Killeen Family History

Through genealogical research, I have been able to account for six generations of my family.  Most of my research has concentrated on tracing back to the Stoddart ancestors.  Through family documents, I had plenty of information to get me started on this task.  And through all of the work I have done, I was able to piece together, a much better account of what kind of people my ancestors were. 

          Census information gives varying places of birth for Robert Stoddart.  The 1880 and 1910 censuses say he was from England, the 1900 census says he was from Scotland, but John Stoddart’s (his son) death certificate says that he was from Ireland.  Ann Shannon was always listed as being from Ireland, as was Ester Meredith.  There are also varying birthplaces for William Shannon.  The 1880 and 1910 censuses say England, but the 1900 and 1920 censuses and Mary A. Stoddart’s (his daughter) death certificate say that he was from Ireland.

          John Robert Stoddart was the son of Robert Stoddart and Ann Shannon.  He was born on December 12, 1838 in Sligo County, Ireland.  According to an article in the Pittsburgh Press, he immigrated to the United States at the age of 13, making the year either 1851-1852. 

          Soon after arriving in America, John Stoddart shipped on a New Bedford whaler bound for the Arctic Ocean.  Several whales were captured, and at the end of the season, the ship headed for the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) and was wrecked.  In Honolulu, he signed up on another whaling ship.  After two weeks out on the ocean, the ship sprang a leaked and they made port at Hong Kong.

          In Hong Kong, Stoddart signed up for service on a British man-o-war for service in the Crimean War along the coast of Siberia.

He is described as being 5’8” tall, with a light complexion, hazel eyes, light hair, and on one form, when asked to mention any permanent marks or scars on his person, writes that he has a lump on the back of his right thigh.

On September 23, 1863, Rev. Edwin M. van Dusen married John Stoddart and Mary Ann Shannon at St. Peter’s Church, located in Oakland, PA.

John Stoddart had several jobs during his lifetime.  For example, he worked as a driver of a team, which is what the name Stoddart means, he was also a laborer, and his death certificate says that he was a retired clerk. 

          John Stoddart served in both the Navy and the Army.  He joined the Navy in Boston on November 9, 1856, and served as Ordinary Seaman on the U.S.S. Hartford.  While in the Navy, he sailed to China and made a voyage around the world.  While in China, rumors of the Civil War reached them and officers were sent to bring the ship home.  The crew decided to make a flag to show their loyalty, and it was presented to the city of Philadelphia and was flown over Independence Hall.

John Stoddart was discharged from the Navy on December 16, 1861. 

On September 30, 1864, he enlisted in the Union Army in Pittsburgh, PA to fight in the Civil War. 

He was discharged in 1864 to go see Mary Ann because she was very ill after giving birth to their first son.  John chose to reject offer of $2,000 to go as a substitute, and signed up again as a private in the 199th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company E.  He was mustered out with the company on June 28, 1865.  On August 14, 1894, he joined the Grand Army of the Republic, an association for Union Veterans of the Civil War.  He was a member of McPherson Post 117, out of East Liberty, and served as Post Commander in 1909.

On November 7, 1911, John Stoddart was elected to the office of Inspector for the 4^th District of the 12^th Ward of the city of Pittsburgh.

          John Robert Stoddart died on July 9, 1914 at the age of 75.  The cause was chronic interstitial nephritis.  He was buried in Allegheny Cemetery on July 11, 1914.

          Mary Ann Shannon was born on July 14, 1844 in Collooney, a part of Sligo County, Ireland.  She was the daughter of William Shannon and Ester Meredith.  Census information gives varying years of immigration for her as well.  The 1900 census says 1853, and the 1910 census says 1854, while the 1920 census says 1849.  As mentioned before, she married John Robert Stoddart in 1863.  She gave birth to 6 children, although the 1910 census says 8 and the 1920 census says 7 (this means that she might have had some stillbirths). 

William Stoddart was born on December 14, 1864.  He only lived to be one year old.  He died on May 31, 1865, and was buried in Allegheny Cemetery on June 1, 1865.

          Elizabeth Stoddart was born on May 25, 1867.  She lived to be 2 years old.  She died on January 17, 1869, and was buried in Allegheny Cemetery on January 19, 1868.

          Edwin John Stoddart was born on January 9, 1871.  He lived to be five years old.  He died on March 26, 1876 from acute dropsy.  Dropsy is an archaic term for edema, which is the collection of fluids within the tissue of the body. Edwin was buried on March 28, 1876 in Allegheny Cemetery.

          Charles Meredith Stoddart was born on May 21, 1874.  He was one of the 2 Stoddart children who survived childhood.  He was confirmed at what is now known as Calvary Episcopal Church on Sunday, March 31, 1889.  (The Stoddarts registered with the Calvary Episcopal Parish in June of 1881)  He lived with his parents at least until the age of 45.  Charles never married. He worked as a laborer, performing small jobs.  Later on, he worked in a steel mill.  He died on May 1, 1934 from carcinoma of the bladder and was buried in Allegheny Cemetery.

