Some early photographs of my Great, Grandmother Ellen Francis Hillanbrand.

A series of photographs of Uncle Joe Hillanbrand during WW2. The contents of the letter he sent our Grandfather: Hospital _________France. Jan. 15, 1945

Dear Dad,

How are you and all the kids getting along? Fine I hope. Tell everybody that I was asking for them and hope that they are all doing well. I don't have much to write about, but I wanted to let you know that I am doing fine and kicking with one foot. Dad I asked everybody for Joe R. (That is his cousin Joe Rutledge) address but they never did send it to me, so will you send it to me please? See if you can get Helen or Dot to make me some homemade fudge? I sure do miss it. How are things doing around home, any news? Boy Dad, you sure do get home sick when you are on the front lines, you get to think of everything. The first time since I had been in the army that I had ever gotten home sick and boy I sure was home sick too, but I am ok now, thank God. Boy Dad, to think of the things you go through and still be alive. If I can find the story they wrote about our company on one of its attacks I will send it to you. I didn't think that I would ever come out of that alive, but I went through about 8 more of them and they sure aren't any fun. You can tell Vin that I got that German for him that he asked me to get for him, when he had the bad leg. Dad, now that I seen what I did and that was enough. I don't want you to let Jim go in the service because war is hell and I don't mean maybe either. Well I will close now wishing you all the best of luck & health & God bless all of you.

Your Loving Son,

Joe.

Another found photograph of my Grandfather's maternal Grandfather (or my Great, Great, Grandfather), Thomas Francis. This is the one to blame for the Hillanbrand eyebrows!

My Grandfather, Francis Joseph Hillanbrand, looking quite the dandy, circa 1920.

Aunt Lois March Hillanbrand, Aunt Reba H. Gray Hillanbrand, Aunt Helen Hillanbrand Churney, Aunt Nancy Frith Hillanbrand and Aunt Gloria Hillanbrand O'Brien.

This is the last of the recent photos that I have for you. This one is a rare one. As far as I know, this is only just the second picture known of our Grandmother, Helen Merial (McLaughlin) Hillanbrand (April 13, 1902 - June 21, 1942). If anyone knows different, please let me know. In this picture, she is standing in front of what appears to be a store front, possibly on Ridge Avenue, in the Falls. She is standing with a young Aunt Dot, circa 1925.

This is the third promised picture of my Great Grandmother, Bridget Agnes (nee McNulty) McLaughlin. She was born on March 3, 1861 in Callow, Killasser, Mayo, Ireland. In 1869, her parents , Thomas and Anne (nee Mulligan) McNulty, moved from their farm in Callow to Doonmaynor, Killasser. This was the next townsland, just west of the McLoughlins in Dromada. After James McLaughlin died in 1908, in Philadelphia, Bridget steadfastly raised her family, by herself. She died March 13, 1944, some 36 years after the death of her husband. In the picture below, Bridget is in the middle, date unknown.

Today's picture is not new, however, it is a better copy. It is of my Great, Grandfather James McLaughlin, born April 3, 1861 to Michael McLoughlin and Mary Meer in Dromada, Killasser, Mayo, Ireland. Dromada is the townsland that he was born, which equates to a set of lots in a block, much like a neighborhood in the states. Lots sometimes do not front a road. James married Bridget McNulty on September 13, 1884 in St. Patrick's Church, in Rochdale, Lancashire, England. I don't know why they chose this church to get married, but I believe that at the time, James was temporarily working in England, as often happens when work was scarce back home. James emigrated to the United States in 1889, with his wife, Bridget and two children, Michael and Anna. The rest of their eight other children were born in Philadelphia. James became a fireman, but succumbed to cancer of the stomach on June 21, 1908, at the age of 47.

Stay tuned for the next four days for some photographs of the McLaughlin family, including an unknown one of our grandmother. In this photograph, taken circa 1901, is my Great, Grandparents, James and Bridget (McNulty) McLaughlin with their children: Michael, Anna, Marie, Catherine, Elizabeth and James. Not pictured is Thomas (born 1889, died 1894), my Grandmother, Helen (born 1902), Agnes (born 1903) and Margaret (born 1907).

Stopped at the old cemetery to pay our respects to my Great, Great Grandparents in Killasser, Mayo, Ireland. Also stopped at Seamus and Sarah McLoughlin’s house to visit the old homestead. Beer, tea and hot scones. Then onto Foxford Whoollen Mills for some shopping.

