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Friday, April 30, 2021

Edna Mercedes Frederick Zeigler Gween of Columbiana County, Ohio and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Edna Mercedes Frederick Zeigler Gween
circa 1922

     My maternal grandmother's sister and my maternal grandaunt, Edna Mercedes Frederick.  Edna was the fourth child born to Alfred F. Frederick and Lucinda Bell Orr Frederick.

     Edna was born on August 24, 1876 in the town of Columbiana, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Edna's father, Alfred Frederick reported the birth.

     The Frederick family may have moved to Salem in Columbiana County in the mid 1880's and stayed there until the move to Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  On the 1880 Ohio Federal census, Edna's father, was employed with the railroad.  He was probably not at home for long stretches of time.  They had to live in towns where the railroad station or the rail yard was easily accessible for his work.  

Frederick Family Children
Circa 1886


     I never met my grandaunt; however, my mother, had memories of her when Aunt Edna would visit in the 1920's and early 1930's.  Apparently, Edna and her sister, Martha Marie Frederick (my maternal grandmother) were not that close.  They would talk on the telephone.  My mother's Aunt Edna would bring her presents, dolls and stuffed animals when she was young.  She remembers her as having a somewhat domineering personality; however, also had a giving nature.  I wish I had more photographs of her.  I wish I had met her.



Pittsburgh Daily Post
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
September 3, 1899
Page 13

The Pittsburgh Press
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 September 3, 1899
 Page 16

     On September 6, 1899, twenty four year old Edna May Frederick married twenty seven year old Henry G. Zeigler at her parents home on River Avenue, Esplen, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Henry G. Zeigler (sometimes referred to as first name as Harry and surname as Ziegler) was born on March 31, 1873 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Stewart B. Zeigler and Alethea D. Gunning Zeigler.

1900 Pennsylvania Federal Census
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
June 6, 1900

     The newly married Ziegler's moved in with Henry's parents at 5018 Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh. They are enumerated there on the 1900 Pennsylvania Census report, June 6, 1900. Henry (listed as Harry) was a clerk in the shoe department.  Henry's parents are running a boarding house.

     Into Henry and Edna's early married life came two tragedies.  I never knew of these two births and deaths until I subscribed to the newspaper portion of ancestry.  My mother certainly did not know her Aunt Edna had two additional children.

Pittsburgh Daily Post
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 November 12, 1900
Page 5

     Alethea Marie Zeigler, infant daughter of Harry G. and Edna M. Zeigler, died on November 11, 1900 at the residence, 5018 Liberty Avenue.  The baby was 4 months, 14 days old, having been born on June 28, 1900.  She is buried in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, along with numerous Zeigler relations.  

The Pittsburgh Press
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 17 April 17, 1902
 Page 13

     Two years later, the Zeigler's lost another infant, Robert Caldwell Zeigler on April 16, 1902 at 5018 Liberty Avenue.  Robert was born in December, 1901 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Robert is buried at Allegheny Cemetery Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, with his infant sister.

     Mary Alethea Zeigler was born in 1903, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania to Henry and Edna Zeigler.  


5703 Callowhill Road
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


1910 Pennsylvania Federal Census
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
April 19, 1910
     
     Edna Frederick Zeigler is again enumerated with her in laws along with her young daughter.  They are living in a rental property at 5703 Callowhill Road, in the Highland Park neighborhood near the Pittsburgh Zoo.  She is listed as single and employed as a telephone operator.  Henry G. Zeigler is enumerated on April 20, 1910, as a roomer in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio and employed as a shoe salesman.  He lists himself as married 11 years.  

     From the two censuses, it is somewhat unclear as to their marital status.  They do divorce and Edna remarries; however, I was not able to find the date.



     By September 12, 1918, Edna had married William Clinton Gween.  Bill was born on April 16, 1876 in Redstone Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.  He was the son of George Gween and Eliza Jane Harris Gween.  He was employed at Westinghouse as a machinist.  This was the first time I had seen Edna's middle name listed as May.  On her death certificate, it is listed as Mercedes.  The personal information was given by her daughter.  

838 Sheridan Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

1920 Pennsylvania Federal Census
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
January, 1920

William C. Gween, head, rent a house at 838 Sheriden Avenue, age 43, married, born in Pennsylvania, both parents born in Pennsylvania, employed as a foreman at an electric company.

