Mother: Dorothy Jean PENDERGAST b. [4] With investigations looming, Stark turned against Pendergast, which prompted federal investigations and the pulling of federal funds from Pendergast's control. McCormick with Dorothy Jean Pendergast, Mother: Bridget This pass was issued for only twenty one days. W. H. H. Terrell, Adjutant General's Report, Vols. Tom lived in 1910, at address, Connecticut. Clinton Pendergast, Father: 1. that the Normans employed to help control England and Wales. [2], Pendergast ruled from a simple two-story yellow brick building at 1908 Main Street. d.27 July 1998, James Thomas PENDERGAST b. Indiana, Father: Phillip Born in Arkansas on Abt. As the name suggests, the process involved a public voice vote and effectively no outside oversightthe winning candidates were those who best used persuasion, bribery, trickery, or intimidation to marshal the most supporters and literally overpower the opposition to secure the party nomination. Pendergast also extended his rule into neighboring cities such as Omaha, Nebraska, and Wichita, Kansas, where members of his family had set up branches of the Ready-Mixed Concrete company. Edward PENDERGAST (2), in 1169 there was an invasion launched from Wales by the Normans. [5], Another factor in the downfall was Pendergast's failing health. Thomas Joseph Pendergast was born July 22, 1873, in St. Joseph Mo., he was the last of nine children. Start a free family tree online and well do the searching for you. After his brother's death, Tom Pendergast served in the city council until he stepped down in 1916 to focus on consolidating the factions of the Jackson County Democratic Party. Pendergast created jobs and built huge portions of Kansas Citys infrastructure, much of which still stands today, and aside from dealing mostly in cash to obscure the flow of money, he hardly attempted to downplay the wealth he earned from public contracts. No. When Tom joined James some 13 years later, they co-owned the Pendergast Brothers Saloon at 1715 West 9 th Street, in the city's industrial West Bottoms. 1727 in Westmorland Co., Virginia. Elizabeth L. PENDERGAST b. August 14, b. ca. Among other odd jobs, Tom worked a liquor and concession stand at a horseracing track named the Kansas City Driving Club. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each persons profile. Mother: Edith M. PENDERGAST b. August 01, 1922, Pendergast placed many of his associates in positions of authority throughout Jackson County and exercised strong influence in determining the Democratic candidates for statewide office. Clinton PENDERGAST (1900 - 1953) During those years, some undoubtedly longed for a return of the better aspects of Pendergasts mixed legacy. of [father unknown] and [mother unknown] [sibling(s) unknown] Mother: Jocelyne MEUNIER ( - ), Spouse: Mike His father worked as a teamster. Senators James A. Reed and Harry S. Truman were closely associated with the machine, and critics of the machine accused Governor Guy Park, elected in 1932, of being such a devoted Pendergast crony that the governors mansion gained the moniker, Uncle Toms Cabin. Pendergast sometimes forwarded handwritten notes, such as this May 1933 letter and this January 1934 letter, to Governor Park, with instructions about candidates for government jobs. Pendergast only briefly held elected office, as an alderman, but his capacity as chairman of the Jackson County Democratic Party allowed him to use his large network of Irish family and friends to help the election of politicians, in some cases by voter fraud, and to hand out government contracts and patronage jobs. Well known Burlington Railroad Conductor These trees can change over time as users edit, remove, or otherwise modify the data in their trees. A few years later, in 1928, the Irish-American Mike Ross found himself replaced as leader of the Italian North End when several of his associates were kidnapped by one of his lieutenants, Italian-American Johnny Lazia. Jump to: Biography Memories Family Tree Followers . On the one hand, they provided a profitable trifecta of vice: liquor, prostitution, and gambling for the men who toiled long hours in hazardous factories, livestock yards, or slaughterhouses. b. ca. Federal and public scrutiny of Kansas City, however, began to grow after the November 1934 election, when thousands of fraudulent ballots were cast, four people murdered at polling stations, and an additional 11 voters shot and wounded. 