James Athya

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “adventure.”

I don't have a picture of James but this
picture of his parents, Margaret Shaw Athya
and Robert Durie Athya, will give you
and idea of what he looked like.

James Athya, son of Robert Durie Athya and Margaret Shaw, was born in Bellshill, Scotland about 1920. He was the oldest child of three—James Athya, Margaret Shaw Athya, and Robert Durie Athya Jr. James would be my husband’s 1st cousin 1x removed. Their nearest common relatives are James Athya and Jemima Durie, his paternal grandparents and my husband’s maternal great-grandparents.

Following the Scottish naming pattern of the first son being named after his father’s father, James was named for his paternal grandfather, James Athya. Sadly, baby James would never know his grandfather who died in 1913.

James was one year old when his sister Margaret was born in 1921 and four years old when Robert Jr. was born in 1924. When James was just six years old, his mother was stricken with encephalitis lethargica (also known as “sleeping sickness”) and died on August 9, 1926 at Connolly Hospital in Motherwell, a town in Lanarkshire, Scotland. According to Wikipedia, “Between 1915 and 1926, an epidemic of encephalitis lethargica spread around the world. Nearly five million people were affected, a third of whom died in the acute stages. Many of those who survived never returned to their pre-existing ‘aliveness.’” His mother’s burial location is unknown to me, but I would assume she was buried somewhere in Bellshill or perhaps taken to Inverness-shire where she was born. The Dalziel Parish, County of Lanark death registry recorded her age as 37 years. Now James’ father Robert was left to raise three young children alone. Both of his parents were gone so he would get no help there.

Ellis Island in 1905, A. Coeffler [Public domain]
via Wikimedia Commons;
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ellis_Island_in_1905.jpg.

In 1930, Robert made the decision to travel to America where his brother George Athya and sister Margaret (Maggie) Athya Close were already living. On June 6, the family boarded the S.S. Translyvania in Glasgow, Scotland, and James was off on his first big adventure. They left his aunt Lizzie Athya Anderson behind in Rutherglen. My guess is that aunt Lizzie had been a mother figure to James after the death of his mother. The final destination for the Athya family was West Apollo, Pennsylvania where George Athya lived. The ship manifest contained some of James’ physical characteristics noting that he was of average height, had a fair complexion and hair, and blue eyes. He had no marks of identification on his body. James was in good health, both physically and mentally, which probably helped him on the journey to America. Traveling as third-class passengers would have been anything but an adventure. They arrived in Ellis Island in New York on June 15 as reported in the Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester, New York on June 16.

T.S.S. Transylvania.
This file is from flickr. Author is unknown
[CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]

Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York, June 16, 1930

Their stay in America was to be permanent. Once in New York, they had to travel over 350 miles to Apollo. By 1935, James and his family had moved to Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio where James’ aunt Maggie lived with her family. Steubenville is located about 70 miles west of Apollo.

In 1939, James set out on another adventure. While still living in Steubenville, he headed south seeking a good time at the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. He never made it though and his adventure ended up being a 10 day stay in an Alabama jail instead. James and another young man named Jesse Williams were apparently riding the blinds on a west bound Louisville and Nashville (L&N) freight and passenger train in Bay Minette, a city in Mobile County, Alabama. They were caught and arrested as vagrants by deputies Ben Kucera and J. B. Pruitt. J. M. Franklin, the justice of the peace, sentenced them to 10 days in jail. I didn’t know what riding the blinds meant so had to look it up. Debra Devi, author of Language of the Blues: Riding the Blinds, described “riding the blinds” as “the dangerous hobo practice of riding between cars on a moving freight train, so as to be out of sight of the train crew or police. On a passenger train, this spot was the walkway between the cars. ... Hobos also rode in the spaces between the baggage or mail cars near the coal tender.” James would have done better for himself if he had just paid for a ticket to New Orleans. James’ convict record noted that he was charged with the crime of vagrancy for evading railroad fare. His sentence began on February 24, 1939 for a term of 30 days. He was received on March 4 in good condition. His teeth were good and he weighed 117 pounds.