Edna M. Gween, wife, age 43, married, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, employed as a clerk in a brokers office.

Mary A. Zeigler, step daughter, age 16, single, born in Pennsylvania, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Ohio, attended school.

     The Gween home is in the Highland Park neighborhood of Pittsburgh, near the Pittsburgh Zoo and near the street where Edna and Mary lived with the Zeigler's in 1910.



     Aunt Edna Frederick Gween and Cousin Mary Alethea Zeigler make a visit to see, Martha Jean Stark, my mother, circa 1922.  When I identified the photos, I misnamed Aunt Edna as I did not know she was married to William Gween back in the 1920's.  

     I had this photograph dated circa 1923.  Upon further inspection, I wonder if women were still wearing semi high top boots/shoes then?  My maternal grandparents are on the far left hand side of the photo.  Martha Marie Frederick Stark second row and behind her, Charles Edward Stark.  In the back row on the far right hand side are Mary Alethea Zeigler and her future husband, Robert Bruce Quinn.  

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 23 January 23, 1924
Page 8

          This was an interesting find. I was wondering why I could not locate Edna and Bill Gween in Pittsburgh after 1920. Now I know why. They moved to Uniontown, Pennsylvania.



Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 September 26, 1925
 Page 8

     On November 4, 1925, Mary Alethea Zeigler married Robert Bruce Quinn in a ceremony at Emory Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Robert was born on July 7, 1898 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  He was the son of Thomas Brown Quinn, Sr. and Margaret Frances Wells Quinn.

 


          Mary Zeigler Quinn was employed by the Joseph Horne's Company in Pittsburgh  and performing in a Christmas holiday program.

1930 Pennsylvania Federal Census
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
April 16, 1930

Edna M. Gween, age 52, married, born in Pennsylvania, both parents born in Pennsylvania, employed as a telephone operator for an auto company, renting a room at 224 South Negley Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

     I have not been able to locate Bill Gween on a 1930 census.  I wonder if Edna gave the information to the enumerator or the owner of the house?  Edna and her parents were all born in Ohio, not Pennsylvania.  Is she still married to Bill Gween?




426 Lamar Avenue
Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania


     No listing for William Gween with Edna so far in the 1930's.  I think they simply separated.  Did not divorce.  Edna's current residence is a multi family apartment.  She may be renting the single bed and bath on the first floor front.  I will note that in a 1936 obituary for George Gween, William's father, that William is listed as living in Pittsburgh.

540 Aspen Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


1940 Pennsylvania Federal Census
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
April 10, 1940


     Edna Gween, renting an apartment at 540 Aspen Street, head, age 63, married, born in Ohio, lived in the same house in 1935, employed as a telephone operator at an automobile dealership, salary is $1,107.00.  

     There is no 1940 census for William C. Gween.  He has gone off the grid and from his obituary, returned to Fayette Township, Pennsylvania and was living alone in a rural house in New Salem.

611 Aurelius Street
Swissvale, Pennsylvania

     Edna's daughter and son-in-law were living in Swissvale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in 1940.  Mary, age 37 was not working outside the home and Bob, age 43, was employed as a assistant metallurgist at a steel mill.  They lived in Swissvale in 1935, but not in the same house.  Bob's salary is $2,160.   

     It appears on the census that Bob rents the house at 611 Aurelius Street; however, I think he owns it with a mortgage.  Actually the Quinn's lived at 611 Aurelius in 1935, taken from his World War I Veterans Compensation Files.

1610 Oak Grove Street
Swissvale, Pennsylvania

     In 1942, Bob was employed by the Heppenstall Steel Company and he any Mary were living at 1610 Oak Grove Street in Swissvale.  This information was taken from Bob's World War II Draft Card.  

     For the remainder of the 1940's I have found no information for Edna or her daughter and son-in-law.  I do know at a point in time, Edna moved in with Mary and Bob.



     Although my mother had little contact with her Aunt Edna and Cousin Mary, they did send a congratulatory card to her on the birth of her son and my brother.  I believe they were all living together in 1952.  


