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Charles J. Major (1837-1905)

Charles J. Major (1837-1905) was born in County Derry, Ireland, and was the first of three brothers who emigrated to the United States. Charles left home in 1860, settling in Skaneateles, NY. He married Margaret Mallon (1841-1888), a native of Liverpool, NY. They lived in Skaneateles Falls and had 12 children. (Three of them – Thomas, Charles and Michael – are presented in greater detail on separate pages.)

Here is what we have on the descendants of Charles and Margaret Major, going one child at a time. We have little information on most of them and are trying to locate relatives who will help us fill in names of the missing generations.

1. Mary Major (1861-1943) married Thomas Coleman (1859-1952) on November 16, 1892 in Skaneateles New York. They had no children.

Auburn Citizen Advertiser, January 23, 1943
Mrs. Mary Major Coleman, wife of Thomas Coleman, died at her home at Glenside shortly after midnight last night, after an illness of one week. Mrs. Coleman was a lifelong resident of Glenside and a communicant of St. Bridget's Church.

She is survived by her husband; three sisters, Mrs. Timothy Donohue of Schenectady, Mrs. Patrick Wickhan and Mrs. Thomas Heverin of Glenside; four brothers, Thomas and Joseph Major of Glenside; Charles, formerly of Auburn, now of Syracuse, and Michael of Syracuse; several nieces and nephews.


Skaneateles Press, February 29, 1952
Thomas Coleman, a former resident of Skaneateles Falls, died Feb. 20, 1952, in Loretto Rest, Syracuse. He was a retired mill worker.

Surviving are his sister, Mrs. Ellie Ingalls of Auburn; a brother, Edward Coleman; two nieces, Mrs. Gladys Kreicher and Mrs. Ruth Fowler, and four nephews, William, Albert, Frederick Coleman and Samuel Hurd of Auburn.

2. Anne Jane Major (1863-1931) married Michael J. O'Hara (1856-1934) on June 10, 1891 in Skaneateles Falls. This is one of two marriages between a member of the Major-McLaughlin family and an O'Hara. Cornelius McLaughlin (1862-1943) married Elizabeth O'Hara (1864-1916).

Anne and Michael O'Hara lived in Camillus and immediately established their home as the family's social center. I found many mentions in old newspapers about out-of-town relatives staying with the O'Haras during visits to the area.

Michael O'Hara was an entrepreneur involved in several businesses. He operated a garage and was, I think, the first person in Camillus to sell automobiles. He also established a small bus line to transport Camillus residents to and from Syracuse and seems to have provided a taxi service as well. And that's just scratching the surface of an unusually interesting character who was often in the news.

As far as I've been able to determine, Anne and Michael O'Hara had five children. The daughter not mentioned in the obituary below was Margaret, who died in 1920.

Skaneateles Press, April 30, 1931
Mrs. Anne Major O’Hara, a native of Skaneateles Falls, died at her home in Camillus last Saturday. She was 60 years old and had been in failing health for several months.

Surviving are her husband, Michael J. O’Hara; two sons, Charles P. and Joseph F. O’Hara of Camillus; two daughters, Mrs. L. J. Edwards of Syracuse and Miss Loretta O’Hara of Camillus; four sisters, Mrs. Thomas Coleman, Mrs. Patrick Wickham and Mrs. Thomas Heverin, all of Skaneateles Falls, and Mrs. Timothy Donohue of Schenectady, and four brothers, Thomas and Joseph Major of Skaneateles Falls; Charles Major of Auburn and Michael Major of Syracuse.

The funeral took place at 9:15 o’clock Tuesday morning and in St. Joseph’s Church, Camillus, at 10 o’clock. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.


Descendants of Anna Major and Michael O'Hara:
1. Charles P. O'Hara (1892-1958) m. Elizabeth Connors (1893-1972)
2. Joseph F. O'Hara (1894-1971) m. Margaret Caveny (1894-1988)

Auburn Citizen-Advertiser, November 12, 1971
Joseph F. O’Hara, 77, of 82 Genesee St., Camillus, a former member and president of the Camillus Board of Education, died Thursday at his home.

A life resident of Camillus, Mr. O’Hara was associated for many years with the O’Hara Insurance Agency Inc. Before that he was owner of O’Hara Motor Sales.

Mr. O’Hara served 21 years on the Camillus Board of Education, including six years as president. He was an Army veteran of World War I and had served in Europe.

