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James Joseph Ahern
World War I Veteran – Rye, New York
James Joseph Ahern was born in Rye, New York, on December 20, 1897, the son of James A. Ahern and Margaret Harrigan Ahern. He grew up in the Rye–Port Chester area as part of a large Irish-American family that had settled in southern Westchester County during the late nineteenth century. Families such as the Aherns and Harrigans formed an important part of the working-class Catholic communities that developed in Rye and neighboring Port Chester during this period.
Early Life and Family
Census records from the early twentieth century show the Ahern family living in the Rye–Port Chester area where James spent his childhood with his siblings. Like many young men from the community at the time, he attended local schools before entering the workforce as a teenager.
His parents, James A. Ahern and Margaret Harrigan Ahern, were members of Irish immigrant families that had settled in Westchester County during the late 1800s. The family remained closely connected to the Roman Catholic parish life that was central to the social fabric of the Rye and Port Chester communities.
World War I Service
When the United States entered World War I, Ahern registered for the draft and later entered military service when he was inducted into the United States Army at Port Chester, New York, on September 8, 1918.
He began his service as a
Private with Company H, 3rd Provisional Regiment, 156th Depot Brigade. Depot brigades served as training and organization centers for newly inducted soldiers.
On September 18, 1918, Ahern was transferred to
Battery E, 13th Regiment, 5th Brigade as part of the Army’s Automatic Replacement Draft system, which prepared trained soldiers for assignment to combat units overseas.
Because he entered the Army only weeks before the Armistice of November 11, 1918, Ahern did not serve overseas and did not participate in combat engagements. His service nonetheless reflects the rapid mobilization of American manpower during the final phase of the war.
He received an
honorable discharge on December 31, 1918.
Marriage and Family Life
After returning from military service, Ahern resumed civilian life in Port Chester. He later married
Mae Garvey, and the couple established their home at 106 Prospect Street in Port Chester.
James and Mae Ahern raised a large family and remained lifelong residents of the area. Their children included:
- Mrs. Charles J. Miraglia – Bronx, New York
- Mrs. Barry B. Lantrip – Byram, Connecticut
- Mrs. Richard Lucas – Rye, New York
- Miss Veronica K. Ahern – Port Chester, New York
- William E. Ahern – Port Chester, New York
Another son,
James J. Ahern, died in 1965.
Career
During his working years, Ahern was employed by
Pitney Bowes, Inc. in Stamford, Connecticut, for approximately fifteen years. The company was one of the region’s major industrial employers in the mid-twentieth century, and many residents of Rye and Port Chester commuted to Stamford for work.
He retired around the mid-1960s after a long career with the company.
Community and Faith
Ahern remained active in the Catholic community throughout his life and was a member of
St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Stamford, Connecticut.
The Ahern family was representative of many long-established Irish-American families whose lives were closely tied to the religious, social, and civic life of the Rye–Port Chester community.
Extended Family
At the time of his death, Ahern was survived by six sisters:
- Margaret Boss – Opa-locka, Florida
- Anne Schulz – Port Chester, New York
- Mary Dietsch – Rye, New York
- Agnes Garthwaite – Mount Vernon, New York
- Mrs. William Mathews – Mount Vernon, New York
- Josephine Cullen – Pelham, New York
He was also survived by six grandchildren.
Death
James Joseph Ahern died at
St. Joseph’s Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut, after a brief illness at the age of 72. He was remembered as a lifelong resident of the Rye–Port Chester area and a member of the generation of local men who served their country during World War I before returning home to raise families and contribute to their communities.
