Murder in the Family- James Joseph McGowan 1875-1940 #52Ancestors #41

Sometimes you come across something you never expected to find in your family tree. James Joseph McGowan was my grandfather's uncle. He was the son of James McGowan and Bridget Conlon. He was born February 15, 1875 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Jacobum, {James} born 15 Feb 1875; baptized 18 Mar 1875; father: Jacobo [James] McGowan; mother: Brigit Conlon; sponsor: Winifred Gowey.
James was baptized at St. John the Evangelist in Southside Pittsburgh. He was the seventh child of eight born to this family.

He is found in 1880 in Pittsburgh
1880 United States Census Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
James MC GOWAN Self M Male W 42 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
Bridget MC GOWAN Wife M Female W 40 IRE Keeping Bdg House IRE IRE
Patrick MC GOWAN Son S Male W 19 PA Boilers Helper IRE IRE
Mary A. MC GOWAN Dau S Female W 16 PA At Home IRE IRE
Joseph MC GOWAN Son S Male W 13 PA Wks In Rg Mill IRE IRE
James MC GOWAN Son S Male W 5 PA IRE IRE
Thomas MC GOWAN Son S Male W 2 PA IRE IRE
James CONAWAY Other S Male W 40 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
Edwd O'MALLEY Other S Male W 30 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
William RILEY Other S Male W 36 IRE Boiler IRE IRE


In 1900 James was living with his widowed mother and his brother in McKeesport:
1900  PENNSYLVANIA ALLEGHENY 5-WD MCKEESPORT

Series: T623 Roll: 1368 Page: 224
630 Jerome St,

MCGOWAN BRIDGET 57 F W IREL Jan 1843, Widowed. 5 children, 5 living, Immigration 1855, Years in US 45
McGowan, James, son, Feb 1875, 25, born PA, parents Ireland, laborer pipe mill
McGowan, Thomas, Oct 1878, 21, born PA, parents Ireland, laborer pipe mill


Sometime after the 1900 census, James married Clara Elizabeth Wordtt of McKeesport.
They had a daughter, Catherine, born October 31, 1915 in Monessen, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania.

By 1920, James and his family had followed other members of the McGowan family to Birmingham, Alabama.
1920  ALABAMA  JEFFERSON  BIRMINGHAM

Series: T625 Roll: 22 Page: 145
Surname GivenName Age Sex Race Birthplace

MCGOWAN JAMES J 42 M W PA , parents Ireland, Machinist-Crane Co
Claire, wife, 35, born PA, Father Germany, Mother Ireland
Catherine 4, born PA

They were still in Birmingham in 1930.

James J Mcgowan M 48 PA parents Ireland
spouse Clona E Mcgowan F 46 PA father Germany mother Ireland
child Catherine E Mcgowan F 14 PA parents PA

I was unable to find James in the 1940 census, so I searched for an obit in the Birmingham papers using the Obituary Index : Birmingham Area Newspapers. Two entries came up:

Name: McGowan, James J.

Newspaper: Birmingham NewsDate: May 12, 1940

Edition: Section: Announcements/Deaths Page: 10*

Notes: *Sports; Financial/Want-Ads section

Name: McGowan, James J.

Newspaper: Birmingham NewsDate: May 12, 1940

Edition: Section: Page: 1

Notes: article; murder

I couldn't wait to get to the library and check this out!

I found the obit as expected.

And then the murder:

What a sad end! I was unable to find if anyone was ever charged. The distance from Ensley to Brewton is almost 200 miles. It's also interesting that his trailer was still in Ensley, so I would think that he was not on a jaunt to the Brewton area. The article makes no mention of his car, which in 1940 you would have had to have to pull a trailer.

I wonder if I could get any more info from the sheriff's office?

Murder Creek near Brewton from http://wildflowers.jdcc.edu/Rivers%20and%20Streams.html

John Raymond McGowan, Jr 1932-1979 #52Ancestors #23

John Raymond McGowan, Jr. was the oldest of five children born to John and Georgia Fratoddi McGowan. He was born October 1, 1932 in Birmingham, Alabama. You can see his baby book here.

John was baptized October 16, 1932 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in West End by Rev Walter J. Tobin.

