BYRNE, Walter Charles

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: United States
• Census: 8 Jun 1880, 137 Maple Avenue, Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA
• Residence: 1900, Santa Cruz Ward 2, Santa Cruz, California
• Residence: 1910, r. 52 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz
• Residence: 23 Apr 1910, 52 Walnut, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
• Civil: 21 Mar 1922
• Arrival: Jul 1922, San Francisco, California
• Residence: 1930, 28 Union Street (now 332), Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
• Residence: 1935, 28 Union Street, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Notes:

Santa Cruz Evening News, 10 Sep 1923, Page 2 Col 3:

Santa Cruzans return from Oriental Trip

After a trip of two months, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Byrne and Mrs. Ethelbert Lardin have returned from the Orient. Upon leaving San Francisco on the liner President, their first stop was made at Honolulu and this was followed by visits to Japan, China and the Phillipines. The Santa Cruzans enjoyed a most wonderful trip and spent the major portion of their time traveling in Japan and China.

Santa Cruz Sentinel shows a Walter Byrne in Santa Cruz on 06 Jan 1891, as Treasurer for local Baptist Church Sunday School. Same Walter?

Census:
Maple Ave / Byrne, Walter / White / Male / Age 12 / Son / Single / Occupation: At School / Birthplace Mich / Birthplace of Father Conn / Birthplace of Mother Penn

Walter married DRENNAN, Mabel Louise on 6 Jun 1899 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA. Mabel (daughter of DRENNAN, Samuel and FERNALD, Olive Louisa) was born on 21 Feb 1874 in 45 Church Street, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; was christened on 6 Sep 1874 in First Congregational Church, Lincoln and Center Streets, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; died on 15 Sep 1941 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA; was buried on 18 Sep 1941 in IOOF Cemetery, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Obituary: From the Santa Cruz Sentinel, 8 Jan 1989: John Drennan Byrne Private services will be held for John Drennan Byrne of Santa Cruz, who died Saturday after several months of declining health. He was 84. A Santa Cruz native, Mr. Byrne's family has lived in the area for more than 125 years. He was born in a house on Walnut Avenue and attended the original Mission Hill School and Santa Cruz High School. After graduation from Stanford University, Mr. Byrne joined the firm his father and uncle had founded, Byrne Bros. Hardware. The business closed in 1967, when the partners retired. From 1955 to 1971 Mr. Byrne was a member of the Santa Cruz Library Board, which oversaw the construction of both the main library downtown and the east-side branch. For 39 years Mr. Byrne was secretary of the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz. In 1972 he was named a Paul Harris Fellow, one of the highest honors of Rotary International. After his retirement, Mr. Byrne participated in the Local History Project at UCSC, identifying and cataloging photographs and other local historical material. He also returned to his hobby of amateur radio. He was a pioneer in amateur radio, using a spark-gap transmitter as a young man, and was a regular participant in the California weather network and the Professional Loafers Net. He also repaired old clocks. He is survived by his wife, Vivian E. Byrne of Santa Cruz; his daughter, Catherine B. Boxwell of Sunnyvale; his son, John A. Byrne of Palo Alto; his sisters, Barbara Byrne of Chula Vista, Louise B. Shreve of Menlo Park and Miriam B. Kerr of San Diego; his brother, Gilbert G. Byrne of Redwood City; four grandsons; and a great-grand-aughter. Private family services will be held at a later date. Arnold's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Polio Plus Project through the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz, P.O. Box 497, 950610, or to a favorite charity.
• Occupation: Byrne Brothers Hardware, Santa Cruz, California. Worked for father and eventually purchased business.
• Cause of Death: Urosepsis (sepsis) + Congestive Cardiac Failure
• Residence: 1910, 52 Walnut, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
• Residence: 1920, 28 Union Street (now 332), Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
• Residence: 1930, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA
• Residence: Feb 1933, 396 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA USA

