William Lee Bird: An Ancestor Profile

Born: Around 1855, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

What was Baltimore like when William was born?
In 1855, Baltimore, Maryland was a thriving port city and a major economic hub. It was the second largest city in the United States at the time, with a population of approximately 200,000 people. The city’s strategic location on the Chesapeake Bay and its extensive railroad network made it a vital center for trade and commerce. Baltimore was known for its diverse industries, including shipbuilding, textiles, and flour milling. The city also had a significant immigrant population, particularly from Ireland and Germany, which contributed to its rich cultural tapestry. However, Baltimore also faced challenges, such as periodic outbreaks of disease, urban poverty, and growing tensions over slavery and states’ rights that would eventually contribute to the outbreak of the Civil War.

Married: On February 20, 1879, William Lee Bird married Amelia VonPhul in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Children: William and Amelia, often called Amie, had seven children:

• Anna L. Hyde
• Alice Lucile
• Sally Disney
• Mary Louise
• Amie Pauline
• William Lee
• Esther VonPhul

Death: William Lee Bird passed away on August 23, 1894, in Brooklyn, New York.

Initially interred at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, his remains were later moved to Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was laid to rest in the VonPhul family lot alongside his wife, Amie.

What was happening in Brooklyn the year William died?
One of the most significant events in Brooklyn, New York in 1894 was the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge trolley service on May 24th. This marked the completion of a major transportation project that greatly facilitated travel between Brooklyn and Manhattan.

The Brooklyn Bridge, which had opened to pedestrian and vehicular traffic in 1883, was designed to accommodate rail traffic as well. The installation of trolley tracks on the bridge began in 1892 and was completed in 1894. On May 24, 1894, the first trolley cars began running across the bridge, operated by the Brooklyn Heights Railroad Company.

View William’s profile at Storied.com.
View William’s Find a Grave profile.