Children:
Margaret Mary Dillon 
BIRTH:
October 1881, in CT
BIOGRAPHY:
At the time of the 1900 Census, Margaret M. was 18 years old, a shoemaker for the Rubber
Company, and living at 82 Spring Street, Naugatuck, New Haven County, CT (3-WD
- Series: T623; Roll: 144; Page: 217; District: 339), with her Father,
Edmund P. (Edmond) (43), a day laborer; Mother, Ellen (39); sisters: Theresa E. (12); Catherine A. (5); Julia E. (2); and brothers: Patrick T. (17), a laborer at the Button Shop; David D. (15), a laborer at the Button Shop; Edmond J. (13); John J. (10); and Dennis F. (7).
At the time of the 1910 Census, Margaret was 28 years old, unemployed,
and living at 22 Anderson Street, Naugatuck, CT (3-WD - Series: T624; Roll: 137;
Page: 118; District: 371), with her Mother, Ellen T. (51), head of household; her
brother, Patrick T. (27), a clerk in a meat market; her brother, David D.
(24), a laborer at the Rubber Shop; her brother, Edmond J. (23), a
packer at the Rubber Shop; her sister, Ellen T. (21), a bottle maker at
the Rubber Shop Ext.; her brother, John J. (20), a laborer at the Rubber
Shop; her brother, Dennis F. (16); her sister, Katherine A. (15); and
her sister, Julia (11).
Margaret was a registered nurse, and assisted in the deliveries of her sister-in-law
(wife of brother John), Alice Hickey Dillon's babies - at
least up through William Erskine Dillon (5 Oct 1921). The doctors she assisted were:
Dr.
Krell (delivering John Michael and probably Eleanor Margaret), and Dr. Duffy (probably
delivering Julia Alice and definitely William Erskine).
The Waterbury, Naugatuck, and Watertown, Connecticut City
Directory, 1913, Naugatuck, listed the Dillon family as living at 24 Anderson
Street, Union City. Ellen was listed as the widow of Edmund and the head
of household. Her employed children were listed as boarders: David D.,
employed by the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company; Edmund J., employed at 45
Bridge Street, Union City; John, employed at the Goodyear India Rubber Glove
Manufacturing Company; Margaret M., a nurse; and Patrick T., a clerk at 74
Curtiss Street, Union City. The address listed for the Union City Fife and
Drum Corp was 23 Anderson Street, Union City.
Margaret married John Francis
Hickey, the oldest brother of her sister-in-law,
Alice
Hickey Dillon, in 1915 or 1916. The 1915 Waterbury Connecticut City Directory, Naugatuck, lists
John as living at 7 Lewis Street, Naugatuck, CT. Margaret was listed in
the 1915 Waterbury Connecticut City Directory, Naugatuck, Business Directory, as
a nurse, boarding at 13 Barnum Court, with her Mother.
At the time of the 1920 Census, Margaret was 38 years old, and living with her husband, John (39), an engineer at the Rubber Shop, at 62
Neagle Street, Naugatuck, CT (3-WD - Series: T625; Roll: 190; Page: 271; District:
305). Living with them, as boarders, were Margaret's sister, Catherine (20), and her husband, Frederick Rainville (21), who
worked, as office help, at the Brass Shop. Neither couple had children. John owned their home, and (according to nephew, John Michael Dillon, in his autobiography "Johnny (Bound and Determined)"), bought his first automobile, a Willy's Knight Overland in the Spring of 1927.
At the time of the 1930 Census, Margaret was 47 years old, and living with her husband, John F. (44), at 38 Neagle Street, Naugatuck, CT
(3-WD - Series: T626; Roll: 274; Page: 144; District:
186).
John was an engineer at a rubber factory.
DEATH:
Margaret died some time after 1930, in Naugatuck.
Patrick Thomas Dillon
BIRTH:
16 Dec 1883, in Naugatuck, CT
BIOGRAPHY:
At the time of the 1900 Census, Patrick T. was 17 years old, a laborer at the Button
Shop, and living at 82 Spring Street, Naugatuck, New Haven County, CT (3-WD
- Series: T623; Roll: 144; Page: 217; District: 339), with his Father,
Edmund P. (Edmond) (43), a day laborer; Mother, Ellen (39); sisters: Margaret M. (18), a
shoemaker
for the Rubber Company; Theresa E. (12); Catherine A. (5); Julia E. (2); and brothers:
David
D. (15), a laborer at the Button Shop; Edmond J. (13); John J. (10); and Dennis F. (7).
In the City Briefs' column, of the Naugatuck Daily News, 17 Jan 1901, mention was made that Patrick Dillon,
of Spring Street, who had been confined to the house by rheumatism, was again able to be out.
At the time of the 1910 Census , Patrick T. was 27 years old, and living at 22 Anderson Street, Naugatuck, CT
(3-WD - Series: T624; Roll: 137;
Page: 118; District: 371), with his Mother, Ellen T. (51), head of household; his sister, Margaret M. (28), unemployed; his brother, David D. (24), a laborer at the Rubber Shop; his brother, Edmond J. (23), a packer at the Rubber Shop; his sister, Ellen T. (21), a bottle maker at the Rubber Shop Ext.; his brother, John J. (20), a laborer at the Rubber Shop; his brother, Dennis F. (16); his sister,
Katherine A. (15); and his sister, Julia (11). Patrick was a clerk in a meat market (Jim Patterson's Grocery Store and Meat
Market). Jim Patterson's son, James, became known as Jimmy Patterson, outstanding athlete, lawyer and U.S. Republican Congressman, representing the 5th Congressional District of
CT.