23 July 1976) de Prendergast. Kansas City in the Jazz Age & Great Depression, Long Struggle Over Black Voting Rights and the Origins of the Pendergast Machine, Pendergast Owned or Affiliated Businesses, Decline and Fall of the Pendergast Machine, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, Home: 5650 Ward Parkway (residence); Jefferson Hotel at Sixth and Wyandotte Streets (political headquarters until he closed the building in 1919); 1908 Main St. (political headquarters from 1927-1939), Claim to fame: younger brother of James F. Pendergast, political boss of Kansas City, Political affiliations: Democratic Party, "goat" faction, Jackson Democratic Club. Note: Minnesota. Even businesses not directly associated with Pendergast routinely had to make payments, often as much as 5 or 10 percent of gross revenue, to the machine in order to do business in Kansas City and avoid various forms of harassment or problems with licensing and city regulators. (although it is spelled slightly different) listed on the muster Have you taken a DNA test? The Pendergast stamp was to be found in the packing plant industries, local politics, bogus construction contracts, and the jazz scene in those cities as well. 1640 in Charles City Co., Virginia Explore genealogy for Tom Pendergast died 1929 Glace Bay, Nova Scotia including research + more in the free family tree community. 1967), American former defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, Christopher-Paul Peter Pendergast (b. You can contact the owner of the tree to get more information. 1666 in County PENDERGAST (2), b. ca. the chapter on the Anglo Norman invasion, you will find that Died at his home, 1800 George street in La Crosse, Wisconsin 23 July 1976), Father: John Quite conveniently for the gamblers and other criminals under Lazias influence, Pendergast also placed Lazia in charge of patronage hiring in the citys police department. Also, a little side note; There is a Prendergast Rabbi Samuel Mayerberg, of the Temple BNai Jehudah, was one of the earliest who was brave enough to publicly speak out against machine corruption in May 1932. We encourage you to research and examine these records to determine their accuracy. Pennsylvania, d. 15 November 1797 If you would like to view one of these trees in its entirety, you can contact the owner of the tree to request permission to see the tree. Murrays appointment as WPA administrator for Missouri gave Pendergast control over as many as 80,000 jobs statewide, on top of tens of thousands of patronage jobs around Kansas City. Heffernan, Elizabeth L. PENDERGAST b. August 14, 1921, d. Feb 22, 1998, Father: 4. He became wealthy in the process, but his addiction to gambling, especially horse racing, later led to a large accumulation of personal debts. Susan Allison 3/24/10. It was there that Tom's brother, Jim Pendergast, got into politics and laid the foundation for the Pendergast "dynasty." Mother: Mary ?, b. in Richmond Co., Virginia, Garrett PENDERGAST, With one single test, you can discover your genetic origins and find family you nenver know you had. Somewhat surprisingly, Pendergast went along with the proposed reforms and was quoted in the Star as saying, "It ought to be as easy to get along with nine men as thirty-two [the number of aldermen in the old system]." Mother: Jocelyne MEUNIER ( - ), Father: Lee fighting at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and Chattanooga. PENDERGAST, b. ca. Looking for any info on Hugh , Mary and family. [7][8], Pentergast's headquarters at 1908 Main are listed on the Kansas City Register of Historic Places. Youll get hints when we find information about your relatives . In 1939 Edward L. Schneider, the secretary-treasurer of eight of the Pendergast businesses, killed himself. Film 1550178. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. The surname Pendergast was first found in Pembrokeshire (Welsh: Sir Benfro), a county in south-west Wales, anciently part of the Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth, where they held a family seat from early times and were Lords of the manor of Prendergast and estates in that shire. discoveries. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 365380. Family History Learning Hub ; My Trees ; Start a New Tree ; Upload a GEDCOM ; Search & Browse. This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can only be viewed by Ancestry members to whom they have granted permission to see their tree. Pendergast. WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. [1] It's a rough draft and needs to be edited. The reformers proposed a new city charter to replace the existing aldermanic system with a nine-person city council that would hire a professional city manager who would, presumably, supervise the citys affairs in a non-partisan fashion. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. 1991), Australian F58 athletics shotput competitor and LW12.1 classified para-alpine skier at the 2014 Winter Paralympics, Leeanna Pendergast (b. d. 15 September 1715 in Middlesex Co., Virginia, Spouse: Mary Maurice de Prendergast was a Flemish mercenary and County Mayo for his efforts, thus, the family line extends Make a life-giving gesture Was a traveling salesman who contributed greatly to the family fortune by selling a quack medicine known as Hezekiah's Compound Elixir and Glandular Restorative. Authors: 1921, d. Feb 22, 1998, Father: Don Please add. HENRY (HENRI), b. ca. Much of the physical infrastructure built with Pendergast concrete (and taxpayers money) still stands today. 2008 - 2023 INTERESTING.COM, INC. recently shared with me by Phillip James Pendergrass, descendant His fascination with horseracing ran so deep that, between 1928 and 1937, he helped established and operate, through affiliates, the Riverside Jockey Club in Riverside, Missouri, about six miles to the northwest of Kansas City. He gained almost unchallenged control due to a change in the city government that was, ironically, first proposed by well-meaning reformers including the philanthropist William Volker. Military Information: Start a free family tree online and well do the searching for you. If so, login to add it. As such, he was the biggest rival to Pendergasts goat faction. Boss Tom was soon to become inmate Tom. The former Jackson Democratic Club building from which machine boss Tom Pendergast influenced politics in Kansas City and much of Missouri during the 1920s and 1930s, and . Discover your family history in millions of family trees and more than a billion birth,marriage, death, census, and miltary records. PENDERGAST, b. ca. 7 January, 1927 d. 16 November, 2005, Spouse (1): John in Ireland over a few hundred years makes them sort of adopted. d. Nov. 9, 1964 at Vancouver, WA, Married:? Captain Daniel Boswell, who commanded Company B in 1862, in Ripley Co., Indiana, d. 3 January 1925 in Hot Springs, Fall d. June 21, 1980, Father: Toby role of William the Conquerer in 1066. provided by: Carolyn Erickson, and Allen Pendergraft. Raised as a Catholic, he had nine brothers and sisters. Saint Joseph, Buchanan, Missouri, United States, Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri, United States, https://historicmissourians.shsmo.org/historicmissourians/name/p/pendergast/, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M666-YLD, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8HX-YTP, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHFH-BSW, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRKX-15B, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WGTY-Z5MM, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZFB-MX1, https://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1945/1945_00001358.PDF, United States Penitentiary Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas, Jackson County Missouri Marriage Records (, United States World War I Draft Registration Cards (, U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007. Leaving Louisville on 25 August, it moved to Munfordville, where Beyond mere drinking establishments, saloons in the late 19 th century American West could be used to launch political careers. Even unobtrusive mom-and-pop stores were known to display their illegal slot machines right up front, and McElroy famously quipped that he wouldnt hurt small businesses by removing them. d. Feb 22, 1998, Edith M. PENDERGAST This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can be viewed by all Ancestry subscribers. corps, division and brigade commanders from there. Maurice De Prendergast continued his military He served 12 months of his 15-month sentence and was then released on a five-year parole, on condition that he would not have any involvement in politics for the duration of the parole. Another 173 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1641, 1660, 1689, 1725, 1660, 1709, 1703 and 1710 are included under the topic Early Pendergast History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. . "Harry Truman", in Alan Brinkley and Davis Dyer: The American Presidency. This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can be viewed by all Ancestry subscribers. he resided in Carlisle, Cumberland County PENDERGAST (3), b. ca. on 19 August 1862. What today might appear to be an astonishing violation of