BYRNE, George Griffing

Other Events and Attributes:

• Research Notes: Leon Rowland notes had George Byrne arriving in Santa Cruz 1889, but this was most likely Walter Byrne. George Byrne initially lived in San Francisco and Alameda, moving to Santa Cruz in 1895 to co-found Byrne Bros with Walter, who was already living there.
• Obituary: From the front page the Santa Cruz Evening News, 29 Dec 1923: Death of George G Byrne Shocks Whole City; Will Be Missed in Business and Social Life of Community A great shock to this community is the sudden death last night of George Grifftng Byrne. No citizen could have seemed more sure of a serene old age, still a long way off. He had lived the useful, moderate, sane life which is the best insurance. But the reaper took him in the twinkling of an eye. He was sitting, about 8 o'clock, with his family, when his heart stopped, and he passed from this life without a struggle. Mr. Byrne was fifty-nine years of age, a native of Michigan, and son of George Griffing Byrne and his wife Henrietta, both of prominent Jackson families. He was in the hardware business even in the early days, and came to Santa Cruz from Jackson thirty-four years ago, to be with his uncle, the late C. B. Byrne, in the firm of Heath and Byrne. The next year he married Miss Helen Graves, between whom and himself there has ever since been perfect harmony. They have brought up a family of whom any one would be proud; have given them all the best education to be had, all who are old enough being now college graduates, and the younger ones at sohool. Twenty-five years ago he, with bis brother Walter, bought out Heath & Byrne, and have made Byrne Bros, a synonym for dependability and progressiveness through a large territory. It is now a large business. Mr. Byrne was interested in civic improvement, was a Mason, a faithful and helpful member of the Congregational church over a period of many years, and, to his death; and a charter member of the Y. M. C. A. here. He was domestic in taste, and was more happy at home than anywhere else. But he was a genial friend and acquaintance, with a large circle of friends. He was a sterling citizen, an example to all who knew him, in his unostentatious way of meeting the problems and duties of life. He leaves a wife, Mrs. Helen Byrne, and children as follows: Walter G., an architect of Los Angeles; Mrs. Harriet Olmstead of Los Angeles; George G., who is connected with the store In Santa Cruz; Gertrude, who after graduating from the University of California, is now taking a course in nursing in a San Francisco hospital; Helen, a teacher: at Covina; Carleton, a student at Stanford university, and, Howard at home. There are two brothers, Robert E. of Florida and Walter C. of this: city, and three sisters, Clara of San Jose, Susan of the faculty of the California Teachers College at San Jose, and Josephine, an instructor in the Drexel school near Palo Alto.
• Occupation: Hardware merchant
• Census: 8 Jun 1880, 137 Maple Avenue, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA
• Voter Registration: 18 Sep 1888, 333 Eddy Street, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA USA
• Residence: 1890, 312 Eddy Street, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA USA
• Voter Registration: 1892, 326 Seventeenth Street, San Francisco, San Franciso, CA USA
• Residence: 1900, Santa Cruz Ward 3, Santa Cruz, California
• Residence: 1910, Santa Cruz Ward 4, Santa Cruz, California
• Residence: 1910, r. 326 King, Santa Cruz, CA
• Residence: 1914, 320 King Street, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
• Residence: 1920, Santa Cruz Ward 4, Santa Cruz, California

Notes:

Census:
Maple Ave / Byrne, George Jr / White / Male / Age 16 / Son / Single / Occupation: At School / Birthplace Mich / Birthplace of Father Conn / Birthplace of Mother Penn

Voter Registration:
2nd Floor, Room F, listed as Salesman (3rd Precinct, 38th Assembly District)

