The History of John Bartholomew Oliver and his Descendents. by Jake Fletcher

Transcription

1 The History of John Bartholomew Oliver and his Descendents by Jake Fletcher

2 The Oliver Brothers: John and Dennis 1. John 1 Bartholomew Oliver 1 was born between 1825 and 1832 in Ireland 2,3,4, son of Bartholomew Oliver 5 and Catherine Mannin 6. Sources within the family state he was born 1832 in Galway, Galway County, Ireland 7. He arrived to New York City in the 1840s 8,9 and was naturalized at the Common Pleas Court in New York County on 23 Oct He moved to San Francisco soon after and married Honora (Hannah) 11 Heffernan 12 in John s brother, Denis James Oliver 14,15, was born in Ireland on 4 July Denis was a rich merchant and worked with members of the Hibernia Bank Group of San Francisco 16. A baptismal record of Denis James Oliver was found, stating he was baptized 25 July 1823 at the St. Nicholas Church in Galway, Galway County, Ireland 17 and was the first document to reveal the names of their parents. He left New York City on the American Clipper Ship, South Carolina, on January 1849, arriving in San Francisco on the thirtieth of June 18. Picture of San Francisco Harbor circa 1850

3 Dennis was well respected by his colleagues and in the community, a devoted Catholic (he had been knighted by the Pope for his service to the church) and was a very successful business man. In Forgotten Pioneers by Thomas F. Prendergast, he is noted as a man of cultured tastes, a lover of art and beauty, reflected in his mansion in articles of virtue gathered while he traveled abroad (p. 201) Dennis went into business alone in 1851, owning a paint store 19, which his brother, John, worked for as a salesman. His store, located on Kearney Street in Clay Plaza, was the cause of the 1851 San Francisco fire 20. John and Dennis continued to work in imported paints and oils, opening up a store called Deane & Oliver-Paints & Oils from 1852 until it closed in Here are the Oliver Brothers living next door to each other in the 8 th ward of San Francisco City in the 1860 US Federal Census. Source: 1860 U.S. Census, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, roll 68, p For some reason, John and Honora ended their marriage 22. John Bartholomew second married Catherine Dolan on 29 July 1864 in San Francisco 23. Catherine was born between 1838 and 1839 in Ireland 24,25. Dennis retired from business, speculating in lands, and gaining much wealth from his investments. John quit being a salesman for paints and oils, turning to Real Estate in Unfortunately, his life was cut short, for he passed away in San Francisco in Catherine Oliver is listed as a widow on 317 Franklin Street with five children in her household in the 1880 U.S. Census 27. Dennis died in May , having his funeral at St. Mary s Cathedral in San Francisco 28. Children of John Oliver and Honora Heffernen are: + 3 i. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver 29, born 11 Dec 1854 in San Francisco, California ii. John B. Oliver 30, born 1859 in San Francisco, California iii. Edward J. Oliver 31, born 1862 in San Francisco, California iv. Dennis J. Oliver 32, born 1863 in San Francisco, California 32. Children of John Oliver and Catherine Dolan are: 7 i. Andrew A. Oliver 33, born 1865 in California; died ii. Annie A. Oliver 34, born 1869; died iii. Catherine C.E. Oliver 35, born 1871; died iv. Mary Agnes Oliver 36, died in infancy Bartholomew Patrick Oliver was born at 122 Sacramento Street in San Francisco 37. Bartholomew (Bartley) graduated with a B.A. from St. Mary s College in The St. Mary s college has their dining hall named after him, The Oliver Hall, due to him being a great benefactor of the school 38. He married Katherine (Kate) Frances Connor on 16 January 1884 in Redwood City, California 39. Kate Connor was the daughter of General Patrick Edward Connor 40 and Johanna Connor 41. While Patrick Connor was serving with the Third California Infantry, residing at what was Fort Douglas in Utah and out serving in the frontier 42 ; Johanna gave birth to Kate 07 Sep 1863 at Fort Douglas 43.