Blessed Sacrament

He attended West End High School, where he graduated in 1951. From his 1951 yearbook, he was known as Jungle John and Shag. His ambition was "To be a success in everything I undertake". His activities were "Various Session Room Offices, and Student Teacher". His Quotation was "The paths of glory lead but to the grave".
John broke his knee cap playing football. He walked around on it anyway. This resulted in a limp and built up shoe for the rest of his life.

Senior picture, 1951

John went to work for the Birmingham News/Post Herald where he would work in the engraving department all his life.

John married Anna Tidwell  August 16, 1958 at Wylam Baptist Church in Jefferson County, Alabama.

John was the father of three; myself, John Tidwell McGowan, and William Neal "Bill" McGowan.

Family Photo. Bill wasn't born yet.

John was a lover of the outdoors and could be found hunting or fishing every chance he got. He dipped Gold Seal Snuff and chewed Red Man Tobacco, and always drove a Chevrolet truck with step sides. There was usually a dog box in the back for his hunting dogs. If you looked hard enough, you might find a bottle of MD2020 stashed somewhere in the truck, but sweet tea was downed by the gallon at home. There was always a gun rack in the cab, and a snake bite kit in the glove box. He was a member of Tombigbee Hunting Club in Boligee, Alabama, where he could be found every Saturday during deer season. We always had venison in the freezer.
We never knew what kinds of animals would turn up. I can remember having geese, a fox, and a squirrel. We always had a pen full of hunting dogs.

That is no doubt some Red Man in his cheek

He was also strong as a bear, although the bear got the best of him in this wrestling match.

This beautiful tribute was written by family friend John E. Phillips

John died January 19, 1979 of liver cancer. I found out years later that printer's ink can cause liver cancer. John is buried in Hueytown, Alabama at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.

Happy Father's Day Daddy! I love and miss you!

Giulia "Juilia" Montagna Fratoddi 1879-1957 #52Ancestors #16

Giulia Elvira Teresa Montagna was born October 10, 1878 in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. She was the daughter of Georgio Julius Montagna and Elisabetta Rosa Bonnini.

Panoramic view of Bologna by Luigi Anzivino. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic License.

Thanks to the great folks at Italiangenealogy.com who helped me locate her immigration, we found traveling in Second Cabin, Giulia Montagna, age 25. She was single, and able to read and write. Giulia departed from Naples Jan 24, 1905 on SS Neckar, and arrived in New York Feb 6 1905. Her home city was Roma (Rome). She was going to W 27th St, NY, and in possession of $30. Never before in US. Discharged to Aunt. Unfortunately it does not give the aunt's name.

Giulia, whose name was "Americanized" to Juilia, married Bernardino Fratoddi May 9, 1905 in Manhattan, New York. Family stories indicated they both came to the US as newlyweds, but apparently they were possibly engaged in Italy and came over separately. Bernardino arrived in New York in 1902.

Juilia and Bernardino had five children:
Florida Marie born 1908 in Florida
George Esperanto born 1910 in Tennessee
Georgia Mildred born 1912 in Alabama (twin)
Helen Elise born 1912 in Alabama (twin)
Flavia Louise born 1916 in Alabama

Fratoddi children, Birmingham, Alabama circa 1915

Mrs. Juilia Fratoddi, pioneer resident

Mrs. Juilia M. Fratoddi, 1225 Princeton av, died Sunday Morning at a local Hospital.

Mrs. Fratoddi was the widow of Barnard Fratoddi, a pioneer resident of Birmingham.

Survivors are a son, George E. Fratoddi; three daughters, Miss Florida Fratoddi, Mrs. John R. McGowan and Mrs. J. P. Whitt, Jr., and eight grandchildren.

She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church of West End.

Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Johns-Ridout's and at 9:30 at Blessed Sacrament Church with the Rev. George W. Keys officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. The rosary will be said at 7:30 Monday night at Johns-Ridout's Chapel.

