Wall

GARRETT WALL was born circa 1832 in Ireland and died circa 1895 probably near Ballyporeen, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. He was a farmer and lived in Doon, a townland in the Knockmealdown Mountains near Ballyporeen. He married MARGARET AHEARN June 24, 1858 at the Church of the Assumption in Ballyporeen. She was the daughter of JOHN AHEARN and MARY DRISLANE. She was born circa February 9, 1834 in Araglin, Co. Cork, Ireland and died June 16, 1919 in the Clogheen Workhouse, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Garrett and Margaret had eight children (see below). All but one, Michael, immigrated to the United States and mostly settled in Lynn, Massachusetts.

PATRICK J. WALL was born circa March 30, 1859 in Doon, Co. Tipperary, Ireland and died February 24, 1943 in Lynn, Massachusetts. He immigrated July 30, 1892 aboard the HMS Scythia to Boston, Massachusetts. He became a naturalized U. S. citizen November 17, 1902 at the Lynn Police Court in Lynn, Massachusetts. He worked at the General Electric Company. He married MARY A. GEARY August 4, 1894 at St. Mary’s Church in Lynn, Massachusetts. Surviving children of Patrick Wall and Mary Geary were as follows:

Jack Wall, circa 1925

JOHN P. (JACK) WALL (1891-1934) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Sergeant with the Lynn Police Department ® Commended seven times ® Married CHARLOTTE H. ANDERSON ® She worked as a hairdresser ® Their son was John Joseph ® Died in Lynn, Massachusetts

MARY CATHERINE (MAMIE) WALL (1893-1929) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Married LEO FRANCIS GLEASON ® Their children were Dorothy May, Leo Francis (served aboard USS Franklin in World War II - known as "the ship that wouldn't die"), John Edward, and Mary Catherine ® Died in Lynn, Massachusetts

JAMES BENEDICT WALL (1895-1983) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® World War I veteran serving in France with E Battery of the 101st Field Artillery of the Yankee Division ® Lifelong firefighter with the Lynn City Fire Department (Broad Street Station) ® Married ELIZABETH JOSEPHINE HANLEY ® Their children were Robert Edward and Richard ® Died in Peabody, Massachusetts

James B. Wall with Mary C. Wall, circa 1920

Fireman James B. Wall

St. Mary's Church Fire, 1941

Broad Street Station

(built 1878; razed 1973)

NORA C. (NONIE) WALL (1897-1986) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Worked at the General Electric Company (River Works) ® Died in Lynn, Massachusetts

MICHAEL HENRY WALL (1899-1970) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Held elective offices in Lynn for 25 years ® Won six terms on Lynn City Council ® Two-term Mayor of Lynn 1961 to 1965 - ran unopposed for second term ® Married THERESA V. RICH ® Their children were James Richard, Henry Joseph, Virginia Rita, Ralph Edward, and John Thomas ® Died in Lynn, Massachusetts

Mayor M. Henry Wall and Theresa Rich

Election Night 1963

Police Chief Frank Wall

From "Police Blotter," circa 1950

FRANCIS PETER WALL (1901-1980) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Swampscott Chief of Police for 21 years ® Invited by President Harry S. Truman to Washington, DC to participate in motor safety conferences ® Married MARGUERITE E. BYRNE ® Their children were Eleanor Frances, John Edward (played baseball on Boston Red Sox minor league team), Francis John, and John J. (played baseball on Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and New York Giants minor league teams) ® Died in Swampscott, Massachusetts

Wall Family at Boxford, Massachusetts, 1917

Front row sitting: Nora, John J., Nora C., Francis (Garrett J. son)

Second row: Margaret T., M. Henry, James B., Mary C., Garrett J.

Third row: John P., Francis P.

