1950s

The Life of John Travers Rogan (1888-1951)

joelowry1982 1880s, 1950s, Paternal, Rogan, Travers , , , ,

John Travers Rogan, son of James Francis Rogan and Catherine Anna Travers, was born on June 19, 1888, in New Castle, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.[i] John was the oldest of nine children, and the only boy in the group, watching over his younger sisters, Kathleen, Veronica, Anne, Frances, Mary, Elizabeth, Mercedes, and Ruth. He was named after his maternal grandfather, John Travers, who had died a little over eight months before the grandson was born.[ii]

John grew up in New Castle, in the family home at 353 West North Street, owned by his parents in the city’s 6th Ward. His father worked in the tin mill. Next door lived the family of his uncle and aunt, James and Margaret Travers Deskin; Margaret and Catherine were sisters. In 1900, 12-year-old John was in school.[iii] A decade later, although still living at home at age 22, he was working as a machinist in a local plant’s engineering works.[iv]

In June 1916, John was charged in the Lawrence County court with larceny from person, meaning he likely pick-pocketed. He was found guilty and sentenced to three months in the Allegheny County workhouse.[v]

As America entered World War I, the draft was enacted in May 1917. In early October, John was called for his physical examination by the local draft board, and on December 13, 1917, he was inducted into the National Army.[vi] At the time, he was residing at home with his parents at 703 West North Street, New Castle. He was assigned to the 308th Ammunition Train. On December 25, 1917, he was promoted to Wagoner, a role responsible for keeping wagons and draft animals in condition and ensuring supplies reached their destination. On April 17, 1918, he was transferred to the 25th Company of the 7th Training Battalion. Although World War I was raging, he never deployed overseas. Instead, he suffered an injury while in camp and was honorably discharged on June 15, 1918.[vii] The war ended on November 11, 1918.

Following his military service, John returned to civilian life. In 1920, he was enumerated in New Castle’s Sixth Ward, employed as a machinist in a bronze factory, likely the Johnston Bronze Company, where he had worked before his induction into the Army.[viii] By 1930, however, he was listed simply as a laborer, doing odd jobs. Even at age 38 he was still living at home with his parents and five of his sisters.[ix] Still, he had social connections and in the mid-1930s, was on the executive committee of the local American Legion chapter.[x]

By the time John reached his early 40s, he was suffering from several chronic maladies. In April 1932, he was noted in the New Castle News as having returned from a stay in the Philadelphia Naval Hospital.[xi] Later that year, in August, he spent a month in Bath, Steuben County, New York, where he entered the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. His admission records noted several health conditions: moderate chronic bronchitis, significant dental disease with many missing teeth, multiple scars from tuberculosis and childhood trauma, chronic back strain in the sacroiliac region, and traumatic psychoneurosis — a psychological disorder related to wartime trauma (in modern terms, post-traumatic stress disorder).

John had returned to Pennsylvania by February 2, 1934, when he requested a state military pension for his World War I service. Living at 219 North Beaver Street, New Castle, the record notes that he had no wife and no children. A pension of $10 per month for six months was granted. By 1942, during the World War II “Old Man’s” draft registration, he was living at 208 Avenue J in Weirton, Hancock County, West Virginia in the home of his sister, Mary Rogan Gallagher, along with her husband John and four children.[xii] He reported himself as unemployed at that time. What brought him from New Castle to Weirton is unclear, although a search for work is possible. His work history during the Depression indicates that he struggled to keep a job and moved at least a few times. His health issues likely didn’t make keeping a job easier.

By 1950, it was clear that John’s life was difficult. He was enumerated in the 1950 U.S. Census as being a prisoner in the Youngstown City Jail.[xiii] The criminal charge and how long he spent in jail are not known. He died less than a year later, on March 2, 1951, in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio, aged sixty-two. John was buried three days later in St. Mary’s Cemetery in New Castle.[xiv]

Sources:

[i] “World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918,” digital images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 September 2025), John Travers Rogan, registration at Draft Board 1, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania; citing World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918, NARA microfilm publication M1509, roll 1907346, Records of the Selective Service System (Record Group 163), National Archives, Washington, D.C.

[ii] “Death of John Travers,” The Daily City News, New Castle, Pennsylvania, 4 Oct 1887, pg. 3, col. 3; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 7 Sep 2025).

[iii] 1900 U.S. census, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, New Castle, Ward 6, ED 109, pg. 16A, household 307, family 315, household of James Rogan; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 Sep 2025); citing NARA microfilm publication T623.

[iv] 1910 U.S. census, Lawrence County, population schedule, New Castle, ED 134, pg. 6B, household 145, family 148, household of James Rogan; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 Sep 2025), citing NARA microfilm publication T624.

[v] “Pennsylvania, U.S., Prison, Reformatory, and Workhouse Records, 1829–1971,” database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 September 2025); citing Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Register to Include All Prisoners Tried and Sentenced to Hard Labor Books, Series 197m.16, Allegheny County Workhouse; entry for John Rogan, prisoner no. 67626; digital image 3784 of 6346.

[vi] “Examination on Tuesday,” The New Castle News, New Castle, Pennsylvania, 10 Oct 1917, pg. 16, col. 3; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 7 Sep 2025).