Pallbearers will be Joseph Schneider, William Bayliss, Hal Hamilton, Patrick Tully, John Wilford and Clarence Busenichner.
---Published in The Birmingham News, Monday, Dec 9, 1957, pg 28

Bridget Conlon McGowan from Ireland to PA to AL #52Ancestors #12

Bridget was born somewhere in Ireland. She was the daughter of Michael Conlon and his wife Ellen. The last name has been found as Conlan, Conlen, Conlin and Conlon.

I have not been able to determine Bridget's entry into the US. Per two census records, she arrived in 1855. There are quite a few Bridget Conlons immigrating in the time period before 1860. I've not found any that are on the same ship with a Michael and Ellen, nor any alone in 1855. I have also not been able to be certain where Bridget was in the 1860 census.

Bridget married James McGowan about 1860 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Diocese of Pittsburgh says that marriage records before 1877 are no longer in existence. They were probably married at St. John the Evangelist (South Side)


I was able to obtain the following births and baptisms from the Diocese:
St. John the Evangelist (South Side) Baptismal Records

Patrick, born 22 Mar 1861; baptized 31 Mar 1861; father: James McGown; mother: Bridget Conboy; sponsors: Albert Griffin, Anna Conlon

Mary, born 12 Feb 1864; baptized 28 Feb 1864; father: James McGowan; mother: Bridg. Conlon; sponsors: John McDowal, Mary Conlon

Sarah Helen, born 2 Mar 1866; baptized 18 Mar 1866; father: James McGowan; mother: Bridget Conlin; sponsors: Thos. Nolan, Edelia McCann

Joseph, born 18 Mar 1867; baptized 31 Mar 1867; father: James McGowan; mother: Bridget Conolan; sponsors: Edward McTiernan, Anna McCann

Ellen, born 19 Mar 1873; baptized 6 Apr 1873; father: Jacobo [James] McGowan; mother: Brigitta Connolly; sponsors: Hugo McFadden, Anna Murray

Jacobum, born 15 Feb 1875; baptized 18 Mar 1875; father: Jacobo McGowan; mother: Brigit Conlon; sponsor: Winifred Gowey

Thomas, born 16 Oct 1877; baptized 21 Oct 1877; father: James McGowan; mother: Brigit Conlon; sponsors: Arthur Holland, Mary McGlinn

The family was in the East Birmingham Borough of Pittsburgh in 1870:
James, age 36, Iron Pudler, value of real estate 1000, personal estate 100, born Ireland, father & mother of foreign birth, US Citizen.
Bridget, age 33, keeps house, born Ireland
Patrick, age 9, Born PA
Mary, age 6, born PA
Joseph, age 4, born PA
Michael, age 8/12, born PA, Sept
Townloe, Mike, age 23, laborer, born Ireland

The 1880 census:
James McGowan Self M Male W 42 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
Bridget McGowan Wife M Female W 40 IRE Keeping Bdg House IRE IRE
Patrick McGowan Son S Male W 19 PA Boilers Helper IRE IRE
Mary A. McGowan Dau S Female W 16 PA At Home IRE IRE
Joseph McGowan Son S Male W 13 PA Wks In Rg Mill IRE IRE
James McGowan Son S Male W 5 PA IRE IRE
Thomas McGowan Son S Male W 2 PA IRE IRE
James Conaway boarder S Male W 40 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
Edwd O'Malley boarder S Male W 30 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
William Riley boarder S Male W 36 IRE Boiler IRE IRE

James died in 1889. Bridget is listed as the widow of James in the 1889/90 city directory

Title: J. F. Diffenbacher's Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities. 1889/1890
Author: Diffenbacher, J. F.
Collection: Historic Pittsburgh City Directories
pg 760

McGowan, Bridget, wid Jas, 140 S Twenty-fifth
McGowan, Jos, helper, 140 S Twenty-fifth

In 1900, Bridget was living in McKeesport, Pennsylvania:
630 Jerome St. (Jerome St was demolished as part of the Jerome St Bridge construction in McKeesport)

Picture by Leepaxton at en.wikipedia

MCGOWAN BRIDGET 57 F W IREL Jan 1843, Widowed. 5 children, 5 living, Immigration 1855, Years in US 45
McGowan, James, son, Feb 1875, 25, born PA, parents Ireland, laborer pipe mill
McGowan, Thomas, Oct 1878, 21, born PA, parents Ireland, laborer pipe mill

