Steeplechase Pier

Steeplechase Pier 1914

December 2014

Arthur H. Bonsor took his grandchildren, Margaret, Bart, Art and Bobby Johnson out on a wonderful day to the Steeplechase Pier, on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ, in 1932.  The Steeplechase Pier was built in 1899 as an amusement park auditorium for the growing Atlantic City tourist trade.  It was originally called Auditorium Pier and held many concerts of music of the day, including John Phillip Sousa and his 85 piece orchestra.  In 1909 George C. Tilyou purchased the pier and renamed it Steeplechase Pier and modeled it after the amusement park he owned in Coney Island NY.  Steeplechase Pier became known as the Funny Place.  Customers could enter the pier through the mouth of a clown; you can see the clown mouth in the film as Arthur and his grandchildren exit the park.  It had a rollercoaster, a monorail that stretched out over the ocean and numerous other fun rides.  The owner was especially interested in providing families with children rides and so created Babyland, where the Johnson children enjoyed many rides.  The magnificent 72 horse Carousel was installed in 1930 to attract more families.  The pier was located between Pennsylvania and North Carolina Ave, just south of Steel Pier.  Steeplechase Pier was damaged and rebuilt numerous times.  First by a fire in 1932, and then from a hurricane in 1944.  During the hurricane of 1962, half the pier was demolished.  For a while the remains of the pier were used as a heliport.  It was completely shut down after another fire in 1988, and what was left was demolished in 1996.  

Steeplechase Pier 

Currently, The Landshark Bar and Grill is built on the footprint of the former Steeplechase Pier.

Here is the film showing the wonderful time the Johnson children spent with their grandfather, Arthur H. Bonsor at Steeplechase Pier in 1932.  Please enjoy this blog and let me know any feedback, questions or information.  Thanks again for your interest.

 1932 Movie of Steeplechase Pier with the Johnson Children.

December 2014

Joseph and Emma Coming to America

(Joseph and Emma are Arthur H Bonsor’s parents)

The steamship plowed through the choppy waters of the Atlantic Ocean on its way to America.   It is 1862 and the newlyweds, Joseph and Emma Bonsor are on board making the journey from England to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  They must have been excited, apprehensive, and adventurous people to make this journey as did hundreds of thousands of immigrants before them.  I have to wonder why they decided to leave their family and home and travel right then, in the middle of the Civil War, a dangerous period of time in American history.  The United States declared war on April 12, 1861 with the first shots fired at Fort Sumter, South Carolina.   It must have been a torturous crossing in 1862 for the newlyweds with the Navel blockades in place and war ships patrolling the coastline.  Many records were destroyed in the war and I have not found the specific documentation for Joseph and Emma’s crossing, but there was a continued flow of immigrates even during the war.  People migrated to this country, almost exclusively to the northern or western states, the non-slave states because of political values or because it was easier to get a job without the competition of slaves.

Philadelphia was one of the largest ports, and they probably landed there.  The city was very industrialized by the 1860’s and teeming with people.  It was one of the largest cities in the United States and was often called an unrefined and even dirty, because of all the factories stewing out smoke through their tall chimneys, thousands of immigrant working class living in shabby buildings, and the dirty streets filled with horse carts and trolleys.  But this city was the heart of independence and the soul of many immigrants’ dreams.  About 30 percent of the population was foreign born at this time in history.

Joseph was just 29 years old and Emma was a young 20 years old when they arrived into this city.  It is possible that Joseph had a brother or cousin that lived in Philadelphia, named William.  William Bonsor was well established as a hosiery manufacturer in Germantown.  Maybe William helped Joseph and Emma get settled into their new home.  During this period the Civil War was raging and Philadelphia was booming.  Drafts were being held in each District of the city for Union soldiers.  Factories were producing goods for the war effort and everyone was reading the papers for the next report on the success of the battles.

In 1864, October 9 their first daughter Emma Maud Bonsor was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  That winter, Philadelphia set records for the cold; on Jan 28, 1865 it was reported that the Delaware River froze over and people actually skated over to New Jersey. 

By April of 1865 the Civil War was over and Lincoln was assassinated.  His funeral train came through Philadelphia and Lincoln’s coffin was driven to Independence Hall by a horse drawn hearse.  It was reported that the city streets were filled with onlookers and there was a 5 hour wait to pass by the coffin for viewing.  I wonder if this family stood at the curb watching the procession. 

On November 24, 1866 their first son, Arthur Henry Bonsor was born at their home located at 1810 North 11^th St., Philadelphia. It must have been difficult with two babies in the house when Cholera swept through Philadelphia killing many during this time but the family seemed to thrive.   Joseph was working hard and must have been a good business man because by 1866, just about 4 years after arriving, he was listed in the Philadelphia City Directory as owning a company producing Cotton Laps.  Joseph’s company was located at 3 South 6^th St.  By 1867, Joseph had a business partner according to the City Directory Listing:                       

Bonsor & Ellis (Joseph Bonsor & Henry Ellis) cotton laps, 305 Market

Joseph’s partner was, Henry Ellis, who was also from England and about the same age.  They established one of 7 businesses in Philadelphia that produced Cotton Laps. 

To produce cotton laps, bales of raw cotton are opened with machines called “breakers”, they pushed the cotton into another machine called “pickers”, which picked out stones, sticks, seeds and other foreign objects.  The cotton came out of the “pickers” in flat sheets known as a lap.  Workers rolled the lap and moved it to the carding rooms.  Rolls of lap were heavy, they weighed several hundred pounds, and workers usually transported them in large, wheeled carts.    At this point, the laps were fed into the cards, whose fine metal teeth brushed it so that all the fibers faced the same direction.  The cotton came out of the cards in the form of long, thick strands of cotton known as “silver”. 

