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Note: oadlands. Her godparents were John Quinn and Fanny Noble. Notes: Married May 1921 at St. James Church Chicago Patrick Mahoney and Catherine Trost Herbertus Trost Cathrine Mahoney P.W.? (perhaps should be P.H.). Herbert Trost and Cathrine Mahoney were probably witnesses of marriage.
Although most or all of her life my grandmother, was only referred to by her first name, in her mother's prayer book she refers to her daughter as Lillian Kate. My grandmother hated her first name. My company, Dai-Lilli Legacy Enterprises, was named after both of my grandmothers, Daisy Box and Lillian Trost.
When just a young woman of 16, Lillian lost her mother. With Mary Trost working, the responsibility of raising Howard and Lois was left with her. Lois considered Lill her second mother. Even when her mother was still living, she often helped to wash the babies' diapers. Perhaps all of this caring was to prepare her to pursue a nursing career. It was through her training at Mercy Hospital that she met her love and future husband, Patrick Henry Mahoney, a.k.a., P.H.
The World's Fair was in Chicago in the 1930's, and Stella Trost (Herb's wife) and Lil went there together. They laughed and had a delightful time together.
On the 1900 census, P.H.'s occupation was listed as machine apprentice, which is how he probably lost the first joint of his middle finger. He told my Grandmother that when it was cut off, men used a hot iron to cauterize the stub. As a nurse, she was horrified at the thought of the unsanitary conditions. He used to use his stub to check whether sockets were live, because the nerve endings had died.
Patrick was first married to Ellen Bridget Judge and they had the following children:
Edward Joseph Mahoney born April 2, 1910. Patrick Mahoney born February 17, 1913. James Francis Mahoney born May 27, 1915
Patrick hired Mary Davis who was born in Virginia to care for his 3 small children after his wife's death, and to keep the house straight. He admitted to my Grandmother that he felt he was a terrible father to these children, because he was rarely home. When he was not working, he would wander the streets, or go into the local bars. He would not get back until late. Patrick's life began to change for the better, however, sometime within the following year after his son Patrick's death. There was a 30-year-old single student nurse who began her training at Mercy Hospital, who made the "mistake" of referring to my grandfather as "Patrick". A bit pompously, he quipped, that she should refer to him as "Mr. Mahoney" - he was the Chief Engineer of the hospital. As Lillian Kathryne Trost was as stubborn as her paternal German ancestors could proudly proclaim, she never again in life referred to him as Patrick; for the rest of her life she called him "P.H." I do not know the course their dating took, but my grandfather was very concerned about her reputation, so he insisted that they keep their personal relationship a secret. On May 11, 1921, he married my grandmother at St. James Church in Chicago, Illinois. Lill's introduction to her new family was a bit dramatic. After the ceremony, Patrick came home to his family, and introduced Lillian, someone they had never met, as "your new mother." That evening, Mary Davis, the housekeeper and surrogate mother to the boys for nearly 3 years, was dismissed. Lil and her stepson, Jimmy, got along fine probably because he was only 6 years old when she became his stepmother, and only 3 when his mother died. Ed and his stepmother experienced many difficulties along the way. Within a few months, she became pregnant. Word of her father, Eli Trost, having died on his 69th birthday came when she was about due for delivery of her first child, so the doctor forbade her to attend the funeral. My grandfather Mahoney took the journey to Philo in her place. On May 9, 1922 at Mercy Hospital, John (Jack) Eli Mahoney was born. My father told me that he was named after his mother's uncle, John Trost, and her father, Eli. Recently Pat Durkin relayed that she thought he was named after Jackie Coogan. My grandfather had really wanted a girl, so upon visiting at the hospital his wife and new son, he said, "Couldn't you have done better?" He really was happy with his new son as evidenced in one of the pictures taken of he and baby Jack. I also remember my father telling me as a child that it was snowing the day he was born. I do not have an almanac, but the story itself, if it is not true, is a reflection of the way he used to tease his children with "stories". Many of the pictures taken of the Mahoney and Trost families, I should interject, were taken by one of the first portable camera models invented for consumers. My grandparents purchased it shortly after they were married. Jack gave this camera to his son, Paul. Almost exactly 6 years later, P.H. was finally rewarded with a baby girl. Patricia Lois Mahoney was born on May 1, 1928. Lillian did not tell her son, Jack, that a new arrival was on the way, and, as he was not prepared for the little bundle, he took one look and said, "Take her back." The family took a number of trips together throughout the States, which surely was a privilege that few could afford at that time. They lived a fulfilling and normal life together, and, eventually, the children, one by one married and moved on with their own families.