Convict record for James Athya

On April 3, 1940, James was living at the Union Mission in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia. Union Mission, a service organization that ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of the needy that opened in 1911 and is still in operation today. In addition to living at the Mission, James worked as a bailer in the industrial department there for an income of $400 (per year). He was enumerated as Jimmy Athya, born in Ohio, which we know is not true. At 20 years of age, the highest grade he’d completed was his first year in high school.

We don't have proof but the family story is that James died in a car accident in Florida about 1941. Family members heard he went through the roof of the car which makes them think it was a convertible. He was working for a carnival at the time, another adventure I’d love to have more information about. I have yet to find a death record for James and note that the estimated date is based on a letter I received from my husband’s uncle John T. Athya in March 2001. For someone whose life was cut short at the young age of 21, James had more adventures than some people see in a lifetime.

November 27, 2025 update: Newspaper article found confirming James' death in a car accident.

January 9, 2026: Another update

References

• “Blind-Riding Pair Taken from Train,” The Baldwin Times, Bay Minette, Alabama, February 9, 1939.
• “Steamer Arrivals,” Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York on June 16, 1930.
• Alabama, Convict Records, 1886–1952.
• Encephalitis lethargica; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encephalitis_lethargica.
• Given Names, Scotland Names Personal, Family Search; https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Scotland_Names_Personal.
• List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival, New York, Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820–1957.
• U. S. Federal Census, Charleston, Kanawha, West Virginia, 1940.
• UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890–1960.
• Devi, Debra, Language of the Blues: Riding the Blinds, November 6, 2015; https://www.americanbluesscene.com/language-of-the-blues-riding-the-blinds/.

John W. Close Jr.

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “same name” so this post is about a man named John. John had four other men named John in his life, including three that had the same middle initial as him—W.

John W. Close Jr., son of John W. Close Sr. and Margaret Wylie Athya, was born in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio on July 30, 1917. He was the third child of three—James Close, Ina Close, and John W. Close Jr. John would be the 1st cousin 1x removed of my husband Charles. Their nearest common relatives are James Athya and Jemima Durie of Glasgow, Scotland.

John was the first-generation American in this family. His brother James was born in Bellshill, Scotland in 1905; his sister Ina was born in Scotland on Christmas Day 1907. His parents, brother James, and sister Ina left Scotland in 1912, traveling to Canada. Once arriving in Canada, they settled at Joggins Mines in Nova Scotia, where they lived for two years. In July 1914, John Sr. left Nova Scotia for America, having an uncle in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio. John Sr. settled in Steubenville and then brought his family there in November. John Sr. bought a two-story house on Grandview Avenue to raise his family.

Ship manifest for Maggie Athya Close, her son James, and daughter Ina

The 1920s brought some stability to the Close family. On January 22, 1920, the census enumerator found them living in the Grandview Avenue home. John was a toddler at 2 ½ years old. His father worked on heater furnaces in a mill. A divorced friend named Della Jarvis lived in the home with them. But their stability would be shattered in 1925 when James, John’s 19-year-old brother, died of pneumonia at home in Steubenville on February 21. They buried James at Union Cemetery in Steubenville. And then four years later (about 1929), John’s sister Ina married Joseph Schneider and moved out of the home, leaving 11-year-old John home alone with his parents. Ina didn’t go far though—she and Joseph remained in Steubenville until 1950 when they built a home in nearby Wintersville, less than five miles from Steubenville.

1920 Soundex card for the John Close family

On April 2, 1930, the family still lived in the Grandview Avenue house. John’s father continued to work in the steel mill, now as a laborer. They had two lodgers living in the home at the time—John W. Irwin (the third male named “John W” living under the same roof) and his wife Norma. John married Dorothy Elizabeth Sells, daughter of John W. Sells (4th man named John W) and Ella L. Rine, in Wellsburg, Brooke, West Virginia on May 15, 1936. He was 22 and she 21. Their marriage was blessed with two children—John Carl Close (5th man named John, born 1939) and Shirley Jean Close (born 1941).

