NOTES ON WILLIAM BOST

William Bost
Bonnie Harvey has shared this Biography of William Bost with our Fecht - Bost Family blog.

From Memorirs of Alleghany County, Pennsylvania

William Bost, a well known carpenter of Whitaker, where he has lived since 1892, is of German parentage. He is a son of Henry and Catherine (Renn) Bost. His father came to America about 1851, and located in Alleghany County where he resided until his death. For about twenty years, he followed the occupation of a coal miner and afterwards lived practically a retired life in the village of Whitaker, where he died in 1886 at the age of fifty seven.
Matthew Renn, his maternal grandfather, came to America in 1852, settled in Mifflin township and spend the remainder of his life there.
William Bost was born in Mifflin township, January 1, 1957. He is one of a family of seven children - all boys - viz:
John
Jacob
William
Valentine
Frank
Henry
Lewis.
He received a common-school education and began life as a miner, which occupation he followed for about three years, when he went to work as a heater in the Homestead Steel Works.
In 1892 he made another change in his occupation and since that time he has worked continuously at carpenter work, assisting in the erection of some of the finest buildings in the country. He owns a home in Whitaker and is looked upon as one of the substantial citizens of that thriving village.
On March 14, 2881, he was married to Miss Gertrude Rushe, a daughter of Nicholas and Mary Rushe of Mifflin Township. His wife's parents are both natives of Germany, through French extraction. They have nin children living"
Henry N. (Rusche)
John G. (Rusche)
Peter A. (Rusche)
Gertrude M. (Rusche)
William L. (Rusche)
M. Florence (Rusche)
J. Oliver (Rusche)
Pearl (Rusche)
and an infant daughter, Roberta M. (Rusche)
page 277

Mr. Bost and his family are members of Saint Francis' Roman Catholic church of Homestead. He is a charter member of the Whitaker Tent, Number 425, Knights of Maccabees; the Carpenters' and Jointers' Union, and the Turnverein. (see note below)
In politics he is independent. Believing in the saying of the late President Hayes, that "He serves his party best who serves his country best."
He carefully weights every proposition touching the public weal and casts his vote on the side he conscientiously believes will secure the greatest good for the greatest number.
page 278

The Turnverin Movement:
The Turnverins in Pennsylvania came with German immigrants to America with families like the Bosts. The movement grew out of a 19th century liberal effort to unify the German states into one country. The unity of states in the American Republic made sense to them. The Trunverins combined German patriotism with a sense of preparedness: physically through gymnastics, and intellectually through talks on moral and economic themes. In some ways it was similar to the YMCA movement that came out of England.

Note
David Kraft wrote on an ancestor website Genforum on June 1, 2002

"My grandfather was William Bost, the 19th century builder of Homestead, PA's Bost Building.
I'm told Bosts are from Alsace, France, which swung between the French and German borders depending on the latest victor in their wars.
A change in politics within Alsace could have resulted in great immigration to America."
Dave Kraft

David Kraft has family photos dating back to around 1870.

"My grandfather was John Kraft of Whitaker Pennsylvania. He married Gertrude Rusche Bost, also of Whitaker, and later lived in Homestead PA. John died in 1974; Gertrude predeceased him in 1964."

BIOGRAPHY OF FRANK BOST

Frank Bost (click on image to enlarge)

Preliminary note:
In the 19th and early 20h centuries, an important symbol of status was one's inclusion in publications such as "social registers". "blue books", "Who's Who" or community "memoirs". Enterprising "vanity" publishers sold thick books that insured that "subscribers" would be included. Two such books constitute the Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
There are however important elements of family history in such books, if one passes by the boilerplate assurances of good character etc.
Margaret Bost Fecht was born in Saarbrüchen, Germany.

