Sylvester Hannigan

b. 17 January 1894, d. 21 February 1947
  • Sylvester Hannigan was born on 17 January 1894 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
  • He was known as Buzz and occasionally Ed.
  • Lafayette Hannigan and Ruth Hamilton appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Niagara, Niagara County, New York, at Lockport Road. Other members of the household included Sylvester Hannigan, Eva Lena Hannigan.
  • Lafayette Hannigan and Ruth Hamilton appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1905 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1821 Ontario Avenue. Other members of the household included Sylvester Hannigan, Eva Lena Hannigan and Frederick Hamilton Hannigan.
  • Sylvester Hannigan appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Lewiston, Niagara County, New York, at Ridge Road as a hired man enumerated in the household of farmer Reuben Martin.
  • He was a farm laborer, according to the 1910 census.
  • The following appeared on 15 June 1916 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Announcement is made of the marriage yesterday afternoon at four o'clock at the parsonage of the Zion Lutheran Church, of Miss [sic] Ruth Hannigan and Anton Leslie of this city. The attendants were Eva L. Burt and Sylvester Hannigan, and the Rev. Herman Brezing officiated. After a trip to Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie will reside at 1888 Ontario avenue.
  • Sylvester Hannigan registered for the draft on 5 June 1917 in Niagara County, New York, while single and living at 1888 Ontario Avenue in Niagara Falls, employed there as a conductor by New York Central Railroad. (Registrar was his future brother-in-law, Francis K. Ford.)
  • Anton Leslie appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 2108 Ontario Avenue. Other members of the household included Sylvester Hannigan, Ruth Hamilton and Frederick Hamilton Hannigan. Also in the household was 8-year-old grandson Edwin W. Burt.
  • He was employed as a conductor by the steam railroad, according to the 1920 census.
  • He married Louise Elizabeth Ford, daughter of Charles Otto Ernest Ford and Anna Marie Kammerer, on 19 April 1922.
  • The following appeared on 25 April 1922 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: A pretty wedding was solemnized at Zion Lutheran church on Wednesday evening, at 6:30 o'clock, when Miss Louise E. Ford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ford of Willow avenue became the bride of Mr. Sylvester Hannigan. Rev. Herman Brezing performed the ceremony. Mr. Carl Kammerer gave a short organ recital, after which Mr. D. MacDuff sang "O, Promise Me." The bride, who was given in marriage by her father, was gowned in navy blue canton crepe, beaded and embroidered, with hat to match. She carried a shower bouquet of bride roses. The bridesmaid, Miss Margaret Boehner, cousin of the bride, was gowned in pumpkin georgette, embroidered in black over black satin, with picture hat to match, and carried a bouquet of Ophelia roses. Mr. Frederick Hannigan, brother of the groom, was best man. Mr. Leonard Hayden and Mr. Francis Ford acted as ushers.
         The church was decorated with palms and basket bouquets. A reception and wedding supper for 40 gueses followed at the bride's home. The house was decorated with cut flowers, the color scheme being pink and white. The bride's table, at which covers were laid for 14, was centered with a large wedding cake. The out-of-town guests were Mrs. George Ford of Ransomville, Mr. and Mrs. Duff and daughter of Wyoming, N. Y., and Mr. and Mrs. George Barnett, Mrs. F. Borth, Mrs. Hattie Irish and Miss Margaret Boehner of Buffalo. After a short wedding trip Mr. and Mrs. Hannigan will be at home at 2221 Whitney avenue, in this city.
  • He was a sponsor at the baptism/christening of Norman Albert Bouvy on 1 October 1922.
  • The following appeared on December 1923 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Through the Courtesy of Messersmith's of this city, WGR at Hotel Statler [Buffalo] will broadcast an all-local program at 9 o'clock tonight, under the direction of Edgar Messersmith. Zion Evangelical church choir will be featured and arrangements have been made for the reception of this concert at the Zion Evangelical church this evening, which will be attended by radio fans generally.  
    [:TAB: From accompanying advertisement:  (1) Contatta--46th Psalm, by Choir of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Niagara Falls, directed by Felix W. Hartwig, accompanied by Carl Kammerer;  (2) Soprano Solo by Mrs. Charles Woolcock;  (3) Alto Solo by Miss Ida Wagner;  (4) Tenor Solo by Sylvester Hannigan;  (5) Baritone Solo by Felix W. Hartwig. . . 
  • Sylvester Hannigan and Louise Elizabeth Ford appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Pendleton, Niagara County, New York.
  • He was a farm foreman, according to the 1930 census.
  • The following appeared on 1 April 1937 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: The Beach Ridge local of the Dairymen's league was host to the sub-district meeting of Niagara-Orleans counties on Monday evening. Among the speakers were County President Percy Webber, Mr. Snyder and Mr. Kershaw, of Buffalo. Mr. Sylvester Hannigan sang "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" and "Mother MaCree." Mrs. Hannigan was at the piano. . . .
  • The following appeared on 16 December 1940 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Ruth Leslie, 68 years old, wife of Anton Leslie, 2108 Ontario avenue, died in Mount St. Mary's hospital Saturday night after a brief illness.
         A native of Milton, Ont., Mrs. Leslie had lived in this city for the last 50 years. She was an active member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran church. Besides her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Homer Burt, Mrs. Eugene L. Boesken and Mrs. Stephen Taylor, all of this city; two sons, Sylvester Hannigan, of Lockport, and Frederick Hannigan, of Toledo, Ohio; a sister, Mrs. W. Atkinson, of Himilton, Ont., and a brother, John Hamilton, of Burlington, Ont. Twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren also survive.
         Funeral services will be held at the family home at 2 p.m. Wednesday and at Zion church at 2:30 p.m., the Rev. Arthur H. Schmoyer officiating. Burial will be in Riverdale cemetery.
  • During 1946, after the death of her husband John, Marie made a trip to Niagara Falls, where she is pictured with "Uncle Charlie and Aunt Mary" Ford and their daughter Louise and her husband Sylvester Hannigan.
  • Sylvester Hannigan died on 21 February 1947 at age 53 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1124 Niagara Avenue at his residence.
  • Louise Elizabeth Ford became a widow at his death.
  • He was interred at Niagara Falls Memorial Park Cemetery, Lewiston, Niagara County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 21 February 1947 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: The victim of a heart attack, Sylvester Hannigan, 53, of 1124 Niagara avenue, died suddenly at his home today. He was pronounced dead by Dr. James V. Murphy, who was called to the home.
         Born in this city January 17, 1894, he was the son of the late Lafayette Hannigan and Ruth Hamilton Hannigan.
         For the last 19 years he was employed at the Isco Chemical division of Innis Speiden and company where he was night foreman at the time of his death.
         He was a member of Niagara Falls Lodge 81, IOOF, Frontier Encampment 99, Zion Evangelical Lutheran church, Michigan avenue and Tenth street, and the Young Men's society of that church.
         Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Louise Ford Hannigan; one sister, Mrs. Homer Burt, of this city, and a brother, Fred Hannigan, Erie, Mich.
         Funeral services will be conducted at the home at 2 p. m. Monday by the Rev. Arthur H. Schmoyer, D. D., pastor of Zion church. Interment will e in Memorial Park cemetery.
  • Last Edited: 30 Nov 2014

Family: Louise Elizabeth Ford b. 3 December 1895, d. 14 January 1993