William Walter Shewan was born July 28th, 1895 in the Poplar District of London's East End in London, England. His father, William J. Shewan (1867 - 1947), was born in Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. His mother, Elizabeth Collins Dance Shewan (1869 - 1952), was born in Greater London, England.
In 1908, at age 13, William received a Certificate of Merit, made out to "Willie Shewan" for passing an examination of religious knowledge as a student at St. Mary's School, Carshalton. The certificate is dated November 27th, 1908 and signed on behalf of "his lordship the Bishop of Southwark."
William is enumerated in the 1911 England census as living with his parents and siblings Emily (1898-1965), Walter (1904-1987) and Beatrice (1907-1976) at 90 Corrance Road, Acre Lane, Brixton, S.W. in London. William may have been employed at the time as a guard at a brewery.
By 1911, Wiliam's parents had made the decision to emigrate the family to the United States, but in three separate moves. On Jun 24, 1911 William, along with his father, departed England from Liverpool on the S.S. Celtic and arrived at Ellis Island on July 2nd, 1911. At the time of his arrival in the United States, William was three weeks short of his 16th birthday. William reported on the ship's manifest his ethnicity as Scot and his last residence as London. His mother and siblings remained in London.
William and his father made their way from Ellis Island to Erie, Pennsylvania and eventually took residence above a grocery store at 140 East 5th Street on Erie's north side not far from Hamot Hospital and Presque Isle Bay. William's father remained at this addres for the remainder of his life.
On February 19th, 1919 William married Louisa Sauer (1896 - 1984), an Erie native and the daughter of German parents, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Erie. They had five children:
* Richard W. Shewan (1920 - 1944)
* Gerald A. Shewan (1923 - 2020)
* Donna M. Shewan Gingenbach (1925 - 1993)
* William T. Shewan (1933 - 1994)
* Mary Louise Shewan (1935 - 2020)
In March 1921, William remained in Erie while his father returned to London to bring Elizabeth, Beatrice and his brother-in-law Arnold Shepherd (1893-1977) to the United States. In December 1921, Emily and Walter arrived in the United States, having taken a separate route. By early 1922, William, his mother, father and three full-siblings were all in the United States and living in Erie. William's half-brother, Frank Dance (1891-1980), also emigrated, but not to the United States - he eventually settled in Canada.
William became a naturalized U.S. citizen on May 27th, 1921. His Certificate of Naturalization states that he was living at the time at 541 East 11th Street in Erie with his wife, Louisa Pauline and son Richard William. William was 25 years old, 5'11" tall, had dark brown hair and, as a distinguishing mark, had a scar on the forefinger of his right hand.
In 1922 William was employed as a laborer living with Louisa at 551 East 9th Street in Erie. About 1923, William and Louisa bought a house at 2816 (address later changed to 2810) Washington Ave., Erie and he and Louisa made this house their home. William lived at this address for the remainder of his life.
In 1927 William was employed as a mechanic at Tri-State Refrigeration Company. From 1928 until he retired, with a few exceptions, William was a truck driver by profession. In 1928 he was a driver for the E. H. Transportation Company. In 1930 he was an electric welder. In 1934 - 1935 he was a driver for Motors Express Inc. In 1943 to at least 1945, he was driver for Lyons Transportation Company.
For a time, William owned two trucks, was self-employed and made deliveries in the Ohio/Pennsylvania/New York region. On occasion, he took his sons, Richard, Gerald and William on trips with him. Richard was able to assist his father by doing some of the driving. He was also employed by trucking firms, including Scott Trucking.
William's eldest son, Richard, was killed in France on July 19th, 1944 while serving with the U.S. Army's 4th Armored Division.
William last worked as a truck driver for Associated Transport before his retirement in 1964.
In February 1969 William and Louisa celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They renewed their marriage vows at Blessed Sacrament Church in the presence of their family. On February 9th, 1969 a celebration dinner at the East Erie Turner's Club in Parade Street was sponsored by their four surviving children.
William on January 3rd, 1973 at age 77 after a short illness. His obituary was published in the Erie Morning News on January 6th, 1973. William is buried in Section 16 of Calvary Cemetery, Erie, Pennsylvania.