He was a trustee of St. Joseph’s Church for more than 40 years and was a member of the Holy Name Society.


Marcellus Press-Observer, March 2, 1988
Margaret Caveny O’Hara, 93, formerly of West Genesee St., Camillus, died February 25.

Mrs. O'Hara was born in Warners and had resided in Camillus since 1925. She was a 1912 graduate of Warners High School and a graduate of the Jordan Training Class. Mrs. O’Hara was a former teacher in Memphis and Warners.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church and was a former president of its Altar and Rosary Society. She was also a member of the church’s Golden Agers.

3.Margaret O'Hara (1895-1920)
4. Lucy Arlene O'Hara m. ?? Edwards
5.Loretta B. O'Hara (1900-1934) m. Paul Staats (1893-1968)


3. Bridget Major (1866- ) The 1910 U.S. cenus has Bridget married to Michael Flynn and living in Syracuse, with Michael employed at the Solvay Process Company. Michael was the son of Dennis Flynn and Mary McWilliams. His sister, Margaret, married William McLaughlin.

Bridget Major and Michael Flynn had three children:

Joseph F. Flynn (1890- )
Marguerite Flynn (1892- )
James D. Flynn (1896-1929)

Syracuse Post-Standard, April 20, 1918
J. D. Flynn Wounded
in Hun Attack
Syracuse Boy Severely Hurt
While Fighting With U. S. Army

Another Syracuse man has fallen in France. James D. Flynn, 22, of No. 1211 Avery avenue, was severely wounded April 14. The brief announcement came to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Flynn, here last night from the War Department.

Flynn enlisted in the Twenty-third Infantry here July 25 and was encamped with his regiment at the fair grounds until its departure for the front September 7. The prospect of early action in France pleased the young man mightily for he had often told his people and friends that he would not be contented until he was in the midst of the big show.

Whether it was in the trenches in Northern France while the Hun made his recent dent in the British line that Flynn was wounded is not known. His letters home were brief, briefer in fact than the strict military censorship made necessary. Occasional references to the boys of his regiment who had gone from Syracuse with him were the only details vouchsafed in his communications received here.

Eyes on the “Big Show.”
Optimism rang in every line. He was well treated by his officers. They were fine fellows. Lots of good food served regularly. No complaints. Plenty of pleasant work. Feeling great. Don’t worry. That’s all his letters contained. He had his eyes on the big show then. He was absorbing it every minute. He had to time to fret over trivial matters connected with camp life.

That is what soldiering did for Flynn, since, according to his friends, he had been much the same when he lived among them. His fellow workmen at the Solvay Process Company said the same. They had known him for years. He had come to Syracuse when he was only a baby. He was educated here and had many friends.

The last letter his parents received from him was six weeks ago. It was the same as all the others. It breathed enthusiasm in the new life overseas. His company was right where it wished to be – in the heart of everything worthwhile in the big show. The Hun was always to be seen, either in the trenches or in the air. Many a shot he had taken at the enemy and if he did say it himself, he was getting to be a mighty good shot.

Heart and Soul in Cause.
That meant that Flynn was making good. He had his heart and soul in the cause. He came of good fighting stock and now that he had a worthy cause he knew how to battle for it.

His sister, Marguerite, met The Post-Standard representative at the door last night. There was an anxious note in her voice when she said he had been severely wounded. But it was plain to be seen that she was glowing with pride. She was the only sister of her big brother hero.

Mrs. Flynn held up under her grief bravely. She was confident he would pull through. He was a strong boy, she said, and had lived a clean life out in the open. That’s the kind of men Uncle Sam sent over with the Twenty-third and every other contingent.

Syracuse Post-Standard, October 1918
Flynn Home on Furlough
After Aiding in Loan Drive

James D. Flynn, C Company, Twenty-third Infantry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Flynn of No. 1211 Avery Avenue, arrived home yesterday from Philadelphia, Pa., where he has been aiding in the liberty loan campaign.

Private Flynn returned to Philadelphia after he had been severely wounded in action in France and had spent nearly four months in the hospitals before he had recovered sufficiently for a journey back to the United States.

During an engagement on April 14 he was struck by a one-pound shell known as a “whiz bang.” He had a deep gash in the left side of his head and his right arm was badly hurt, but in spite of these injuries he found a companion who had been blinded by the explosion of the shell and guided him back to the lines. Private Flynn was sent to a base hospital and did not reach the United States until September 1.

