turned without undue ceremony by Thomas Munroe, chief engineer. This was the beginning of the third Welland canal.

The third Welland canal left Lake Ontario at Port Dalhousie and climbed the Niagara escarpment east of the second canal to Allenburg. From Allenburg to Port Colborne it followed the route of the second canal. The depth of water was later increased to 14 feet, but not until 1887 was this depth available throughout the whole canal. Even before the enlargement was completed, vessels were being built on the upper lakes, too large to pass through the locks.

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Wordless Wednesday - Vintage Painting

The schooner 'York' entering the first Welland Canal at Port Dalhousie, ON from Lake Ontario, circa 1840

Original Artist: Tony Akkerman
Digital Image courtesy of Niagara Falls Public Library, Local History Collection, Francis J. Petrie Collection

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Connecting Some ''Dixon'' Dots

Before I delve any further into the family of my gg grandparents, Edward Manley and Margaret Dixon, I would like to connect some Dixon dots that I have found along the way.

1846 - My gg grandparents were at Grosse Ile, Quebec in August where they bore and lost a son they named Roger. Roger's godparents were Michael Crean and Anne Dixon. The day before Roger died, a little girl named Bridget Dixon died. Her parents were Roger and Bridget Dixon and the witnesses for her burial were Roger and Anthony Dixon.

1850 - My gg grandparents were in the 1850 census in Portage, Livingston Co, NY. In the same census I found two Dixon families; (1) Roger & Bridget Dixon with children Sarah and Margaret and (2) Frank & Bridget with children Anthony, Patrick, Mary, Bridget and Catherine

1861 - My gg grandparents were in the 1861 census in Grantham Twp, ON. In the same census I found two Dixon families; (1) Roger (widowed) with child Sarah and (2) Frank & Bridget with children Anthony, Patrick, Mary, Bridget, Catherine and Anne

After 1861 I lost track of Roger Dixon and his daughter Sarah but Frank Dixon and his family settled in Port Dalhousie, ON while my gg grandparents settled in Thorold, ON. Over the next several decades I have found many references that would indicate a connection between these two families; i.e. marriage witnesses, business partnerships, etc...

Based on these dots I have concluded that my gg grandparents made their way from Ireland to Canada, accompanied by several members of Margaret's Dixon family and that they traveled together for several years before finally settling down in one place. I could guess that Roger and Frank might have been Margaret's brothers but at this point it would just be a guess. Another brick wall that hopefully will come down soon.

I would love to hear from anybody connected to the Dixon family of Port Dalhousie, ON. I'm sure we are related ;-)

Wordless Wednesday - Need a Job?

1827 advertisement for labourers to work on the construction of the Welland Canal. On display in the St. Catharines Museum, St. Catharines, ON, Canada

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Tombstone Tuesday - Roger Munnelly

Roger Munnelly (Aug17, 1846-Aug 18, 1846)

Roger was born to my great, great grandparents Edward and Margaret Munnelly (Manley) at Grosse Ile, Quebec, Canada. This was the landing point and quarantine location for the many Irish immigrants arriving aboard ships to Canada. He was born soon after their arrival and lived only one day. He was baptized and buried there along with close to 6,000 other Irish souls. Grosse Ile is now the site of the Irish Memorial National Historic Site of Canada. His name is etched on the memorial wall there. This photo is of the inscription on the large Celtic Cross, erected in 1909 by the Ancient Order of Hibernians in memory of all those who died there.

Parents of Roger Munnelly:
Edward Manley (1819-1903)
Margaret Dixon (1821-1881)

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Edward Munnelly & Margaret Dixon

As I mentioned in a previous post, my search began with a scrap piece of paper where I had written down 6 names, provided to me by an Aunt. I did locate this family and my Aunt's information was partially correct. Their names were Edward Manley and Margaret Dixon and they came from County Mayo, Ireland. They were my paternal great, great grandparents and this is their story...

Edward was born on the 15th of March, 1819 in the Parish of Glencastle, County Mayo, Ireland as written in his family bible.

Edward married Margaret Dixon sometime prior to departing from Ireland. In May 1846, Edward and Margaret sailed from Killala, Co Mayo aboard the 'Elizabeth and Sarah', destined for Grosse Ile, Quebec, Canada. This ship became infamously known as a 'coffin ship' due to the deplorable conditions and the length of time the crossing took. They arrived at Grosse Ile, Quebec in August, after a full 72 days at sea. Margaret was pregnant during this entire voyage with their first child. Upon arrival they were placed in the quarantine facilities at Grosse Ile.

