John Christopher McDonnell and Olive Rose Fagan - Ginger's maternal grandparents

This is a narrative report generated in the NEGHS Register style using RootsMagic 10, for Ginger's maternal grandparents, John Christopher McDonnell and Olive Rose Fagan.

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John Christopher McDonnell was born on December 4, 1896 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.

He lived at 287 Smith Street in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York on June 11, 1900. John C. was living with his parents, John P. and "Mimmie" McDonnell, and his older brother, Roger William McDonnell. He was born in December 1896 in New York and was 3 years old. Both his parents were born in Ireland.

He lived at 287 Smith Street in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York on June 1, 1905. Members of the John P. McDonnell household listed in the 1905 NY state census were:

• McDonnell, John P; Head; W; M; 40 at last birthday; Ireland; 18 years in U.S.; Citizen; Accountant; Wage earner
• McDonnell, Mary; Wife; W; F; 35; Ireland; 18; Citizen; Housework
• McDonnell, Rodger; Son; W; M; 13; U.S.; Citizen; School
• McDonnell, John C; Son; W; M; 8; U.S.; Citizen; School
• McDonnell, Elizabeth; Daughter; W; F; 4; U.S.; Citizen; At Home

John lived at 287 Smith Street in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York on April 15, 1910. Members of John P. McDonnell household listed in the 1910 census were:

• McDonnell, John P; Head; M; W; 42; M1; 19 years married; Ireland; Ireland; Ireland; 1889; Naturalized; English; Accountant; Mercantile; Wage earner; 0 weeks out of work in 1909; read; write; rented; home
• McDonnell, Mary; Wife; F; W; 40; M1; 19; 4 children, 3 still living; Ireland; Ireland; Ireland; 1887; English; None; read; write
• McDonnell, Roger M; Son; M; W; 17; S; New York; Ireland; Ireland; English; None; read; write; attended school
• McDonnell, John C; Son; M; W; 13; S; New York; Ireland; Ireland; English; None; read; write; attended school
• McDonnell, Elizabeth; Daughter; F; W; 9; S; New York; Ireland; Ireland; None; attended school

He registered for the World War I draft on June 5, 1918 at Manual Training High School, 7th Ave. 4th & 5th Sts. in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He was described as medium height and build, dark blue eyes and dark brown hair. His nearest relative was his father, John P. McDonnell of 267 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, NY. John lived at 18 Sterling Place in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York on June 5, 1918. He was employed by the NY Dock Co at 2001 Montague St. in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York on June 5, 1918.

He served in the U. S. Army during World War I. His tour of duty must have been brief because he registered for the draft in June 1918 and the war was over in November 1918.

I have not been able to find John in the 1920 federal census, the 1925 NY state census, or the 1940 federal census.

He lived at 274 Navarre Road in Rochester, Monroe, New York on October 6, 1926, and he was an inspector in Rochester, Monroe, New York.

He was an electrical inspector in 1928.

He was a clerk at Boxart freight terminal in Rochester, Monroe, New York in 1930, and was listed as a clerk for the steam railroad in Rochester, Monroe, New York on April 3, 1930.

He registered for the World War II "Old Man's" draft on April 27, 1942 at Local Board No. 170 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He was described as 5' 7" and 145 pounds, with blue, black hair and a light complexion. He listed his wife, Olive, as the person who would always know his address. He lived at 67 93rd Street in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York and was employed by the Railway Mail Service, U. S. Government in New York City, New York.

He appeared in the 1950 census on April 5, 1950 at 67 93rd Street, Apt 3B in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. John was the head of household, 53 years old, married to Olive, and born in the U.S. [no state listed]. He worked 40 hours the week before the census as a Postal Transport Clerk for the Government's New York City Postal Transport Company. Along with his wife, Olive, his daughter, Marion, was living in the same household.