4 Picture of Bartholomew and Kate (Connor) Oliver, Courtesy of Shelby Pike. Bartholomew had his own real estate business, B.P. Oliver & Co. and found success. He and his family settled in at 1800 Golden Gate Ave. in San Francisco. Bartley and Kate s house at 1800 Golden Gate Ave., taken in Courtesy of Shelby Pike. In his lifetime, he made many contributions to the city he was born in. In 1907, he was elected the foreman in the Grand Jury for the case of Abraham Reuf 44, the man responsible for all the grafting and corruption during the time of the San Francisco Earthquake. He built St. Elizabeth s Hospital for unwed mothers and St. Patrick s Shelter for homeless men. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, he built a soup kitchen for those who were less fortunate. The Olivers were able to enjoy great leisurely traveling to Europe, Egypt, South America, and the Far East. Kate wrote diaries of their travels and how they were able to meet Teddy Roosevelt. Bartholomew died 11 June 1945 in San Francisco City 45.

5 The Oliver Summer Home at Mt. Helen The Oliver s summer home at Mt. Helen in the hills of Los Altos, California was a part of the Oliver Family tradition for more than fifty years. Bartholomew Oliver searched the Santa Clara Valley, purchasing 53 acres in the early 1900s. The home was in an idyllic location, commanding a sweeping view of the fertile valley, carrying many bountiful fruit trees. The home was completed in For the Olivers, Mt. Helen was an all-day trip from San Francisco. While Joan had been married before the home was completed, it first served as the country getaway/reception for Kitty and Paul B. Fay s marriage on June 4, There was plenty of family activity from the Oliver Family in the summer home, food would be supplied from San Francisco by the truckload from the Johnson Bros. on Fillmore Street and fresh fruit/vegetables was picked from the farmers in the area. The home had a caretaker and servants. The Olivers were known for their hospitality, they had as many as twenty four guests over on some Sunday mornings. Mt. Helen was the site of Eugenie (Jean) and Bartholomew Patrick ( Pat) Oliver Jr. s wedding. In 1923, Bartley, being the philanthropist that he was, deeded the land to the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul, to use as they wished and served as a memorial to their recently deceased daughter, Helen Oliver. The house became a summer home for girls, the sleeping porches were turned into dorms and other rooms were made into more bedrooms, which made the home more suitable with its new purpose. Every year, in the late summer, the Daughters of Charity would loan the house back to the Olivers for their annual family reunion. The building had been untouched for the most part, but by the 1960s, the rapid development on the Santa Clara Valley closed in on Mt. Helen and soon became a part of Los Altos Hills. The original building was demolished in 1967, due to the fire regulations in California, the day after their annual reunion 46. It was rebuilt with new fireproof building/roof and two large dorms, dining room, and a kitchen with built in equipment 47. Photo of Oliver Family Taken in Courtesy of Shelby Pike. Children of Bartholomew Oliver and Katherine Connor are: 11 i. Nora Oliver 48, born 01 Nov 1885 in San Francisco, California ii. Joan Oliver 49, born 25 Mar 1886 in San Francisco, California iii. Katherine C Oliver 50, born 17 Oct 1887 in San Francisco, California iv. Eugenie Oliver 51, born 23 Sep 1889 in San Francisco, California v. Helen Oliver 52, born 05 Jul 1890 in San Francisco, California 52.

6 Nora and Kate Oliver. Courtesy of Shelby Pike. Adelaide and Kate Oliver. Courtesy of Shelby Pike vi. Adelaide O'Neill Oliver 53, born 14 Jan 1896 in San Francisco, California vii. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr. 54, born 21 Mar 1897 in San Francisco, California viii. John Connor Oliver 55, born 01 Mar 1899 in San Francisco, California 55. Children of Bartholomew and Kate 11. Nora Oliver, the oldest child, married Charles Brown 56 in Los Altos, California in Nora, along with the rest of the children, was educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in San Francisco 56. Charles Brown worked with the Standard Oil Company of New York, and was stationed in China 57. She moved to Chefoo, China with Charles. She never had any children. She died of cancer on 03 Feb 1933 in Shanghai, China 56.

