Dorchester Illustration no. 2364 Henry and Roger Rush
At the Dorchester Historical Society, we are in the process of a year-long project to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of World War I. Using a collection of photographs we have of World War I Dorchester residents, we will be featuring soldiers in a number of short biographies throughout the year. At the culmination of the project, we hope to produce an online exhibit which highlights these men and their service to our country.
Our next biography features a pair of brothers: Roger and Henry Rush –
Henry Francis Rush was born August 16, 1895 to parents Roger and Elizabeth (Dolly) Rush, both of whom were Irish immigrants. At the time, his parents were living on Sturbridge Street in the Lower Mills section of Dorchester. Three years later, his brother, Roger Rush, Jr. was born on February 16, 1898. They also had three other siblings – Annie, born in 1900, did not live past infancy, Ann – born in 1902, and Edward – born in 1904. By the 1910 census, the family had moved to nearby Sanford Street. Roger was working as a “fireman” at the chocolate factory (most likely, the Walter Baker Chocolate Factory) and Elizabeth was home with the children.
Henry registered for the draft on June 5, 1917 at the age of 21. He was still living with his parents on Sanford Street and working at the Walter Baker Chocolate Factory. He was described as being of medium height and build, with blue eyes and brown hair. Unfortunately, we don’t know much else about Henry’s experience during World War I. Henry’s brother Roger also entered the service and we have a bit more information about him. Roger enrolled at the Recruiting Station in Boston on July 15, 1918. His service card lists him as being 20 years and 5 months old and living with his parents on Sanford Street. Although Roger was on active duty, it appears that he did not go far. He went to the Naval Training Camp in Hingham, MA on August 20, 1918, and, from there, went to the District Supply Office on September 10, 1918, where he served as a “storekeeper, 3rd class” until November 11, 1918. He was relieved from active duty on August 8, 1919 and honorably discharged on July 15, 1920. When he was discharged, he was listed as “storekeeper, 2nd class.”
After the war, both boys are still found living at home with their family. In 1920, at age 24, Henry is listed as a policeman for the City of Boston. Roger is listed as a bookkeeper for the United States Government. However, in 1922, Roger moved out when he married his new bride, Georgene Watson. They appear to have moved to Hyde Park Avenue in Roslindale. On April 20, 1924, Henry married Violet Urquhart and moved a few blocks away to West Selden Street in Mattapan. He is still working as a police officer, and according to city directories, working in Station 11.
By 1930, both brothers are now fathers. Henry, still a police officer, is living on Caton Street in Mattapan with his wife Violet and his twin, two year old children: Henry and Dorothy. His brother, Roger, is also living in Mattapan, on Harmon Street, with wife, Georgene, and his daughter, Frances. Roger is working as a shipper at a chocolate factory (again, we think the Walter Baker Chocolate factory).
In 1940, Henry is still a police officer, now at Station 6 in South Boston. He is living with his family on Beaufield Street, in the Cedar Grove neighborhood of Dorchester. Roger is also still living in Mattapan with his family, now on Greenfield Road, and still working at the chocolate factory as a shipper. However, now he is a father of two; his daughter Anne Marie was born in 1935.
Throughout the years, Henry and Roger both stayed in Boston, raising their families. At some point after his retirement, Henry and Violet moved to Florida; the city directories giving an address in Boca Raton. Henry died on April 18, 1971 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the age of 75. His obituary states that he was a retired Boston Police Detective, first grade, from Station 6 in South Boston and a veteran of World War I. Henry’s funeral was held at Saint Gerard Majella Church in Canton, MA. Roger, on the other hand, stayed in Boston for his whole life, and we believe in Mattapan for a majority of it. He died in Mattapan, on July 24, 1995 at the age of 97. His obituary states that he was a widower, and a grandfather of 7 and great grandfather to several great grandchildren. In addition, he was a Navy veteran of World War I and a member of American Legion Post #65 in Dorchester. His funeral was held at Saint Angela’s Church in Mattapan and he is buried at New Calvary Cemetery in Roslindale.
Do you know more about the Rush brothers? We would love to hear from you! All material has been researched by volunteers at the Dorchester Historical Society, so please let us know if we got something wrong or if you think a piece of the story is missing!
Sources:
Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.
Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.
Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.
Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.
Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2012.
Ancestry.com. Florida Death Index, 1877-1998 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.
Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Birth Records, 1840-1915 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.
Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Marriage Records, 1840-1915 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.
Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
Dr. Perkins World War I collection, Dorchester Historical Society, Boston, MA.
Military, Compiled Service Records. World War I. Carded Records. Records of the Military Division of the Adjutant General’s Office, Massachusetts National Guard.
“Rush.” Boston Globe, April 20, 1971: 41.
“Rush.” Boston Globe, July 26, 1995: 79.
Do you know more about the Rushbrothers? We would love to hear from you! All material has been researched by volunteers at the Dorchester Historical Society, so please let us know if we got something wrong or if you think a piece of the story is missing!