The Waterbury, Naugatuck, and Watertown, Connecticut City
Directory, 1913, Naugatuck, listed the Dillon family as living at 24 Anderson
Street, Union City. Ellen was listed as the widow of Edmund and the head
of household. Her employed children were listed as boarders: David D.,
employed by the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company; Edmund J., employed at 45
Bridge Street, Union City; John, employed at the Goodyear India Rubber Glove
Manufacturing Company; Margaret M., a nurse; and Patrick T., a clerk at 74
Curtiss Street, Union City. The address listed for the Union City Fife and
Drum Corp was 23 Anderson Street, Union City.
Patrick was listed in the 1915 Waterbury
Connecticut City Directory, Naugatuck, Business Directory, as a clerk at 74
Curtiss Street, boarding at 13 Barnum Court. When he registered
for the draft, on 12 Sep 1918, he was employed
as a butcher at James Patterson's Grocery Store, 74 Curtiss Street, Naugatuck,
CT. He was described as being of medium height, and medium build, with
brown hair, and blue eyes. He lived at 117 Melbourne Court,
Naugatuck, CT, with his Mother, Ellen.
At the time of the 1920 Census, Patrick was
36 years old, a salesman at a meat store, and living at 117 Melbourne Court,
Naugatuck, CT (1-WD - Series: T625; Roll: 190; Page: 147; District:
298), with
his Mother, Ellen (61), head of household; his brother, David (34), a laborer in
the Rubber Factory; his brother, Edmond (32), a laborer in the Rubber Factory;
and his sister, Ellen (28), a laborer in the Rubber Factory.
At the time of the 1930 Census, Patrick was 46 years old, a meat cutter
at Boylon's Meat Market, and living at 117 Melbourne Court, Naugatuck, CT (1-WD - Series: T626; Roll: 274; Page: 31; District:
179), with his Mother, Ellen
(70), head of household; his brother, David (44), unemployed; his sister, Nell
(38), a waitress at a school; his brother, Frank (36), unemployed; and his
sister, Julia (32), unemployed.
Nephew John Michael Dillon, in his autobiography "Johnny (Bound and Determined)", described
him as a butcher who loaded his horse drawn wagon to make his butcher cart rounds to the outlaying sections of town.
He would let John ride the horse up to the
barn when he came home from work.
Niece Eleanor Dillon Petitjean, once described Patrick as a well read, well spoken
man, although he probably did not finish high school. In a radio, street interview, he was able to
properly identify the name and author of the poem that most people refer to as "Twas the Night
before Christmas", as "A Visit From St. Nicholas" by Clement C. Moore.
DEATH: Patrick died at the age of
59 years, 8 months, and 18 days, on 9 May 1943, at his home at 117 Melbourne
Court, Naugatuck, CT. He had been treated for chronic myocarditis for a year, by
V. P. Duffy, MD.
BURIAL: Patrick was buried on 12 May 1943, in a family plot in St. James
Cemetery, Naugatuck, CT, with his Father, Edmund (d 7 May 1906). The Alderson
Funeral Home, 201 Meadow Street, Naugatuck, CT, was in charge of funeral arrangements. Patrick's Mother, Ellen, was also buried there when she died on 22
Feb 1948.
Smith's
Button Shop - Naugatuck, CT
David
Domenic Dillon 
BIRTH: 6 Apr 1885, in
Naugatuck, CT
BIOGRAPHY:
David was confirmed at St. Francis Church, Naugatuck, on 21 Apr 1898, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Tierney, of Hartford. Also confirmed, were his brother, Edmund Jeremiah, and sister, Catherine Agnes (Article in the Naugatuck Daily News, 22 Apr 1898).
At the time of the 1900 Census, David D. was 15 years old, a laborer at the Button
Shop, and living at 82 Spring Street, Naugatuck, New Haven County, CT (3-WD
- Series: T623; Roll: 144; Page: 217; District: 339), with his Father,
Edmund P. (Edmond) (43), a day laborer; Mother, Ellen (39); sisters: Margaret M. (18), a
shoemaker
for the Rubber Company; Theresa E. (12); Catherine A. (5); Julia E. (2); and brothers: Patrick
T. (17), a laborer at the Button Shop; Edmond J. (13); John J. (10); and Dennis F. (7).
At the time of the 1910 Census, David D. was 24 years old, a laborer at the Rubber Shop, and living at 22 Anderson Street, Naugatuck, CT
(3-WD - Series: T624; Roll: 137;
Page: 118; District: 371), with his Mother, Ellen T. (51), head of household; his sister, Margaret M. (28), unemployed; his brother, Patrick T. (27), a clerk in a meat market; his brother, Edmond J. (23), a packer at the Rubber Shop; his sister, Ellen T. (21), a bottle maker at the Rubber Shop Ext.; his brother, John J. (20), a laborer at the Rubber Shop; his brother, Dennis F. (16); his sister, Katherine
A. (15); and his sister, Julia (11).
The Waterbury, Naugatuck, and Watertown, Connecticut City
Directory, 1913, Naugatuck, listed the Dillon family as living at 24 Anderson
Street, Union City. Ellen was listed as the widow of Edmund and the head
of household. Her employed children were listed as boarders: David D.,
employed by the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company; Edmund J., employed at 45
Bridge Street, Union City; John, employed at the Goodyear India Rubber Glove
Manufacturing Company; Margaret M., a nurse; and Patrick T., a clerk at 74
Curtiss Street, Union City. The address listed for the Union City Fife and
Drum Corp was 23 Anderson Street, Union City.
