Herbert Joseph Ferrell was born October 23, 1903 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Thomas and Martha (Carroll) Ferrell. He had six siblings: Mary J., Walter, Thomas, Edward, Eleanor and Francis "Frank". Both parents were Irish immigrants, with Thomas arriving in the United States in 1881, and Martha in 1888. His father Thomas supported the family by working as a policeman for the city. From 1910 through at least 1925 the family lived at 617 Gates Street in Brooklyn.
Herbert's father Thomas died on July 15, 1914. In 1920 Martha was recorded as a widow with six children still at home. Martha kept house, and Mary at 19 taught public school, Herbert at 16 worked as a clerk for an oil company, and Thomas, only 15, worked as a clerk for an insurance broker. Five years later only the two youngest children remained in school, and brother Edward at 17 had joined the work force doing office work. Herbert had changed his occupation to "painter".
By 1930 the family had moved to 435 Monroe Street in Brooklyn. Herbert still worked as a painter, categorized as "paintist and decorator." Edward and Eleanor both did office work, and Frank was the only unemployed child left at home.
Herbert registered for the draft on February 16, 1942, just two months after the United States entered World War II. He listed his mother Martha as his next of kin. He was living with her at the Monroe street home. He was employed by the Federal Shipyard in Kearny, New Jersey. Herbert was described as white, 5' 8 1/2" tall, weighed 158 pounds, with blue eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion.
In 1950 only Herbert and Edward were left living with their mother. Herbert worked as a chauffeur, and Edward was a salesman for a hat factory.
Herbert's last residence was in New York City.
Herbert Joseph Ferrell died on July 29, 1994 at Beth Israel Medical Center. He was buried August 23, 1994 on Hart Island.
*death date taken from Social Security records.
Sources: Ancestry.com; US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; US, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; US, WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1950 US Federal Censuses; 1925 NY, US, State Census.
Herbert's father Thomas died on July 15, 1914. In 1920 Martha was recorded as a widow with six children still at home. Martha kept house, and Mary at 19 taught public school, Herbert at 16 worked as a clerk for an oil company, and Thomas, only 15, worked as a clerk for an insurance broker. Five years later only the two youngest children remained in school, and brother Edward at 17 had joined the work force doing office work. Herbert had changed his occupation to "painter".
By 1930 the family had moved to 435 Monroe Street in Brooklyn. Herbert still worked as a painter, categorized as "paintist and decorator." Edward and Eleanor both did office work, and Frank was the only unemployed child left at home.
Herbert registered for the draft on February 16, 1942, just two months after the United States entered World War II. He listed his mother Martha as his next of kin. He was living with her at the Monroe street home. He was employed by the Federal Shipyard in Kearny, New Jersey. Herbert was described as white, 5' 8 1/2" tall, weighed 158 pounds, with blue eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion.
In 1950 only Herbert and Edward were left living with their mother. Herbert worked as a chauffeur, and Edward was a salesman for a hat factory.
Herbert's last residence was in New York City.
Herbert Joseph Ferrell died on July 29, 1994 at Beth Israel Medical Center. He was buried August 23, 1994 on Hart Island.
*death date taken from Social Security records.
Sources: Ancestry.com; US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; US, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; US, WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1950 US Federal Censuses; 1925 NY, US, State Census.