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- [S1] Falor, Kenneth, personal knowledge. 14 Mar 2005, Dallas TX, USA.
- [S14] Extracts from http://www.usmm.org/portchicago.html
During World War II, one of the sources of ammunition for the Pacific Theater was the Naval Ammunition Depot at Port Chicago, California. Port Chicago is located on an arm of San Francisco Bay about 30 miles northeast of Oakland and San Francisco. The town of Port Chicago, population 1,500, was located about 1.5 miles from the pier. Not far away was Vallejo's Mare Island, a major Naval Base which included ammunition depots.
Construction of the depot was authorized on December 9, 1941, just 2 days after Pearl Harbor and started operation began in November 1942. The site was used as a shipyard during World War I and was served by the Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, and Western Pacific railways.
Most of the ammunition arrived by train from Hawthorne, Nevada, where it was made, was held in boxcars "parked" between protective concrete barriers, and when needed, the train was moved onto the pier which accommodated 2 ships. About a mile from the pier were barracks which housed the African-American ammunition handlers.
Pier at Port Chicago before the explosion. Lower left, one ship at dock. At the upper left are the concrete revetments or barriers which protected boxcars. At upper right are the barracks about one mile from the pier.
African-Americans in the Navy
After World War I, the Navy tried to exclude African-Americans, replacing their ranks with Filipinos. In 1932, the Navy again recruited blacks, but they were limited in numbers and confined to menial tasks, primarily as messmen (kitchen helpers). There were no black officers.
In 1942, the Navy reluctantly accepted blacks for general service, but in segregated units which did not include sea duty. At Port Chicago at the time of the disaster there were 1,400 black enlisted men, 71 officers, 106 marine guards, and 230 civilian employees.
Loading went on 24 hours per day. The men moved the ammunition hand-to-hand, on hand trucks, or carts, or rolled larger bombs down a ramp from the boxcars which were right on the pier and placed them into cargo netting which they spread out on the pier. The ammo included small caliber bullets, incendiary bombs, fragmentation bombs, depth charges, and bombs up to 2,000 pounds. The cargo nets were lowered by the ships booms into a hatch, where they were packed layer by layer and secured with dunnage (scrap wood).
Neither the officers nor the men received any training in handling ammunition. There was tremendous pressure to speed up the loading and officers made bets on the quantity of ammunition their unit would load in an 8 hour shift. The men were speeded up by threats of punishment. It was backbreaking, dangerous work.
The Explosion
On the evening of July 17, 1944 there were two ships being loaded at the pier. The Liberty ship SS E.A. Bryan, after 4 days of loading, had about 4,600 tons of ammunition and explosives on board; 98 black enlisted men continued work. On board the ship were 31 U.S. Merchant Marine crew and 13 Naval Armed Guard.
Docked at the pier since 6 PM that evening was the SS Quinault Victory being loaded by about 100 black men for its maiden voyage. On board were 36 crew and 17 Armed Guard. A Coast Guard fire barge was also moored at the pier. Besides 430 tons of bombs waiting to be loaded, the pier held a locomotive and 16 boxcars with its crew of three civilians, and a marine sentry.
At 10:18 an Army Air Force plane flying at 9,000 feet saw pieces of white hot metal, some as large as a house, fly straight up past them. According to the co-pilot, the "fireworks display" lasted about one minute. The explosion was heard 200 miles away.
The Miahelo, a Coast Guard patrol boat, was about 1,500 feet from the pier. The force of the explosion wrecked the wheelhouse, nearly capsized the boat, badly wounded the man at the wheel; and was followed by a 30 foot wall of water. A 16 inch shell, which did not explode, hit the engine room of a small tanker, the SS Redline which was passing nearby.
The 1,200 foot long wooden pier, the locomotive and boxcars, the SS E.A. Bryan, and 320 people (202 black enlisted men) on the pier were gone. All 67 crew and 30 Armed Guard aboard the two ships died instantly. Of the 390 military and civilians injured, which included men in the barracks and townspeople, 233 were black enlisted men.
There were no identifiable pieces of the SS E.A. Bryan remaining: 25,000,000 pounds of ship and ammunition were gone! Disappeared! The stern of the SS Quinault Victory lay upside down in the water 500 from its origin. The rest of the ship, which had been lifted clear out of the water and turned around, was in scattered pieces.