David was
listed in the 1915 Waterbury Connecticut City Directory, Naugatuck, Business Directory,
as an employee of the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company, boarding at 13
Barnum Court. When he registered
for the draft, on 12 Sep 1918, he was employed
as a calendar operator for the G. M. R. Shoe Company, Rubber Avenue, Naugatuck,
CT. He was described as being short, of medium build, black hair, blue
eyes, and hard of hearing.
At the time of the 1920
Census, David was 34 years old, a laborer in the Rubber Factory, and living at
117 Melbourne Court, Naugatuck, CT (1-WD - Series: T625; Roll: 190; Page: 147; District:
298), with his Mother, Ellen (61), head of household; his brother,
Patrick (36), a salesman at a meat store; his brother, Edmond (32), a laborer in
the Rubber Factory; and his sister, Ellen (28), a laborer in the Rubber Factory.
At the time of the 1930 Census, David
was 44 years old, unemployed, and
living at 117 Melbourne Court, Naugatuck, CT (1-WD - Series: T626; Roll: 274; Page: 31; District:
179), with his Mother, Ellen (70), head of household; his
brother, Patrick (46), a meat cutter at Boylon's Meat Market; his sister, Nell
(38), a waitress at a school; his brother, Frank (36), unemployed; and his
sister, Julia (32), unemployed.
In 1946, David was 61 years old, and renting at his Mother's home at 117 Melbourne Court, in Naugatuck, CT (Waterbury, Naugatuck, and Watertown, Connecticut City Directory, 1946). He was employed as a janitor in Waterbury, CT.
Nephew John Michael Dillon, in his autobiography "Johnny (Bound and
Determined)", described him as an excellent
athlete. When football was introduced to Naugatuck, at the turn of the century, the instructor
selected him to be the first quarterback of the first football team in Naugatuck because he was "brainier than the rest".
He later became the quarterback of
the "Union City West Sides", a team that was rarely beaten. He was also the New Haven "Cross
Harbor" swimming champion for several years. He was also a member of the local Fraternal Order of
Eagles and won the first prize, a new automobile, in one of their raffles to raise money for charity.
David was trained in mathematics by his father, and was able to tutor his nephew,
John Michael Dillon, in order to help him pass algebra in high school.
DEATH: David
died in Naugatuck, CT, on16 Aug 1953, at the age of
68.
Edmond
Jeremiah Dillon
BIRTH: 1 Nov 1886, in
Naugatuck, CT
BIOGRAPHY:
Edmond was confirmed at St. Francis Church, Naugatuck, on 21 Apr 1898, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Tierney, of Hartford. Also confirmed, were his brother, David Dominic, and sister, Catherine Agnes (Article in the Naugatuck Daily News, 22 Apr 1898).
At the time of the 1900 Census, Edmond J. was 13 years old, and living at 82
Spring Street, Naugatuck, New Haven County, CT (3-WD
- Series: T623; Roll: 144; Page: 217; District: 339), with his Father,
Edmund P. (Edmond) (43), a day laborer;
Mother, Ellen (39); sisters: Margaret M. (18), a shoemaker for the Rubber
Company; Theresa E. (12); Catherine A. (5); Julia E. (2); and brothers: Patrick
T. (17), a laborer at the Button Shop; David D. (15), a laborer at the Button
Shop; John J. (10); and Dennis F. (7).
At the time of the 1910 Census, Edmond J. was 23 years old, a packer at the Rubber Shop, and living at 22 Anderson Street, Naugatuck, CT
(3-WD - Series: T624; Roll: 137;
Page: 118; District: 371), with his Mother, Ellen
T. (51), head of household; his sister, Margaret M. (28), unemployed; his brother, Patrick
T. (27), a clerk in a meat market; his brother, David D. (24), a laborer at the Rubber Shop; his sister, Ellen
T. (21), a bottle maker at the Rubber Shop Ext.; his brother, John J. (20), a laborer at the Rubber Shop; his brother, Dennis
F. (16); his sister, Katherine A. (15); and his sister, Julia (11).
The Waterbury, Naugatuck, and Watertown, Connecticut City
Directory, 1913, Naugatuck, listed the Dillon family as living at 24 Anderson
Street, Union City. Ellen was listed as the widow of Edmund and the head
of household. Her employed children were listed as boarders: David D.,
employed by the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company; Edmund J., employed at 45
Bridge Street, Union City; John, employed at the Goodyear India Rubber Glove
Manufacturing Company; Margaret M., a nurse; and Patrick T., a clerk at 74
Curtiss Street, Union City. The address listed for the Union City Fife and
Drum Corp was 23 Anderson Street, Union City.
