Born about in Pennsylvania, United States
Daughter of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Wife of
John Fisher Francis
— married
[date unknown] [location unknown]
Wife of
Ernest J. Knowles
— married
2 Nov 1912 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
[children unknown]
Died
at about age 75
in Pennsylvania, United States [uncertain]
[uncertain]Profile last modified
| Created 9 Jun 2021
This page has been accessed 33 times.
Biography
Blanche V Feather was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Howard Feather and Emma.[1][2] According to the 1900 census, she was born in June 1897,[1] and according to the headstone on her grave, she was born on 14 June 1897.[3] But according to her marriage application (filled out on 1 November 1912), she was born on 22 June 1895. Her father had to consent to the marriage, because she was underage.[2] If she was born in 1895, she was 17; if she was born in 1897, she was 15. Perhaps the birthdate given in the 1900 census is correct, and she was pretending to be older.
In 1900, she was living with her parents and siblings at 2921 Harville Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [1]
In 1910, she was living with her parents and siblings at 514 Hart Lane, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was attending school. [4]
On 2 November 1912, she married Ernest Knowles, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ernest was living at 1851 E. Ontario St, Philadelphia, and was an electrician. Blanche was living at 2854 D Street, Philadelphia. [2] They had eight children: [5][6][7]
- Emma Elsie Knowles (ca 1913-1915)[8]
- Gertrude Knowles (1914-1972)
- Ernest Knowles Jr (1917-1979)
- William Reed Knowles (1919-)
- Howard Knowles (1921-1995)
- Lloyd Pierce Knowles (1923-2006)
- Walter Knowles (ca 1926-1934)
- Elmer Knowles (1933-1997)
In 1920, Ernest and Blanche were living at 1842 East Russell Street, Philadelphia, which they were renting. They were living with their children Gertrude, Ernest, and William, and with Blanche's brother William. [6]
In 1930, Ernest and Blance were living at 7147 Montague Street, Philadelphia, which they were renting for $40 a month. They did not have a radio. They were living with their children Gertrude, Ernest, William, Howard, Lloyd, and Walter. [7]
In 1934, Ernest applied for compensation for his World War I service. They were living in Pine Hill, Camden County, New Jersey. [5]
She reportedly married John Fisher Francis.[9][10] They had at least these children.[10][9]
In 1940, John and Blanche living at 606 East Clementine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which they were renting for $25 a month. They were living with their children, and with two stepchildren (presumably Blanche's children from a previous marriage). He was a clerk at the post office. He worked 40 hours the week of 24 March, and had earned $2,100 in 52 weeks work in 1939. [10]
On 4 May 1954, John died at home, 646 E. Wishart, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of myocarditis, due to cardiac asthma. He was retired from the US Post Office. On 7 May 1954, he was buried, in the National Cemetery, Beverly, Burlington County, New Jersey. [11] [12]
On 6 July 1972, Blanche died. She was living at 703 East Clearfield Street, Philadelphia. Because of her residence, and the fact that the funeral was held in a Philadelphia funeral home, she probably died in Pennsylvania. She was buried in Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, Burlington County, New Jersey. [9] [3]
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2
1900 U.S. census, ward 33, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 870, p.232 A stamped = sheet 16 A penned, family 323; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DZWS-8HZ : accessed 9 June 2021); citing National Archives, microfilm series T623, roll 1475.
- 2921 Harville St, rented, house
- head Howard Feather, white, male, May 1856, 44, married 15 years, born Pennsylvania, rug weaver, 3 months unemployed
- wife Emma -, white, female, Jan 1859, 41, married 15 years, 10 children 8 living, born Pennsylvania
- daughter Elizabeth -, white, female, June 1885, 14, single, born Pennsylvania, servant, 0 months unemployed
- son Charles -, white, male, Jan 1887, 13, single, born Pennsylvania, yarn spinner, 0 months unemployed
- daughter Ella -, white, female, Dec 1890, 9, single, born Pennsylvania, at school for 9 months
- son Harry -, white, male, Apr 1892, 8, single, born Pennsylvania
- son William -, white, male, Aug 1893, 6, single, born Pennsylvania
- daughter Blanche -, white, female, June 1897, 2, single, born Pennsylvania
- daughter Maud -, white, female, Mar 1899, 1, single, born Pennsylvania
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2
Orphans' Court, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, marriage record, no. 287,582, Ernest Knowles and Blanche Feather; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6WJK-56?i=628&wc=QDNG-M5K%3A1588753668%2C1588754017&cc=2466357 : accessed 8 June 2021).