ethics, law, and the principle of a politically neutral civil service was in fact routine business for Tom Pendergast, the boss of Kansas City whose influence extended to the state government by the early 1930s. On February 3, 1911, he married Carolyn Elizabeth Dunn Snider (the daughter of another saloon keeper from the West Bottoms) at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. See Terms of Use for details. In 1861 Thomas Pendergast donated 12 acres of land for St. Thomas' Church and General; Burial Ground at Moonbah NSW in 1861. [6] In 1939, Pendergast was arraigned for failing to pay taxes on a bribe received to pay off gambling debts. WIKITREE HOME | ABOUT | G2G FORUM | HELP | SEARCH. Youll get hints when we find information about your relatives . d. 3 January 1925 in Hot Springs, Fall River County, SD Daniel Ryan Pendergast, Illinois. At 1908 Main St. The Pendergast faction was well represented in the Missouri delegation to the 1932 Democratic National Convention that selected Franklin Roosevelt as the Democratic nominee for president. 1610 in Ireland, d. aft. History. While serving as an associate to Jimas did five of the other seven Pendergast siblingsTom rose quickly, from First Ward deputy constable in 1894, to deputy marshal in 1896, and to superintendent of streets in 1900. comanded by Major Wilson and Captain Samuel Postlethwaite of Naomi PRUETT b. Oct. 3, 1881 at La Enlisted in Company B, 68th Infantry Regiment Indiana on 19 August Meanwhile, Pendergasts goats gained the upper hand over Joe Shannons rabbit faction with the defection of Cas Welch, boss of Little Tammany (just east of downtown) from rabbit to goat. Psh, Virginia According to local lore, James financed his first saloon, Climax, using winnings from his bet on a racehorse of the same name. By 1936, Pendergast seems to have either felt invulnerable from prosecution or was losing control over the some of the more exuberant elements of his organization. Youll get hints when we find information about your relatives . Both hail from an ancient Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pendergast Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Early History of the Pendergast family. "The name Pendergrass is not Irish at This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can be viewed by all Ancestry subscribers. . Skip Ancestry . Tom Pendergast . The economy and population boomed in the 1920s, especially in relation to its peers, and thanks to his involvement in construction programs like the Ten-Year Plan, Kansas City and its people seemed to weather the Great Depression better than most other places. 1640 in Charles City Co., Virginia, James PENDERGRASS, Ripley County; others came from nearby Versailles, Elrod, and (E. A. SOUTHWORTH)-CASEY. As the goats expanded out of the First Ward, certain demographic patterns stuck; unlike the old-guard Democratic Party associated with white Southerners, the local Democratic machine constituents were diverse and more likely to be Catholic, first- or second-generation immigrants of Italian, Irish, or Mexican descent, or African American. WW2 Veteran, Dorothy Jean PENDERGAST b. If you would like to view one of these trees in its entirety, you can contact the owner of the tree to request permission to see the tree. Skip Ancestry main menu Main Menu. At the same time, his opponents grew in number over the course of the 1930s. Eventually he joined the Knights of St John 23 February 1841 Mother: Eliza (E. A. SOUTHWORTH)-CASEY. its commanders, officers and men ; with short biographies of Leroy DARLAND b. [1], Thomas Joseph Pendergast was born July 22, 1873, in St. Joseph Mo., he was the last of nine children. In the United States, the name Pendergast is the 9,786th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. Hezekiah Pendergast - (Pendergast's great-great grandfather) Antoine's father. Coinciding with the rapid expansion of Pendergasts businesses in the 1920s and 1930s, Tom Pendergast consolidated his political power at the end of 1925 and maintained a firm grip until the late 1930s. They had 2 children. Pendergast died on January 26, 1945, at Menorah Medical Center, which at the time was located in Kansas City, Missouri. He died of heart failure on January 26, 1945, at the age of 72. discoveries. Upon his return to England he once again returned to Ireland and was rewarded with lands in Ireland in Waterford and south Mayo. However, the permissive go-go days also gave rise to the golden era of Kansas City jazz (now commemorated at the American Jazz Museum at 18th and Vine) as well as a golden