Walter Maslin (1859-1951)
FATHER: Charles Walter Maslin (b. 1825, England - d. unknown)
MOTHER: Harriet
SPOUSE: Mary (Ogborn) - 1st wife; Gertrude (Bennett) - 2nd wife
BURIAL SITE: West Laurel Hill Cemetery
MOTHER: Harriet
SPOUSE: Mary (Ogborn) - 1st wife; Gertrude (Bennett) - 2nd wife
BURIAL SITE: West Laurel Hill Cemetery
My father and uncle hardly knew anything about their grandfather's family. Which is strange, because apparently Walter Maslin (their great grandfather) was living at 309 Greene Lane for many years, practically right around the corner from his son and daughter-in-law, and grandchildren Alice, Milton, and Bill. Maybe he didn't get along with his son and/or daughter-in-law for some reason. Also, he apparently had EIGHT other children, and presumably many many grandchildren. What I learned about him is traced through the documents below.
Also interesting: apparently the Maslins owned and operated a haberdashery shop on Main Street in Manayunk for many years. It is first listed at 4325 Main Street, and later at 4337 Main Street. Coincidentally, the Heath/MacKenzie branch of my family was at the same time living right across the street at 4326 Main Street! I wonder if they knew each other? Of course this was many years before Alice Maslin and John William Heath were even born.
Also interesting: apparently the Maslins owned and operated a haberdashery shop on Main Street in Manayunk for many years. It is first listed at 4325 Main Street, and later at 4337 Main Street. Coincidentally, the Heath/MacKenzie branch of my family was at the same time living right across the street at 4326 Main Street! I wonder if they knew each other? Of course this was many years before Alice Maslin and John William Heath were even born.
Born February 11, 1859, England
Documents:
1880 Census Record - 4325 Main Street
1888 - Mary Maslin Death Certificate - August 17th, 1888
1889 - Marriage Certificate - September 3rd, 1889
(NOTE: The 1890 census was unfortunately mostly destroyed by fire in 1921)
1900 Census Record - 4337 Main Street
1910 Census Record - 309 Greene Lane
1920 Census Record -
1930 Census Record - 309 Greene Lane
1940 Census Record - 309 Greene Lane
1951 - Death Certificate - April 8th, 1951
Documents:
- A Note about census records - the record is only as accurate as the information given/recorded. Spellings vary, and ages and dates may vary, so it is best to try multiple searches when looking for census records. For example, a person may only give his age, not the exact year of birth, leaving the enumerator to estimate the year. The person being questioned may not know all of the information for every person in the household, and may guess or estimate, even fabricate, or unknowingly give false information.
1880 Census Record - 4325 Main Street
- The first record I find for him. As Walter "Maslen," he is 21, single, and working as a clerk in his sister's store. His father (Charles Walter Maslin) is 55, working as a pattern maker. Also listed at the address is Eliza T. Stanley (26), Walter's sister, working as a miliner; and Elizabeth Thomas (16), a servant.
- I found this description of Walter Maslin's "Millinery and Notions" shop at 4325 Main Street. The write-up explains that Walter took over the business from his sister in 1880, "and has now become one of the most prominent and public-spirited merchants of the place [Manayunk]. In both social and business circles he is held in the highest esteem, and he is eminently worthy of the large and liberal patronage accorded him."
1888 - Mary Maslin Death Certificate - August 17th, 1888
- Sometime between 1880 and 1888 Walter married Mary Sutton Ogborn, and together they had 3 children, including my great grandfather Charles Maslin. Mary died of Typhoid Fever in 1888 and is buried in West Laurel Hill cemetery. Note: Not THE Typhoid Mary!
1889 - Marriage Certificate - September 3rd, 1889
- One year after his first wife's death, Walter remarries. Merta(?) Gertrude Bennet is 23 years old from Mercersburg, PA. Walter's parents are listed as Charles and Harriet Maslin. His occupation is given as Merchant.
(NOTE: The 1890 census was unfortunately mostly destroyed by fire in 1921)
1900 Census Record - 4337 Main Street
- Remember when I said a census record is only as good as the person taking/giving the info? Well, this is an exciting record because it just so happens that Walter Maslin himself is the enumerator! One would think this would then be the perfect record for our family, recording everything accurately. But for some strange reason, Walter's year of immigration is given as 1891, and number of years living in the US as 9, which we know is not right. I think he must have mistakenly swapped lines with his neighbor above, because that line notes the immigration year as 1878, 22 years in the US, which makes more sense.
- Walter Maslin is 41, living with his wife Gertrude (33), and they have been married for 11 years. Gertrude is noted as being the mother of 5 children (all still living): Clara (9), Rowland (7), John (5), Thomas (4), and William Penrose (1). Walter's 3 children from his first marriage are living there as well: M. Eva (16), Flora (14), and Charles W. (12). Walter's occupation is listed as a Notion Store Keeper.
1910 Census Record - 309 Greene Lane
- Walter Maslin is 52, living with his wife Gertrude (44); daughter Clara (20); and sons Rolland (17), John (15), Thomas (13), Tensore [Penrose] (11), and Theodore (8). Occupation is merchant at a Niceties Store(?). It is hard to read the last word, but that is my guess. Immigrated in 1867?
1920 Census Record -
- I cannot find the 1920 census record, but presumably Walter is still living at 309 Greene Lane. Gertrude died in 1914 and is buried in West Laurel Hill cemetery.
1930 Census Record - 309 Greene Lane
- Walter Maslin is 71, widowed, and living alone. He works as a repair man, for a Doll Hospital?? (sewing clothes maybe?)
1940 Census Record - 309 Greene Lane
- Walter Maslin is 81, widowed, retired, and living with his granddaughter, Margueritte Vanfosen and her husband C. Elwood Vanfosen, and their children: Elwood (12), Walter (10), Joan (8), and Margueritte (5).
1951 - Death Certificate - April 8th, 1951
- Walter Maslin died on April 8th, 1951 in Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware. He was 92 years old. He was living with his son, John Maslin at #2 W. Cleveland Ave. He suffered from senility, and cause of death is given as coronary heart disease. Father listed as Charles Walter, mother's name unknown. He was buried on April 11, 1951 in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, with his first wife, Mary, and second wife Gertrude.
CHILDREN of Walter and Mary (Ogborn) Maslin:
I. M. Eva (b. Apr. 1884)
II. Flora (b. Nov. 1885)
III. Charles Walter (Dec. 6, 1887-Feb. 25, 1946); m. Alice May West May 9, 1908
CHILDREN of Walter and Gertrude (Bennett) Maslin:
IV. Clara (b. July 1890)
V. Rowland (b. Sept 1892)
VI. John (b. Sept 1894)
VII. Thomas (b. May 1896)
VIII. William Penrose (b. June 1896)
IX. Theodore (b. 1902)
I. M. Eva (b. Apr. 1884)
II. Flora (b. Nov. 1885)
III. Charles Walter (Dec. 6, 1887-Feb. 25, 1946); m. Alice May West May 9, 1908
CHILDREN of Walter and Gertrude (Bennett) Maslin:
IV. Clara (b. July 1890)
V. Rowland (b. Sept 1892)
VI. John (b. Sept 1894)
VII. Thomas (b. May 1896)
VIII. William Penrose (b. June 1896)
IX. Theodore (b. 1902)