The Bernard Donohue Family of Abington, PA 1887-1977

1887 – A Rose Weldon was baptized Roman Catholic in County Meath, Ireland 4 Jun 1887 based on records from www.rootsireland.ie. It is unlikely that there is another Rose Weldon born in County Meath in this time period so it is assumed that the record is correct. If true, then Rose's later stated birth date of 1892 has to be in question in spite of numerous repetitions in records, e.g. US Census. Due to high infant mortality during that time, it was customary to baptize the child as soon as possible, usually within a few days or the day of birth "rooted in a fear the child would die unbaptized and fall into Limbo.". Her parents were Mary Berril and her father was Michael Weldon.

Jan 1892 – Bernard Donohue was born 6 Jan 1892 in Jenkintown, PA to Thomas Donohue (1860-1941) and Catherine O'Neill (1858-1936); both parents immigrated from Ireland. Their page is here.

Sep 1906 – Rose immigrated to the US on the SS Haverford, sailing out of Liverpool, England on 29 Aug 1906, arriving in Philadelphia on 9 Sep. The Arriving Passenger document reports she was 18 on arrival with a birth date of about 1887. Her occupation was "domestic"; her last residence was "Rathkeang" in Ireland, she had paid for her own ticket and arrived with $10. Her destination on arrival was "York Rd/Wyomissing Ave". Rosemary Michel thought that Rosemary's Aunt Margaret was with Rose and had came to the US to help raise Margaret's brother's children as he had recently been widowed. The immigration records do not show a Margaret Donohue or Weldon on this ship.

Apr '11 – The Irish Census for Michall (sic) and Mary Weldon has him as a "farm servant". Rose had said they lived on a farm when she was young. They were 27 years married in 1911 (married ~1884) and had five children, three of whom were still alive.

Jun '13 – John Milton Colton dies 5 Jun 1913. Bernard will assumedly chauffeur for his wife (Mary Roberts) until her death in 1929. The Colton's had three children: Milton Beaumont, Margaret Barclay, and Mary Ethel Colton.

Apr '17 – Bernard Donohue and Rose Donohue (nee Weldon) were married 18 April 1917 (both 25 yrs).

Jun '17 – Bernard is a chauffeur for Mrs. John Milton Colton in Jenkintown in at least 1917 (from his draft card employment section). Bernard's father was Superintendent of the Estate of the late John M Colton. A family background on JM Colton may be viewed here . According to Wikipedia, the Strawbridge and Clothier store in Jenkintown "...was built on the site of Wyndhurst, banker John Milton Colton's estate containing a Horace Trumbauer-designed Tudor-style residence built 1899-1900. The main residence was razed in 1930 to build the Jenkintown store, but one of the outbuildings in similar Tudor style remains at 2 Rydal Rd."

Oct '17 – Bernard Jr is born 17 Oct 1917.

Jan '20 – Bernard and family are living on somewhere on Greenwood Ave in Cheltenham, PA based on 1920 Census.

The Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann) (1922–1937) was the name initially given to the Irish State, made up of twenty-six of the thirty-two counties on the island of Ireland after the War of Independence.

Oct '20 – Joseph Aloysius is born 22 Oct 1920. Joe would go on to marry Annabelle Brock in Virginia in October 1951, later moving to 1855 Keith Rd in Abington, PA.

Jul '26 – Rosemary [Richard (Dick) Michel's wife] is born 15 July 1926.

May '29 – Mary R Colton dies; she was the wife of JM Colton.

Jul '29 – Joseph A Louchheim dies suddenly in Atlantic City. He is survived by his wife Teresa Fleisher Louchheim. He had been very successful in the wholesale clothing business. Bernard would chauffeur for the Louchheim family/estate.

May '30 – 1930 Census records Bernard and family as living at 28 (now 1928) Susquehanna Rd, Abington, PA. Both he and Rose are 38 years old.

Apr '36 – Catherine Donohue, Bernard's mother, dies on 6 Apr 1936 of a stroke two days after her 78th birthday. She lived at 610 Shoemaker Ave, Jenkintown with Thomas, her husband. She is interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham, PA..

Apr '40 – 1940 Census has Bernard's family still living on 28 Susquehanna Rd. Bernard made $1500 in 1939 (about $32, 000 in 2024) as chauffeur. Bernard Jr (22y) was working as shipping clerk at a "steel mill" (likely Standard Press Steel in Jenkintown). He made $936 (about $20,500 in 2024) in 1939.

Apr '41 – Thomas Donohue, Bernard's father, dies of myocarditis on 13 Apr 1941 at age 80 in his home at 610 Shoemaker Ave, Jenkintown. He was survived by Margaret, his daughter, and his four sons: Joseph, Bernard, Thomas, and Paul. He is interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Apr '42 – Bernard Sr's draft registration card has him at 5' 5¼" and 130 pounds. He is employed by Mrs. Joseph A Louchheim in Elkins Park at Meeting House and York Roads..

Apr '45 – John (Jackie) Jr, born 1924, was killed in action in Italy during WWII on 28 January 1944 (20 yrs). His grave is located in the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nuttino, Italy. The cemetery was dedicated in 1956 and has 7860 burials placed on 77 acres.

Apr '45 – All Donohue children attended Abington High School except for John (Jackie) who attended Northeast Catholic.

Apr '50 – 1950 Census has Bernard, Rose, and Bernard Jr living at Susquehanna Rd. Only Bernard Sr is employed: "Chauffeur, Estate".

Nov '51 – Bernard Jr died 7 Nov 1951 of myelogenous leukemia (34 yrs).

Feb '68 – Bernard suffers a cerebral stroke on February 20, 1968 while eating his evening meal with Rose at their Susquehanna St home and passes away in Abington Memorial Hospital that night. His funeral mass is celebrated at Our Lady Help of Christians in Abington, PA and is buried in Holy Sepulchre cemetery in Cheltenham, PA.

Nov '77 – Rose Donohue passes away in her sleep at Rosemary's (her daughter) home in Horsham, PA on 16 Nov 1977 after a short period of likely heart failure. Her funeral mass is celebrated at Our Lady Help of Christians in Abington, PA. She is buried by Bernard in Holy Sepulchre cemetery.