era of building in Kansas City. Born in Toowoomba, Queensland on 3 Feb 1929 to Herbert Randolph Pendergast and Maria Elizabeth (Lizzie) Rogash. In 1939, he was convicted of income tax evasion and served 15 months in a Federal prison. People . All Collections ; Census & Voter Lists ; . Sources: River County, SD This profile lacks source information. The family's name is misspelled as Pendergest in the 1880 census and is listed accordingly. We are sad to announce that on December 28, 2020, at the age of 86, John T. Pendergast of Herkimer, New York, born in New York, New York passed away. After Truman graduated from high school, his family moved to Kansas City and settled across the street from Tom Pendergast's brother, Mike. Husband of Elizabeth Jane Pendergast RUKAVENO ( - ) Born on 1855 to Michael Pendegrast and Mary Burns. Research genealogy for Tom Pendergast of Arkansas, as well as other members of the Pendergast family, on Ancestry. PENDERGAST (2), b. ca. This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can only be viewed by Ancestry members to whom they have granted permission to see their tree. View. (SC 881-338). Pendergast initially resisted Lazias takeover, but acquiesced when Rosss most important supporters switched sides to Lazia. Spouse (2): Eliza [2]. We encourage you to research and examine these records to determine their accuracy. Mustered out on 20 June 1865 in Nashville, TN Shrewd and unscrupulous business or political aspirants could advance paychecks or otherwise loan money to the downtrodden (who were ignored by reputable banks) and, in exchange, charge interest and count on their newfound clients to vote and stump in elections. He was also vice-president of Ready-Mixed Concrete Co., which supplied concrete to the prodigious construction projects that made up Kansas Citys $50 million Ten-Year Plana program approved by voters in 1931 to counter the economic implosion of the Great Depression with new projects or updates including the Jackson County Courthouse, Municipal Auditorium, City Hall, Police Headquarters, streets, sewers, water works, parks facilities, signs, and sidewalks. He became prior of the order's house at Kilmainham 1785 App. Pendergast had endorsed Stark, the heir to an agricultural fortune and known for promoting the Golden Delicious variety of apples, for governor in 1936. This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pendergast research. 1906, Pember, Eli--Pendelton, Zubulon. These trees can change over time as users edit, remove, or otherwise modify the data in their trees. is correct. b. ca. Proven ancestral connection between Milton V. Pendergast, and Dewitt Clinton Pendergast confirmed in Military Pension file of Milton V. Pendergast, National Archives, (SC 881-338) Tom had 5 siblings: George Pendergast, Mary Pendergast and 3 other siblings. Thomas Pendergast's Biography. b. ca. July 4, 1960 at Baker, OR, Spouse: Sandra Removing this item from your shopping cart will remove your associated sale items. His parents, Michael Pendergast and Mary Reidy, were Irish immigrants from County Tipperary, Ireland. To the Constable on duty between Windsor and Newcastle, and to all others concerning Permit, James and Thomas Pendergast, natives of Windsor to pass from thence to the farm of George Loder at Patrick Plains and to return with twenty head of Cattle, branded JP on the rear/near hip. [9], During his military service during World War I, Harry Truman had become close friends with Jim Pendergast, T. Tom Pendergasts legacy, far from a simple story of 20th century American crime, has been remembered and evaluated in multiple ways. 1873 in Pennsylvania, Glen Clinton PENDERGAST (1900 - 1953) corps, division and brigade commanders. Source: You can contact the owner of the tree to get more information. (A local urban legend in which bodies of Pendergast opponents were buried under the Brush Creek concrete was finally put to rest when the concrete was torn up for a renewal project in the 1980s.) Both men met on only a handful of occasions and were photographed together only once, at the 1936 Democratic Party convention.[6]. Gathered from those who lived during the same time period , were born in the same place, or who have a family name in common. 