- Ernest Knowles, born Phila PA on 6 Sept 1891, residence 1851 E Ontario St, Phila, electrician, not married before
- Blanche Feather, born Phila Pa on 22 June 1895, residence 2854 D St, Phila, housework, not married before
- applied 1 Nov 1912
- Howard Feather, 2854 D St, father of Blanche Feather, consented to her marriage
- George J. Burne married Ernest Knowles and Blanche Feature on 2 November 1912 at Philadelphia
- ↑ 3.0 3.1
Find A Grave: Memorial #2511490, 'Blanche V Francis', imported from US Veteran's Affairs, added 3 March 2000; database, accessed 9 June 2021; citing Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, Burlington County, New Jersey.
- inscription on pictured stone: 'BLANCHE V JUNE 14 1897 JULY 6 1972 WIFE OF CPL J F FRANCIS JR USA'
- ↑
1910 U.S. census, ward 33, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 786, p. 116 A stamped = sheet 12 A penned, family 245; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRKX-978F : accessed 9 June 2021); citing National Archives, microfilm series T624, roll 1404.
- 514 Hart Lane, rented, house
- head George [sic] Feather, white, male, 52, married once 26 years, born Pennsylvania, weaver, rugs, not out of work 15 April, 16 weeks out of work in 1909
- wife Emma -, female, white, 48, married twice, 26 years, 7 children, 7 living, born Pennsylvania
- daughter Elizabeth -, female, white, 24, single, born Pennsylvania
- son Charles -, male, white, 23, single, born Pennsylvania, teamster, brick yard, not out of work 15 April, 8 weeks out of work in 1909
- daughter Ella -, female, white, 19, single, born Pennsylvania, did not attend school
- son Harry -, male, white, 18, single, born Pennsylvania, driver, coal wagon, not out of work 15 April, 8 weeks out of work in 1909, did not attend school
- son William -, male, white, 16, single, born Pennsylvania, driver jr [?], cotton mill, not out of work 15 April, 4 weeks out of work in 1909, did not attend school
- daughter Blanche -, female, white, 12, single, born Pennsylvania, attended school
- daughter Maude -, female, white, 10, single, born Pennsylvania, attended school
- ↑ 5.0 5.1
Pennsylvania, 'Veteran's Compensation Application', no. 278574 (6 March 1934), Ernest Knowles; image copy, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/60884/images/41744_182029006040_0913-01474 : accessed 9 June 2021).
- Ernest Knowles
- serial no. 4240531
- residence at entry into service: 3110 Potter St, Phila, Penna.
- present residence: Pine Hill Camden County New Jersey
- born Philadelphia 6 September 1891
- wife Blanche Knowles
- seven children
- mother Jane Knowles, father Job [sic] Knowles
- served:
- Camp Wadsworth from 5 August to 15 September
- arrived France 28 September, served from 28 September to 16 January 1919
- Camp Dix from 26 Jan to 24 February 1919
- overseas 28 Sep 1918 to 16 Jan 1919
- honorable discharged 24 Feb 1919 at Camp Dix
- sworn 6 March 1934, received 9 May
-
- War Service Record
- 1842 E Russell St
- next of kin: wife [not named] 1842 E Russell St
- father's name Joseph, mother's maiden name June
- entered into service 4 August 1918, 26 years old
- 49th Infantry - 55th Pioneer Inf
- company G 49 Inf and L 55 Pioneer Inf
- located South Carluna and Kansas + France
- rank Private
- Camp Wadsworth + Fort Leavenworth
- discharged 24 February 1919
- submitted 1 July 1919
-
- application 278,574 approved
- Ernest Knowles army serial no. 4 240 531
- residence 3144 Potter St Philadelphia
- inducted at LB #31 Philadelphia PA 5 Aug 1918
- born Philadelphia PA 6 Sep 1891
- served in co C 4 Pion Inf to 1 Sept 18 co G 49 Inf to disch
- grade: Pvt
- no wounds in action
- served overseas from 15 Sep 18 to 16 Jan 19
- honorable discharged on demobilization 24 Feb 19
- reported 0% disabled at discharge
- ↑ 6.0 6.1
1920 U.S. census, ward 45, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 1711, p. 146 B stamped = sheet 3 B penned, family 58; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RJ9-Z1Q : accessed 9 June 2021); citing National Archives, microfilm series T625, roll 1637./
- 1842 East Russell St, rented
- head Ernest J Knowles, male, white, 28, married, born Pennsylvania, paster, electric storace
- wife Blanche -, female, white, 23, married, born Pennsylvania, no occupation
- daughter Gertrude -, female, white, 5, single, not in school, born Pennsylvania, no occupation
- son Ernest - Jr, male, white, 3-6/12, single, born Pennsylvania, no occupation
- son William R, male, white, 11/12, single, born Pennsylvania, no occupation
- brother-in-law William S Fetters [sic], male, white, 26, single, born Pennsylvania, chauffeur, automobile
- ↑ 7.0 7.1
1930 U.S. census, ward 41, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 1012, p. 60 B stamped = sheet 11 B penned, family 205; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRZC-F84 : accessed 9 June 2021); citing National Archives, microfilm series T626, roll 2132.
