Emma (Irvin) MacColl

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Biography

Emma Irvin^[1][2] was born on 16 September 1887,^[1][3][2] at 2320 Christian Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,^[1][2] to William John Irvin and Emma Partenheimer.^{[1] [3][2]} (Her birth record^[1] lists her family name as ‘Irwin’, presumably because that is more common than ‘Irvin’, which other records^[3][4][5] have consistently.) George A. Rex was the attending physician.^[1]

In 1900 and 1910, she was living with her parents and siblings at 6931 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was not working in 1910. ^{[4] [6]}

On 1 October 1905, she and her sister Florence became full members of the Siloam Methodist Church. They were preceded by their cousin Ida Isabella Irvin (on 10 June 1900), and followed by their sister Katie (on 9 September 1906), and their mother and their siblings Willie, Alfred, Harry, Edith, and Sylvania (on 5 June 1909). ^[7]

On 13 June 1917, Emma and Bertram Elmer MacColl were married. They were married by Albert M. Witwer, of the Siloam Methodist Episcopal Church. (After leaving Siloam, he joined the YMCA, and spent time in France, working with soldiers and then reconstruction after World War One.^[8]) Emma was a packer, living at 2101 South 67th [?] Street, Philadelphia. Bertram was a hand planer, living at 2110 South 66th Street, Philadelphia. ^{[3] [9] [10]} They had two children: ^[11]

Alfred Irvin MacColl (1918-2005)

Kathryn MacColl (1923-1984)

In 1920, Bertram and Emma were living at 2015 South 67th Street, Philadelphia, with Bertram's daughters Ellen and Ruby, and their son Alfred. Bertram was a riveter at the shipyard. Ellen and Ruby were attending school. ^[12]

In 1930, Bertram and Emma were living at 2549 Pershing Street, Philadelphia, which they owned, and which was worth $8,000. They had a radio. Bertram was a planer of cut stone, and was actually at work the previous working day. They were living with their children Alfred and Catharine, who were both in school. ^[13]

In 1940, Bertram and Emma were living at 2619 South 67th Street, which they owned, and which was worth $3,000. Bertram was a paperhanger, working for himself. They were living with their children Alfred and Catherine. Alfred was an electrician for an electric utility; he worked 40 hours the week of 24 March, and had received $652 for 26 weeks of work in 1939. Catherine was in school, and not working or looking for work. ^[14]

In 1950, Emma and her son Alfred were living at 2619 67th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with two lodgers. Alfred worked 40 hours the week before the census was taken, as a retail automobile service salesman. ^[15]

Ruth Diem remembers Emma as ‘the epitome of a homemaker’, who was also a very stylish dresser. Bert seems gruff, but was actually very tender and caring. He always had a Studebaker. They had a crippled dog named ‘Vonnie’ who disliked children and deliberately positioned herself between rooms to block the passage. When Vonnie died, they had ‘Penny’, a black and white spotted Springer who liked to jump on people ^[16]

On 9 February 1955, she applied for a social security number. She was living at 2619 South 67th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ^[2]

Emma died on 25 May 1965, at 2619 South 67th Street, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of congestive cardiac failure, due to arteriosclerotic heart disease, with complete AV block, due to hypertensive vd [vascular disease?], and with adenocarcinoma (papillary) of ovaries + metastases to right lung contributing. On 28 May 1965, she was buried in St James of Kingsessing Cemetery, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ^{[5] [17] [18]}

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5} Philadelphia, 'Registration of Births', 1887, [volume 2], p.140, Emma Irwin (16 September 1887); image copy, Philadelphia, Department of Records, Historical Land Records and Vitals Search (http://phila-records.com/historic-records/web/ : accessed 23 August 2021); file 'DOCCRegister01-1887-12-1887', image 444 of 604.