He lived at 67 93rd Street in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York until October 21, 1975, when he died at the age of 78 at Veterans Administration Hospital, 800 Poly Place in Brooklyn, New York. No cause of death was noted on the Certificate of Death. John passed away at 3:00 in the morning. His occupation on the Certificate was a clerk for the US Postal Service.

John's death notice was printed in the New York Daily News newspaper on Wednesday, October 22, 1975. Text of his obituary: 

"MCDONNELL — John C. Oct. 21, 1975. Beloved husband of Olive (nee Fagan). Dear father of Marion Whitehead, of Fla., also survived by 6 grandchildren. Funeral Fri. 9:15 A.M. from the McLAUGHLIN & SONS COLONIAL HOME, Third Ave. at 97 St. Bklyn. Mass of Resurrection Fri. 9:45 A.M. St. Patrick's Church."

He was buried on October 24, 1975 at Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York.

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John Christopher McDonnell and Olive Rose Fagan obtained a marriage license on October 6, 1926 in Rochester, Monroe, New York.

They were married on October 7, 1926 in Rochester, Monroe, New York by Thomas L. Connor. Olive's brother in law, Paul R. Bestor, witnessed the marriage. Emma L. Gleason also witnessed the marriage, but I don't know if she had any relationship to either John or Olive.

They lived at 274 Navarre Road in Rochester, Monroe, New York in 1928.

They lived at 274 Navarre Road in Rochester, Monroe, New York on April 3, 1930. Members of John C. McDonnell's household were:

• McDonnell, John C.; Head; M; W; 32; married at 29; no school; read and write; New York; Ireland; Ireland; English; Clerk for Steam Railroad; wage worker; at work yesterday; veteran of World War
• McDonnell, Olive; Wife H; F; W; 31; married at 28; no school; read and write; New York; New York; New York; English; none
• McDonnell, Marion; Daughter; F; W; 2 and 6 months; single; no school; New York; New York; New York; none
• Fagan, Daniel J.; Father in law; M; W; 58; married at 25; no school; read and write; New York; New York; New York; English; Salesman at retail furniture store; wage worker; at work yesterday; marked as a veteran of the Civil War [obviously not correct; he was too young]
• Fagan, Lillian; Mother in law; F; W; 53; married at 20; no school; read and write; New York; New York; New York; English; none

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Olive Rose Fagan, daughter of Daniel James Fagan and Lillian E. Rodrick, was born on March 22, 1898 in Rush, Monroe County, New York.

She lived at a farm in Rush, Monroe County, New York on June 4, 1900. Members of the Daniel Fagan household listed in the 1900 census included:

• Fagan, Daniel; Head; W; M; Mar 1871; 29; Married 3 years; New York, Ireland, New York; Farmer; 0 months unemployed; read, write, speak English
• Fagan, Lillian; Wife; W; F; July 1876; 23; Married 3 years; 2 children born, 2 children living; New York, New York, New York; read, write, speak English
• Fagan, Ollie; Daughter; W; F; Mar 1898; 2; Single; New York, New York, New York
• Fagan, Eugene; Son; W; M; Aug 1899; 9/12; Single; New York, New York, New York

She lived at a farm in Rush, Monroe County, New York on June 1, 1905. The household of Daniel J. Fagan in the 1905 NY state census included:

• Fagan, Daniel J; Head; W; M; 34; United States; citizen; Farming; Employer
• Fagan, Lillian E; Wife; W; F; 29; United States; citizen; Housework
• Fagan, Olive R; Daughter; W; F; 7; United States; citizen; At School
• Fagan, Eugene W; Son; W; M; 5; United States; citizen
• Fagan, Ethel; Daughter; W; F; 3; United States; citizen

Olive lived at 321 St. Paul Street in Rochester, Monroe, New York on April 15, 1910. Members of Daniel J. Fagan household listed in the 1910 census were:

• Fagan, Daniel J; Head; M; W; 39; Married 1 for 12 years; New York; New York; New York; English; Bartender, Hotel; Wage worker; not out of work on April 15, 1910; 0 weeks not worked in 1909; read; write
• Fagan, Lillian E; Wife; F; W; 33; Married 1 for 12 years; 3 children born; 3 children alive; New York; New York; New York; English; Keeper, Hotel; Wage worker; not out of work on April 15, 1910; 0 weeks not worked in 1909; read; write
• Fagan, Olive; Daughter; F; W; 12; Single; New York; German [in error]; German [in error]; English; None; read; write; attended school
• Fagan, Eugene; Son; M; W; 10; Single; New York; New York; New York; English; None; read; write; attended school
• Fagan, Ethel; Daughter; F; W; 8; Single; New York; New York; New York; None; read; write; attended school
• Nippert, Phillip; Boarder; M; W; 52; Single; New York; New York; New York; English; Clerk, Hotel; Wage worker; not out of work on April 15, 1910; 0 weeks not worked in 1909; read; write
• Ripley, Fred; Lodger; M; W; 38; Single; New York; New York; New York; English; Electrician, Engineer; Wage worker; not out of work on April 15, 1910; 0 weeks not worked in 1909; read; write

She lived at 69 Pearl Street in Rochester, Monroe, New York on June 1, 1915. The household of Daniel J Fagan in the 1915 NY state census included:

• Fagan, Daniel J; Head; W; M; 43; U.S.; citizen; Real Estate; Own Account
• Fagan, Lillian E; Wife; W; F; 38; U.S.; citizen; Housework
• Fagan, Olive R; Daughter; W; F; 17; U.S.; citizen; Office Clerk; Wage Worker
• Fagan, Eugene W; Son; W; M; 16; U.S.; citizen; Delivery Boy; Wage Worker
• Fagan, Ethel M; Daughter; W; F; 13; U.S.; citizen; School

She was a bellows maker at 45 South Street in Rochester, Monroe, New York in 1918.

She lived at 69 Pearl Street in Rochester, Monroe, New York in 1919, and was an assembler at 45 South Street in Rochester, Monroe, New York.

She lived at 69 Pearl Street in Rochester, Monroe, New York on January 19, 1920 with her parents. Members of the Daniel J. Fagan household listed in the 1920 census included:

• Fagan, Daniel J.; Head; M; W; 48; Married; read; write; New York; New York; New York; English; Salesman at Furniture Store; wage worker
• Fagan, Lillian E.; Wife; F; W; 43; Married; read; write; New York; New York; New York; English; none
• Fagan, Olive R.; Daughter; F; W; 21; Single; read; write; New York; New York; New York; English; Assembler at Camera Works; wage worker
• Fagan, Eugene W.; Son; M; W; 20; Single; no school; read; write; New York; New York; New York; English; Musician in an Orchestra; wage worker
• Fagan, Ethel M.; Daughter; F; W; 18; Single; no school; read; write; New York; New York; New York; English; Cashier at a Department Store; wage worker

Olive lived at 69 Pearl Street in Rochester, Monroe, New York in 1921, and was an assembler at 45 South Street in Rochester, Monroe, New York.

She lived at 69 Pearl Street in Rochester, Monroe, New York in 1924, and was still an assembler.

She lived at 69 Pearl Street in Rochester, Monroe, New York for part of 1925, still working as an assembler.

Olive lived at 163 Alexander Street in Rochester, Monroe, New York on June 1, 1925 with her parents. The household of Daniel J Fagan in the 1925 NY state census included:

• Fagan, Daniel J; head; W; M; 56; US; citizen; salesman; wage worker
• Fagan, Lillian E; wife; W; F; 46; US; citizen; housework
• Fagan, Olive R; daughter; W; F; 26; US; citizen; Bellows Dept - Kodak; wage worker

She lived at 163 Alexander Street in Rochester, Monroe, New York in 1926, and was a camera worker.