1936 marriage license for John and Dorothy

Sometime after the wedding, John and Dorothy moved the family to Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. On April 26, 1940, they lived in a house located 160 South 16th Street. John worked a jack hammer (at least that’s what I believe the census enumerator wrote) for the W.P.A., or Work Projects Administration. According to Wikipedia, “The Works Progress Administration (WPA; renamed in 1939 as the Work Projects Administration) was the largest and most ambitious American New Deal agency, employing millions of people (mostly unskilled men) to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads. By the time an unemployed John registered for the World War II draft in Pittsburgh on October 16, 1940, they had moved to 1618 Roland Street in Pittsburgh. John was 5’ 8 ½” tall and weighed 150 pounds, had brown eyes and hair, a ruddy complexion, and a scar on his lip and chin. John served as a private first class in the U.S. Marine Corps. He entered into active service in Pittsburgh on August 8, 1945 and served until April 26, 1946 when he was separated with an honorable discharge at Parris Island, South Carolina.

On January 18, 1950, John filed an “Application for World War II Compensation.” At the time, he lived at 49 Thomas Street in Crafton, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. His application was disallowed for having served less than 60 days active service during the eligibility period. John was still living on Thomas Street in 1957. He worked as a foreman at Dacar in Pittsburgh, which appears to still be in existence. According to their webpage, Dacar “is the oldest Pittsburgh-based company making water treatment chemicals in southwestern Pennsylvania.” It’s interesting to me that he worked there. His brother James, who died in 1925, was a chemist.

The year 1957 would end on a sad note with the death of John’s 80-year-old father in Steubenville on December 15, 1957. John Sr. suffered from lobar pneumonia. His funeral was held on December 18 at the Cole Brothers Funeral Home, followed by burial at Union Cemetery in Steubenville. Ten years would pass before the death of his 88-year-old mother of congestive heart failure on December 19, 1968 at Ina’s Wintersville home. Maggie was buried at Union Cemetery beside her husband John Sr. Another 10 years would pass before John lost his sister Ina who died in Steubenville at the age of 70 on August 16, 1978. She was buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Steubenville. And then another 10 years would pass before John died of lung cancer at Forbes Hospital in Pittsburgh on July 12, 1988. He was buried at Jefferson Memorial Park on Curry Hollow Road Pleasant Hills, a suburb of Pittsburgh. John was survived by his wife Dorothy, son John, daughter Shirley, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His obituary notes that he had been an instructor at a vocational school. He lived in Crafton Heights at the time of his death.

Gravestone photo by Searching, Find A Grave ID 47333277

I wonder if any of his grandchildren were named John.


References

• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Certificate of Death, 071043, John Close Jr., July 12, 1988.
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Certificate of Death, 9339, James Close, February 23, 1925.
• Darcar Industries, Company Biography; http://www.dacar.com/about/FSabout.html.
• John W Close Jr. obituary, The Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 13, 1988.
• Marriage License Record, 236, Brooke County, West Virginia, John Close and Dorothy Sells, May 15, 1936.
• Ohio, Birth Index, 1908–1964.
• Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1777–1999.
• Pennsylvania, Veteran Compensation Applications, WWII, 1950.
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1957.
• Registration Card, D.S.S. Form 1, John Close Jr., undated.
• S.S. Grampian, Card Manifest Data Sheet, John Close, July 9, 1914 and Maggie Close, November 8, 1914.
• Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Multiple Registrations March 14, 1938.
• U.S. Census, Steubenville, Jefferson, Ohio, 1920, 1930.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850–2010.
• U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007.
• U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947.
• U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s–Current.
• Union Cemetery Association Interment Directory, James Close, February 24, 1915.

Margaret Shaw

Margaret Shaw Athya (ca. 1917-18)

Margaret Shaw, daughter of Ewen Shaw and Catherine McGillivray, was born between 1884 and 1889 (see table below) in Dores, a village located in the Shire of Inverness, Scotland. According to Wikipedia, Inverness-shire is the largest county in Scotland. Margaret came from a large family of at least nine children—Anne Shaw, John Shaw, David J. Shaw, Catherine S. Shaw, Marjory F. (or Mary or May) Shaw, Bella F. Shaw, Margaret Shaw, Davidina Shaw, and Ewen James Shaw. Margaret was the wife of my husband’s grand uncle Robert Durie Athya. She and my husband have no common relative.

In 1891, Margaret and her family lived at Mackay’s House on Stephens Brae in Inverness. She was enumerated as a five-year-old scholar. They were still living at Mackay’s House four years later when Margaret’s father Ewen, a blacksmith, died there on January 11, 1895.

