Teresa Berger Sheblessy
1880 - 1965


"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:
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. Theresa 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.


Fred's 'Stories'
Fred Berger has written an excellent book 'Stories from The Berger History'.
For information about 'Aunt Teresa, aunt Anna and her' will see the link to "Fred's 'Stories'p.71b".



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