The theme for Week 4 is "Witness to History." What historical events did your ancestor witness or live through? Don't forget that local history is just as important as world history! Click here to see all the themes from 2024.
I decided to look at my Great Grandfather, David Crinion. He was born on May 15, 1864 in Fountain Prairie, Columbia County, Wisconsin, USA. Thus, he was born during the US Civil War which didn’t official end until April 9, 1965.
He might had been too young to understand the war, but he grew up being the oldest, since his three older siblings all died before he was born, most likely from small pox or scarlet fever.
During David’s life he saw the United States expand with the addition of 13 states to the union, starting with Nevada on October 31, 1964 and ending with Arizona on Feb 14, 1912.
David also had 14 different US Presidents during his lifetime. Starting with Abraham Lincoln and ending with Harry S Truman. How, ironic that his great-great grandson, my son served on the Aircraft Carrier the USS Harry S Truman.
In 1871, not only did the Great Chicago Fire occurred in his neighboring state, but Wisconsin on this same day experienced the Peshtigo Fire that burned 1.2 million acres and killed between 1500 and 2500 people which is five times the number of people who died in the Great Chicago Fire. In addition to Peshtigo, 16 other communities were destroyed in the fire.
In 1878, the first Morgan Silver Dollars were minted, I wondered if he ever had any, or if he ever collected them.
In 1881, the gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona territory happened. I wonder if he read about it in the papers what he thought of Wyatt Earp and his brothers.
In 1883 the Brooklyn Bridge Open, in 1884 the Washington Monument was completed while in 1886 the Statue of Liberty was dedicated.
David most likely read about the Johnstown Flood also known as the Great Flood of 1889 that was caused by the catastrophic failure of the South Fork Dam located on the south fork of the Little Conemaugh River, 14 miles upstream of the town, Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
In the Panic of 1893, David probably experienced the economic depression in the United States that didn’t end until 1897.
In 1895, he married his wife, Amelia Gadow in Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin.
In 1900, David most likely heard about the Galveston Hurricane that leave an estimated 6, 000 to 8,000 dead.
In 1903, the Wright brothers make the first control flight.
1906 was the San Francisco earthquake that leaves 500 dead or missing and destroys about 4 square miles of the city.
In 1917 the U.S. enters World War I by declaring war on Germany. Armistice ending World War I is singed on Nov 11, 1918.
1918 saw the worldwide influenza epidemic strike and by 1920, nearly 20 million are dead with the U.S. having as many as 500,000 who perish. David’s sister, Jane Crinion Spooner died on Apr 12, 1918. Was it the from the influenza?
In 1924, he and Ameila divorce.
While Charles Lindbergh makes the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in 1927, did David listen to the events unfold on the Radio?
David experienced his second economic depression in his life during the 1930’s.
In 1931, he saw that the Star-Spangled Banner was adopted as the national anthem. As a violinist, did he learn this new song?
In 1936, he remarries his first wife, Amelia.
On December 7, 1942, on the radio he probably heard about the Bombing at Pearl Harbor and later listen the President talk and declare the U.S. entered World War II.
He buried his wife, Amelia in October of 1945.
David died on Mar 9, 1950 in Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin. Before the US enters the Korean Conflict.
It’s amazing to see all the events that David saw in his life time. He went from train transportation to air flights. He, like me, lived through two different centuries.
Remember to have fun and Just Do Genealogy!
He saw a lot of happenings and change in his lifetime. Great story.
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