Charles Yates Oakman’s younger brother, Joseph, was born in Ireland in May 1885. He was an Engineer and arrived in the US aboard the Teutonic on 22 September 1904. Joseph was travelling with his brother, Charles, and the passenger list tells us they intended staying with Charles’ friend, Dixon Charleson.
Sometime later, Joseph returned to Ireland and is found arriving back in New York on the SS Celtic in March 1908. The passenger list tells us his father’s name was Robert who lived at 38 Athol St, Belfast.
The 1910 Census finds Joseph boarding with his sister Annie Mulligan and her husband, William at West 134th Street, NYC. Annie and William had emigrated from Ireland to the US in 1906. Joseph was working as a Motorman for Surface Rail Road.
A short time later, Joseph moved to Canada. In April 1912, Joseph and his wife, Annie (unknown), and their 9 month old son, Albert, travelled from Hamilton, Canada to Bay Shore, Long Island, in the US. There is a record of them crossing the border at Niagara Falls. This record tells us they were going to visit Joseph’s sister, Annie Mulligan. It also provides the following description of Joseph – 5’8½” tall with brown hair and brown eyes.
Two and a half years later (December 1914), Joseph and Annie again travelled from Canada to New York City, this time with two children – Albert and Leslie – to visit Joseph’s brother, Charles, who was living in New York City. Joseph was still working as a Motorman, in Hamilton, Ontario. He was described as being 5’10½” tall with brown hair and brown eyes.
In 1917 Joseph enlisted in WWI and gave his next-of-kin as Annie Mulligan, NYC. That he did not list his wife as next-of-kin implies his wife may have been deceased by this time.
By 1920 Joseph was living in East 65th St, Manhattan, NYC with his sister, Annie Mulligan, and his two boys (Albert and Leslie). In 1921 he became a US Citizen and gave his address as 416 East 65th Street.
1930 finds Joseph married to Elizabeth (unknown), working for a Trolley Co as a Motorman. His son Albert works for N Y Edison Co as a Motorman. The family were still living at 416 East 65th Street, Manhattan, New York City.