   '[when registered] " [sc. Sept] [date of birth] " [sc. Sept] 16 [name of child] Emma Irwin [sex] 1 [sc. female] [color] 1 [sc. white] [ward] 30 [place of birth] 2320 Christian [parents] Wm + Emma Irwin [occupation of father] Gas stoker [?] [name of physician] Geo A Rex [residence] 2023 Pine'

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Emma Irvin MacColl, SS no. 186-30-3624, 9 February 1955, Application for Account No. (Form SS-5), Social Security Administration, Baltimore, Maryland.

   Emma Irvin MacColl, née Emma Irvin

   2619 S. 67th St, Philadelphia

   born 16 September 1887, Philadelphia, PA, to William Irvin and Emma Partenheimer

   applied 9 February 1955

3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, marriage record, #366080 (1917), Bertram E. MacCall and Emma Irvin; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/records/images/image-details?endDate=1917&startDate=1917&lifeEvent=102860&page=1&place=4838222&rmsId=TH-266-11565-80067-0&coverageItemIndex=1&imageIndex=399&singleView=true : accessed 13 August 2020).

   fees $1.00 for license

   Bertram Elmer MacColl, plainer hand, born Philadelphia 11 May 1881 to James [MacColl] (same address, painter, born Phila PA) and Catherine Gallagher (same address, occupation: home, born Canada); once married ended by death at Philadelphia 5 years ago; residence 2110 So 66 St W Phila

   Emma Irvin, packer, born Phila PA, residence 2101 So 67 [the '6' seems to be written over '5'?] St W Phila, born 16 Sept 1887, never married before, parents William (residence Sewell NJ, farmer, born Phila PA) and Emma Partenhimer (residence 2101 So 57 St W Phila, occupation: home, born Phila)

   applied 9 June 1917

   married 13 June 1917, at Philadelphia, by Albert M Witwer [?]

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} 1900 U.S. census, ward 40, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, enumeration district 1019, page 55 stamped = sheet 9 B penned, family 186; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-67H3-7GB : accessed 1 September 2019); citing National Archives, microfilm publication T623, roll 1480.

   6931 Chester Ave, rented, house

   head William J Irvin, white, male, born Apr 1861, married 14 years, born Pennsylvania, UGI [sc. United Gas Improvement Co.] Gas Works, 0 months unemployed

   wife Ema, white, female, born Sep 1860, married 14 years, 8 kids 8 living, born Pennsylvania

   daughter Ema, white, female, born Oct 1887, born Pennsylvania

   daughter Florence, white, female, born Aug 1888, born Pennsylvania

   son William, white, male, born Mar 1890, born Pennsylvania

   daughter Katie M, white, female, born Sep 1891, born Pennsylvania

   son Alfred G, white, male, born Jan 1893, born Pennsylvania

   daughter Eda, white, female, Feb 1895, born Pennsylvania

   son Harry P, white, male, Nov 1896, born Pennsylvania

   daughter Sylvania [sic], white, female, Sep 1898, born Pennsylvania

5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Department of Health, Pennsylvania, death certificate, no. 052231-65 (25 May 1965), Emma I MacColl; image copy, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/5164/47549_2421401755_0009-00031 : accessed 13 August 2020).

   Emma I. MacColl

   usual residence 2619 So. 67th St, Philadelphia

   female, white, widow of Bertram Mac Coll

   born 16 September 1887, Penna, to William J. Irvin and Emma Partenheimer

   informant Kathryn Hamilton, 6756 Linmore Ave, Philadelphia

   died 25 May 1965, 2619 So. 67th St, Philadelphia,

   cause of death: congestive cardiac failure, due to arteriosclerotic cardiac disease with complete AV block, due to hypertensive V.D.; also had adenocarcinoma (papillary) of ovaries with metastasis to right lung

   buried St. James Kingsessing, Philadelphia, 28 May 1965

6. ↑ 1910 U.S. census, ward 40, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, enumeration district 1028, page 8 stamped = 8 B penned, family 173; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRVT-XYP : accessed 1 September 2019); citing National Archives, microfilm publication T624, roll 1410; 'Ervin'.