          Robert Garfield Stoddart was born on August 29, 1881.  He lived to be one year old.  On November 4, 1882, he died as a result of pneumonia and exhaustion.  He was buried in Allegheny Cemetery on November 6, 1882..

          Virginia Gertrude Stoddart was born on March 4, 1884.  She was confirmed at Calvary Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 16, 1899.

          The Stoddarts took in a lodger by the name of William D. Garoway.  According to census information, he lived with them for at least 10 years.

Mary Ann Stoddart died on November 14, 1925, at the age of 81.  The cause was acute gastroenteritis.  She was buried on Allegheny Cemetery on November 1, 1925.

          Mary Ann Stoddart had two brothers.  The only brother that I know anything about is John Shannon, and not much is known of him.  From his obituary, it can be approximated that he was born in 1840.  He was married to Margaret McGee.  He died on December 1, 1896, and was buried that same day in Allegheny Cemetery.

          (A letter that Mary Ann wrote while she was trying to obtain a pension states that she had two brothers, and that both were serving in the army.  She also states that they had lost their parents at a young age.)

          Margaret McGee was born around the year 1840, in Ireland.  Both of her parents were born in Ireland as well.  She died on December 10, 1904.  The cause of death was shock pleurisy (inflammation of the lining of the lungs), with a secondary ailment of motor ataxia.  She was 65 when she died, according to her death record, but her obituary says that she was in her 67th year.  On December 12, she was buried in Allegheny Cemetery.

          Virginia Gertrude Stoddart married Henry A. Kerlin on November 21, 1908.  They were married at the Sacred Heart Rectory in the East End of Pittsburgh by Reverend F. Kevue.

Henry A. Kerlin was born on October 5, 1883, in Pennsylvania.  His father, Samuel L. Kerlin, was born in Pennsylvania in March 1858.  Samuel Kerlin sold dairy supplies for a living.  Henry’s mother, Annie O’Neil, was born in Kentucky in February 1864.  Anne’s parents were born in Ireland.  She is thought to have been the owner of a junk yard/dump in East Liberty.  Henry was the oldest of five children.  (Census records say that Annie had given birth to 9 children, of which only five lived.)  Carrie Kerlin was born in November 1886.  Stanley Kerlin was born in September 1892.  Gretta Kerlin was born in June 1894, and Eva Kerlin was born in August 1897.  At the age of 16, Henry Kerlin was working in a steel mill as an iron molder.  He spent many years working in a steel mill, eventually becoming a foreman.  Henry also worked as a postal clerk for the United States Post Office

Early in their marriage, Virginia and Henry split up over religious differences.  Henry then traveled “out West” for a while, but eventually returned to his wife.

           Henry A. Kerlin died on May 23, 1923, at the age of 54.  He was also buried in Allegheny Cemetery. 

An interesting story surrounds his death.  Apparently, Henry had a mistress, and she had developed the attitude that if she couldn’t have him, no one could.  She then poisoned Henry and herself in a murder-suicide scheme.  They were both taken to a hospital where the lived for one day, then both succumbed to the effects of Barbital poisoning.  John Patrick Killeen, Sr., being a police officer, was able to keep this story quiet.  Henry Kerlin was buried on May 25, 1937 in Allegheny Cemetery.

Virginia G. Kerlin died on October 11, 1962, at the age of 78.  The cause was arteriosclerosis (heart disease).  She was buried in Allegheny Cemetery on October 15, 1962. 

Virginia and Henry Kerlin had five children.  Janice Theresa Kerlin was born on September 1, 1909.  Anna Mary Kerlin was born on May 9, 1911.  Henry Robert Kerlin was born on July 26, 1913.  Alice Elizabeth Kerlin was born on May 14, 1923.  Ruth Kerlin was born on February 13, 1925.

          Alice Elizabeth Kerlin only lived to be four days old.  She was baptized on Monday May 14, 1923, at Calvary Episcopal Church.  Alice died on May 18, 1923 and was buried on May 19, 1923 in Allegheny Cemetery.

          Robert Kerlin served in World War II.  He later went on to work for the United States Post Office.  Robert Kerlin died on September 24, 1996.  He was buried in Allegheny Cemetery.

          Anna Mary Kerlin was baptized at Calvary Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 14, 1912.  She married Arthur Gould.  They had 2 children, Arthur C. Gould, and Virginia Dare Gould.  Arthur C. Gould was born on March 23, 1930.  Virginia Dare Gould was born on February 9, 1931. 

           Virginia Dare Gould married Robert R. Green on June 25, 1955. 

          On January 31, 1936, Anna Mary Gould married her second husband Wilford M. Snyder.  Wilford Snyder was the son of Fred Snyder and Dorothy McDonald.  Anna Mary and Wilford M. had 2 children, Charles and Wilford R. Snyder.

          Anna Mary Snyder died on February 9, 1966 of coronary occlusion.  She was buried on February 12, 1966 in the Allegheny Mausoleum. 

Wilford Snyder remarried on May 20, 1967, at Calvary Episcopal Church.  His second wife was Margaret Lilian Frey, a widow 2 years older than he was.  She was the daughter of George Glarner and Elizabeth Bertha Klein.