Private Flynn has a fourteen-day furlough which he will spend at the home of his parents.

4. John J. Major (1868-1922) married Catherine McGinn. One source said John and Catherine had four children, but I have the name of only one: Margaret Major (1896- ?). Margaret was listed as the only child surviving her father when he died in 1922. (Some sources list Mrs. Major as the former Katherine McGinn.)

Marcellus Observer, July 26, 1922
We had a notice last issue of the death of John J. Major. The Skaneateles Democrat says:

He was buried in a casket covered with a piece of cloth be made and finished, He had spent considerable time experimenting for the Glenslde Co., in securing a special finish on some cloth and had successfully completed his experiments a short time before taken sick. It was his desire that his casket be covered with some of this cloth when he realized his end was near.

The Glenside Mills sent the cloth to the John Marcellus Manufacturing Company at Syracuse where the special casket was made.

5. Margaret Major (1870-1944) married Timothy E. Donohue (1868-1953) on Aug. 24, 1898 in Skaneateles Falls. Though buried in Skaneateles, the Donohues lived most of their married life in Schenectady where he was employed by the General Electric Company. Their son Raymond Donohue was a detective with the Schenectady Police Department.

Auburn Citizen Advertiser, December 6, 1944
Mrs. Margaret Major Donohue, wife of Timothy Donohue, died at her home in Schenectady Wednesday afternoon after an illness of several months.

Mrs. Donohue is survived by her husband; one daughter, Margaret; one son, Raymond, all of Schenectady; two sisters, Mrs. Patrick Wickham and Mrs. Thomas Heverin of Skaneateles falls; four brothers, Thomas and Joseph Major of Skaneateles Falls, Charles, formerly of Auburn, and Michael of Syracuse.

The body will be brought to the home of Mrs. Heverin in Skaneateles Falls Thursday afternoon. The funeral will leave the house Saturday morning at 8:45 o’clock will be held at St. Mary’s Church, Skaneateles at 9:30. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Skaneateles.

Schenectady Gazette, December 7, 1944
Mrs. Margaret Donohue, wife of Timothy E. Donohue of 331 Germania Avenue, who died Tuesday at her home after a month’s illness, will be buried in St. Mary’s of the Lake cemetery, Skaneateles, NY, after a solemn requiem mass this morning at 9:30 o’clock in St. Columba’s Church.

Her home will be open this morning after 9 o’clock. A service will also be held Saturday morning at the Skaneateles church.

Mrs. Donohue was born in Skaneateles Falls and had lived 46 years in this city. She was a communicant of St. Columba’s Church.

Besides her husband, she leaves one daughter, Miss Margaret E. Donohue; a son, Raymond F. Donohue; four brothers, Thomas and Joseph Major of Skaneateles Falls, Charles and Michael Major of Syracuse; two sisters, Mrs. P. T. Wickham of Skaneateles Falls, and Mrs. T. P. Heverin.

Children of Margaret and Timothy Donohue:
Margaret E. Donohue (1900-1976) of Schenectady.
Raymond F. Donohue (1904-1958) was a detective with the Schenectady police department.

6. Thomas Edward Major (1872-1957) married Lucinda Ellen McCarthy (1873-1947). Ten children.

7. Rose Ellen Major (1873-1926) married John Reeves. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves lived their married lives in Erie, PA. Her obituary in the Auburn Citizen (June 15, 1926) doesn't refer to her as the widow of John Reeves, nor does it list her husband as one of her survivors. Apparently they did not have children. The obituary listed the cause of her death as a weakened heart. She had come down with pneumonia about a month before her death.

8. Charles P. Major (1874-1952) married Mary Lucy Dempsey. His obituary in the Skaneateles Press (Dec. 19, 1952) said he had retired from the New York State Electric and Gas Company of Auburn where he had worked for 40 years. Three children.

9. Julia A. Major (1877-1966) married Patrick Wickham Jr. (1879-1937). One child, Charles (see below).

Marcellus Press-Observer, Thursday, Dec. 8, 1966
Rites Are Friday For Falls Native
Mrs. Julia Major Wickham, a Skaneateles Falls native who lived here all her life until 20 years ago, died Tuesday in Schenectady, where she had been living with a niece.

Mrs. Wickham, widow of Patrick J. Wickham, moved from the Falls to Ithaca 20 years ago, and 10 years ago moved to Schenectady to live with Miss Margaret E. Donohue. Also surviving are a sister, Mrs. Thomas P. Heverin of Solvay; a grandson, John M. Wickham of Mamaroneck, a great-granddaughter, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral was held at St. Mary's of the Lake Church. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery.