She lived at 274 Navarre Road in Rochester, Monroe, New York on October 6, 1926 and was employed at the Kodak Company in Rochester, Monroe, New York.

Olive lived at 163 Alexander Street in Rochester, Monroe, New York in 1927 and was still employed as  a camera worker.

She lived at 274 Navarre Road in Rochester, Monroe, New York on April 8, 1940. Members of her household were:

• McDonnell, Olive; informant; Head; F; W; 42; married; no school; 8th grade education; New York; 1935 - same house; Housework; 0 weeks worked; $0 income; no income from other sources
• McDonnell, Marion; Daughter; F; W; 12; single; attended school; 7th grade education; New York; 1935 - same house; student
• Fagan, Danial J.; Father; M; W; 68; married; no school; 8th grade education; New York; 1935 - same house; 0 hours worked week before census; 42 weeks unemployed; Musician in Dance Orchestra; paid worker; 10 weeks worked in 1939; $200 earned; income from other sources
• Fagan, Lillian; Mother; F; W; 63; married; no school; 8th grade education; New York; 1935 - same house; Housework; 0 weeks worked; $0 income; no income from other sources

[Note: John C. McDonnell, Olive's husband, was not listed with the family. I have not found him yet in the 1940 census.]

Olive appeared in the 1950 census on April 5, 1950 at 67 93rd Street, Apt 3B in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Olive was listed as the wife of John C. McDonnell, 52 years old, born in the U.S., and Keeping House. Along with her husband, John, her daughter, Marion, was also living in the same house.

She was named in the obituary of her father, Daniel James Fagan, that appeared in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper on October 31, 1971. She was living in Brooklyn, NY at the time.

Olive was the informant on the death certificate of her brother, Eugene W. Fagan, on January 10, 1972.

She was the informant on the death certificate of her husband, John Christopher McDonnell, on October 21, 1975.

She was living in Brooklyn, New York on January 24, 1981 when her only child, her daughter Marion (McDonnell) Whitehead, passed away.

Olive was named in the obituary of her sister, Ethel M. Fagan, that appeared in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper on April 1, 1985.

She moved to Florida from Brooklyn, NY in 1985.

She lived at 644 DeSoto Lane in Indian Harbour Beach, Brevard County, Florida until September 8, 1994. She lived with her granddaughter, Kathleen L. Whitehead.

She died from a cerebrovascular accident (stroke) on September 8, 1994 at the age of 96 at Medic Home Health Care Center in Melbourne, Brevard County, Florida.

Olive's obituary appeared in the Florida Today newspaper (Cocoa, FL) on September 10, 1994. The obituary text: 

"Olive R. McDonnell, 96, a homemaker, died Thursday, Sept. 8, at Medic Home Health Center of Melbourne.

Mrs. McDonnell was born in Rush, N.Y. She came to Brevard County in 1985 from Brooklyn, N.Y.

She was a member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Indialantic.

Survivors include her granddaughters, Kathleen Whitehead of Indian Harbour Beach and Virginia Campbell of Satellite Beach; grandsons, John Whitehead of Satellite Beach, Robert Whitehead of Palm Bay, William Whitehead of Lake Worth and Thomas Whitehead of Old Saybrook, Conn.; and seven great-grandchildren.

No calling hours are scheduled. A funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. Burial will be in Fountainhead Memorial Park in Palm Bay. Brownlie and Maxwell Funeral Home in Melbourne is in charge of arrangements.

Donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, 2800 Aurora Road, Suite H, Melbourne, FL 32935."

Olive was buried at Fountainhead Memorial Park in Palm Bay, Brevard County, Florida on September 12, 1994.

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John Christopher McDonnell and Olive Rose Fagan had the following child:

• Marion Lois McDonnell, born August 1, 1927, Rochester, New York; married Thomas Whitehead IV, February 3, 1952, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania; died January 24, 1981, Melbourne, Brevard County, Florida.