From 1867 through 1871 Joseph and Henry were in business together as cited in the City Directories of the period.  Their company moved several times because their business address changed.  This could be in part due to numerous fires in the neighborhoods according to reports in the newspapers.  During part of their partnership, Henry Ellis lives with Joseph Bonsor and his family at the 1312 South 11^th St address.  The 1870 Census lists Joseph and Emma with their children Emma (5), Arthur (4) and now they have their second daughter, Katie (Catherine) born about 1868.  Also living with them is Ann Cowley, probably a servant.  The census listed his occupation as a “dealer in twine”.  Joseph had a personal estate valued at $3,000, and rented his home.  This amount of money was very respectable for the time period and he would be considered well-off.  March 28, 1871, Frank Bonsor a second son, was born to Joseph and Emma at their home. This makes 4 children for the family.

In 1872, the partnership with Henry must have dissolved because Joseph is listed as the sole owner of the cotton laps manufacturing company. His home is now located at 1810 N 11^th St and Henry Ellis no longer lives with the family.  A third son was born on Aug 29, 1872, Charles F. Bonsor according to Philadelphia birth certificates.  Joseph continued to manufacture Cotton laps until 1874 and then at that point the City Directories indicate he started a business involving Willowware, plates and serving dishes that are painted with blue ornate designs.

Their sixth child is born in 1874, William Edgar Bonsor, in their home at 1810 N 11^th St.  By 1875 the family had moved to Palmyra, Burlington County, New Jersey because their seventh child Walter Bonsor was born there that year. Joseph must have commuted to Philadelphia everyday because he continued to run his Willowware business located on Market Street for the next several years. In 1876 Joseph purchased a home at 739 Cinnaminson Ave. in Palmyra for his family.  He was now a land owner.

  

The Centennial Exhibition of 1876, the first official world’s fair, was held in Fairmont Park, Philadelphia and over 10 million visitors attended this spectacular display.  I would like to think that the Bonsor family walked the fair, visited the displays such as Alexander’s Graham Bell’s telephone, the first typewriter, the Electric Dynamo, the precursor to electric lights, and watched the huge “John Bull” Steam Engine from Pennsylvania Railroad display.  They might have even sampled new food products such as Heinz Ketchup or Hires Root Beer for the first time.  Another child, Herbert Bonsor, was born on June 11, 1878 in their Palmyra home.

By 1880, Joseph no longer ran the willowware business in Philadelphia, he had now established a grocery store in Cinnaminson, Palmyra that he and his wife ran.  Palmyra was described in the 1881 Burlington City Directory as:

 A beautiful village of 400 inhabitants, situated on the left shore of the Delaware river, and on Camden and Amboy division of Penna. R. R., 10 miles west from Mt. Holly, the county seat, and 26 miles from Trenton.  Merchants buy their goods principally in Philadelphia, shipping by above railroad, it being only about 30 minutes’ ride from Philadelphia.  It has a large population doing business in that city.

The family must have been well established and accepted in this town because Joseph is listed in the City Directory as the Postmaster and Emma, his wife, runs the general store in this pastoral village. 

There is more to the story, more children, lots of grandchildren and more interesting details, but I must stop here.  I have not found all the facts about Joseph and his family, but I surmise that he was a mature, assertive man that had some means when he traveled to Philadelphia.  He established himself and made good business decisions to become successful.  He positioned himself by starting or purchasing the cotton laps company and was able to earn a good living and support his family perhaps producing cotton for his brother/cousin the hosiery manufacturer.  After building his family and his wealth he moved to Palmyra at the age of 44 to run a general store and raise his family in a tranquil village. I plan to continue my research on him and his family and explore more about each of his children and their successes.  So there will be more stories to come in future blogs about Joseph and his family.  Stay tuned for part 2.

Reading Terminal Market Nov 1931
Arthur H Bonsor and Brothers Stall

This film is part of a collection I borrowed from a wonderful cousin.  I have transferred it to a digital format so we all can enjoy it.

This was filmed in Nov 1931 at the Arthur H Bonsor Stall at the Reading Terminal Market.  It was a Food Show celebration and the market was busy.  Arthur was have a great time parading around the booth, passing out balloons to the children, helping distribute samples and keeping product moving.  You can catch a glimpse of Margaret Bonsor passing through the crowd.  Little Margaret Johnson is helping out by passing out samples of cottage cheese and Bart Johnson is helping his grandfather stack cartons of eggs.  I think I see some of Arthur's brothers, Herb and Al Bonsor.  Other people mentioned on the film notes are Elsie, Catherine Bonsor, Mrs. Fallon, Wertnz and Chris.  Please let me know if you know any of these people or recognize anyone in this film.  I would love to know more about this event. I find these films so interesting, seeing the past in "live action".  Enjoy and please send me feedback when you get a chance.

PS. If you have an technical difficulties please let me know.

More about Great Grandfather Joseph Johnson

More about Great Grandfather Joseph Johnson

Captain Joseph Johnson, Olena, Christine, Marie, Ingeborg, William, Joseph - Probably taken in 1892

As I traveled through New Jersey on my genealogy vacation this summer, I visited a place I believe Joseph Johnson our “Sea Captain” great grandfather first arrived in America.  Joseph (41 years old) traveled from Norway with his wife Olena (34) and three daughters Christine (10 years old), Marie (7 years old) and Ingeborg (4 years old) probably in 1886.  I am still investigating what ship he actually arrived on, but that minor detail can wait, this story can’t.  In the 1880’s Scandinavia was in economic decline due to major crop failures.  Many people from that area immigrated to the United States, the numbers tripled over the last half of the 19^th century according to the population and immigration statistics of the time.

Joseph, Olena and their daughters probably lived in Oslo, Norway in 1885, since the daughters were born in there.  Joseph was a mariner and possibly worked as a sailor or building boats.  He brought the family over to New Jersey, specifically Port Norris.  The reason was simple, this was the prevailing location for maritime activity in South Jersey and many Scandinavians were settling in this area.

Port Norris, Commercial Township,
Cumberland County, New Jersey Map

A little history:  In the late 1700s , early 1800s the Port Norris region was used as a small port to ship logs, cut from the very wooded area, up the Maurice River and also out the Delaware bay and up and down the coast for the building of the cities along the shore.  Oystering grew during this time and in the late-1800s the Delaware Bay became one of the most important resources for the American oyster. In 1876, the Central Railroad built a shortline from Bridgeton to Port Norris and Bivalve to load large quantities of these harvested oysters into “Iced Boxcars” and ship them to Camden, Philadelphia, and even New York City. You could buy oysters from the street vendors in Philadelphia, much the way we buy pretzels and hot dogs today. 

