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A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my mother’s, mother’s brother. Today, I introduce my mother’s, father’s brother—John George SIENER.
Similar to the previously mentioned great-uncle, John was an eldest son, who died far from his childhood home, without any offspring. Uncle John’s story, though, is very different from Uncle Frank.
John Siener was born 3 Jun 1884—the first born of George A. SIENER and Mary Ann POTTS.
My great-grandfather George was a Carpenter and Builder. John followed in the family business. The 1900 US Census lists sixteen year-old John G. Siener as “architect apprentice.” Ten years later, the Census describes John as a house architect, working on his own accord. At his 1918 draft registration, Uncle John reports himself employed by the Siener Building Company, of 76 Thompson St. Buffalo, NY.
An interesting artifact of John’s professional history is the above Buffalo Morning Express advertisement. Through the Old Fulton Post Cards cite, I found these ads in several Express 1905 and 1906 issues.
Upon seeing the above advert, my own brother posed an interesting question. Noting the telephone number, he questioned the prevalence of telephones in 1905. Was this common? Is it a sign of prosperity?
The 1918 draft card indicated that John was not married. However, by January 1920, the Census shows that thirty-five year-old John has wed. That same document lists Ida M. Seiner [sic] as John’s wife.
The 1920 Census indicates that Ida was born in New York; as was her mother. Her father was born in Germany. The California Death Index, indicates that Ida Seiner [sic] was born Ida Kaiser, on 29 July 1881. (The 1920 Census indicates that Ida was six years younger than John, but in fact it appears that she was actually three years older than John.) The California Death index also reveals her mother's maiden name—Miller.
The 1920 Census indicated another change too—John had left the Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood, and moved “Downtown.” Ida and John were boarders at 1200 Main Street, Buffalo. Although only a few miles from Black Rock, I am convinced that this was a significant move.
Well, I do not know what caused the migration, but (implied by the above California Death Index citation) the move downtown was only the first, minor step. By 1928, John and Ida had moved across the country, to Los Angeles, California.
Interestingly, after moving to California, John does not indicate his profession as “architect.” In the 1930 Census, John is recorded as a contractor. Over the years, in the California voter registration publications, he is variously listed as: contractor; builder; and carpenter. The 1930 Census indicates that John and Ida owned their home, so I guess they were doing OK.
John died 6 May, 1941. Ida passed away 16 March, 1946.
I cannot help but be curious though; I wonder what enticed them to go west.
Similar to the previously mentioned great-uncle, John was an eldest son, who died far from his childhood home, without any offspring. Uncle John’s story, though, is very different from Uncle Frank.
John Siener was born 3 Jun 1884—the first born of George A. SIENER and Mary Ann POTTS.
My great-grandfather George was a Carpenter and Builder. John followed in the family business. The 1900 US Census lists sixteen year-old John G. Siener as “architect apprentice.” Ten years later, the Census describes John as a house architect, working on his own accord. At his 1918 draft registration, Uncle John reports himself employed by the Siener Building Company, of 76 Thompson St. Buffalo, NY.
An interesting artifact of John’s professional history is the above Buffalo Morning Express advertisement. Through the Old Fulton Post Cards cite, I found these ads in several Express 1905 and 1906 issues.
Upon seeing the above advert, my own brother posed an interesting question. Noting the telephone number, he questioned the prevalence of telephones in 1905. Was this common? Is it a sign of prosperity?
The 1918 draft card indicated that John was not married. However, by January 1920, the Census shows that thirty-five year-old John has wed. That same document lists Ida M. Seiner [sic] as John’s wife.
The 1920 Census indicates that Ida was born in New York; as was her mother. Her father was born in Germany. The California Death Index, indicates that Ida Seiner [sic] was born Ida Kaiser, on 29 July 1881. (The 1920 Census indicates that Ida was six years younger than John, but in fact it appears that she was actually three years older than John.) The California Death index also reveals her mother's maiden name—Miller.
The 1920 Census indicated another change too—John had left the Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood, and moved “Downtown.” Ida and John were boarders at 1200 Main Street, Buffalo. Although only a few miles from Black Rock, I am convinced that this was a significant move.
Well, I do not know what caused the migration, but (implied by the above California Death Index citation) the move downtown was only the first, minor step. By 1928, John and Ida had moved across the country, to Los Angeles, California.
Interestingly, after moving to California, John does not indicate his profession as “architect.” In the 1930 Census, John is recorded as a contractor. Over the years, in the California voter registration publications, he is variously listed as: contractor; builder; and carpenter. The 1930 Census indicates that John and Ida owned their home, so I guess they were doing OK.
John died 6 May, 1941. Ida passed away 16 March, 1946.
I cannot help but be curious though; I wonder what enticed them to go west.
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1 comment:
Well said.
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