From an earlier posting on this blog:
William Bost was the second child of Catherine (Renn) (BH-1-S) and Henry Bost (BH-1). He was born on the 2nd of January 1857 in Mifflin Township, McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He was baptized on the 6th of January at St. Peter Church in that town. His godparents were listed as Margarita Fecht (very likely Margaret Bost Fecht and her brother Wilhelmus Bost.
Jerry Fecht


Biography of Frank Bost
from Memoirs of Allegheny Country

Frank Bost, of Homestead, Pennsylvania, a prosperous blacksmith, was born at McKeesport, Pennsylvania, February 25, 1861, son of Henry and Catherine (Renn) Bost, natives of Sarrbrüchen-on-the-Rhine, Germany, who came to the United States in 1842, and settled in Allegheny County, Pennsylvainia, where his father followed the occupation of mining, and later ran a hotel as wht is now Duquesne.
The elder Bost was also on the county detective force for four years, died in Mifflin Township, and was the father of the following children:
John (deceased)
Jacob
William * Margarita/Margaret Fecht was William's godmother
Valentine
Frank
Henry
Lewis
Frank Bost was reared in Allegheny county, educated in the public schools, an when fifteen years of age commenced his apprenticeship at the blacksmiths' trade and served four years. Then one year he worked as a journeyman at McKeesport, and in 1881, embarked on his own account at Homestead, where he has since continued with much success.
Mr. Bost is the pioneer blacksmith of that borough, and has long been known for the high class and character of his work, as well as for his splendid standing as a man and as a citizen.
He was married on November 30, 1883 to Lena, daughter of Henry and
(1 - 26)
Christiana Wilhelmina (Heisterberg) Vondera, of Mifflin township,
(page I 26
Allegheny county, but formerly of Germany, and five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bost, viz:
Charles H.
Edna
Alma
Relda
Frank Jr.
Mr. Bost enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him' he has been entrusted with a number of public offices in Mifflin township, and his public record, like his private one, is of splendid character.

Note: Bonnie Harvey notes:
" The entire book is digitized and available at http://digital.library.pitt.edu/pittsburgh/, a great site to visit when you have no intention of getting any sleep for at least 25 hours".

BILL AND ANITA FAHRENKROG

(click on image to enlarge)
Bill and Anita Fahrenkrog live in Jackson, Missouri. Anita is the great grand daughter of Elizabeth Ann (Walsh) and William Charles Fecht. She is the great, great grand daughter of Margaret (Bost) and Jacob Fecht.

FETTERHOFF BROTHERS

(click on image to enlarge)

(left) Carl Fetterhoff seated with his brother Thomas. Carl resides in Springfield, Missouri. Tom Fetterhoff lives in Florida. They are the great, great grandsons of Margaret (Bost) and Jacob Fecht.

MARANDA HANSON EARNS DEGREE AND NATIONAL HONORS

For some reason unknown this Fecht Family Pictures blog fights my efforts to
edit out my mistakes.
The previous headline should read MARANDA not Robin.
Robin is her mom.
Sorry

ROBIN HANSON EARNS DEGREE AND NATIONAL HONORS

Maranda embraces her mother Robin on commencement day (click on image to enlarge)

Maranda Hanson with her mother Robin Perysian, step father Dale Perysian and grandmother Janet Lawrence (Fecht) Boyce

Our kinswoman Maranda Hanson completed her Master of Arts degree in Teaching in June 2008. Recently she was informed that she passed the National Board for Teachers examination. This places her among the top 2% of teachers in the State of California, and among the top 3% in the United States. To congratulate herself, Maranda purchased a home in Vacaville, California.

Maranda is the great, great, great grand daughter of Margaret (Bost) and Jacob Fecht
She is the great, great, great grand daughter of Ann (Finn) and Patrick Walsh

She is a member of the family of Robert W. Fecht

BOST STORE IN HOMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA

(click on images to enlarge)
Interior of store previously posted on this blog, as likely the Bost Store in Homestead, Pennsylvania. The nature of the store is clarified by this photograph. The exterior showed hats in the window and a barrel of vegetables by the door, along with the merchandize in the interior amounts to a "general store."
Margaret Fecht's "Bost" children were her eldest, and thus it is very likely that they inherited Aunt Mag's (Margaret Fecht Bost Sullivan's) photographs.


The man in this photo is unknown. The background of the image was removed in order to emphasis his appearance for identification. Not all photos in the Swartwood collection were of relatives.

MYSTERY PHOTO 0109-5

(click on image to enlarge)

Another mystery photograph from the Swartwood collection.
Clues here may be in the uniform, and on the back of the picture (sometimes there are city and photographer marks there).

GENE SULLIVAN PHOTOS

(click on images to enlarge)

Gene Sullivan was the second husband of Margaret Fecht (Bost). Dan Sullivan has a photograph of Margaret in this garden. We are comfortable that the elderly man in this picture is Uncle Gene.