John married EBI, Vivian Irene on 17 Nov 1929 in Stanford Memorial Church, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, California, USA. Vivian (daughter of EBI, Alvin Dryden and AUSTIN, Grace Alma) was born on 19 Nov 1907 in Hollister, San Benito, California, USA; died on 20 May 1999 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA; was buried in Jun 1999 in Holy Trinity Episcopal Parish, 330 Ravenswood, Menlo Park, San Mateo, CA, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 23 Apr 1910, 52 Walnut, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
• Census: 1920, 28 Union Street (now 332), Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
• Residence: 1930, 28 Union Street (now 332), Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Other Events and Attributes:

• Cause of Death: Roller coaster accident
• Residence: 23 Apr 1910, 52 Walnut, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
• Census: 1920, 28 Union Street (now 332), Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Notes:

FERNALD BYRNE MEETS WITH FATAL ACCIDENT

The first fatality on the great dipper at the beach was last evening done one of the brightest and most promising boys of the community, Fernald Byrne, the third child of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Byrne lost his life.

Fernald, a junior in the high school, was at the freshman reception enjoying the evening, and from there, with Noel Ferguson, a friend, went to the beach and it was in the neighborhood of 10:20 o’clock when the went on the dipper for a ride.

Brakeman Adolph Brutt stated that the two boys were standing up in the front seat of the first car all the way around as far as he could see them.

Coming in for (illegible) stops when the car was within about 50 feet of the end of the journey, Brutt suddenly saw Byrne’s feet up in the air and applied the brakes, lifting the car from the rail.

The entire six cars with about ten people in, came to a stop within about 15 feet, but young Byrne went under the forward car and it was necessary to get help to lift the car from him in order to get him out.

The cars passed over the body and when it was picked up life was gone. The head was badly crushed.

George Reid, the manager, practically confirmed Brakeman Brutt’s story. The Ferguson boy was so badly rattled by the accident that he was unable to give a coherent account of the accident.

When the car stopped he was yelling, “Where is he?” The accident occurred at about 10:20 last evening. In company with the Ferguson boy, Byrne had taken half a dozen rides around on the dipper before the fatal accident occurred.

From the comparatively small distance the cars ran after the boy fell, the cars were running slowly, preparatory to stopping, and where the accident occurred there is practically a level stretch of track with but very slight incline.

The news, when it was received at the freshmen reception, cast a gloom over the entire company, and quickly they left the evening where their young friend who meant so much to the school life had been a short time before.

Fernald was a lad who had much to look forward to in life, as he was one who would have had a future. He was a member of one of the well known families, his father, W. C. Byrne, being of the well-known firm of Byrne Bros. His mother, Mrs. Mabel Drennan Byrne, was a daughter of one of the families that had resided here from early days, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Drennan.

Fernald was born in this city, as was his mother, and after graduating from the Mission school went to the high school. He was an unusually bright lad, and one who entered into the activities of the school life, and would likely have gone on to college on completion of his high school course.

He has always attended the Congregational church and was a member of it, uniting several years ago. He was a member of the church choir and of the Boy Scouts, of which he was greatly interested.

Besides his parents he leaves brothers and sisters, John D, a student at Stanford university, Barbara, a student at Pomona college; Gilbert, Miriam and Louise. He was about 15 years old. The boy was taken to Wesendorf & Sons undertaking parlor.

(Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, Sep 21, 1924)

INQUEST HELD ON DEATH OF W. FERNALD BYRNE AT BEACH

An inquest was held on the death of a 15 year old son of Walter C Byrne yesterday at the Wesendorf & Sons undertaking parlors, notes being taken by Mrs. Green, official court reporter while the questioning of witnesses was done by the coroner, George W Smith. S Matir, representing the United States Fidelity & Casualty company, and also Walter C Byrne, who asked a number of questions.

Dr. Cowden was the first witness called upon and told of being called to the beach by the accident and what he found on arriving. He stated that he was called about 10:25 Saturday night and arrived about ten minutes after the accident.