In 1901, Margaret, her mother, and seven of her siblings, ranging in age from 31 to 7, lived in Inverness at 9 Abbotsford Terrace on Greig Street. At 17 years of age, Margaret earned a living as a domestic servant. She was enumerated as Maggie vs. Margaret. The year 1901 would have been a sad but exciting time for Margaret. Queen Victoria died on January 22 and her son Edward became the King of the United Kingdom. Victoria, who had reigned since 1837, had been the Queen during Margaret’s entire lifetime so this would have been a huge historical event for a teenage subject of the United Kingdom. King Edward VII's coronation took place in 1902.

Back of Margaret Shaw Athya photo

Sometime between 1901 and 1917, Margaret’s mother passed away. I can’t find a death record for Catherine but when Margaret married Robert Durie Athya, son of James Athya and Jemima Durie, on November 23, 1917 in Rosskeen, Scotland, Catherine was recorded as “deceased.” The registry noted that Margaret was a domestic servant and spinster. At the time, World War I was raging and her groom was serving with Scotland’s Black Watch—a Sergeant with the Cameron Highlanders. The photo of Margaret above was taken ca. 1917–1918. She wrote the following on the back of the photo: “To my Darling Hubby with fondest love. How Do you like your little boy. Yours Loving. Maggie Athya.” In the bottom right corner, she wrote “Don’t smile.” It’s believed she was working in a factory at the time and was showing Robert her sense of humor.

Margaret and Robert had three children together. Their first child, a boy they named James Athya, was born about 1920. They welcomed daughter Margaret Shaw Athya on August 21, 1921. A third child, Robert Durie Athya Jr. joined the family on June 18, 1924. James, Margaret, and Robert were all born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland. They were all given family names—son James was given his paternal grandfather’s name; daughter Margaret was given her mother’s first and maiden names; and son Robert given his father’s full name.

Newlyweds Margaret and Robert Athya
(ca. 1917-18)

When Margaret’s youngest child was just two years old, she was stricken with encephalitis lethargica (also known as “sleeping sickness”) and died on August 9, 1926 at Connolly Hospital in Motherwell, a town in Lanarkshire, Scotland. According to Wikipedia, “Between 1915 and 1926, an epidemic of encephalitis lethargica spread around the world. Nearly five million people were affected, a third of whom died in the acute stages. Many of those who survived never returned to their pre-existing ‘aliveness.’” Margaret and Robert lived in Bellshill at the time of her death. Her burial location is unknown to me, but I would assume she was buried somewhere in Bellshill or perhaps taken to Inverness-shire where she was born. The Dalziel Parish, County of Lanark death registry recorded Margaret’s age as 37 years.

Four years after Margaret’s death, Robert and their three children emigrated to America where they settled in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio. They joined Robert’s sister Margaret Athya Close and his brother George Durie Athya who had been living in America since 1920.

I noted earlier that Margaret was born between 1884 and 1889. Unfortunately, I can’t pinpoint her birthdate. The four records I find equate to different birth years. Each record provides Margaret’s age as well as a record date. When you do the math, things don’t add up. Here’s what I’ve found:

Hopefully a birth or burial record will eventually be found for Margaret that will help solve the mystery.

52 Ancestors – Ina Close – (83-2016)

Ina Close

Ina Close, daughter of John W. Close, Sr. and Margaret Athya, was born in Bellshill, Scotland on Christmas Day, December 25, 1907. She was the second child of three—James Close, Ina Close, and John W. Close, Jr.

On May 8, 1912 when Ina was four years old, the Athya family left Glasgow, Scotland via the S.S. Grampian, arriving in Quebec, Canada on June 16. Upon arrival, they settled in Joggins Mines in Nova Scotia where they lived for two years. The outward passenger list contained a surprise for me in that it listed Ina as Jemima. It makes sense as her maternal grandmother’s name was Jemima Durie Athya. Was this an attempt to name her after her grandmother Athya? In all of my conversations with my mother-in-law about this family, she never mentioned a name change for Ina. I wonder if she knew about it.