MYSTERY PHOTO 0109-2 and 3

(click on these images to enlarge)

Our Swartwood family in Fulton, Missouri offers us the most positive chance of connecting the Fecht family with our Bost relatives in Pennyslvania. This family are descendants of Margaret Fecht Bost Sullivan, whose first husband was William Bost. William did not come with Margaret to Mexico, Missouri, but remained in Pennsylvania. Our great aunt Margaret (called Mag or Maggie by the family) would have had photographs of William and appears to have had other Bost relative photographs as well.

The soldier in this posting had his photo taken in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The picture was in the Swartwood collection in Fulton, Missouri. We will pass this and other images along to the Harrisburg Archives, that identified the Bost store in previous postings on this blog.
I've used photoshop to blow up the soldier's image and to remove distracting background "noise".

FAMILY MYSTERY PHOTO 0109

- photo in the collection of Dr. Dan Sullivan
(click on image to enlarge)

Among Fecht family photographs being worked on now, by our kinsman Dan Sullivan, is this woman's image.
If you know who she is, or have an idea, please email me or add your comments below.

REBEL SOLDIERS IN OUR FAMILY?

A few years ago, when my siblings Jim and Genevieve went with me to the Audrain County Historical Museum, we found a book of Mexico Veterans. My dad (William Thomas Fecht) and Uncle Jack (John David Fecht) were listed as WWI vets, and connected to Patrick Walsh also listed as a veteran. Patrick was their maternal grandfather. Their mother Elizabeth Ann Walsh was Patrick's daughter.
Patrick Walsh, husband of Ann Finn, was born in Cork County, Ireland. He married Annie Finn (I think) in New York City. There are a zillion Patrick Walshs who came through New York City.
He is buried, as is Ann Finn Walsh, in Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
There are about 6 Patrick Walshs who were part of the Confederate volunteers in St. Louis.
If I lived in Missouri, especially near St. Louis, I would take up the whole Walsh puzzle. Calvary Cemetery is, I guess, a huge place. but, I have some decent leads for anyone who might want to play detective here.
Jerry Fecht

Aunt Florence Sullivan, Patrick's grand daughter, often said that "we had family on both sides" of the Civil War. Uncle Jack (John D. Fecht) had a sword with the letters CSA on it, but it disappeared when he died.

The Walshs lived on the top of a hill in Saint Louis that is now the Italian district. The Catholic Church in that area might have marriage, birth records of Elizabeth Ann Walsh and Hannah Walsh.

MARGARET FECHT BOST SULLIVAN AND KATHERINE FECHT

More on Margaret Fecht (Bost) Sullivan:

The United States _______ census for West Elizabeth, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania indicates that “Maggie” Fecht, age 18 was employed as a domestic servant for one Richard Bickerton. Her parents were listed as being born in Germany and her birth in Pennsylvania in 1862. She was single at the time of the census.

It is not sure, at this time, when Margaret Fecht Bost came to Mexico, Missouri. But, it is apparent that she came with her children and without her husband. Your author, Gerald Fecht’s father recalled that one day, when he was a youth, the “husbands” of Margaret and her sister Katherine Fecht Leger, came looking for their wives in Missouri. Bill Fecht said that his folks were courteous and respectful of the men, but that Margaret refused to return to Pennsylvania, and Katherine was “out-west” in Kansas. As Catholics the two women were not allowed to divorce their husbands, unless they had not been married with a priest as a witness to their vows. Other grounds included the marriage of a first cousin without church “dispensation,” a non-Catholic party in the marriage who would not allow the Catholic partner to practice her or his religion, the refusal of a mate to raise the children as Catholics, etc. Margaret went through a Church court of Inquiry ( Latin - Inquistion) but Katherine appears to have simply ignored her family’s religion and married the man with whom she left Pennsylvania, Lorin Robbins.

MARGARET FECHT BOST SULLIVAN

Margaret Fecht Bost Sullivan was first married to William Bost.
Margert's annulment record is included here.