   6931 [??] Chester Ave, rented house

   head William J Ervin [sic], male, white, 48, married once, 23 years, born Pennsylvania, driver, coal yard, not out of work on 15 April, unemployed 0 weeks

   wife Emma, female, white, 49, married once, 23, years, 10 children, 10 living, born Pennsylvania, no occupation

   daughter Emma, female, white, 22, single, born Pennsylvania, no occupation

   daughter Florence, female, white, 21, single, born Pennsylvania, office clerk, not out of work 15 April, 0 weeks unemployed

   son William, male, white, 20, single, born Pennsylvania, express driver, not out of work 15 April 0 weeks unemployed

   daughter Katie, female, white, 18, single, born Pennsylvania, office clerk, not out of work 15 April, 0 weeks unemployed

   son Alfred, male, white, 17, single, born Pennsylvania, in school

   daughter Edith, female, white, 15, single, born Pennsylvania, in school

   son Harry, male, white, 13, single, born Pennsylvania, in school

   daughter Sylvania, female, white, 11, single, born Pennsylvania, in school

   son Wilfred, male, white, 8, single, born Pennsylvania, not in school

   son Theodore, male, white, 6, single, born Pennsylvania, not in school

7. ↑ 'Alphabetical Record of Members in Full Connection', pp.88-89; image copy, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2451/images/42154_329917-00334 : accessed 7 September 2021); citing Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Eastern Pennsylvania United Methodist Church Commission on Archives and History; citing Siloam United Methodist Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

   [the entries on the page are in chronological order; the dates on this page, which has entries beginning with 'I', range from 1890 to 1909]

   '[name] Irvin, Ida Isabella [state in life] S [when received] June 10 1900 [how received] " " [sc. From Prob.] [by whom received] C. S. Mervine [when and how removed] Removed without Cert [no. of class] 4 [remarks] 2053 Vine St. Phila.

   '[name] Irvin Florence [state in life] S. [when received] Oct. 1. 1905 [how received] " " [by whom received] G. G. Grove [when and how removed] [blank] [no. of class] [blank] [remarks] 69 + chester'

   '[name] Irvin Emma [state in life] S. [when received] " " " [how received] " " [by whom received] G. G. Grove [when and how removed] [blank] [no. of class] [blank] [remarks] 69 + chester'

   '[name] Irvin, Katie [state in life] S. [when received] Sept. 9. 1906 [how received] " " [by whom received] G. G. Grove [when and how removed] [blank] [no. of class] [blank] [remarks] 69 + chester'

   ...

   '[name] Irwin Emma [state in life] married [when received] June 5 09 [how received] [blank] [by whom received] " [sc. Benj F. Meller [?] [when and how removed] [blank] [no. of class] [blank] [remarks] [blank]

   '[name] Irvin Willie [state in life] S [when received] " [sc. June 5 09] [how received] [blank] [by whom received] " [sc. Benj F. Meller [?] [when and how removed] [blank] [no. of class] [blank] [remarks] [blank]

   '[name] " Alfred [state in life] S [when received] " [sc. June 5 09] [how received] [blank] [by whom received] " [sc. Benj F. Meller [?] [when and how removed] [blank] [no. of class] [blank] [remarks] [blank]

   '[name] " Harry [state in life] S [when received] " [sc. June 5 09] [how received] [blank] [by whom received] " [sc. Benj F. Meller [?] [when and how removed] [blank] [no. of class] [blank] [remarks] [blank]

   '[name] " Edith [state in life] S [when received] " [sc. June 5 09] [how received] [blank] [by whom received] " [sc. Benj F. Meller [?] [when and how removed] [blank] [no. of class] [blank] [remarks] [blank]

   '[name] " Sylvania [state in life] S [when received] " [sc. June 5 09] [how received] [blank] [by whom received] " [sc. Benj F. Meller [?] [when and how removed] [blank] [no. of class] [blank] [remarks] [blank]

8. ↑ : 'More Philadelphians Landed in New York', Evening Public Ledger (Philadelphia), Thursday, 27 March 1919 p.2, col. 3; image copy, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/image/162685370/ : accessed 15 August 2020).

   'The Rev. Dr. Albert M Witmer ... formerly was pastor of Siloam Methodist Episcopal Church'.

