THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE KENT MUDDLE FAMILIES THE HARRIETSHAM MUDDLES

 

Chart of Arthur & Elizabeth Muddle's Family

 

Arthur and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Thomas Henry Muddle who was born at Albany, Albany County, New York State during November 1859. In the census of 1 June 1860, when the family were first enumerated on 20 July, Thomas, at the age of 8 months, was living with his parents in Ward 10 of Albany City. Then when the family were enumerated again on 26 January 1861 Thomas was living with his parents in Ward 9 of Albany City. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 29 June, Thomas, now aged 10, was living with his parents at Watervliet in Albany County, which is about 5 miles north of Albany City, and he was attending school. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 7 June, Thomas, at the age of 20, was working as a telegraph operator and living with his widowed mother at 239 Clinton Avenue in Albany.

In about 1884 Thomas married Teresa S Maguire and it was also about this time that Thomas changed the spelling of his surname to Muddell, as his siblings and mother also done. Teresa had been born in New York State during April 1867, of Irish born parents. Thomas and Teresa had four children; one of whom had died before the census of 1900. Their first known child was born at Watervliet in Albany County in 1889. The Troy City Directory for 1890 listed Thomas H Muddell as a telegraph operator working at 17 First Street in Troy and living at 2420 Tenth Avenue in West Troy, otherwise known as Watervliet. Troy and Watervliet are towns on opposite banks of the Hudson River.

They then moved 140 miles south down the Hudson River as their second known child was born in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York City in 1894. The Brooklyn Directory for 1895-96 listed Thomas H Muddell as a telegraph operator living at 827 Monroe Street in Brooklyn, and also listed his brother Arthur S Muddell as a telegraph operator living at the same address. Arthur didn’t live with Thomas and his family for long as he was back living with his mother in Albany in 1896. In the Brooklyn Directory for 1896-97 Thomas was listed as a telegraph operator living 356 Twelfth Street in Brooklyn, then in the directories for 1897-98, 1898-99 and 1899-1900 he was listed as a telegraph operator living at 580 Tenth Street in Brooklyn.

In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 12 June, they were living in part of 394 Eighth Street in Brooklyn, which they rented, with their then two surviving children, and Thomas was a telegraph operator. Their third known child was born in Brooklyn later in 1900. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, they were living in part of 455 Park Place in Brooklyn, which they rented, with their now three surviving children, and Thomas was a telegraph operator at a telegraph office. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, they were still living in part of 455 Park Place in Brooklyn, which they still rented, with their now adult three surviving children, and Thomas was a chief operator at a telegraph company. The 30 May 1920 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported that Mr & Mrs F H Muddell had donated $15 to the 106th Infantry Post Memorial Building Fund, it being assumed that F H Muddell was a printing error for T H Muddell.

Teresa died at Brooklyn on Monday 21 January 1935, at the age of 67.[1] The 22 January 1935 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported her death and stated that her funeral service would be at her home, 382 St John's Place, at 2pm on Wednesday 23 January 1935. Two years later Thomas died in hospital in Brooklyn on Tuesday 27 July 1937, at the age of 77.[2] His funeral service was at his home, 382 St John's Place, at 8pm on Thursday 29 July 1937 followed by burial in Evergreens Cemetery. The 28 July 1937 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported his death and in his obituary stated that Thomas has been a Brooklyn resident for 43 years; had worked for Western Union for more than 40 years and when he retired he was Long Island wire chief for Western Union. For 28 years he was a member of the Duryea Presbyterian Church at Prospect Heights in Brooklyn, and for a time served as a trustee.

The 13 August 1937 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reporting on the will left by Thomas stated that his entire estate of less than $10,000 personal property had been left to his daughter Ethel who had lived with him, with nothing for his son Arthur 'because what I have to leave will not compensate my daughter Ethel for the love, attention and service given to her mother and myself'

 

Thomas and Teresa’s eldest known child was Ethel C Muddell who was born at Watervliet in Albany County, New York State on 18 March 1889. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 12 June, Ethel, at the age of 11, was living with her parents at 394 Eighth Street in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York City, and she was attending school. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, Ethel, now aged 21, was working as a stenographer at a newspaper and living with her parents at 455 Park Place in Brooklyn. A New York passenger arrival list recorded Ethel, at the age of 25, sailing on 16 June 1914 from Hamilton, Bermuda on the SS Bermudian and arriving at New York on 18 June, and gave her address as 455 Park Place, Brooklyn. The New York City Directory of 1917 listed Ethel Muddell as a stenographer at The World living at 455 Park Place in Brooklyn. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, Ethel, at the age of 31, was working as a secretary at an oil company and still living with her parents at 455 Park Place in Brooklyn. The 30 May 1920 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported that Miss Ethel C Muddell had donated $2 to the 106th Infantry Post Memorial Building Fund.