CHILDREN OF MARGARET (FECHT) AND WILLIAM BOST

1) MARY ELIZABETH BOST (called Lille) (f-519)
born: 23 August, 1882 in ______________ Pennsylvania
mother: Margaret Gretchen (FECHT) (f-163)
father: William BOST (f-225)
married: 21 June, 1914 to James P. SWARTWOOD (f-521)
in Mexico, Audrain County, Missouri
died: _______________ in _______________________
buried: ____________ in __________ Cemetery, ________, _______

2) ANNIE DELILAH BOST (f-520)
born: 27 October, 1883 in Robbins Station, Pennsylvania
mother: Margaret Gretchen (FECHT) (f-163)
father: William BOST (f-225)
married : 27 October, 1904 to James W. RODGERS (f-534)
in Mexico, Audrain County, Missouri
married: _____________ John Henry BUETER (f-551)
in Bowling Green, ____________ County, Missouri
died: 23 April, 1970 at Hannibal, ______________ County, Missouri
buried: ____________ in __________ Cemetery, ________, _______


In 2002, Thomas and Carl Fetterhoff provided this history with a number of documents copied from the records of St. Brendan Roman Catholic Church in Mexico, Missouri. Among them was a statement written on November 23rd, 1904, by the Rev. John J. Dillon, pastor of the church.

“Exact copy of letter in the Sullivan-Bost matrimonial case.
St. Louis, Mo. Nov. 23rd 1904 –
‘Rev. John J. Dillon,
Rev. Dear Father:
The most rev. Archbishop desires me to write you that he has examined into – Bost-Fecht evidence sent him and is satisfied that the attempted marriage of said parties was null and void. He declares Maggie Fecht – Bost free to marry again according to the rites of the Catholic Church.
John J. Tanurath.’”

“November 23rd (1904) I united in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony Eugene A. Sullivan, son of William Sullivan and Mary Madden, of the first part – and, Margaret Bost (neé Fecht – misspelled Fetch) daughter of Jacob Fecht and Margaret Bost of the second part..
Witnesses:
David Sullivan
Anne Sullivan
John J. Dillon”

BOST STORE IN HOMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania militia encampment - Homestead, PA
(click on image to enlarge) Historic Bost Building is circled. The Bost General Store is just to the left of the building.

Photo of Homestead, Pennsylvania. (click on image to enlarge

Detail of Homestead, Pennsylvania 1896. (click on image to enlarge

In early January 2009, our kinsman Dan Sullivan wrote Ron Baraff (at the recommendation of our kinswoman Bonnie Harvey about the suspected Bost photographs in the previous posting on this blog. Mr. Baraff is the Archivist of the Steel Industry Heritage Corporation in Homestead, Pennsylvania.
Dan wrote:
"I'm a cousin of Bonnie (The Bost Ghost) Harvey, and she asked me to forward the attached photos from my family to you. I'd b grateful for any
information you could give us about them.
Connections:
Jacob Fecht. William Bost, Margaret Bost, John Pomi

Ron Baraff wrote in return:
"These are great photos. Can you identify who is in them? The photos are, I believe, of the Bost grocery store which was next door to this building> This building primarily was a hotel, restaurant, and bar. I am attaching a photos of the Bost Building (the larger building in center of photo) from 1892 and c. 1896. The store is to the left of the building.
Hope this helps. Ron Baraff."

Jerry Fecht's note:
Bonnie Harvey gave us our first strong evidence of the relationship between Bosts of Homestead, Pennsylvania with Margaret Fecht (whose maiden name was Bost) acting as godmother for a Bost baby. (see: previous postings this blog). Dan Sullivan's discovery of a grocery store among the photographs of William Bost (Swartwood collection in Fulton, Missouri, are very important - for, as the above email from Ron Baraff, there was a Bost Grocery Store just left of the famous Bost Building in Homestead. (The building circled in this Pennsylvania militia photograph.)

PEYTON MARIE KOONTZ WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY

A warm greeting to our kinswoman, Peyton Marie Koontz, of whom we have just learned. Peyton if the daughter of Sharon and Michael Koontz of Raytown, Missouri. (Raytown is a suburb of Kansas City.)
Peyton joins two siblings: Parker (age 10) and Piper (age 6). Peyton was born on August 13th of 2008.

Peyton is the great, great grand daughter of Margaret (Bost) and Jacob Fecht, and a descendent of Margaret Fecht Bost Sullivan.

A FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHIC PUZZLE

(Click on image to enlarge) Interior of the store. The code Fecht store is just for blog records and does not identify the store's ownership.

