Niagara County
NYGenWeb
The following is some information I pulled together after finding the 1927 article of James Maloney who talked about his work at the Cataract Hotel in Niagara Falls. I do NOT intend this to be a complete family listing, as I am not related to the family and I have mostly pulled this information from online census records and some newspaper articles. There may certainly be some missing information and even incorrect information (due to the sources used). If you are a family member and would like to correct or add to this information, I would welcome it! - Lisa Slaski
Michael Maloney and his wife Margaret were both born in Ireland about 1825. They were likely married in the area of Youngstown, Town of Porter, Niagara County, NY and moved about 1854 to Niagara Falls, where they resided the rest of their lives.
1850 Census, Porter,
Niagara, NY: McDonald, Angus, 23, New Brunswick; Milony, Michael, 33 (or
possibly 23?), laborer, Ireland; Milony, Margaret, 21, Ireland
1860 Census, Niagara, Niagara, NY: Malony, Michael, 30; Malony,
Margaret, 40; Malony, James, 9; Malony, Margaret, 7; Malony, Bridget, 4.
1865 Census, Niagara, Niagara, NY: Maloney, Michael, 46; Maloney,
Margaret, 45; Maloney, James, 13; Maloney, Margaret, 11; Maloney,
Bridget, 10.
1870 Census, Niagara Falls, Niagara, NY: Maloney,
Michael, 45; Maloney, Margaret, 48; Maloney, Maggie, 17; Bridget, 15.
1875 Census Niagara, Niagara: Maloney, Michall, 51; Maloney,
Margaret, 50; Maloney, Bridget, 19.
1880 Niagara, Niagara:
Malony, Michael, 50; Malony, Margaret, 59.
Michael died about 1887:
Source: The Niagara Falls Gazette (unknown year, between
1886 and 1889)
Michael Maloney died at his residence on Ontario
street Monday morning, in the 63d year of his age Mr. Maloney was born
in Ireland and came to this country about 40 years ago, stopping first
at Youngstown. He remained there but a short time, when he came to this
village and married a lady who came over in the same vessel with him.
New Years would have been the 38th anniversary of their wedding. Mr.
Maloney has been in the employ of the Brewing Company ever since its
organization, working up to Saturday noon last. Of late years he has
been troubled with dyspepsia, which was, the immediate cause of his
death. He leaves a widow, one son, James, and two daughters, Mrs. Jos.
McDonald and Mrs. John Mahoney, besides many friends, to mourn his loss.
The funeral is being observed from St. Mary's church this morning. The
deceased was one of the charter members of Branch 1, C. M. B. A.
His wife, Margaret, died in 1899:
Source: The Niagara Falls
Gazette, Saturday, May 6, 1899
Mrs. Margaret Mahoney [sic]
Mrs. Margaret Maloney died this morning at her home on Main Street.
She was born in County Clare, Ireland, and came to this country with her
parents when quite young. She was a resident of Youngstown for many
years and came to this city in 1854, where she has lived ever since. The
deceased leaves two daughters. Mrs. Joseph McDonald and Mrs. John
Mahoney, and one son, James Maloney, all of this city.
The
funeral will be held Monday morning at 9 o'clock from St. Mary's Church
and the interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.
They had 3 children: James, born about 1851; Margaret, born about 1853, married Joseph McDonald; and Bridget, born about 1855, married John Mahoney
James Maloney was born in Youngstown in 1851. He was long employed by
the Cataract Hotel in Niagara Falls as the head porter. He married
Margaret Reilly between 1870 and 1875 and they had at least 3 children:
Edward (b. about 1874), James (b. about 1878, probably died young), and
Mary M. (b. about 1883).
Margaret Reilly Maloney, the wife of
James Maloney died before the 1892 census and it appears that his
mother-in-law and perhaps his mother along with other possible relatives
were living with or near him and his young family:
1892 Niagara, Niagara (names are listed sequentially with no breaks for households, so they may not all be related): Maloney, James, 39, porter; Malone, Edward, 17; Maloney, Mary, 9; Reilly, Mary, 68, Ireland, a, housekeeper (probably mother-in-law?); Murphy, Ellen, 30, Canada, a; Maloney, Margaret, 72, Ireland, a, housekeeper (possibly mother?); McNiff, Bridget, 58, Ireland, a; Sullivan, James, 25, Canada, a, builder; Sullivan, Bridget, 29, Canada?, a, housekeeper; McNiff, Thomas, 26, Canada, c, brakeman; Sullivan, Gertrude, 1, US.