[vii] “Pennsylvania, U.S., WWI Veterans Service and Compensation Files, 1917-1919, 1934-1948,” database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 September 2025), > Army > Rodgers, Earle Marshall – Rohlfs, Frederick G (367) > application of John T. Rogan, number 65948, digital image 2506 of 4160; citing Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, “World War I Veterans Service and Compensation File, 1934–1948,” record group 19, Series 19.91, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

[viii] 1920 U.S. census, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, New Castle, Ward 6, ED 103, sheet 15B, household 348, family 349, household of James F. Rogan; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 Sep 2025), citing NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 1586.

[ix] 1930 U.S. census, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, New Castle, ED 18, sheet 7B, dwelling 161, family 161, household of James F. Rogan; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 Sep 2025), citing NARA microfilm publication T626, FHL microfilm: 2341794.

[x] “Davis Names Committee on Hayes Banquet,” The New Castle News, New Castle, Pennsylvania, 21 Apr 1934, pg. 12, col. 7; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 7 Sep 2025).

[xi] “Rogan Home From Vets Hospital,” The New Castle News, New Castle, Pennsylvania, 1 Apr 1932, pg. 20, col. 8; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/ : accessed 7 Sep 2025).

[xii] “U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942,” database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 Mar 2025), entry for John Travers Rogan, Hancock, West Virginia, serial no. 2704, order no. [blank]; citing The National Archives at St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, World War II Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) for the State of West Virginia, Records of the Selective Service, Record Group 147, Series Number M1937.

[xiii] 1950 U.S. census, Mahoning County, Ohio, population schedule, Youngstown, enumeration district (ED) 100-49, sheet 72, line 78, John T Rogan, inmate; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 Sep 2025); citing NARA microfilm publication T628, roll 1047.

[xiv] “U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963,” database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 22 Mar 2025), entry for John T. Rogan, service number 1957058; citing “Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941,” microfilm publication M1916, Record Group 92, (National Archives and Records Administration: Washington, D.C.).

Census Sunday: The 1950 U.S. Census has been released!

joelowry1982 1950s, Census Sunday, Lowry, Paternal

Federal law protects information collected in the United States Census for 72 years. How they came to that number is unknown, but it does mean that on April 1, 2022, the 1950 U.S. Census was released to the public. Each census occurs on a day, and the 1950 Census occurred on April 1, 1950. Even if the enumerator visited a house on April 4, the information collected was supposed to reflect April 1. If they visited on the 4th, and a newborn was born on April 2, they shouldn’t be included.

When the census was released on Archives.gov, they made available the individual sheets that were used to collect the data, also known as Form P1: 1950 Census of Population and Housing. It includes, among other things, a person’s address, name, age, race, sex, work status, occupation, and type of industry they worked. For many Baby Boomers born immediately after World War II, this is the first time they will appear in the census.

1950 U.S. Census for my uncle Chuck Lowry, my grandparents Chuck and Jean Lowry, and his parents, Charles and Mary Lowry (lines 22-26).

Enumeration District 100-16 in Ohio included the streets of Hanley, Zents, and Thornton, between Wick and Logan on Youngstown’s North Side. This district of just a few streets led to the creation of 21 pages of data by an enumerator who walked each street and spoke with a household member.

In 1950, my grandfather Chuck Lowry lived at 1437 Wick Ave with his wife Jean and their son, Charles. This was his first appearance in a census. Next door, at 1439 Wick, was Chuck’s parents, Charles E and Mary Lowry. They both lived next door to the McGoverns, at 1435, who would be lifelong friends. Interestingly, around the corner at 46 Hanley was the family of Clarence Lowry, but they are of no relation.

State: Ohio
County: Mahoning
Incorporated Place or Township: Youngstown
E.D. Number: 100-16
Date Sheet Started: April 1
Enumerators Signature: Howard Dilley
Checked By: R.E. Myelott on Apr 6, 1950
Sheet No. 3

Line 22
1427 Thornton
Dwelling 24
Not a farm and not on 3 or more acres

Lowry, Charles J, head, white, male, 25 years old, married, born in Ohio; works 40 hours a week as a special delivery messenger for the Post Office. Government employee.

” Mary J, wife, white, female, 25 years old, married, born in Ohio; keeping house, not working, not looking for work, does not have a job outside the home

” Charles J, son, white, male, Nov [born in Nov, meaning he was only 6 months old], never married, born in Ohio.

Line 25
1429 Thornton
Dwelling 25
Not a farm and not on 3 or more acres

Lowry, Charles E, head, white, male, 50 years old, married, born in Ohio; works as an analyst in the rolling steel mill. Private sector employee.

” Mary, wife, white, female, 47 years old, married, born in Pennsylvania; keeping house, not working, not looking for work, does not have a job outside the home

Source:

1950 U.S. Federal Census, Mahoning County, Youngstown, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 100-16, sheet 3, dwelling 24 and 25, households of Charles J. Lowry (24) and Charles E. Lowry (25); digital image, Archives.gov (https://1950census.archives.gov/ : accessed 1 Apr 2022).