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John or 'Jack' as he was known was born in Illinois. His father and grandfather were also named 'John'. His grandfather was born in Dansig, Poland ( which was East Prussia). His father was also born in Prussia.
Jack Sheblessy practiced Architecture both in Kentucky and Ohio. Some of his local projects were the main building at Roger Bacon High School, the school building for St. Boniventure, the remodeling of the St. Boniventure Church and the portico in 1919, Holy Family Church in Price Hill, St. Clements's School in St. Bernard, St. Rita's School for the Deaf old building, St. Bernard Churchnin Burkettsville, OH, and a church in Chillecothe, OH.
"When upon invitation, I visited Anna Trefzger (in Peoria, IL), she entertained for me. Among her guests was a Chicagoan, John F. Sheblessy, Architect. I noticed that he was singling me out all evening. With him was Dudley Chaffe, a fellow architect from Louisville, KY. On their way home from the party, he said, “Dudley, I met my wife tonight, if she will have me.” Both men had gained attention with their artistic drawings and caricatures, even resorting to palm reading, a subtle way of holding hands. After I returned home, he was persistent in writing to me. When he heard of an opening in the McDonald office in Louisville, he applied and was accepted. That brought him much closer to Cincinnati, and made more frequent visits possible. Mama liked him, and when I mentioned that he had written himself into my heart, she said: “I think the twinkle in his eyes had something to do with it to.” He did write beautifully, both as to sense and penmanship. However, I still had ‘convent’ in my mind, and it took quite a bit of persuasion to convince me that my future happiness depended upon sharing it with him. I never had reason to regret having set the wedding date. We were married June 21, 1905, a hot summer day. My only attendant was Eva Deisel from Lima, Ohio. She was beautifully attired in white. I wore white lace over white chiffon. There is a picture of me wearing it, in the old homestead."
"Michael Sheblessy from Chicago, from that day forward, my devoted brother-in-law was best man. He was a likable man who really loved life. He sang, he recited and entertained any group. He was a pharmacist and like my husband, wrote beautifully. Again, they were house guests. Martha Binz, the groom’s niece from Chicago, Catherine Kells from St. Louis, some of the Peoria and Indianapolis folk and the Siefermans from Danville, Ill. Like my sisters, we were married at St. Bonaventure Church on Queen City Ave., at 10:30 in the morning. Like they, I walked down the isle with the bridegroom. Knowing I would be away from home for a long time, I declined a honeymoon trip. Instead, we celebrated after the wedding. The out of town guests had to be entertained. The following day, we engaged a sightseeing streetcar, which was the popular thing to do . We stopped at Mecklenburgs where a delicious dinner awaited us. In lieu of a stork, a China duck placed in the center of the floral table decorations, created much merriment and embarrassing teasing. The next day, we all went to the ballgame, then to Krollman Gardens, where we ate, danced and had a gay time. After almost week of festivities, the guest, all homeward bound, Jack and I left for Louisville, by boat, to begin our life together. After two years, a little voice from within, announced that he wanted to be born in Ohio. I came home in time for the 4th of July celebration, and on August 7, 1907, John B. was born. Shortly afterward his father, severed connections with Mr. McDonald and formed the partnership for the architectural firm of Des Jardins and Sheblessy, and that necessitated our moving to Cincinnati. I stayed with Mama and Anna until the apartment which a relative was building was ready for occupancy. By that time, Tillie and Fred with their two boys had decided to take the upstairs apartment, and we lived there for five years. When we required more living space, they bought a house in Westwood and we built a new home in Clifton on Morrison, (1914)."
Quotes by Teresa Berger Sheblessy
Note:
'Jack' John Francis Sheblessy was born on 7/4/1873 in Illinois. He died in Cincinnati 10/4/1938 when 65 years old. 'Jack' is buried in St. Mary's cemetary, section 14.
Teresa Berger Sheblessy was born 1/8/1880 on Berger Hill. She died 2 days after Christmas 1965 almost 86 years old.
Sometime after Jack died in 1938. Teresa and her older sister Anna lived in the old homestead on Berger Hill in the summer and in an apartment on Digby Ave. in Clifton in the winter. Anna died in the spring of 1954.
Comment:
It was hard to find information on the Sheblessy's because the name was so badly mis-spelled in the 1880 Federal census.
Evidently the family came from Prussia between 1870 and 1873 because Jack's older sister was born in Prussia and Jack was born in Illinois.
In December 2008 Judith Brown Leff (the great grandaughter of Mary Sheblessy (Jack's oldest sister)) contacted me by e-mail and gave me information about her side of the family. She believes that the Sheblessy family lived in "the Austin section of Chicago".
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