7 Nora Oliver on her wedding day, Courtesy of Shelby Pike. 12. Joan Oliver married Leo Vasserot Merle 57 on 12 Nov 1907 at Holy Cross Church in San Francisco City 57. Leo Merle, born 25 Mar 1884 in San Francisco 57, is of interesting origins. His grandparents, Pierre Vasserot 58 and Marguerite Merle 59, came from Southern France 58 to New Orleans, where they had a child, Leopold Vasserot Merle in They moved to California. The Merle s became part of the community of French merchants in San Francisco, Leo grew up in the North Beach District of San Francisco 61. Leo s mother, Katherine Flavin 62, was born in Waterford County, Ireland 63 and is of French and Irish descent. Joan s husband was a successful stock broker from and worked in insurance companies before then. Joan was involved in organizations such as Little Children s Aid and Garden Nursing Home. She passed away 07 May 1955 in San Francisco 64 ; Leo retired and survived her ten years, dying in June of Joan Oliver on her wedding day, 12 Nov Courtesy of Shelby Pike. 13. Katherine C. Kitty Oliver married Paul Burgess Fay 66 on 04 Jun 1912 at Mountain View, California 66. Paul Burgess Fay, born 01 May 1884 in San Francisco, California 67 is the son of Philip S. Fay 68 and Molly McSevegan 69. He went into the paving business in 1904 with the Fay Improvement Co. and ran it until it was dissolved in He was also director of Italian American Bank, which later become known as Bank of America from He enjoyed golfing, for he was Vice President of the San Francisco Golf Club in 1924 and a member of the Menlo Country Club from 1920 to Paul died 22 April 1970 in San Francisco, California 71. Kitty lived to be ninety three, for she died 29 Nov 1980 in San Francisco 72. Something of Special Note, one of their kids, Paul Burgess Fay Jr. 73, born 18 July , went on to serve with John F. Kennedy on the PT Boats in the South Pacific Theatre during World War II 75. He and JFK became good friends; he was an usher at his wedding and served as his Under-Secretary of the Navy during his administration.

8 Kitty (Oliver) Fay and her kids. Courtesy of Shelby Pike. 14. Eugenie received education abroad at the Assumption Covenant in Rome Italy and Villa Eugenie in Paris, France. Eugenie Oliver married Edgar Alexander Freeman 76 Aug 1917 at Mt. Helen in Los Altos, California 77. Edgar Freeman, graduated from the University of California in 1912 and served with the Ninety First Division in World War 1 and was attached to the British in Meuise-Arragone Offensive 78. He was wounded twice, receiving the Purple Heart. Eugenie died 03 Dec 1963 in Woodside, San Mateo, California Helen Oliver married Alfred Cornish 80 March 1920 at the residence of Paul B. Fay in San Francisco, California 81. Alfred was stationed as well with the Standard Oil Company of New York in Tiensin, China, for he was in charge of their operations in Tiensin. In 1919, while visiting China with her parents, Helen Oliver was introduced to Alfred Cornish by her brother-in-law, Charles Brown 82. Their courtship flourished by mail and Alfred returned to San Francisco to claim his bride. She in childbirth (as did the baby) in Tiensin, China on 07 Sep , even though she was suggested to return to San Francisco to have the baby delivered 84. Picture of Helen Oliver in Courtesy of Shelby Pike. 16. Adelaide (Addie) Oliver married Mervyn (Merve) John O Neill Feb 1918 at St. Mary s Church in San Francisco, California 86. Mervyn John O Neill was born 01 May 1892 in San Francisco at 1128 Vallejo Street 87 to Matthew J O Neill 88 and Jane Barre 89. Mervyn was educated at the Cooper & Hancock School until and graduated from San Mateo High School in He attended Stanford University and then when his father, Matthew, died in 1912, he took over his insurance business 90.