 Hundreds of Schooners sailed out on the tide to harvest these oyster beds, load the oysters onto flatbed boats and haul them back to shore.  The Railroad owned most of the shore town of Bivalve including the docks and storefronts. 

People from as far away as Philadelphia would come to Bivalve to watch the fleet of sailboats sail out, it was quite a sight to behold, and became a big tourist event.  Of course they stayed and had grand dinners of oysters.   ½ mile inland was Port Norris where many of the ship captains’ and crew lived, along with the sail makers, carpenters, store owners, and all the other people to support this growing harbor town.  At the peak of the oyster fishery, Port Norris could claim more millionaires than any other town in New Jersey.

Today Bivalve consists of a small crushed shell road leading to the old marina.  You can see only the rotting pilings left from the many docks that once lined up and down the shore.    Remnants of the track that the Railroad used sit next to some old buildings, once used at store fronts, warehouses for shucking oysters and the railroad office. Now these buildings house the non-profit organization call the “Bayshore Project” with a mission to preserve this local history.  If you are in the area it is worth a short visit.  Port Norris is just up the road with a Main Street several blocks long.  Now, it is a sleepy little town with only a small grocery store and modest homes, some with the gingerbread molding of yesteryear.  There was a decline in oysters due to pollution and the two towns waned.

                With some hints from a cousin and additional research assistance from the Port Norris Historical Society, I found a series of newspaper articles called “Port Norris Pickings” that mentioned our Great Grandfather Joseph Johnson during the time he lived in Port Norris.  Here are his family events and the newspaper articles chronologically:

1886-1887 - Johnson family moved to Port Norris from Norway.  Joseph (41), Olena (34), Christine (10), Marie (7) and Ingeborg (4).

February, 1888 Joseph Johnson had a shipboard accident that severely injured him internally and broke his leg.  He stayed in the Mariner Hospital in Portland, Maine for 3 months recovering before he could be moved.

March 27, 1888 William B Johnson (our grandfather) was born in Port Norris, the first of the family born in America.   Joseph was not home for the birth or during the first 3 months of the infant’s life and not earning any money.

May 28, 1888 – Port Norris Pickings

Mr. Jos. Johnson, who was so severely injured by a bale falling on him whilst engaged in loading a vessel on which he was employed at Portland, Maine, some three months ago, and who has lain in the Marine Hospital at that place since that time, was brought to his home at this place on Tuesday last.  Mr. Johnson’s leg, which was broken at the time, has got nearly well, but at times he suffers terribly with a pain in his side.  It is feared he will have to undergo an operation for relief.  We hope for his ultimate recovery.

June 26, 1888 – Port Norris Pickings

On Friday night last, the Idaho Tribe of Red Men after their business meeting again regaled themselves with refreshments in the shape of fruits and ice cream, and passed a pleasant hour in songs and speeches, after which a collection was taken up among the members present and quite a sum of money was raised which was invested in canned goods, groceries and taken as a surprise to Mr.  Johnson who is incapable of doing work of any kind through injuries received on board a vessel.  The Indians were well received and were nicely entertained by Mr. Johnson and family, who are much please with their liberality.

The Idaho Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men was a fraternal organization charitable group with the mission of helping people less fortunate in their community.  They had regular meetings in Port Norris.  It seems that the Johnson family was well liked in the community and these friends did want to help the family in their time of need. 

Jan 8, 1889 – Port Norris Pickings

Joseph Johnson, our Norwegian friend, was taken to Philadelphia to have an operation performed.  The undertaking was a successful one, and Mr. Johnson is improving as well as can be expected.

April 24, 1889 – Port Norris Pickings

Joseph Johnson, of this place who was so severely injured on board of a vessel in Philadelphia, has so far recovered that he left this morning for New York, where he has a position offered him as captain of a large coal barge.

A discrepancy in the newspapers as to where his injury occurs, in Portland, Maine or Philadelphia.  I think it was in Portland, Maine.

July 26, 1889 – Port Norris Pickings

Joseph Johnson is visiting Camden.

Aug 8, 1889 – Port Norris Pickings

Joseph Johnson has returned from a visit in Camden.

This visit to Camden could be a follow-up on his medical problems, something to do with his job.

Nov 27, 1889 Joseph Peter Johnson is born into the family. Christine is 12, Marie 9, Ingeborg 6 and William almost 2 years old.

Jan 29, 1890 – Port Norris Pickings

Belford Harris while going around yesterday collecting gifts of charity for the Johnson family overloaded his wagon and broke one of the springs.

Aug 2, 1890 – Port Norris Pickings

A number of young people of Port Norris gave a very pleasant entertainment last evening for the benefit of the unfortunate Norwegian Johnson family, with the proceeds of which they may be enabled to engage in some self-supporting business.  The program which may indeed be highly commended consisted of two of W. D. Howell’s farces.  They were entitled “The Gamotters” and “The Sleeping car.”  There was also instrumental and vocal music by the Misses Mayhew, of Philadelphia, and Cook, of Wilmington, Del.  Miss Cook possesses a superior voice and held her surprised audience spellbound.  The entertainment will be repeated this evening, with slight changes.

Dec 12, 1890 – Port Norris Pickings

Mr. Johnson, who had his hand mashed the other day, is getting along nicely.

Dec 16, 1891 Norman Johnson was born into the family.  Christine is 14, Marie 11, Ingeborg 8 and William almost 4 years old, Joseph 2.

March 8, 1892 Norman Johnson died at 3 months old.

The family moved to Camden, New Jersey sometime between 1892 and 1894.

Feb 10, 1894 Esther Johnson was born into the family in Camden, New Jersey

1895 Joseph and family are listed in the New Jersey Census in Camden.

1895 Joseph is listed as a Seaman in the Camden City Directory.  They continue to live in Camden.  Joseph died in the Marine Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland after a long illness of cancer of the bladder in 1911.

