Picatinny: Margaret Williams Paulus

Margaret Williams Paulus
Born: Nov 4 1887, Neath(?), Pennsylvania
Died: March 4 1972, Succasunna, Morris, New Jersey
Relation to Author: Great Grandmother
Mother of Elizabeth (Betty) Paulus Cheney

Margaret Paulus (nee Williams) was born in Pennsylvania in 1887 to Robert Williams and Elizabeth Williams (nee Thomas), who were both immigrants from Wales. She married Frederick Paulus - the son of immigrants from Germany. At the age of 56 and then again at age 64 Margaret went to work for Picatinny Arsenal.

I am guessing that part of the reason Margaret worked at this late age was because of the early death of her husband, who died on March 12, 1934 at the age of 47. Before working at Picatinny, Margaret worked at Van Raalte Hosiery on Myrtle Avenue in Boonton, New Jersey - from 1926 through June of 1943. So she was working before her husband died, but it seems she might have continued because of the loss of his income. How Social Security played into her decision is unclear to me - maybe something for a future post.

Margaret Paulus' first stint at Picatinny was from June of 1943 through October of 1945. She started as a senior laborer making $4.80 per day ($62.68 in today's dollars) and ending as a shop inspector making $0.87 per hour ($10.92 in today's dollars).

Her second stint was from March 1951 through February 1957. Margaret worked as a machining inspector / machine tool inspector / machined parts inspector - inspecting inert components with a starting pay of $1.40 per hour ($12.17 in today's dollars) and ending at $1.96 per hour ($15.76 in today's dollars).

To get a sense of the work she performed, here are the duties from a job description for the Machining Inspector:

Inspects metal parts manufactured by the Arsenal metal shops. Inspections performed cover a great variety of grenades, fuzes, boosters, primers, rockets, and shells, as well as numerous small components parts such as lock assemblies, rotors, firing pins, springs and other items which are internally assembled into the major components. From completed lots selects samples in accordance with Standard Sampling Plan and performs inspections visually and by the application of gages and precision measuring instruments, such as micrometers, verniers, calipers and dial indicators.

Margaret's time at Picatinny ended in October of 1945 ostensibly because of the end of World War II. Though the termination notice does not spell this out explicitly, it seem obvious since notice was received September 24, 1945, only 22 days after victory over Japan. The personnel records show her being terminated in 1957 due to a reduction in force, but it doesn't explain why there was a reduction at that time and I can think of no obvious historical reason.

As you can see, I included her wages in today's dollars. I think it puts it into perspective better. After all, seeing that she was paid $0.87 per hour seems ridiculous and gives the wrong impression. And just to add a little more perspective, $10.92 per hour is roughly $22,700 for the year (assuming 40 hours per week and 52 weeks). 

Before They Were Grandparents

Helen Leary Keenan
Born: November 4, 1909, North Lawrence, New York
Died: May 1, 2004, North Lawrence, New York
Relation to Author: Grandmother

Hubert Keenan
Born: March 20, 1907, St. Lawrence County, New York
Died: November 14, 1984, North Lawrence, New York
Relation to Author: Grandfather

My mother has a collection of old pictures from her side of the family. I have started scanning them and will be posting them on this blog from time to time.

I think it is fitting to start with this picture of Helen Keenan (nee Leary) and Hubert Keenan - my grandparents - because it is one of my favorites. I just love this picture. I love seeing them in their youth. I knew them when they were much older, of course. And to see them so young, vibrant, and happy is amazing. 

While I don't have a date or location for the picture, they look to be about the same age as in their wedding picture (coming soon to this blog) so I would guess the picture is from sometimes around 1937. If anyone has better information, definitely let me know. Otherwise, just enjoy!

New Feature: 150 Years Ago

As you know by now, some of my (our) ancestors on the Cheney side fought in the American Civil War. And since the country will be recognizing the 150th anniversary of the war over the next four years, I will do the same thing here. This blog will mark the events that our ancestors participated in by featuring posts on the 150 year anniversary of when they actually happened. 

I'll start with Judson Cheney and his enlistment 150 years ago this November and follow him through his death at Chaffin's Farm. In 2014 I'll follow Justice Cheney's unfortunately short tenure in the war and in 2015 follow Jesse Cheney as he witnesses the end of the war. 

The events (and therefore the posts) will be spread pretty far apart, but that should give me time to do some research and include some good detail and information. 

The Next Generation (continued)

Brooks, my nephew was born recently. He is the second in the next generation of Cheneys. He is joined by Eamon - the two cousins are the same age and we assume will share many adventures.

Brooks was born in New Jersey - at Morristown Medical Center and will be living in Chatham - a suburban town with good schools that is a 45 minute train ride outside of New York City. His mother is an attorney and his father is a technical engineer (working for Major League Baseball Network - how cool!).