(Click on image to enlarge) Photos courtesy of Dr. Dan Sullivan 2009

(Click on image to enlarge)

Composing the history of our family is a work in progress. New challenges appear, dear folks leave us, and new discoveries are made. Often a box of pictures or artifacts bring about as many new puzzles as they solve. Our kinsman Dr. Dan Sullivan and I are working such a riddle right now. Maybe you can help?
Last year Dan acquired many wonderful photographs from members of our Swartwood family in Fulton, Missouri. The Swartwoods are descendants of Margaret Fecht (Aunt Mag) and her first husband William Bost. Among the images are two photographs (one of which has been cropped and enlarged by Photoshop). Dan and I are at a loss about the identities of the people in the pictures. Where was this General Store?

THE BOST HOUSE, FRANCIS CHRISTIAN BOST

The Bost Building in Homestead, Pennsylvania
The Bost Building, also known as Columbia Hotel, is located on East Eighth Avenue in Homestead, Pennsylvania. During the 1892 Homestead Strike, it was used as headquarters by the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1999.

THE FAMILY OF FRANCIS CHRISTIAN BOST
Francis Christian Bost was the fifth child of Catherine (Renn) (BH-S) and Henry Bost (BH). He was born on the 13th of February, 1861 in Pennsylvania. He was baptised that year with Franciscus (Francis) Bost and Catharina (Catherine) Kunstler as god-parents.
Francis is listed on the Pennsylvania Census for the year 1870 in the village of Baldwin, Mifflin Township. (roll 1294) as being age 10. Called “Frank” by family and friends, he was a blacksmith by trade. In 1880 the census calls him a blacksmith and age 19. (PA Census, Vol 4, sheet 27, line 1 - ID# PA 4525098 Ancestry).
Frank maintained a blacksmith shop behind the Bost Building, which he and his brother William built. That site is now a National Historic Landmark.
According to the biography of Francis Bost, published in the “Memoirs of Allegheny County” (Pennsylvania), he had just finishing shoeing a horse and had mounted it, when hired gunmen of the Pinkerton Detective Agency stormed the area in search of people involved in the Homestead Strike of 1892. In the fracas Frank’s horse was killed under him. Enraged, Bost jumped from the dying animal and proceeded to overcome the Pinkerton man. In the process Frank grabbed the man’s billy club and beat him with his own weapon. That club is displayed in 2000 in the John Heinz History Center.
Frank Bost married a woman by the name of Leona.


LEONA ____________, ____________ (BH-1-5-S)
born: ________ June, 1861 in ____________, Pennsylvania
married: ___________, 1883 to Francis BOST (BH-1-5)
in _______., _________________
died: _______________, in ______________, _______________, _____________
buried: ____________ in ________________ Cemetery, in ________________, ______
source: Bonnie Boyle Harvey Irishdancr@aol.com


CHILDREN OF LEONA (___________) AND FRANCES BOST

1) CHARLES H_____________ BOST (BH-1-5-1)
born: 27 February, 1885 in
mother: Leona (____________) (BH-1-5-S)
father: Francis BOST (BH-1-5)
died: _________ February, 1975 in Carnegie, Pennsylvania
social security #: 209-10-8446

2) EDNA C________________ BOST (BH-1-5-2)
born: _____ July, 1888 in _______________, Pennsylvania
mother: Leona (____________) (BH-1-5-S)
father: Francis BOST (BH-1-5)

3) ALMA ______________ BOST (BH-1-5-3)
born: ____October, 1891 in ______________, Pennsylvania
mother: Leona (____________) (BH-1-5-S)
father: Francis BOST (BH-1-5)

(This family continues on the next page)


4) ELDA _________________ BOST (BH-1-5-4)
born: _____ October, 1893 in _______________, Pennsylvania
mother: Leona (____________) (BH-1-5-S)
father: Francis BOST (BH-1-5)

5) FRANK C_______________ BOST (BH-1-5-5) may be Francis
born: 30 September, 1898 in Homestead, Pennsylvania
mother: Leona (____________) (BH-1-5-S)
father: Francis BOST (BH-1-5)
died: 21 March 1990 in
social security #: 174-03-6673

EVIDENCE CONNECTING MARGARET (BOST) FECHT AND THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM BOST

THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM BOST
(BH-1-2)