While still in quarantine, Margaret gave birth to a son who they named Roger. This child lived only one day and was baptized and buried at Grosse Ile. Grosse Ile is now a National Park with a memorial dedicated to the thousands of Irish famine emigre's who died there. Roger's name is listed on the memorial.

From Quebec, they entered the United States and settled in Livingston Co, NY. They appear on the 1850 census living in the town of Portage with a son named Edward (b.1849). Construction on some part of the Erie Canal is likely what drew them to Portage. By 1854 they had left New York and reentered Canada, this time settling in a shanty town for Irish canal workers near Port Dalhousie, Ontario. The Welland Canal would have been the attraction for this move. In the 1861 census they are still living in the shanty town but their son Edward is not listed and does not appear anywhere else in the future so I am presuming that he died. However, by this time they have had 3 more children, John, Hugh and Mary. By the time of the 1871 census they have added another 2 children, Edward and Francis and have relocated to the town of Thorold.

Edward is listed in the 1877 Town Directory of Thorold, living on the west side of Pine Street and again in the census listings of 1881, 1891 and 1901. Margaret died on Sep 17, 1881 at around the same time that Edward lost his eyesight which forced him to retire. He lived the remainder of his life with his daughter Mary and her family. Edward died on Nov 18, 1903. He and Margaret are buried together in Lakeview Cemetery, Thorold, Ontario.

Obituary, St. Catharines Standard, Nov 18, 1903

Again has a familiar figure been removed from our midst when at 5:30 this morning Edward Manley was called to his reward at the ripe old age of 84. Deceased was a native of County Mayo, Ireland but early in life accompanied by Mrs. Manley came to Canada and during the remainder of his life with the exception of a short time in Port Dalhousie and a few years spent in the United States, he has resided in Thorold. The late Mr. Manley was one of the best known and most highly respected residents of this town, and was a devoted member of the R.C. church. For many years he was employed by Mr. John McDonagh in his extensive lumber business at lock 23, old canal, but twenty two years ago was obliged to retire from active life owing to the loss of his sight, and so during that time has been practically an invalid. Since the death of Mrs. Manley over twenty years ago he has resided with his daughter Mrs. McKenny, Carleton Street at whose home he passed away this morning. He is survived by four sons - John, Edward, Hugh and Frank and one daughter Mrs. John McKenny to whom the sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended in their hour of bereavement.

Surname Note: The name Manley is not found in the area of County Mayo that Edward came from, but the name Munnelly is quite common. This is the only area where that name is common. The records from Grosse Ile show Edward and his son Roger with the surname Munnelly so I am quite certain that the name Munnelly was anglicized to Manley.

Children of Edward Manley and Margaret Dixon:
Roger (1846 - 1846)
Edward (1849 - ?)
John (1854 - 1933)
Hugh (1856- 1925)
Mary (1859 - 1918)
Edward (1861 - 1928)
Francis (1864 - 1927)

Parents of Edward Manley and Margaret Dixon:
Unknown (This is my brick wall)

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

James Vine (1826-1899)

James Fabian Vine was born on the 20th of January, 1826 and baptized in the parish of Thursford, Norfolk, England on the 29th of January, 1826.  He is the sixth child of William Vine and Mary Ann Gould. In or around 1837 he immigrated to the United States with his parents and siblings and settled in Alden, Erie Co, NY. At some point over the next few years, he entered Canada and it is thought that he may have spent some time with his older brother William in Toronto before settling himself in the Town of Niagara.

On August 25th, 1847 James was married to Hannah Barker. The wedding ceremony was performed by the Rev. E.B. Harper and took place in the Town of Niagara. Hannah was born on Feb 5, 1832 to John and Ann Barker in Skipsea, Yorkshire, England. At the time of the marriage, both were residents of Niagara. In the 1851 Census, James and Hannah were living in St. Andrews Ward and already had three children. James was a farmer and a butcher and had been busy buying up property in Niagara.

The family is living in Stamford Twp, Welland County in the 1861 Census and the number of children has grown to nine. On Mar 20th, 1862 James purchased a plot of land in Louth Twp, Lincoln County. The deed describes him as a resident of Stamford Twp, Welland County. On Oct 17, 1864 James again buys property, this time at Lot 23, Concession 5 in Grantham Twp, Lincoln County. This is where he builds what becomes known as ''The Farm'' and where he remains for the rest of his life. At the time of the 1871 Census the family has grown to thirteen children. Only nine appear in the census as four have already married and moved out. Over the next few years they have two more children, for a grand total of fifteen and appear on the 1881 and 1891 census listings in Grantham Twp.

