John Sullivan, d. Nov. 12, 1922

John Sullivan, city assessor, residence 236 East Second Street, Erie, Pa., was born in Bantry, county Cork, Ireland, February 15, 1840, and is a son of Thomas and Ellen (McCarthy) Sullivan, both natives of county Cork. Thomas Sullivan was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1886, aged 68 years. His wife departed this life in 1893, aged 90 years. To this couple were born five children: John, Michael, a farmer on the old homestead in Ireland; Thomas, a gold miner in Australia; Humphrey, county assessor for the First ward, Erie; and Margaret, wife of John Donavan, of Ireland. John Sullivan was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and worked on the home farm till his 23rd year, when he came to America, landing in Boston in 1863, where he worked as a laborer till 1871, when he came to Erie, arriving May 24. He secured work at the Anchor Line elevators, and in 1874 was made time-keeper and served for four years. He continued in the employ of the company till 1887, when he was elected ward assessor, serving till 1893, when he was elected tax collector for the First ward, serving four years. Mr. Sullivan was married, in 1865, to Miss Ann, daughter of Timothy Dillon, of Rosscarbery (Ros O gCairbre), county Cork, Ireland. To them have been born eleven children: Nellie, Margaret, a dressmaker; Thomas, a conductor on the Erie street railway; Mary, a dressmaker; Kate, Hannah, Julia, John (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), Humphrey and Annie. Mrs. Sullivan departed this life November 1, 1888, aged 39 years. The family are members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He is a member of the C. M. B. A., Branch 12. In politics Mr. Sullivan is a Democrat, and is an honored citizen of his ward.

Nelson's Biographical Dictionary and Historical Reference Book of Erie County, Pennsylvania - 1896

Some memories of Anna

Written by Julie.



Because my grandparents lived next door, my brother and I spent a lot of time at Anna's. She would offer us a 'pop' and we would sit in her 'funky' Scandinavian furniture and watch TV. I remember she would often knit or embroider. One time she was making a blanket. We bantered back and forth for a while because I thought she must be making it for SOMEBODY, and she insisted she didn't have a plan for it. Finally I said "Oh! You must be making it for my daddy". I'm pretty sure she wasn't, but a few weeks later she gave it to my dad.









She had the emptiest house I've ever seen. I think she didn't believe too much in worldly possessions. This, however, made great space for kids to play. One time my brother and I and my cousins Chris and Andy were running round and round her kitchen table while she sat in the middle drinking her beer. She kept saying "Stop it, you're making me dizzy". We just laughed, "How can you be dizzy? We're the ones running around." Did she send us back to 501 sooner than usual? Probably.










One family picnic at our house in Conneaut Lake we found out Anna had never ridden a bicycle. We children were shocked. "No problem", Anna assured us. She could do it if she tried. I called her bluff, and brought her my bike. Lo and Behold! She did it! What a good time we had that day.









I also remember the adults writhing in frustration at the positions she took during discussions on world events or child rearing or anything else. These could be quite heated debates. Sometimes I think she just liked to be contrary, but I'm also proud of her because, just because the whole world says you are wrong doesn't mean you are, and she stood strong in her opinions.

Aside from the good times I think she had a strict ritual for living her life. I could never get over her getting ready for bed before the sun did. That was way before even my bedtime. Often after a Sunday dinner at 501 Parade I would rap on Anna's bedroom window at 505 on our way to the car. She always got up out of bed to peek at me through the curtains to wave goodbye.







Thank you Anna. For good times, living your faith and lessons taught.

Springerle Cookies

A part of Christmas when we were young was making Springerle Cookies, which we would do about a month or so before Christmas. Mom would go to the drug store to get the secret ingredient, which I now realize was Anise Oil. After mom mixed the dough, it was rolled out to about 1/8 inch in thickness. We had a Springerle board which was made by my grandmother's father, Karl Froess. This board was placed on the dough, and pressed down to emboss the pictures into the dough. We then cut out the cookies and arranged them on the dining room table to set over night. The next day mom would bake them, and we would put them in tins to age until Christmas. I remember that the cookies were very hard, and were puffed up with air pockets, which we called caves.

Grandpa Crotty

Today is Grandpa Crotty's birthday. He was born December 7, 1874. He would be 134 years old.

From Tom Barron

Knight of Saint Patrick

Dad was bestowed the distinction of KNIGHT OF ST. PATRICK on March 17, 1982. This honor was in rightful recognition of his service to God, church, and the community.

Click on the images to enlarge.

Nov 22, 1963

I had been stationed at Karamursel Air Station in Turkey for about 17 months. I was now a 'short-timer' with less than a month remaining in my tour at this semi-remote site. I was working the swing-shift that Friday, and after I had been at work awhile the sergeant came over and told me that it was my turn to have the night off. After going back to the barracks and changing, I decided to take a book that I was studying, and go to the snack-bar. It was sometime after 7PM (1PM Erie time) and I was sitting there with my book and snack, when several guys came in and announced that Kennedy had been shot. I thought to myself - they don't know what they're talking about - I would go back to the barracks to try to verify this, but when I got there everyone was heading to the Airman's Club. The club was packed and the Voice of America on the radio was being piped over the loudspeaker. Everyone was quiet and just listened to the news. I don't remember too much more about that night or even how long I stayed at the club. It had seemed like a family member had died. It had been a little over three years when I had seen the future president speak at a rally at the Lawrence Hotel on 10th and Peach Street in Erie in 1960. See http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=74256

Halloween

It seems that Halloween wasn't such a big deal when we were kids. Actually I can't remember anything about Halloween in my younger years. Maybe it was because David had a costume, that the subject came up at supper that Halloween in 1955. Mom said that she could make up some costumes for Tommy and I. She blackened our faces with a charred cork. I was made up as a hobo and Tommy became Aunt Jemima. When we went to a house we didn't say 'Trick or Treat'; we said 'Do you have any handouts?'.

Notice the headline on the newspaper 'Big 3 Fear Middle East War'. Some things don't change.