William Bost was the second child of Catherine (Renn) (BH-1-S) and Henry Bost (BH-1). He was born on the 2nd of January 1857 in Mifflin Township, McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He was baptized on the 6th of January at St. Peter Church in that town. His godparents were listed as Margarita Fecht (very likely Margaret Bost Fecht and her brother Wilhelmus Bost.
William is listed on the Pennsylvania Census for the year 1870 in the village of Baldwin, Mifflin Township. (roll 1294) as being age 14.
In the records of Bonnie Boyle Harvey, William’s occupations included: coal mining, a heater at the Hempstead Steel Works and a carpenter in 1882.
Note: This Baptismal record in the achieves of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Pittsburg, is of exceptional importance, since it ties members of the Fecht and its Bost families to the family of Henry and Catherine Bost.
On occasion his last name was spelled Boast.
His biography is included in the “Memoirs of Allegheny County” (Pennsylvania), which ____________ discovered on the Internet in 2000.
“William Bost, a well known carpenter of Whitaker (Pennsylvania), where he has lived since 1892, is of Germany parentage. He is a son of Henry and Catherine (Renn). His father came to American about 1851 and located in Allegheny County, where he resided until his death. For about 20 years he followed the occupation of coal miner and afterwards lived practically a retired life in the village of Whitaker, where he died in 1886 at the age of 57.
Matthew Renn, his maternal grandfather, came to America in 1852, settled in Mifflin Township and spent the remainder of his life there.
William Bost was born in Mifflin Township on January 1, 1857. He was one of seven children, all boys - viz: John, Jacob, William, Valentine, Franklin, Henry and Lewis. He received a common school education and began life as a miner, which occupation he followed for about ten years, when he went to work as a heater in the Homestead Steel Works.
In 1892, he made another changed in his occupation and since that time he has worked continuously at carpentry work, assisting in the erection of some of the finest buildings in the country.
He owns his own home at Whitaker and is looked upon as one of the substantial citizens of that thriving village.
On March 14, 1881 he married to Mary Rushe of Mifflin Township. His wife’s partents are both natives of Germany though of French extraction. He has nine children living: Henry N., John G., Peter A., Gertrude M., William L., M. Florence, J. Oliver, L. Pearl, and infant daughter Roberta M.
Mr. Bost and family are members of St. Frances Roman Catholic Church in Homestead. He is a charter member of the Whitake Tent Number 425 of the Knights of Maccabees, the Carpenters and Joiners Union and the Turnvereen.”

William and his brother Francis (called Frank) built the Bost Building, which is now designated as a National Historic Site.
The now famous Bost Building was the planning site for the Homestead Strike of 1892, in the offices of the Amalgamated on the third floor. The structure was raided by hired gunmen of the so called Pinkerton Detective Agency. More about this incident can be read in this history in the Family of Francis Christian Bost.

BOST FAMILY CONNECTIONS TO THE HOMESTEAD STRIKE?

There is strong evidence (but not as yet absolute) that our first ancestors in America came to McKeesport, Pennsylvania because there were Bost family members there. Among the Bosts who are connected to us by baptismal records, were the founders of the United Steelworkers Union. This article refers to the Bost House, a national historic site.

THE McKEESPORT DAILY NEWS
Industrial icon Bost Building takes on new historical role

Bost Building offers historical treasures Building is symbol of an era
By Natalie Neysa Alund Daily News Staff Writer
The renovated building that rests at 623 E. Eighth Ave., Homestead, means more to Homestead residents than an improved appearance in the Steel Valley.

A ceremony yesterday marked the completion of the restoration of the 110-year-old structure and its official opening as headquarters for the Steel Industry Heritage Corp.

"Today, the Bost Building stands as a testament to the resolve of a community to rebuild its main street corridor," said August Carlino, Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area president, "to honor the men and women who worked in the steel industry."

After two years of renovation and $4.5 million worth of construction, the Bost Building, now also the main visitors' center for Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, lies in one of Pennsylvania's 11 designated state heritage regions.

The renovated building also houses a third floor exhibit hall, restored rooms used by union leaders during the events of 1892, when the Homestead Lockout and Strike, one of America's most dramatic labor episodes, occurred.

State funding for the renovation project was $2.4 million while private funding totaled $100,000.

"People said this building couldn't be saved," Carlino said. "but it has been."