S.S. Grampian outward passenger list

In 1914, Ina’s father left the family behind in Nova Scotia and traveled to America, arriving at the Port of Vanceboro, Maine via Class D on July 9. He was 36 years old and was joining his uncle, William J. McCandler, who lived in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio. The rest of the family arrived in America via the Port of Buffalo, New York on November 8, 1914. All but Ina’s brother John would remain in Steubenville the rest of their life. John eventually moved to Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania where he lived until his death in 1988.

1914 manifest -- Nova Scotia to Buffalo, NY

On January 22, 1920, Ina lived at 641 Grandville Avenue in Steubenville with the rest of her family. She able to read and write and was recorded as having attended school at some time since September 1, 1919. The census enumerator listed her as an “Alien” who spoke English. Her father worked in a heater furnace mill.

Ina’s possible namesake, her grandmother Jemima Athya, died in Glasgow, Scotland in 1924. Ina, a student, still lived at home with her family on Grandview Avenue. I’ve found no record of grandmother Jemima ever visiting the family in Steubenville. I wonder if Ina remembered her grandmother. She hadn’t seen her since she left Scotland in 1912.

1920 Soundex Card

On February 21, 1925, Ina’s 19 year old brother James died of pneumonia at home in Steubenville. He was buried at Union Cemetery in Steubenville.

Ina married Joseph A. Schneider, son of John Schneider and Julia Wendling, about 1929. She was 22 years old. They never had children.

In 1931, Ina and Joseph lived at 1248 Oregon Avenue in Steubenville. He worked at Wheeling Steel Corporation. By 1933, they had moved and lived at 1436 ½ Euclid Avenue in Steubenville. Joseph still worked at Wheeling Steel Corporation.

On April 18, 1940, Ina and Joseph rented a home on Summit Avenue in Steubenville. The census enumerator recorded her birthplace as Scotland. Ina was a cashier in a retail department store. She and Joseph built a nice home in Wintersville, Jefferson County, Ohio in the late 1940’s. They always had a nice garden with lots of trees and flowers.

Forty-three years after arriving in America, Ina’s 80 year old father died in Steubenville on December 15, 1957 from lobar pneumonia. His funeral was held on December 18 at the Cole Brothers Funeral Home, followed by burial at Union Cemetery in Steubenville. Her 88 year old mother died of congestive heart failure on December 19, 1968 at Ina’s home in Wintersville where she lived. She was buried at Union Cemetery beside her husband John.

Ina, her father John Close, her mother Maggie Athya Close,
Athya cousins, Margaret Athya, and Ina's husband
Joseph Schneider

Ten years later at the age of 70, Ina died on August 16, 1978 at the St. John Medical Center in Steubenville. Cause of death was listed as respiratory failure and saddle embolus abdominal. McClave-Chandler-Mills Funeral Home located at 143 Canton Road in Wintersville handled the arrangements for her August 19th burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Steubenville. At the time of her death, Ina and her husband lived at 240 Woodridge Drive in Wintersville.

According to my mother-in-law, Ina wouldn’t admit that she was born in Scotland. Immigration documents recorded her birthplace as Scotland, as did the 1920 and 1940 census records. Her death certificate listed her birthplace as Ohio U.S.A. and her obituary listed Steubenville as her birthplace. I guess she wasn’t old enough to deny her birthplace in the immigration documents.

Ina was a housewife and a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. She had a fair complexion, brown hair, and blue eyes.

Ina’s husband was an electrical engineer who worked in the steel mill in Steubenville. He died of dehydration due to prostate cancer on December 22, 1995 at the age of 93. Joseph was buried on December 26, 1995 at the Coronation Mausoleum at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Steubenville.

52 Ancestors – James Close – (week 49 – 2015)

James Close, son of John W. Close Sr. and Margaret Athya, was born in Bellshill, Scotland in the year 1905. He was the oldest child of three—James Close, Ina (or possibly Jemima) Close, and John W. Close Jr.

James was only seven years old when he and his family left his home in Scotland on May 8, 1912 departing from the port of Glasgow via steerage on the S.S. Grampian, Allan Steamship Line. They arrived in Quebec, Canada on June 16. On the outward passenger list, they declared that their “Country of Intended Future Permanent Residence” was Canada. James’ father was a miner so upon arrival in Canada, they settled at Joggins Mines in Nova Scotia where they lived for two years.