- 7147 Montague St, rented, $40 per month, no radio
- head Ernest Knowles, male, white, 38, married first at 21, born Pennsylvania, paster, batting co, not at work last working day, veteran of World War
- wife Blanche -, female, white, 32, married first at 14 [?], born Pennsylvania, no occupation
- [family continues on sheet 12 line 39]
- daughter Gertrude Knoles [sic], female, white, 15, single, attended school, born Pennsylvania, no occupation
- son Ernest -, male, white, 13, single, attended school, born Pennsylvania, no occupation
- son William -, male, white, 11, single, attended school, born Pennsylvania, no occupation
- son Howard -, male, white, 8, single, attended school, born Pennsylvania, no occupation
- son Lloyd -, male, white, 6, single, attended school, born New Jersey, no occupation
- son Walter -, male, white, 3-8/12, single, did not attend school, born Pennsylvania, no occupation
- ↑ Bureau of Vital Statistics, Pennsylvania, death certificate, no. 19427 (26 February 1915), Emma Elsie Knowles; image copy, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/5164/images/41381_2421401696_0884-02733 : accessed 9 June 2021).
- Emma Elsie Knowles
- female, white, single
- date of birth crossed out; age 2, born Phila to Ernest J Knowledge and Blanche A Fetter [sic] (both born Phila)
- informant Ernest J Knowles 1851 E Ontario St
- died 26 February 1915, 1851 East Ontario, Philadelphia
- cause of death valvular disease of heart
- buried 2 March 15 No Cedar Hill
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2
Blanche V Francis, death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, Saturday, 8 July 1972, p.6, col.7; image copy, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/image/180020174/ : accessed 9 June 2021).
'FRANCIS
'July 6, BLANCHE V., age 75, widow of John F. Francis, of 703 E. Clearfield st., devoted mother of ...; also survived by 23 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Relatives, friends, members of Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church and W.O.T.M. Chapter No. 440, Lindenwold, N. J., are invited to services Monday, 12 noon, HOLLEN FUNERAL HOME, 726-28 E. Allegheny ave. Int. Beverly National Cem. Friends may call Sun eve.'
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2
1940 U.S. census, ward 33, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, popuation schedule, enumeration district 51-1072, p. 13159 A stamped = sheet 10 A penned, household 219; image copy, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2442/images/M-T0627-03721-00586 : accessed 8 June 2021).
- 606 E. Clementine St, rented, 25.00 per month, not a farm
- head John F Francis, male, white, 40, married, finished 8 years of school, born Penna, same place in 1935, worked 40 hours week of 24 March, clerk, post office, earned $2100 in 52 weeks work in 1939
- wife Blanche -, female, white, 40, married, finished 8 years of school, born Penna, same place in 1935, engaged in home housework, earned $0 in 0 weeks work in 1939
- daughter Joan -, female, white, 2, single, not in school, born Penna
- daughter Shirley, female, white, 11/12, single, not in school, born Penna
- stepson William Knowles, male, white, 21, single, finished 7 years of school, born Penna, same place in 1935, 8 weeks unemployed, elec. welder, machinery, earned $1,100 in 40 [?] weeks work in 1939
- stepson Elmer -, male, white, 7, single, attended school, finished 1 year, born Penna, same place in 1935
- ↑
Department of Health, Pennsylvania, death certificate, no. 43725 (4 May 1954), John J Francis Jr; image copy, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/5164/images/42410_3421606187_0704-00275 : accessed 8 June 2021).
- John J Francis
- born 25 November 1898, Philadelphia, to John Francis and Emma Fisher
- residence 646 E Wishart, Philadelphia
- male, white, married, retired from US Post Office, ssn 181-22-2838
- born 25 November 1898, Phila, to John Francis and Emma Fisher
- informant Mrs Blanche Francis
- died 4 May 1954, 646 E Wishart, Philadelphia, of myocarditis, due to cardiac asthma
- buried 7 May 1954, National Cem, Beverly, NJ
- [the birthdate and parents' names link him to the John Francis who served in World War I, who was married to Lillian when he applied for compensation]
- ↑
John F. Francis, death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, Thursday, 6 May 1954, p.16, col.7; image copy, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/image/176321469/ : accessed 8 June 2021).
'FRANCIS.&mdasnoth;May 4, JOHN F., beloved husband of Blanche Francis, in his 56th year. Relatives, friends, Lt. Wilbur Small Post, A.L., Lt. Cushing Council #839, O. of I. A., and employes of Phila. P.O. are invited to services, Fri., 11:30 A. M., late residence, 646 E. Wishart st. Int. National Cem., Beverly, N. J. Friends may call Thursday eve.'
See also
- Blanche V Feather, on FamilySearch's Family Tree
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Categories: Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, New Jersey