DORGAN FAMILY

David Andrew Dorgan
b: 9 SEP 1893
d: 4 OCT 1984
Biography
David A. Dorgan owned and operated a Texaco station on Academy Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island for many years. He also operated Dorgan Printing at 61 Bergen Street in Providence, Rhode Island for 40 years. He was very active in Providence Democratic city politics. He was a councilman in the 5th Ward of Providence. He was the Chairman of the City Council, and as such, headed up the Tercentennial celebration of the founding of the city of Providence in 1936. There was a scandal surrounding this celebration which was reiterated in his obituary. Apparently, David and two associates billed the city of Providence $2600 for food and alcohol served at the celebration. According to his obituary, those bills at the Narragansett Hotel became one phase of an investigation into a $44,000 tercentenary deficit. David and his two associates ended up paying the bills themselves.

David was an aviator in World War I. After the war, he was very involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Ryan Post on the corner of Atwells and Academy Avenues in Providence. He was State Commander of the VFW and is partially responsible for bringing the Veterans Hospital to Davis Park in Providence, Rhode Island. A plaque bearing his name hangs on the wall in the lobby of that hospital.


David Andrew Dorgan appears in the following Censuses and Directories.

1900 United States Feceral Census
David appears for the first time on a US CEensus. he is 5 years old and his immigration date is reported as 1898.

1910 United States Federal Census
David appears with his mother and father and siblings. He is 16. The date of immigration says 1908 which is incorrect.

1915 Rhode Island State Census lists David as a factory clerk who was out of work on April 15, 1915. At this time he was living with his father and mother, his brother, William and his sister, Mary at 125 Wayne Street in Providence, Rhode Island.

1917 Draft Registration
David registered for the WWI Draft on 5 une 1917. He wrote he was born in Balle Braher, Cork, Ireland on September 9, 1894. He lived at 125 Wayne St., Providece, Rhode Island. He was a salesman for the Rhode Island Tire Company, 109 Broadway, Providence, Rhode Island.

1920 United States Federal Census
David is 25 and living with his wife, Helen M. Doorley at 61 Bergen Street, the home of his father-in-law, James A. Doorley who was a paver with the City of Providence. David’s immigration date is 1897. He was naturalized in 1919. He worked at a jewelry factory. Also in this house lived Edward F. Doorley, a core maker at an Iron Foundry and the son of James A. Doorley and his wife Elizabeth C. and their two sons, James W. Doorley and Edward F. Doorley, Jr.

1925 Rhode Island State Census lists David as a Naturalized US citizen.

1925 Providence City Directory lists David as a partner in the Miller and Dorgan Company located at 679 Broadway.

1926 Providence City Directory lists David as living at 61 Bergen Street, Providence, Rhode Island.

1928 Providence City Directory lists David as a salesman with an office at 184 Broad Street.

1929 Providence City Directory lists David as the owner of a gas and oil service located at 233 Academy Avenue. He is also listed as a salesman with an office at 184 Broad Street.

1930 Providence City Directory lists David as the owner of a gas and oil service located at 233 Academy Avenue. He is also listed as the Deputy Commander of the VFW with an office at 72 Weybosset Street, Room 303.

1930 Census for Rhode Island says this about David:

61 Bergen Street, Providence City, Ward 10, Block 202, Providence Co., Rhode Island, ED # 4-110, page 22A
Dorgan, David, head, owns home worth $3500, age 37, married at age 27, born Irish Free State, parents born Irish Free State, emigrate 1895, occupation, accessory man, Auto Supply. He was a veteran of WWI.
Helen, wife, age 32, married at age 22, born Rhode Island, parents born Irish Free State.
Doorley, James, a paver for street construction and father-in-law of David Dorgan, age 66, widower, born Irish Free State, parents born Irish Free State, emigrated in 1882.

1935 Rhode Island Census he listed himself as the Secretary of the Public Welfare Department with an office at the State House.

1940 Rhode Island Census:

Name: David J Dorgan
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Ward 5, Providence, Providence City, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 35
Marital Status: Married
Race (Original): White
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Son-In-Law
Relationship to Head of Household: Son-in-law
Birthplace: Eire
Birth Year (Estimated): 1905
Last Place of Residence: Same House
District: 6-75
Family Number: 121
Sheet Number and Letter: 6A
Line Number: 32
Affiliate Publication Number: T627
Affiliate Film Number: 3775
Digital Folder Number: 005461770
Image Number: 00119
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
James Doorley Head M 76 Eire
David J Dorgan Son-in-law M 35 Eire
Helen Dorgan Daughter F 38 Rhode Island

Citing this Record:
"United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSJK-7T6 : accessed 12 October 2016), David J Dorgan in household of James Doorley, Ward 5, Providence, Providence City, Providence, Rhode Island, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 6-75, sheet 6A, family 121, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 3775.

