I have been working for a few months trying to find out more about my 3x Great Grandfather Joseph Wormwood (aka Joseph W. Warren). I have discovered so much more about him thanks to a few books and a few newspaper articles found in the Sewickley Herald Newspaper in Pennsylvania.
I was looking for as much information that I could gather so I contacted the Sewickley Valley Historical Society to see if they might have anything on Joseph Warren and his family. They were able to find a few things and mailed me photocopies of what they had. One of those photocopies was his Obituary published June 28, 1919, in “The Sewickley Herald”. This was so amazing to read. Below is a transcription I made of this very long “In Memoriam”.
JOSEPH WORMWOOD WARREN
Like the ripened sheaf ready for the reaper, Joseph W. Warren, a distinguished octogenarian of Sewickley, was gathered into the eternal harvest last Monday, closing a life full of activities and rugged experiences. He was the son of Richard W. and Elizabeth Wells Warren and was born in Kennebunk, Maine, May 30, 1831. When a young man the family moved to Lowell, Mass., where Joseph learned the machinist trade. He then entered the histrionic profession and travelled on the
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| Joseph Warren (Wormwood) Image found in Lights and Shadows of Sewickley Life, or, Memories of Sweet Valley" by Agnes L. Ellis 1893 |
Mr. Warren’s railroad career began in 1859, when on August 1st he entered the service of the P. Ft. W. & C. Ry., as telegrapher at the opening of the office in Sewickley, having on April 1st of that year accepted the position of station master, which he held until he retired June 1, 1901, at the age of seventy years, and was placed on the retired list with a record of forty-two years of continuous service. No stronger testimonial to his faithfulness to duty and efficiency is needed. The historian of that day says of him:
“Mr. Warren climbed the telegraph pole, cut the wire, and set up the instruments for the telegraph service in the frame station that took the place of the one that succeeded the shed that did service as a station when the road began operations. How the people did crowd around the window when they heard the click, click, and saw the movement of Mr. Warren’s fingers; wanting to know all about his sewing machine. The first pay message that was received was from Cleveland, sent by Mr. Cochrane Fleming to the family at home, one day in August 1859, to have the carriage to meet him on the arrival of the evening train.”
For some time after taking the agency at Sewickley, Mr. Warren had charge of the freight and passenger service and retained the latter when the two departments were separated. During the years in which he took care of the company's interests, Mr. Warren saw many changes in the railroad service and in the community and witnessed the successive stages from a shed to the present structure.
Along in the ’80’s, when the Public Library was in danger of going on the financial rocks, the histrionic abilities of Mr. Warren came into play and he offered to stage some entertainments in order to finance this much-needed institution. The offer was gladly accepted and the effort resulted in the raising of $1,000, which was a large sum for those days and placed the Library on a comfortable footing. At various times since he lent his aid in this way. One of the star attractions was his trained dog, ‘(Minnie,” of which he was quite proud.
Mr. Warren was a mechanical genius and the small shop and lathe at the rear of his homestand as mute testimonials of his handicraft. He was one of the first to own an auto when this machine was in its primitive state and was the possessor of an Edison “talking machine.” He ranked as one of the oldest chauffeurs in the community, being able to operate a car at eighty-seven years of age, and discontinuing then only because of approaching blindness. Three years ago he and Mr. A. Von Hofen visited the Ford plant in Detroit, and in spite of his great age and partial blindness, Mr. Warren took much delight in studying the workings of this mammoth automobile factory.
Next to a passion for mechanics was his fondness for music, his violin being a source of solace and entertainment on many a lonely hour, and not until his stiffening fingers refused to draw the melody was he willing to lay his beloved violin on the shelf. He loved his home and family and spent much of his time in his shop and garden and in keeping his lawn trim and tidy. He was a member of St. John’s Lodge, No. 452, F. & A. M., during its existence here, but for years has been unable to take an active part in the activities of the Masonic order. He was a member of St. Stephen’s Church, Sewickley.
Mr. Warren is survived by his wife, two sons, George, of Horning, Pa., and Henry of Sewickley; and three sisters, Mrs. Mary E. Cole, Mrs. Olive Topping and Mrs. Susan Perkins of Kennebunk, Me. The funeral services were held from his late home on Chadwick street on Wednesday evening, and were in charge of Dr. J. H. Mellvaine."
