Let’s Look A Little Closer at The Dooley Family

Stephen Dooley was a teamster during the World War. He cared for the horses and drove a wagon such that is pictured below. His youngest son recollects his father’s knowledge of horses. The family had been on vacation when they stopped along the way for a horse show. Father Stephen shared his knowledge of horses with his family. His children recall amazement at his knowledge of horses.

A photo from the Stephen Clement Dooley collection.

All genealogical research begins with a research question. We know our orphan, Stephen Clement Dooley, was born and raised in the Near West Side of Chicago.  How did this city boy get the job of teamster during the World War?

Let’s look at his siblings. In 1910 David F and Elizabeth Dooley cared for the orphaned children: John F., Stephen C., Margaret and David. Remember that David F. was brother to their deceased father, William Dooley.

The 1910 census reports that John F. Dooley, Stephen’s older brother, was employed as a teamster. Perhaps John F. Dooley’s experience as a teamster gave our Stephen the knowledge and interest in horses. [1]

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[1] “1910 United States Federal Census, Cook County, Illinois, population schedule, Chicago, sheet 163(stamped), dwelling 1057, family 115, David F. Dooley; digital image, Ancestry.com (http:www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 January 2012), citing National Archives microfilm publication T624, Roll 251.