On the 25th of August, 1897 James and Hannah celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a party at the farm. The St. Catharines Standard published a report of the event the following day;

A golden wedding was celebrated on Wednesday, Aug 25th, at the residence of Mr. And Mrs. James Vine, Sr., of Louth Township, when the estimable couple held a reception from 4 to 10 o'clock pm. A large number of friends were present, including Mr. Vine's brother from Iowa, whom he had not seen for forty-two years. Of a large family, seven daughters and three sons were present. These have nineteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His son George and family from Minnesota were also present as well as many friends from other portions of the United States. A very enjoyable time was spent by everyone present, who all wished Mr. and Mrs. Vine a very long, happy and prosperous future. Dainty refreshments were served to over one hundred guests, one of whom was present fifty years ago.

A word about "The Farm"...
I don't know the exact date the farm was built but the property was purchased by James in 1864. The farm remained in the family right up until the mid 1970's. My great grandmother was living there then and sold it when she had to move to a nursing home. Shortly afterwards it burned to the ground. Now a highway runs through it...however, I have many fond memories of playing there as a child; helping my great grandma make applesauce, rummaging through my great Aunt's old bedrooms, getting yelled at for sliding down the bannister and being scared to death of the pond out back because someone told me there were bloodsuckers in it.

The 'Vine' Farm, St. Catharines, ON, Canada

James died on the 21st of January, 1899, followed by Hannah on the 20th of January, 1912. They are buried together at Victoria Lawn Cemetery in St. Catharines, ON, Canada.

Tombstone of James and Hannah Vine
Victoria Lawn Cemetery, St. Catharines, ON

Obituary, St. Catharines Standard, January 21, 1899;

This morning there passed away one of the district's well known men, James Vine Sr., of Grantham. Deceased was 73 years of age and was one of the best known men in the Niagara peninsula, and his large circle of friends will hear with regret of his death. Besides a widow there survives four sons and seven daughters, Albert Vine and James Vine Jr. of this city; George and Charles Vine, Crookston, Minn; Mrs. C. Gannon, Mrs. C. Smith, Mrs. J. Cramer, Grantham; Mrs. (Rev. Dr.) Burns, Hamilton; Misses Laura, Delia and Eva Vine. A considerable degree of sympathy will be extended to the family in their sad bereavement.

Funeral, St. Catharines Standard, January 24, 1899;

The funeral of the late James Vine took place on Monday afternoon to Victoria Lawn cemetery and was very largely attended, a great number of friends of the deceased turning out to pay a last tribute of respect to the memory of the departed one. Religious services were conducted at the house by Rev. G.W. Calvert, assisted by Rev. W. Smythe, after which interment took place. Those who acted as pall bearers were H.M. Bowslaugh, A. Cole, A.G. Hall, Geo Vanderburgh, W. Pay, Thos E. Dudley.

The last will and testament of James Vine was made on May 13, 1898 and proved and registered on February 16, 1899. He appointed his daughter Laura to be the sole executor. In it he left his entire estate to his wife Hannah, which included 75 acres of Lot 23 on the 5th concession of the Township of Grantham. He also stipulated that upon Hannah's death the entire estate should be sold and converted to cash (if not already done so) with $200.00 being given to each of his married daughters and the remainder to be split equally between his unmarried daughters. Twp of Grantham, Probate Court #5717, Book 13, 1899

A few interesting and amusing mentions about James from the local papers...

St. Catharines Evening Journal, October 15, 1862;

A fat cow and steer exhibited by Mr. Jas. Vine, of this town, attracted great attention and deservedly so, for they are immense beasts. the cow weighs 2,300 lbs and the steer 2,100 lbs. Many epicures yesterday indulged in beautific dreams of fine roasts, etc. at Christmas, when Mr. Vine will no doubt convert these beaves into beef. The cow took the first prize at the Provincial Exhibition.

The Toronto Globe, March 30, 1876;

Some time since a nomadic dog, the property of one James Collaton, of this town, while out in Louth, killed several valuable sheep, the property of Mr. James Vine. Mr. Vine brought a suit against Collaton, and the Magistrate before whom the case was tried (J.W. Keating) adjudged that the owner of the dog should pay the amount of damage sustained. Collaton, however could not pay for the simple reason that he was impecunious, and possessed of no goods or chattels on which to levy. Mr Vine then demanded payment from the corporation, on the ground that the dog was owned in the municipality, and as the owner was not responsible the town must father the transgression of the aforesaid canine. The council referred the matter to the solicitor, Mr. F.W. Macdonald, who has decided that the town is entitled to pay the claim preferred by Mr. Vine.