                It seems that our Johnson family had many difficulties after arriving in America, but continued to try to pursue a better life.  They must have made many friends in the community, because they receive wonderful help along the way.  Although Joseph had his troubles, his children grew up and did find better success in life than he did.  More of that in a future story.

July 1, 2014
Bonsor Johnson Family Films

My father loved taking pictures and movies.  I must have inherited that gene, because I take lots of pictures and love making movies.  After my father passed away, all of his pictures and movies were given to me, and I have been slowly going through them, looking at them and enjoying every minute.  My father had well over 10,000 slides, thousands of prints and negatives and reels and reels of movies, so it has taken time to review them and I am not even close to being done.  Over the years I have accumulated software and equipment to copy and save these precious memories to a digital format since the old film and prints are fast disintegrating.  Several weeks ago I came across some reels of 16mm film I had not seen before and with no label, I really had no idea what these reels contained.  So I had the film transferred and was amazed at what I found.  I have edited a few snippets for you viewing pleasure and plan to prepare more as I have time.  Please send me info on what you see, especially what year and who some of these people are, I only recognize the immediate family.  I hope you enjoy as much as I have and there will be more to come.

Halloween with the children.

Rocking on the Front Porch

Our Irish Side

Catherine Kenna April 1912

Our Irish Side

June 12, 2014

Andrew Kenna and Catherine McGlinn came over from Ireland and settled in Camden, New Jersey, married and raised their family.  Their daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Kenna married Arthur H Bonsor. That is our connection to Ireland.

Andrew was born about 1844 in Ireland and came over before 1860, I am not sure exactly when he was married to Catherine McGlinn or where, probably near Camden.  Still working on that bit of information.  Catherine McGlinn was born Aug 9, 1839, according to some sources, so she was older than Andrew.  According to several US censuses, she immigrated in 1845 or 1853, but again I have not pinpointed those records yet.

In the 1860 census, Andrew, at about 16 years old, is listed as living in Camden County, the Middle Ward.  By 1863 he was in the Camden City Directory as a butcher, living at 409 Federal Street.  According to the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper, Feb 23, 1865, Andrew Kenna was selected for the Draft in the Middle Ward of Camden.  The process was to pull names out of a wheel at Fourth and Market.  126 names were drawn for two wards.  I don’t think he actually served in the military, but I am still checking. 

Andrew and Catherine started their family in 1868, by giving birth to their daughter Margaret Elizabeth Kenna on July 5.  In 1870 according to the census, Andrew was a Pork dealer and lived with his wife and daughter along with Margaret Brit, 55 years old, born in Ireland and is a washerwomen, Katie Brit (14) born in New Jersey and helps in the household.  Also in the household is Alice Brannan (28) born in Ireland, Ella Brannan (6) born in Pennsylvania which I found to be Andrew sister and niece.  They all lived in the same household in Camden, probably the 711 Federal location.

In the Camden City Directory in 1872, Andrew is listed as a pork butcher and has a business partner, George W. Swope and they ran a butcher shop in Camden selling pork, lard, hams, etc.  The shop in located at 709 Federal, and his home is at 711 Federal.  Andrew and Catherine have another daughter Mary Alice in June 1872.

In 1874 Andrew Kenna and his business partner, George W. Swope, sued and won against George Day.  They won their suite and the Sheriff sized Mr. Day’s property:

Beginning at a corner in the east-line of Day street, at the distance of ninety-eight feet south of the south line of Federal street, corner also to Johanna Claypool’s lot, and extending eastwardly a distance of sixty feet to a corner; thence (2) south and parallel with Day st thirty-five feet to another corner; thence (3) west and parallel with the first street aforesaid; thence (4) north along the north line of Day street thirty-five feet to the place of the beginning. Sized as the property of George Day, take in execution at the suit of Andrew Kenna and George W. Swope. Dated March 31, 1874.

Printed in the Camden Democrate, Camden NJ on May 2, 1874

Oct 4, 1874, Andrew’s younger brother Martin Kenna passed away at age 27.  The Philadelphia Inquirer lists the funeral as follows:  The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from the residence of his brother, Andrew Kenna, No 711 Federal Street, Camden NJ this morning, the 6^th Inst., at 8 o’clock. Service at Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Katie, their 3^rd daughter was born in 1875, and then came Annie in 1877.  The Census in 1880 lists them all living at the 711 Federal street home and Andrew‘s occupation is Sausage Maker.  Still living in the house are Andrew’s sister Alice Brannan (38) and is either widowed or divorced, born in Ireland and her daughter Ella (16) born in Pennsylvania.  In 1885 another daughter was born, Justina, in the Camden home, she was 15 years younger than Margaret.  Andrew is still listed as owning a meat market at 709 Federal.              Katie died in 1874 at 12 years old and Annie died in 1892 at 5 years old.

In 1891 Andrew and Catherine’s daughter Margret Elizabeth married Arthur Henry Bonsor on June 9 in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.  This is when the stained glass window was installed into the church that I mentioned in a previous story.  They did not live far from Catherine and Andrew, just a block away on Market St. so the family stayed close.

Andrew dies on Feb 7, 1894 approximately 50 years old according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Wednesday morning, at 8:30 o’clock, from his late residence, No 711 Federal Street, Camden, and NJ.  Solemn Requiem Mass at Church of Immaculate Conception.  Interment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.  According to the city directory listings, it looks like Catherine continued to run the meat market until about 1905.

September 20, 1898 daughter Mary Alice married Joseph Mulliner in the Church of the Immaculate Conception with a reception at 711 Federal.  She was described as a “popular society lady who marries a well-known young man” in The Review newspaper.   She died suddenly after just 4 years of marriage at age 28.The funeral started on Tuesday morning at 8 o’clock from 709 Federal st then a Solemn High Mass at Church of Immaculate Conception at 9:30 and then internment at St. Patrick’s cemetery.  