     William Clinton Gween, age eighty one, died in his home, a rural residence in New Salem, Fayette County, Pennsylvania on November 11, 1957.  The death certificate indicates he had lived there for ten years.  Edna M. Gween is listed as his wife.





     Bill's death was heavily covered in the local newspapers.  Edna M. Gween, of Pittsburgh, is listed in all three obituaries, as his wife.  In one, step daughter, Mary Quinn, is mentioned.  

Find A Grave photograph

     He was buried on November 14, 1957 in Pleasant View Cemetery, Smock, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. There is a Gween family plot, with his parents and siblings also buried there.

Home of Robert Bruce Quinn and Mary Zeigler Quinn
824 Alpine Boulevard
Wilkins Township, Allegheny County



     Edna Mercedes Frederick Zeigler Gween, age eighty four, died on January 22, 1961 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, 824 Alpine Boulevard.  

The Pittsburgh Press
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 January 24, 1961
Page 26

          Edna's sister, Mrs. Charles E. Stark, is my maternal grandmother.  My nickname for her was "Teek".  When Aunt Edna died, I was thirteen.  I never heard anything about the death.  Teek, age eighty one, was somewhat crippled with rheumatoid arthritis and never learned to drive a car.  I wonder if she was able to attend her sister's funeral?

     Edna was buried on January 25, 1961 at William Penn Gardens of Remembrance, Churchill, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Possibly no grave marker.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 October 7, 1969
Page 28



Find A Grave photograph

     Mary Alethea Zeigler Quinn, age sixty six, died on October 4, 1969, probably in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  She was buried on October 7, 1969 in William Penn Garden of RemembranceChurchill, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania., .  I have not visited the cemetery to know if she is buried beside her mother, Edna Mercedes Frederick Zeigler Gween.

     

The Pittsburgh Press
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 September 27, 1971
Page 39


     Robert Bruce Quinn died on September 24, 1971 and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  I wonder why Bob chose Woodlawn as his final resting place?  I have not seen any relations buried there and his wife of forty four years, is buried in William Penn.  

     I did not cover Bob's service in World War I.  He enlisted as a private in the Aviation Reserve Corps in Ithaca, New York on January 5, 1918 and served until June 12, 1918 when he was discharged as a private first class.  Second he enlisted as a Marine on June 26, 1918.  He was promoted to corporal on October 25, 1918 and honorably discharged on April 15, 1919 at Paris Island, South Carolina.  

Children of Henry G. Zeigler and Edna Mercedes Frederick Zeigler:

  1. Alethea Marie Zeigler, born on June 28, 1900, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, died on November 11, 1900, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. 
  2. Robert Caldwell Zeigler, born on December, 1901, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, died on April 16, 1902, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
  3. Mary Alethea Zeigler, born 1903, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, died on October 4, 1969, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Married Robert Bruce Quinn on November 4, 1925, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  No children.


I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.
© 2021, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser


Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Albert "Burt" L. Frederick of Ohio, Pittsburgh and Chicago


     My maternal granduncle, Albert "Burt" L. Frederick, was one of my genealogical brick walls--"was" being the operative word.  I never heard a word about him and would not have known he existed except for his birth record and the 1880 Ohio census.  The stumbling block was looking for Albert Frederick.  When I found his mother's obituary I saw he was listed as Burt Frederick and living in Chicago.  Just the hint I needed.  Off and running.

     Albert Frederick was the first child born to Alfred F. Frederick  and Lucinda "Lou" Orr Frederick on July 21, 1869 in Franklin Square, Columbiana County, Ohio.  It makes sense that Alfred honored his deceased twin brother, Albert Frederick, by naming his first born son, Albert.  I have never seen what Albert's middle initial "L" stands for.

Albert "Burt" L. Frederick
circa 1886
     
     This is the only photograph I have seen of Burt.  It is cropped from a photo of the Frederick children.  Of his three children, only one had descendants and it is doubtful that additional photos of Albert exist.  The son, who had children, was born to Burt's first marriage and I am not all that certain he stayed close to his father, although as a young adult, he did live and married his first wife in Chicago.  

     Not too many years after this photograph was taken, Burt followed his father into employment with the railroad and relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  I do not know if he also worked for the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Company like his father.  Pittsburgh was the headquarters and the rails did go to Chicago.  