Gov. Mark Schweiker, who was in attendance yesterday, said he was proud to dedicate the building because of what it stands for.

"This building is a gateway to understanding steel workers," the governor said. "It's so important to dedicate this building as a memorial ... a remembrance of their dedication and work -- these people worked together to build our communities."

The governor concluded his speech by asking those in attendance to be thankful, reflect on former steel workers' efforts and enjoy the economic fruits of their labor.

The Homestead Lockout and Strike did not prevent the building from dilapidation. By the 1980s it had become abandoned and desolate.

More than a century old, the renovated building was built as a hotel for the rapidly growing workers' ward of Homestead.

The building served as the headquarters of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers; the third floor of the building was used as a watchtower for steel union officials who monitored activities at the millsite.

The building also served as the base for American and British newspaper reporters who filed their stories as the world kept a close eye on the Homestead labor strike.

U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Swissvale, said it is appropriate to preserve this era of history for future generations.

"Now the younger generations look (at Homestead and The Waterfront) as a place to come for dates ... to have fun," Doyle added. "It's hard to believe this area had the largest and most profound steelmills in the world."

The congressman added the Bost Building highlights the former struggles of the area.

"It will enable us to preserve our region's siginificance to the history of the United States and provide us the opportunity to share the stories of the steelmills with generations to come," Doyle said. "We should always remember the workers who sacrificed in these mills and honor the steelmaking industry."

DAN SULLIVAN SHOWS OFF HIS WINTERIZED CAR.

Photo courtesy of Dan Sullivan - January 2009

"1949 Studebaker pickup on 1990 Chevy chassis with four-wheel drive, automatic transmission, A/C, and other bells and whistles.
Girl at left is my daughter Julia. I'm the old guy, and the cute lady is Sarah, my wife. The children are Sarah's grandchildren from Shawnee, Kansas. I have a fourth great-grandson on the way. As you can see, it's spring in Omaha."

Julia Lynn, the daughter of Daniel Sullivan, is the great, great grand daughter of Margaret (Bost) and Jacob Fecht.

STORE IN FETTERHOFF FAMILY FOR 58 YEARS CLOSES

(click on story to enlarge)



A hardware store on First Street in Marble Hill, Missouri has been in the Fetterhoff family for 58 years. Bill and Carol Fetterhoff have retired after 31 years, having purchased the store from Bill's parents Dorothy and Elmer Fetterhoff.

Bill Fetterhoff is the great, great grandson of Margaret (Bost) and Jacob Fecht.

THE FLU EPIDEMIC OF 1918

In the year 1918, many of our family members fell victims to the worldwide influenza pandemic, what our folks referred to as the Spanish flu. Today we know that it was caused by a particularly dangerous virus strain given the name Influenza A - subtype HiNi. Since it remains a practice to this day to entitle a pandemic for nations or regions of the world out-of-favor, the 1918 plague was called Spanish. (Twenty years earlier America had found a war against the Spanish empire.) Somewhere between 50 and a 100 million people died worldwide.
The flu was first recorded at Fort Riley, an Army base in Kansas. Its spread was exacerbated by the movement of thousands of military recruits in the US and to Europe. People were terrified, since the disease seemed to chiefly strike down young adults. Bill Fecht who had been sent to the Army Air Corps "Spruce Battalion" in Westport, Washington wrote in later years about it.
"About this time a bad flu epidemic spread through the camps and we lost a lot of men. I had it along with pneumonia and miraculously got over it. But, was very weak for a long time. Harry Candy (husband of Anne Fecht) was to be called (drafted) so he decided to move his things - stock etc. back to Missouri. On the way his car took fire and burned everything, someplace in Montana. Harry was so overcome with heat and smoke, he only lived a couple of days after getting back there. Rose Marie (Rosemary), their only child, and Ann were there in Missouri, when Harry got back. They had gone through before he did."
(Note: Many in the family believed that Harry Candy was coming down with the flu just before leaving for Missouri.)
"When I left to return to camp everyone was improving and were a great deal better. They had a special nurse to come to the house (William C. Fecht farm in Mexico, Missouri) and care for the sick. It had been several years that I had been away from home at that time." (William, Anne, Florence and John (Jack) had all gone to Montana from Mexico, Missouri to establish homesteads.)
(Bill Fecht told his son Gerald (author of this article) that the only treatment given to the soldiers in Aberdeen, Washington was aspirin and polices made of rags soaked in kerosene (then called coal oil). The international patent rights for aspirin belonged to a Bavarian (Bayer) German Company was seized by an American corporation when WWI broke out. The Americans kept the name Bayer Aspirin. Who knows it the kerosine fumes didn't themselves add to the losses of our soldiers.)
"Jack (John David Fecht) took sick going back to Missouri. He was in military police duty at Camp Johnson, Jacksonville, Florida. He was mustered into the service at Des Moines, Iowa. I was sent to Vancouver Barracks across the river from Portland, Oregon. 10,000 of my outfit were to sail on the 28th of November. The Armistice was signed on the 11th so I missed it by 17 days. We were headed for Siberia. A good many of us were attending night school and were pretty well prepared to go over."
Note: Many of the young Americans who were to be sent to invade the newly formed Soviet Union, refused to go, so many in fact that the US government called off its attack on Russia.
Mildred Crites Fecht spoke often of the great flu of 1918. She told of popular songs about the event. One referred to two orphan children being asked by a train conductor where their mother was. It was called "Mother's In The Baggage Car Ahead." An earlier song from 1901 regained popularity. It was called "Hello Central Give Me Heaven, Cause My Mother's There." (Central was the telephone operator.) Mildred said that the winter of the flu-year was so severe and so many men were sick that coffins remained unburied until the spring and some stacked up in railroad depots.