St. Catharines Journal, April 19, 1877;

A sad accident happened to one of Mr. James Vine's children on Friday last. The child was attacked by a dog and bitten in the face. The wounds are very severe, it being said that one of the child's cheeks has been almost torn off. If that be the case the child will probably be disfigured for life. It would be well if some action were taken by the authorities to suppress many of the useless curs which are to be met with daily in every part of the city.

The St. Catharines Daily Standard, August 13, 1895;

Mr. J. Vine had an adventure last evening that proved rather exciting. It was nearly dark and going outside he saw two men in a buggy intently watching his house. He asked them what they wanted and they said they guessed they'd sleep in the buggy just where they were. 'No, you won't. You just clear out of here', replied Mr. Vine, emphasizing the remark by drawing his revolver. The men left at once. Mr. V. has an idea that the men intended to break into his house just as soon as the lights were put out.

Children of James Vine and Hannah Barker:
Frederick (1848-1877)
Mary (1849-1930)
James (1851-1937)
Adah (1853-1920)
Edah (1853-1914)
William (1855-1875)
George (1856-1853)
Clara (1858-1928)
Charles (1860-1930)
Albert (1863-1923)
Francis (1865-1894)
Laura (1869-1953)
Delia (1870-1929)
Eva (1873-1936)
Ethel (1879-1880)

Parents of James Vine:
William Vine (1787-1852)
Mary Ann Gould (1796-1879)

Parents of Hannah Barker:
John Barker
Ann

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

William Vine and Mary Ann Gould

William Wine and Mary Ann Gould were married on the 10th of October, 1815 in St. Andrews Church, in the tiny village of Little Snoring, Norfolk, England. Little Snoring is a village in northern Norfolk County, very near the town of Fakenham and approximately 118 miles north, northeast of London. The church itself is one of twenty-four round tower churches still in existence in Norfolk.

Photo St. Andrews Church, Little Snoring, Norfolk, England

Photo Credit; © 2005 Michael J. Davis

Between 1816 and 1835 William and Mary Ann had ten children.  When the youngest child was old enough to travel, likely in or around 1837, the family departed England and immigrated to the United States with all ten children in tow, where they quickly settled in Alden, Erie Co, NY. just outside of Buffalo, NY. They appear in the 1840 Census in Alden, NY with the surname 'Wine'.  They appear again in Alden in the 1850 Census, but by now the surname has changed from 'Wine' to 'Vine'. William was a farmer and butcher.

William died in Alden, NY on Nov 23, 1852 at the age of 65. He is buried in the Alden Evergreen Cemetery, Alden, NY.

William Vine, Alden Evergreen Cemetery, Alden, NY
Photo Credit; © Donna Bonning (www.findagrave.com) Memorial #27721093

Mary Ann appeared in the 1860 census of Alden, NY and had a nine year old boy named Frank living with her. Frank is still a bit of a mystery. I suspect he is a grandson but that is another mystery to solve. By the time of the Census in 1870, Mary Ann was residing in West Seneca, NY at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Christianna Farthing, wife of James Farthing.

Mary Anne Gould Vine died on the 13th of Feb, 1879 in West Seneca, NY. The following death announcement appeared in the Buffalo Morning Express on the 15th of Feb, 1879;

Buffalo Morning Express, Feb 15, 1879, (p.4)
VINE - Feb 13th, 1879 at the residence of her son in law James Farthing, West Seneca, Mrs. Mary Vine in her 81st year. Funeral from the residence of James Farthing today at 12N. Burial at Alden Cemetery. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend. Train via Erie Railroad leaves at 3:25 PM

Children of William Wine (Vine) and Mary Ann Gould:
William (1816-1879)
George (1818-1883)
Christianna (1820-1881)
Sarah Ann (1822-1855)
Mary Ann (1825-1884)
James (1826-1899)
Samuel (1828-1902)
Frederick (1830-1909)
Frances Ellen (1832-1909)
Elizabeth (1835-????)

Parents of William Wine (Vine):
Unknown (Another brick wall)

Parents of Mary Ann Gould:
Elizabeth Gould

© 2009 Kindred Footprints