Class of 1925, Part 2

Here are 4 more members of the DePaul University Academy, Class of 1925. I have a picture of the graduating class, and I will continue to post sections of it here.

In the section above, are from left to right, A. J. Harrison, T. Brangan, and B. F. Brizzolara. In the second row is W. F. Clow.

Catherine Landy's Deposition

Deposition H
Case of Mary J. Whalin, No. 773265

On this 19th day of May, 1903, at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Ill, before me, J. H. Stibbs, a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared Catherine Landy, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to her during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says: I am 60 years of age, am the wife of Pierce Landy & reside at 181 Milton Ave, Chicago Ill.

I knew this claimant when she first came to Chicago. She had been living in Buffalo, N.Y. & she came from there with her uncle Peter Lynch who was a Lake Capt, & she went to Lynches house to live & there I got acquainted with her. ? a few months she went out to work, & she & Pat Whalin got acquainted, & they got married. So far as I knew she was a young unmarried woman up to that time.

I did not know Pat Whalin until he came back from the war. He lived with his mother on Siegel St, & it was my understanding that he had never been married.

I was present & saw them married at Church of Immaculate Conception. That was about the 2nd or 3rd year after he came from the war & they always lived together after that, never were divorced or legally separated, & she has not remarried since his death.

I am not interested in her claim.
The above has been read to me & is correct.
attest. Hannah Landy
P. Landy
Catherine her x mark Landy

Class of 1925

This is part of the DePaul University Academy, Class of 1925. I have a class picture of the graduating class hanging on my wall. I will post pictures of groups of graduates over the next few weeks. The class photo is mounted, under glass, and has some stains near the bottom. So the images are not as good as I'd like, but I don't want to try removing the photo from the mounting.
In the section above, from left to right, are W.P. Petersen Vice Pres, J.J. Phelan Pres, and E.F. Brady Sec.


In the section above, from left to right, are H.J.McCormick Sal., R.T. Spencer Val., and L.S. Blanchard Treas.


Congratulations to the graduates of 2009, as I remember my dad, Edwin F. Brady, Class of 1925.

Another Pension Affidavit

Here is another deposition in the pension case of Patrick Whelan. This one is given by John P. Dunne, a former coworker and employer of Patrick. The deposition deals with Patrick's reliability and drinking habits.

Deposition C
Case of Patrick Whalin, No. 50355

On this 17th day of November, 18900, at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, before me, DS McIntyre, a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared John P. Dunne, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says:

I am 44 years of age; my post-office address is No 2162 N Marshfield Ave Chicago Ills. & I am a plummer. I have known this clt here Patrick Whalin ever since I was a helper – well for 30 years I say any how.

He worked with me at times and since I’ve been in business for myself he has worked for me.

Well sir he would take a drink now and then, but he did not use intoxication liquors to excess or abuse himself with their use.

He has been a good reliable man & I could always depend on him.

He never “soaked” it all.

When he would quit work sometimes he would go and take a drink or two, but he would be right on hands for work all right the next morning.

I never knew him to get on a protracted spree-never.

His looks show he has not been a hard drinker.
I am neither related nor interested

Questions understood and answers correctly recorded

John P. Dunne
Deponent

Family Fun

This is a picture of my mom, uncle and cousin on a family outing. This picture was taken in the early 1950s, probably in southern Illinois. Seated is my uncle, Al Mensing and my mom, Ann Skrobul. Uncle Al is holding his son, Stanley Mensing. The rolled up pant legs are a different look for my mom. I wonder if they were going to do some fishing that day.

"A Candid Old Irishman"

That is how one special examiner described Patrick Whelan after questioning him regarding his pension claim. Here is the examiner's report:

Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois
Novr 17th 1900

Sir

I have the honor to return herewith the papers together with my report in claim under Act of June 27th 1890 under Ctf No 50355 Patrick Whalin Co G 90th Regt Ills Vols Infty. whose PO address is now No 1059 Columbus Street Chicago Ills. The papers were referred to this Division as per slip of the Medical Refaree of date Aug 30th 1899 to determine whether clts habits have been intemperate.

The papers came to me by transfer for the initial examination.

Clt was served with the usual notice & his rights were fully explained.
I insisted on his accompanying me & he was present when the witnesses were examined.

He is a remarkably frank, open faced candid old Irishman for whom every one seems to have a good word.
His looks do not indicate an habitual drinker.
His reputation for truth is good as is also his witnesses, all of whom are business men.
One of the men named by clt is dead.
I did not deem it necessary to look up the other, for the rule was already exceeded--Reference to the Chief of the Board of Review is respectfully recommended.

Very respectfully
DS McIntyre
Special Examiner
Hon H Clay Evans

The Examiner's View of the Whelan Pension Claim

Room 549, Rand-McNally Building
No. 160 Adams Street, Chicago, Ill.
May 20, 1903
The [?] of Pensions,
Washington D.C.

Sir,

I have the honor to return with my report the claim #773265 of Mary J. Whalin, which was referred to me for special examination to determine widowhood, dependence, proper name of minor, and non prior marriage of soldier.

Claimant was duly notified of the examination to be made, and of her rights and priveleges, but she did not wish to be represented by an atty, and has waived notice of any further examination deemed necessary.

This claimant is a worthy good woman of unquestioned good repute, and she is disgracefully poor, dependent beyond question. Her statement as to minors and name of her son Bertrand will, I think, satisfactorily settle that part[?].

From the witnesses whom I have seen, I have learned that soldier
became quite “cranky” during the later years of his life, and seemed to take pleasure in exaggerating his age. His hair became entirely white, and he had the appearance of being older than he really was. Peter Lynch, who is entirely reliable, an Old Lake Captain, told me after signing his deposition, of soldier’s extravagant stories about his age and said that he was younger than his sister-Mrs. Lynch, and that she & Lynch were about the same age. This would have made him about 76 or 77 if he were still living, and this corresponds with [?] estimate; She says he had the appearance of being about 40 at date of marriage.

The death cft, showing that soldier was “widowed” at date of death was unquestionably an error, as the evidence shows conclusively that the parties were living together at date of death.

Claimant was entirely correct in her statement as to the burning of the Church of Immaculate Conception in the great fire of 1871. I have had occasion to verify this repeatedly heretofore. The church records were all destroyed at that time.

I have secured the best evidence attainable, & believing it will meet the requirements of [?] of reference. I submit papers for consideration of Chief of Bd of Review.
I am very respectfully
J.H.Stibbs