Young Byrne was dead when he arrived, and they were taking car from over the body. He stated he was lying on his back between the rails, with his feet pointing toward the stopping place of the train, and stated there were 8 or 10 cars in the train, eight passing over his body.

Q. by George Smith: What are the conditions as to lighting? A. There are lights where the car stops.

Q. Did you talk with any of the management? A. Yes, I talked with the manager of the train. He said just as the cars got over the hill he saw the body of the boy in the air. He applied the breaks and stopped the train.

Q. by Mr. Byrne: What is the condition of the platform? Is it finished off? A. It is about 75 feet from where the platform is. It was a rough condition there.

Dr. Cowden also stated that the boy was crushed in the head and chest. Adolph Brutt, brakeman of the train, was next called and told how long he had been engaged in his present occupation, and in answer to questions from Attorney Smith stated that this dipper was practically the same as the one in San Francisco.

He stated there were ten cars in the train and ten people riding them. He stated the brakes are operated from a station and on being asked if he could see the train all the way around stated he could not.

Q. by George Smith: You are the only man in charge, are you not? A. Of the brakes yes.

Q. This is the only means of stopping the train? A. Yes, sir.

Q. Did you see the accident? A. I heard the train coming and looked at the brakes and saw they were set, and when I looked up I saw the body in the air. I applied the brakes immediately.

Q. When you saw the body in the air, was the train over the rise? A. Yes, it had come over the top.

Q. What is the average speed of a train of this character? A. The average speed is about 35 miles an hour.

Q. What is the highest speed you could reach? A. That I could not say.

Q. Does it reach a speed of 90 miles an hour? A. That I do not know.

Q. The thrill is to have the people shoot around? A. Yes, sir.

Q. How far did the train travel before it stopped? A. 15 feet.

He stated that the brakes are frequently tested and that his hours of work were from ten in the morning until 10:30.

He also stated that the accident happened at 10:20 pm.

Q. by Mr. Byrne: Is there only one point where the emergency can be applied? A. Yes, at the station.

Q. What was the approximate speed where this accident occurred? A. 20 or 25 miles an hour.

S. Muir of the United States Fidelity & Guarantee company also questioned a number of witnesses.

Q. by Mr. Muir: How many trips do you think the boy had taken before he was killed? A. About six trips. (This was found to be wrong as Nome Ferguson testified that they had only taken three trips in all).

George Reed, manager of the dipper, and two other witnesses were questioned.

Nome Ferguson, a school boy 16 years of age, was called to the stand and testified as follows: “We got on a car and rode twice in the back seat. Started to go away and then went into the front seat. Going down we stood up a couple of times and at the top above the station were were standing before starting to make the turn. We had hold of the bar. Then were standing up until we came to the turn that starts to come back and sat down at that turn and stood up again right before the last ride and at the top I sat down at that place. I don’t remember whether he was standing or not. At the top of the rise I have a faint recollection of his going over. The momentum threw me off the seat.

Q. When you came up that last raise, were you standing up at the time? A. No.

Q. Was he standing up? A. I can not say.

Q. When you stood up, did you stand on the floor? A. On the floor.

At 12:30 the jury was excused until 1 o’clock in order that they could view the dipper and see where the accident occurred, and at 1 o’clock after deliberating, the verdict was as follows: “Accident resulting in crushed skull, broken neck and crushed chest. This accident being caused on the giant dipper at the beach.”

Walter Fernald Byrne was a boy well liked by all and particularly bright in his studies at the high school, where he was in his junior year, and the sympathy of a host of friends goes out bereaved father, mother, and children.

Captain Ryland Drennan, uncle of the boy, was also present at the inquest.

(Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, Sep 22, 1924)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: San Jose State (State Teachers College), San Jose, Santa Clara, CA USA
• Residence: 1920, 28 Union Street (now 332), Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
• Award: 30 Oct 1928, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA
• Residence: 1930, 28 Union Street (now 332), Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
• Residence: 1930, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA
• Residence: 6 Sep 1949, 460 Seventh Ave, Menlo Park, San Mateo, CA USA

Notes:

Award:
Eagle Scout

Residence:
Sept. 6.-Daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert G. Byrne of 460 Seventh ave.,

Gilbert married RODGERS, Dorothy Laurice on 21 May 1941 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA. Dorothy (daughter of RODGERS and MITCHNER) was born on 11 Dec 1907 in California, California; died on 30 Mar 1996 in San Mateo, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: San Jose State (State Teachers College), San Jose, Santa Clara, CA USA
• Census: 1920, 28 Union Street (now 332), Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
• Residence: 1930, 28 Union Street (now 332), Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Miriam married KERR, Paul Ernest on 7 Jul 1934 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA. Paul (son of KERR, Ernest and TOMBLENSON, Minnie B) was born on 7 Jan 1909 in 715 E. 2nd Street, Mt. Vernon, Posey, Indiana, USA; died on 16 May 1958 in San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: San Jose State (State Teachers College), San Jose, Santa Clara, CA USA
• Residence: 1920, 28 Union Street (now 332), Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
• Residence: 1930, 28 Union Street (now 332), Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
• Residence: 1958, 20 Berenda Way, Ladera, San Mateo, CA USA

Louise married SHREVE, George Wilcox on 19 Mar 1934 in Ukiah United Methodist Church, Ukiah, Mendocino, CA USA. George (son of SHREVE, Charles Henry and WILCOX, Marie) died in 1999. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Also Known As: Jack
• Education: Stanford University, BA Journalism
• Occupation: Editor, SRI International
• Religion: Episcopal
• Cause of Death: Heart attack
• Residence: 1962-1993, 3702 Redwood Circle, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, CA USA

Notes:

Birth:
Born at 7:30 p.m., 7 lbs 8 oz

Died:
Heart attack while walking with wife.

John married TRAPNELL, Sarah Valentine on 9 Feb 1957 in Frankfurt, Germany. Sarah (daughter of TRAPNELL, Valentine Coles and BROWN, Jean Hamilton Roxburgh) was born on 28 May 1937 in Brooklyn, Kings, New York, USA; was christened on 6 Nov 1947 in St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 580 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA; died on 18 Apr 2006 in 3702 Redwood Circle, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, CA; was buried in Jun 2006 in Holy Trinity Episcopal Parish, 330 Ravenswood, Menlo Park, San Mateo, CA, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Catherine married BOXWELL, Donald Arthur [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: BECKS, Edward Sandili. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Santa Cruz Sentinel 12 Feb 1943

Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Byrne of Menlo Park are the proud parents of a son, born in Mission hospital at 7:24 p. m. February 10, weighing 'five pounds and one and one-half ounces. Mrs. Byrne was before her marriage, Miss Dorothy Rodgers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Rodgers of 59 Laurent street. The baby has been named Michael Gilbert. Mr. Byrne is a member of the Union street family, hardware merchants, and is now engaged in government work in San Bruno.

Michael married HILPISCH, Elizabeth Jo [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Samuel married SETTLEMIER, Jolene Carol [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: MARTINI, James Horton. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: BROPHY, William. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: OSBORNE, Daniel. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Deborah married BUNDY, Paul Arthur [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Deborah married FAGEN, Richard Rees [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married WONG, Judy [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Hugh married THOMAS, Merry Ruth [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Hugh married ASIMOV, Nanette Joan [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married DENMAN, Rebecca [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Dorothy married GRUBE, Richard in 2016. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Melanie married HEALY, Patrick Gene [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: GOUDY, Jed. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: DONALDSON, Lemmie. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: (Living). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: WATSON, Wayne. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Donna. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: FOLZMAN, Janice. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Tatiana married SMITH, Martin Wayne [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]