No cause for the explosion was ever determined.
The black ammunition handlers, many of whom had quietly voiced concerns about safety, feared loading ammunition again. Fifty enlisted black men, including one with a broken arm, were tried for mutiny. The men stated they were willing to follow orders, but were afraid to handle ammunition under unchanged circumstances. They stated they had never been ordered to load ammunition, only asked "if they wanted to load ammunition."
All 50 were found guilty of "mutiny," and sentenced to 15 years. Review of the sentence brought reductions for 40 of the men to sentences of 8 to 12 years. Joe Small, who acted at foreman for his group of loaders and others who were willing to criticize the operation had their original sentence upheld. An appeal by Thurgood Marshall of the NAACP was denied. In 1944 the Navy announced that blacks at ammunition depots would be limited to 30% of the total. In 1945 the Navy officially desegregated.
In January 1946 the 50 "mutineers" were released from prison, but had to remain in the Navy. They were sent to the South Pacific in small groups for a "probationary period," and gradually released.
A proposal in Congress to award $5,000 to victims was reduced to $3,000 because most of the beneficiaries were black.
Congressman George Miller (D-Martinez) lobbied to get the the sailors' convictions overturned and to get a presidential pardon in 1999 for one of the sailors, Frederick Meeks. Miller introduced legislation to make the Port Chicago National Memorial into a National Park. [SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE ARTICLE, JULY 5, 2002]
Mariners killed on SS Quinault Victory on 7/17/44
Name Job Origin Age
Bailey Robert D. Messman Fossil OR Unknown
Bartlett Robert E. Messman Portland OR Unknown
Bell John D. Purser San Mateo CA Unknown
Bentley Frederick E. A.B. Seaside OR Unknown
Cheney Donald H. Electrician Portland OR Unknown
Crawford Hugh E. Deck Maint. Gladstone OR Unknown
Crist Floyd F. O.S. Portland OR Unknown
Diede Albert G. Messman Startup WA Unknown
Durland Wallace M. A.B. Boston MA Unknown
Eulrich Kenneth J. A.B. Columbia City OR Unknown
Falor Burke Elmo Messman Eureka CA 18
Garrett Eugene W. F/W Tule Lake CA Unknown
Hendrickson Ellis Night Engineer Unknown Unknown
Hendrickson Robert K. A.B. Ketchican AK Unknown
Justesen Johannes N. Steward Munkegad Denmark Unknown
Kanneberg Walter Frederick 3rd Engineer Allentown PA Unknown
Keim Robert E. 2nd Mate Floral Park NY Unknown
Koeninger Joseph B. A.B. Chillicothe TX Unknown
Mallery Earl L. 1st Engineer Baltimore MD Unknown
McDaniel Lloyd K. O.S. Springfield OR Unknown
Moen Kenneth M. Jr. 3rd Mate Bagley MN Unknown
Morell Robert E. Oiler Hood River OR Unknown
Narinsky Isadore E. O.S. Philadelphia PA Unknown
Nelson Roy L. Carpenter Seattle WA Unknown
Parsons David R. 3rd Mate Laconia NH Unknown
Pearson Mike Oiler Pendleton OR Unknown
Pinson Ellis B. Jr. 3rd Engineer Lakeland FL Unknown
Potter Richard V. F/W Waldport OR Unknown
Sandberg Virgil R. 2nd Engineer Minot ND Unknown
Scott Albert R. Chief Mate Hartsdale NY Unknown
Skance Lester S. O.S. Tacoma WA Unknown
Sullivan Howard W. A.B. Puyallup WA Unknown
Sullivan Robert J. Master Westfield NJ Unknown
Thompson Glen E. Jr. Engineer Estacada OR 19
Widnoe Louis J. Messman Salem OR Unknown
Williams John A. Chief Engineer Queens Village NY Unknown.
- [S24] Obit - Edith Ball, Humboldt County CA, Saturday Noveber 24, 1928.
