Memorial Day: Remembering Some Who Gave All

"Each for his own Memorial Earned Praise that will never die and with it the grandest of all sepulchres not that in which his mortal bones are laid but a home in the minds of men." 
-The Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial - Margraten, Netherlands

The following members of our family died in service to our country:

American Civil War

Private Andrew Haggerty, my 4h great uncle, was the son of Robert Haggerty and Rebecca Easly. He was born in 1839 and served in the Civil War. He died at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863.To learn more about Andrew Haggerty view Private Andrew J. Haggerty - Civil War, Pennsylvania Infantry, 148th Regiment, Company I.

John Loll, my 4h great uncle, was born in Marcholsheim, Alsace, France on 08 Oct 1843. He is the son of Antoine Loll and Mary Ann (Tehl) (Keal),my 4th great grandparents. He arrived in the United States on 07 Oct 1852 at the Port of New York when he was 9 years old with his family. At the age of 18 he would serve in the Union Army. In February of 1862 he would be wounded in battle and would die as a casualty of war on June 10, 1862 in a hospital in Washington, D.C.

Private John McDonald, my 4th great uncle and brother of James McDonald, also served in the civil war. He enlisted as a private on February 25, 1864 at approximately age 28 with Company F, 63rd Regiment.  He was transferred to Company H, the 105th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He died October 16, 1864 in Beverly, New Jersey. He is buried in Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, Burlington County, New Jersey. His grave marker references Company H, 105 PA. Inf. To view his  his grave marker visit this link. To learn more about John McDonald view The Mystery of Pvt John McDonald - Civil War Solider.

World War II

Second Lieutenant Raymond Loll, my 2nd cousin 3x removed, was born in 1922 the son of Francis G. Loll, my 2nd cousin 3x removed, and Elizabeth Hartle. On February 20, 1943, at age 21, Raymond enlisted with the Air Corps in Miami Beach, Florida. Raymond was trained as a B-29 pilot and assigned to the 43rd Bomber Squadron and the 29th Bomber Group designated 'Very Heavy'. On April 14, 1945 Raymond's plane was lost and the crew perished on a Mission to Tokyo. Raymond was recorded as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea. Raymond was 23 years old at the time of his death. He was awarded a Purple Heart and an Air Medal for his service. He is also honored in the Tablets of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. To learn more about Raymond Loll view Raymond C. Loll - B29 Bomber Pilot.

Memorial Wall, Honolulu, HI

Private First Class Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr., my 1st cousin 3x removed, was born 02 Oct 1919 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great grand uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great grand aunt. Ambrose Aloysius was also the brother of Virginia McDonald Geary and is a double cousin to me as we are related by the McDonald and O'Neill lines. Ambrose volunteered for military service and joined the Marine Corps. He was killed by enemy fire in Tarawa in November of 1943, at age 24, upon landing on the beach. He earned a Purple Heart for his service. In addition to being remembered at the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii he also has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. He now has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery,  thanks to his sister Virginia McDonald Geary. Ambrose is featured in the blog post A Letter from Tarawa

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. 

The gravemarker for Ambrose in Arlington National Cemetery

Staff Sergeant Christopher D. O'Neill, my 1st cousin 3x removed, was born in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania in 1919. He was the son of Owen James O'Neill and Nellie Boyles. Christopher was was a member of the 579th Bomber Squadron, 392nd Bomber Group, Heavy. He served as s a Right Waist Gunner/Assistant Engineer on the B-24 aircraft. He died on November 6, 1943 in a German Hospital in Middelburg, the Netherland after suffering injuries from jumping out his aircraft the day before. He was buried in the Ardennes American War Cemetery in Belgium. He was awarded a Purple Heart and an Air Medal for his service. To view his  his grave marker visit this link.

1946 - Wedding Guests: Margaret, Helen & Rita

The wedding of Harry Anthony Murosky & Ann Marie Edens was held 12 May 1946 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lumberton, Robeson County, North Carolina. The couple married after Harry returned from his service in the Army during WWII.

Wedding guests photographed Margaret A. Forgash (at the time fiance to Harry's brother Edward V. Murosky), Helen Tillie Bukowski (mother of the groom) and Rita Ann Murosky (sister of the groom). Rita Ann Murosky was the maid of honor. To view other photographs from the wedding visit the post Wedding Photos: Harry A. Murosky & Ann Marie Edens. 

Wedding Guests
Margaret A. Forgash, Helen Tillie Bukowski & Rita Ann Murosky

From the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Helen Tillie Bukowski is my great grandmother. Harry Anthony Murosky is my Great Uncle. Rita Ann Murosky is my Great Aunt. Margaret A. Forgash is my Great Aunt by marriage. Harry's brother Arthur is my paternal grandfather. 

