Jerry Ahern was born July 8, 1960 in Co Cork, Ireland and was one of ten kids and because of economic times "We had to go somewhere. October of 1923 he and his brother Billy landed on Ellis Island after 10 days on a boat. From there they came to Klamath Co. to Hugh and Denis O'Connor, cousins who had found reward and opportunity in America.
He worked for them for several years, his first assignment being a sheep herder on Stukel Mtn. With no experiece as a cook, he told of many funny attempts to survive the lonely life atop Stukel. He always said that his first biscuits are "still up there". Even the dog would not eat them. He used to say that he worked for Hugh and Denis for 3 years before he ever asked how much his wages would be for fear of being fired. But he soon became one of the family and remained that throughout his life.
He and his brother, Billy, branched out on their own and bought a band of sheep (about 1200 head). They lost everything in the depression. But Jerry never looked back.
In the meantime, Jerry went to work for the Great Northern Railway tamping ties for 25 cents an hour. One day the section foreman approached him and told him in no uncertain words that he was breaking the rules by whistling within 40 feet of the depot. Jerry replied "I have whistled in bettter places" and turned in his tools.
He married Madge O'Connor in 1934. He worked for a time as a mule skinner when they built the tunnel through to Tulelake. After that was completed he went to work for the telephone company also. They both worked for the telephone company at the Japanese Relocation Camp at Newell.
They had two daughters, Katherine, born in 1939, married to Denny Holl. The second daughter Margaret, was born in 1952 and married Ken Graebener.
He worked for them for several years, his first assignment being a sheep herder on Stukel Mtn. With no experiece as a cook, he told of many funny attempts to survive the lonely life atop Stukel. He always said that his first biscuits are "still up there". Even the dog would not eat them. He used to say that he worked for Hugh and Denis for 3 years before he ever asked how much his wages would be for fear of being fired. But he soon became one of the family and remained that throughout his life.
He and his brother, Billy, branched out on their own and bought a band of sheep (about 1200 head). They lost everything in the depression. But Jerry never looked back.
In the meantime, Jerry went to work for the Great Northern Railway tamping ties for 25 cents an hour. One day the section foreman approached him and told him in no uncertain words that he was breaking the rules by whistling within 40 feet of the depot. Jerry replied "I have whistled in bettter places" and turned in his tools.
He married Madge O'Connor in 1934. He worked for a time as a mule skinner when they built the tunnel through to Tulelake. After that was completed he went to work for the telephone company also. They both worked for the telephone company at the Japanese Relocation Camp at Newell.
They had two daughters, Katherine, born in 1939, married to Denny Holl. The second daughter Margaret, was born in 1952 and married Ken Graebener.
Jerry Ahern was born July 8, 1960 in Co Cork, Ireland and was one of ten kids and because of economic times "We had to go somewhere. October of 1923 he and his brother Billy landed on Ellis Island after 10 days on a boat. From there they came to Klamath Co. to Hugh and Denis O'Connor, cousins who had found reward and opportunity in America.
He worked for them for several years, his first assignment being a sheep herder on Stukel Mtn. With no experiece as a cook, he told of many funny attempts to survive the lonely life atop Stukel. He always said that his first biscuits are "still up there". Even the dog would not eat them. He used to say that he worked for Hugh and Denis for 3 years before he ever asked how much his wages would be for fear of being fired. But he soon became one of the family and remained that throughout his life.
He and his brother, Billy, branched out on their own and bought a band of sheep (about 1200 head). They lost everything in the depression. But Jerry never looked back.
In the meantime, Jerry went to work for the Great Northern Railway tamping ties for 25 cents an hour. One day the section foreman approached him and told him in no uncertain words that he was breaking the rules by whistling within 40 feet of the depot. Jerry replied "I have whistled in bettter places" and turned in his tools.
He married Madge O'Connor in 1934. He worked for a time as a mule skinner when they built the tunnel through to Tulelake. After that was completed he went to work for the telephone company also. They both worked for the telephone company at the Japanese Relocation Camp at Newell.
They had two daughters, Katherine, born in 1939, married to Denny Holl. The second daughter Margaret, was born in 1952 and married Ken Graebener.
He worked for them for several years, his first assignment being a sheep herder on Stukel Mtn. With no experiece as a cook, he told of many funny attempts to survive the lonely life atop Stukel. He always said that his first biscuits are "still up there". Even the dog would not eat them. He used to say that he worked for Hugh and Denis for 3 years before he ever asked how much his wages would be for fear of being fired. But he soon became one of the family and remained that throughout his life.
He and his brother, Billy, branched out on their own and bought a band of sheep (about 1200 head). They lost everything in the depression. But Jerry never looked back.
In the meantime, Jerry went to work for the Great Northern Railway tamping ties for 25 cents an hour. One day the section foreman approached him and told him in no uncertain words that he was breaking the rules by whistling within 40 feet of the depot. Jerry replied "I have whistled in bettter places" and turned in his tools.
He married Madge O'Connor in 1934. He worked for a time as a mule skinner when they built the tunnel through to Tulelake. After that was completed he went to work for the telephone company also. They both worked for the telephone company at the Japanese Relocation Camp at Newell.
They had two daughters, Katherine, born in 1939, married to Denny Holl. The second daughter Margaret, was born in 1952 and married Ken Graebener.
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