That obituary gave me so much wonderful information I wouldn’t find in Vital Statistics. I am so happy to have it. It also helped prove that the research I have been doing on his son George (my 2x Great Grandfather), a coal miner in Horning, Pennsylvania, was indeed the correct George Warren.
Then it gets better. I found (thanks again to the Sewickley Valley Historical Society) a newspaper article from 9 years earlier in honour of his 80th Birthday, it even includes a picture. “The Weekly Herald” newspaper of Sewickley, PA published on May 28, 1910. The following is a transcription of the original.
Then it gets better. I found (thanks again to the Sewickley Valley Historical Society) a newspaper article from 9 years earlier in honour of his 80th Birthday, it even includes a picture. “The Weekly Herald” newspaper of Sewickley, PA published on May 28, 1910. The following is a transcription of the original.
"FORTY-TWO YEARS ON THE JOB.
Forty-two consecutive, years in a position of "trust and responsibility, is a distinction achieved by comparatively few men in this rapid transit age. One of our own citizens, Joseph W, Warren has made this enviable record for long service and would have rounded out a half-century of work as station- master had not the inflexible rules of the inflexible rules of code debarred him from further activity.
Mr. Warren was born in the state of Maine, on the 30th of May, 1830, and at the age of thirteen started out in the world to win his fortune.
He learned the machinist's trade, at which he worked for several years. As he grew to manhood, he developed an ambition for the stage and entered the professional theatrical business with a company of his own. For several years Mr. Warren's company traversed the New England states, and the Middle West. During a portion of this time they played three hundred nights in "Uncle Tom's Cabin," then in the zenith of its, popularity. His experience in this profession served him in good stead in later years.
Desiring again to make a change in his occupation, Mr. Warren turned his attention to the Morse alphabet and entered the railroad offices at Port Wayne, Ind., where he soon learned the key. He was transferred to one or two minor positions in the active service, later to be stationmaster at St. Clairsville, Ohio, and within a short time, he was appointed stationmaster at Sewickley. On the 1st of August, 1859, he began work and remained in this position until June 1, 1901, when he was placed on the pension list in accordance with the rules of the company. His term of service was forty-two years, lacking two months.
When Mr. Warren began work here, there was but a single track, no telegraph of freight office, a small frame building for a passenger station, and the monthly receipts of the road were about $175. Shortly after he installed the telegraph service. In speaking of this, Miss Agnes L. Ellis, in "Lights and Shadows of Sewickley Life," published in 1898, says: "Mr. Joseph W., Warren, the present has filled the position since I859. Nothing further is necessary to tell of his faithfulness to duty, and the perfect satisfaction with which he has filled, the position, then the number of years he has served. Mr. Warren climbed the telegraph pole, cut the wire, and set up the instruments for the telegraph service in the frame station. How the people did crowd around the window when they heard the click, click, and saw the movement of Mr. Warren's fingers, wanting to know all about his sewing machine. The first pay message that was received, was from Cleveland, sent by Mr. Cochrane Fleming to the family at home, one day in August 1859, to have the carriage meet him on the arrival of the evening train."
The frame station referred to, which stood on the site of the present freight house, was succeeded by a small brick one, which in turn gave way to the present structure on the other side of the tracks. During his many years of service, he had occasion to note the steady growth and expansion of the great system of which the small section over which he had charge was a part. When he left the office, the road had here four tracks, block system, splendid telegraph service, and a freight and passenger business of nearly fifteen thousand dollars a month. No finer tribute could be ascribed to the faithfulness and efficiency of the stationmaster than the fact that he retained this position for so long a time.
As a citizen, Mr. Warren has taken a great interest in public matters, especially in the school and public library. He served for nine years on the school board. To quote again from Miss Ellis' work:
"The success of the public library was the result of Mr. Warren's energy. When president of the board of school directors, knowing the fund for the sup-, port of the library was getting very low, he offered to get up a dramatic entertainment to help tide them over their difficulty. He showed such marked ability in this line, that year after year the people greeted his entertainments with such enthusiasm that through his efforts, $1,000 had been added to the fund, making the village library an assured success."