Residence:
Working as salesman for Holbrook, Merrill & Stetson

Voter Registration:
“Traveling Salesman” living in Upstairs

Residence:
35 Byrne, George G Progressive Merchant 320 King Street, Santa Cruz

George married GRAVES, Helen Fidelia on 17 Dec 1890 in Portland, OR, USA. Helen (daughter of GRAVES, Sewell Fogg and BATCHELDER, Amelia Aldea) was born on 28 Sep 1867 in Bath, Maine, USA; died on 25 Sep 1948 in ALAMEDA, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. BYRNE, Walter Graves was born on 2 Nov 1891 in San Francisco, California, USA; died on 28 Apr 1949 in Oakland, California, USA; was buried on 30 Apr 1949 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Hayward, Alameda, CA USA.
2. BYRNE, George Griffing was born on 20 Jul 1894 in CALIFORNIA; was christened on 7 May 1899 in First Congregational Church, Lincoln and Center Streets, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; died on 23 Apr 1945 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA.
3. BYRNE, Anna Harriet was born on 13 Apr 1895 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA; was christened on 7 May 1899 in First Congregational Church, Lincoln and Center Streets, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; died on 28 Nov 1971 in Watsonville, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; was buried on 29 Nov 1971 in IOOF Cemetery, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
4. BYRNE, Gertrude Mabel was born on 14 May 1901 in California; was christened in UNKNOWN in First Congregational Church, Lincoln and Center Streets, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
5. BYRNE, Helen Marian was born on 15 Mar 1903 in California.
6. BYRNE, Carlton Earley was born on 29 Mar 1905 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA; died on 12 Aug 1985 in Pacific Grove, Monterey, California, United States of America.
7. BYRNE, Howard Sewell was born on 5 Dec 1913 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA; was christened on 5 Jul 1914 in First Congregational Church, Lincoln and Center Streets, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; died on 10 Apr 1993 in MONTEREY, California.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Obituary: From the Jackson Weekly Citizen, 08 Dec 1891 Died BYRNE - At his late residence, No. 137 Maple avenue, on Saturday, Nov 28, after an illness of five months, George Griffin Byrne, aged 58 years. Mr. Byrne came to Jackson with his parents from the east when a child, and had resided in Jackson for a period of fifty-one years. Deceased had been a member of the Baptist church for about thirty years, and had served that organization as deacon and in other capacities, filling every office with credit to himself. Mr. Byrne had been employed by the Withington & Cooley company as foreman of their prison contract for twenty-three years. Deceased leaves a wife and seven children to mourn the loss of a kind and indulgent husband and father. The funeral occurred at 10 o'clock on the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 2, Rev E. R. Curry officiating. The funeral was largely attended. The body was borne to the grave by the deacons of the Baptist church.
• Occupation: Carpenter/Joiner worked for private company with contract at Jackson prison
• Religion: Baptist
• Residence: 1 Jun 1840, Jackson, Michigan
• Residence: 1850, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan
• Residence: 1860, Jackson Ward 2, Jackson, Michigan
• Military: 23 Jun 1863, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan
• Residence: 1870, Jackson Ward 2, Jackson, Michigan
• Residence: 1872, Corner Blackstone & Wilkins, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1876, 41 Washington, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA
• Census: 8 Jun 1880, 137 Maple Avenue, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA
• Residence: Jan 1887, 137 Maple Avenue, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA

Notes:

A carpenter by trade, working on his own, or as an employee of the Jackson penitentiary. When my daughter, Zoe, was born in 1988, my grandparents offered me a crib that had been made by George G Byrne. It was lovely, but looked terrible by comparison with modern cribs (e.g. slats that were a perfect fit for catching a baby’s head), so I declined. While I never would have used it, I regret not having a sample of his handiwork.

Military:
Registered for draft, but no record of serving

Census:
Maple Ave / Byrne, George G / White / Male / Age 47 / / Married / Occupation: Joiner / Birthplace Conn / Birthplace of Father Conn / Birthplace of Mother Conn