Wedding Photos: Harry A. Murosky & Ann Marie Edens

The wedding of Harry Anthony Murosky & Ann Marie Edens was held 12 May 1946 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lumberton, Robeson County, North Carolina. The couple married after Harry returned from his service in the Army during WWII.

Harry Anthony Murosky was born 21 March 1921 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski. Ann Marie Edens, the daughter of Allen C. Edens and Hattie M. Allen, was born 12 May 1924 in Lumberton, Robeson County, North Carolina.

Wedding Snapshot
(Left to Right) Ann Marie Edens, Harry Anthony Murosky,
Hattie M. Allen (Ann's Mother), unknown woman.

Wedding Snapshot
(Left to Right )Helen Tillie Bukowski (Harry's mother), Ann Marie Edens, Harry Anthony Murosky, Hattie M. Allen (Ann's Mother), Allen C. Edens (Ann's Father).

The original photographs are in the care of Ann Marie Edens. The photographs have been shared with permission. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Helen Tillie Bukowski is my great grandmother. Harry Anthony Murosky is my Great Uncle. Harry's brother Arthur is my paternal grandfather. 

1938 - Arthur & Emily

Arthur Murosky photographed with Emily in 1938. The identity of Emily is currently unknown - she may have been a family friend. When photographed Arthur would have been 19 years old. The photograph was most likely taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

This photograph was included in the extensive collection of old family photographs that Arthur's mother Helen Tillie Bukowski collected over the years.

Arthur Murosky and Emily

The photograph was included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Helen may have recorded the names and dates on the photograph. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Helen Tillie Bukowski is my great grandmother. Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather.

Cabinet Card of Unknown Child

This photograph of an unknown child was included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. The original image is approximately 6.75 inches x 5.25 inches mounted on a hard board like paper. The portrait is landscape and is similar to a cabinet card.

Unknown Child
Full Portrait with Borders

The bottom corner of the original is stamped with the studio name and Clarion, Pennsylvania. The studio name may have been Lewis.

Cabinet card type photographs were first introduced in the United States in 1866. Cabinet cards were a frequently used from 1878 - 1879.  As it took trends longer to reach smaller cities and rural areas cabinet cards were used into the early 1900's.

Cabinet card type photographs with dark colors, like the dark green shown above, were popular from 1884 - 1895. Cabinet card type photographs with the photographer's name imprinted on the card stock, similar to above, were popular from 1894 -1900.

The child photographed could possibly be a son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth. The couple lived in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania and would have been able to afford to have a formal portrait taken of their child. The earliest this photograph would have been taken is 1894 as the photographer's name was imprinted on the card. If the boy pictured is a son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth the boy could possibly be:

• Leopold George Selker, Sr. born 28 September 1891. 
• William C. Selker born 5 November 1892. William died young at age 9 on 18 November 1902.
• Edward C. Selker born 28 March 1894.
• Frederick William Selker born 15 October 1896.

It seems unlikely the photograph was taken in 1894 as the boy in the photograph appears to be older than 3 years old. The boy also does not appear to be older than 7 years old. The photograph could be any of the boys depending on when it was taken:

• If the photograph was taken in 1896 or 1897 the boy pictured would most likely be Leopold George Selker, Sr., photographed at 5 or 6 years old, or William C. Selker, photographed at 4 or 5 years old. 
• If the photograph was taken in 1899 or 1900 the boy pictured would most likely be Edward C. Selker, photographed at 5 or 6 years old. 
• If the photograph was taken in 1901 or 1902 the boy pictured would most likely be Frederick William Selker, photographed at 5 or 6 years old. 

Unknown Child 
possibly a son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth

From the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are my 2nd great-grandparents. Leopold George Selker, Sr., William C. Selker, Edward C. Selker and Frederick William Selker are my 2nd Great Uncles. Frances Philomena Selker is my great-grandmother. Her daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald is my paternal grandmother . 

Sources:

1. Clark, Gary W. 19th Century Card Photos KwikGuide. PhotoTree.com Page 38.
2. Clark, Gary W. 19th Century Card Photos KwikGuide. PhotoTree.com Page 42.
3. Clark, Gary W. 19th Century Card Photos KwikGuide. PhotoTree.com Page 43.

1944 - Murosky Family Photo

A Murosky family photograph most likely taken in late spring or summer of 1944. The family most likely gathered in 1944 to spend time with Harry Anthony Murosky who would have been on temporary leave from the Army Air Forces. Harry enlisted in the United States Army on 1 October 1942 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He was discharged from service on 13 March 1946 at Fort Dix in Burlington County, New Jersey.