Although Mr. Warren will be eighty years of age on Decoration Day, he is still as active and alert as many men are at sixty. He can read without the aid of glasses, run his automobile and repair it, and do many things that men of his age would not think of doing. He is an interesting conversationalist and is full of reminiscences of the bygone days. Mr. Warren was twice married. His first wife was Martha Lourimore. The present Mrs. Warren was Louise Von Hofen, to whom he was married twenty- seven years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Warren are very fond of auto riding and may be seen out together any day, enjoying this pleasurable exercise."
Forty-two consecutive, years in a position of "trust and responsibility, is a distinction achieved by comparatively few men in this rapid transit age. One of our own citizens, Joseph W, Warren has made this enviable record for long service and would have rounded out a half-century of work as station- master had not the inflexible rules of the inflexible rules of code debarred him from further activity.
Mr. Warren was born in the state of Maine, on the 30th of May, 1830, and at the age of thirteen started out in the world to win his fortune.
He learned the machinist's trade, at which he worked for several years. As he grew to manhood, he developed an ambition for the stage and entered the professional theatrical business with a company of his own. For several years Mr. Warren's company traversed the New England states, and the Middle West. During a portion of this time they played three hundred nights in "Uncle Tom's Cabin," then in the zenith of its, popularity. His experience in this profession served him in good stead in later years.
Desiring again to make a change in his occupation, Mr. Warren turned his attention to the Morse alphabet and entered the railroad offices at Port Wayne, Ind., where he soon learned the key. He was transferred to one or two minor positions in the active service, later to be stationmaster at St. Clairsville, Ohio, and within a short time, he was appointed stationmaster at Sewickley. On the 1st of August, 1859, he began work and remained in this position until June 1, 1901, when he was placed on the pension list in accordance with the rules of the company. His term of service was forty-two years, lacking two months.
When Mr. Warren began work here, there was but a single track, no telegraph of freight office, a small frame building for a passenger station, and the monthly receipts of the road were about $175. Shortly after he installed the telegraph service. In speaking of this, Miss Agnes L. Ellis, in "Lights and Shadows of Sewickley Life," published in 1898, says: "Mr. Joseph W., Warren, the present has filled the position since I859. Nothing further is necessary to tell of his faithfulness to duty, and the perfect satisfaction with which he has filled, the position, then the number of years he has served. Mr. Warren climbed the telegraph pole, cut the wire, and set up the instruments for the telegraph service in the frame station. How the people did crowd around the window when they heard the click, click, and saw the movement of Mr. Warren's fingers, wanting to know all about his sewing machine. The first pay message that was received, was from Cleveland, sent by Mr. Cochrane Fleming to the family at home, one day in August 1859, to have the carriage meet him on the arrival of the evening train."
The frame station referred to, which stood on the site of the present freight house, was succeeded by a small brick one, which in turn gave way to the present structure on the other side of the tracks. During his many years of service, he had occasion to note the steady growth and expansion of the great system of which the small section over which he had charge was a part. When he left the office, the road had here four tracks, block system, splendid telegraph service, and a freight and passenger business of nearly fifteen thousand dollars a month. No finer tribute could be ascribed to the faithfulness and efficiency of the stationmaster than the fact that he retained this position for so long a time.
As a citizen, Mr. Warren has taken a great interest in public matters, especially in the school and public library. He served for nine years on the school board. To quote again from Miss Ellis' work:
"The success of the public library was the result of Mr. Warren's energy. When president of the board of school directors, knowing the fund for the sup-, port of the library was getting very low, he offered to get up a dramatic entertainment to help tide them over their difficulty. He showed such marked ability in this line, that year after year the people greeted his entertainments with such enthusiasm that through his efforts, $1,000 had been added to the fund, making the village library an assured success."
Although Mr. Warren will be eighty years of age on Decoration Day, he is still as active and alert as many men are at sixty. He can read without the aid of glasses, run his automobile and repair it, and do many things that men of his age would not think of doing. He is an interesting conversationalist and is full of reminiscences of the bygone days. Mr. Warren was twice married. His first wife was Martha Lourimore. The present Mrs. Warren was Louise Von Hofen, to whom he was married twenty- seven years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Warren are very fond of auto riding and may be seen out together any day, enjoying this pleasurable exercise."