Mrs. Andrew Kenna owned a house on 515 Taylor Ave (northside) and rented it out.  In May, 1900 a big fire burned down several blocks of Camden.  Her house was a three story frame and was occupied by A. C Heiney.  The loss was valued at $1000 and was insured.  According to the Philadelphia Inquirer on May 14, 1900, the fire was caused by boys playing with matches. It damaged or destroyed over 50 houses leaving many homeless.  The fire occupied the area from Federal st to Taylor ave from 4^th to 5^th sts. 

The house at 711 Federal always had family living there.  In 1900 Catherine was 60 years old and her family called her Nana.  Her daughter Mary Alice and her husband Joseph Mulliner lived with her along with their one year old son, Adam Mulliner. The Mulliner family rented a floor in the house and Joseph worked at a provisions store.  Justina Kenna, now 15 and Catharine McGlynn (23) her niece also lived in the house.

Catherine Kenna (left), Margaret Bonsor (middle)
 and daughter Margaret (child), don't know women
on right

In the 1910 census, Catherine is listed at 65 years old, only aging 5 years since the last census 10 years ago.  Justine now 25 stilled lived with her mother and so did Mary McGlinn (28), Catharine’s niece.  She worked as a typewriter in the Almshouse (poorhouse). Catharine McGlinn, (30) Mary’s sister also lived there but did not work.  Catharine Mulliner (7) Catherine Kenna’s granddaughter, Mary Alice’s daughter who died, lived in the house too.  It was quite a multi-generational household at 711 Federal.

In 1920, Justina, called Aunt Teenie by the family and her husband Tomas Hughes, along with their sons Thomas, Arthur, John and daughter Margaret all lived at 711 Federal. Catherine Kenna is listed at 75 years old and Kathryn Mulliner, her niece is 18 and works as an operator at Bell Telephone.

Catherine Kenna was the matriarch of the family, a devote Irish Catholic and she died in 1929 in the home of her daughter Margaret Bonsor at 706 Market St. on the 3^rd floor according to family lore.  Catherine and Andrew were hard working people and were able to support their family comfortably.  Their two properties were paid off early before Andrew died.  I believe that the 711 house and shop had been purchased by the Bell Telephone Company for expansion on to that block before Catherine died.  Another bit of information to check up on.

Many of our Irish family members were buried in  ”St. Patrick’s Cemetery” which was located at Westfield and Federal Ave in Camden.  It is now defunct and houses have been built on the property.  Some of the remains were moved in 1918 and the rest in 1952, although it is difficult to confirm who got moved when.  Most were apparently moved to Calvary Cemetery, but many of the records were lost.  I am working on locating our relatives.

Catherine Kenna May 29 1914

                Uncle Bart wrote a letter reminiscing about the Irish side; he was only 6 when his great-grandmother, Nana died.  He remarked how well the family got along and enjoyed each other’s company.  He remembers Catherine Kenna as a “great old girl who was very kind to me as a little boy.”  He remembers her as a graceful lady, ram-rod straight and always beautifully dressed.  Nana was generally dressed in “silk” to the floor and rustled when she walked.  Nana generally wore a black grosgrain ribbon around her neck with a broach, usually a Cameo. He never saw her in the kitchen, but she arrived on time for every meal and waited till someone pushed in her chair.  The table (3 times each day) had to be perfectly set with the finest place settings.  Nana spent much of her time in her room saying the Rosary or reading her prayer book. Every time she saw little Bart, which was often he claimed, she gave him a quarter.

I have rambled on too much, but there is a lot to this side of the family history and I have only just scratched the surface.  I think they were a close knit happy family. They worked hard and achieved great things for their family and they seemed to celebrate their religion.   Names and dates change constantly over the years and records.  There is much more to learn about our Irish side and I plan on continuing the quest and hopefully get back to Ireland.

The Butter and Egg Man

Arthur H. Bonsor

“My best memory is candling the eggs.  Uncle Charles would take me to the back room and he showed me how to hold the egg up to a bright light in this darkened room.  We would look at the shadow inside the egg to find spots, dark rings, or other abnormalities that would indicate a bad egg.  I would spend my afternoon peering at each egg, throwing the bad ones into a box and watch them explode and placing the good ones carefully into the big egg crate for the customers.”  Uncle Art told me this story last time I visited him in 2012 at the age of 87.  He reminisced about visiting his Grandfather’s business in the Reading Terminal Market as a young boy of 7 in the year 1932.  Granddad, as Art called him, was Arthur H. Bonsor and he was known as the “butter and egg man” of Philadelphia.  

Arthur H Bonsor was born on Nov 22, 1866 in Philadelphia to his parents Joseph and Emma fresh from England.  He was the firstborn son and had an older sister Emma.  His father had a produce shop on Water St. and son Arthur often helped out on Saturdays.  In 1886, when Arthur was 20 years old and still in school, he accompanied his father to collect a debt from a colleague, Mr. Isaac Esbin, at the Farmers and Butchers’ Market situated at 12^th & Market St., Philadelphia.  Mr. Esbin was a fine man, but was having a bit of financial trouble.  His stalls in the market were closed, but he was there.  Joseph and Mr. Esbin had a chat about the $40 debt and concluded their business.  Joseph turned to his son, Arthur and said, “Boy, do you want it?” referring to the two stalls Mr. Esbin owned in the Farmers Market and was using to pay his debt.  Arthur was dumfounded for the moment, but managed to say yes.  The three of them went upstairs to the superintendent’s office and signed over two market stalls to Arthur.  That was the start of his business in 1886.

Road Sign

Everyone called it his “butter and egg” business and it went from a fledgling two stall one man operation to a thriving successful enterprise.  He sold fresh butter, eggs, cream, cottage cheese, Fancy Jersey Poultry among other things.  He would contract with local farmers to purchase their goods and move it into his market.  He would then sell it retail out of his stalls.  He developed advertising in all the local newspapers and magazines.  He also had a series of road signs.