9 Richmond Banner, San Francisco, California, November 23, 1917: KNITTING TEA The pretty home of Mrs. James Rupert Mason, on Lake Street was the setting Friday Afternoon of a knitting tea, arrange in honor of Miss Adelaide Oliver. The engagement of the guest of honor was recently announced to Mervyn O'Neil. The marriage will probably take place in the spring. My Great-Grandmother Addie in Courtesy of Shelby Pike. Interesting Picture drawn by Addie in Courtesy of Shelby Pike. Mervyn J O Neill in Menlo Park in Courtesy of Shelby Pike. Merve was involved in real estate and his father s insurance business until he married Addie. After they married, Merve went into business with his father-in-law at the B.P. Oliver Co 91. He was a second class seamen in the navy during World War I,

10 he enlisted in the draft 92. He continued to operate the business even after his father-in-law died. Merve was a duck hunter and a member of the Bohemian Club since Addie and Merve moved into 2875 Pacific Avenue in San Francisco, noted as living there in the 1930 US Federal Census with their two daughters 93, Helen and Patricia. Children of Adelaide Oliver and Mervyn O'Neill are: 19 i.patricia O'Neill 94, born 08 Mar 1920 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94 ; died 19 Jul 2002 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California 95. She married George Lafayette Goodlet Oct 1943 in Old St. Mary's Church, San Francisco, California 97, son of George Goodlett 98 and Laura Donaldson 99. He was born 02 Jul 1915 in Chesterville, Mississippi 100, and died 13 Mar 1975 in Palm Beach County, Florida ii. Helen Oliver O'Neill 102, born 15 May 1926 in San Francisco, California 102 ; died 08 Jul 2004 in Peabody, Essex, Massachusetts. She married Dexter James Anderson Jan 1949 in Old St. Mary's Church, San Francisco, California 102, son of Henning Isaaksson 104 and Signe Johansson 105. He was born 06 Sep 1915 in Marblehead, Essex, Massachusetts 106, and died 03 May 2000 in Marblehead, Essex, Massachusetts 107. Addie died in San Francisco 03 May and Merve died 01 July 1987 in San Francisco Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., known as Pat, graduated from Santa Clara University High School. He did a lot of service in the military. In the summer of 1916, he served in the Signal Corps on the Mexican Border. He served in World War I as a Signal Corps, he remained in France until July In World War II, he served with the California State Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. In 1950, he enlisted in the National Guard until he retired in In the civilian world, he was an insurance clerk and real estate broker. Pat married Loretta Georgiana Jaeger Jun 1925 at Mt. Helen in Los Altos, California 112. They moved to Santa Clara County, where he died 31 Jun Picture of Pat Oliver. Courtesy of Shelby Pike. 18. John Connor Oliver, married Willermina Wilson Nov 1926 at St. Mary s Church in San Francisco, California 115. John Connor Oliver served in the US Navy at the tail end of World War 1 and also served in the Merchant Marine. In California, he was a sheep rancher and owner of the Wedgelock Binder Company. Willermina Wilson, daughter of Josefa Peralta Wilson, was also a descendent of California pioneers. Her 2x great-grandfather was Don Luis Maria Peralta, who in 1776 came to California with the Anza expedition and helped find the city of San Francisco 117. She came from a family of rich Spanish Californians. Picture of John Connor Oliver in Courtesy of Shelby Pike.