In 1908, at age 13, William received a Certificate of Merit, made out to "Willie Shewan" for passing an examination of religious knowledge as a student at St. Mary's School, Carshalton. The certificate is dated November 27th, 1908 and signed on behalf of "his lordship the Bishop of Southwark."
William is enumerated in the 1911 England census as living with his parents and siblings Emily (1898-1965), Walter (1904-1987) and Beatrice (1907-1976) at 90 Corrance Road, Acre Lane, Brixton, S.W. in London. William may have been employed at the time as a guard at a brewery.
By 1911, Wiliam's parents had made the decision to emigrate the family to the United States, but in three separate moves. On Jun 24, 1911 William, along with his father, departed England from Liverpool on the S.S. Celtic and arrived at Ellis Island on July 2nd, 1911. At the time of his arrival in the United States, William was three weeks short of his 16th birthday. William reported on the ship's manifest his ethnicity as Scot and his last residence as London. His mother and siblings remained in London.
William and his father made their way from Ellis Island to Erie, Pennsylvania and eventually took residence above a grocery store at 140 East 5th Street on Erie's north side not far from Hamot Hospital and Presque Isle Bay. William's father remained at this addres for the remainder of his life.
On February 19th, 1919 William married Louisa Sauer (1896 - 1984), an Erie native and the daughter of German parents, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Erie. They had five children:
* Richard W. Shewan (1920 - 1944)
* Gerald A. Shewan (1923 - 2020)
* Donna M. Shewan Gingenbach (1925 - 1993)
* William T. Shewan (1933 - 1994)
* Mary Louise Shewan (1935 - 2020)
In March 1921, William remained in Erie while his father returned to London to bring Elizabeth, Beatrice and his brother-in-law Arnold Shepherd (1893-1977) to the United States. In December 1921, Emily and Walter arrived in the United States, having taken a separate route. By early 1922, William, his mother, father and three full-siblings were all in the United States and living in Erie. William's half-brother, Frank Dance (1891-1980), also emigrated, but not to the United States - he eventually settled in Canada.
William became a naturalized U.S. citizen on May 27th, 1921. His Certificate of Naturalization states that he was living at the time at 541 East 11th Street in Erie with his wife, Louisa Pauline and son Richard William. William was 25 years old, 5'11" tall, had dark brown hair and, as a distinguishing mark, had a scar on the forefinger of his right hand.
In 1922 William was employed as a laborer living with Louisa at 551 East 9th Street in Erie. About 1923, William and Louisa bought a house at 2816 (address later changed to 2810) Washington Ave., Erie and he and Louisa made this house their home. William lived at this address for the remainder of his life.
In 1927 William was employed as a mechanic at Tri-State Refrigeration Company. From 1928 until he retired, with a few exceptions, William was a truck driver by profession. In 1928 he was a driver for the E. H. Transportation Company. In 1930 he was an electric welder. In 1934 - 1935 he was a driver for Motors Express Inc. In 1943 to at least 1945, he was driver for Lyons Transportation Company.
For a time, William owned two trucks, was self-employed and made deliveries in the Ohio/Pennsylvania/New York region. On occasion, he took his sons, Richard, Gerald and William on trips with him. Richard was able to assist his father by doing some of the driving. He was also employed by trucking firms, including Scott Trucking.
William's eldest son, Richard, was killed in France on July 19th, 1944 while serving with the U.S. Army's 4th Armored Division.
William last worked as a truck driver for Associated Transport before his retirement in 1964.
In February 1969 William and Louisa celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They renewed their marriage vows at Blessed Sacrament Church in the presence of their family. On February 9th, 1969 a celebration dinner at the East Erie Turner's Club in Parade Street was sponsored by their four surviving children.
William on January 3rd, 1973 at age 77 after a short illness. His obituary was published in the Erie Morning News on January 6th, 1973. William is buried in Section 16 of Calvary Cemetery, Erie, Pennsylvania.