Taken from an article in the Humboldt Times
Dated: Saturday Nove. 24, 1928
"Obituary
Mrs. Edith Ball Dies
Succumbs following Influenza Attack; Funeral Sunday
(Times Special Service)
Arcata, Nov. 23--- Edith Falor Ball, wife of Harry D. Ball, and mother of Milton, aged 5, died in Crescent City yesterday following an attack of influenza lasting only three days. She is a life long resident Humboldt county, born in Maple Creek, July 25, 1892. There survive beside the husband and son, four brothers, George and Elmer of Korbel, Albert of Crannell and Milo of Eureka.
Funeral services under the auspices of the Pythian Sisters and with Rev. C. P. Hessel officiating will be held at the Devlin Funeral Parlors Sunday at 1:00 O'clock. Interment will be made in Greenwood cemetery. "
Transcribed by Allen P. Falor in 2005.
- [S32] Photocopy of the Marriage License for Elmer Eugene Falor and Myrtle Frances Keyser.
 - [S44] Will - George A. Falor, 3 July 1868.
Will of George A. Falor
Summit County, Ohio Will Book 2, p.578, Proved 3 July 1868
Know all men by these presents that I Geo. A. Falor of the City of Akron, County of summit and State of Ohio being in ill health and of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my last Will and testament.
1st. I hereby constitute and appoint my sons Hiram S. Falor and Oliver P. Falor to be executors of this my last will and testament. Directing my said executors to paylall my just debts and funeral expenses and the legacies hereinafter given out of my estate.
2th. After the payment of my said debts and funeral expenses I give to each of my children Milo J. Falor, James M. Falor, Lucinda R. Goottaldt-Falor, Hiram S. Falor, GeorgW. Falor, Oliver P. Falor, Mary Ann Long, Thomas J. Falor, Wm. W. Falor, Henry C. Falor, Martha Ellen Falor, Lilly Annett Falor and Todd Falor each an equal proportion of all my property real and personal with the exception of the following named children which have already received the sums set opposite their respective names and which shall be deducted from the amt. Which would fall to them. James M. Falor nineteen hundred dollars Lucinda R. Gottwaldt Two Thousand Dollars. Hiram S. Falor Eighteen Hundred dollars. Geo. W. Falor Nineteen Hundred Hundred Dollars.
3th I do order that from the portion that would fall to my daughter Martha Ellen and Lilly Annett upon the division of my property as above required there shall be deducted the sum of Six hundred dollars-not legible - my son John Falor the sum of four hundred dollars and the remaining Eight Hundred dollars shall be equally divided between my children Milo J., James M., Lucinda R. Gottwaldt, Hiram S., George W., Oliver P., Mary Ann Long, Thomas J. Falor and Henry C. Falor and Wm. W. Falor. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal and publish and declare this to be my last will and testament in the presence of the witnesses whose names appear below this Twenty Eighth day of April A. D. 1868.
George A. Falor Seal
Signed sealed publishes and declared by the said Geo. A. Falor as and for his last will and testament in our presence who in his presence and in the presence of each ofhas have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto.
Joseph Heinel - E. S. Smith
The subscribing witnesses to the last will and Testament of Geo. A. Falor late of the Township of Portage in the County of Summit and State of Ohio deceases after being first duly sworn on oath say that we saw the Testator sign said will knowing it to be such that we attest and subscribed the same as witnesses at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other that the testator when he signed said will and Testament was of a sound mind and memory of full age & not under any restraing.
E. S. Smith Joseph Heinel
Sworn to and Subscribed in open court this 3d day of July A. D. 1868
S.H. Pitkin Probate Judge. - [S54] Obit - Eve Shook, Unknown, Unknown.
Taken from an obituary in a newspaper article, no name of the newspaper or date.
"Mother Shook
Mrs. Eve Shook died at the house of her son John Shook in this city Sept. 8th, 1888, in her ninety-fifth year.
Her maiden name was Failor. She was born in Berks C. Penn. In 1791. She and Michael Shook were married in 1812 in stark co. Ohio. There were eight children born of this marriage, five of whom are living, viz: Mrs. Elizabeth, John, Jacob, Adam and Michael Shook. Her husband died 1825, in Ohio and mother Shook came with five children to settle in the new State of Iowa in the fall of 1849. This heroic woman with her dependent orphan children proved equal to the task of subduing the wilderness, and providing not only a home but a competence for herself and family.
