Henry Vanness (1841 - 1926)

Born 14 Dec 1841 in Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States

Died 25 May 1926 at age 84 in Rockville, Tolland County, Connecticut, United States

Biography

Henry Vanness is a part of US Black heritage.

Henry was born in 1841. His 1926 obituary stated that he was "said to be the only Negro railroad conductor in the United States." He had retired after 43 years with the New Haven line, starting as a freightmaster and working his way up to passenger conductor.^[1]

In the 1880 census Henry (age 39), Railroad conductor, was the married head of household in Vernon, Tolland, Connecticut, United States. Wife Mary, 1 daughter.^[2]

In the 1910 census Henry (age 69) was the married head of household in Rockville Ward 3, Tolland, Connecticut, United States. Wife Mary.^[3]

Henry died in 1926 and was buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Rockville, Tolland County, Connecticut, United States.^[4][5]

Sources

1. ↑ Obituary: Free view of clipping "U.S., Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s-current"
   Hartford Courant; Publication Date: 27 May 1926; Publication Place: Hartford, Connecticut, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/369510588/?article=96221a65-b4aa-4961-9650-1a9dddfe7024&focus=0.49229097,0.22597507,0.6074006,0.39164466&xid=3355
   Ancestry Record 61843 #564911100 (accessed 24 March 2024)
   Name: Henry Vanness; Gender: Male; Death Age: 85; Birth Date: 14 Dec 1841; Birth Place: Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA; Residence Place: Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Death Date: Abt 1926; Death Place: Merldcn; Obituary Date: 27 May 1926; Obituary Place: Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Newspaper Title: Hartford Courant; Child: Bessie Taylor.
2. ↑ 1880 Census: "1880 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1880; Census Place: Vernon, Tolland, Connecticut; Roll: 109; Page: 12c; Enumeration District: 149
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6742 #44730613 (accessed 24 March 2024)
   Henry Vannest (39), married, Railroad conductor, head of household in Vernon, Tolland, Connecticut, USA. Born in Massachusetts.
3. ↑ 1910 Census: "1910 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1910; Census Place: Rockville Ward 3, Tolland, Connecticut; Roll: T624_143; Page: 14a; Enumeration District: 0565; FHL microfilm: 1374156
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7884 #2635823 (accessed 24 March 2024)
   Henry Vanness (69), married head of household in Rockville Ward 3, Tolland, Connecticut, USA. Born in Massachusetts.
4. ↑ Burial: "U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current"
   Find A Grave: Memorial #49806425
   Ancestry Record 60525 #22543555 (accessed 24 March 2024)
   Henry Vanness burial (died in 1926) in Grove Hill Cemetery, Rockville, Tolland County, Connecticut, United States of America. Born in 1841.
5. ↑ Death: "Connecticut, U.S., Deaths and Burials Index, 1650-1934"
   FHL Film Number: 3217
   Ancestry Record 2557 #1100086 (accessed 24 March 2024)
   Henry Vanness death 1926 (age 85) in Vernon, Connecticut.