William Walter Shewan was born July 28th, 1895 in the Poplar District of London's East End in London, England. His father, William J. Shewan (1867 - 1947), was born in Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. His mother, Elizabeth Collins Dance Shewan (1869 - 1952), was born in Greater London, England.
In 1908, at age 13, William received a Certificate of Merit, made out to "Willie Shewan" for passing an examination of religious knowledge as a student at St. Mary's School, Carshalton. The certificate is dated November 27th, 1908 and signed on behalf of "his lordship the Bishop of Southwark."
William is enumerated in the 1911 England census as living with his parents and siblings Emily (1898-1965), Walter (1904-1987) and Beatrice (1907-1976) at 90 Corrance Road, Acre Lane, Brixton, S.W. in London. William may have been employed at the time as a guard at a brewery.
By 1911, Wiliam's parents had made the decision to emigrate the family to the United States, but in three separate moves. On Jun 24, 1911 William, along with his father, departed England from Liverpool on the S.S. Celtic and arrived at Ellis Island on July 2nd, 1911. At the time of his arrival in the United States, William was three weeks short of his 16th birthday. William reported on the ship's manifest his ethnicity as Scot and his last residence as London. His mother and siblings remained in London.
William and his father made their way from Ellis Island to Erie, Pennsylvania and eventually took residence above a grocery store at 140 East 5th Street on Erie's north side not far from Hamot Hospital and Presque Isle Bay. William's father remained at this addres for the remainder of his life.
On February 19th, 1919 William married Louisa Sauer (1896 - 1984), an Erie native and the daughter of German parents, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Erie. They had five children:
* Richard W. Shewan (1920 - 1944)
* Gerald A. Shewan (1923 - 2020)
* Donna M. Shewan Gingenbach (1925 - 1993)
* William T. Shewan (1933 - 1994)
* Mary Louise Shewan (1935 - 2020)
In March 1921, William remained in Erie while his father returned to London to bring Elizabeth, Beatrice and his brother-in-law Arnold Shepherd (1893-1977) to the United States. In December 1921, Emily and Walter arrived in the United States, having taken a separate route. By early 1922, William, his mother, father and three full-siblings were all in the United States and living in Erie. William's half-brother, Frank Dance (1891-1980), also emigrated, but not to the United States - he eventually settled in Canada.
William became a naturalized U.S. citizen on May 27th, 1921. His Certificate of Naturalization states that he was living at the time at 541 East 11th Street in Erie with his wife, Louisa Pauline and son Richard William. William was 25 years old, 5'11" tall, had dark brown hair and, as a distinguishing mark, had a scar on the forefinger of his right hand.
In 1922 William was employed as a laborer living with Louisa at 551 East 9th Street in Erie. About 1923, William and Louisa bought a house at 2816 (address later changed to 2810) Washington Ave., Erie and he and Louisa made this house their home. William lived at this address for the remainder of his life.
In 1927 William was employed as a mechanic at Tri-State Refrigeration Company. From 1928 until he retired, with a few exceptions, William was a truck driver by profession. In 1928 he was a driver for the E. H. Transportation Company. In 1930 he was an electric welder. In 1934 - 1935 he was a driver for Motors Express Inc. In 1943 to at least 1945, he was driver for Lyons Transportation Company.
For a time, William owned two trucks, was self-employed and made deliveries in the Ohio/Pennsylvania/New York region. On occasion, he took his sons, Richard, Gerald and William on trips with him. Richard was able to assist his father by doing some of the driving. He was also employed by trucking firms, including Scott Trucking.
William's eldest son, Richard, was killed in France on July 19th, 1944 while serving with the U.S. Army's 4th Armored Division.
William last worked as a truck driver for Associated Transport before his retirement in 1964.
In February 1969 William and Louisa celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They renewed their marriage vows at Blessed Sacrament Church in the presence of their family. On February 9th, 1969 a celebration dinner at the East Erie Turner's Club in Parade Street was sponsored by their four surviving children.
William on January 3rd, 1973 at age 77 after a short illness. His obituary was published in the Erie Morning News on January 6th, 1973. William is buried in Section 16 of Calvary Cemetery, Erie, Pennsylvania.