Of this family tree there are now living 48 grand-children, 83 great-grand children and 41 great-great grand children. Mother Shook in early life united with the Lutheran church. About fifty years ago she changed her membership to the Christian Church; an in this faith she lived and died.
For a long time she had been a patient sufferer, ministered to by her children. It is safe to say that her every want was supplied; ant the tenderness and kindness of her faithful nurses received almost hourly recognition for as the lips which opened only for prayer or thanksgiving.
Her last audible speech was a for vent prayer for her children. In her dying moments, in her rich native German language with all the pathos and strength for which that language is remarkable, she plead for her children. It was a fitting close of a life devoted to her family."
Transcribed by Allen P. Falor in 2006. - [S56] September 27, 1836, David Willey.
Transcript Of Sale Of Property belonging To David Willey
The document is part of the estate file for David Willey dated September 27, 1836. I did not change any spelling or punctuation. Some of the writing was very difficult to read.
"Sales List
List of the sales of the goods and chattles belonging to the estate of David Willey late of Coventry township Portage County deceased sold at public vendue by the undersigned administrator of said estate on the eighth day of April 1837.
Price
$
Robert (cannot read last name) 2 Barels .76
Harry Hinman 1 wagon 19.00
Mr. Lods 1 Bell .06
Mr. Jaont 1 steelyards .32
Rosanah Willey 1 jar .42
Mr. Evenes 1 jar .12 1/2
Samuel P. Willey 1 gridiron 3.50
Samuel P. Willey 1 clock 2.50
Rufus Hart 1 windmill 2.62 1/2
Rufus Hart 1 cuting box .81 1/2
Samuel P. Willey 5 barels .10
Rufus Hart 1 sad bags & 2 Rac?ands .25
Samuel P. Willey 1 pitchfork .39
George Falor 1 halter .38
George Falor 1 halter .53
Mr. Lods 1 box .16
Mr. Jones 1 plow 1.50
George Falor 1 harrow 3.00
Rufus Hart 2 bags .62 1/2
Rufus Hart 1 sythe .37 1/2
Mr. Lods 4 sythes .20
Rufus Hart 2 drawing knives .12 1/2
Rufus Hart 1 tra??? .45
Wiliam Freeb???? 1 auger .12 1/2
Wiliam Freeb???? handsaw .38
Wiliam Freeb???? 1 log chain 2.38
Mr. Evenes 1 stretchers .52
Mr. Lods 1 stapel???? .12
George Falor 1 pare hopeles .20
Rufus Hart 1 tar bucket .06 1/4
Martin Housel 1 sythe & ????? .12 1/2
Rufus Hart 1 shovel .25
Martin Housel 1 iron wedge .41
Martin Housel 1 whipeltree .44
Mr. Lods 2 axes .26
Mr. Evens 1 square .51
Daniel Viers 1 sadle 3.62 1/2
Samuel Davidson 1 grind stone .63
George Falor 2 barels .12 1/2
Samuel P. Willey 5 barels .12 1/2
Samuel P. Willey 4 barels .06 1/4
Rufus Hart 1 jug .27
Rufus Hart 2 jug .06 1/4
Wiliam Freeb???? 1 bag .06 1/4
Mr. Lods 1 barel of iron .30
Rufus Hart 1 box .38
Martin Housel 1 baskit .50
Martin Housel 1 baskit .31 1/2
Rosanah Willey 1 C?rnan keg .75
Total amount of sales $48.19
Being $27.75 less than the appraisement
(signed) Samuel P. Willey Administrator"
Transcribed by Dani Lundy on March 17, 2006.
- [S57] Perrin. Perrin History of Summit County. Unknown: Unknown, Unknown.
