family-history

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.).

The Last Will and Testament of Bridget Conley Lowry (1825-1904)

joelowry1982 1900s, Conley, Lowry, Paternal , , , , ,

Probate Court-August 6th 1904
Estate of Bridget Lowry
Deceased

The first part of Bridget Lowry’s last will and testament
The second page of Mary Lowry’s last will and testament, from the pages of the Columbiana County register of wills.

Be it remembered that heretofore to wit: August 6th 1904 came Michael Lowry Jr. and filed in the probate court of Columbiana County, Ohio. The last will and testament of Bridget Lowry, deceased, together with an application to admit the same to probate and a waiver of notice, which will, application and waiver are as follows, to wit:

In the name of the Beloved Father of all. Amen: I, Bridget Lowry of the City of Leetonia, Columbiana County, Ohio, being of sound mind and memory, do make, publish, and declare this to be my last will and testament.

First: My wish is that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon as after my death as possible.

Second: I give and bequeathe to my beloved son Michael Lowry a life interest in and to the following described property: situated in the village of Leetonia, County of Columbiana, Ohio and known as being North end of [Grancel] East part of lot No. 725 (New number) in the village of Leetonia, Ohio, and which is of a depth of Eighty (80) feet from North boundary of said lot No. 725 in said Village of Leetonia, Ohio. also a life interest in the following described piece of property situated in the Village of Leetonia in the County of Columbiana in the State of Ohio, being known as Lot No. 722 [ed: 712?] as n ew numbered in the town plat of Leetonia formerly known as sub lot No. 15 in lot No. 11 in said village. And after the death of the said Michael Lowry, I give and bequeathe to the said children of Michael Lowry, to wit Maggie Lowry, Anastasia Lowry, Edward Lowry, Charles Lowry, and Raymond Lowry, both of the above described pieces of property, each to take share and share alike.

Third: I give and bequeathe to my beloved husband, Michael Lowry, a life interest in and to the following described property, situated in the township of Salem, County of Columbiana and state of Ohio, and known as being lots numbers 22,23 in John Clapsaddles second addition to Leetonia (New Nos. 934 and 935) and after the death of my husband, I give and bequeath the said property in fee simple to my beloved children Michael Lowry, Edward Lowry, Margaret Lowry, and Ann Connors each to take share and share alike.

Fourth: It is my wish that the following described property be sold after my death and the proceeds be devoted toward the payment of my funeral expenses, said property being described as follows. To wit: situated in Salem Township, Columbiana County, and State – and known as being lots No. 14 and 15 in John Betz’s second addition of lots in Leetonia and in order that said property may be sold with as little expense as possible. I authorize and impower my executor herein to make all necessary deeds and papers for said transfer.

Fifth: It is my wish and I hereby command my children and grandchildren to give to the pastor of St. Patricks Church of Leetonia, Ohio, the sum of twenty-five ($25.00) Dollars to be used for the purpose of celebrating Mass for the repose of my soul.

Sixth: I hereby appoint and nominate my beloved son, Michael Lowry executor of my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand 1st day of August A.D. 1902.
Bridget X Lowry
Her Mark

Source:

Columbiana County, Ohio, Record of Wills, Last will and testament of Bridget Lowry, pg. 69, 6 Aug 1904; “Ohio, Probate Records, 1789-1996,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-27622-28206-36?cc=1992421&wc=S24N-3TP:266278701,268149001 : accessed 9 Mar 2025), Wills 1903-1905 vol 19-20, image 395 of 658.

John Puhl in the National Soldier’s Home

joelowry1982 1910s, Military, Paternal, Pepperney, Puhl , , , ,

On a snowy Sunday, November 13, 1910, in Dayton, Ohio, John Puhl walked into the National Soldier’s Home. Essentially an early Veterans Affairs hospital, the home provided not just medical care but also short and long-term lodging to veterans, most of the Civil War. As the National Park Service describes, “Requirements for admission were that soldiers had been honorably discharged from military service and that they had contracted their disabilities during the war. Men admitted themselves to the home voluntarily and could request a discharge. The homes were run in a military fashion: men wore uniforms and were assigned to companies; bugles and cannons signaled daily schedules. The homes provided schools, churches, hospitals, and gardens thought to be therapeutic for the veterans.”

It’s likely that John signed in that Sunday for medical care. His wife Emma was still living in Pittsburgh, so it’s doubtful he initially intended to live there for the rest of his life, although he could have if he wished. The intake form states Emma lived at 2621 Linwood Avenue in Pittsburgh (until 1907 the independent city of Allegheny) in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood, at the time an enclave of German, Irish, Italian, and Polish families primarily living in single-family homes. The form fails to capture that they lived with eight others in the home of their daughter Ida and son-in-law (and Major League baseball player) Augustus Dundon, their three children, and Ida’s siblings Harry, Bertha, and Grace. John was a molder in an iron foundry, a typical job in Pittsburgh’s booming steel and iron industry.

John’s intake form states that he was 5 foot, 5 inches and had “effective hearing and vision, old injury to left hip with about 1/2 inch shortening of the leg accordingly, G.S.W left shoulder, cardiac hypertrophy, arteriosclerosis, dermal condition good.” While most of those ailments are representatives of the diet and medical condition of most men his age, the G.S.W. – gunshot wound – could represent a Civil War injury and the needed disability to be seen for care in the National Soldier’s Home.

John stayed in Dayton for seven months, checking himself out on June 25, 1910. According to available records, he did not return to Dayton for further treatment. He died in Pittsburgh in 1916.

Editor’s Note: John Puhl is the older brother of Margaret Puhl Pepperney (1849 – 1923). Margaret is the wife of Frank Pepperney (1847 – 1927) and mother of George P. Pepperney (1871 – 1962).

Sources

1910 U.S. census, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, population schedule, tract X4, enumeration district (ED) 629, sheet 1B, dwelling 17, family 18, household of August Dondon; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 Feb 2024); FHL microfilm 1375321, citing NARA publication  T624, roll 1308.

“An Atlas of the North Side: Pleasant Valley Neighborhood Area of Pittsburgh 1977,” Pittsburgh Neighborhood Alliance, 1977; University of Pittsburgh Center for Urban and Social Research, site search “Pleasant Valley,” (https://web.archive.org/web/20120415121104/http://www.ucsur.pitt.edu/files/nrep/1977/north%20side%20pleasant%20valley%20PNA%201977.pdf : accessed 3 February 2024).

Larue, Paul, “A Nation Repays Its Debt: The National Soldiers’ Home and Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio (Teaching with Historic Places),” National Park Service, 2003-2004, (https://www.nps.gov/articles/a-nation-repays-its-debt-the-national-soldiers-home-and-cemetery-in-dayton-ohio-teaching-with-historic-places.htm : accessed 3 February 2024).

“Pennsylvania, U.S., Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012,” digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 Feb 2024), entry for John Puhl; citing Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1929-1990, Series 1, Folder No. 393, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Register of Members, Entries 33000-34499, to the National Soldier’s Home at Dayton, Ohio, John Puhl, 34178, image 613 of 786; U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938; Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.

“Weather Forecast,” Dayton Daily Herald, 12 Nov 1910, pg 1, masthead; digital image, (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 3 Feb 2024), Newspapers.com.