Ethel continued to live with her parents and was living with them at 382 St John's Place in Brooklyn when they died in 1935 and 1937. When her father died in 1937 his will left his entire estate of less than $10,000 personal property to Ethel 'because what I have to leave will not compensate my daughter Ethel for the love, attention and service given to her mother and myself'. Ethel never married. She died suddenly in Brooklyn on Thursday 28 January 1965, at the age of 75.[3] Her death was reported in the 30 January 1965 edition of the New York Times, and her funeral service was at the Henry McCaddin Funeral Home, 24 7th Avenue, Brooklyn at 1pm on Monday 31 January 1965..

 

Thomas and Teresa’s second known child was Arthur Davison Muddell who was born in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York City, on 21 November 1894. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 12 June, Arthur, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at 394 Eighth Street in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York City. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, Arthur, now aged 15, was working as a messenger at an insurance company and living with his parents at 455 Park Place in Brooklyn. Arthur was a baseball player and The Buffalo Express of 30 October 1915 reporting on the players reserved by clubs for the 1916 season recorded that Arthur D Muddell was one of those reserved by the Montreal club in the International League.

During the First World War Arthur enlisted in the US Army and saw active service in France where he was wounded as reported in the Albany Evening Journal of 8 August 1918:

Sergeant Arthur Muddle of the One Hundred and Fifth artillery now in France has been wounded by a bomb. Word to this effect was received yesterday by Mrs. Elizabeth Muddle, 135 North Allen street, his grandmother. Muddle is in a base hospital where he is convalescing from wounds in his back, legs and arms.

It seems that Arthur returned to active service and was wounded again because the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle and several other New York State newspapers of 9 November 1918 published casualty lists that included Corporal Arthur D Muddell from Brooklyn as wounded, degree undetermined. Arthur survived his wounds because in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, Arthur, at the age of 25, was working as a book keeper at a travel company and still living with his parents at 455 Park Place in Brooklyn.

In about 1925 Arthur married Ann Gunn, who was the daughter of Edward and Annie Gunn and had been born at Brooklyn in New York State during July 1896, of Irish born parents. They had one child, a daughter born in early 1927. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 17 April, they were living in an apartment house at 343 Marlborough Road in Brooklyn, which they rented at $60 per month, with their young daughter, and Arthur was working as a plumbing supplies salesman.

When Arthur's father died in 1937 they were living at Mount Vernon, Westchester County, New York State and they were still at Mount Vernon when their daughter married in 1950. Arthur had already died and Ann was living at 630 Gramatan Avenue in Mount Vernon when she died suddenly on Wednesday 22 April 1959, at the age of 63. Her death was reported in the 24 April 1959 edition of the New York Times, and her funeral service was a Requiem Mass at St Peter & St Paul Church in Mount Vernon at 9.30am on Saturday 25 April 1959 followed by burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn.

 

Arthur and Ann’s only child was Gloria Muddell who was born in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York City in early 1927. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 17 April, Gloria, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at 343 Marlborough Road in Brooklyn. By 1937 Gloria had moved with her parents to Mount Vernon, Westchester County, New York State

When she was 10 years old Gloria started on a singing career as a radio and concert artist. She joined the Fred Waring organization in 1944 and was a soprano featured on Fred Waring's television program. Gloria was an attractive blonde, who slightly changed the spelling of her surname to give her professional name of Gloria Mudell.

When she was 23 years old Gloria married 24-year-old Francis Andrew Musiello, known as Frank, at St Ursula's Church in Mount Vernon on Thursday 12 October 1950. Their marriage was reported in the 13 October 1950 edition of The Herald Statesman of Yonkers. Frank was the son of Andrew and Mary Musiello and he had been at Mount Vernon on 2 October 1926. He had graduated from Colgate University, served in the US Maritime Service, and was now a lieutenant in the US Naval Reserve and an association director for CBS-TV.

Frank and Gloria had two children, a son and a daughter, before their marriage ended in divorce. Frank had custody of the children and on 17 October 1957, at the age of 31, he married 40-year-old Janette Davis, who had been born on 2 November 1916 and was a singer on the Arthur Godfrey show for which Frank was a director. Frank and Janette were living at Naples, Collier County, Florida when Janette died on 25 April 2005, at the age of 88, and then Frank on 2 December 2008, at the age of 82.

