Police Officer Patrick S. Hanley, the son Ellen Hayes and Daniel Hanley and a New York City Patrolman for almost 25 years was shot in the back while trying to apprehend a man who had “shot another brother officer just moments before”.
This is the story of how the “other” Hayes’ arrived in the United States. The other Hayes’ meaning on the Lewis side. Yes, I have Hayes’ from both my mother and father. The information is compiled from many sources, including:
While doing some casual family genealogy research using Google’s new Newspaper Archives, I stumbeled accross one of the greatest finds yet…. A New York Times obituary with a picture of New York City Police Captain Frank A. Tierney. He was 68 year old when he died of heart disease in Brooklyn, New York. Frank was the brother of my Great Grandfather James F Tierney. My great Uncle actually was a Police Inspector before being demoted to Captain just before his retirement in 1928.
He spent 32 years on the Police Force, including several years in Chinatown, heading up the move against the gangs there. Unfortunately, he encountered some political trouble in 1918 with Police Commissioner Enright who took the opportunity to demote him. It seems that although he was in and out of some minor trouble through his career (see the attached articles), he was generally well respected and liked. He retired as a Captain on December 31, 1928, ending his career managing the Miller Avenue Precinct in Brooklyn.
He was survived by his three sons; John E, Frank A. Jr. and Raymond A Tierney (who later became a New York City Magistrate in 1956.)
The Obituary and Photo
This is the story of Ellen Hayes Hanley, who came to America from Ireland with her three children in 1870. Ellen Hayes was apparently married to Daniel Hanley in Ireland, but did not come to America with him. Ellen and Daniel had three children; Catherine/Kate (my great grandmother), William and Patrick. I cannot yet determine what happened to Daniel. It could be that he died or it could be that she took the children and left him. Irish ancestry records are difficult to find and interpret so this information will have to wait for another day. According to my Uncles research though, Daniel was the son of Morris Hanley and Catherine Fitzgerald. Ellen Hayes was the daughter of Patrick Hayes and Johanna Cowie.
After a series of sudden ideas and strange coincidences, the next generation of Yerks family unfolded before me within hours. This generation has been troubling me for a long time, as I was unable to find the parents of George Oakley Yerks as listed on his death certificate. I think the officials may have guessed and filled in some names because they did not know who the parents really were. But after some careful detective work, I am extremely comfortable stating that the next Yerks Generation mystery has been solved! To solve this mystery, I worked backwards. But for the sake of clarity, I’ll tell the story moving forward.
Ralph Yerks (born April 4, 1894 in Bedford Hills, New York) served and died for his country in World War I, yet we cannot find a memorial in Westchester County that recognizes him.
Entered the Service from: New York
Died: September 13, 1918
Buried at: Plot C Row 8 Grave 36
St. Mihiel American Cemetery
Thiaucourt, France