In 1890 The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company consolidated its four Philadelphia terminals to build one large terminal in downtown Philadelphia and purchased the 1100 block of the Market St.  By 1892 the Reading Terminal Market opened for business and merchants at the Butchers and Farmers’ Market such as Arthur Bonsors’ moved into the new Reading Terminal Market.  This new facility allowed him to expand by adding more stalls.  The Reading Terminal Market advertised itself as the “Source of Main Food Supply of Philadelphia and Adjacent Territory” with 250 specialized dealers and 100 farmers occupying the stalls.  The state-of-the-art refrigerated storage area in the basement opened for use in July 1893, which helped the merchants store fresh food and keep it longer.  Arthur’s stalls were piled high with tubs of butter and cottage cheese.  Large chickens, turkeys and ducks hung by their feet on the back wall with hanging scales wedged in every so often.  His employees all wore white smocks with bow ties along with caps on their heads.  Ten men attend the counter cleaning, slicing, wrapping and waiting on customers.  The large signs around the stall advertised the business as “Arthur H. Bonsor”.

Sometime during the early years his brother Herbert Bonsor joined the company, because the business name appears as A H Bonsor & Bro, Inc. in legal papers, advertising and many signs.  The city directory lists Arthur as the President and Treasurer, and Herbert Bonsor as Secretary while Francis Chapman is the Vice President.  Arthur took part in many organizations to further his business and often made sales calls to promote sales.

The first decades of the 1900’s boomed in the Terminal Market, and Arthur, with the popularity of the internal combustion engine, soon had trucks on the road delivering to all the top hotels, restaurants and homes in the tri-state area.  The Pennsylvania Highway Department lists Motor Vehicle licenses in Jan 1, 1917 issued for the Arthur H Bonsor & Bro at Reading Terminal.  He continually added stalls when he could, considering the market was at capacity.  By 1926 he had 28 stalls and he said he could have used more.  Times were good and he was a very successful business man. 

                The Great Depression of the 1930s brought hardship to the Market overall.  New competition from the introduction of supermarkets also hurt the Market business.  One of these new establishments opened across the street, directly competing with the Reading Market.  Ten of the market’s 64 merchants had been there since its founding in 1892, including Arthur Bonsor & Bro, Inc.  The last straw for Arthur in this declining economy was the increasing pressure from the AFL and CIO to join their respective labor unions.  He wanted his own employees to load and drive his delivery trucks and felt these unions were taking over his business.  In 1939 Arthur decided to give up his business.  At that time his daughters were in no position to run the business and his grandchildren were either too young or in the military service, so he sold the business and retired.    In a letter he wrote when he was 60 years old he summarized his career, “(business) it has been very pleasant and I always made money – but now I would like to quit and do the things that I have always craved – travel more and not have the care of things any more – or at least to take up some other kinds of (not of work) but to do things different.”

Postcard of Arthur H Bonsor & Bro. Stalls

                Granddad Bonsor lived out the rest of his life doing just as he wanted. He traveled, and enjoyed his grandchildren next to the ocean at 101 Harvard Ave, Ventnor, NJ.  He died there in 1944.

The Reading Terminal Market declined over the years and finally the railroad company filed for bankruptcy in 1971.  By the 1980’s people and business started revitalizing the market and currently it serves as a popular source for culinary treats and unique merchandise.  Philadelphia lists it as a tourist destination and it remains busy seven days a week.  Cousin Geoffrey stopped by there recently and found the original stalls Granddad Bonsor inhabited for all those years.  Today they house a Soul Food Café!

Pennsylvania Railroad and William Barton Johnson

PA RR Pay Car  WB on left, Dallas on right.

Our grandfather, William B Johnson, worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad all his life.   He was born in Port Norris, New Jersey in 1888 and lived with his family there until they moved to Camden in about 1896. He continued to live with his family until he was married.  At 20 years old in 1908, he was a clerk at the Pennsylvania Railroad and by 22 was an assistant paymaster.  He had only 3 years of high school and no college at all.  These pictures were taken approximately 1912 in Altoona, PA.  They show him in his paymaster rail car with his colleague “Dallas”.  Notice the sign above the teller cage “Count your money before you leave”.  This rail car traveled a circuit periodically to pay the railroad employees in the field.  In 1917, according to his World War I Registration Draft Card, he was paymaster of all classes of employees, for the Pennsylvania RR, under the direction of the Treasury Dept. at Broad St. Station in Philadelphia.  He paid about 13,000 Railroad employees semimonthly.

WB, as he was called, continued working for the railroad according to the census and city directories, through the years.  In 1920 he was 32 years old and was now a paymaster and still single.  He married Ethel R Bonsor and lived in an apartment at 417 Stonehurst at 69^th & Market, Philadelphia with Ethel and their newborn baby, Margaret.  By 1923 WB was 35 and the family moved to 1137 Langham Ave, Camden, a twin house.  During the next 10 years 4 more children were born. The family lived on Langham Ave. until Arthur H Bonsor, Ethel’s father, purchased 520 Prescott Rd. in Lower Merion, Montgomery County, PA for his daughter.  In 1940 when WB was 52, the whole family moved to Prescott Rd.  WB continued as Paymaster for the railroad.  In 1941 Ethel and WB divorced and he moved to Merion Gardens Apartments at City Line & Wynnwood Rd.  

WB Johnson climbed the ladder at the Pennsylvania Railroad until he attained the position of Chief Paymaster at the end of his career.  He retired about 1951 when he was 62.  I think he retired early because of his profound hearing loss.  He worked about 42 years for the railroad.  He died in 1953 at 65 years old after a long illness.

I know my father utilized his train pass given to him by his father.  Apparently all family members of of Pennsylvania Railroad employees were entitled to get a pass to ride the rails anywhere.  My father took a rail trip across country in the early 1950’s using his pass.  I must dig out his pictures and share them. The railroads are close to my heart since my husband has been working for the Union Pacific for almost 28 years now.

There is more to learn about this man and I plan to share other information later on.  Please send me any information you may have on our grandfather; my father never spoke of him so I know very little about him personally.  Please feel free to send comments, corrections, or questions about any of the current blogs or ideas for future ones.  Thank you again for reading this.