In late 1960 Gloria was living at 146-20 23rd Avenue, Whitestone, Queens County, New York when on Monday 19 December 1960 she was visited by her boyfriend of the last 1½ years, 37-year-old Emmanuel (Pete) Sunderland, who was a divorcee and a police patrolman at Mount Vernon where he lived at 30 Cottage Avenue. Emmanuel offered to paint a bike that Gloria was going to give her son for Christmas, he wanted to do it in the kitchen but Gloria want him to do it in the basement, which resulted in an argument and a tug-of-war over the bike with Gloria falling backwards down the basement steps and the bike falling on top of her. She didn't seem seriously hurt and afterwards they had a couple of drinks and he put Gloria to bed.

Then the following Wednesday, 21 December 1960, Emmanuel again visited Gloria and found her dead on the bedroom floor clad in a negligee. He notified the police and an autopsy showed the probable cause of death was blood clots on the brain, and that she also had bruising on her face. This resulted in Emmanuel being arrested on Monday 26 December 1960 on a homicide charge, and held in jail until he was freed on bail of $10,000 on 30 December 1960. On 2 January 1961 he was suspended by the Mount Vernon police department accused of conduct unbecoming an officer, failure to call an ambulance for an injured person and assault.

On 10 April 1961 Emmanuel was indicted on a charge of first-degree manslaughter by Queens County grand jurors. It's assumed that a trail must have taken place but no report of it has been found. The above events that resulted in Gloria's death at the age of 33, are based on statements given by Emmanuel to the police and reported in the following papers: The 27 & 31 December 1960 and 9 February & 11 April 1961 editions of The Herald Statesman of Yonkers; and the 28 December 1960 edition of the Schenectady Gazette.

 

Thomas and Teresa’s third known child was Ruth Elizabeth Muddell who was born in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York City, during 1900. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, Ruth, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at 455 Park Place in Brooklyn, and she was attending school. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, Ruth, now aged 19, was working as a stenographer in a bank and still living with her parents at 455 Park Place in Brooklyn. The 30 May 1920 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported that Miss Ruth E Muddell had donated $2 to the 106th Infantry Post Memorial Building Fund.

The 13 October 1921 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported that a marriage licence had been issued for 21-year -old Ruth Muddell of 455 Park Place, Brooklyn to marry 29-year-old Samuel J Smith of 525 Sterling Place, Brooklyn.There were no children from this marriage and the 11 July 1922 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported that that Mrs Ruth Elizabeth Smith, wife for only 8 months of Motorcycle Patrolman Samuel J Smith Jr died at her home, 525 Stirling Place, on Sunday 9 July 1922, at the age of 22, after a long illness. She was a member of St Luke's P E Church of Clinton Avenue near Fulton Street, the rector of which held her funeral service at her home at 5pm on 11 July 1922, with burial taking place the following morning at Evergreens Cemetery.

 

Arthur and Elizabeth’s second child was Mary Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Albany or Watervliet, Albany County, New York State during August 1861. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 29 June, Mary, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at Watervliet in Albany County, which is about 5 miles north of Albany City. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 7 June, Mary, now aged 18, was working as a dressmaker and living with her widowed mother at 239 Clinton Avenue in Albany. During the 1880s Mary would have changed the spelling of her surname to Muddell as the rest of the family did.

In about 1889 Mary married James Henry Airey, who had been born in Canada during September 1852 and had migrated to the USA in 1886. They had one child born in Albany on 12 November 1890. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 18 June, James, Mary and their son were living at Schodack in Rensselaer County, New York State; James was working as a blacksmith and 21-year-old labourer William Barringer was living with and working for them. They rented their home. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, the three of them were living at 151 Hamilton Street in Albany, which they rented; James was now working as a tool dresser at a car heating company and they had Freeman and Floyd Craves as lodgers.

In the New York State census of 1915 James and Mary were living in Albany and living with them was their now married son with his wife and young daughter. James died sometime between 1915 and 1920 because in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, Mary was a widow living with the family of her son Arthur at 132 Morris Street in Albany. It’s thought that Mary died sometime during the 1920s.