GARRETT WALL was born circa September 28, 1863 in Doon, Co. Tipperary, Ireland and died October 12, 1946 in Lynn, Massachusetts. He immigrated May 4, 1885 aboard the SS Catalonia to Boston, Massachusetts. He became naturalized U. S. citizen November 3, 1894 at the U. S. Circuit Court in Boston, Massachusetts. He worked at the Lynn Gas and Electric Company. He married ALICE T. PHELIN (or WHALEN) on January 14, 1888 at St. Mary’s Church in Lynn, Massachusetts. Surviving children of Garrett Wall and Alice Phelin (or Whalen) were as follows:

GARRETT F. WALL (1888-1960) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Machinist at General Electric Company (River Works ® Married ISABEL GENTLEMEN ® Their children were Rita E., Helen (Sister Rose de Lourdes), and Robert ® Died in Danvers, Massachusetts

MARGARET J. WALL (1891-1966) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Bookkeeper with the Dori Shoe Co. for many years ® Married ELMER M. CARSON ® Their children were Alice M. and James B. ® Died in Lynn, Massachusetts

CATHERINE CELIA WALL (1894-1968) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Married EUGENE F. TWOMEY, JR. ® He owned Miller and Sons Florist ® Their children were Mary Alice, Eugene Francis, Garrett Joseph, Joseph T., Catherine M., John J., James M., and Alice J. ® Died in Lynn, Massachusetts

JOHN HENRY WALL (1896-1949) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Lynn English High football captain ® World War I veteran ® Inspector with Lynn Police ® Commended three times for bravery ® Married MARY E. CULLITON ® Their children were Charles Henry and Priscilla ® Died in Lynn, Massachusetts

ELLEN (NELLIE) WALL was born February 14, 1866 in Doon, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, and died June 27, 1947 in Lynn, Massachusetts. She immigrated between. 1883-1885. She married THOMAS DEVINE January 3, 1891 at St. Mary’s Church in Lynn, Massachusetts. He worked in the transportation department at the General Electric Company (West Lynn Works). Surviving children of Thomas Devine and Ellen Wall were as follows:

MARY LUCY DEVINE (1892-1922) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Private secretary to a lawyer ® Well-known in Boston bank and business community ® Married CHARLES MILLER ® Died in Boston, Massachusetts

FRANCIS (FRANK) DEVINE (1893-1963) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Lynn firefighter ® Married MARY J. LYNCH ® Died in Lynn, Massachusetts

MICHAEL WALL was born June 1, 1868 in Doon, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, and died between 1947-1955 in Ireland. He immigrated May 22, 1901 aboard the SS Ivernia to Boston, Massachusetts and lived a short time in Lynn, Massachusetts during 1901 to 1903, boarding with Garrett Wall and working at the gas works, but he soon returned to Ireland and remained on the Wall family farm. He apparently did not marry. He died circa 1950 in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland and was buried at Ballysaggart Cemetery in the Brennan family plot.

Mike Wall at family cottage in Ballyporeen, circa 1925

MARY AGNES WALL was born August 9, 1870 in Doon, Co. Tipperary, Ireland and died January 19, 1957 in Ridgefield, New Jersey. She immigrated circa 1890. She married EDWARD F. FEENEY September 1, 1895 at St. Mary’s Church in Lynn, Massachusetts. He was an insurance agent with Metropolitan Life Insurance and uncle to Father Leonard Feeney (1897-1978), a Jesuit priest and teacher at Boston College. They moved from Lynn to Waltham, Massachusetts and then to New Jersey. Surviving children of Edward F. Feeney and Mary Agnes Wall were as follows:

MARGARET JOSEPHINE FEENEY (1897-unknown) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Married JOHN BURNS

HELEN MADELINE FEENEY (1903-1997) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Worked as a cashier at F. W. Woolworth's ® Married JOHN M. WALSH ® Their children were John E. and Helen M. ® Died in Waltham, Massachusetts

RUTH FEENEY (1911-unknown) ® Born in Waltham, Massachusetts ® Married GOTHARD

MARGARET WALL was born September 13, 1874 in Barnahown, Co. Tipperary, Ireland and died March 27, 1955 in Lynn, Massachusetts. She immigrated April 20, 1902 aboard the SS Commonwealth to Boston, Massachusetts. She married PATRICK NOLAN May 26, 1906 in Lynn, Massachusetts. He worked at the General Electric Company (River Works). Surviving children of Patrick Nolan and Margaret Wall were as follows:

MARY F. NOLAN (1909-1971) ® Born in Massachusetts ® Married JOHN T. DOBBINS ® Their children were Marie Claire, Francis, Barbara Ann, Patricia Marie, Claire Marie, Virginia Margaret, and Robert Paul ® Died in Lynn, Massachusetts

MARGARET A. NOLAN (1910-1992) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Worked at General Electric Company (West Lynn) ® Married JOHN J. LANDRY ® He owned and operated Landry Dairy Company ® Their children were Richard J., Norma Ann, and Joan Phyllis ® Died in Lynn, Massachusetts

