Misc. Notes
He was Aunt Helen's love. Prior to my looking at the 1929-37 directories (12-29-95), I didn't have any information about him.
1929: Burns, John L., real est and ins, 960 Albany, h do (home ditto)
I have an invoice from Van Woert Insurance Agency, State Theatre Arcade, Sch’dy, marked “John L. Burns In Account With Ernest G. Smith” for an additional premium of $71.06, dated 9-30-48, handwritten “Paid Nov. 6 48 John L. Burns”
Obit: “John L. Burns, for many years a real estate and insurance broker, died late Thursday night at his home, 606 Smith street. He had ben in failing health since suffering a heart attack five weeks ago. Mr. Burns was an active member of the committee for the first St. Clare’s hospital drive.” Survivors: wife, three daughters, a son, a brother, three sisters, four grandsons.
17Resided at 606 Smith St. at time of death; this was Aunt Helen’s house in Schenectady. She always said she’d gotten it in the depression, but the obit says it was his home.
Numerous ads from him in the Gazette in the 1920s as a real estate agent, and notes involving him in real estate as far back as 1911.
Gazette, Feb. 14, 1947:
Trial Set Tomorrow in Pillow Theft Case
The trial of Edwin Arnold, 24, of Kings road, arrested on a charge of petty larceny in connection with the theft of two pillows and a pail, was set for tomorrow, by Police Justice Charles G. Fryer.
Arnold, arrested on the complaint of John L. Burns, 606 Smith street, pleaded innocent to the charge when arraigned yesterday. He was arrested by Det. Sgt. Raymond F. Donahue yesterday and released on $25 bail.
Spouses
Birth7 Mar 1903, Glenville, Schenectady Co., NY2
Death6 Dec 1985, Schenectady, Sch’dy Co., NY2,36
BurialWest Glenville Cemetery, Glenville, Schenectady Co., NY43
Occupation1930: Hair dresser, beauty parlor5
Misc. Notes
Never married (see John L. Burns). Lived at 606 Smith Street, Sch'dy, and on West Glenville Road, next to the firehouse just below North Road, in my life.
In 1921, she appears in the Amsterdam City Directory:
Cath, Helen D., bds 73 Brookside ave
From Schenectady city directories:
1925: emp. WT Grant, rooms at 25 Lafayette St.
(from the 1925 census, I don't find Aunt Helen....but 25 Lafayette street looks like a day nursery run by Irma Schram and Louise Everhart....address could be wrong)
1928: emp GE, rooms at 123 Lafayette St.
1930: r 123 Lafayette (123 Lafayette was the rooming house of a Mary Capen)
1931: hairdresser, r 123 Lafayette
1933: hairdresser, h 1151 Hilderbrand [corner of Moyston - others listed there: Mrs. Sophie Drumm, Vincent Cartta]
not found in 1938, 1939, 1940
1945: housekeeper, 606 Smith, rooms at same
Social Security Master Death Index: DOB, DOD, 124-18-0124
2Listed in her obit as living at RD3, West Glenville Road, Amsterdam, which is the summer house on West Glenville Road, right next to the West Glenville fire house, just below North Road. However, the rest of the year she lived with Aunt Margaret on Mohawk Avenue in Scotia.
Tombstone appears to have had a carver’s mistake, 1986 is recut to 1985. Date confirmed by SSI master death index.
In the 1940 Federal Census, she is living at 606 Smith Street, where John L. Burns is listed as the head of household, and she is listed as the maid. She was 37 years old, single, had completed 8th grade. She had been in the same place in 1935. She was employed 56 hours a week as a domestic, had worked 52 weeks in 1939 and earned $208.
6
Newspaper article
Amsterdam Evening Recorder, Wednesday, June 17, 1917:
Glenville - Helen Cath was the visitor Saturday evening of the Misses Edna and Ella Gifford.
Amsterdam Evening Recorder, Thursday, July 21, 1927:
Mrs. Robert Carrano and Miss Helen Cath of Schenectady recently visited ther parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tunis Cath.
Schenectady Gazette, Friday, July 22, 1927:
Miss Helen Cath of Schenectady spent the weekend with her parents.
Schenectady Gazette, Saturday, July 5, 1930:
Real Estate Transfers
J. Vernett Leggett and wife to Helen Cath, 1910-12 Wabash avenue.
Schenectady Gazette, Wednesday, March 18, 1931:
Miss Helen Cath of Schenectady visited her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tunis [sic] Cath, Sunday.
Schenectady Gazette, Saturday, April 16, 1932:
Glenville Notes
Miss Helen Cath of Schenectady recently spent a few days at her home here.
Gazette, Friday, June 3, 1932:
Real Estate Transfers
Helen Cath to Alfred F. Kellogg, 1910-12 Wabash avenue.
Helen Cath to Alfred F. Kellogg, 1223-24 Eighth avenue.
