Connell, Joseph Bernard

Joseph Connell was one of the youngest of fourteen children: seven boys and seven girls. He was born on Branch Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island. His family owned a sizeable tract of land, which they sold to the railroad. He graduated LaSalle Academy, an all-boys high school in Providence, Rhode Island at the age of 14. He and his sister, who died very young, were concert pianists and played at the Opera House in Providence.

Family lore states that he completed his studies as a physician but gave it up for unknown reasons.

Joseph was superintendent of the Dye House at Franklin Process Company in Providence, Rhode Island. He held this position until he retired at 75.

Joseph Connell was known to his step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren as Pappa Joe, Poppy Joe or Joe-Joe.

Joseph’s Draft Registration card from 1917-1918 states that he was 43, lived at 21 Bernon Street, Providence, Rhode Island and his next-of-kin was his sister, Margaret A. Connell of 50 Felix Street, Providence, Rhode Island. His parents were deceased at this time. He was a Woodworker at C.P. Darling Company, 415 Charles Street, Providence, Rhode Island.

1900 US CENSUS Joseph is living at his parents house with these people:

Home in 1900: 19 Branch Avenue, Ward 3, Providence, Rhode Island
Age: 24
Estimated birth year: about 1876
Birthplace: Rhode Island
Relationship to head-of-house: Son
Mother's name: Ellen
Father’s name: Thomas
Race: White
Occupation: View image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Thomas Connell, 65
Ellen Connell, 60
Joseph Connell, 24
Walter P Connell, 22
George Connell, 20
Margaret Connell, 28

1910 US CENSUS states that Joseph was a box maker and boarder living at 27 Corliss Street, Providence, Rhode Island.

1920 US CENSUS states that Joseph was a boarder living at the home of Mary Dwyer, widow, and her daughter, Ellen Louise McIntosh, whom he married a year later in 1921. The following people lived with him at 21 Bernon Street, Providence, Rhode Island.

Mary Dwyer 60, Head
Frances Dwyer 30, Stamper at Cotton Mill
Helen McIntosh 33, Dressmaker
Genevieve Whaley (Whalen) 19, Packer at Screw Company
Katherine Donahue 70
Joseph B Connell 45. Woodworker at Box Shop
Helen McIntosh 14
Charles McIntosh 12
Alfred McIntosh 10

1923 Directory of Providence: Joseph is living at 21 Perkin (Pekin) Street in Providence, Rhode Island.

1930 US CENSUS: 256 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island

Connell, Joseph B., Head, rents $30, age 53, married for first time at age 44, born Rhode Island, parents born Ireland, occupation, foreman, Mill
Ellen L, Wife, age 43, married at age 18, born Rhode Island, father born CT, mother born Rhode Island
Dorgan, Helen L., step daughter, age 24, married at age 17, born Rhode Island, parents born Rhode Island
McIntosh, Charles A., Step son age 22, single, born Rhode Island, parents born Rhode Island, occupation painter, Mill
Alfred F., Step Son, age 20, single, born Rhode Island, parents borin Rhode Island, occupation truck driver, Braid Co.,
Dwyer, Frances, sister in law, age 41, single, born Rhode Island, father born CT, mother born Rhode Island, occupation, packer, Mill
Dorgan, William J., grandson, age 6, single, born Rhode Island, father born Ireland, mother born Rhode Island
Dorgan Helen L., granddaughter, age 5, single born Rhode Island, father born Ireland, mother born Rhode Island
Dorgan Corrinne H., granddaughter, age 2, single, born Rhode Island, father born Ireland, mother born Rhode Island

1940 US CENSUS

Name: Joseph E Connell Age: 64 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1876 Gender: Male Race: White Birthplace: Rhode Island Marital Status: Married Relation to Head of House: Head Home in 1940: Providence, Providence, Rhode Island
View Map Street: Chalkstone Avenue House Number: 956 Farm: NO Inferred Residence in 1935: Providence, Providence, Rhode Island Residence in 1935: Same House Sheet Number: 5B Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 138 Neighbors: View others on page Household Members:
Name
Age
Joseph E Connell
64
Ellen L Connell
54
Helen L Dorgan
34
Frances Dwyer
53
William J Dorgan
16
Helen L Dorgan
15
Corinne H Dorgan
12