Harry, age 23, was photographed with his younger sisters Rita Ann, age 17, and Marian Elaine, age 9. Their mother Helen Tillie Bukowski, age 43, was also in the photograph. Harry's nephew James Arthur Murosky, between 20 and 22 months old,  the son of Harry's brother Arthur was also in the photograph. James Arthur Murosky was the first grandchild of Helen Tillie Bukowski and Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. This visit may have been the first opportunity Harry had to meet his nephew who was born shortly after Harry enlisted in the Army. To view an individual photograph of James Arthur Murky taken the same day see the post 1944 - James Arthur Murosky.

The photograph also includes an unknown woman on the right side of Harry.

Murosky Family Photograph
Back: Rita Ann Murosky, Helen Tillie Bukowski, Harry Anthony Murosky, unknown
Front: James Arthur Murosky and Marian Elaine Murosky 

This photograph is from the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Helen Tillie Bukowski is my Great Grandmother. Harry Anthony is my Great Uncle. Rita Ann and Marian Elaine Mursoky are my Great Aunts. Their sibling Arthur Murosky is my paternal Grandfather. James Arthur Murosky is my Uncle. 

References:

1. National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. Record for Harry A. Murosky. 
2. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Veteran Compensation Application Files, WWII, 1950-1966 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Record for Harry A. Murosky

1944 - James Arthur Murosky

James Arthur Murosky, most likely photographed in 1944 at age 2, enjoying some candy on a warm day. The photograph was taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. James was born October 8, 1942 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest child born to Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald

James Arthur Murosky

This photograph is from the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

James Arthur Murosky is my Uncle. 

1948 - Marian & Eleanor

A photograph of Murosky cousins Marian Elaine Murosky and Eleanor Sell taken June 1948. This photograph of Murosky cousins was included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. The photographer captured Helen's daughter Marian Elaine Murosky and Helen's niece Eleanor Sell.

When photographed Marian Elaine Murosky would have been 13 years old. Eleanor Sell, the daughter of Harry W. Sell and Esther Murosky, would have been 18 years old. The location of the photograph is unknown but it is plausible the photograph was taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Marian Elaine Murosky & Eleanor Sell

The photograph was included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Helen was married to Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. Anthony was the brother of Esther Murosky. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Harry W. Sell and Esther Murosky are my 2nd great aunt and uncle. Esther is the sister of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. my great grandfather. Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. married Helen Tillie Bukowski. Their son Arthur is my paternal grandfather. Eleanor Sell is my 1st cousin 2x removed. 

1967 - A Postcard from Canada

A postcard sent to Mrs. Loraine McDonald. The postcard was dated July 12, 1967 and was postmarked from Canada. The post card was sent by Madeline Gertrude McDonald to her sister-in-law Frances Philomena Selker. The label on the postcard is for The North Lodge, Elgin House in Muskoka, Ontario. The Elgin House was a resort with views of Lake Joseph.

From Muskoka Resorts: Then and Now, page 153:

"For more than a hundred years, successive generations grew up at the famous Elgin House as families returned year after year to enjoy the northern hospitality. This grand old resort is now gone, but the memory of it remains very much alive."

From Muskoka Resorts: Then and Now, page 160:

"During the 1930's the North Lodge with additional rooms was built, bringing the number of guests Elgin House could accommodate to four hundred." 

Postcard Front

Madeline sent the postcard while vacationing with her siblings. The hand written note includes details about their vacation:

Dear Francis:

Our vacation is about at an end. Regis [Regis Andrew McDonald] & Chrs. [Charles Eugene McDonald] & Ger. [George Roth] home played golf each day & believe the vacation was good for both of them. We leave after breakfast Friday & may drop off at your place for a few minutes to see you but will go on through Friday as Reg. [Regis Andrew McDonald] will work Sat if he gets home on time & Chrs. [Charles Eugene McDonald] is anxious about his mail & will pick up Sat. Helen will write they are staying on another week.

Love - Madeline

At the time of the vacation Madeline Gertrude McDonald would have been 61 years old. Her siblings referenced in the postcard include:

• Her sister Helen Edith McDonald, age 67, and her husband George Roth.
• Her brother Regis Andrew McDonald, age 53, was most likely with his wife Bernice Auth.
• Her brother brother Charles Eugene McDonald, age 64. Both Madeline and Charles never married. 

Madeline and her siblings would have likely traveled through Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania on their way back to Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Their oldest brother Loraine Anthony McDonald, husband of Frances Philomena Selker, died in January of 1967. The siblings may have wanted to check in on Frances to see how she was doing.

Postcard Back
Madeline to  Mrs. Loraine McDonald

The Postcard Collection includes postcards from the 1940’s that were included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. The collection also includes postcards from the 1950's and 1960's that were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Madeline Gertrude Joan McDonald is my 2nd Great Aunt. Her siblings include Helen Edith McDonald, Charles Eugene McDonald, Regis Andrew McDonald and Loraine Anthony McDonald.  Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker are my great grandparents. Their daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald was my paternal grandmother.