His son, Edward, died at the age of 21, in 1895:
Niagara Falls Gazette, Wednesday,
July 31, 1895
SHOCK WAS FATAL
Edward Maloney was Instantly
Killed at Electric Light Station Early This Morning.
RECEIVED
OVER 3,000 VOLTS.
There is Not the Slightest Mark or Burn on His
Body to Show What Killed Him
Never Spoke Alter he Received the
Current
Edward Maloney, aged nearly 21 years, son of James
Maloney, head porter at the Cataract House, was instantly killed this
morning at the power station of the Buffalo and Niagara Falls Electric
Light and Power Company in this city. Maloney was night dynamo tender
and it is thought received between 3,000 and 3,500 volts in his body
while standing along side one of the arc machines.
The accident
occurred about 3:30 o'clock this morning, while Maloney was engaged in
shutting down the big machine. He was assisted by the engineer, Joseph
Crosby, and the latter had just turned off the switch when he turned and
saw Maloney lying on the floor against the wall. He asked him what was
the matter, but the boy only gasped and twitched. Crosby immediately
took hold of him and shook him, but found that he was unconscious. He
called the fireman, Thomas Harvey, and together they carried Maloney
into the open air and tried every means of resuscitation known to them.
Dr. W. H. Hodge, was hastily summoned but when he arrived the boy
had been dead some time. The doctor, however, tried for an hour to
resuscitate him but it was unavailing. The doctor announced that death
was instantaneous.
Coroner Slocum took charge of the case and
empaneled the following jury: Frederick Leappie, W. A. Snyder, C. M.
Norris, D. H. Treichler, Thomas McMahon and O. J. Haserman. The jury
will meet tomorrow evening in the police court room in the city
building.
A peculiar thing about the accident is that there are
no marks whatever upon Maloney’s body. From all indications the young
man received the full voltage of the machine. He evidently took hold of
the live wire just a second before the switch was turned. He was
standing on the cement floor, which was a good conductor, instead of
wooden planks surrounding the machine. The 3,500 volts passed through
him and he did not know what killed him. Engineer Crosby took hold of
the wire after the switch was turned but received no shock whatever. Dr.
Hodge said it was the most complete and sudden taking away of a human
life he has ever seen and clearly demonstrates that electricity is the
most sudden and painless death that can be devised. The appearance of
the features and body denote in no wise how death came. The features are
so life like that one would think the boy sleeping.
Superintendent Chapin stated that Maloney has been studying electricity
and has been around the power station since his company first started.
He was bright and learned rapidly. Being sober and industrious Mr.
Chapin gave him a position as soon as he thought the young man
qualified. A vacancy occurred about two months ago and he was put on as
dynamo tender. He, it was supposed, understood the danger attached to
live wires thoroughly.
The remains were taken in charge by
Undertaker McKenna and were afterwards removed to the home of the father
No. 443 Main street.
Besides a father, the deceased leaves a
sister, Miss Mary Maloney.
The funeral will be held Friday
morning at S t Mary's Church.
The question of resuscitation was
generally discussed on the street and has been in papers throughout the
country but it is the opinion of Dr. Hodge and electricians here that
the high voltage and complete circuit killed Maloney instantly and there
is no hope of resuscitation where the conditions for a current are so
favorable.
James Maloney from the 1927 newspaper article (below)
In 1927, he spoke of his years of working at the Cataract Hotel:
Source: The Niagara Falls Gazette, Wednesday, October 26, 1927
Interesting Reminiscences
Some Incidents of the Early Days of
the Old Cataract House as Recalled by James Maloney, for 52 Years an
Employe of the House
The city authorities may be happy in
possession of the service of James Maloney, day watchman at the city
service yard on Cayuga avenue. At that point is stored valuable
machinery and material required to keep the streets in proper repair and
in a state of cleanliness. Nothing can be taken from the plant, or added
to during the day without the knowledge of Mr. Maloney, who has a
personal pride in seeing that the city of his adoption and where he has
lived for 71 years of the 76 years of his life, keeps pace with the best
kept cities of the country.
Mr. Maloney was born in Youngstown in
1851 and when less than six years old he moved with his parents to
Niagara Falls. For many years they lived on Third street, amid a
sparsely settled section. He now lives with his daughter at 433 Main
street, within view of the waterway and equipment that is continuing to
develop a mighty municipality. He is one man in Niagara who sees the
dreams of pioneers of electrical experts of the past come true.