Basil Viers, the ancestor of the numerous families of that name who still live in various parts of the township, located near William Triplett's place, west of Stephen Brewster. He was among the very first settlers, and is remembered only by the old gray-haired patriarchs of to-day. Just this side of the little log cabin in which Dan Haines lived, Wheeler Heniman located …… Adam Falor settled in the northern center, just east of South Main street, in the hollow not far from the rolling mill. He built and run a distillery, the first and, as far aw we are able to find, only one in the township. It was located where the old stone house stood, through which the Brewster Coal Railroad cut its way just after passing under the track of the N.Y.P. & O.R.R. Here the sturdy settlers came from all the country around to get the necessary material for raising barns and houses, as well as for running the hushing bee and other social gatherings. Her Adam and his wife Eve lived in peace, never dreaming of "temperance societies," "crusaders" of Murphy pledges. They raised a family, many representatives of whom are still living in that neighborhood. Abram Falor, a son of Adam and Eve above mentioned, built a saw-mill on what is now known as Falor's Run, where he did a good business for many years. Chester Judd was another early settler who came into this same section some time before the year 1829, though that is the time at which we find him located just beyond the Adam Falor place. Peter and Moses Osburn, brothers, also lived adjoining and near neighbors to Judd.
One of the first settlers at New Portage was Michael Dixon, who came there in 1814 or 1815. He lived there during the rise and fall of varying waves of prosperity that came upon this, the only town and capital of the "State of Coventry," as this was wont to be called. He shared not only its prosperity but also its adversity for the remained long after its star had set and its prospects sunk into insignificance. At a later period Mr. Viers sought to revive its waning prospects by laying out an addition which was to grow and swallow up the old town and retrive its sinking fortunes. One lot was sold to Jacob Brown, after whom it was proposed to name the place Brownsville. But Fate did not smile upon the project, for but one house was built in the place which afterward for many years used as a match factory.
J.A. Long married Mary A. Falor daughter of George p. 736"
Source "The Perrin History of Summit County" page 527. Article Provided by Harry Liggett, Transcribed by Samantha Falor, 2005.
- [S58] Samuel A. Lane. George Adam Falor - Fifty Years and Over of Akron and Summit County. Akron Ohio: (unknown word) Job Department, 1892.
"George Adam Falor
George Adam Falor, was born July 17, 1798, in lower Smithville, Northampton county, Pennsylvania; removed with parents to Stark county, Ohio., in 1809; five years later locating on what was later known as the Thornton farm, now a populous portion of the city of Akron; remained with his father till 25, when he bought the well-known Falor farm, Coventry, which in addition to somewhat extensively plying his trade of stonemason, he successfully cultivated for many years. Mr. Falor was three times married, his wives being sisters, respectively named Nancy McCoy, Rachael McCoy and Mrs. Jane (McCoy) Wilson. Several years before his death Mr. Falor, retiring from the active management of his farm, took up his residence in Akron, where he died of dropsy, June 20, 1868 aged 69 years, 11 months 12 days. Mr. Falor was the father of 17 children, 13 of whom survived him- Milo J., since deceased; James M., Lucinda R. (now Mrs. John Gottwalt); Hiram Silas, George W., Now deceased; Oliver Perry, Mary Ann (now Mrs. J.A. Long); Thomas J., William Wallace deceased; Henry Clay (died at Massillon, December 27, 1800); Martha Ellen (now Mrs. Henry Acker); Lilly Annette, (now Mrs. George L. Adkins); Perry Tod, now a resident of Michigan."
Article Provided by Harry Liggett
Transcribed by Allen Falor, 2006.
- [S59] Samuel A. Lane. Hiram Silas Falor - Fifty Years and Over of Akron and Summit County. Akron Ohio: (unknown word) Job Department, 1892.
"HIRAM SILAS FALOR
born in Coventry, March 22, 1829; common school education; harness maker in Akron 15 years; in 1860, clerked in wholesale store in San Francisco, worked in mines and established pioneer harness shop in Virginia City, NEV.; in 1861, organized and as captain tendered Virginia City Guards to the government, but for lack of transportation facilities offer declined; 1863 returned to Akron, 5 years later removing to farm in Coventry, where he has since resided; was several years foremen of one of Akron's pioneer fire companies; deputy village marshal two years; secretary Summit Country Agricultural Society two years and assistant secretary two years; messenger in office of State Treasurer Joseph Turney, at Columbus, 1880-84; member of police force, in charge of music hall during Ohio Centennial Exposition in 1888; member of Masonic order 35 years; filling all the offices from the lowest to highest in Summit Lodge, No. 50, L.O.O.F.; was U.S. census enumerator for Coventry in 1890. Mr. Falor was married to Miss Bertha E. Agard, July 4, 1854, who bore him four children, two of whom, only, are now living - Claude Emerson, now in regular army, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Minnie Florence, now Mrs. Elmer C. Ellsworth, of Coventry. Mrs. Falor dying January 4, 1873, Mr. F. was again married, to Mrs. Phoebe A. Lutz, of Westfield, Medina County, July 16, 1873. They have two children - Hiram Garcelon, born August 12, 1879, and Phoebe Fanny, born March 6, 1881."