In 1914, James’ father left the family behind in Nova Scotia and traveled to America, arriving on July 9, 1914 via Class D at the Port of Vanceboro, Maine. From there, he traveled to Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio where he joined his uncle, William J. McCandler. James, his mother, and his sister left Nova Scotia in November 1914 to join his father in Steubenville. They arrived in America via the Port of Buffalo, New York on November 8, 1914. Immigration papers record the address they were going to as 320 Reserve Avenue in Steubenville and that they planned to stay there permanently. His grandmother, Jemima Athya of Garndale Road in Glasgow, Scotland, was listed as his nearest relative “in country whence alien came.” James had a fair complexion, brown hair, and blue eyes.

James’ uncle David Athya, who served as a private in the Second Highland Light Infantry during the Great War, was killed in action at France and Flanders on May 10, 1915. David’s name is inscribed at the Le Touret Memorial in Pas de Calais in France.

James’ brother, John Jr., was born in Steubenville on July 30, 1917. He was the only Athya sibling born in the United States.

On January 22, 1920, James lived with his family in Steubenville. He was able to read and write and had recently attended school. The census enumerator listed him as an “Alien.” A family friend named Della L. Harvis, age 51 and divorced, lived in the home. A student in 1921, James lived with his parents at 641 Grandview Avenue in Steubenville. He still lived there in 1924. Both he and his father were tinworkers.

At the young age of 19, James died at home in Steubenville of bilateral lobar pneumonia on February 21, 1925. He was buried at Union Cemetery in Steubenville on February 24, 1925. James’ uncle George Athya was the informant on James’ death certificate. A Union Cemetery record listed James’ occupation as a chemist.

 

52 Ancestors – no. 46: Margaret Athya (week 30)

Maggie Athya, Athya great-nieces, and
Margaret (Sloan) Athya

Margaret Athya, daughter of James Athya and Jemima Durie, was born on June 4, 1880 in Liverpool, England. It’s believed that James and Jemima had at least 10, possibly more, children but only eight have been identified—Margaret, Elizabeth, Isabella, Robert, John, George, David, and Mary. Both George and Robert shared their mother’s maiden name, Durie, as their middle name. Margaret went by Maggie and was my husband’s maternal grandfather’s sister.

In 1891, Maggie lived with her family in the Bothwell District in the County of Lanarkshire, Scotland. She was big sister to Elizabeth, Isabella, Robert, and seven month old John.

Maggie was not living with her family in 1901 according to the Dalziel Parrish of North East Lanark census record for James and Jemima Athya. I did find a Margaret Athya, age 20, born in England living in the home of Samuel Laurie (age 72) as a domestic servant. The address for the home was 10 New Square in the Bellshill District, Civil Parish of Bothwell in the County of Lanarkshire. There was also a Lizzie Athya (age 18) living in the home as a servant. Maggie had a sister named Elizabeth born about 1883 so she would have been 18. My best guess is that this is Maggie Athya.

At the age of 22, Maggie married John W. Close, son of James Close and mother unknown, in Glasgow, Scotland on June 6, 1902. Together they had three children—James, Ina, and John W. Close Jr. Their first child, James, was born in Bellshill, Scotland in 1905. Daughter Ina was born in Scotland on Christmas Day, 1907.

Maggie and her family departed from the port of Glasgow via steerage on the S.S. Grampian, Allan Steamship Line, on May 8, 1912. They arrived in Quebec, Canada on June 16. On the outward passenger list, they declared that their “Country of Intended Future Permanent Residence” was Canada. John was a miner so once arriving in Canada, they settled at Joggins Mines in Nova Scotia where they lived for two years. The outward passenger list contained a surprise for me in that it listed their daughter as Jemima, not Ina. It makes sense as her maternal grandmother’s name was Jemima, but I’d only heard her called Ina. In all of my conversations with my mother-in-law about this family, she never mentioned a name change for Ina. I wonder if she knew about it.

Immigation record for Maggie

 

 

Outward passenger list listing Jemima (Ina)Close

Maggie’s father James died in 1913 at the age of 57 in Glasgow, Scotland.