Gazette, dateline Jan. 4, 1934:
Miss Helen Cath of Schenectady visited her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Junis [sic] Cath, for a few days.
Gazette, 7-27-1938, under Real Estate Transfers:
Helen Cath, to Frank and Mary Muzikar, 2 pieces north side highway leading from Schenectady to Amsterdam, Town of Glenville.
Gazette, August 24, 1938:
Miss Helen Cath, of Schenectady, is visiting her mother, Mrs. Nellie Cath of Waters Road.
Gazette, Monday, October 3, 1938, notice of County Tax Sale:
Helen Cath - 29 acres; vacant; bounded north and east by McEckron, west by Washout Rd. $8.72.
Gazette, Tuesday, August 15, 1939, notice of unpaid taxes:
Helen Cath - 29 acres; vacant; bounded north and east by McEckron; west by Washout Rd. $10.63
Gazette, Friday, April 6, 1945:
Party Honors Bride-Elect
Miss Polly Kovorovic of Ballston Lake was entertained at a surprise dinner party at the Danish hall recently, given by her friends and co-workers at the General Electric Co. Miss Kovorovic will become the bride of Connie Patka of this city on Sunday. The ceremony will be held at the Church of Our Lady of Grace, Ballston Lake.
Attending the party were Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kovorovic, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kovorovic, Mr. and Mrs. George Micklas, Miss Elen Kovorovic, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Kovorovic, Miss Florence Kovorovic, Mrs. Anthony Slovechek, Bernard LeClare, Miss Helen Cath, Mrs. Orvill Wolcott, Mrs. Sally Cooper . . . [many other names unknown to me].
Gazette, Thursday, Nov. 3, 1949:
Entertains at Bridal Shower
Mrs. Mary Huber of Howard street entertained recnetly at a surprise bridal shower in honor of MIss Florence Olechowski of Amsterdam. Miss Olechowski’s marriage to George Solotruck took place Sunday afternoon. Guests were Mrs. Anna Herrington, Mrs. Lillian Cornell, Mrs. Peggy Decker, Mrs. Lucy Formosa, Mrs. Pauline Martinelli, Mrs. Mary DeGeorgia, Mrs. Angie Bueri, Mrs. Helen Kollath and Mrs. Marjorie Lee. Also Miss Beda Holtman, Miss Helen Cath, Miss Alice Wolocen, Miss Margaret Sleter, Miss Helen Pieciuk, Miss Mafalda Mastroianni, Miss Mary Ruscitto and Miss Florence Smartup.
Gazette, July 28, 1950:
Glenville - Miss Ruth Cath entertained at a hamburger roast at her home Sunday. Present were Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Carrano, Miss Helen Cath, Barbara Crisalle and Carolyn Crisalle of Schenectady, Miss Margaret Cath, James Boucher and John Burns, of Scotia and James Jackman of Cranesville.
Gazette, May 26, 1952:
Luncheon Hostess
Mrs. Claude N. Gilson of Rotterdam Junction entertained at luncheon Wednesday at her home. Guests were Mrs. Ralph Allen, Mrs. E.A. Smith, Mrs. Alice Evans, Mrs. harold Rollins, Mrs. Hetty M. Butter, Mrs. Jennie Lawyer, Mrs. E.C. Candage, Mrs. M.E. Shields, Mrs. Faith Payette, Mrs. Charlotte Watterson, Mrs. Florence Justin, Mrs. Eunice Easton, Mrs. Francis Cain and Miss Helen Cath.
Schenectady Gazette legal notices, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1964:
County Tax Sale - State of New York - Schenectady County Treasurer’s Office, schenectady, New York. Whereas, arrears of taxes for the year 1964 . . . remain due and unpaid on the several tracts, lots, pieces or parcels of land described in the following list . . . Now therefore notice is hereby given that: All properties in the following list will be sold . . .
Town of Glenville - Alphabetical [listing]:
Helen Cath - 1 acre and building. N-Beyer S-Glenvllle Road, E-IOOF Hall, W-Dawson $109.36.
Schenectady Gazette, Friday, Oct. 26, 1973:
“Early Alarm Saves Car in Garage Fire
Qick [sic] action by a Notre Dame High School senior was credited with averting a serious fire in a garage at the rear of 606 Smith St. yesterday.
Julie Orzali of 608 Smith St., discovered smoke coming from the garage of her neighbor, Miss Helen Cath, at about 5:45 yesterday afternoon when she returned home from school.
Firemen were summoned and a car inside the garage was removed. The flames were extinguished and caused only moderate damage.
Schenectady Gazette, Sat., June 1,1974:
City Eyes $400,000 to Buy Properties
. . . City Council Wednesday approved the pruchase of property at 606 Smith St., for $8,500 from Helen Cath to add to the city’s Hamilton-Smith property inventory. The proposed $350,000 capital budget amendment includes $110,000 for additional property purchases and $40,000 for demolition of existing buildings.