Kevin, myself, and Lou

This shot was taken as I was about to return to Las Vegas on Saturday morning. 04.04.09.

Lou & Kevin Kirn...Father & Son

It was great to have time to spend with Lou, my brother-in-law and my nephew Kevin. It's been a while since we really had a chance to share our time and it was long overdue. I have some very fond memories with these two guys.

Michael & Catherine Geraghty and Family

click on image to enlarge

My Great Grandfather, Michael Geraghty was born in Ireland in 1870 and my Great Grandmother, Catherine Ryan was born in Ireland in 1872. Michael was 12 and Catherine was just 10 when they immigrated by boat across the Atlantic to the United States. It must have been quite an experience for each child in 1882 as they were leaving their birthplace and history behind.

By the year 1890 Michael and Catherine had met, become sweethearts, and married. Della A., my Grandmother was born in 1892 and her brother, Michael J. was born two years later. He was to later be known as Mickey, my Great Uncle who operated a corner tavern and Bar-B-Que near the Soulard area of St. Louis. The story goes that Della loved the pigs ears that Mickey prepared on his grill. ( I remember as a young kid in the 50' s visiting his tavern with my family.)

The above image is taken from the 1910 US census for St. Louis. Michael was 40 and his wife, Catherine was 38 at the time. Michael, the father worked as a laborer for the Gas Company. Della was now 18 and working at the shoe factory as a "Fore Lady". Mickey also worked at the shoe factory and he was a "Machine Hand".

The Geraghty's rented a house at the time on 1421 Cleary Ave that was to become the location of Pruitt-Igoe housing complex that was later built in the mid-1950's. My Aunt Dolly shared with me that Michael & Catherine had 2-3 other children, but they had passed away. Julia died of pneumonia on June 21, 1901 when she was just 3 years, 9 months, and 28 days old. Julia was laid to rest at Calvary cemetary. She was my Great Aunt.

Ten years later on the 1920 US census Michael, Catherine, and Mickey were still living at the same address. By this time Della had moved out of the house and was married to Joseph Froehly for two years. They had a little girl named Virginia who was to become my Mom.

Young Ginny Froehly...circa 1921...My Mom

Mary Virginia Froehly was born on April 9, 1919 in St. Louis, Missouri. This particular spring brought about the first child to a young couple, Joseph and Della Froehly. This was a time when Woodrow Wilson was President of the United States and this was the year that Missouri became the 11th state to ratify the 19th amendmant, which granted women the right to vote.
Joseph & Della first lived on 21st Street. Joseph may have been a wallpaper and painter at this time. Della worked at Brown Shoe Company before she was married and just prior to giving birth to Gin. It was probably at the time that Gin was having this picture taken with her dog that her two twin brothers were about to be born.
Michael Ryan(Chubby) arrived first and Joseph (Junior) appeared shortly afterwards on November 10, 1921.. However, by the time the boys came around the Froehly family was living at their new residence on Lotus Avenue. Katherine (Dolly) came along on October 9, 1924. Dolly was named after Della's mother Catherine Geraghty. Notice that Chubby's middle name was Ryan. Catherine Geraghty's maiden name was Catherine Ryan.