On 3 January 2008, the following article appeared in the Los Angeles Times
Deadly secrets of 1918 flu found

Researchers have discovered what made the 1918 flu pandemic so deadly -- a group of three genes that lets the virus invade the lungs and cause pneumonia.

Scientists painstakingly substituted single genes from the 1918 virus into modern flu viruses and found that a complex of three genes helped to make the virus live and reproduce deep in the lungs, according to a study published Tuesday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The three genes -- called PA, PB1, and PB2 -- along with a 1918 version of the nucleoprotein gene made modern seasonal flu kill ferrets in much the same way as the 1918 flu killed 50 million people worldwide, the researchers found

NEW FAMILY MEMBERS IDENTIFIED - RILEY HAYES - OLIVIA HAYES

One great things about Christmas cards are the one page letters that often get tucked in. For those of us interested in keeping in touch with our families, new names sometimes appear. Here are two young members of our family just added to our ever-growing records.


RILEY DAVID HAYES who will be 10 years old this year. Wouldn't his ancestor Elizabeth Ann Walsh Fecht have loved Riley's first name. Riley is the son of our kinswoman Cynthia Ann and her husband Michael Hayes. He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska.

OLIVIA MAE HAYES is 5 years old in 2009. She is the daughter of our kinswoman Cynthia Ann and her husband Michael Hayes. Olivia was born in Lincoln, Nebraska where she lives with her parents.

Jacob Fecht, Wm. C. Fecht, Wm. T. Fecht, Dorothy Fetterhoff
Patrick Walsh, Elizabeth Ann Walsh Fecht, Wm. T. Fecht, Dorothy Fetterhoff

Please note: The maiden names and other vital information is withheld from this blog for the security of identity of family members.


One great things about Christmas cards are the one page letters that often get tucked in. For those of us interested in keeping in touch with our families, new names sometimes appear. Here are two young members of our family just added to our ever-growing clan.


RILEY DAVID HAYES who will be 10 years old this year. Wouldn't his ancestor Elizabeth Ann Walsh Fecht have loved Riley's first name. Riley is the son of our kinswoman Cynthia Ann and her husband Michael Hayes. He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska.

OLIVIA MAE HAYES is 5 years old in 2009. She is the daughter of our kinswoman Cynthia Ann and her husband Michael Hayes. Olivia was born in Lincoln, Nebraska where she lives with her parents.

Jacob Fecht, Wm. C. Fecht, Wm. T. Fecht, Dorothy Fetterhoff, William G. Fetterhoff, Cynthia Fetterhoff Hayes, Riley and Olivia Hayes

Patrick Walsh, Elizabeth Ann Walsh Fecht, Wm. T. Fecht, Dorothy Fetterhoff, William G. Fetterhoff, Cynthia Fetterhoff Hayes, Riley and Olivia Hayes