To give you a sense of the world Brooks is being born into: The governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie, an outspoken and brash Republican (and major Bruce Springsteen fan) who is battling the teachers unions in order to help deal with the states' budget deficits. He has repeatedly said that he will not run for president in 2012, but has been asked often because he is a prominent and popular national Republican. Depending on what happens in 2012 (ie if Obama wins reelection), he is considered likely to run in 2016.

On the day Brooks was born, the New York Times and Wall Street Journal featured stories about Steve Jobs resigning from his post of CEO Apple - seemingly because his health is preventing him from fulfilling his duties. Also, rebels broke through into Triploli, signaling the end of Muammar Quaddafi's regime in Libya. The Libya revolution is part of an "Arab Spring" with protests, uprisings and revolutions in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Bahrain, Yemen, and Tunisia.

More importantly, Brooks was born between two significant natural disaster events: an earthquake on August 23, 2011 and a hurricane (Irene) on August 27-28, 2011. Both affected the New York / New Jersey area, although the earthquake was minor - only a 5.8 on the Richter scale at it's epicenter in Virginia. The hurricane caused some flooding, as I am sure his parents will tell him about all the time when he is older.

There are two big issues in domestic politics right now: government debt (which I think is getting more attention than it needs - it is a long term problem not a short term one) and jobs (which isn't getting as much attention as 9% unemployment deserves).

Barack Obama is president and faces reelection in November 2012; his approval ratings are currently declining. The Republican primary field is shaping up, with Rick Perry (three-term governor of Texas), Mitt Romney (former governor of Massachusetts), and Michelle Bachmann (third term Congresswoman from Minnesota) the current front runners. Other candidates include Newt Gingrich (Speaker of the House during Clinton's administration), Rick Santorum (anti-gay former Senator from Pennsylvania), Herman Cain (anti-Muslim owner of Godfather's Pizza), and John Huntsman (former governor of Utah and former ambassador to China in Obama's administration).

The Fire and the Community

The Fire
November 24, 1927 (Thanksgiving)
Residence of Walter and Ida Leary
North Lawrence, NY

Died in the Fire
Arthur Leary (brother of Walter Leary) - Born: ABT 1867
Mary Clare Leary - Born: Sept 10, 1905
Evelyn Leary - Born: Feb 13, 1914
Rita Leary - Born: July 10, 1916
James Walter Leary - Born: Jan 31, 1920
Esther Leary - Born: Feb 27, 1918

Survived
Walter Leary - Born Jan 5, 1874; Died July 19, 1960
Ida Leary - Born Sep 1, 1878; Died Jan 7, 1981
Arthur Leary - Born Dec 15, 1903; Died May 19, 1968
Catherine Leary - Born Oct 7, 1907; Died Feb 29, 1988
Helen Leary Keenan - Born Nov 4, 1909; Died May 1, 2004
Barry Leary - Born Mar 2, 1912; Died Nov 29, 1969


I feel pretty comfortable assuming that all of the grandchildren of Helen Leary Keenan have at least heard the fire mentioned and probably briefly described. We all probably know the general story; it happened in the morning on Thanksgiving, the four youngest - Evelyn, Rita, James and Esther - and the second oldest - Mary Clare - died in the fire along with Helen’s uncle (her dad’s brother) Arthur. We also probably remember hearing that Mary Clare was found with the three young girls and that Jimmy, the youngest boy, was at the window but walked back into the fire.

The obituary of Walter Leary in 1960 says the following about the fire 33 years later: “The family received aid from all over the North Country after their plight. This fire is still considered one of the worst tragedies ever to occur in this area.”

I think these two sentences capture the two big aspects of this tragic event; how this affected our family and how the community responded. In this post I want to cover the community response.

Here is a quote from a Potsdam Courier Freeman article on the fire (Nov 30, 1927) regarding the community response.

The entire North country has moved swiftly in response to an appeal for members of the family. Prominent men from 16 different towns gathered in the stricken village Friday afternoon to render what aid was possible. In less than a moment $500 [author's note: this is $6,492 in today's dollars] was subscribed before the better plan was adopted of opening a subscription in each of the towns so that all who cared might contribute. About $2,000 was pledged up to yesterday [$25,968 in today's dollars].

The fund was opened by R.H. McEwen, former North Lawrence resident, and now Ogdensburg banker, with a check for $100 [$1,298 in today's dollars].

An organization meeting was held in the town hall in Winthrop Saturday night when representatives from the surrounding towns gathered to lay plans. Rev. Father Jacques of the St. Lawrence church, North Lawrence was named treasurer. Malone, Massena, Potsdam, Nicholville, Brasher, Wintrop and St. Regis Falls were represented.