Charles Joseph Wickham (1907-56)

John Major Wickham (1941-2009) m. Joan Glasheen, Westchester County, NY

Lynn Elizabeth Wickham (1966- ), Cape Cod, MA
Christopher Patrick Wickham (1991- )

Maureen Susan Wickham (1969- ) m. Michael Cucchiara; Westchester County, NY

Brian Michael Cucchiara (2000- )
Kevin Charles Cucchiara (2003- )

10. Michael Major (1879-1962) married Annie McLaughlin (1877-1962) on April 30, 1907 in Skaneateles Falls. They later resided in Syracuse. (McLaughlin records refer to her as Anna.) Two children, Harold and Mary,

11. Sarah Major (1881-1973) married Thomas P. Heverin (1880-1941) on June 24, 1908 in Skaneateles Falls. One child, Margaret (see below).

Skaneateles Free Press, Friday, June 26, 1908
Miss Sarah Major was married to Thomas P. Heverin in St. Bridget’s Church, Skaneateles Falls, at 6 o’clock Wednesday evening, June 24, 1908, in the presecence of a large number of relatives and friends. Rev. T. J. Conway performed the wedding ceremony. Miss Sarah Major, a cousin of the bride, and Harry Ganley attended the bridal couple. A reception was held after the ceremony. After a brief wedding trip, Mr. and Mrs. Heverin will begin housekeeping at Skaneateles Falls.

NOTE: The maid of honor, a cousin who had the same name as the bride, may have been the daughter of John Major, one of the three brothers who emigrated from Ireland to the United States. Charles and William settled in Skaneateles, John moved west to Buffalo. Among John Major's nine children was a daughter Sarah, born in 1878.

Auburn Citizen Advertiser, March 28, 1941
Thomas Heverin of Skaneateles Falls died this morning at his home in that place after a protracted illness. Mr. Heverin was born in Skaneateles Falls and made his home there. For some years he was an employe of the Glenside Woolen Company.

Surviving Mr. Heverin are his wife, the former Sarah Major; a daughter, Margaret; three brothers, Hugh of Utica, Charles and Edward of Auburn; and a sister, residing in Skaneateles.

Sarah Major and Thomas P. Heverin had one child, Margaret:
Margaret Heverin married Modesto Chemotti
M. Thomas Chemotti m. Mary Rae
Julia Chemotti
Diana Chemotti
Frank Chemotti
Donald A. Chemotti (1949- ) m. Janet DeYulio (1950- )
Michael Chemotti
Daniel Chemotti
Lauren Chemotti
Mary Ann Chemotti m. Mark McArdle
Morgan Marie McArdle
Matthew Michael McArdle
Michael Matthew McArdle
Charles Chemotti

12. Joseph M. Major (1888-1958) married Catherine "Rena" Phillips (1890-1965). They had no children.

Marcellus Weekly Observer, June 1965

Mrs. Joseph Major, Skaneateles Falls,
Dies At 75

Mrs. Catherine Phillips Major, 76, of Skaneateles Falls died June 21 after a long illness in Auburn Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Major was the widow of Joseph Major who died seven years ago. Her twin brother is Raymond J. Phillips of Skaneateles Junction. Both Mrs. Major and her late husband worked for many years in the Waterbury Felt Co.

Other than her home and her work at the felt company her interests centered around her church, the American Legion, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

She was a member of St. Bridget's Church, a member of its Altar and Rosary Society, the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, and the Stella Maris Guild. She was also a member of the auxiliaries of the American Legion and the A.O.H.

Several nieces and nephews in this area also survive. They include: Sister Thomas Ann, C.S.J., Mrs. Charles Severson and Francis Phillips of Skaneateles Falls and Mrs. Alfred Davis and Mrs. Catherine Brooks of Auburn. She is also survived by 11 grand-nieces and 16 grand-nephews.

Services were in St. Mary's of the Lake Church with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Skaneateles.

Most of the information was researched and provided by Charles Thomas Major Jr.
of Skaneateles, a great-grandson of Charles and Margaret Major. My family trees
are incomplete and likely contain errors. Please send corrections to:
JMajor9863@aol.com
Family Trees ––– Recollections ––– Read All About It––– Strictly Solvay ––– Sandy Pond ––– Etc.