In 1914, John left the family behind in Nova Scotia and traveled to America. He arrived on July 9, 1914 via Class D at the Port of Vanceboro, Maine. At the age of 36, he was joining his uncle, William J. McCandler, who lived in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio. John listed his father James of Coatbridge, Scotland on the manifest as his nearest relative. John was 5’ 7”, had a medium complexion, brown hair, and brown eyes. He paid $50 for his passage. Maggie, James, and Ina left Nova Scotia in November 1914 to join John in Steubenville. They arrived in America via the Port of Buffalo, New York on November 8, 1914. Maggie was 35 years old at the time. Immigration papers record that Maggie was going to 320 Reserve Avenue in Steubenville and planned to stay there permanently.

Maggie’s brother David, who served as a private in the Second Highland Light Infantry, was killed in action on May 10, 1915 at France and Flanders during World War I. Family history is that David most likely died in the second Battle for Ypres standing in a Belgium trench between his brothers, George and Robert. David was awarded the Victory, British War, and 15 Star medals for his service in France. His name is inscribed at the Le Touret Memorial in Pas de Calais in France.

Maggie’s third child, John Jr., the only child born in the United States, was born in Steubenville on July 30, 1917.

On January 22, 1920, Maggie and her family lived at 641 Grandview Avenue in Steubenville. A friend named Della L. Harvis, age 51 and divorced, lived with them. The enumerator recorded Maggie’s place of birth as England and that she immigrated in 1915. Present day family believe that she was born in Scotland. Maggie was recorded as an “Alien.” She sponsored her brother George when he left Glasgow for America on May 11, 1920 via the ship Columbia. George arrived at Ellis Island New York on November 9, 1920.

1920 Soundex card

Maggie’s mother Jemima died in 1924 at the age of 68 in Glasgow, Scotland. The following year, Maggie’s 19 year old son James died of pneumonia at home in Steubenville on February 21, 1925. He was buried at Union Cemetery in Steubenville. Maggie’s brother George was the informant on James’ death certificate.

On April 2, 1930, Maggie and her family lived on Grandview Avenue. They owned the house valued at $3,200. The census enumerator recorded Maggie’s place of birth as Scotland this time. Her husband John was a laborer in a steel mill. John W. Irwin (age 37, born in Ohio) and Norma Irwin (age 19, born in West Virginia), lived in the home and was recorded as boarders.

The 1938 Steubenville (Ohio) City Directory listed John and Maggie Close as living at 641 Grandview Avenue.

On April 18, 1940, Maggie and John still lived at the Grandview Avenue home in Steubenville. Their house, which they owned, was now valued at $2,000. Maggie had a 6th grade education. The census enumerator recorded her place of birth as England. John was still working in the steel mill.

Maggie’s brother Robert died in Steubenville on January 6, 1949. He was buried at Union Cemetery in Steubenville.

Maggie’s husband John retired from the Strip Mill Department of Wheeling Steel Corporation in 1954. He died from lobar pneumonia in Steubenville at the age of 80 three years later on December 15, 1957. His funeral was held on December 18 at the Cole Brothers Funeral Home. The Rev. Dr. Charles W. Fulton officiated, followed by burial in section 31, lot 72 at Union Cemetery in Steubenville.

Maggie’s brother George died of lung cancer in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona on August 30, 1964. His funeral was held on September 2, 1964. George was cremated and his ashes scattered in the Scattering Rose Garden (section 48) at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery in Phoenix.

Maggie died of congestive heart failure at the age of 88 at home at 240 Woodridge Drive in Wintersville, Jefferson County, Ohio on December 19, 1968. She was survived by her daughter, Mrs. Joseph A. (Ina) Schneider with whom she made her home; a son, John Close of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; two grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Family and friends were received at the Cole Brothers Funeral Home on December 20, followed by a service there on December 21. She was buried at Union Cemetery beside her husband John.

Maggie was a housewife all of her married life. She was 5’ 1”, had a medium complexion, brown hair, and gray eyes. Maggie was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Union Cemetery record

52 Ancestors - #17: John W. Close Sr.

The New Year brings a new 52 Ancestors challenge by Amy Johnson Crow, this year with themes. I didn’t join in the fun until late last year—September 21, 2014 to be exact—so have only completed 16 ancestor blog entries of the first 52. Last week when I set Genealogy Goals for 2015 (for the first time ever), I decided that I wanted to continue what I started in September so as you can see, John W. Close Sr. is ancestor number 17. When I can, I’ll work Amy’s themes into an ancestor. As luck has it, John Close fits the bill of a “fresh start,” the theme for 2015 week 1.