George married EARLEY, Henrietta on 22 Dec 1856 in Rock Island, IL. Henrietta (daughter of EARLEY, Robert M and YOST, Lydia) was born on 14 Apr 1838 in Pennsylvania; died on 13 Nov 1910 in Jackson, Jackson, MI, USA; was buried on 18 Nov 1910 in Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Jackson, MI, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Obituary: Sudden indeed was the summons to Mrs Henrietta Byrne, widow of George G Byrne who died nineteen years ago. While sitting in her pew at the First Baptist church last Sunday morning with two of her daughters, Misses Anna and Josephine, she was seized with a stroke of apoplexy and instantly passed away. But while the call was sudden and unexpected it found her prepared, for she was a devout christian. Mrs. Byrne was 72 years of age, and is survived by seven children. Funeral services have been deferred until today when it is believed her son George of Santa cruz, California, will have arrived.
• Occupation: Homemaker
• Religion: Baptist
• Cause of Death: Apoplexy
• Residence: 1850, Rock Island Middle Ward, Rock Island, Illinois
• Residence: 1860, Jackson Ward 2, Jackson, Michigan
• Census: 8 Jun 1880, 137 Maple Avenue, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA
• Census: 1 Jun 1900, 137 Maple Avenue, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1910, Jackson Ward 3, Jackson, Michigan

Notes:

Census:
Maple Ave / Byrne, Henrietta / White / Female / Age 41 / Wife / Married / Occupation: Keeping House / Birthplace Penn / Birthplace of Father Penn / Birthplace of Mother Penn

Census:
137 Maple Ave / Byrne, Henrietta / Head / White / Female / Birth month: April / Birth Year: 1838 / Age: 62 / Marital Status: Widow / Children born: 7 / Children living: 7 / Birthplace: Pennsylvania / Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania / Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania / Occupation N/A / Can read / Can Write / Can Speak English / Owns Home / No Mortgage / House (not farm)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Physical Description: Semi-disabled
• Research Notes: Found verification of death on 2 Oct 1844. A document from 10/1/1844 transferring assets to his children is in the Jackson County records department, and I hope to be able to transcribe my photos of it at some point. The date used in my records comes from another tree on Ancestry.com. DNA tests and comparison with descendants from other children of John Byrne of Windham, CT (notably descendants of Samuel Hazard Byrne), indicate George was not a biological child of John. Whether he was a son of Ann Powers is unclear.
• Occupation: Register of deeds
• Religion: Baptist (was also first clerk, of the First Baptist Church in Willimantic, as well as Baptist Church in Norwich, CT)
• Residence: 1830, Windham, Windham, Connecticut
• Possessions: 7 Nov 1837, Land Patent granted of 74.5 acres, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA
• Occupation: Bef 1838, Ran a store, combined with dwelling in Windham (Willimantic)
• Occupation: 1838, Schoolteacher, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1838, Jackson County MI
• Occupation: Between 1840 and 1842, Register of Deeds, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1 Jun 1840, Columbia, Jackson, Michigan, USA
• Occupation: Aft 1842, Justice of the Peace, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA

Notes:

From History of Jackson Michigan: George Byrne settled in Jackson in 1838. He was elected register of deeds in 1840, and served two years. He also served very acceptably as justice of the peace for several years. His son, Gilbert R. Byrne, has been in the banking-house of Cooper, Thompson & Co., and with the Jackson City Bank for many years. He is now assistant cashier of the last-named institution.

From A Modern History of Windham County Connecticut:

Page 582: “First Baptist Church, WIllimantic… a number of bretheren met in council at the house of Elder Chester Tilden on Thursday, the 20th of October, 1827…. Brethren:…George Byrnes…Records of December 11, 1827, show that the first clerk of the church was George Byrnes.”

Buried:
Headstone incorrectly reads 1841, and was placed at some point in the 20th century, probably by either daughter Susan or Josephine, who have similar markers, and died in the early 1960s