   'The Rev. Dr. Albert M. Witmer [sic], 1830 South Cecil street, has returned to this country after a year spent on Y.M.C.A. work abroad. He plans to return to France in June to take up duties of reconstruction, with special attention to the wants of French war orphans.

   'Doctor Witmer arrived in New York yesterday aboard the Austro-American liner Francesca He told an interesting story of work with American soldiers in an artillery camp. Later he was made Y.M.C.A. director of all work in the Nantes section.

   'Doctor Witmer formerly was pastor of Siloam Methodist Episcopal Church.

   ....

9. ↑ 'City Directories for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania'; database with images, Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com/image/100968820 : accessed 12 August 2020); citing publisher C E Howe Co., year 1916, p.110.

   'Siloam (West Phila)., Woodland av c 70th, Rev A W Witwer [sic]'

   p.1780 (https://www.fold3.com/image/16/110836937 : accessed 26 August 2020): 'Witwer Albert M Rev h 7005 Woodland av'

   Department of Health, Pennsylvania, death certificate, no.18790 (28 February 1951), Albert M Witwer; image copy, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/5164/images/42410_3421606190_0685-00442 : accessed 26 August 2020).

   Albert M Witwer

   usual residence 7212 Bingham St, Philadelphia

   male, white, widowed, clergyman

   born 3 March 1776 [sic] to Henry Witwer and Amelia Witwer, 74 years old

   informant: Chas B Witwer, 33 Cedar St, Merchantville, NJ

   died 28 February 1951, Philadelphia "Res" (sc. residence?)

   cause of death: coronary thrombosis, due to coronary sclerosis

   buried 3 March 1951, Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, Delaware County, PA

10. ↑ 'Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-2013', Bertram E MacColl and Emma Irvin (13 June 1917); database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/2451/42154_329918-00092/2020522997 : accessed 5 May 2020); citing Eastern Pennsylvania United Methodist Church Commission on Archives and History, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania; citing Siloam United Methodist Church.

    June 13 1917, Bertram E MacColl (residence W. Phila) and Emma Irvin (residence W. Phila), place of marriage Church, officiating minister Albert M. [illegible], licence. no 366080

11. ↑ Ruth Diem Lott, Descendants of Emma Penn (September 1996, revised June 1998).

    'EMMA IRVIN

    'Emma Irvin, first child and daughter of Emma Partenheimer and William John Irvin, was born September 16, 1887, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and died May 25, 1965. She is buried at St. James Cemetery, 68th Street and Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    'On June 13, 1917, Emma Irvin married Bertram Elmer MacColl, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bertram Elmer MacColl was a widower with two young daughters: Ellen MacColl and Ruby MacColl. Bertram Elmer MacColl was born in 1881, and died June 1946, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is buried at St. James of Kingsessing Cemetery at 68th Street and Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    'Ellen MacColl married Howard Herb and they had 3 children: .... Howard Herb is deceased. Ellen MacColl Herb currently resides at 331 Ballymore Drive Springfield, Pennsylvania 19064.

    'Ruby MacColl married Edward McFadden. They made their home In Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. They had 3 daughters: .... Ruby MacColl and Edward McFadden are both deceased.

    'The following children were born to this marriage of Emma Irvin and Bertram Elmer MacColl:

    'Alfred Irvin MacColl 06/11/1918 Philadelphia, Penna.

    'Kathryn MacColl 05/27/1923 Philadelphia, Penna.

12. ↑ 1920 U.S. census, ward 40, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 1491, pages 125B-126A stamped = 3-4 penned; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF1L-V9Z : accessed 5 May 2020); citing National Archives, microfilm series T625, roll 1641.