A ride through the town of Hosenfeld, Germany, where my Great, Great, Great Grandfather, Franz Hillenbrand had emigrated. His house was located on the left side late in the video. It is a bucolic German version that is reminiscent of a rural Pennsylvania town.

My Great Grandfather's first cousin, Mark McLoughlin and his wife, Mary O'Connor back on the farm in Killasser, County Mayo, Ireland. My Great Grandfather, James McLoughlin left that farm to emigrate to the U.S.

After 119 years, my Great, Great Grandfather, now has a memorial. Unfortunately, the priest of the parish that owns the cemetery couldn't consecrate the grave. I called and the caretaker said, the priest had passed away and wasn't replaced. Good reason. Anyway, before I left, I placed a small stone on the memorial. Ruhe in Frieden.

Glad I got to meet my Grandmother's second cousin in Ireland last week. They met us with open arms and a warm home. Thanks Seamus and Sarah McLoughlin! It's nice to see they are still at the old homestead. Will have to visit again.

Glad I got to meet my Grandmother's second cousin in Ireland last week. They met us with open arms and a warm home. Thanks Seamus and Sarah McLoughlin! It's nice to see they are still at the old homestead. Will have to visit again.

Needed some help from family members in identifying the woman standing next to my Grandfather. Found out it is my Grandfather's sister, my Great Aunt Viola.

Uncle Mike, Aunt Betty (back row), Uncle Vinny, Aunt Dolores and Uncle Ed Hillanbrand, circa 1942.

This flag draped Uncle Tom Hillanbrand and my Dad's caskets. I'm saving it to drape mine and my brother, Mark, in the end. I don't think any other flag would do. It would be nice to have it draped on my Uncle Charlie's casket, if he ever comes home.

My thanks also go out to my Uncle Tom J. Hillanbrand, U.S. Army, Korea.

William B. Hillanbrand, U.S. Army, Korea and William B. Hillanbrand, U.S. Air Force. Dad and me.

Thanks to my Grandfather, Francis Joseph Hillanbrand, Private, Company H, 1st Infantry, WW1 and Uncle Joseph P. Hillanbrand, WWII.

Corporal Charles R. Hillanbrand, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, was listed as Missing in Action, while fighting enemy forces on Pork Chop Hill in North Korea on July 9, 1953. On February 10, 1954, his status was changed to presumed Killed in Action Remains Not Recovered. He was awarded the Purple Heart & Combat Infantry Badge.

As Veteran's Day approaches, I would like to recall the service of my Great, Great, Grand Uncle George William Huth. His record as a Civil War veteran is quite interesting. He entered the service on December 2, 1861, as a private of Company A, Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and was detailed to Pottsville as a member of the recruiting service from April 3 to 27th, 1862 as an acting sergeant. He was promoted to Artificer of October 27, 1863. During the war he served with the First Brigade, Second Division, Eighth Corps of the Middle Department, from February 3 to July 8, 1863, being transferred then to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Cavalry Corp of the Army of the Potomac, remaining in that brigade till February 17, 1865, when he was transferred to the Third Division of the Cavalry and Military of the Mississippi Army, remaining with that division till July 8, 1865. During the war, Mr. Huth was twice captured, the first time on June 15, 1863, at Winchester, Va., and he was imprisoned on Belle Isle and at Castle Thunder, in Richmond. He was again captured at St. Mary's Church, Va., and imprisoned in Richmond, Danville, Andersonville, Charleston, Savannah, and Florence Hill Prisons till March 1, 1865. He was injured in a fall from his horse on February 14, 1864, his head being injured in the fall. Mr. Huth was discharged from the service on June 1st, 1866. He later was employed as a miner in Schuylkill County. He died on January 12, 1929 at the age of 90, survived by nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and several brothers and sisters including, Mrs. Elizabeth Hillanbrand. 

My Uncle Tom, Dad, Joe Kinsinger, Uncle Frank, Aunt Betty, Uncle Ed, Uncle Vinnie, Uncle Mike, Aunt Dolores and Uncle Ray in 1944.

 

My Grandfather, Francis Hillanbrand, with my Great, great, grandfather, Thomas Francis, in front of his home at 147 Hermitage Street, in Philadelphia, in 1901.