ANNE T. NOLAN (1913-1989) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Waitress in Lynn area ® Did not marry ® Died in Lynn, Massachusetts

JOHANNA (HANNAH) WALL was born April 14, 1877 in Doon, Co. Tipperary, Ireland and died January 8, 1943 in Lynn, Massachusetts. She immigrated April 21, 1895 aboard the SS Catalonia to Boston, Massachusetts. She married DAVID BARRY January 30, 1899 at St. Mary’s Church in Lynn, Massachusetts. He was a Lynn city employee. Surviving children of David Barry and Johanna Wall were as follows:

THOMAS DAVID BARRY (1899-1979) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Associate Commissioner of the Lynn Department of Public Works ® President of Lynn City Council of Labor ® Married ELIZABETH A. McLEAN ® Their children were Howard D., Mary Elizabeth, and Harry Daley ® Died in Saugus, Massachusetts

HONORIA CATHERINE (KAY) BARRY ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Clerk typist at General Electric Company (West Lynn) ® Married KENNETH COX ® Died in Lynn, Massachusetts

MARY JOSEPHINE BARRY (1911-1978) ® Born in Lynn, Massachusetts ® Married JOSEPH O’BRIEN ® Died in Hemet, California

The curious case of JAMES F. WALL

James Wall was born circa 1885 in Co. Tipperary, Ireland. His relationship to the Wall family is not clear. He was listed in the 1901 Census of Ireland as being Margaret Wall’s son, which is doubtful as Margaret would have been around 50 at the time of James' birth. On March 13, 1907, he arrived in Boston, Massachusetts aboard the RMS Saxonia and was listed as being from Ballyporeen and going to see his brothers, Garrett Wall and Pat Wall, 53 Orchard Street, Lynn, Massachusetts. He was listed as a nephew in the 1910 Federal Census at 93 Orchard Street with the Garrett Wall family. On September 12, 1918, he registered for the WWI draft, indicating that he was born on January 1, 1883, and listed Patrick Wall living at 45 Abbott Street, Lynn, Massachusetts, as his uncle. In 1919, he was became a naturalized citizen, and his petition showed that he was born in 1883 in Tipperary, Ireland and arrived in Boston in 1907 aboard the RMS Saxonia. In the 1920 Federal Census he was listed as being 36 (born 1884), single, and boarding at 120 Cottage Street, Lynn, Massachusetts with the Michael O’Neil family. In the 1930 Federal Census he was listed as being 45, single and a roomer at 90 Grove Street, Lynn, Massachusetts with the Michael O’Neil family. In the 1930 Lynn city directory, he is listed with Michael O’Neil and wife, Mary E. and Frank Ireland and wife, Grace B. In the 1932 Lynn city directory, he is shown as removed to Hanvill, NH. There was no civil registration of a James Wall birth in the Clogheen district during 1882 to 1886, except for a James Joseph Wall in Carrick-on-Suir in 3rd quarter of 1886. James was not mentioned in any Wall obituary.

Articles, Obituaries, and Other Items

High School Elevens Play to Scoreless Tie, Daily Evening Item, October 6, 1915

Wall Cousins, Both Lynn Motorcycle Policemen, Injured on Duty, Daily Evening Item, July 18, 1927

Police Sergt. Wall Dies Early This Afternoon, Daily Evening Item, February 23, 1934

Death Takes John Wall, Telegram News, October 27, 1936

Firemen Name Committee, unknown newspaper, circa 1940

Patrick J. Wall Taken by Death, Lynn Telegram News, February 25, 1943

From “Decision Over Schweinfurt,” October 14, 1943

From “Mighty Eighth War Diary,” October 14, 1943

Wall Named Swampscott Police Chief, Daily Evening Item, November 4, 1944

Hail the Chief! He’s Our Man, Lynn Telegram News; November 5, 1944

Wall Takes Oath As Mayor, Daily Evening Item, July 3, 1961

Wall Elected Mayor By 6,316, Daily Evening Item, November 8, 1961

Mayor Wall Elated, Vows Economy With Progress, Daily Evening Item, November 6, 1963

Former Mayor Wall Stricken, Daily Evening Item, December 26, 1970

James B. Wall obituary, Daily Evening Item, February 22, 1983

John J. Wall, 62, GE Tester-Played Professional Baseball, Daily Evening Item, March 31, 1992