Military Service Summary
- Name: James Joseph Ahern
- Birth: December 20, 1897 – Rye, New York
- Parents: James A. Ahern and Margaret Harrigan Ahern
- Residence: Port Chester, New York
- Army Serial Number: 4,489,635
- Inducted: September 8, 1918 – Port Chester, New York
- Rank: Private
- Units:
- Company H, 3rd Provisional Regiment, 156th Depot Brigade
- Battery E, 13th Regiment, 5th Brigade (Automatic Replacement Draft)
- Overseas Service: None recorded
- Engagements: None recorded
- Wounds: None recorded
- Discharged: December 31, 1918 (Honorable)
Known Residences
- Rye, New York – birthplace
- Port Chester, New York – lifelong residence
- 106 Prospect Street, Port Chester – family home
Research Sources
- New York State World War I Service Card
- United States World War I Draft Registration Records
- United States Federal Census Records (1900–1950)
- Port Chester area obituary records
- Pitney Bowes employment references
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James J. AhearnWWI Veteran – Rye, New YorkEarly LifeJames J. Ahearn was born 20 Dec 1896 and grew up in Rye, Westchester County, New York. Military ServiceMilitary service records indicate that he served in the U.S. Army during WWI. He held the rank of Private. Early training appears connected with the 156 Depot Brigade. The surviving service card transcript reads: Ahearn, Residence: James J... (Christian name) (Surname). 505 Post Road (Street and house number) 4,489,635 *White *Colored (Army serial number) Port Chester (Town or city) West Chester NEW YORK (County) (State) *Enlisted R. AN. GE. R. G. *Inducted at Port Chester NY Place of birth: ...Rye N Y Age o... Family LifeHe married Mae Garvey who survives him. Born in Rye on Dec.. Career, Community and FaithDuring his civilian career he was employed by Pitney Bowes, Inc., of Stamford for. He was also associated with St. John's (RC) Church. DeathJames J. Ahearn died on 1970-10-09. SurvivorsAt the time of his death, he was survived by four daughters, Mrs. Charles .J Miraglia of the Bronx, Mrs. Barry B. Lantrip of Byram, Mrs. Richard Lucas Rye and Miss Veronica K. Ahearn of the home address; a William E. of the home address; six sisters, Mrs. Margaret Boss of Opa Locka, Fla., Mrs. Anne Schulz of Port Chester, Mrs. Mary Dietsch of Rye, Mr. Agnes Garthwaite and Mrs. William Mathews, both of Mount Vernon and Mrs. Josehine Cullen of Pelham and six grandchildren. Another son, James J. Ahearn, died in 1965.. Known Residences505 Post Road, Rye Research SourcesWWI service card transcript and local obituary records. - "
Name: James J Ahearn
Birth Place: Rye , New York
Birth Date: 20 Dec 1896
Service Start Date: 8 Sep 1918
Service Start Place: Port Chester, New York
Service Start Age: 21
James Joseph Ahern
World War I Veteran – Rye, New York
James Joseph Ahern was born in Rye, New York, on December 20, 1897, the son of James A. Ahern and Margaret Harrigan Ahern. He grew up in the Rye–Port Chester area and remained a lifelong resident of the community.
During World War I, Ahern entered military service when he was inducted at Port Chester, New York, on September 8, 1918. He served as a Private in the United States Army. His initial assignment was with Company H, 3rd Provisional Regiment, 156th Depot Brigade, where he trained briefly before being transferred.
On September 18, 1918, he was assigned to Battery E, 13th Regiment, 5th Brigade as part of the Automatic Replacement Draft system used to supply trained soldiers to units during the final months of the war. His period of service occurred during the closing phase of the conflict, and records indicate that he did not serve overseas or participate in combat engagements. He was honorably discharged on demobilization on December 31, 1918.
Following his military service, Ahern returned to civilian life in the Rye–Port Chester area. He married Mae Garvey, and together they raised their family in Port Chester. For many years he was employed by Pitney Bowes, Inc., in Stamford, Connecticut, where he worked for approximately fifteen years before retiring around 1965.
Ahern was a member of St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Stamford and remained closely connected to the community where he had spent his entire life.
He and his wife Mae made their home at 106 Prospect Street in Port Chester. In addition to his wife, he was survived by four daughters: Mrs. Charles J. Miraglia of the Bronx, Mrs. Barry B. Lantrip of Byram, Mrs. Richard Lucas of Rye, and Miss Veronica K. Ahern of the family home. He was also survived by a son, William E. Ahern of Port Chester. Another son, James J. Ahern, predeceased him in 1965.
His surviving family also included six sisters—Margaret Boss of Opa-locka, Florida; Anne Schulz of Port Chester; Mary Dietsch of Rye; Agnes Garthwaite and Mrs. William Mathews, both of Mount Vernon; and Josephine Cullen of Pelham—as well as six grandchildren.
James Joseph Ahern died at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Stamford after a brief illness at the age of 72. Remembered as a lifelong resident of the Rye–Port Chester area, he was part of the generation of local men who answered the nation’s call during World War I and later returned home to build their lives, families, and communities in Westchester County.
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