 

James and Mary’s only child was Arthur Henry Airey who was born in Albany, Albany County, New York State on 12 November 1890. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 18 June, Arthur, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at Schodack in Rensselaer County, New York State. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, Arthur, now aged 19, was working as a time keeper on the railroad and living with his parents at 151 Hamilton Street in Albany, Albany County, New York State.

In about 1911 Arthur married Beatrice Lebrun, who was the daughter of Francis and Julia Lebrun and had been born in New York State during January 1887. Arthur and Beatrice had at least four children; their eldest known child was born in about 1914. In the New York State census of 1915 they were living with Arthur’s parents in Albany.

When Arthur registered for the First World War draft on 5 June 1917 he was described as being of short height and medium build with blue eyes and light hair; to be a book keeper at the Rathbone Company in Albany, and living with his wife and son at 340 South Manning Boulevard in Albany.

In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, Arthur, Beatrice and their daughter were living in part of 132 Morris Street in Albany, which they rented; Arthur was an accountant for a street car company and they had his widowed mother living with them. Arthur and Beatrice’s other three known children were born between about 1922 and 1929. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 17 April, they were living in Broderick Street in Colonie, Albany County, which they owned and was valued at $7,500, with their four children; Arthur was now an auditor at the New York Central Railroad and they had Beatrice’s widowed father living with them.

 

Arthur and Beatrice’s eldest known child was Ruth C Airey who was born in New York State in about 1914. In the New York State census of 1915 Ruth was living with her parents in the home of her paternal grandparents in Albany, Albany County, New York State. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, Ruth, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at 132 Morris Street in Albany, and she was attending school. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 17 April, Ruth, now aged 15, was living with her parents in Broderick Street in Colonie, Albany County.

 

Arthur and Beatrice’s second known child was Donald L Airey who was born in New York State in about 1922. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 17 April, Donald, at the age of 8, was living with his parents in Broderick Street in Colonie, Albany County, New York State.

 

Arthur and Beatrice’s third known child was James Airey who was born in New York State in about 1924. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 17 April, James, at the age of 6, was living with his parents in Broderick Street in Colonie, Albany County, New York State.

 

Arthur and Beatrice’s fourth known child was Arthur H Airey who was born in New York State in 1929. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 17 April, Arthur, at the age of 7 months, was living with his parents in Broderick Street in Colonie, Albany County, New York State.

 

Arthur and Elizabeth’s third child was Charlotte Jane Muddle who was born at Albany or Watervliet, Albany County, New York State during August 1863. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 29 June, Charlotte, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at Watervliet in Albany County, which is about 5 miles north of Albany City. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 7 June, Charlotte, now aged 16, was living with her widowed mother at 239 Clinton Avenue in Albany. During the 1880s Charlotte would have changed the spelling of her surname to Muddell as the rest of the family did.

In about 1889 Charlotte married Elmer E Irving, who was the son of Albert and Drunett Irving and had been born in New York State during June 1861. Elmer and Charlotte had two children born in 1890 and 1893. In the Albany City Directory for the year 1891 Elmer E Irving was listed as a printer living at 23 Elberon Place in Albany. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, they were living at 145 Dove Street in Albany, which they rented, with their two children, and Elmer was working as a printer. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 16 April, they were living in part of 695 State Street in Albany, which they rented, with their two children, and Elmer was a general printer. In the New York State census of 1915 they were living in Albany with their two children. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, they were living at 149 Jay Street in Albany, which they rented, with their two, now adult, children and their daughter’s husband; Elmer was a printer in a factory.

 

Elmer and Charlotte’s eldest child was Elmer Elsworth Irving who was born in New York State, probably at Albany in Albany County, during September 1890. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, Elmer, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at 145 Dove Street in Albany. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 16 April, Elmer, now aged 19, was working as a book keeper at a bank and living with his parents at 695 State Street in Albany. In the New York State census of 1915 Elmer was living with his parents in Albany. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, Elmer, at the age of 29, was working as a tyre salesman and living with his parents at 149 Jay Street in Albany. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 3 April, Elmer was a commercial traveller for a tyre company lodging in a hotel at 3724 Broadway in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri.

 

Elmer and Charlotte’s second child was Elizabeth G Irving who was born in New York State, probably at Albany in Albany County, during May 1893. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, Elizabeth, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at 145 Dove Street in Albany. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 16 April, Elizabeth, now aged 16, was living with her parents at 695 State Street in Albany. In the New York State census of 1915 Elizabeth was living with her parents in Albany.