George married GRIFFING, Sarah S on 23 Jan 1828 in Albany, Albany, NY USA. Sarah (daughter of GRIFFING, Benjamin and MATHER, Clarissa) was born on 24 Sep 1801 in Lyme, New London, CT, USA; died on 3 Jan 1887 in 137 Maple Avenue, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA; was buried on 6 Jan 1887 in Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Jackson, MI, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Obituary: Obituary from the Jackson Weekly Citizen, 11-Jan-1887: Mrs. Sarah Byrne, who has been suffering from a stroke of paralysis for a week, died yesterday about noon at the residence of her oldest son, George G Byrne, 137 Maple avenue, aged 85. Being one of our oldest settlers, and the oldest member of the First Baptist Church of this city, a short biographical sketch of her long busy life will be appreciated by her legion of intimate friends and of interest to those who knew her but slightly. She was born at Lyme, Conn, Sept 24, 1801, of Puritan extraction, being a descendant of the celebrated Puritan leader, Cotton Mather. She experienced a change of heart in her girlhood and embraced the Christian religon, being baptized and connecting herself with the Baptist church at Pleasant Valley, Conn. She was married to George G Byrne at the residence of Erastus Corning, Esq., in Albany, N.Y. on Jan 23, 1828. The family moved to Brooklyn, this county, in 1837. Her husband being elected Register of Deeds for Jackson county on the Whig ticket in the fall of 1838, the family moved to this city when Mr. Byrne took his office, on Jan. 1, 1839, and have lived here since, a period of forty-seven years. On their arrival here, Mrs. Byrne and husband united with the First-Baptist Church. Mr. Byrne died in 1844, leaving his wife and five small boys to mourn the loss of a kind husband and affectionate father. Being a woman endowed with an abundance of spiritual strength, she reared her family of boys and has had the supreme pleasure, allotted to few, of seeing her children and grandchildren uniting with her church, and to hear great-grandchildren lisping the blessed truths of the gospel. She leaves a legacy to her descendants a beautiful Christian character. Her five sons are Gilbert R and George G of this city, Rufus H of Buffalo N.Y., (who is here to attend the funeral), Charles B., of Santa Cruz, Cal., and John H, who died in Jackson in 1878. The funeral will be held at residence, 137 Maple avenue, to-morrow (Thursday) morning, at 10:30.
• Religion: Puritan, later converted to Baptist
• Cause of Death: Paralysis following a stroke
• Residence: 1850, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan
• Residence: 1860, Jackson Ward 2, Jackson, Michigan
• Residence: 1867, 41 Washington, Jackson, Jackson, MI, USA
• Residence: 1870, Jackson Ward 2, Jackson, Michigan
• Residence: 1872, Corner Blackstone & Wilkins, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA
• Census: 8 Jun 1880, 137 Maple Avenue, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA

Notes:

Census:
Maple Ave / Byrne, Sarah / White / Female / Age 78 / Mother / Widowed / / Birthplace Conn / Birthplace of Father Conn / Birthplace of Mother Conn

Notes:

Per Albany Argus, ceremony was performed by Rev (Bartholomew) Welch. (Welch was a Baptist minister who was successful in growing the Albany parish). Per Sarah’s obituary, George and Sarah were married at the residence of Erastus Corning, Esq (a noted Albany businessman, politician, and Baptist).

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1830, Columbia, Bradford, Pennsylvania
• Occupation: 1850, Tavern Keeper
• Residence: 1850, Rock Island Middle Ward, Rock Island, Illinois
• Will: 15 Mar 1852, Rock Island, Illinois

Notes:

Possibly born in Connecticut (stated on Henrietta Earley Byrne’s death certificate in 1910).

Probate files are extensive. There are multiple claims from Bedford County, PA regarding debts owed by Robert M Earley. Additionally, further evidence he kept a tavern (a coffin maker claimed Earley owed him $14 for making coffins for two patrons who died in his tavern). Also, there appears one document of debt tied to both Robert M and Henry Earley. In 1857, a robbery-murder took place in Rock Island where a Henry Earley was the victim. Haven’t confirmed yet that this is one in the same, but there is a Henry (born ~1808) living with Robert, Lydia and family in Rock Island in the 1850 census.

Robert appears to have skipped out on ~$2,500 in unpaid debt when he left Bedford, PA. His creditors at some point learned of his debt (possibly late 1852, or early 1853), and tracked down his widow to try and collect. The court *appears* to have ruled in their favor, though it’s not clear if and how the debt was collected from the estate. Items documented in the estate are basic things, including beds, linens, etc., and don’t add up to more than a few hundred dollars.