In 1908, at age 13, William received a Certificate of Merit, made out to "Willie Shewan" for passing an examination of religious knowledge as a student at St. Mary's School, Carshalton. The certificate is dated November 27th, 1908 and signed on behalf of "his lordship the Bishop of Southwark."
William is enumerated in the 1911 England census as living with his parents and siblings Emily (1898-1965), Walter (1904-1987) and Beatrice (1907-1976) at 90 Corrance Road, Acre Lane, Brixton, S.W. in London. William may have been employed at the time as a guard at a brewery.
By 1911, Wiliam's parents had made the decision to emigrate the family to the United States, but in three separate moves. On Jun 24, 1911 William, along with his father, departed England from Liverpool on the S.S. Celtic and arrived at Ellis Island on July 2nd, 1911. At the time of his arrival in the United States, William was three weeks short of his 16th birthday. William reported on the ship's manifest his ethnicity as Scot and his last residence as London. His mother and siblings remained in London.
William and his father made their way from Ellis Island to Erie, Pennsylvania and eventually took residence above a grocery store at 140 East 5th Street on Erie's north side not far from Hamot Hospital and Presque Isle Bay. William's father remained at this addres for the remainder of his life.
On February 19th, 1919 William married Louisa Sauer (1896 - 1984), an Erie native and the daughter of German parents, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Erie. They had five children:
* Richard W. Shewan (1920 - 1944)
* Gerald A. Shewan (1923 - 2020)
* Donna M. Shewan Gingenbach (1925 - 1993)
* William T. Shewan (1933 - 1994)
* Mary Louise Shewan (1935 - 2020)
In March 1921, William remained in Erie while his father returned to London to bring Elizabeth, Beatrice and his brother-in-law Arnold Shepherd (1893-1977) to the United States. In December 1921, Emily and Walter arrived in the United States, having taken a separate route. By early 1922, William, his mother, father and three full-siblings were all in the United States and living in Erie. William's half-brother, Frank Dance (1891-1980), also emigrated, but not to the United States - he eventually settled in Canada.
William became a naturalized U.S. citizen on May 27th, 1921. His Certificate of Naturalization states that he was living at the time at 541 East 11th Street in Erie with his wife, Louisa Pauline and son Richard William. William was 25 years old, 5'11" tall, had dark brown hair and, as a distinguishing mark, had a scar on the forefinger of his right hand.
In 1922 William was employed as a laborer living with Louisa at 551 East 9th Street in Erie. About 1923, William and Louisa bought a house at 2816 (address later changed to 2810) Washington Ave., Erie and he and Louisa made this house their home. William lived at this address for the remainder of his life.
In 1927 William was employed as a mechanic at Tri-State Refrigeration Company. From 1928 until he retired, with a few exceptions, William was a truck driver by profession. In 1928 he was a driver for the E. H. Transportation Company. In 1930 he was an electric welder. In 1934 - 1935 he was a driver for Motors Express Inc. In 1943 to at least 1945, he was driver for Lyons Transportation Company.
For a time, William owned two trucks, was self-employed and made deliveries in the Ohio/Pennsylvania/New York region. On occasion, he took his sons, Richard, Gerald and William on trips with him. Richard was able to assist his father by doing some of the driving. He was also employed by trucking firms, including Scott Trucking.
William's eldest son, Richard, was killed in France on July 19th, 1944 while serving with the U.S. Army's 4th Armored Division.
William last worked as a truck driver for Associated Transport before his retirement in 1964.
In February 1969 William and Louisa celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They renewed their marriage vows at Blessed Sacrament Church in the presence of their family. On February 9th, 1969 a celebration dinner at the East Erie Turner's Club in Parade Street was sponsored by their four surviving children.
William on January 3rd, 1973 at age 77 after a short illness. His obituary was published in the Erie Morning News on January 6th, 1973. William is buried in Section 16 of Calvary Cemetery, Erie, Pennsylvania.
Inscription
WILLIAM W. SHEWAN
1895 + 1973
Family Members
Siblings