In about 1915 Elizabeth married Harold Van Wie, who had been born in New York State in about 1892. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, they were living with Elizabeth’s parents at 149 Jay Street in Albany and Harold was an insurance clerk. Then in the census of 1 April 1930 Harold was an insurance salesman lodging at 1135 Catalina Street in Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, California. He stated that he was married but Elizabeth has not been found in this census.

 

Arthur and Elizabeth’s fourth child was Arthur S Muddle who was born at Watervliet, Albany County, New York State during September 1865. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 29 June, Arthur, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at Watervliet in Albany County, which is about 5 miles north of Albany City. The Oswego Daily Times of 24 January 1879 reported that one of the Pages appointed by the Speaker for the last half of the session of the State Assembly was Arthur Muddle, who was then 13 years old. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 7 June, Arthur, now aged 14, was working as a waiter and living with his widowed mother at 239 Clinton Avenue in Albany. During the 1880s Arthur changed the spelling of his surname to Muddell, as the rest of the family did.

In the Albany City Directory for the year 1889 Arthur was listed as working as a telegraph operator at the museum building and living with his mother at 51 Jay Street in Albany. Then in the 1890 directory he was still a telegraph operator at the museum building but now living with his mother at 12 High Street. In the 1891 directory he was a telegraph operator at 37 State Street and living with his mother at 23 Elberon Place. Then in the Brooklyn Directory for 1895-96 Arthur was listed as a telegraph operator living with the family of his brother Thomas at 827 Monroe Street in Brooklyn, New York City. But he didn’t stay in Brooklyn long because in the Albany City Directory for 1896 he was listed as a tegraph operator working at 17 Steuben Street in Albany and back living with his mother, who was now living at 111 South Hawk Street in Albany. Then in the Albany City Directory for 1899 he was still a telegraph operator at 17 Steuben Street, but now living with his mother at 347 Central Avenue in Albany. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 9 June, Arthur, at the age of 34, was working as a telegraph operator and living with his mother at 431 Washington Avenue in Albany.

In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 23 April, Arthur, at the age of 44, was working as an operator at a telegraph company and living with the family of his sister Anna Van Sinderen in one part of 526 Yates Street in Ward 18 of Albany, his mother was living with the family of his sister Grace Earl in the other part of the same house. Then in the New York State census of 1915 Arthur was living with the family of his sister Anna Van Sinderen in Ward 19 of Albany. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 21 January, Arthur, still unmarried at the age of 54, was working as a clerk in a hotel and living in a lodging house at 26 Bowery in Manhattan, New York City.

It’s thought that Arthur never married. He died in Manhattan County, New York City on 16 November 1943, at the age of 78 (not 76 as given on his death certificate).[4]

 

Arthur and Elizabeth’s fifth child was Anna B Muddle who was born at Watervliet, Albany County, New York State during September 1867. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 29 June, Anna, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at Watervliet in Albany County, which is about 5 miles north of Albany City. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 7 June, Anna, now aged 12, was living with her widowed mother at 239 Clinton Avenue in Albany, and she was attending school. During the 1880s Anna changed the spelling of her surname to Muddell as the rest of the family did. The Albany Evening Journal of 6 July 1889 reported that during the Methodist Centennial calibrations at the First Methodist Church in Albany one of the singers will be Miss Anna Muddell, soprano.

In about 1895 Anna married John H Van Sinderen. John was the son of John and Cornelia Sinderen, and he had been born in New York State during October 1872. John and Anna had two children; the first of whom had died by 1900, and the other, a son, was born in Albany during December 1899.

In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 9 June, John, Anna and their young son were living with Anna’s mother at 431 Washington Avenue in Albany, and John was working as a locomotive fireman. Then sometime during the next ten years John & Anna purchased part of 526 Yates Street in Albany, and Anna’s sister Grace and her husband purchased the other part of the house. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 23 April, they were living at 526 Yates Street in Ward 18 of Albany, which they owned but had a mortgage on, with their son; John was an engineer (locomotive driver) on the railroad and they had Anna’s brother Arthur Muddell living with them. In the New York State census of 1915 they were living in Ward 19 of Albany and they still had their son and Arthur Muddell living with them.

In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, they were living at 66 North Allen Street in Albany, which they owned but had a mortgage on; their son was still living with them and they rented out part of the house to Anna’s brother-in-law, Jesse Earl, who was now a widower, and his daughter. Both John and Jesse were engineers on the railroad. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 7 April John and Anna were living at Hill View, East Greenbush, Rensselaer County, New York State, which is about 5 miles south-east of Albany, and which they owned and was valued at $8,000. John was continuing to work as a locomotive engineer.

