| Life Story |
Celia Sheridan was listed as a “mill worker” in the 1895 census, age 18.
Her family were friends of the Kays. An article about Celia’s 18th birthday party mentions Mr. and Mrs. Kay being present. Through the years Cecelia’s brother William and her sisters Mary Agnes, Julia, and Martha were also employees at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill.
Cecelia Frances “Celia” Sheridan was born 29 Jan 1878 in Salem, OR. She was the sixth of eight children born to James Phil Sheridan and Mary Ellen (Casey) Sheridan.
The 1895 census lists “Celia” living with her mother, her brother William (student) and her sister Martha (student). Cecelia was the only one in the household listed as employed. Her older siblings had left home and her father had passed away in 1889.
Cecelia did not work at the woolen mill for very long; she became an attendant at the State Insane Asylum (OSIA) in 1896. Celia worked there for six years, until the time of her marriage.
On 1 Sep 1901 Cecelia married Francis L. Benedict at the home of her mother. Rev. Wm A Daly of St Joseph’s Catholic Church officiated. The groom was a businessman from Portland, OR. After a honeymoon in Victoria, BC the couple made their home at First and Washington St. in Portland, OR. Later their home was listed at 353 Hill in Portland. Frank was the manager at Stewart’s and Celia ran the household.
Cecelia and Frank’s daughter was born on 19 Dec 1908. She was their only child. Frank became a bookkeeper and clerk for the Port of Portland. Celia stayed home with their daughter.
Cecelia passed away from pneumonia at their home on 8 Apr 1925 in Portland, Oregon. She was only 47 years old and their daughter only 17. She was buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Portland.
Frank remarried 2 Aug 1928 to Cecelia’s youngest sister Martha Margaret Sheridan. They had no children. Frank passed away on 28 Aug 1941 in Portland, OR. He was buried next to Cecelia at Mount Calvary Cemetery. |
| Salem City Directories |
1914 Sheridan Frank L (Cecilia F) mngr Stewart’s, h 353 Hall, Portland
1916 Sheridan Frank L (Cecelia F) h 353 Hall, Portland, OR
1917 Sheridan Frank L (Cecelia) h 353 Hall, Portland, OR
1918 Sheridan Frank L (Cecelia F) storekpr Port of Portland Comn, h 353 Hall, Portland, OR
1920 Sheridan Frank L (Cecelia) clk Port of Portland, h 353 Hall, Portland |
| Census Records |
1895 Sheridan, Celia – b OR, 5’3”, 145#, light. Mill employee, Catholic, f, 18.
1910 Cecelia Benedict – Age: 32, Birth Date: 1878, Birthplace: Oregon, Home: Portland Ward 5, Multnomah, Oregon, USA, Race: White, Gender: Female, Relation to HOH: Wife, Marital Status: Married, Spouse’s Name: Frank Bendrick, Father’s Birthplace: Ireland, Mother’s Birthplace: Ireland, Years Married: 9, Number of Children Born: 1, Number of Children Living: 1, Additional household members: Frank Benedict (head), age 38, Francis Benedict (daughter), age 1 4/12, Sybil Slaven (niece), age 10.
1920 Cecelia Benedict – Age: 42, Birth Year: abt 1878, Birthplace: Oregon, Home: 353 Hall St, Portland, Multnomah, Oregon, Race: White, Gender: Female, Relation to HOH: Wife, Marital Status: Married, Spouse’s Name: Frank L Benedict, Father’s Birthplace: Ireland, Mother’s Birthplace: Ireland, Additional household members: Frank Benedict (head), age 45, Frances Benedict (daughter), age 11, Rose Hojda (lodger) age 24. |
| Find-a-Grave |
Cecelia F. Sheridan Benedict. BIRTH: 1876, DEATH: 1925 (aged 48–49)
Oregon, USA, BURIAL: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, USA, PLOT: Section A, Wall Block 1, Lot 13, MEMORIAL ID: 39390069
Francis Lawrence “Frank” Benedict. BIRTH: 1872, DEATH: 1941 (aged 68–69), Oregon, USA, BURIAL: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, USA, PLOT: Section Unit A Wall Block 1 Lot 13, MEMORIAL ID: 39390096 |