1940 US Federal Census:

Name:David J DorganAge:35Estimated birth year:abt 1905Race:WhiteBirthplace:IrelandMarital Status:MarriedRelation to Head of House:Sister-in-lawHome in 1940:Providence, Providence, Rhode IslandMap of Home in 1940:View MapStreet:Bergen StreetHouse Number:61Inferred Residence in 1935:Providence, Providence, Rhode IslandResidence in 1935:Same HouseCitizenship:NaturalizedSheet Number:6AOccupation:SurveyorAttended School or College:NoHighest Grade Completed:High School, 3rd yearHours Worked Week Prior to Census:40Class of Worker:Wage or salary worker in Government workWeeks Worked in 1939:34Income:1000Income Other Sources:NoNeighbors:View others on pageHousehold Members:
Name
Age
James Doorley
76
David J Dorgan
35
Helen Dorgan
38


1941 WWII Draft Registration
David Andrew Dorgan lived at 61 Bergen Street, Providence, Rhode Island. He wrote he was born September 9, 1896. He was 45. He wrote he was employed by the City of Providence Engineering Department, City Hall, Providence, Rhode Island..


More About David Andrew Dorgan:

Citizenship: June 05, 1917, "Alien"
Draft Card Registration: June 05, 1917, Registration #247 (38-1-6-A)
Employment: 5 June 1917, Salesman, Rhode Island Tire Co., 109 Broadway, Providence, Rhode Island
Occupation: David was a printer and had a shop on Bergen Street in Providence, Rhode Island.
Residence: June 05, 1917, 145 Wayne Street, Providence, Rhode Island

David A. Dorgan owned and operated a Texaco station on Academy Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island for many years. He also operated Dorgan Printing at 61 Bergen Street in Providence, Rhode Island for 40 years. He was very active in Providence Democratic city politics. He was a councilman in the 5th Ward of Providence. He was the Chairman of the City Council, and as such, headed up the Tercentennial celebration of the founding of the city of Providence in 1936. There was a scandal surrounding this celebration which was reiterated in his obituary. Apparently, David and two associates billed the city of Providence $2600 for food and alcohol served at the celebration. According to his obituary, those bills at the Narragansett Hotel became one phase of an investigation into a $44,000 tercentenary deficit. David and his two associates ended up paying the bills themselves.

David was an aviator in World War I. After the war, he was very involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Ryan Post on the corner of Atwells and Academy Avenues in Providence. He was State Commander of the VFW and is partially responsible for bringing the Veterans Hospital to Davis Park in Providence, Rhode Island. A plaque bearing his name hangs on the wall in the lobby of that hospital.

The Rhode Island Census of 1915 lists David as a factory clerk who was out of work on April 15, 1915. At this time he was living with his father and mother, his brother, William and his sister, Mary at 125 Wayne Street in Providence, Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island State Census of 1925 lists David as a Naturalized US citizen.

In the Providence City Directory of 1925 he is listed as a partner in the Miller and Dorgan Company located at 679 Broadway.

In the Providence City Directory of 1926 he is listed as living at 61 Bergen Street, Providence, Rhode Island.

In the Providence City Directory of 1928 he is listed as a salesman with an office at 184 Broad Street.

In the Providence City Directory of 1929 he is listed as the owner of a gas and oil service located at 233 Academy Avenue. He is also listed as a salesman with an office at 184 Broad Street.

In the Providence City Directory of 1930 he is listed as the owner of a gas and oil service located at 233 Academy Avenue. He is also listed as the Deputy Commander of the VFW with an office at 72 Weybosset Street, Room 303.


The 1930 Census for Rhode Island says this about David:

Bergen Street, Providence City, Ward 10, Block 202, Providence Co., Rhode Island, ED # 4-110, page 22A

Dorgan, David, head, owns home worth $3500, age 37, married at age 27, born Irish Free State, parents born Irish Free State, emigrate 1895, occupation, accessory man, Auto Supply.
Helen, wife, age 32, married at age 22, born Rhode Island, parents born Irish Free State.
Doorley, James, father in law, age 52, single, born Irish free state, parents born Irish Free State.


In the Rhode Island Census of 1935 he listed himself as the Secretary of the Public Welfare Department with an office at the State House.

++++++


I just recently found David’s baptism record.

I have not been able to find the passenger record for David Dorgan from Ireland to NY. He is not listed as traveling with his father or mother. I have found all the passenger records for his parents and siblings. Strange!