Joseph W. Warren was obviously a well-respected member of his community. This is the first ancestor that I have found so much personal information on. I am so excited to share it all with you. Here are some other facts that I have found:
- He was born Joseph Wormwood on May 30, 1831, in Kennebunk, Maine to Richard Wormwood and Eliza (Elizabeth) Wells. Both of his parents were born in Maine, and his Wormwood line goes back to the 1600s in Maine, but originally they were from England.
- His father Richard died in 1851 when Joseph was about 20 years old. Joseph was living with his sisters (he had no brothers) and his mother until he left home around 1857.
- Joseph was a violinist and an actor/singer in his youth and had his own production company that travelled to New England and the Mid West.
- In 1859 he came to Sewickley, Pennsylvania and became the Ticket Agent of the railway station and the telegrapher. Later he became the Stationmaster.
- Sometime around 1860, he married Martha Jane Lourimore, the daughter of John Lourimore and Elizabeth McPherson. Both from the Sewickley area. The McPherson’s are a pioneer family of the area that travelled to Pennsylvania from New Jersey. Their ancestors were from Scotland.
- On August 29, 1861, his first son George Cass Warren was born (named after his friend General George Washington Cass). George married Margaret Byron in Oil City, Pennsylvania on July 2, 1887. He was a locomotive fireman for the railway around this time. He later moved to Horning, Pennsylvania and retired as a coal miner. He remarried to a widow by the name of Mary Elizabeth Kelly (nee O’Donnell).
- On December 1, 1863, his second son Henry Lourimore Warren was born. Henry stayed in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and married Olive Pearl Thornburg in 1889. Some of his children went to Ohio, California and Texas.
- In June 1863 Joseph registered with the Civil War Draft in Butler, Pennsylvania.
- In May 1866 Joseph, his wife Martha and their children were baptized at the St. Stephens Church in Sewickley. Joseph was an active member of the church and shows up in a lot of their records
- On Oct 22, 1876, Joseph’s first wife Martha dies from Tuberculosis, an illness her live-in sister also died from in 1866.
- In 1880, Joseph (age 47) and his two boys George (age 18) and Henry (age 16) are living with the Von Hofen family that runs a boarding house in Sewickley.
- In 1883 Joseph (age 52) married Louisa Von Hofen (age 23), the daughter of Christopher Von Hofen who is the owner of the boarding house that they lived.
- Joseph was one of the first to own a car in Sewickley.
- Joseph was a member of the Masonic Order.
- June 23, 1919, Joseph died at 88 years of age after injuring himself falling from his porch.
- Joseph is buried in the Von Hofen Family plot at the Sewickley Cemetery.
- August 17, 1939, Joseph’s second wife Louisa (Von Hofen) Warren died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she lived with her sister Mary M. Taylor. She was buried at the Sewickley Cemetery.
I have gone from having nothing about Joseph Warren Wormwood to having so much to share. It took 9 years of hard work and a lot of reaching out beyond the Internet but I finally found my Grandfather’s family roots. He would be so pleased to see it.
A special thanks to my Grandfather's cousin in Connecticut (who we've never met) for replying to my letter. She gave me the Wormwood surname and a few other interesting bits of information. If it wasn't for her information I would never have been able to connect the dots.
He was mentioned in an old book called "Lights and Shadows of Sewickley Life, or, Memories of Sweet Valley" by Agnes L. Ellis from 1893. That is where I discovered his photo, and the photo of the train station added to this post.
A special thanks to my Grandfather's cousin in Connecticut (who we've never met) for replying to my letter. She gave me the Wormwood surname and a few other interesting bits of information. If it wasn't for her information I would never have been able to connect the dots.
He was mentioned in an old book called "Lights and Shadows of Sewickley Life, or, Memories of Sweet Valley" by Agnes L. Ellis from 1893. That is where I discovered his photo, and the photo of the train station added to this post.
If you would like to see the source documents I used in my research please contact me. I will gladly share them.
For the "In Memoriam" of Joseph Warren Wormwood click HERE
For the 80th Birthday news article about Joseph Warren Wormwood click HERE
Visit the Warren Family page to see how Joseph fits into my family tree.
For the 80th Birthday news article about Joseph Warren Wormwood click HERE
Visit the Warren Family page to see how Joseph fits into my family tree.
**Image of Joseph W. Warren was found in the book "Lights and Shadows of Sewickley Life, OR, Memories of Sweet Valley" by Agnes L Ellis 1893.
Image of train courtesy of pixabay.com
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