Wall

GARRETT WALL was born circa 1820 to 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 between Ballyporeen and Araglin. He married MARGARET AHEARN June 24, 1858, at the Church of the Assumption (Templetenny Parish) in Ballyporeen. She was the daughter of JOHN AHEARN and MARY DRISLANE. She was born on or about February 9, 1834, in Araglin, Co. Cork, Ireland, and died June 16, 1919, at the Clogheen Workhouse, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Garrett and Margaret had eight surviving children (see below). All but one child, Michael, immigrated to America, and most settled in Lynn, Massachusetts.

Research performed to date has not revealed Garrett Wall's parents. According to the Templetenny parish register, which has scant details before 1925, there appeared to be three Wall families living within the parish at the time of Garrett's birth: (1) Patrick Wall and Catherine Ahearn of Gortaree, (2) Patrick Wall and Honor Walsh of Gortaree, and (3) Thomas Wall and Mary Ann Ahearn of Glenacunna. Given the Irish custom of naming the first-born son after the paternal grandfather, the two Patrick Walls are good possibilities, as Garrett's first-born son was named Patrick. Plus, Gortaree was a townland that adjoined Doon. The naming custom appears to have been practiced in the Wall family as each of Garrett and Margaret's sons named their first-born sons after the paternal grandfather, Garrett.

PATRICK J. WALL was born on or about 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 United States 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 infancy) ® 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 ® Elected six terms on Lynn City Council and served as President ® 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.

Top row: John P., Francis P.

GARRETT WALL was born on or about 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 United States 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 Company 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 III, 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 resided in Lynn, Massachusetts, during 1901 to 1903, boarding with Garrett Wall and working at the gas works, but he soon returned to Ireland and 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 farm in Doon, 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 the well-known 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 Works) ® 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 government 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 Works) ® 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 probably 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 World War I 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 United States citizen, and his petition stated 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 at 88 Grove Street. In the 1932 Lynn city directory, he is shown as removed to "Hanvill, New Hampshire." 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 as a surviving family member in any Wall obituary.

Articles, Obituaries, and Other Stories

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

Served as Altar Boy to Hero Priest on U.S.S. Ben Franklin, Lynn Telegram; May 20, 1945

Story of USS Franklin; From Dictionary of American Fighting Ships

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