Edmond (Edmund J.) was listed in the 1915 Waterbury Connecticut City Directory,
Naugatuck, Business Directory, as an employee of the Goodyear Metallic Rubber
Shoe Company, boarding at 13 Barnum Court. When he registered
for the draft, on 5 Jun 1917, he was employed
at the Rubber Regenerating Company, Naugatuck, CT. He was described as
being tall, thin, with brown hair, and blue eyes. Edmond served in the Army in WWI.
At the time of the 1920 Census, Edmond
was 32 years old, a laborer in the Rubber Factory, and living at 117 Melbourne
Court, Naugatuck, CT (1-WD - Series: T625; Roll: 190; Page: 147; District:
298),
with his Mother, Ellen (61), head of household; his brother, Patrick (36), a
salesman at a meat store; his brother, David (34), a laborer in the Rubber
Factory; and his sister, Ellen (28), a laborer in the Rubber Factory.
Edmond married Helen Clarke Sullivan (b 1887, d 18 Oct 1964), the widow of Raymond
Sullivan, some time between 1920 and 1930. They lived in the upstairs apartment
of his brother John's home,
at 648 North Church Street, some time between 1924 and 1930.
At the time of the 1930 Census,
Edmond
was 40 years old, and living at 158 Scott Street, Naugatuck, CT (1-WD - Series: T626; Roll: 274; Page: 29; District:
179), with his wife, Helen (40, born in Ireland), her children from a previous marriage: Raymond
Sullivan (20), working at the Rubber Factory; Mary Sullivan (19), working at the Rubber
Factory; and Madeline Sullivan, 15. They also had a child of their own, Edwina
Dillon (2). Edward and Helen both worked at the Rubber Factory.
In 1946, Edmond was 60 years old, and living with his wife, Nellie M. (59), at 143 Andrew Avenue, in Naugatuck, CT
(Waterbury, Naugatuck, and Watertown, Connecticut City Directory, 1946). He was employed at the Naugatuck Chemical Division of the US Rubber Company.
DEATH: Edmond
died on 9 Dec 1952, in Naugatuck, CT
BURIAL:
Edmond is buried in St. James Cemetery, with his wife, Nellie Clarke (b
1887, d 1964), her former husband, Eugene Sullivan (b 1882, d 1915), his step children,
Eugene R. Sullivan, veteran of WWII, 3428th ORD. MAINT CO (b 1909; d 27 Nov 1961 at age
52), and Mary E. Sullivan (b 1910 - d 1991), and Jean Kezel (1936 - 1936),
identity unknown.
Theresa
Ellen Dillon
BIRTH:
27 Feb 1888, in Naugatuck, CT
NICKNAME: Nell
BIOGRAPHY:
At the time of the 1900 Census, Theresa E. was 12 years old, and living at 82
Spring Street, Naugatuck, CT (3-WD
- Series: T623; Roll: 144; Page: 217; District: 339), with her Father,
Edmund P. (Edmond) (43), a day laborer; Mother, Ellen (39); sisters: Margaret M. (18), a shoemaker
for the Rubber Company; Catherine A. (5); Julia E. (2); and brothers: Patrick T.
(17), a laborer at the Button Shop; David D. (15), a laborer at the Button Shop;
Edmond J. (13); John J. (10); and Dennis F. (7).
At the time of the 1910 Census, Ellen T. was 21 years old, a bottle maker at the
Rubber Shop Ext., and living at 22 Anderson Street, Naugatuck, CT (3-WD - Series: T624; Roll: 137;
Page: 118; District: 371), with her Mother, Ellen (51),
head of household; her sister, Margaret M. (28), unemployed; her brother,
Patrick T. (27), a clerk in a meat market; her brother, David D. (24), a laborer
at the Rubber Shop; her brother, Edmond J. (23), a packer at the Rubber Shop;
her brother, John J. (20), a laborer at the Rubber Shop; her brother, Dennis F.
(16); her sister, Katherine A. (15); and her sister, Julia (11).
The Waterbury, Naugatuck, and Watertown, Connecticut City
Directory, 1913, Naugatuck, listed the Dillon family as living at 24 Anderson
Street, Union City. Ellen was listed as the widow of Edmund and the head
of household. Her employed children were listed as boarders: David D.,
employed by the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company; Edmund J., employed at 45
Bridge Street, Union City; John, employed at the Goodyear India Rubber Glove
Manufacturing Company; Margaret M., a nurse; and Patrick T., a clerk at 74
Curtiss Street, Union City. The address listed for the Union City Fife and
Drum Corp was 23 Anderson Street, Union City.
Ellen was listed in the 1915 Waterbury Connecticut City Directory, Naugatuck,
Business Directory, as an employee of the Goodyear India Rubber Glove
Manufacturing Company, boarding at 13 Barnum Court.
At the time of the 1920 Census, Ellen was 28
years old, a laborer in the Rubber Factory, and living at 117 Melbourne Court,
Naugatuck, CT (1-WD - Series: T625; Roll: 190; Page: 147; District:
298), with
her Mother, Ellen (61), head of household; her brother, Patrick (36), a salesman
at a meat store; her brother, David (34), a laborer in the Rubber Factory; and
her brother, Edmond (32), a laborer in the Rubber Factory.