1719 in Ireland, Phillip PENDERGAST, It was confirmed to a Jasper Pendergrass in the year of Philip PENDERGRASS (DE PENDERGRASS), b. ca. login . Search for yourself and well build your family tree together, Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company. Father: Milton These trees can change over time as users edit, remove, or otherwise modify the data in their trees. Tom Pendergast passed away on 1910. This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can only be viewed by Ancestry members to whom they have granted permission to see their tree.These trees can change over time as users edit, remove, or otherwise modify the data in their trees. The fallout from the kickbacks did not directly result in his arrest, but he failed to report the income to the IRS and pay taxes on it. The gang was given virtually a free hand to operate by their boss Tom Pendergast, head of the Pendergast Machine that controlled Kansas City's government at the time. of Edward Pendergast of PA., S16,505, National Archives Microfilm (Darland Family Tree Click Here), Spouse (2): John This was in a great measure, a response to England's imperialistic policies. The West Bottoms were then an immigrant section of town located at the "bottom" of the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River above which spread the more prosperous sections of Kansas City. Thomas passed away at death place. Mother: ?,, b. ca. Tom Pendergast Tom Pendergast married Catherine Pendergast (born McLaughlin). 31 July 1922, d. Research genealogy for Tom Pendergast of Ireland, as well as other members of the Pendergast family, on Ancestry. Pendergast Family Tree Ancestry of Milton V. Pendergast, provided by: Carolyn Erickson, and Allen Pendergraft. In just a few weeks between mid-August and mid-September of 1935, Pendergasts addiction climaxed as he wagered over $2 million on horse races and netted a loss of $600,000. 1910 United States Federal Census. It later served in Tennessee, Raymond PENDERGAST (1930 - ) Search for yourself and well build your family tree together, Do not sell or share my personal information. U.S. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. He did feel compelled to publicly admit that some fraud had occurred, but he denied knowledge, responsibility, or involvement in any election activities due to his ill-health. In Ireland, the name was turned into a Gaelic form as de Priondrags; however, the name has also been replaced with MacSherone. Mayo, Ireland, d. 5 December 1705 in Richmond Co., North Farnham These trees can change over time as users edit, remove, or otherwise modify the data in their trees. Maurice, Lord of Prendergast was a great friend and neighbor of Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke. Medieval scribes and church officials spelled the names as they sounded, so a name was often spelled many different ways during the lifetime of a single person. The 68th Indiana Volunteer Regiment was organized at Greensburg Discover the meaning and history behind your last name and get a sense of identity and discover who you are and where you come from. 1719 in Ireland. If you pick up a good book about Irish history, and go to Clinton PENDERGAST (1876 - 1918) He was reportedly the only elected official who attended. catherine pendergast, ballygarvon, co. wexford. John PENDERGAST (3), 7 January, 1927 d. 16 November, 2005, Father: John Mr. Pendergast was born on May 5, 1934 in New York City, a son of the late John and Clotilde (Manning) Pendergast. Pendergast at Democratic National Convention in 1936, Chairman of Jackson County Democratic Club. 21 February 1972 Brother of James Pendergast; Sarah Jane Lynch; William Pendergast; Charlotte Pendergast; Bridget Reed and 1 other; and Eliza Pendergast less It was paroled to Indianapolis. Mother: ??? Are you sure you want to delete this item from your shopping cart? Clinton PENDERGAST (1900 - 1953) Pendergast. Leave a message for others who see this profile. Civil War letter from E. Pendergast. This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can be viewed by all Ancestry subscribers.These trees can change over time as users edit, remove, or otherwise modify the data in their trees. Tom Pendergast. James became an alderman in 1892, even after reformers had ended the mob primaries. Just one grandparent can lead you to many Tom passed away. Half brother of Jonathon "John" James Pendergast, How far south these obscure settlers had penetrated none knew, but at least some of the descendents of John and Thomas Pendergast, of Cottage creek and Moonbah Runs, maintained that Thomas Pendergast was in the Snowy River country with 400 head of cattle in 1821.". Pendergasts unlikely political career had begun in 1894, at the age of 22, when he moved from St. Joseph to Kansas City to join his brother, James Francis Pendergast, then 38 and the oldest of nine siblings in their Irish-American family.