UPDATE:

I have located the passenger list.

http://search.findmypast.ie/record?id

http://search.findmypast.ie/record?id
Facts
  • 9 SEP 1893 - Birth - ; Ballybraher, Ballycotton, County Cork, Ireland
  • 9 SEP 1893 - Baptism - ; Parish: Cloyne: Diocese of Cloyne.
  • 4 OCT 1984 - Death - ; Providence, Rhode Island 02905
  • Printer - Occupation - ; 61 Bergen Street, Providence, RI
Ancestors
   
Patrick DORGAN (DARGAN)
ABT 1820 - BEF 1882
 
 
Patrick J. DORGAN
26 APR 1860 - 9 DEC 1937
  
  
  
Johanna (Ann) (Nancy) FLYNN
ABT 1817 - 9 MAR 1895
 
David Andrew Dorgan
9 SEP 1893 - 4 OCT 1984
  
 
  
John HARTNETT
1826 - 1893
 
 
Mary Catherine HARTNETT
22 NOV 1866 - 23 NOV 1950
  
  
  
 
Family Group Sheet - Child
PARENT (M) Patrick J. DORGAN
Birth26 APR 1860Carrigkilter, Ballybraher, Ballycotton, East County Cork, Ireland
Death9 DEC 1937 Cranston, Rhode Island
Marriage26 NOV 1886to Mary Catherine HARTNETT at Cloyne RC Church, Cloyne, County Cork, Ireland
FatherPatrick DORGAN (DARGAN)
MotherJohanna (Ann) (Nancy) FLYNN
PARENT (F) Mary Catherine HARTNETT
Birth22 NOV 1866Churchtown South, East County Cork, Ireland
Death23 NOV 1950 Warwick, Rhode Island
Marriage26 NOV 1886to Patrick J. DORGAN at Cloyne RC Church, Cloyne, County Cork, Ireland
FatherJohn HARTNETT
Mother(Mary) Catharine DUHIG
CHILDREN
FAnne Theresa Dorgan
Birth24 APR 1887Churchtown South, Cloyne, County Cork, Ireland
Death1 JUN 1975Warwick, Rhode Island 02888
Marriage26 JUN 1913to John Henry MAGUIRE at Providence, Rhode Island
MPatrick Francis Dorgan
Birth21 JUN 1891Carrigkilter, District of Cloyne
Death8 APR 1969Providence, Rhode Island
Marriage12 JAN 1914to Sarah Violet WATERS at St. Patrick''s Church, Providence, Rhode Island
Marriageto Edna M. FRECHETTE at New York, New York
FMary Catherine DORGAN
Birth19 MAR 1905Providence, Rhode Island
Death20 DEC 1996Cranston, Rhode Island 02920
Marriageto Raymond James MORIARTY
MTimothy Joseph DORGAN
Birth17 JUN 1902Providence, Rhode Island
Death17 APR 1903Providence, Rhode Island
MMichael Joseph Dorgan
Birth25 FEB 1889Ballybraher, Ballycotton, County Cork, Ireland
Death10 AUG 1967Hooksett, New Hamshire
Marriage29 JUL 1914to Catherine Josephine KING at Immaculate Conception Church, Warwick, Rhode Island
MJohn Joseph DORGAN
Birth16 DEC 1895Ballybraher, Ballycotton, Parish of Cloyne, County Cork, Ireland
DeathAFT 22 DEC 1895Ballybraher, Ballycotton, Parish of Cloyne, County Cork, Ireland
MWilliam Joseph (Bill) Dorgan Sr.
Birth11 APR 1897Carrigkilter, Ballintemple, East County Cork, Ireland
Death22 FEB 1983Warwick, Rhode Island 02889
Marriage25 JUL 1923to Helen Louise McINTOSH at Fall River, Massachusetts
Marriage9 JUN 1917to Jessie GREIG at Saint Patrick''s Church, Providence, Rhode Island
MDavid Andrew Dorgan
Birth9 SEP 1893Ballybraher, Ballycotton, County Cork, Ireland
Death4 OCT 1984Providence, Rhode Island 02905
Marriage5 NOV 1919to Ellen Margaret DOORLEY
Family Group Sheet - Spouse
PARENT (M) David Andrew Dorgan
Birth9 SEP 1893Ballybraher, Ballycotton, County Cork, Ireland
Death4 OCT 1984 Providence, Rhode Island 02905
Marriage5 NOV 1919to Ellen Margaret DOORLEY
FatherPatrick J. DORGAN
MotherMary Catherine HARTNETT
PARENT (F) Ellen Margaret DOORLEY
Birth9 OCT 1897Providence, Rhode Island
Death6 NOV 1992 North Providence, Rhode Island 02911
Marriage5 NOV 1919to David Andrew Dorgan
FatherJames A. DOORLEY
MotherMargaret E.
CHILDREN
Picture Gallery
 
Descendancy Chart
David Andrew Dorgan b: 9 SEP 1893 d: 4 OCT 1984
Ellen Margaret DOORLEY b: 9 OCT 1897 d: 6 NOV 1992