11 Endnotes 1. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 2. Great San Francisco Register 1866, published in 1949 by California DAR Genealogical Report Committee, p.52. John B Oliver is listed as being 38 years old U.S. Census, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, roll 82, p.477. The record states John B Oliver was 42 years old U.S. Census, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, roll 68, p The record states John B Oliver is 35 years old 5. Church Baptism Records for County Galway West, St. Nicholas Combined N&E District, (online database, Irish Family History Foundation). 6. Ibid. 7. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Records, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 8. U.S. Passport Applications, , 21 Jan 1922, certificate no , (online database, Ancestry.com). 9. U.S. Passport Applications, , 27 Jan 1919, certificate no , (online database, Ancestry.com). 10. Index to Naturalizations, NYC Courts, Soundex O416, 23 Oct 1849 (online database, Footnote.com) U.S. Census, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, roll 68, p The wife of John B Oliver was listed as Hannah Oliver. 12. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Records, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 13. Ibid. 14. Church Baptism Records for County Galway West, St. Nicholas Combined N&E District, (online database, Irish Family History Foundation). 15. U.S. Passport Applications, , 5 Apr 1864, certificate no , (online database, Ancestry.com). 16. Thomas F. Prendergast, Forgotten Pioneers: Irish Leaders in Early California, (Honolulu: University Press of The Pacific, 2001), Church Baptism Records for County Galway West, St. Nicholas Combined N&E District, (online database, Irish Family History Foundation). 18. Thomas F. Prendergast, Forgotten Pioneers: Irish Leaders in Early California, (Honolulu: University Press of The Pacific, 2001), Ibid. 20. Ibid. 21. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records U.S. Census, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, roll 82, p.477. John B Oliver has a new wife named Catherine. 23. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records U.S. Census, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, roll 82, p.477. The record states Catherine s age as U.S. Census, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, roll 79, ED 217, p Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records U.S. Census, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, roll 82, ED 217, p Thomas F. Prendergast, Forgotten Pioneers: Irish Leaders in Early California, (Honolulu: University Press of The Pacific, 2001), Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records U.S. Census, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, roll 68, p U.S. Census, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, roll 82, p Ibid. 33. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 34. Ibid. 35. Ibid. 36. Ibid. 37. Ibid. 38. Ibid. 39. Ibid. 40. Ibid. 41. Ibid. 42. Brigham D. Madsen, Glory Hunter: A Biography of Patrick Edward Connor, (University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, 1990). 43. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 44. The Virtual Museum of The City of San Francisco A Great Civic Drama. Earthquake and Graft Prosecution Time," published online in 2005 at sfmuseum.net, viewed 27 February Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 46. The Monitor (San Francisco, California), 8 Sep 1969, p.8, privately held in Fletcher Family Records.

12 47. Unknown Author, Mt. Helen, November 1963, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. Most of the information was from this manuscript. 48. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 49. Ibid. 50. Ibid. 51. Ibid. 52. Ibid. 53. Ibid. 54. Ibid. 55. Ibid. 56. Ibid. 57. Ibid. 58. The Examiner (San Francisco, California), Obituary of Leo V Merle, 26 May 1987, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 59. New Orleans, Louisiana Birth Records Index, , 13: Ibid. 61. The Examiner (San Francisco, California), Obituary of Leo V Merle, 26 May 1987, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 62. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 63. Ibid. 64. Ibid. 65. Ibid. 66. Ibid. 67. Ibid. 68. Ibid. 69. Ibid. 70. Ibid. 71. California Death Index, , SSN , 22 Apr 1970, (online database, Ancestry.com) 72. California Death Index, , San Francisco, SSN , 29 November 1980, (online database, Ancestry.com) 73. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 74. Ibid. 75. Ibid. 76. Ibid. 77. Ibid. 78. Ibid. 79. Ibid. 80. Ibid. 81. Ibid. 82. Unknown Author, Mt. Helen, November 1963, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 83. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 84. Unknown Author, Mt. Helen, November 1963, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 85. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 86. Ibid. 87. Jane Barre Weld, Letter on O Neill Family History, unknown date, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 88. Ibid. 89. Ibid. 90. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 91. Ibid, 92. World War I Draft Registration Cards, , Roll , San Francisco, California, Draft Board No.8, 5 June 1917, (online database, Ancestry.com) U.S. Federal Census, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, roll 207, ED 328, p. 1A. 94. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records. 95. Ibid. 96. Ibid. 97. Ibid. 98. Ibid. 99. Ibid Ibid Florida Death Index, , Palm Beach County, 13 July 1975, (online database, Ancestry.com) Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records Ibid Ibid.

13 105. Ibid Ibid Church of St. Andrew, Funeral Program of Dexter James Anderson, 11 May 2000, privately held in Fletcher Family Records Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records California Death Index, , San Francisco, SSN , 1 Jul 1987, (online database, Ancestry.com) 110. Bartholomew Patrick Oliver Jr., Oliver Family Record, 1 Jan 1970, privately held in Fletcher Family Records Ibid Ibid Ibid Ibid Ibid Ibid Ibid.

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