Wilford Snyder died on September 13, 1971.  He was buried in Allegheny Cemetery on September 16, 1971. 

          Ruth Kerlin married Thomas Spell.  Their five children were Barbara, Megan, Thomas, Elizabeth, and Nancy Spell

          Janice Theresa Kerlin was baptized at Calvary Episcopal Church on Sunday, December 12, 1909.  She married John Patrick Killeen on December 27, 1933. 

John Patrick Killeen was born in Washington, D.C.  His mother was Julia M. Sullivan, who was from Pennsylvania.  His father was George E. Killeen, born in Washington, D.C.  Most likely due to the early death of their mother, John Patrick and George Killeen were sent to live with two of their aunts, Catherine (Kate) and Mary M. (Molly) Sullivan, in the Pittsburgh area.  They were also looking after a cousin of his, Connie Hooper.  George Killeen was eventually sent to live in Boston, Massachusetts.

George E. Killeen was born in Washington, DC on July 30, 1868.  He was a widower residing in Vienna, VA, and working as a contractor at the time of his marriage to Julia M. Sullivan.  His father, George Emmett Killeen, was born in Ireland in 1835.  He married Margaret O’Reilly (born in 1846 in Liverpool, England) in 1864.  They had nine children together:  Ella N., George E. John, William, Margaret, Sue L., Agnes L., Edward, and Mary M. Killeen. 

George Emmett Killeen died in 1919 and his wife died in 1905.  They are both buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Washington, DC.

          Julia M. Sullivan was born on June 16, 1873 (possibly 1876) in Pittsburgh, PA.  Her parents were Patrick Sullivan and Margaret Sullivan (nee Lawton); they were both born in Ireland.  She died on December 10, 1909 due to lobar pneumonia and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Pittsburgh, PA.  Her obituary states that she died at the residence of her brother, P.F. Sullivan at 5432 Ellsworth Avenue. 

The 1910 census states that Patrick F. Sullivan was the head of household at 5432 Ellsworth Avenue. Two of his sisters, Catherine and Mary M. Sullivan, as well as a lodger named Mary M. Donovan, resided there as well.  Patrick worked as a city fireman.  Mary (Molly) worked as a tailoress, and Mary Donovan was a dressmaker. 

The four Sullivan siblings were born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Patrick was born  1867.  He died in 1919 and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery with his mother, Margaret Sullivan (nee Lawton). Catherine was born around the year 1871, and Mary around the year 1883. 

After Patrick died in 1919, Catherine became head of the household at Ellsworth Avenue.  Mary was still working as a tailoress. John Killeen, their nephew, was also a member of the household.  

John P. Killeen worked as a policeman in the Pittsburgh area.  On May 18, 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy.  He served as a coxswain.  He died on August 26, 1945 in the United States Naval hospital in Philadelphia, PA.  The immediate cause was bronchopneumonia due to cerebral edema, which was due to a brain tumor (Spongioblastoma multiform).  He was buried in Calvary Cemetery.

          Janice Theresa Kerlin worked as a clerk for the IRS once her children were grown.  She also remarried in 1959-60.  Her second husband was Victor Davis.

          Janice Theresa Davis died on November 27, 1979.  The cause of death was cardiac arrest (acute myocardial infarction).  She was entombed in the Temple of Memories at Allegheny Cemetery.  When Victor died on January 3, 1986, he was entombed there as well.

          Janice and John P. Killeen had 5 children.  Mary Ann Killeen was born on October 9, 1935.  Suzanne Killeen was born in February 1937.  Their only son, John Patrick Killeen, Jr., was born on March 21, 1939.  Katherine Ann Killeen was born in June 1941.  Their last child, Janice Killeen, was born in September 1942.

          Mary Ann Killeen married Alan Schwab.  They had four children, Mary, Kitty, Theodore, and John Schwab. 

          Suzanne Killeen married Thomas Fitzpatrick.  They had three children, Michael, John, and Jeanine Fitzpatrick. 

          Katherine Killeen married William Lenz.  They had two children, Kurt and Ryan Lenz.

          Janice Killeen married Birch DeVault.  They had 2 children, Birch and Judd DeVault.

          John Patrick Killeen, Jr., married Geraldine Reid on September 9, 1967. 

Geraldine Reid is the daughter of Marie Roberts and Henry G. Reid.  She was born in Pennsylvania on April 19, 1944. Her father was born in Cleter Moor, England.  He died on September 25, 1970, and was buried in Loretto Cemetery.  Her mother was born in Pennsylvania, on August 7, 1909.  She worked as an operator for Bell Atlantic.  She died on January 19, 1999, and was buried in Loretto Cemetery.

Geraldine graduated from the Duquesne School of Nursing.  She now works as a nurse for Mt. Lebanon Manor. 

          John Killeen served a short while in the United States Army.  He was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division.  He has had several jobs during his lifetime, including a barber, a taxi driver, and a bus driver.  He is currently retired from the United States Post Office.

          John and Geraldine Killeen have three children.  Jean Marie Killeen was born on December 3, 1971.  Meaghan Elizabeth Killeen was born on October 11, 1977.  James Patrick Killeen was born on June 30, 1979.