P.H.'s grandchildren, Patrick and Mary Ellen Mahoney, remembered how genteel and quiet spoken he and my grandmother were. Mary Ellen remembered how neatly Patrick would lay his overnight things out on the bed when he unpacked. My father once told me in a very solemn tone about how Grandpa's hair turned white overnight after his sons went into the armed services during WWII. While I was at our 1994 family reunion, imagine my amusement to hear "the rest of the story." My Aunt Pat once made a whispered comment of concern to her mother about her father's hair, and my Grandmother, most likely with a wry smile & a twinkle in her bright blue eyes, informed her that he had used "Color Back" for many years before the war.
Lill was a good stepmother. She and her siblings had been mistreated by her stepmother, and she tried hard to be fair to her stepchildren. Often referred to in the most uncomplimentary terms, Sarah Doss Wilson Trost, was never going to receive the "Stepmother of the Year" award by any of the Trost children. In fact, one of Eli's grandchildren said that Sarah was "mean as hell." As I understand it, when she and her children moved into Eli's home, the Trost children were pushed to the far end of the table, and required to do most or all of the house and yard work. My grandmother would rarely eat chicken for the rest of her life because Sarah forced her to go out to strangle the hen's necks for supper. Sarah was also accused of frittering away their father's money and estate, and they were furious when their father gave away much of their mother's jewelry to her. With all of the animosity, her son, Herbert, begged her to attend his mother's funeral because there would be so few people who would attend. Being a kind and very Christian woman, my Grandmother went down for the funeral.
P.H. worked a short time in real estate after he tried to "supervise" my grandmother's housekeeping. Eventually, they decided to move out to Arcadia, California. They followed their long time friends, Mr. and Mrs. Bliss. They purchased a trailer close to their friends which was located at 4241 East Live Oak. He must have loved it in California, because when my Aunt was having a difficult time with her second delivery in February 1953 (Michael was about a month premature), my grandmother insisted that they drive to Chicago so she could be with her daughter. They arrived in record time, and, when my grandfather was assured that the baby was fine, he informed my grandmother that he and the car were leaving for California the next day, and she could stay or accompany him as she wished. In March 1954, P.H. asked my grandmother to let his pants out because he had gained some weight. He also told her how nice it was that he did not seem to have to get up so often in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, these were signs of uremic poisoning, which upon reflection, my grandmother figured out too late. Immediately after P.H. died, she took a plane to Chicago. A small plane in front of her plane almost collided with them. She stayed up the whole night talking with her daughter, Pat. She felt so guilty about P.H. dying. She felt that she should have recognized the signs of euremic poisoning from her nurses training. Maybe if she had, he would not have died. She stayed with Pat for a long time. The following summer, Lois, Lill, and Jack Mahoney, Jr. all traveled to California to help her pack up P.H.'s clothes.
My grandmother was a quiet person. She did not laugh loudly, and she was not gregarious. She had a nice sense of humor, but it was more sharp wit which many would not catch for a few seconds. "My memories of Grandma Mahoney are all good ones. I remember her singing the "Convoy" song (my mom knows it if you are interested) and hearing a truck driver song coming from such a proper woman was amazing. I remember staying with Grandma and having a good time doing absolutely nothing. I only wish she had been in my life a little bit longer so that I would have as many memories as my brothers and sister do." ~ Lois Durkin
Whenever any of my grandparents or my Aunt Lois came to town, many times the first night, but certainly by the second night, we all play cards - grandparents, aunt and children - Canasta, Gin Rummy, Rummy, Kings in the Corner . . . . You name it, we played it, and boy did we ever have fun. My Grandma Mahoney taught me to play double deck solitaire, which I have taught my daughter, Beth. My Grandmother Kubaszak used to tease me when I would shuffle the cards, "You're going to shuffle the spots off!" because I wanted to make sure the deck was well shuffled.