At the time of the 1930 Census, Ellen, now called Nell, was 38 years old,
a waitress at a school, and living at 117 Melbourne Court, Naugatuck, CT (1-WD - Series: T626; Roll: 274; Page: 31; District:
179), with her Mother, Ellen (70),
head of household; her brother, Patrick (46), a meat cutter at Boylon's Meat
Market; her brother, David (44), unemployed; her brother, Frank (36),
unemployed; and her sister, Julia (32), unemployed.
In the same census, Ellen was also listed as Nellie Dillon, waitress,
living at The Taft School, Watertown, CT (WATERTOWN FIRE DIST - Series: T626;
Roll: 270; Page: 147). Nephew John Michael Dillon, in his autobiography "Johnny
(Bound and Determined)", mentioned that she worked as a housekeeper at a
boys’ school in Watertown.
The Taft School
DEATH:
Nell died in September 1978, in Prospect, CT,
at the age of 90.
John Joseph Dillon
BIRTH:
8 Mar 1890, Naugatuck, CT
NICKNAME:
Pop
BIOGRAPHY:
At the time of the 1900 Census, John J. was 10 years old, and living at 82 Spring Street, Naugatuck, New Haven County, CT
(3-WD
- Series: T623; Roll: 144; Page: 217; District: 339), with his Father,
Edmund P. (Edmond) (43), a day laborer; Mother, Ellen (39); sisters: Margaret M. (18), a shoemaker for the Rubber Company; Theresa E. (12); Catherine A. (5); Julia E. (2); and brothers: Patrick T. (17), a laborer at the Button Shop; David D. (15); and a laborer at the Button Shop; Edmond J. (13); and Dennis F. (7).
At the time of the 1910
Census, John was 20 years old, a laborer at the Rubber Shop, and living at 22
Anderson Street, Naugatuck, CT (3-WD - Series: T624; Roll: 137;
Page: 118; District: 371), with his Mother, Ellen T. (51), head of household; his sister,
Margaret M. (28), unemployed; his brother, Patrick T. (27), a clerk in a meat
market; his brother, David D. (24), a laborer at the Rubber Shop; his brother,
Edmond J. (23), a packer at the Rubber Shop; his sister, Ellen T. (21), a bottle
maker at the Rubber Shop Ext.; his brother, Dennis F. (16); his sister, Katherine
A. (15); and his sister, Julia (11).
The Waterbury, Naugatuck, and Watertown, Connecticut City
Directory, 1913, Naugatuck, listed the Dillon family as living at 24 Anderson
Street, Union City. Ellen was listed as the widow of Edmund and the head
of household. Her employed children were listed as boarders: David D.,
employed by the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company; Edmund J., employed at 45
Bridge Street, Union City; John, employed at the Goodyear India Rubber Glove
Manufacturing Company; Margaret M., a nurse; and Patrick T., a clerk at 74
Curtiss Street, Union City. The address listed for the Union City Fife and
Drum Corp was 23 Anderson Street, Union City.
John was a member of the Union City Fife and Drum Corp
(he had also been a
runner-up for the title of "Champion Fifer of
Connecticut"), taught band music at St. Francis School, and had a dance band called "Dillon's Eight Piece Orchestra".
Alice Marie Hickey
John hired Alice
Hickey
to be the piano player in his band (because he needed someone who could keep
the beat when he stopped drumming to sing), and later married
her (28 Oct 1914 - Invitation). His band did very well, at one time beating out a competitor for a contract
at the Dillon Hotel in Hartford, CT. The competitor complained of nepotism, until John explained to
him that there was no relationship. The competitor was the later famous, Paul
Whiteman.
Union
City Drum Corps - John
Joseph Dillon - 7th from left
John and Alice were
living with Alice's parents at 172 Curtiss Street, when their first child, John
Michael was born (1 Aug 1915), but soon afterward moved briefly to Gorman
Street. They went back to boarding with Alice's family at 172 Curtiss Street, from 1916 through at least
1918. When he registered
for the draft, on 5 Jun 1917, he was employed
as a rubber worker, at the G. M. R Shoe Company, Naugatuck, CT. He was
described as being of medium height, slender, with dark brown hair, and blue
eyes.
In 1920, the Waterbury, Naugatuck, and Watertown, Connecticut City
Directory listed them as living at 13 Melbourne Court. At the time of the 1920 Census, John was 29 years old, and living with his wife, Alice
(25), his son John Michael (4 years and 4 months), and his
daughters, Eleanor (2 years and 4 months), and Julia (3 months), at 98 Melbourne Court, Naugatuck, CT
(1-WD - Series: T625; Roll: 190; Page: 147; District:
298). He
was a rubber cutter at the Rubber Factory, but he was also a farmer, with 10 cows, Holstein and
Guernsey (one named Darby, and her calf named Coochie), and a small milk route.
Alice,
Eleanor, John and Darby
Melbourne
Court Farm
John had several
hired hands during his years running the farm (1919 - 1922), one of them a
cousin, Jimmy Kennedy. He had to give up the farm when most of his customers (who owed him money because
of a lay off at the rubber factory), switched to Bordens (related on paternal side), rather than pay
their bills.