     Albert L. Frederick followed his father into employment with the railroad as a brakeman.  He was living as a boarder in the home of Josephine McCready, in Allegheny City across the Allegheny River from Pittsburgh.  Josephine's deceased husband, James A. McCready was an engineer with the railroad and the McCready's ran a boarding house for Railroad employees as shown in the 1880 census.

     On September 12, 1889, twenty year old Albert married  nineteen year old Georgetta "Georgia" E. McCready.  Georgetta was born on March 10, 1870 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania to James A. McCready and Josephine Rawlings McCready.

     Burt and Georgia welcomed their first child, a son, Raymond Alfred Frederick on May 18, 1891 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  A second son, Harry Harr Frederick was born on July 12, 1894 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Probably both boys were born in Allegheny City which is the area where the Fredrick's lived.  Allegheny City later was annexed by Pittsburgh in 1907.  


1901 Pittsburgh City Directory
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
page 336


1903 Pittsburgh City Directory
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
page 632


         With the limited resources to research during the 1890's and early 1900's, it appears that the Frederick's lived in the Allegheny City area during their time in the Pittsburgh area.  Allegheny City is now referred to as the North Side (of Pittsburgh).  On a map from the early 1900's I have located all the streets and they appear to be located in or near the Manchester neighborhood on the North Side.  Tracks owned then by the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway did run through Manchester.

       On November 5, 1905, Albert L. Frederick and Georgia E. McCready Frederick divorced.   It appears that Georgia moved to Los Angeles, California taking her two sons. They were in California from 1905 until she married for a second time, on April 23, 1914 to Richard W. Harmon in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.   

     I do want to mention that I was not able to find a 1900 census enumeration for Albert or Georgia and no 1910 census report for Georgia, Raymond or Harry Frederick.  Georgia does have Los Angeles City Directories beginning in 1905.  

 

1910 Illinois Federal Census
Chicago, Cook County
April 18 & 19, 1910

Burt L. Frederick, head, age 40,  married twice, married 6 years, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, working on his own account as a yardmaster at a freight yard, renting an apartment at 5303 Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois.  Six families live in the apartment. All the men heads of the household are employed with the railroad. 

Louise Frederick, wife, age 25, married once, married 6 years, one child, one alive, born in Pennsylvania, both parents born in Pennsylvania.

Sarah Frederick, daughter, age 3, single, born in Illinois, father born in Ohio, mother born in Pennsylvania.

Railroad Yardmaster

     According to Wikipedia, the railroad yard master is in charge of the activities in the rail yard.  Everything from switching the trains in the yard to different tracks to braking down the train to individual cars.  Over the years, Burt had served in many of the various forms of railroad employment and had the background to run the yard.


     Burt L. Frederick and Louise M. Saltzer married on September 2, 1914 in Lake County, Indiana.  Did Albert have two wives named Louise?  Did Albert not marry the Louise Frederick of the 1910 census until 1914?

     I have been unsuccessful tracking down Louise Saltzer, even using 1888 as her birth year and birth in Pennsylvania.  I have found nothing on her parents.


6601 Wood Street
Second Floor



1920 Illinois Federal Census
Chicago, Cook County
January 16, 1920

Bert Fredrick, head, age 51, born on Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, employed as a conductor with the railroad, renting the second floor of a house at 6601 Wood Street, West Englewood, Chicago, Illinois.

Louise Fredrick, wife, age 32, born in Pennsylvania, father born in Germany, mother born in France.

Sara Fredrick, daughter, age 13, attended school, born in Illinois, father born in Ohio, mother born in Pennsylvania.

     Louise's birth year is 1888 and the born in Pennsylvania matches; however her parents country of origin do not match the 1910 census.  Does that mean anything?       


      It was a red letter day when Illinois death information began to be posted out on ancestry.  Not only did I find this valuable piece of information, but I also finally found where Burt's father and my maternal great grand father, Alfred F. Frederick died.  Burt in Chicago and Alfred, not that far away in Highland Park.  I wonder if Burt ever visited his Dad at the Home for Railroaders located there?

     I have been rewarded with pulling the trigger on subscribing to ancestry's newspaper option and then adding the option of newspapers after about 1920.  Burt's obituary gave me a peek into his personal life and solidified that he and is family do connect to me.