Whenever I would visit Chicago, I would stay in Grandma's apartment. That was especially nice, because my other Grandparents lived downstairs. What a dream! I could go from one apartment to the next visiting three wonderful and special people.
Grandma Mahoney had her insights and "wisdoms," too. We would talk for hours about people or situations. She was filled with so much information, I just tried to be a sponge. When she praised someone, you knew that was something very special, because she did not often do so. She told my father that she would lend me money anytime because of how quickly my husband and I paid my father back when he lent us money to buy a house. She also told me what a good driver I was, which was also special. Of course, she had some cute quips, too:
1. The first baby is often "premature." 2. For every couple who wants to have a family, the husband and wife should alternate having children. The woman should have the first child, the man should have the second child, the woman should have the third, and then there would be no more. 3. In payment for "service," if you want a tip, stay away from men. 4. Diane loads the cannon, and gets Christine to fire it.
She used to keep a small transister radio under her pillow because she had difficulty falling asleep at night. She enjoyed listening to talk radio, as I recall. Insomnia was probably why she was drafted by the Durkin household on Christmas Eve: "What I loved about Grandma was she never slept on Christmas eve. She was the Grandma Patrol on Christmas mornings. I don't know if she was on the lookout for my Mom and Dad because they were putting bikes together or she just didn't want us to miss any sleep, but it didn't matter if we got up at 2 a.m. or 4 a.m., Grandma would stop us at the end of the hall and send us back to bed. She would always catch us sneaking by her door." ~ Johnny Durkin
She was not much for arguing, either. Her husband, P.H., and most of their children were very opinionated and demonstrative. However, one of her neighbors named Elizabeth who was from Germany really insensed her. Lill asked her about the Jews being sent to concentration camps, and the woman denied knowing anything about it. She would not admit knowing anything of the atrocities and denied even realizing that her Jewish neighbors went missing. Lill became very angry, and basically told Elizabeth that she had to have known something was going on.
Lillian graduated from the St. Joseph Academy. Because her mother died leaving her little sister, Lois, without a maternal role model, Lill became Lois' second mother. When Lois was fully grown, Lill left for Chicago and enrolled in Mercy Hospital for Nurses training. She was a graduate of 1921. A letter was written by her Superintendent so that she could purchase a Class pin:
Mercy Hospital under Direction of Sisters of Mercy Chicago, Ill.
A.L. Williams & Co.., 27 E. Munroe St., Chicago, Ill.
Gentleman:
Kindly deliver to the Bearer Lillian Trost, a graduate of the class of 1921, Mercy Hospital School for Nurses a school pin.
Also please fill in blanks below and return to the undersigned in the enclosed envelope.
Respectfully yours, Sister Mary de Paul, R.N. Supt. of Nurses
With her three sons in the military, Lillian did not want to stay at home all day worrying. She began working at the Pullman-Standard Car Company to keep her hands and mind busy. I obtained her file from the South Suburban Genealogical Society which has possession of the employee files.
Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company Aircraft Division Pullman Works Chicago, IL Employment File of Lillian Mahoney S.S. #351 20 2831 Last Day Worked: 7/7/1945; Check #4114 D.O.B. 1-14-90 Country Where Born: USA Race: White Date Entered Service: 7/30/43 1-11-8 Quit Definite Termination
Notice to Drop Employe 7/30/44 1 yrs. 11 mos. 8 days
Date: 7/7/45 #4114 Name: Lillian Mahoney (W) 10204 St. Laurence Phone: Pull. 9115 Dept. Sheet Metal Occupation: Hydro Press Loader Show in detail exact reason for termination of service: Unable to care for home & job both
Signed by Lillian Mahoney and A. Hunter, Foreman, and C. Becker Gen Formean (Superintendent signature unintelligible); reverse side: Goggles and Badge received by J. Zeller and G.H. Gilland
Employment Application: Occupation: Housewife Age: 53 D.O.B. January 14, 1890 at Philo, IL Married and Owns home Height: 5' 4" Color: White Sex: Female Right or Left Handed: Right No physical defects (sprawled cockeyed was "Palmer House Engineer" obviously referring to P.H. Mahoney) Her Badge: Shows her picture; citizenship - Native; Hair: Gray/Brown; Eyes Blue; Weight 140 lbs.