Article Provided by Harry Ball
Transcribed by Allen Falor, 2006.
- [S63] Unknown. Hiram S. Falor Bio. Unknown: Unknown, ca 1882.
Taken from Page 880 of an unknown book, Top of page is labeled "Biographical Sketches".
"Hiram S, Falor, Akron; born in Coventry Township, at the farm upon which he now resides, March 22, 1829; the son of George Adam and Nancy (McCoy) Falor, who were early settlers of Summit County; he received a knowledge of the common branches in the schools of native township; when 19 years of age, became an apprentice in the harness-shop of Orrin Beckwith, of Akron, remaining there three years; then started a shop of his own, and carried on business some ten years. In the spring of 1860, he went to California; for a short time clerked in a wholesale store at San Francisco; then went to Humboldt Bay, crossed over the mountains to Salmon River and mined for four months. During the latter part of 1860, he moved to Virginia City, Nev., then a Territory, and opened the first harness shop ever started in that place; his establishment was called the "Pioneer Harness Shop." He served as a petit juror in the first court ever held in Storey Co. During the early part of 1861, he organized the Virginia City Grays, and now was elected Captain of the company; when the rebellion was inaugurated the company tendered their services to the Government, but were declined by the national authorities who, at the time early in the war, did not wish to pay the expense of transporting the company to the seat of hostilities. In September, 1863, Falor returned to Akron, remaining for some five years in the city. In 1868, having purchased 30 acres from his father, he moved to Coventry Township, erected a residence on this land, a part of the old homestead, where his family now resides. In January, 1880, he was appointed by Hon. Joseph Turney, Treasurer of Ohio, to be Messenger in the office at Columbus; he also had charge of the Attorney General's office and the Mine Inspector's rooms at the Capitol. Mr. Falor was, on April 28, 1853, elected by the council of Akron to be Deputy Marshal of the place, and served for two years. He was Secretary of the Summit County Agriculture society for four years, and Assistant nearly ever since its organization: has been a member of the I.O.O.F. for over twenty years, and, as early as 1854, filled the office of Noble Grand in that order; has also been a Mason since 1852. He was Married, July 4, 1854, to Miss Bertia E, daughter of Benjamin and Bertia E. Agard, and by her had four children- Benjamin Stanton, died aged 8; Claude Emerson, now a member of Co. G, 10th Regiment of the regular army; Nancy Honora, died aged 7; Minnie Florence, now at home. His first wife died Jan. 2, 1872, and he married a second time to Mrs. Phoebe A. Lutz: two children being result of this union - Hiram, Garcelon and Phoebe. Mrs. Falor, by her former husband, is the mother of two children -Minnie C., now Mrs. Harry Flower; and Sylvester E. Lutz. Mr. Falor is now at the age of 52, is reasonable good health and circumstances." - [S66] Falor, Jenny "Jenny Falor's Email." E-mail message from withheld at MN. Sunday April 2, 2006.
- [S75] Fredrick Falor, letter. 22 October 2007, from Central City, KY, 42330, to Kenneth Falor. Unknown repository; unknown repository address.
- [S87] Tuesday, November 10, 2009 8:29 PM
Mr. Falor:
My name is Andrew Falor, my father is Richard Falor the son of Duehl T. Falor. Im writing to you because I noticed you didn't have an update on my marriage to Caitlin A. Shedd and the birth of our daughter Rylie E. Falor.. I just wanted to help by informing you so maybe you could update it.
Thanks, Andrew Falor. - [S93] 1870 US Census. various.
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