Employed at Stone Tavern
He attended the Fifth and Third street
schools and while still very young he obtained employment, at the old
stone tavern that occupied the present site of the Imperial hotel, Falls
and Second streets. Cummings & Hammond conducted the establishment and
it was there that Mr. Maloney learned the rudiments of hotel life that
subsequently fitted him to occupy a position at the Cataract house, of
happy memory, for a period of 52 years.
A half century in one
establishment equips one with a wealth of memories and Mr. Maloney is
richly endowed in that respect. He has vivid recollections of the
Whitneys, Jeraulds and Porters whose names figured largely in the
operation of the famed hostelry many years ago. He speaks tenderly of
the arrivals and departures of the days gone by, when he handled much of
the baggage of noted people of International fame, to say nothing of the
newlyweds who coyly sought accommodations at the hotel of the period. He
upsets some theories, erroneously entertained, he says, about traditions
pertaining to the Cataract.
Not Original Eagle Tavern
He
says the Cataract is not the original Eagle Tavern, which was situated
nearer the upper rapids and which carried an insignia in the form of the
king of birds, done in wood, and richly engraved, standing about three
feet tall. This relic, on the elimination of the original tavern, Mr.
Maloney says, was removed to the Cataract hotel, the front of which was
graced with its presence until a few years ago, when P. A Porter
disposed of the building. The insignia, together with the first guest
register of the hotel, were taken away by Mr. Porter who was recognized
as the foremost historian of the Niagara frontier. In its place was left
a small iron eagle that stood upon the desk of the hotel clerk until the
later days of the hotel's best business period. On the larger eagle
appeared the figures 1822.
Mr Maloney can unhesitatingly trace
the story of the hotel with much accuracy. He recalls the advances made
to Mr. Porter by Col. Girard of New York, who dreamed of establishing a
Crystal Palace out of the ancient hotel, a rendezvous that would
outshine anything else in the nation. The price to be paid Mr. Porter,
Mr. Maloney says, was $135,000, according to his recollection, and of
this amount the promoter paid down $15,000. The balance was to be paid
within three months. At the end of that time the colonel failed to toe
the mark and he was forced to relinquish possession of the venerable
block. Nineteen years ago Mr. Porter disposed of the property to the
present owner.
Many Celebrities
Mr. Maloney, with evident
pleasure, tells about the visits of celebrities to the hotel when both
the building and himself were in their prime. The red coach, tally-ho's,
drawn by blooded stock, that carried the Carys of Buffalo and other
ancient frontier wealthy families to the hotel for week-end stays; the
national characters such as Lincoln, Generals Grant, Sheridan and other
war leaders of the Civil war period, have left their autographs behind
them. Royalty was too numerous to keep track of, but the coming of Li
Hung Chang, wise old oriental diplomat, was something not to be easily
forgotten. He also recalls the coming of Boss Tweed of New York. All
these guests had corps of servants and much baggage.
The wizard
of China, Mr. Maloney says, was never in a hurry about anything. He was
heavy of build Maloney often aided in getting the guest to the upper
section of the hotel where his apartments were. Chang never indulged any
physical exertion he could dispense with. His pipe was filled, lighted
and put in his mouth by servants who seemed to anticipate their master's
slightest need. He had his own cooks, victuals and in his retinue were
agents whose duty it was to taste the food served before their august
master. From the southland, after the Civil war, droves of well-to-do
families arrived to spend the season, or a better part of it. In those
days the hotel opened May 1, and closed Nov 1.
The Great Bell
The narrator also tells of a great bell that was suspended above the
hotel to summon the kitchen attaches and waiters to their duties.
Chiefly colored help was employed, and between times these would abandon
the hotel for a loll or sleep in the woods that surrounded the building
and where now are sections of land calling for thousands of dollars per
foot. This bell is believed to have been taken over by Mr. Porter.
Tragedies about the falls were few in those days, Mr. Maloney says.
He remembers Blondin and Ferrini crossing the gorge on the tight ropes,
and the jam of people who witnessed the stunts. But no such crowds as
would today witness an up-to-date test of skill at Niagara.
He
mentioned, at least one birth in the hotel, that of Scott Wilson
Weatherly, about the year 1870. The parents came here from the south for
a few months visit and, incidentally, to have an heir born near the
falls.
But two tragedies stand out in the memory of Mr. Maloney.