Pay Car with WB on left, Dallas on right

A Walk in Camden

When I visited Philadelphia in the summer of 2012, I persuaded my cousin Suzy to take a walking tour to search out locations our ancestors had lived and worked in downtown Camden.  Maybe not the best idea, as you know, Camden is not the safest place in the world.  After seeing tennis shoes hanging off the electric wires (a sign for drug dealing?), being glared at by men on a porch, and finally stopped by a police officer who told us this was not a good street to be on, we finally reached the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and decided to go inside for a little respite.  The large stone building at 642 Market Street was just blocks from Arthur and Margaret Bonsor’s home at 706 Market.  We walked in and felt the cool air and the quiet of the church, a nice change from the busy street outside.  After our eyes adjusted to the dim lights, we walked around looking at the beautiful stained glass windows.  They were large, about 8’ tall set into both side walls of the church.  As I gazed at one, I noticed at the bottom of each window names were formed with pieces of the stained glass.  These names must have been the parishioners that donated that particular window.  I looked at each one as I walked down the aisle and there it was, “Arthur H and Margaret Bonsor” in large stained glass lettering inserted into a beautiful window.  

The scene was the ”Wedding at Cana”, where Jesus conducted his first miracle. In the biblical account, Jesus and his mother, Mary, are invited to a wedding, and when the wine runs out, Jesus performs a miracle by turning water into wine.  Suzy rushed over and we both stared in wonder, that was our Great-Grandparents names, they donated this window.  I did some research on the church of the Immaculate Conception and found it was built in 1864 after Irish immigration accelerated and the current church building became too small. This church was built of stone and measured 60 by 165 feet.  It was finally finished in 1888 when the tower and spire were completed.  The interior was extensively renovated in 1890 when the marble alters were added.  Arthur and Margaret must have donated the window at this time, just as they were married. Perhaps Arthur gave Margaret the “Wedding at Cana” window as a wedding present.  This was the church the Bonsor Family attended during the time they lived in Camden.   Arthur wrote in a letter that he became a Catholic to marry the love of his life, Margaret since she was a devout woman. He seemed to take his religion seriously and participated in this parish, even giving a window. Their two children Ethel and Alice and other members of their family must have been baptized, and received the other sacraments within these walls.  I will continue to research to find out more family history.  It was wonderful to find this family treasure in the midst of Camden.

Who are our distant cousins?

Who are our distant cousins?

Joseph and Olena Johannsen had 8 children during their marriage.  I would like to explore each child with their family and share who they were and where they ended up.  So I will start with the eldest and work down the list.

Christine Isidori Johnson, born Oct 28, 1877 in Christiana, Norway (Oslo).  She came to New Jersey with her mother and sisters sometime between 1885-1887 and settled in Port Norris, New Jersey.  By 1995 the family moved to Camden.  Christine lived in Camden with her family until 1899 when she married Walter Price on April 26 in the Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church on 3^rd and Pearl Street.  Christine was 21 and Walter was 24 years old.  Walter was born Aug 1874 and was from PA and had a 6^th grade education.

Christine lived with her husband Walter Price in Camden and they had their daughter Mildred Christine in Feb 1900, at 210 Elm Street, Camden.  Walter was a foreman at a Hat Manufacturer and they rented their home.   

In July of 1905 Christine gave birth to another little girl, Isegeborg V.  She soon died on March 24, 1906 and was buried in Harleigh Cemetery, Camden.  Isegeborg grandparents, Joseph and Olena, had purchased the plot in 1895 to bury their daughter Esther.

In 1910, the Price family lived at 210 Elm St.  In 1916 their son William Joseph was born.  By 1920 they moved out of Camden to Washington Ave., Magnolia, Camden, NJ.  Walter was still at the hat factory and daughter Mildred, now 19 years old, worked as a stenographer in an insurance office.  Christine took care of the family at home and little William was 4 years old.

By 1926, Mildred Price, Christine and Walter’s daughter, married Edward G Taylor, born 1897. They had a daughter named Mildred Jane Taylor

               Christine and Walter still lived on Washington Ave. in Magnolia in 1930 and owned their home worth $4,000. The census listed they had a radio in the home.  Walter continued to be a hatter at the Baily Co.  In 1938 Edward and Mildred Taylor had their second daughter, Shirley in Magnolia.

               Christine died on Aug 1, 1939 in Magnolia at age 61 years old.  After his wife’s death, Walter, 65 years old, went to live with his daughter Mildred and her husband Edward Taylor.  Mildred Jane was 14 and Shirley 12 years old.  They all lived in the family home at 430 Monroe Ave, Magnolia.  Edward Taylor was an automobile dealer and owned his own business.

               I found where Mildred Jane married a Mr. Fister and she died in Marlton, NJ, but I am not sure when.  I also don’t know if she had children.  I am not sure if Shirley Taylor ever married or had children.  I don’t know anything about William Joe Price born in 1916.  I wonder if we have distant cousins out there?  Could they give us additional information about our “Johnson” roots in Sweden or Norway?  If anyone has any information about these “cousins” please let me know. 

I plan to continue with ancestor profiles in future blogs.  Thank you so much for all your help!

Picture 1911 in Magnolia.  Mildred Price (left) Miss Eva? (middle) brother William Barton Johnson (right) and Mildred Christine Price (11 year old girl).

The Johnson Family  -   Beginnings in America 

The “Johnson” branch of our family arrived in the United States approximately 1886 (I am still trying to find migration papers) with Joseph Oscar Johnson.  His wife Olena Marie Sverine Mickarelson and three daughters, Christine Isidori, Marie Elfrida Ronghil, and Ingeborg Gustava came with him or soon after.  Joseph was born in Sweden March 1, 1845.  Olena was born in Norway on Oct 25, 1852 in probably what is now Olso. This city was named Christiania until 1925 when it reverted to its original name of Oslo.  Christine, Marie and Ingeborg were born in Christiania and probably lived there until their journey to America.  Christine Isidori was born on Oct 28, 1877, Marie Elfrida Ronghil was born Aug 25, 1881 and Ingeborg Gustava Josephinia was born Sept 23, 1883. I was able to locate Ingaborg and Marie’s baptismal records in Oslo in the old Church records.  The “Johnson” name was the American version of their name of “Johannsen” as listed in the church records.  The family lived in Port Norris, New Jersey by 1888 when William Barton Johnson was born on March 22 according to the birth records of New Jersey and his WWI Registration Card.  I don’t know why they went to Port Norris but would love to know any theories.  His brother Joseph Peter was born soon after in Nov 27, 1889 in Port Norris, New Jersey. 