     Albert "Burt" L. Frederick died at age fifty four, at his home, 6545 Wood Street, Chicago, Illinois, on June 26, 1924.   

From Find A Grave

     Burt was buried in Beverly Cemetery, Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois  on June 28, 1924.  I added his information to Find A Grave back in 2010 when I found the death information.  In 2018 his grave marker was added under a separate listing.  The symbol shown n the marker is that of the Shriners.

     I learned from the obituary that my grand uncle was very involved with free masonry in Chicago.

Medinah Temple Shrine Mosque
Chicago, Illinois

Scottish Rite Cathedral and
Oriental Consistory

Englewood 59 Commandery Knights Templar

     Often I end the blog with the death of the direct relation; however, I decided to continue on with Burt's family.  

     Albert's oldest son, Raymond Alfred Frederick was living in the Chicago area and married Dorothy Bohne on September 5, 1916.  Burt's first grandchild, Ruth Dorothy Frederick, was born on June 5, 1922 in Chicago.  Was Albert close with his son?  Did they gather for holidays?  His son's were raised by his first wife, primarily in California.   


     Three years after her father's death, Sarah L. Frederick, age twenty one, died at her home, 7350 South Halstead, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.  Her parents are listed as Burt L. Frederick and Louise Saltzer.  The birth information for Burt is incorrect.  He was not born in Pennsylvania.

Chicago Tribune
Chicago, Illinois
December 27, 1927
Page 27

Find A Grave photograph
     
     Sarah L. Frederick was buried at Beverly Cemetery, Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois  on December 28, 1927.  I have not visited the cemetery; however, suppose, Sarah is buried beside her father.  I do not know why her marker has her name as Sara since all the records I have list her as Sarah.

     Louise Frederick, widow of Albert, now alone in Chicago as her daughter has died, found an apartment to rent at 2350 Halsted Street in Chicago for $65.00 a month.  Numerous other people are also renting rooms in the building.  Louise is listed as a widow and is not employed.


     On April 29, 1933, Louise Marie Saltzer Frederick married divorcee, Frederick "Fred" Wadley in Cook County, Illinois  Fred had five children children from his first marriage to Edna Rebecca Evison.  One child, a daughter, died as an infant.  Frederick was born November 12, 1887 in Kane County, Illinois.  He was the son of Lester S. Wadley and Mary May Quinn.

     The 1940 Illinois census lists Fred and Louise living at 7922; however, the enumerator did not list the street.  They lived in the same house in 1935 and 1940.  Fred was employed with a building contractor as a carpenter.  


     On November 20, 1940, Louise Marie Saltzer Frederick Wadley died at age fifty three in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.  

Find A Grave photograph

     Louise was buried at Beverly Cemetery, Blue Island, Cook County, Chicago.  I assume that she is buried beside her first husband, Albert "Burt" L. Frederick and her daughter Sarah L. Frederick.  

     Fred Wadley died in 1972 and was buried in the Wadley/Evison plot in Fairmont-Willow Hills Memorial Park, Willow Springs, Illinois along with his divorced wife and several of their children.  

Children of Albert "Burt" L Frederick and Georgetta "Georgia" E. McCready Frederick:

  1. Raymond Alfred Frederick, born May 18, 1891 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, died on March 15, 1961 in Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  Married first, Dorothy Bohne, on September 5, 1915 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.  One child, a daughter, Ruth Dorothy Frederick Mayer.  Married second,  Cecelia E. Humphrey.  One child, Richard Clark Frederick.  Served with the United States Army Air Service Aeronautics during World War I.
  2. Harry Harr Frederick, born on July 12, 1894 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, died on February 14, 1940 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Married 1923, Dorothy Starcher.  Divorced about 1929.  One child, a daughter, Mary K. Frederick.

Child of Albert "Burt" L. Frederick and Louise Marie Saltzer Frederick:

  1. Sarah L. Frederick, born on May 16, 1906 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois and died on December 26, 1927 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

 Other Blogs on Flipside for Albert L. Frederick:

-Albert L. Frederick--Brick Wall

-Albert L. Frederick--Brick Wall Crumbles



I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.
© 2021, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser