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Newspaper Article on John's Brother, George McCann
Newspaper Article on John's Brother, George McCann
June 14th, 1910
HAD CHARGE OF THE FIRST APARTMENT HOUSE
Mr. McCann, Now in Pittsfield, Has Held One Position in New York 41 Years
George McCann has come up from New York to spend a few months in Pittsfield in an effort to win back health that was shattered by long years of faithful application of his time and energies to one position.
In charge of the Stuyvesant building, 142 East 18th street, for 41 years, until this summer he had never had a week's vacation. Remarkable record that. Feeling that a change would be beneficial, his physician advised him to get away from the noise and tumult of the great city and hike to the hills.
"You don't need any medicine. All you want is the tonic of the Berkshires," his medical adviser told him and that is how it happens that man 77 years old, somewhat below the medium height, but well built, active, clear of brain and as straight as an arrow, his hair and closely chopped beard pure white is staying for a season at the pleasant residence of Mrs. Connor at 576 North street.
The Stuyvesant building was erected in 1869 by Rutherford Stuyvesant who died suddenly in the streets of Paris on July 4 one year ago. He was a very wealthy man and was traveling abroad for pleasure when his heart failed him. The property is now held by his heirs. The trustee is the New York Life and Trust company to whom all the rents are paid.
In coming to this city Mr. McCann was accompanied by his only child, a daughter, who has returned to New York to look after the duties which her kindly father had abandoned for a while.
The Stuyvesant building was the first, the very first, apartment house built in New York city. It proved so great a success that other similar houses were constructed as a matter of course and as a good investment. The Stuyvesant contains 20 suites. Many famous people have lived in the building. In the list may be mentioned Bayard Taylor, famous as a writer.
Thirty-two years ago Mr. McCann's wife died and husband and daughter of the immediate family remain. Bartley Cummings and George H. Walsh, both in public service of Pittsfield, are nephews of Mr. McCann's.
Born in Ireland Mr. McCann, when a child, came to Pittsfield with his mother. His father had died in the old county. He attended the common schools of Pittsfield. Way back in 1851 Mr. McCann was employed in a machine shop conducted at different times by McKay & Hoadley and by Dodge & Francis. Upon leaving this city while a young man Mr. McCann went to New York where he was employed for a time by Brown Brothers & Company, the bankers and brokers. He filled other positions and finally was given charge of the Stuyvesant building. He has a considerable force of men employed under him there now. He has apartments in the block and is entirely responsible for its management.
Mr. McCann's mother died in Pittsfield 20 years ago. She was 95 years of age. She is buried in St. Joseph's cemetery and her son visited her grave the other day. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. His father was a Protestant and in religious matters the son as with the father. His wife was a native of Wales and a Protestant. In Mr. McCann's family were six children, three of them, two sisters and a brother, married Catholics and had membership in the catholic church. Mr. McCann and two other sisters married protestants and attended the Protestant church. A sister of Mr. McCann, who is mother of Bartley Cummings, is 82 years old. She and Mr. McCann are the only members of that family who are living.
His room is on the second floor, on the west side of the house, which, by the way, was once the residence of the late Dr. Morgan L. Woodruff. There Mr. McCann has an unobstructed view of the western hills and the gorgeous sunsets.
"I enjoy just sitting here hour after hour and looking at the scenery." Mr. McCann told an Eagle reporter who called to see him, just at twilight last night. "God may make more beautiful scenery and better air than you have here, but I don't know where they are to be found."
What can we get from the article:
George has been in New York for at least 41 year and working at the same place. (1869-1910)
He is 77 years old at the time of the visit. (Born in 1833)
He is staying at Mrs. Connor's residence, 576 North street (though I don't think this is relevant).
He has a daughter who is living with him in New York
He has two nephews living in Pittsfield, Bartley Cummings and George H. Walsh
He was born in Ireland
Came to U.S. with mother as a child
Father died in Ireland before the family immigrated
Lived in Pittsfield in 1851, so the family had to immigrate before that
He lived in the apartment building where he worked
His mother died 20 years earlier in Pittsfield, MA at age 95 so she was born 115 years before the article was written. Mother died in 1890, and was born in 1795.
She is buried at St. Joseph's cemetery. This is a Catholic cemetery so she was likely a Catholic.
George is a Presbyterian
His father was a Protestant, which is interesting if his mother was a Catholic
There were six children, 2 brothers (George and though the article doesn't state it, John) and 4 sisters
2 sisters and George are Protestants
2 sisters and John are Catholic
George and 1 sister are the only ones still alive
She is the mother of Bartley Cummings and is 82, she would have been born in 1828
George McCann: A Protestant who died in Ireland married Mary Hughes in Ireland, she was a Catholic who was born 115 years before the article was written and died 20 years before writing
George McCann, a Presbyterian, born in January, 1834 in Ireland, Immigrated 1845-1850, married Mary in 1867.
Benedicta McCann-born January, 1865 in New York
John McCann, married a Catholic, died before the article was written
Catherine McCann, a Catholic, born November, 1829 in Ireland, died on September 4th, 1911 in Pittsfield, MA married a Bartlett(Bartley) Cummings born July, 1820 in Ireland, is 82 when the article was written
Edward Cummings-born January 20th, 1852 in Pittsfield, MA
George Thomas Cummings-born September 13th, 1853 in Pittsfield, MA
Bartley Cummings-born about 1855 lives in Pittsfield, MA married Maria
Anna G. Cummings, born in February, 1882
George E. Cummings, born in February, 1884
Fredrick M. Cummings, born in August, 1886
Mary A. Cummings, born in June, 1888
Bartholomew W. Cummings, born in July 1890
Michael Cummings, born about 1859
John Cummings, born about 1861
James Cummings, born about 1866
Williams Cummings, born about 1868
Mary McCann, a Catholic, born abt 1838 in Ireland, married Martin Walsh, born abt 1818 in Ireland. Mary died on October 11th, 1885.
George H. Walsh-born 1860, married Catherine A. Conway
Lilliam M. Walsh, born in 1884
Arthur A. Walsh, born in 1891
Jane E. Walsh, born abt 1866
Sarah L. Walsh, born abt 1869
Jane McCann, born about 1840 in Ireland. Married Mr. Price. She immigrated in 1865.
Walter H. Price, born May 1877 in New York.
Lillie Price, born January 1875 in New York, married John Stagg on June 6th, 1899 in Manhatten, New York.
Daughter
Stray facts:
George McCann immigrated before 1851-According to the newspaper article
George McCann immigrated in 1850-According to the 1900 census
Jane McCann migrated in 1860- According to the 1900 census
Catherine McCann Immigrated in 1852-According to the 1900 census
Catherine McCann Immigrated in 1855-According to the 1910 census
A child named George McCann was living with George McCann in 1870. That child was born around 1858.
George McCann had his niece, Nellie Hughes living with him in 1880.
Thomas Walsh, Age 19, born in Ireland living with Mary McCann and her husband Martin McCann in 1870. He is likely the child of Martin's first marriage.
Martin Walsh, Age 15, born in Massachusetts living with Mary McCann and her husband Martin McCann in 1870. He is likely the child of Martin's first marriage.
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