    2105 S 67th St, rented

    head Bertram E. MacCowll, male, white, 38, married, born Pennsylvania, riveter at shipyard

    wife Emma, female, white, 32, married, born Pennsylvania, no occupation

    daughter Ellen, female, white, 11, single, in school, born Pennsylvania, no occupation

    daughter Ruby M., female, white, 9, single, in school, born Pennsylvania, no occupation

    son Alfred E, male, white, 1-6 [?]/12, single, born Pennsylvania, no occupation

13. ↑ 1930 U.S. census, ward 40, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 51-234, p. 161 A stamped = sheet 11 penned, family 197; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRC4-4S7 : accessed 12 August 2020); citing National archives, microfilm series T626, roll 2130.

    2549 Pershing St, owned, worth $8000, had a radio

    head Bertram MacColl, male, white, 48, married first at 23, born Pennsylvania, planer of cut stone, actually at work last working day, not a veteran

    wife Emma MacColl, female, white, 42, married, first at 29, born Pennsylvania, no occupation

    son Alfred, male, white, 11, single, in school, born Pennsylvania, no occupation

    daughter Catharine MacColl, female, white, 6, single, in school, born Pennsylvania, no occupation

14. ↑ 1940 U.S. census, ward 40, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 51-1603A, page 19556 stamped = 3 B penned; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9MY-93GM : accessed 26 November 2019); citing National Archives, microfilm series T627, roll 3736.

    2619 South 67th Street, owned, worth $3,000

    Bertram MacColl, head, 58, married, born PA, same house in 1935, at work for 47 hours during week of 24-30 March, paperhanger (interior decorating), working on own account, worked 52 weeks in 1939, $0 hourly wages or salary, but income of $50 or more from sources other than money wages or salary</dd>

    Emma MacColl, wife, 52, born PA, same house in 1935, not at work or looking for work during week of 24-30 March, engaged in housework, worked 0 hours in 1939</dd>

    Alfred MacColl, son, 21, single, not in school, born Pennsylvania, same house in 1935, at work for 40 hours during week of 24-30 March, electrician, electric utility, worked 26 weeks in 1939, received $652 in wages or salary</dd>

    Catherine MacColl, daughter, 16, single, not in school since 1 March 1940, born Pennsylvania, same house in 1935, not at work or looking for work during week of 24-30 March, at school, worked 0 hours in 1939</dd>

15. ↑ 1950 U.S. census, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 51-2135, sheet 12, dwelling 117; image copy, National Archives (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Philadelphia&ed=51-2135&page=1&state=PA : accessed 1 April 2022).

    2619 67th Street

    head Emma I MaCall, white, female, 62, widowed, born Pennsylvania, engaged in housework

    son Alfred I -, white, male, 31, never married, born Pennsylvania, worked 40 hours prior week, service salesman, automobile, retail

    lodger Thomas B Knox, white, male, 27, married, born Pennsylvania, worked 40 hours prior week, industrial engineer, electric switch gear, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, a year ago, parents both born US, finished 4 years of college, earned $2000 in 1949, served in US Armed Forces in WWII

    lodger Betty A -, white, female, 21, married, born Virginia, engaged in housework,

16. ↑ Ruth Diem Lott, 'My Remembrances of the Irvin Family', 2007; copy in possession of Harry A Ide.
17. ↑ Emma I. MacColl, death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, Thursday 27 May 1965, p.44, col.6; image copy, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/image/179796724/ : accessed 13 August 2020).

    'MacCOLL.—On May 25, of 2619 S. 67th st., EMMA I. (nee Irvin), wife of the late Bertram. Relatives and friends are invited to the funeral Fri., 10 A. M., from the Yerkes Funeral Home, 7031 Woodland ave. Int. St. James Kingsessing Cem. Viewing Thurs. eve.'

18. ↑ St James' Church of Kingsessing Office (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) to Harry A. Ide, 31 January 1996; providing information about burials in section C - 211 - 1 EE and C - 211 - 2 EE.

    section C-211-1 EE:

    Bertram E. MacColl, 65 years old, 3 July 1946

    Glenn A. Hamilton, 48 years old, 3 October 1966

    section C-211-2 EE:

    Emma I. MacColl, 77 years old, 28 May 1965

    Kathryn M. Bird, 61 years old, 16 August 1984

See also

• Emma Irvin, at FamilySearch's Family Tree|