One was a Buffalo woman who, while despondent for several days, finally
took poison and died. The other was a man who rambled moodily about the
hotel and grounds dally until he decided to cut his throat. This was
accomplished in his apartment. The suicide exercised some little care in
his parting. He placed a wash basin under his chin while he made the
incision, and most of the blood was in the basin. When becoming weaker
the man lowered the basin and threw his head backward. He was found in
this position later. But he had not harmed the floor rug to any
appreciable extent.
Mr. Maloney has retained his splendid
physique in spite of the years that have flitted around and over him. He
is as wide awake as he was when he started to work at the Cataract when
a little more than 18 years old, and, considering his age, very little
less active.
James' daughter, Mary, died at the age of 43:
Source: Niagara Falls Gazette, Monday, October 5, 1931
Well
Known Woman Called by Death
Miss Mary M. Maloney Succumbs after
Short Illness.
Miss Mary Margaret Maloney, 43 years old, of 433
Main street, died at Mount St. Mary's hospital at 9 o'clock last night,
after an illness of about three weeks. Miss Maloney was well known
throughout the city, having tor the last 17 years been employed as a
collector. She began her business career as a collector for the old
Niagara Falls Journal.
Miss Maloney is survived by her father,
James Maloney, of the same address. She as a life-long resident of this
city and was born only a few doors away from her late residence. She was
a member of the Catholic Daughters of America.
The funeral ill be
held from her late home at 8:30 a. m. Wednesday and from St. Mary's
church' at 9 o'clock. Burial will be In St. Mary's cemetery.
The
Niagara Falls Gazette, Monday, October 5, 1931
Maloney - In this
city, Oct 5th, 1931, in Mount St. Mary's Hospital, Mary Margaret
Maloney, daughter of James Maloney and the late Margaret Reilly Maloney.
Funeral from her late home, 433 Main Street, Wednesday morning at 8:30
and 9 o'clock from St. Mary's church. Interment in St. Mary's cemetery.
James Maloney died in 1937:
Source: The Niagara Falls
Gazette, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 1937
Maloney -
Died Jan. 10th at 433
Main St., James Maloney, father of the late Mary M. Maloney. Survived by
several nieces and nephews. Funeral from his late residence, 433 Main
St., Wednesday morning at 8:30 and 9 o'clock at St. Mary's church.
Burial in St. Mary's cemetery.
Margaret Maloney, daughter of Michael and Margaret Maloney, was born about 1853. She married Joseph McDonald about 1873. They had ten children: Patrick, b. about 1876 (probably died young), Mary, b. about 1878, Francis, b. about 1880, Margaret, b. about 1881, Hugh, b. about 1883, Michael, b. about 1883, Joseph, b. about 1885, Agnes, b. about 1887, James, b. about 1889, Anna, b. about 1893.
1900 Census, 415 Third Street, Niagara Falls ward 2, Niagara, NY: McDonal, Josef, Oct 1846, married 27 years; Margaret, Aug 1853; May, Mar 1878; Francis, Oct 1879; Maigaret, Mar 1881; Hugh, Feb 1883; Michael, Feb 1883; Joseph, May 1885; Agnus (daughter), June 1887; James, Nov 1889; Anna, Aug 1893.
Joseph died in 1902:
The Niagara Falls
Gazette, Thursday, November 13, 1902
RESPECTED CITIZEN GONE
Joseph McDonald of No. 415 Third Street Died This Morning
Joseph McDonald of No. 415 Third Street died at 7:30 o'clock this
morning at the Memorial Hospital where he was removed at 1:30 o'clock
yesterday morning to bo operated upon for peritonitis. The operation was
performed by Dr. Herman Mynter of Buffalo and Drs. William H. Hodge. A.
J. Lawler and James H. Meehan. However it was not thought that the
patient would recover on account of his illness being of a serious
nature. Mr. McDonald rallied well from the operation but later his
condition grew worse and he gradually passed peacefully away. Mr.
McDonald was taken ill on Saturday last. A diagnosis showed peritonitis
and an operation was advised.
Joseph mcDonald was nearly 58 years
of age. He is a native of Ireland. At the age of four years he was
brought to the United States by his parents who settled in the old
village of Suspension Bridge. For nearly 53 years deceased made his home
here. For 14 years, Mr. McDonald was in the coal business. Previous to
that time he was in the employe of the New York Central railroad as a
car repairer. He was widely known and highly respected and one of the
best known and exteemed residents of the city. For over 10 years he
acted as treasurer of St. Mary's church and was also a trustee. He was a
member of Branch No. 1 C. M. B. A. A family, wife and nine children
survive, also a sister, Mrs. John Meehan. The children are Mary B.,
Francis, Margaret, Michael, Hugh, Joseph, Agnes, Anna and James.
