Mcfillin

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The McFillin's of Philadelphia PA

and other related families

Generation No. 1

1. JAMES MCFILLIN was born Bet. 1816 - 1822 in Ireland according to the 1850 census and died March 1862 in Accidental fall down stairs. He married ROSANNA CONWELL, daughter of CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS CONWELL. She was born Bet. 1819 - 1824 also in Ireland and she passed away October of 1857.
"A large funeral was held for James McFillin, a member of the Board of School Directors of the 4th Ward, and was attended on Wednesday last by a vast concourse of his friends, the church to which the remains were taken previous to interment -St. Joseph's- being crowded to excess during the celebration of the Solemn funeral services. The deceased was a man highly esteemed by those who knew him, and his sudden death has cast a gloom over the very extended circle in which he moved."
"Sudden Death- Yesterday, Mr. James McFillin, a well known and highly esteemed resident of the Fourth Ward, died at his residence, No. 524 South Street. His death was caused by an accidental fall down stairs, an evening of the previous. He was a member of the Board of School Directors of the Ward, and, in that capacity, rendered good service to the cause of education in the Ward. In his public and private relations he sustained an enviable character, and his sudden demise is universally regretted."
He and Rosanna are buried at Cathedral Cemetery, Lancaster Ave & 48th St. Philadelphia PA
Children of JAMES MCFILLIN and ROSANNA CONWELL are:

2. MARY E MCFILLIN, b. Jan 1840; d. 2 Jun 1919.
BRIDGET MCFILLIN3, b. Abt. 1841, Philadelphia, PA.
3. WINFRED MCFILLIN, b. Abt. 1842, Philadelphia, PA; d. 28 Sep 1878, Philadelphia, PA.
HUGH MCFILLIN3, b. Abt. 1843, Philadelphia, PA3; d. 1859, Philadelphia, PA.
ELIZABETH MCFILLIN3, b. Abt. 1844, Philadelphia, PA.
4. ROSANNA MCFILLIN, b. May 1847, Philadelphia, PA; d. 29 Dec 1903, Philadelphia, PA.
SAMUEL MCFILLIN3, b. Abt. 1848, Philadelphia, PA.
5. HENRY MCFILLIN, b. 1850, PA.
6. EUGENE MCFILLIN, b. Jul 1854, Philadelphia, PA; d. 22 May 1913, Philadelphia, PA.
CORNELIUS MCFILLIN3, b. Mar 1860, PA.

Generation No. 2
2. MARY E MCFILLIN was born Jan 1840, and died 2 Jun 1919. She married ANDREW J BROWN, son of JAMES BROWN and EVELINE. He was born Abt. 1849 in PA.
They married about 1870 per the 1900 census she has been married for 30 years. Andrew may have died before 1900. Mary is listed with her children as Head of household but curiously she is listed as married as opposed to widowed. So he may have simply been off somewhere. Also, per the 1900 census she had 8 children but at the time of the census only 6 were living. Mary and Andrew are both buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon PA.
Children of MARY MCFILLIN and ANDREW BROWN are:

HARRY BROWN who married MARY DONAHOWER, was born Abt. 1893 and 18 Dec 1973, Philadelphia, PA. Mary is buried in the plot bought by James F Brown, at the Holy Cross Cemetery. Section 6, Range 2, Lot 27,28,29,30
ANDREW J BROWN, JR, who died before 1900.
JAMES F BROWN was born sometime between Aug 1868 - 1872 in either New Jersey or New York he died 6 Aug 1928. The 1900 census states his DOB as Aug 1872 the 1910 census says his age is 42 which would make his birth year 1868. James bought a site at the Holy Cross Cemetery. Section 6, Range 2, Lot 27,28,29,30, where he and many of the family are buried. His occupation was in real estate.
ELLEN BROWN was born Abt. 1873 in PA and married BENJAMIN DAYTON STEVENS who was 1851, in CT and died October of 1913. Ellen or aka Helen Beresford was a stage actress on Broadway, which is probably where she met Ben as he was general manager for Klaw and Erlanger. Producers Sam Nixon and Fred Zimmerman of Philadelphia, Charles Frohman, Al Hayman, Marc Klaw and Abraham Erlanger of New York formed an organization in order to control and stabilize American Theatre. Due to unscrupulous business practices, the group became known as The Syndicate. They arranged for theatre managers to deal with one agent as opposed to hundreds of touring group managers and producers. Managers who refused to deal with the Syndicate were eliminated through ruthless tactics. They would build rival theatres next to their competition; book first rate shows at reduced prices until the rival went under. New York producers who refused to cooperate were denied bookings and actors were "blackballed." By 1900, the Syndicate won effective control. Their choice of plays was usually very commercial in order to have mass appeal
EVELYN M BROWN was born Jul 1877, Philadelphia, PA and passed away 17 Apr 1941, Philadelphia, PA. She is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon PA.
HENRY C. BROWN, b. Jul 1878, PA; d. 21 Mar 1935. He was also an actor and is buried with the family at Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon PA.
FRANCIS A BROWN was born Jul 1882, PA and died 21 Nov 1906. She married a REANEY. Fanny was another member of the family to take up acting as a career. She and her child were moved from the McFillin plot at Cathedral Cemetery to the Brown plot at Holy Cross Nov. 21, 1906.
ALBERT SEYMOUR BROWN was born abt. 1885, PA and died 24 Dec 1947, Yeadon, Montgomery Co., Pa. He is buried Holy Cross Cemetery. He married an actress by the name of PAULINE THORNE. Bert was a songwriter by trade and even assisted in writing a play by the name of A PAIR OF QUEENS in 1916. He, at least once, performed as an actor in the production of THE GRAND MOGUL in 1907, which coincidentally Pauline Thorne also performed in. It might be assumed that this is where they met or perhaps they as a young couple thought it would be fun to perform together. It is also interesting to note that this was produced by Klaw & Erlanger the employer of Benjamin Stevens, Bert's brother-in-law. A. Seymour Brown had many songs that made their way to popularity such as "Oh You Beatiful Doll". To view a more detailed list of his work please visit the Hit List.

Polly was suppose to have an interesting lady herself according to one of the relatives in the letter below.

An email letter to Megan Dove from her Aunt Marie Garvin Miller on Thursday, August 16, 2001
Dear Megan,
If you want an interesting creature ....look up Bert Brown's first wife.
She was Aunt Polly to us ,but, her stage and screen name was Pearl Brown.
Polly was jewish, a Ziegfeld Girl,made a few movies, crowned the 1st. Miss
America and was married to Bert for a few years before she married Jacques
Frank and had HARVEY'S restrauant in Washington D.C.
I spent a bit of time with Polly and just adored her.When she passed away
she left all she had(heaps of scrapbooks etc.) to Bop. He didn't want
anything and told Polly's maid Lillian to take what she wanted and sell the
rest. In fact he wouldn't even go to her house in Atlantic City to see if
he wanted anything.
I had been under the impression she was Miss America but she was paid to
crown the 1st. Miss America...as she was a movie personality. She and Bert
spent summers in AC as did Bop when he was in College. He used to tell
stories of waiting on (he was a waiter in one of the better eating houses)
Diamond Jim Brady and that crowd. Bert Brown evidently wrote most of his
misic at the shore. Don"t know if your mother can add to this.
Bop's relatives were sure a lot more interesting than Peachy's and she
turned her nose up at them. She didn"t like Polly all that much.....she
burned a hole in the john seat one year and we didn't hear the end of it.
Polly would take the newspaper ,ashtray and a pack of smokes into the john
and appear an hour later....wish I had the time!!!!!!
Marie

3. WINFRED MCFILLIN was born Abt. 1842 in Philadelphia, PA, and died 28 Sep 1878 in Philadelphia, PA. She is buried inCathedral Cemetery, Philadelphia, PAShe married EDWARD W WHITE 3 Mar 1867. He was an Officer on a ship called The Cyane that departed from Philadelphia PA. Edward in 1880 ran a China store in Philadelphia.
Children of WINFRED MCFILLIN and EDWARD WHITE are:

MARY G WHITE, b. Abt. 1870, Philadelphia, PA; d. Jul 1891, Philadelphia, PA.
ROSE WHITE, b. Abt. 1871, Philadelphia, PA; d. May 1895, Philadelphia, PA.
FREDERICK W WHITE, b. Abt. 1874; m. MAUDE JESTER.

4. ROSANNA MCFILLIN was born May 1847 in Philadelphia, PA, and died 29 Dec 1903 in Philadelphia, PA. She married ENOS MCALLISTER 6 Aug 18675. He was born Abt. 1830 in PA, and died Bef. 1880. Per the 1900 census Rose had 6 children but only 1 was still living at the time of the census. It also says she had been married for 30 years. In 1880 her occupation is listed as "chidrens clothing". She is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, PA, while Enos was buried in Cathedral Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA and later moved to Holy Cross (1903).
Children of ROSANNA MCFILLIN and ENOS MCALLISTER are:

DOLLY MCALLISTER.
ESTELLE MCALLISTER, b. Jul 1875, Philadelphia, PA; d. 29 Nov 1941, Philadelphia, PA. In 1900 she is listed as working as a Stenographer.
ROSINA MCALLISTER, b. Abt. 1872, Philadelphia, PA; d. 21 Mar 1878, Philadelphia, PA. She is buried Cathedral Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA (moved to Holy Cross 1903)

5. HENRY MCFILLIN was born 1850 in PA. and died bef. 1900 He married first to woman named CATHERINE . She was born May 1851 in NY. He then married MINNIE. In 1880 he was working as a store clerk in Philadelphia, PA.
Children of HENRY MCFILLIN and MINNIE ? are: Per the 1900 census Minnie had 7 children and only 6 were living at the time of the census

UNKNOWN MCFILLIN, d. Bef. 1900.
HARRY MCFILLIN, b. Feb 1870, Philadelphia, PA.
EUGENE MCFILLIN, b. Feb 1874, PA; m. ELLA , Abt. 1898; b. 28 Jul 1876, PA; d. 15 Jan 1971, PA. In 1900 he was employed as a bookkeeper.
MINNIE MCFILLIN, b. Jun 1879, Philadelphia, PA She was also a Bookkeeper.
GEORGE MCFILLIN, b. Apr 1885, Philadelphia, PA. In 1900 he was employed as an errand boy.
ELMA MCFILLIN, b. Nov 1886, Philadelphia, PA She was also a Bookkeeper.
JOSEPH MCFILLIN, b. Jul 1887, Philadelphia, PA

Children of HENRY MCFILLIN and CATHERINE are:

LAURA MCFILLIN.
CATHERINE MCFILLIN, b. Jul 1871, PA. Catherine is listed as the child of Henry and Catherine and that makes sense as far as the name goes, however the date conflicts with that of Harry above.

6. EUGENE MCFILLIN was born Jul 1854 in Philadelphia, PA, and died 22 May 1913 in Philadelphia, PA. He married IDA LUDLOW STATTLIER 30 Sep 18747, daughter of STATTLIER and WHEATLEY. She was born Sep 1857 in Philadelphia, PA, and died 16 Oct 1915.
The 1890 Philadelphia directory has a Eugene McFillin (Reed & Co.) Address h 1518 Tiernan. Eugene McFillin purchased the large grave at Holy Cross Cemetery. Holy Cross section 26, range 13, lot 7. Purchased in 1903 for $100. His address was 650 Ashland Ave. Glenolden, PA 19036
Eugene McFillin was a Pawn Broker at 17th and Market St. He did well and when he and Ida died each child was left a home and $10,000. He also raised the 'three White orphans' his sisters three children after she and her and her husband died of TB. All three died young from TB as well.
"McFillin- On May 22, 1913, Eugene, beloved husband of Ida L. McFillin and son of the late James and Rose McFillin. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral, on Monday, May 26, at 8:30 am, from his late residence 1324 South 16th St. Solemn high Requiem Mass at St. Rita's Church, at Broad and Ellsworth Sts., at 10:00 am., interment at Holy Cross Cemetery."
Ida Ludlow Stattlier's mother was a Opera singer who died in her dressing room prior to going on stage possibly at the Academy of Music. Ida was then raised by her grandmother Hope Whallen Wheatley. She is said to be a cousin to the singer Jenny Lind as well but the exact connection is not known. Ida was raised Quaker until she beame Catholic in about 1883.
Children of EUGENE MCFILLIN and IDA STATTLIER are:

FLORENCE IDA MCFILLIN, born 9 Jan 1876, Philadelphia, PA; d. 17 Oct 1961, Delaware County, PA. She WILLIAM HERBERT GARVIN, 9 Jul 1902. He was born 22 Dec 1873, Philadelphia, PA and died 7 May 1936, Philadelphia, PA. She died from a coma secondary to diffuse arteriosclerosis. She also had phlebothrombosis of the left leg.

"Mrs. William H. Garvin - Mrs. Florence McFillin Garvin, widow of William H. Garvin, died Tuesday at St. Francis Country House, Darby. She was 85 and lived at the Alexandra Apartments, 524 S. 42d St. Surviving are a son, Dr. Eugene J. Garvin; two sisters, a brother, five grandchildren and a great- grandchild. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10 am. Saturday in St. Dorothy's Roman Catholic Church, 4910 Township line, Drexal Hill. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery."
Willian died of cancer. His death record listed his occupation as a printer.The 1910 Penna. Miracode Census listed William H. Garvin as being 36, living in Philadelphia County, Philadelphia with his wife Florence age 34, son Eugene age 6 and son Herbert. There were also living in his house his mother Martha Steiner Garvin age 70 and his Aunt Emma Steiner age 38.

EUGENE MCFILLIN, b. 23 Jul 1877, Philadelphia, PA; d. 13 Jan 1878, Philadelphia, PA
MARY ELIZABETH MCFILLIN, b. 25 Feb 1886, Philadelphia, PA; d. Aug 1978, Ridley Park, PA; m. JAMES ALOYSUIS DOUGHERTY, 11 Jun 19187; b. 6 Jul 1882, Philadelphia, PA; d. 7 Mar 1966, Camden County, New Jersey. "Dougherty- Mary Elizabeth (nee McFillin), on August 18, 1978, wife of the late James A. Dougherty, of Ridley Twp., Morton Pa., formerly of S.W. Phila. and mother of Eugene Dougherty of Clayton N.J., Margaret Mary Davin of Pitts., Pa. and Josephine Coleman of Ridley Twp., Morton, Pa., 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing Tue. 9 am to 10:30 am from the James F. Knoetgen Funeral Home, 746 Kedron Ave., Ridley Twp.,Morton Pa., Rte. 420. Mass of Christian Burial, 11am., Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Int. Holy Cross Cemetery."
IDA MAY MCFILLIN, b. 14 Nov 1878, Philadelphia, PA; d. 7 Dec 1967, Philadelphia, PA or Gloucester Co NJ. Ida May was engaged when she was 19 years old and her fiancée died two days before the wedding. She eventually did get engaged again and this groom also died prior to the wedding. After that she would not even look at a man for fear she would kill them. Ida worked at Clarke and Company and lived with her sister. She was left some money and used it to purchase the grave at Holy Cross because she knew she was going in the large McFillin grave at Holy Cross with her parents. William Herbert and Florence Ida McFillin Garvin are buried with Laura C. Metzger and her daughter Ida May Meztger Eagen and her husband John E. Eagen and Martha L. Eagen in the grave Ida bought. Eleven spots remain open there.
"Ida M. McFillin of Iona Dies-Ida M. McFillin, 89 years, of Lake Drive, Iona, N.J. died Thursday December 7, 1967 at the Robinson Nursing Home in Pitman. Born in Philadelphia PA. She had lived in Iona for the past three years. She was a retired secretary for E. W. Clark and Co. of Philadelphia. She is survived by a sister Mrs. Mary McFillin Dougherty of Iona and a brother Kendrick McFillin of Florida. Funeral services were held on Monday December 11, 1967 at 8:30 am. at the Barclay funeral home, Broad and Maple Sts., Clayton N.J. prior to Requiem High Mass at 9:30 am. at the R.C. Church of the Nativity, in Franklinville. Interment was made in Holy Cross Cemetery , Yeadon PA."
LAURA CHARLOTTE MCFILLIN, b. 20 May 1882, Philadelphia, PA; d. 13 Aug 1932, Philadelphia, PA; m. WALTER JOSEPH METZGAR, 12 Oct 1902; b. , Philadelphia, PA. Laura's unconfirmed cause of death...choked to death on a fish bone.
EDWARD J MCFILLIN, b. 12 Jul 1884, Philadelphia, PA; d. Oct 1920, Philadelphia, PA; m. MAY POTTS, 14 Aug 1906.Edward went to War in 1915 and came home in 1918.
"Edward J. McFillin - World War Veteran Dies at Sun Mount Convalescent Camp. Word has been received here that Edward J. McFillin, a World War veteran, died today at Sun Mount, N Y., a Government convalescent camp from injuries suffered during the war in France. McFillin enlisted here in the early days of the war. He was formerly a diamond broker here, and resided for a time in Atlantic City. A widow, Mrs. Mary Potts McFillin, and three Children, Marian, Virginia and Edward Jr. survive him."
REGINA MCFILLIN, b. 6 Dec 1887 She was buried 27 Dec 1887, Cathedral Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA.
GEORGE WASHINGTON KENDRICK MCFILLIN, b. 17 Sep 1892, Philadelphia, PA; d. 28 Sep 1977, Pompano Beach, Florida . He married VERA STRATTEN George Washington Kendrick McFillin was known as Kendrick, he served in W.W.I. and then went to France on a GI Bill. While in France he was robbed and never bothered to inform the authorities. The body of a be-headed man was found with only Kendrick's wallet on him so the French Authorities informed Ida McFillin at work that her brother's body had been found; Ida fainted. The family made arrangements for a Memorial service and the local paper ran a headline about it (abt. 1918-1921). Several weeks later Kendrick appeared at the door and none of his family would talk to him because they were so mad that he hadn't called.
Kendrick was a bootlegger and eventually got in big trouble and had to leave the country so quickly that on his way from Florida where he lived to NY he could not even stop in Philadelphia for his mother's funeral. No one seems to know why anymore. He later moved back to Florida with his wife Vera and had an antique shop but still spent a lot of time in Niece France. He died and is buried in Florida. He is affectionately called a lady's man and a character by the family.

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