Julie,
John, Alice, Eleanor and John
Melbourne
Court Farm
The family moved in with Alice's parents, Michael and Ellen Hickey, at 421 North Spring Street, from 1922 to 1924. Son, John Dillon, remembered having gone with his grandfather to help build the house, which had started out as a "bungalow". After the Dillons moved in, Michael built two more rooms, one above the other, and turned a small bedroom into a bathroom.
421 North Spring
Street
John purchased a second farm in 1924, five acres sloping down (East) to Hop
Brook, in the North Church Street area. The Waterbury, Naugatuck, and
Watertown Directory, 1927, Naugatuck, lists John as living on Church Street (no
number given).
At the time of the 1930 Census, John was 40 years old, and living with his wife, Alice
(35),
sons, John (14), William (8), and Edward (1 year and 9 months), and daughters,
Eleanor (12), Julia (10), and Alcea (5), at 648 North Church Street, Naugatuck, CT
(3-WD - Series: T626; Roll: 274; Page: 106; District:
185). He
was a
laborer at the Zinc Mill and running a small farm. After that Census,
their daughter Jeanne Maureen, was born, on 3 May 1932.
After Grandma Hickey died, in 1934, the family moved back in with Grandpa Hickey at 421 North Spring Street, Naugatuck, CT. Shortly after that, Grandpa Hickey built
a three room, brick bungalow (with fireplace), on his next door lot (419 Spring
Street), and moved there.
Another
child, Theresa Mary, was born in 1936, but died within 24 hours of birth. She was buried at St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck, CT, on top of Grandma Ellen Hickey's coffin.
Alice Dillon - 1942
In 1946, John was 56 years old, and living at 421 Spring Street, Union City, Naugatuck, CT (Waterbury,
Naugatuck, and Watertown, Connecticut City Directory, 1946), with his wife, Alice M. (52); his daughter, Alice H. (22), a nurse at St. Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, CT; his son, Edward (18); and his daughter, Jeanne (14). He was employed as a
metal
inspector in Waterbury.
In the 1950
census, John was 60 years old (census says 68), and living at 421
Spring Street (only serial number 250 is listed), Naugatuck, CT, with his wife,
Alice M. (55); his daughter, Alcea H. (24), a nurse at New Haven Hospital;
his son, Edward P. (21), an automobile mechanic; and his daughter, Jeanne M.
(17). He was employed as a metal
inspector in Waterbury.
John's wife, Alice, died 14 Aug 1951, as the result of cancer of the gallbladder. Their son, Air Force Lt. Edward (Beau) Dillon, disappeared while on a Strategic Air Command mission, out of Westover Air Force Base, MA (off the coast of Cape Cod, MA), on 7 Dec 1954. No trace of Beau or his aircraft was ever found.
John built a small ranch on a back section of the North Spring Street property (behind the bungalow) and moved in there after Beau's disappearance.
Spring
Street Ranch
(Picture
taken 2003)
In 1958, John lived with his daughter, Jeanne
Dillon Furtado, while he built a second ranch a short distance
from her Rek Place home, on Prospect Street, Prospect, CT.
Prospect
Street Ranch
(Picture
taken 2003)
In the Spring of 1962, at the age of 72, John took his first flight ever, to visit his son, John Dillon, who was serving at Hickam Air Force Base, in Hawaii, as Director of Command
Control, and Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, PACAF.
John's daughter, Julie Crighton, died on 17 May 1964, after suffering for many years with Addison's disease.
At the time of his death, at the age of 78, John was living with his daughter, Alcea Dillon Fager, in Southington CT.
He had nineteen grandchildren (the twentieth was born after his demise).
Pop
Dillon and Grandchildren - 1953
DEATH:
28 Aug 1968, Waterbury, CT
BURIAL: St. James Cemetery, in a family plot with his wife, Alice Hickey Dillon (d 14 Aug 1951),
and daughter Julia Dillon Crighton (d 17 May 1964). After John's death, his daughter, Eleanor Dillon Petitjean (d 25 Jun 1976)
and her husband, William G. Ptitjean (d 25 Jul 2010); daughter Julie's husband,
David B. Crighton (d 21 Jun 1995); daughter, Jeanne M. Furtado (d
15 Jan 1999), and her husband, Edward Furtado (d 26 Apr 2003);
daughter Alice Dillon Fager (d 21 Jul 2011), and her husband,
Harry E. Fager (d 2 Jun 2010); were also buried in the family plot.
The grave stone also memorializes his son, Edward Patrick Dillon, who
disappeared when his jet plane crashed off of Cape Cod, MA in 1954.
Dennis
Francis Dillon
BIRTH: 7 Nov
1894, in Naugatuck, CT
NICKNAME: Frank
BIOGRAPHY:
At the time of the 1900 Census, Dennis F. was 7 years old, and living at 82 Spring Street, Naugatuck, New Haven County, CT
(3-WD
- Series: T623; Roll: 144; Page: 217; District: 339), with his Father,
Edmund P. (Edmond) (43), a day laborer; Mother, Ellen (39); sisters: Margaret M. (18), a shoemaker for the Rubber Company; Theresa E. (12); Catherine A. (5); Julia E. (2); and brothers: Patrick T. (17), a laborer at the Button Shop; David D. (15), a laborer at the Button Shop; Edmond J. (13); and John J. (10).