The funeral will be abserved at 9 o'clock Saturday morning from St.
Mary's Church. The Rev. William J. McNab will officiate and the
interment will be made in St. Mary's cemetery.
His wife, Margaret Maloney McDonald, died in 1919:
The Buffalo Express, Friday,
December 26, 1919
Mrs. Margaret McDonald, 67 years old, widow of
Joseph McDonald, died last night at her home, No. 415 Third street. She
had been ill five days of pneumonia. Mrs. McDonald was among the most
highly esteemed women of the city and her death caused deep regret
throughout the city. Before her marriage she was Miss Margaret Maloney
and was a native of Youngstown. She was the mother of Francis M.
McDonald, manager of the McDonald Coal company. the funeral will be held
on Saturday morning at 9 o'clock from Saint Mary's Catholic church in
Fourth street.
Bridget
Maloney, daughter of Michael and Margaret Maloney, was married about
1880 to John Mahoney. The had 4 children: Margaret, b abt 1881, d. 25
Feb 1924, married William J. McMahon (had a son, William J. McMahon,
jr.); Mary Agnes (apparently never married), b. about 1884; Daniel John,
b. about 1887, married Jessie Mackay (apparently had not children); and
Josephine J., b. about 1891 (apparently never married).
It
appears that her husband died about 1910, as he is in the 1910 census
with the family, but she appears listed as a widower in the city
directory in 1911.
Bridget died in 1926:
Source: The
Niagara Falls Gazette, Thursday, March 18, 1926
MAHONEY - In this
city, March 17, 1926, Mrs. Bridget Agnes Mahoney. Beloved mother of
Daniel J., Mary A., and Josephine J.; sister of James Mahoney, all of
this city. Funeral from the home, No. 437 Tenth street, Saturday morning
at 8:30 o'clock and at St. Mary's church at 9 o'clock. Burial, Riverdale
cemetery.
It's interesting that her grandson, William J. McMahon, is not listed. He was still living at the time of the 1930 census, with his father and a couple of his sister's and their children.
The following information from and legal advertisement published
several times in late April 1908 in the Niagara Falls Gazette, looking
for heirs of an estate also appears to be connected with this family,
but I do not know in what way. Perhaps there is just a coincidence at
work here, but I thought it migh be worthwhile to post anyway:
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, to
John O'Hare and Mrs. John
O'Hare, his wife (if any), County of Clare, Ireland:
Patrick O'Hare
and Mrs. Patrick O'Hare, his wife (if any), Sydney, Australia;
Bridget O'Hare, County Clare, Ireland;
Kate O'Hare, Sydney,
Australia:
Catherine McMahon, Poulawilllau, Milltown Maulby, Ireland;
Ellen Connellon, Lesroe Ennis, County Clare, Ireland;
John Crehan and
Mrs. John Crehan, his wife (If any). North Tonawanda, New York;
Patrick O'Hare and Mrs. Patrick O'Hare, his wife (if any), residence
unknown;
James O'Hare and Mrs. James O'Hare, his wife (If any),
residence unknown;
Winifred Neylon,
Catherine Wallace,
Margaret
O'Brien,
Mary Maloney and
Kate Maloney, all of Stillriver, Mass.:
Grace Griffin and
Annie Revard, both of Toledo, Ohio;
William
Griffin and Mrs, William Griffin, his wife (If any), Centerville, Pa.;
Cornelius Griffin and Katherine Griffin, his wife,
Daniel Burke and
Mrs. Daniel Burke, his wife (if any), and
Elizabeth Burke, all of
Youngstown, New York;
Catherine Curry,
James McGraw, unmarried,
Peter McGraw, unmarried:
John McGraw, unmarried:
James Maloney,
widower,
Margaret McDonald and
Bridget Mahoney, all of the City of
Niagara Falls, New York;
Thomas Burke and Mrs. Thomas Burke, his wife
(If any),
Emma B. Domini and
Susan B. Stephens, all of the City of
Detroit, Mich.;
and Mary B. Relman, of Summit, New Jersey;
heirs
at law of Thomas O'Hare, deceased:
Niagara NYGenWeb Copyright
Design by Templates in Time
This page was last updated 08/12/2022