From the Rock Island Weekly Argus, April 7th 1852:

Estate of Robert M Earley dec’d

Public notice is herby given that I shall attend before County court of Rock Island county at the May Term thereof, commencing on the first Monday of said month A.D. 1852, for the purpose of settling and adjusting all claims against the estate of R. M. Earley late of said County, deceased, when and where all claimants are required to present their demands for adjustment.

All persons indebted to said estate, are also notified to make payment to the undersigned without delay. Dated this 16th of March, 1852. — Lydia Earley, Administrator.

Robert married YOST, Lydia. Lydia was born in 1805 in Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Also Known As: Lydia Yont
• Residence: 1850, Rock Island Middle Ward, Rock Island, Illinois

Notes:

In later documents associated with Robert M Earley estate, Lydia is referred to as Lydia Johnson. In the assessment of the Earley estate after Robert’s death, the appraiser is named Johnson.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: 1790, Newspaper Publisher
• Occupation: 1795, Postmaster
• Public activity: 19 Apr 1802, Windham, Windham, Connecticut, USA
• Occupation: 1807, Helped lay underground acqueduct

Notes:

From A Modern History of Windham County Connecticut:

Page 87: “In 1790 John Byrne of Norwich set up a printing press in the lower room of the courthouse, and early the next year produced the first newspaper of Windham County. It was called The Phenix, or Windham Herald. In a few years it had some twelve hundred subscribers, and made itself felt throughout the county. It was the medium for advertising of the first carding machine in the county, and was of great service during the War of 1812. “

Page 443: “Shaw also had a faculty for handling skunks. A man by the name of Byrnes kept a store at the foot of the hill going up to the machine shop. One day Byrnes was behind the postoffice boxes at the end of the counter next to the outside of the store. Shaw came in, had a bag which he opened and out came four or five half-grown skuns. Byrnes screamed, ‘Take them out.’ ‘Give me two plugs tobacco.’ ‘No,’ but Byrnes hesitated. Shaw kept going up and finally the Indian got six plugs, and the men in the store had a good laugh.”

Public activity:
“Mr. Charles Tainer, is appointed Poll Master at Windham, Connecticut, in the room of John Byrne, Esq., removed”

Buried:
Mr. John Byrne / Died Dec 31 1837 / Aged 77 Years

John married POWERS, Anne on 16 Nov 1784 in Windham, Windham, CT. Anne (daughter of POWERS, Samuel and BROWNING, Martha) was born on 22 Apr 1762 in New London, CT USA; died on 10 Jul 1819 in Windham, Windham, Connecticut, United States; was buried in Windham Cemetery, Windham, Windham, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Also Known As: Anna
• Obituary: From Connecticut Gazette (New London, CT) 14 Jul 1819: At Windham, 11th Inst. Mrs. Anna Byrne, consort of Mr. John Byrne, aged 57, formerly of this place. She was highly and justly esteemed by a numerous acquaintence for the excellent qualities of her heart; and died in the triumphs of faith.

Notes:

Newspaper notice gives date of death as July 11, 1819, though headstone says July 10th, 1819.

Died:
From Hartford Courant: At Windham, on the 11th inst. Mrs Anna Byrne, aged 57, consort of Mr. John Byrne

Notes:

Married:
New London Vital Records in Barbour Collection: POWERS Anne m John Byrne, Nov 16 1784

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 9 Sep 1850, Rome, Ashtabula, OH USA

Notes:

Both on Benjamin’s death notice in 1866 in Michigan and in the 1850 census the age given would indicate he was born around December 1770, not December 1774 as documented in Clara Stone’s Griffing genealogy record from 1881. The source of Stone’s assertion of 1774 as birth year is unclear, and remains an open question for me.

Census:
Benjamin Griffin / Age 79 / M / Farmer / Place of Birth CT

Died:
On the 14th inst, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. S. G. Byrne, Benjamin Griffing, aged 95 years 4 months

Benjamin married MATHER, Clarissa on 20 Dec 1798 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT USA. Clarissa (daughter of MATHER, Unknown) was born about 1774 in Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 9 Sep 1850, Rome, Ashtabula, OH USA

Notes:

Census:
Clarissa M Griffin / Age 76 / F / / Place of Birth CT