In Potsdam Sunday morning the ministers brought the matter to the attention of the congregation and asked for help. A canvas was made Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock by the district Boy Scouts. The work will be continued for several days and checks may be made to Allan L. Gurley of Potsdam.

The women of Winthrop will provide furniture for one bedroom for the family.

Women and girls named Helen will contribute specifically for Miss Helen Leary and those named Katherine will aid Katherine Leary both of whom were sleeping on the ground floor of the house when the fire broke out. They escaped with Mr. and Mrs. Leary.

Aid for the two remaining sons will be provided by all Sunday school classes composed of boys in the North Country. The other son [Arthur] was in New Jersey when the fire occurred.

My first thought is how amazing it is that the community responded in this way. I want to believe that this type of generosity still exists, but I wonder if it is possible in an age of increased urbanization and the decline of the small community. Either way, the article shows that the community rallied to offer what they could to help a family that experienced one of the worst tragedies ever in the area.

Obituary: Jean Adams Blake

Jean Adams Blake
Born: April 22, 1924, Albany, New York
Died: August 23, 2011, Frederick, Maryland
Relation to Author: Grandmother-In-Law

Jean Adams Blake (born: Jean Place Adams) died earlier this week. We are all very sad at the loss and miss her already. However, we are comforted by the fact that she lived to watch her 8 grandchildren grow-up and to meet her great-grandson, Eamon Blake Cheney in July.

In the future, I hope to have some posts remembering Jean Blake, but in the meantime, here is her obituary from the Frederick News Post (published Wednesday, August 24 2011).

Mrs. Jean Adams Blake, 87, died of a stroke on August 23, 2011, at Frederick Memorial Hospital. Her husband, John Blake, preceded her in death in 2006. She is survived by four children and their spouses: Catherine Blake and Frank Eisenberg; John Blake and Bette Loiselle; Ann Blake and Ian MacDonald; Jim and Nancy Blake. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild [Eamon Blake Cheney].

Born on April 22, 1924, in New York, Jean Blake graduated from Vassar in 1945 and was married on April 2, 1949. She lived in Washington D.C. for many years, where she worked at the Naval Observatory before retiring with her husband to a tree farm near Wolfsville. In 2005 she moved to the Buckingham's Choice retirement community near Buckeystown.

Memorial services will be private. Donations may be sent to the Residents Assistance Fund at Buckingham's Choice, 3200 Baker Circle, Adamstown, MD 21710.

Father Art: An Intro

Monsignor Arthur Michael Leary
Born: December 15, 1903
Died: May 19, 1968
Relation to Author: Grand Uncle
Brother of Helen Keenan (nee Leary)

Arthur Leary, the second oldest of Walter Leary and Ida Elizabeth Leary (nee Barry), was a Monsignor in the Catholic Church. To the family, he was known as Father Art. In future posts, I'll look at his work in the church. But here, I am going to introduce him and give an overview of his life.

Monsignor Leary began his post-high school education at Potsdam Teachers College, graduating in 1922. After teaching in public schools for 6 years, he got a bachelor of science degree from Fordham University in 1928. He entered Wadhams Hall Seminary in Ogdensburg, New York (which closed in 2002 due to low enrollment - a sign of changed times) the same year. After one year he transferred to Louvain Seminary in Belgium and was ordained in July of 1934.

When he returned to the US he would spend the rest of his career, excluding getting his master's degree, in the Ogdensburg Diocese (there are 196 diocese in the US). Just to give you some flavor for the diocese, it was created in 1872 out of the Albany diocese and covers 12,000 square miles including Lewis, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, and Essex Counties plus parts of Herkimer and Hamilton Counties. In 1949 it had 118,682 Catholics, 154 parishes, and 171 priests including Father Art.

Arthur Leary's first job after being ordained was as vice principal of St. Mary's Academy in Ogdensburg. He was named principal in 1936. In 1939, Father Art was transferred to St. John's Church in Plattsburgh, New York where he was principal of St. John's Academy. In 1943 he received a master's degree from Catholic University in Washington, DC. After receiving his master's degree, Father Leary was named Secretary of Education for the Ogdensburg diocese.

In August of 1953, Arthur Leary was awarded the honor of Domestic Prelate with the right to the title of Rt. Reverend Monsignor by Pope Pius XII. On April 14, 1959, Monsignor Leary was named pastor of St. Mary's Church in Massena, New York (which I believe was the biggest parish in the diocese).

The work that most interests me, and will be the focus of further posts on Father Art, is his education work. His obituary said that as Secretary of Education, he was instrumental in updating curriculum for the Catholic schools in upstate New York and had a major role nationally as well. I'll be exploring that in the future.