 

John W. Close Sr.

John W. Close Sr., the son of James Close, was born on October 23, 1877 in Coatbridge, Scotland. I found the name of John’s father on a ship manifest record but haven’t found anything listing his mother’s name so she remains unnamed. Both of John’s parents were born in Ireland according to U.S. census records.

John married Margaret (AKA Maggie) Athya, daughter of James Athya and Jemima Durie, in Glasgow, Scotland on June 6, 1902. Together they had three children—James, Ina, and John W. Close Jr.

John’s first child, James, was born in Bellshill, Scotland in 1905. Daughter Ina was born in Scotland on Christmas Day, 1907.

It appears that John and his family left Glasgow via the S.S. Grampian in 1912. They arrived in Quebec, Canada on June 16. An Athya family member remembers hearing the story that they lent a large trunk to a neighbor and John had to tunnel through the snow to get the trunk back to come to the United States. Once arriving in Canada, they settled in Joggins Mines in Nova Scotia where they lived for two years.


1914 Manifest

In 1914, John left the family behind in Nova Scotia and traveled to America. He arrived via Class D at the Port of Vanceboro, Maine on July 9, 1914. He was 36 years old and was joining his uncle, William J. McCandler, who lived in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio. John listed his father James of Coatbridge, Scotland as his nearest relative on the manifest. John was 5’ 7”, had a medium complexion, brown hair, and brown eyes. He paid for his own passage. His wife Maggie, son James, and daughter Ina left Nova Scotia and joined John in Steubenville in November 1914. 

At the age of 40, John showed his allegiance to his newly adopted country and registered for the World War I draft in Steubenville. The year was 1917. His address was 641 Grandview Avenue Steubenville. He declared himself an alien, a citizen of Scotland. John was a first helper/open hearth at La Belle Iron Works in Steubenville.

John’s third child, John Jr., the only child born in the United States, was born in Steubenville on July 30, 1917.

On January 22, 1920, John and his family lived at 641 Grandview Avenue in Steubenville. John owned the house free and clear. The census record shows that the family immigrated in 1915 although we know from previous records it was 1914. John had already submitted his naturalization papers. The record listed the rest of the family as aliens. John’s native tongue was English and he was able to read and write. He earned an hourly wage working in a mill on heater furnaces. A divorced friend named Della Jarvis lived with the family.

1920 Soundex card

On February 21, 1925, John’s 19 year old son James died of pneumonia at home in Steubenville. He was buried at Union Cemetery in Steubenville.

On April 2, 1930, John, Maggie, and John Jr. still lived in the Grandview Avenue house. John W. Irvin and Norma Irvin lived with the family. John owned the home valued at $3,200. The 1930 census record listed his immigration year as 1914. John was a laborer in a steel mill.


The 1938 Steubenville (Ohio) City Directory listed John and Maggie Close as living at 641 Grandview Avenue.

On August 18, 1940, John and Maggie still lived in the Grandview Avenue house. Fifth grade was the highest grade that John had completed. He worked 32 hours a week as a scrap bailer in a steel mill. His income was $800 which I believe was yearly.

In 1942 at the age of 64, John registered for the World War II draft. He still lived in the Grandview Avenue house and worked at the Wheeling Steel Company in Steubenville.

John retired from the Strip Mill Department of Wheeling Steel Corporation in 1954.

John died of lobar pneumonia on December 15, 1957 at the age of 80. His death occurred at the Ohio Valley Hospital in Steubenville where he had been a patient for 12 days. He was survived by his wife Maggie, son John Jr., his daughter Ina Close Schneider, and two grandchildren, John Carl Close and Shirley Jean Close. His funeral was held on December 18 at the Cole Brothers Funeral Home. The Rev. Dr. Charles W. Fulton officiated, followed by burial at Union Cemetery in Steubenville. His grave is located in section 31, lot 72.

John was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. I was told he lost half of one of his hands. He had a thumb, but no fingers. John used to play around and scare the little kids with his hand.

As far as I’m concerned, leaving your home in Scotland and traveling to America to live permanently constitutes a fresh start. I just wish I knew why he chose to make the journey.