Frank J. Washburn (#9206)
While catching up a bit on earlier research, I decided to check for
information on Frank J. Washburn, the youngest son of Joseph and
Mariette (sometimes identified as Mary E) Sackett Washburn. The existing
database entry said that he was born in 1856 and died in 1925 but that
there was no record of his death or whereabouts at the time. The notes
also say he married Mary Jane Pease on 28 Sep 1893.
I succeeded in locating three version of the birth record, all of which say
Name: Francis J Washburn
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 15 Jul 1859
Birth Place: Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
Father: Joseph Washburn
Mother: Marrietta Washburn
Searching for census records for Francis or Frank J. Washburn uncovered
several candidates, recorded in the censuses as b 1856-1860 in
Massachusetts. Thankfully some can be eliminated as they are recorded
with spouses not named Mary or fathers not named Joseph.
We now have census records for Frank/Francis in 1860, 1865, 1870, and
1880 that involve siblings and parents in Holyoke.
The 1900 census record finds a Frank J Washburn, b. Jul 1860 in Mass.,
with wife Mary, b. Apr 1861 in Virginia, running a hotel. Everyone else
in that record is listed either as a servant or a boarder. In 1910, only
Mary is found, listed as Mary G Washburn, widow, occupation hairdresser.
This suggests that Frank died between 1900 and 1910.
Turning to Family Search, I found a record for the death of Frank J.
Washburn in Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
Name Frank J. Washburn
Gender Male
Burial Date 02 Aug 1909
Death Date 30 Jul 1909
Death Place Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Age 50
Birth Date 15 Jul 1859
Birthplace Mass.
Occupation Traveling Salesman
Race White
Marital Status Married
Father's Name Joseph Washburn
Father's Birthplace Mass.
Mother's Birthplace Mass.
Citing this Record
"Wisconsin Deaths and Burials, 1835-1968," database, /FamilySearch/
(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRWC-CRC : 5 December 2014),
Frank J. Washburn, 30 Jul 1909; citing Union Cemetery, Milwaukee,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, reference 3821; FHL microfilm 1,013,942.
The facts seem to match what is known about our Frank, and the
occupation might explain how he came to be in Wisconsin.
Ancestry.com has a collection of directories for Holyoke. For example,
the 1893 directory has the following Washburn-related information:
Washburn Charles bds 66 Race
" Frank J., emp Merrick Tread Co., rms 247 High
" John L., emp Merrick Tread Co., bds Erline, Williamsett
" Marietta, widow Joseph, h Ingleside
" Mary G Mrs., hair dresser 247 High rms do
" Ostenello, carpenter, h Erline, , Williamsett
Abbreviations are bds = boards, emp = employed, h = house, rms = rooms
These several directories seem to focus on business addresses and types;
searching through several, I have found Mary listed under manicures as
well as hair dresser, and so on.
The 1898 directory says
Washburn Frank J. (Smith & Washburn), 198 High, bds Marble Hall Hotel
___ Henrietta, widow Ostenallo, bds 37 Ermine, Will
___ John L., emp Merrick Tread Co., bds 27 Erline, Will
___ Mary G Mrs., hair dresser 235 High, bds Marble Hall Hotel
The Marble Hall Hotel was located at 198-200 High St in Holyoke (see
http://www.holyokemass.com/transcript/advert/ad04.html for ad).
The 1899 directory is identical to the 1898 directory except that Mary's
shop address is 225 High.
The 1902 directory (p. 717) contains an advertisement for the Marble
Hall Hotel, Frank J. Washburn, prop. It says:
* Centrally located
* $2.00 per day
* Sample Room.
* Cafe open until 12 p.m.
Only finest liquors sold.
Agent for Pabst Milwaukee Lager.
198 High Street, cor. Dwight St., Holyoke, Mass.
The 1902 directory also has the following:
Washburn Frank E., emp Riverside Paper Co., rms 269 Maple
Washburn Frank J., prop. Marble Hall Hotel 198 High h do
Henrietta H., widow Ostenallo, bds 27 Erline, Will
John L., emp Merrick Thread Co., bds 27 Erline, Will
Note that Mary is not listed in 1902.
The 1903 directory lists Henrietta and John L., as in 1902, but says
that Frank J. removed to Springfield. Mary still is not listed.
The 1908 directory lists only Henrietta, widow of Ostenallo, and Mary G
Mrs, haridresser, 231 High. It does not list Frank, but it also does not
say widow.
The 1910 directory lists three Washburns:
Washburn George A mgr Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co 239 High res
Springfield
___ Henrietta H wid Ostenallo rem to Fairview
___ Mary G Mrs hairdresser 231 High h do
Note that Mary's entry does not say widow.
Knowing that Frank J removed to Springfield in 1903, I search some
Springfield directories and found multiple Frank Washburns before and
after 1903.
So, as is common, we have several uncertainties. First, is Mary G and
Mary Jane the same person. Second, why did Frank J move to Springfield.
And third, why does Mary G reappear in the 1908
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