William was born a railroad "engine ferder's son" in the dockside slum of South Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland. The area was called Brash's Land, so named for the notorious Madame, Jean Brash, "Princess of Pickpockets and Queen of the Thieves" who operated the beehive shaped establishment Happy Land. Such were William's early years.
His parents Cornelius and Elizabeth were born in Ireland, having fled to Edinburgh during the Irish famine. After emigrating to America with his parents, William became a screw maker in Worcester. In 1886 he married the reportedly very beautiful Mary Ellen Kelley of Phoenixville, PA, and later Worcester, MA. William died at the age of 29 from heatstroke.
Barely into her twenties, his wife Mary Ellen was left with two toddler boys and and a new baby.
His parents Cornelius and Elizabeth were born in Ireland, having fled to Edinburgh during the Irish famine. After emigrating to America with his parents, William became a screw maker in Worcester. In 1886 he married the reportedly very beautiful Mary Ellen Kelley of Phoenixville, PA, and later Worcester, MA. William died at the age of 29 from heatstroke.
Barely into her twenties, his wife Mary Ellen was left with two toddler boys and and a new baby.
William was born a railroad "engine ferder's son" in the dockside slum of South Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland. The area was called Brash's Land, so named for the notorious Madame, Jean Brash, "Princess of Pickpockets and Queen of the Thieves" who operated the beehive shaped establishment Happy Land. Such were William's early years.
His parents Cornelius and Elizabeth were born in Ireland, having fled to Edinburgh during the Irish famine. After emigrating to America with his parents, William became a screw maker in Worcester. In 1886 he married the reportedly very beautiful Mary Ellen Kelley of Phoenixville, PA, and later Worcester, MA. William died at the age of 29 from heatstroke.
Barely into her twenties, his wife Mary Ellen was left with two toddler boys and and a new baby.
His parents Cornelius and Elizabeth were born in Ireland, having fled to Edinburgh during the Irish famine. After emigrating to America with his parents, William became a screw maker in Worcester. In 1886 he married the reportedly very beautiful Mary Ellen Kelley of Phoenixville, PA, and later Worcester, MA. William died at the age of 29 from heatstroke.
Barely into her twenties, his wife Mary Ellen was left with two toddler boys and and a new baby.
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