In 1910, Bridget was living with her daughter and son-in-law in McKeesport.
1408 Jenny Lind St (now an empty lot)

Ridge, Michael, 44, 1st marriage, married 13 years, Born England, parents England, Immigration 1891, Gas Producer, Tube Works
Mary A, wife, 44, 3 children, 3 living, Born PA, parents Ireland
Katherine, daughter, 11, PA
Maria, daughter, 8, PA
Ellen, daughter, 4, PA
MCGOWAIN BRIDGET 69 F W IREL Mother-in-law, widowed, 10 children, 4 living, parents Ireland, Immigration 1855

By 1920, Bridget had moved to Birmingham, Alabama, and was living with her son Patrick:
Nineteenth Street
McGowen P H 55 M W PA
Tom 27? Salesman Barber Supply
Dan 24 Carpenter Steel Plant
Alice 21 Operator Phone Co
Joe 20 Labor ? Co
Frank 13, ? boy, ? Co
pg 249
John 11
Bridget, Mother, 85 born Ireland

Bridget died January 30, 1920 of Bright's disease (kidney disease). She was buried in Southside Catholic Cemetery. UAB purchased the property where the cemetery was located, and all graves were moved. I have not been able to locate Bridget's final resting place.

Patrick Henry McGowan of PA and AL 1861-1924 #52Ancestors #10

Patrick Henry McGowan was the oldest child of eight born to James and Bridget Conlon McGowan. He was born March 21, 1861 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

I wrote to the Diocese of Pittsburgh and obtained the following baptismal record:
St. John the Evangelist (South Side) Baptismal Records

Patrick, born 22 Mar 1861; baptized 31 Mar 1861; father: James McGown; mother: Bridget Conboy; sponsors: Albert Griffin, Anna Conlon

The 1870 census shows
1870 PA Census ALLEGHENY > E BIRMINGHAM BORO:
Series M593, Roll 1293 Page 574
James, age 36, Iron Pudler, value of real estate 1000, personal estate 100, born Ireland, father & mother of foreign birth, US Citizen.
Bridget, age 33, keeps house, born Ireland
Patrick, age 9, born PA
Mary, age 6, born PA
Joseph, age 4, born PA
Michael, age 8/12, born PA, Sept
Townloe, Mike, age 23, laborer, born Ireland

As you can see, Patrick followed his father into the ironworking profession.
The 1880 census:
James McGowan Self M Male W 42 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
Bridget McGowan Wife M Female W 40 IRE Keeping Bdg House IRE IRE
Patrick McGowan Son S Male W 19 PA Boilers Helper IRE IRE
Mary A. McGowan Dau S Female W 16 PA At Home IRE IRE
Joseph McGowan Son S Male W 13 PA Wks In Rg Mill IRE IRE
James McGowan Son S Male W 5 PA IRE IRE
Thomas McGowan Son S Male W 2 PA IRE IRE
James Conaway boarder S Male W 40 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
Edwd O'Malley boarder S Male W 30 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
William Riley boarder S Male W 36 IRE Boiler IRE IRE

Patrick married Elizabeth "Lizzie" Cecilia McNamara September 28, 1888 in Pittsburgh. They had nine children:
Mary Ann born June 26, 1889 and died September 20, 1890
Thomas James born 1891, married Ora Barfield
Ella Mary born March 28, 1893, married George Clark Davis
Daniel John born December 23, 1895, married Ruby Wells
Alice C born March 12 1898, married Lyman Faith Stribling
Joseph Sylvester James born January 23, 1900
Francis Andrew "Frank" born May 5, 1906, married Ethelyne Blanche Oliver
John Raymond born November 9, 1908, married Georgia Mildred Fratoddi
There was also another child born after 1900 that died before 1910.

