Joseph left his home in Canada at the age of 19 walking south to Massachusetts. He laded in Randolph where he apprenticed himself to Bryan (or Patrick) McMahon, a blacksmith, whose daughter Catherine taught him English. He married Catherine. In 1865 after the Civil War, the family emigrated to San Francisco with their 4th child (my grandfather) on the way. They settled at Haywards in Alameda County.
Joseph and Catherine were Roman Catholic. In 1869 their congregation built Hayward's first Catholic Church. Volunteers under the supervision of Joseph Rivers [sic] built it at D and Second Streets, facing D.
Joseph set up his blacksmith shop at the corner of B and Main streets. His sign read: Joe River Blacksmith and Wheelwright. He sold the business in mid-1890s and moved to San Francisco.
Joseph was member of the Hayward Volunteer Fire Dept., called the Hook and Ladder Company #1. There is a hand-carved wooden mural representing the fire company affixed over the main doors of the Hayward Fire Department.
Joseph and Catherine spent their last years in San Francisco on Castro Street. He was a meat inspector there for several years.
His grandchildren, including my father, all called him "Grandpere".
-- Joann River Burnich
Joseph left his home in Canada at the age of 19 walking south to Massachusetts. He laded in Randolph where he apprenticed himself to Bryan (or Patrick) McMahon, a blacksmith, whose daughter Catherine taught him English. He married Catherine. In 1865 after the Civil War, the family emigrated to San Francisco with their 4th child (my grandfather) on the way. They settled at Haywards in Alameda County.
Joseph and Catherine were Roman Catholic. In 1869 their congregation built Hayward's first Catholic Church. Volunteers under the supervision of Joseph Rivers [sic] built it at D and Second Streets, facing D.
Joseph set up his blacksmith shop at the corner of B and Main streets. His sign read: Joe River Blacksmith and Wheelwright. He sold the business in mid-1890s and moved to San Francisco.
Joseph was member of the Hayward Volunteer Fire Dept., called the Hook and Ladder Company #1. There is a hand-carved wooden mural representing the fire company affixed over the main doors of the Hayward Fire Department.
Joseph and Catherine spent their last years in San Francisco on Castro Street. He was a meat inspector there for several years.
His grandchildren, including my father, all called him "Grandpere".
-- Joann River Burnich
Family Members
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Bryan Henry River
1859–1937
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Marcella Louise River Fitzgibbon
1861–1927
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Louis Philip River Sr
1866–1927
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Mary Leanore "Daisy" River
1868–1896
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Virginia Frances River
1869–1875
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Joseph P. River Sr
1870–1951
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Katherine Virginie River Oullahan
1873–1955
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George Alfred River
1874–1875
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Agnes Eugenie River DeHaven
1878–1950
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Geraldine Teresa River DeHaven
1879–1969
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