Another boy was born, Norman Johannes Johnson probably in Dec 1891 and died in 1892. I am not sure where the family was living at that time. By 1894 they were living in Camden, New Jersey because Esther Normandy Johnson was born in 1894 on Feb 10.  They were living at 221 York St. a little house near the river.  She died soon after her first birthday on March 8, 1895. Joseph purchased a burial plot in the Harleigh Cemetery in Camden in the Mt Hope section the day before she was buried. The cemetery was rather new at the time, it had opened in 1885.  Walt Whitman was buried there in 1892. 

On Oct 27, 1895 Olive Ella Julia Johnson was born in Camden while the family lived at 427 Erie.  The family continued to live in Camden but did move several times over the years.  The following is a list from the Camden City Directory tracing Joseph Johnson residences and his occupations:

1895 – seaman, 427 Erie
1896 – laborer, 931 N 3^rd
1897 – seaman, 931 N 3^rd
1898 – ship carpenter, 931 N 3^rd
1899 – clerk, 931 N 3^rd
1900 – wharfbuilder, 221 York
1901 – mariner, 221 York
1906 – sea captain, 221 York
1909 – mariner, 603 N 3^rd
1910 – sea captain on Coaster, 316 Elm (from 1910 census)
1911 – residence at death, 221 York (according to death certificate)
1911 - 316 Elm (according to obituary)

As your read over Joseph’s occupations, he was definitely involved with the maritime industry. I need to continue to research this aspect of his life to find more information.  Any ideas or information?

I heard the “family lore” saying that Joseph died aboard a ship after being hit in the head by the sail boom, but unfortunately that is just lore.  According to Joseph’s Death Certificate, he died in the US Marine Hospital of Baltimore, MD on April 23, 1911.  This hospital was a government supported service for the care of US mariners.  I believe that it merged with Johns-Hopkins Hospital in the early 1900’s, but the building is still there.  On the death certificate the doctor recorded seeing him from Feb 9, 1910 until his death.  I am not sure if he was in the hospital all that time or just having periodic visits, but he did die in the hospital.  He died from Carcinoma of the Bladder at 66 years old.  I am told this cancer is caused by heavy smoking.  His body was sent to Camden, NJ for burial in the Harleigh Cemetery. On April 25, 1911, an obituary was printed in the Camden Daily Courier:

JOHNSON – On April 23, 1911, at Baltimore, Md., Joseph Oscar, husband of Olena M. S. Johnson, aged 66 years.  The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral services on Wednesday afternoon, April 26^th, 1911, at two o’clock, from his late residence, 316 Elm St., Camden, N. J.  Interment private at Harleigh Cemetery.

Olena continued to live until Nov 27, 1930 and was buried next to her husband. She was 79 years old and lived in the Camden County Asylum, Gloucester City, N.J. as an inmate according to the 1930 census the year she died.  This was a county supported facility for the destitute and infirmed.  It was part Almshouse, part insane asylum, part TB hospital near what is Lakeland Hospital today. Her daughter Ingeborg Thomas arranged the funeral and lived at 63 Roberts Ave., Haddonfield, New Jersey.  In 1941, Ingeborg had new grave markers erected on her parent’s graves.  Those are the gravestones we see now.

 

This is just a start of the information on our family.  Please email me any other information or ideas you have so I can continue filling in the pieces for our family history.  I will continue to write about this family and explore all the children of Joseph and Olena. 

 So until next time, take care and enjoy your family.

Tricia

(Spellings and dates did vary throughout all the records so it is difficult to say with accuracy the dates of events.  I tried to use the most sourced dates and names.)

 

Hello Relatives,

Here is something fun I found and thought you might like it.  Ethel Bonsor Johnson (1892-1960) lived in Camden as a girl and young women.  I found a newspaper article in the Philadelphia Inquirer dated Friday, May 19, 1916.  The headline is as follows:

“Camden Turns Out for Big Civic Celebration Parade

Brilliant Auto Parade in Camden

Pretty Girls Play Prominent Part in Spectacle for Civic Celebrations”

 

The newspaper picture displays some cars with people driving them in the parade.  The top right picture is of Ethel Bonsor at the wheel when she was 24 years old.  The car is her father’s, Arthur Bonsor and it is filled with her friends.  They won 1^st place in their division according to the paper.  I remember photos the Julie Johnson had sent me and found a photo taken of that event. (I know the caption says F. Bonsor, but that must be a typo, should have said E. Bonsor)

 

 I translated some of the article for easier reading:

 

Exposition Showing Progress of City Opened by Mayer Ellis – Numerous Industrial Exhibits

 

Resplendent in decorations 300 cars participated in the automobile parade began yesterday in Camden as one of the features of the civic celebration... Wednesday night by the Board of Trade dinner and which comes to a close tomorrow night.  Not only Camden business and professional men, but those from various South Jersey towns as well as this city participated in the parade witnessed by several thousand persons who lined the principal thoroughfares.

     Pretty girls were prominent in the parade.  In one car was Miss F. Bonsor, daughter of Arthur Bonsor with half a dozen of her chums.  Mrs. William Sheer was accompanied by mix of her feminine friends, all wearing red carnations on their heads.

 

Class D:  Best undecorated car driven by a woman and filled with women, Miss F Bonsor, $3, ..  Miss Elna Phiton, Mrs. Williams Sheer, Mrs. Esther Casey and Mrs. William Welch.  (I did not translate all of it, just the interesting parts.)

 

This event must have been a highlight of the spring in Camden and it sounds like everyone enjoyed it. I am trying to find out about driver license procedure during that time in Camden, did Ethel have one? Does anyone know what kind of car this is?   Didn’t Ethel or Alice drive for the Red Cross?  I would think that Arthur Bonsor probably participated in the trade fair featuring his butter, eggs and chickens.   It is fun to see how they lived and what they experience.

Have fun with your family and hope to hear from you soon!
Tricia