Patrick is found in J. F. Diffenbacher's Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities. 1889/1890
pg 760
McGowan, Patk, pud, 2518 Larkins ay (alley)
(pud is an iron puddler)

1890/1891
McGowan, Patk H, pud, 2928 Harcums ay

1888/1889
McGowen, Patk, helper, 144 s 25th

1891/1892
McGowan, Patk H, pud, 2514 Larkins ay

By 1900, Patrick had moved to Birmingham Alabama, presumably because of the ironworking opportunities in the booming city. He moved about 1896 based on birthplaces of children.
1900 Jefferson County AL, 9th ward (West End)
Patrick H, Head, age 39, b Mar 1861, in PA, says father born PA, mother Ireland, occupation Puddler Rolling Mill, can read & write, rents home
Lizzie, wife, age 35, B June 1864 in PA, 6 children, 5 liviing. Father & mother born Ireland, can read & write
Thomas J, b March? 1891 in PA, age 9
Ella, b May 1893 in PA, age 7
Dannie, son, b Dec 1895 in PA, age 4
Alice, b March 1898 in AL, age 2
Joseph, b Feb 1900 in AL, age 4/12 (4 months)
Gus Myrlen (boarder)
Joseph Schoclere? (boarder) (I wonder if this is Schilleci?)

The family was still in the 9th Ward of Birmingham in 1910. Patrick had become the tax assessor for Jefferson County (Surely that's what a Tax Asser is!)

McGowan, Patrick H 50 M W PA  Parents born Ireland,Tax Asser for County, Rents home
Lizie, wife 42, married 21 years, 9 children, 7 living, born PA, parents Ireland
Thomas, son 19 born PA, Clerk Barber Supply
Ela, daughter 17 born PA
Daniel, 14 born PA, Machinist Railroad
Alice 12 born AL
Joseph, 10 born AL
Francis, son 4 born AL
John 1 6/12 born AL
Severly?, Edward, roomer, 60, born Ireland, Parents Ireland, Labor Railroad

Patrick's wife Lizzie died November 1, 1919. By the 1920 census, Patrick's mother had come to live with the family:

Nineteenth Street
McGowen P H 55 M W PA
Tom 27? Salesman Barber Supply
Dan 24 Carpenter Steel Plant
Alice 21 Operator Phone Co
Joe 20 Labor ? Co
Frank 13, ? boy, ? Co
pg 249
John 11
Bridget, Mother, 85 born Ireland
(Patrick's married daughter Ella is in the next household.)

Patrick died May 31, 1924. He was buried in Southside Catholic Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama. That would normally be the end of his story...but the University of Alabama at Birmingham purchased the cemetery property to build the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Everyone in the cemetery was moved. I'm currently trying to locate Patrick (and Lizzie"s) final resting place. I hope to have an update soon.

If you are realated to this McGowan family, I would love to hear from you.

Sibling Saturday-William Neal "Bill" McGowan

My brother Bill was born August 4, 1966 in Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama. He was the son of John Raymond Jr. and Anna Tidwell McGowan. He passed away too soon November 8, 2001 at the age of 35 in San Diego, California. He died of pneumonia from a short illness he thought was a cold, but ended up being the flu.
Bill was the youngest child of three. Our dad died when Bill was about 13. Bill attended University of Alabama at Birmingham, and worked for USAA insurance in Tampa, FL. He moved to San Diego after he was recruited by The Hartford. He loved hiking in the desert & jogging.

Published in the USAA Newsletter

I was told by co-workers at The Hartford, that Bill encountered some Mexican boarder crossers in the desert while hiking. They were lost, hungry, thirsty, and had no shoes. Bill gave them directions, food, water, and the shoes off his feet.

The world needs more like Bill. I miss him dearly!

Baby Book of John Raymond McGowan, Jr.-West End Birmingham, Alabama 1932

..but is was a gift

Yes, it's pink..

You can click on pictures to enlarge

Top left is an invite to a party at 3:30 o'clock on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 2005 Jefferson Ave for Ann Eliz Sudd---ter

John Raymond McGowan, Jr. Age 8 months

Sibling Saturday-George and Martha Allie Walker-Birmingham, Alabama

Martha Allie Walker was born March 31, 1880. Her brother George Milton Walker was born November, 1881 in Pickensville, Pickens, Alabama.

They were orphaned at an early age. Their mother died in April of 1895 in Birmingham, Alabama. Their father had died some time earlier. Martha went to live with her half sister, Elizabeth Carver Sanders, wife of James Monroe Sanders. Oral family history says he was "a sorry, mean man. Martha Allie hated him with a passion". 