At the time of the 1910 Census, Dennis F. was 16 years old, and living at 22 Anderson Street, Naugatuck, CT
(3-WD - Series: T624; Roll: 137;
Page: 118; District: 371), with his Mother, Ellen T. (51), head of household; his sister, Margaret M. (28), unemployed; his brother, Patrick T. (27), a clerk in a meat market; his brother, David D. (24), a laborer at the Rubber Shop; his brother, Edmond J. (23), a packer at the Rubber Shop; his sister, Ellen T. (21), a bottle maker at the Rubber Shop Ext.; his brother, John J. (20), a laborer at the Rubber Shop; his sister,
Katherine A. (15); and his sister, Julia (11).
The Waterbury, Naugatuck, and Watertown, Connecticut City
Directory, 1913, Naugatuck, listed the Dillon family as living at 24 Anderson
Street, Union City. Ellen was listed as the widow of Edmund and the head
of household. Her employed children were listed as boarders: David D.,
employed by the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company; Edmund J., employed at 45
Bridge Street, Union City; John, employed at the Goodyear India Rubber Glove
Manufacturing Company; Margaret M., a nurse; and Patrick T., a clerk at 74
Curtiss Street, Union City. The address listed for the Union City Fife and
Drum Corp was 23 Anderson Street, Union City.
Dennis was listed in the 1915 Waterbury Connecticut City Directory, Naugatuck,
Business Directory, as an employee of the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company,
boarding at 13 Barnum Court. When he registered
for the draft, on 5 Jun 1917, he was employed
at the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shop, Naugatuck, CT. He was described as
being of medium height, medium build, with black hair, blue eyes, and being
subject to rheumatism.
Dennis served in Word War I and, probably for that reason, is not listed in the Ellen
Dillon household (117 Melbourne Court, District 298, Naugatuck, CT) for the 1920
Census. Nephew John Michael Dillon, in
his autobiography "Johnny (Bound and Determined)", said that, somewhere in the period between
1919 and 1922, Dennis was a cook in a Naugatuck restaurant.
At the time of the 1930 Census, Dennis (now listed as Frank)
was 36 years old, unemployed, and
living at 117 Melbourne Court, Naugatuck, CT (1-WD - Series: T626; Roll: 274; Page: 31; District:
179), with his Mother, Ellen (70), head of household; his
brother, Patrick (46), a meat cutter at Boylon's Meat Market; his brother, David
(44), unemployed; his sister, Nell (38), a waitress at a school; and his
sister, Julia (32), unemployed.
DEATH: Frank
was a resident of Naugatuck, CT at the time of his death, on 15 Sep 1955, in
Rocky Hill, CT, at the age of 59.
Catherine
Agnes Dillon
BIRTH: July 1894, in Naugatuck, CT
NICKNAME: Kit
BIOGRAPHY:
Catherine was confirmed at St. Francis Church, Naugatuck, on 21 Apr 1898, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Tierney, of Hartford. Also confirmed, were her brothers, David Dominic, and Edmund Jeremiah (Article in the Naugatuck Daily News, 22 Apr 1898).
At the time of the 1900 Census, Catherine A. was 5 years old, and living at 82
Spring Street, Naugatuck, New Haven County, CT (3-WD
- Series: T623; Roll: 144; Page: 217; District: 339), with her Father,
Edmund
P. (Edmond) (43),
a day laborer; Mother, Ellen (39); sisters: Margaret M. (18), a shoemaker for the Rubber
Company;
Theresa E. (12); Julia E. (2); and brothers: Patrick T. (17), a laborer at the Button
Shop; David
D. (15), a laborer at the Button Shop; Edmond J. (13); John J. (10); and Dennis F. (7).
At the time of the 1910
Census, Katherine A. was 15 years old, and living at 22 Anderson Street,
Naugatuck, CT (3-WD - Series: T624; Roll: 137;
Page: 118; District: 371), with
her Mother, Ellen (51), head of household; her sister, Margaret M. (28),
unemployed; her brother, Patrick T. (27), a clerk in a meat market; her brother,
David D. (24), a laborer at the Rubber Shop; her brother, Edmond J. (23), a
packer at the Rubber Shop; her sister, Ellen T. (21), a bottle maker at the
Rubber Shop Ext.; her brother, John J. (20), a laborer at the Rubber Shop; her
brother, Dennis F. (16); and her sister, Julia (11).
The Waterbury, Naugatuck, and Watertown, Connecticut City
Directory, 1913, Naugatuck, listed the Dillon family as living at 24 Anderson
Street, Union City. Ellen was listed as the widow of Edmund and the head
of household. Her employed children were listed as boarders: David D.,
employed by the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company; Edmund J., employed at 45
Bridge Street, Union City; John, employed at the Goodyear India Rubber Glove
Manufacturing Company; Margaret M., a nurse; and Patrick T., a clerk at 74
Curtiss Street, Union City. The address listed for the Union City Fife and
Drum Corp was 23 Anderson Street, Union City.
Catherine married Frederick Rainville (b 1898, CT) in 1920. At the time of the 1920 Census, Catherine was 20 years old. She and her husband, Frederick (21), who worked as office help at the Brass Shop, were boarders, in the home of her sister, Margaret (38), and Margaret's husband, John Hickey (39), an engineer at the Rubber Shop, at 62
Neagle Street, Naugatuck, CT (3-WD - Series: T625; Roll: 190; Page: 271; District:
305).