Relatives in Pullman Employ: None
High School: St. Thomas, Philo, IL 4 yrs. Other: Graduate Nurse Nationality: Irish-German Descent Trade: Nurse
Birthplace of nearest relatives: Father: Eli Trost, Columbus, OH Mother: Kathryn Quinn, Mechanicsburg, OH Husband: Patrick H. Mahoney, Chicago, IL
References: E. Olsen of 10206 St. Laurence J. Geri of 10345 Eberhart, Salesman K. Overholt of 10221 St. Laurence C. Dray of 10200 St. Laurence, City R.R. who wrote: Lillian Mahoney - To my knowledge has the best of character. She has the cause of her country at heart, with 3 sons in the service. She is regarded as a very patriotic person by every one who know her. Signed, C.C. Dray
Have you your own hand tools? NO Read Blue Prints? NO Read Micrometer? NO
Her signature: Lillian Mahoney
Interviewed by: Drake w/ comments: Housewife previously - 3 sons in service & wants to help win this war. Keep busy - (strong) - keep in mind for file & Burr or Sheet Metal - 7/29/43 called in for File and Burr. Referred by Clara Olson, Inspector Mrs. Gere - Time Keeping Dept.
"Employees are required to read and familiarize themselves with the contents of the Sabotage and Espionage Statutes, copies of which you will be given. I have received a copy of the Sabotage and Espionage Statutes." Signed by Lillian Mahoney on 7/29/43.
There was an introduction card recommending her for riveting and she was asked to report to work on 7/2 in the morning. The date to start work was 7/30/43.
Lillian was a File & Burr at .60/hour from 7/30/43 to 9/14/43 (1 month 15 days); Lillian was a Hydro Press Loader for .73/hour from 9/15/43 - 11/21/43; .78/hour from 11/22/43 - 1/3/44; .83/hour from 1/4/44 - 3/13/44; .88/hour from 3/14/44 - 5/13/45; $1/hour from 5/14/45 - 7/7/45.
Also included with her papers was a copy of her "Delayed Birth Certificate" and according to it she was born in Philo, Champaign Co., IL, Primary District #4160
Name: Lillian Trost D.O.B.: Jan 14, 1890, a single birth Father: Eli Trost, white, 45, farmer, P.O.B.: Canal Winchester, OH Mother: Kathryn Quinn, white, 38, housewife, P.O.B.: Longview, IL (incorrect)
Children born to Mother: 7> (Since this was a delayed certificate, this statement is correct, but not at time of birth) Hom many children living: 6 How many children died: 1
Howard Trost, Brother, certified that he was there at the birth of his sister; Address: Philo, IL; Phone: #287 Birth Certificate Filed July 9, 1943.
When my family moved to Baltimore, Lillian moved to Chicago because she could not bear to think of her son, Jack, to be living all the way on the East coast so far away. My Dad used to call her every few days to see how she was doing. He used to tease her by calling her "Diamond Lill" because around her 80th birthday, she got her ears pierced and put diamonds in her ears.
Around her 80th birthday she also broker her wrist. When she was in the hospital, the nurses were so busy, that no one had come around to give her a sponge bath, so her daughter, Pat, offered to help her out. She was in tears, saying, I used to give you a bath, but Pat told her that she was sure that her daughters would one day have to give her a bath and not to think twice about it. My dad used to tease her that she probably had a "Golden Pheasant," - the only alchoholic drink she liked and very tame - which made her slip and break her wrist. Her son-in-law, Jack Durkin, made her drink just the way she liked it.
Drumm Funeral Home 1200 E. 162nd St. South Holland, IL: Her Mass Card: In Loving Memory of Lillian K. Mahoney Born, January 14, 1890 Passed Away, October 24, 1978 at 10:00 a.m Internment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Safely Home: I am home in heaven, dear ones; Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty In this everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over, Every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace foerver, Safely home in heaven at last. There is work still waiting for you So you must not idly stand; Do it now, while life remaineth - You shall rest in God's own land. When that work is all completed. He will gently call you Home; Oh, the rapture of that meeting. Oh, the joy to see you come!
Note: Catharinam Lillian Trust, born January 14, 1890, was baptized May 4 by Joseph Lizee in the Br
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