 

John and Anna’s only known child was Arthur H Van Sinderen who was born at Albany, Albany County, New York State during December 1899. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 9 June, Arthur, at the age of 6 months, was living with his parents in the home of his maternal grandmother at 431 Washington Avenue in Albany. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 23 April, Arthur, now aged 10, was living with his parents at 526 Yates Street in Ward 18 of Albany. In the New York State census of 1915 Arthur was living with his parents in Ward 19 of Albany. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, Arthur, at the age of 20, was living with his parents at 66 North Allen Street in Albany, and he was attending school.

In about 1923 Arthur married Effie, who had been born in New York State in about 1903. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 25 April, Arthur and Effie were living at 1524 Sixth Street in Port Huron, St Clair County, Michigan, which they rented at $50 per month, and Arthur was a civil engineer working on the highways.

 

Arthur and Elizabeth’s sixth known child was Grace L Muddle who was born at Albany, Albany County, New York State during February 1875. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 7 June, Grace, at the age of 5, was living with her widowed mother at 239 Clinton Avenue in Albany. During the 1880s Grace changed the spelling of her surname to Muddell as the rest of the family did. It’s thought that it is Grace who is being referred to when the Utica Sunday Tribune of 28 April 1889 reported that:

Miss Libbie Muddell of Albany, visited Mrs. F. M. Kemp, of West street, last week.

In the Albany City Directory of 1896 Miss Grace Muddell was listed as a telegraph operator living with her mother at 111 South Hawk Street in Albany. Then in the 1899 edition of the directory she was listed as a telegrapher living with her mother at 347 Central Avenue in Albany. In about 1899 Grace married Jesse Grant Earl, who was the son of Albert and Irene Earl, and had been born in New York State on 18 May 1873. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 9 June, Jesse and Grace were living with Grace’s mother at 431 Washington Avenue in Albany, and Jesse was working as a locomotive fireman. They had one child, a daughter, born in Albany in about 1903.

Sometime during between 1900 and 1910 Jesse and Grace purchased part of 526 Yates Street in Albany, and Grace’s sister Anna and her husband purchased the other part of the house. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 23 April, they were living at 526 Yates Street in Ward 18 of Albany, which they owned but had a mortgage on, with their daughter; Jesse was an engineer (locomotive driver) on the railroad and they had Grace’s mother, Elizabeth Muddell, living with them. In the New York State census of 1915 they were living in Ward 19 of Albany and they still had their daughter and Grace’s mother living with them. Grace’s mother was living with them at 135 North Allen Street in Albany when the Albany Evening Journal of 8 August 1918 reported that she had received news of her grandson, Arthur Muddell, being wounded while serving in France.

When Jesse registered for the First World War draft on 10 September 1918 he was described as being of medium height and stout build with brown eyes and grey hair; to be an engineer with the New York Central Railroad at West Albany and living with his wife at 135 North Allen Street in Albany.

Grace died sometime between Jesse’s draft registration and the 1920 census so it was probably during 1919 when she would have been about 44 years old. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, widower Jesse and his daughter were living at 66 North Allen Street in Albany, were they rented part of the house from Jesse’s brother-in-law, John Van Sinderen, who owned the house and lived there with his wife and son. Both Jesse and John were engineers on the railroad.

In about 1921 Jesse remarried and had a son born in 1923. But by the time of the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 15 April, he was again a widower and living at 135 North Allen Street in Albany, which he owned and was valued at $8,000; he was still a locomotive engineer on the railroad and living with him was his son and 57-year-old spinster Honora Moriarty, who was his housekeeper.

 

Jesse and Grace’s only child was Elizabeth Irene Earl who was born at Albany, Albany County, New York State in about 1903. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 23 April, Elizabeth, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at 526 Yates Street in Ward 18 of Albany. Then in the New York State census of 1915 Elizabeth was living with her parents in Ward 19 of Albany. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, Elizabeth, now aged 16, was living with her widowed father at 66 North Allen Street in Albany, where they rented rooms from her uncle and aunt, John and Anna Van Sinderen, and she was attending school.

 

Jesse’s second child was Charles M Earl who was born at Albany, Albany County, New York State on 6 March 1923. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 15 April, Charles, at the age of 7, was living with his widowed father at 135 North Allen Street in Albany. Charles died on 21 August 1978, at the age of 55.[5]

Copyright © Derek Miller 2009-2012

Last updated 22 March 2012