John was the older brother of Alice Hickey Dillon, wife of Catherine's brother John.
Catherine's nephew, John Michael Dillon, in his autobiography "Johnny (Bound and Determined)", said that Catherine and her husband, Freddy Rainville lived in an upstairs apartment, in the farmhouse off Melbourne Court in Naugatuck, CT, in 1921. They had a son, Freddy Jr. (b 24 Mar 1921; d 13 May 2001). Freddy Rainville Sr. had come home from WWI, with several decorations.
At the time of the 1930 Census, Catherine was 31 years old, and living at 27 Cliff Street,
Naugatuck, CT (1-WD - Series: T626; Roll: 274; Page: 22; District:
178), with her husband, Frederick Rainville (31), a clerk for the Brass Company, and her son, Frederick (9). Frederick Sr.'s Father was born in French Canada, and his Mother was born in Rhode Island.
Catherine's husband, Frederick, died on 1 Oct 1961, in Waterbury, CT.
DEATH: Catherine died on 6 Mar 1970, in Naugatuck, CT, at the age of 76.
Matthew
Dillon
BIRTH: 4 Jul 1896, in Naugatuck, CT
BIOGRAPHY: Matthew lived with his parents and nine brothers and sisters, at 82 Spring Street, Naugatuck, CT.
DEATH: Matthew died on 23 Aug 1898, of cholera infantum, at home, 82 Spring Street, Naugatuck, CT, at the age of two years, 1 month, and 19 days. He had been sick for two days, and treated by W. J. Delaney, MD.
BURIAL: The funeral was at 3:30 from the Dillon home, on 24 Aug 1898. Internment was at St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck CT (Naugatuck Daily News, 23 Aug 1898).
Julia E. Dillon
BIRTH: April 1898, in Naugatuck, CT
BIOGRAPHY:
At the time of the 1900 Census, Julia E. was 2 years
old, and living at 82 Spring
Street, Naugatuck, New Haven County, CT (3-WD
- Series: T623; Roll: 144; Page: 217; District: 339), with her Father,
Edmund
P. (Edmond) (43), a day
laborer;
Mother, Ellen (39); sisters: Margaret M. (18), a shoemaker for the Rubber
Company; Theresa
E. (12); Catherine A. (5); and brothers: Patrick T. (17), a laborer at the Button
Shop; David D.
(15), a laborer at the Button Shop; Edmond J. (13); John J. (10); and Dennis F. (7).
At the time of the 1910
Census, Julia was 11 years old, and living at 22 Anderson Street, Naugatuck, CT
(3-WD - Series: T624; Roll: 137;
Page: 118; District: 371), with her Mother,
Ellen (51), head of household; her sister, Margaret M. (28), unemployed; her
brother, Patrick T. (27), a clerk in a meat market; her brother, David D. (24),
a laborer at the Rubber Shop; her brother, Edmond J. (23), a packer at the
Rubber Shop; her sister, Ellen T. (21), a bottle maker at the Rubber Shop Ext.;
her brother, John J. (20), a laborer at the Rubber Shop; her brother, Dennis F.
(16); and her sister, Katherine A. (15).
The Waterbury, Naugatuck, and Watertown, Connecticut City
Directory, 1913, Naugatuck, listed the Dillon family as living at 24 Anderson
Street, Union City. Ellen was listed as the widow of Edmund and the head
of household. Her employed children were listed as boarders: David D.,
employed by the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company; Edmund J., employed at 45
Bridge Street, Union City; John, employed at the Goodyear India Rubber Glove
Manufacturing Company; Margaret M., a nurse; and Patrick T., a clerk at 74
Curtiss Street, Union City. The address listed for the Union City Fife and
Drum Corp was 23 Anderson Street, Union City.
Julia was not listed in the 1920 census in the Ellen Dillon household - 117 Melbourne
Court, Naugatuck, CT, District 298.
At
the time of the 1930 Census, Julia was 32 years old, unemployed, and living at
117 Melbourne Court, Naugatuck, CT (1-WD - Series: T626; Roll: 274; Page: 31; District:
179), with her Mother, Ellen (70), head of household; her brother,
Patrick (46), a meat cutter at Boylon's Meat Market; her brother, David (44),
unemployed; her sister, Nell (38), a waitress at a school; and her brother,
Frank (36), unemployed. Nephew John
Michael Dillon, in his autobiography "Johnny (Bound and Determined)",
said that Julia helped her Mother with the housework.
Julia married Rodney Hanson (b 24 Jan 1901, Maine; d 15 Nov 1990, Waterbury, CT), and they lived in Naugatuck, CT (last address, 117 Melbourne Court). They had two children: Roy F. Hanson (later of NYC), and Paul R. Hanson (served in the US Army in Korea).
DEATH:
Julia was a resident of Naugatuck, CT, when she died, at the age of 81, on 7 May 1979, at the Prospect Restorative Health Center, Prospect, CT.
BURIAL:
Funeral services were held on 10 May 1979, from the Green and Packer Funeral Home, to St. Francis Church for a Mass. Burial was in St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck, CT.