Martha married John Henry Norman October 20, 1897 in Birmingham.

George lied about his age, and went to fight in the Spanish-American War. In the 1900 census, he is found in Samar Island, Philippines with the 29th Infantry as a "Musician". He states his date of birth as November, 1881. 

When George was discharged, he came back to Birmingham looking for his sister. The Norman family had moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They went there for John to work in the steel mills as he was an iron worker.  George had no idea where they were. George moved to San Francisco, California. He worked as an elevator operator. He met and married Susan Edwards about 1908. Susan died in childbirth with their first child.

There is a happy ending though

Reunion of sister and brother after 28 years

George traveled back to Birmingham 28 years later. Oral history says he knocked on the door and asked if Martha Allie Walker lived there.  She was extremely surprised and glad to see him.

Martha died April 21, 1948 in Birmingham. George died November 30 1955 in Los Angeles, California.

Friday's Faces From the Past-John Henry Norman II

John Henry Norman II

My husband's grandfather, John Henry Norman II, was born in South Pittsburg, Marion, Tennessee, September 23, 1876 to John Henry and Mary Ann Parsons Norman. The family moved to Birmingham, Alabama in 1888.

John Henry married Martha Allie Walker October 20, 1897 in Birmingham, Alabama. They had 9 children. 

John Henry seems to have been quite a character. He held various jobs including butcher, grocer, steel worker, and a tire repair shop. My husband's Aunt Martha told us of a scheme to deliver ice by boat. The boat ended up sinking. 

Another family story is John Henry helped to build the Vulcan statue in Birmingham.  

During the 20’s there is an alleged bootlegging activity by the Norman family. No stills have been found with Norman fingerprints on them. A cousin said that he could take you to the place in Leeds out by Lake Purdy where the moonshine was made. 

John Henry's son Paul Norman, (center) with Slim & Cliff in front of Norman Grocery

(I have no idea who Slim and Cliff are)

John Henry had a grocery store in Birmingham. During the depression John was too kind-hearted to let anyone go hungry and sold his groceries on credit until he didn't have anything left to sell.  He looked around for something else to do and noticed that all those who owed him money were driving cars.  So we went down to a tire re-capping business and hired himself out at no pay for a week so he could learn the tire re-capping business, then opened his own store.

During WWII, tires were in short supply. John and his sons used a process called regrooving. The basic process is this: You take a bald tire and use a heated iron to cut into the remaining rubber to make a new tread. There were different blades that screwed on to the iron to make different tread designs. Sounds a bit dangerous, ESPECIALLY TO THE DRIVER!

Norman Tire Shop, Birmingham, Alabama. John Henry on the right.

Another family story, still unproven, is that John Henry once killed a man, but "got away with it". Some say it was over a woman. Some say it was the lynching of a black man. I am still searching for proof of this crime. From the rumors, it would have been about 1915.

On front is written Norman and his famous Retriever.  JH must have thought a lot of his hunting dogs.  He had one that got rabies and bit him.  He had to travel to Montgomery, Alabama and stay for a month to get shots.  I wonder if this is the dog that is so "famous".

Norman--John Henry Norman, age 63, 6831 Georgia Road, passed away at the residence Monday p.m. Survived by the widow, Mrs. Martha A. Norman; 2 daughters, Miss Martha Norman and Mrs. Alfred Meyer; 6 sons, Henry, Joe, Tom, Paul, Raymond and John Norman; 2 sisters, Miss Louise B. Norman, Mrs. E. E. Matthews. Funeral services from the Brown-Service, Norwood Chapel Tuesday, 3:30 p.m. Rev. Fred Sparks officiating. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery, Brown-Service, Norwood directing. Active pallbearers will be the 6 sons.
Published in the Birmingham News/Age Herald, Tuesday Oct 25, 1938, Deaths, pg. 15

My father in law repeatedly said "Poppa died with a gallon of wine under his bed". I'm guessing this referred to his alcoholism, as he died of cirrhosis of the liver.

Comments and cousins always welcome!