Potter's Field: A-50-S → Block A, Plot 50-South
b. Abt. 1893, Filiatra, Trifylia, Greece (Filiatra, Regional unit of Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece)
d. 1917-Jun-22, Empress, AB
Father: Dellahan
Mother: Maragos
Siblings:
George Dellahan (1894-1957), Find a Grave:184865950
Robert Dellahan (1903-?)
Summary
Drowned in the Red Deer River.
On the afternoon of Sunday, June 22, 1917, a number of young men were swimming in the Red Deer River. He tried to swim across the river and got into difficulties. He called for help and others tried to help him, but couldn't.
The body was recovered Friday, July 27, 1917, in a decomposing state, so was immediately buried in the Empress Cemetery.
"The deceased was twenty-four years of age, of Greek nationality, and was employed as a waiter at the Empress Grill. He has two brothers living in Chicago, U.S. His parents are living, and reside in the town of Filitra (sic), Greece."
Alberta Death Register #2673.
His surname was probably originally "Dellahanis" in Greece. He and his brothers used the shortened form "Dellahan" after they came to US and Canada, since all records of them here give that spelling. "Dellahanis" only shows up on his brother George's headstone.
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The Empress Express, July 26, 1917
Page 1: Meets Death In
Red Deer River
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Our town and the district was deeply stirred on Sunday last when it became known that Thomas Delleham had met his death by drowning, whilst bathing in the Red Deer River. News of the accident was first brought to town by Arch. Trail. Two boats and some drag hooks were immediately secure, and the bed of the river was draggged for the body of the deceased, but without avail. A party of Boy Scouts were posted along the river bank to watch for the body if it sbould rise to the surface, but no happening of this nature has been reported.
From enquiries, it appears that the deceased, with a number of young men, went to the river for a swim, in the afternoon of Sunday, June 22. After swimming about for some time, he made an effort to swim across the river. Apparently, finding himself in difliculties, he attempted to return. He called for help, and Lionel DeGroat and Frank Ball, who were near at hand, swam out to render assistance. He clutched one of Ball's feet, who, fearing they might drrown, persuaded hin to release his hold. DeGroat tried to lend assistance by catching hold of his arm and pushing him forward, but getting exhausted was obliged to desist in this effort. Frank Ball next tried to catch up with him by ranning along the river bank, with the ohject of effecting a rescue at another point further down the stream; but was unable to do so, his path bag impeded by shoals and the current of the river was carrying thu drowning man swiftly along. Fially, apparently exhausted by his exertions against the stream, Dellaham, sunk out of view, and was seen no more by any of the party. Arch. Trail, who could not swim, hurried to town, on his bare feet, with the news and for the purpose of obtaining assistance.
The deceased was twenty-four yours of age, of Greek nationality, and was employed as a waiter at the Empress Grill. He has two brothers living in Chieago, U.S. His parents are living, and reside in the town of Filitra, Greece. Much sympathy ie expressed tor the deceased, and both friends and residents of the district are deeply shocked by the sad happening.
Page 8 under "Local and Personal": A further attempt to recover the body of Thomas Delleham from the river was made on Wednesday evening. A number of small dynanite charges were exploded near the scene of the accident, with the object of freeing the body from any undergrowth in which it may have become entangled and bringing it to the surface.
The Empress Express, August 2, 1917, Page 4
Under "Locals": The body of Thomas Delleham, was recovered from the Red Deer River on Friday last. The body was badly decomposed and interment had to be made immediately on account of this condition. Burial was made in the Empress cemetery.
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The two brothers mentioned who were living in Chicago were George & Robert:
1920 US Census
George Dallahan & Robert Dallahan lodging with Sophia Costa and her infant son Thomas, at 335 South Normal Parkway, Chicago, IL.
George: Age 25 (b ~1895), single, immigrated 1911, naturalized 1918. Birthplace Greece, native tongue Greek, parent's birthplace Greece. Salesman at a Candy Store.
Robert: Age 17 (b ~1903), single, immigrated 1913, not naturalized yet. Other info the same as his brother, including job.
There is no record of Robert after this.
George Dellahan:
WW1 & WW2 Draft Registration Cards say that he was born 1894-Dec-25, Filiatra, Greece. This matches the information about his brother, Thomas.
George served in World War 1, according to information in the 1930 US Census.
George is in Chicago, IL for US Census 1920-1950. His wife was Leona Kaufman, and she is in Chicago Census 1900-1950. They were married sometime between 1920 and 1930. They do not appear to have had any children.
George Dellahan died 1957-Jun-12 in Los Angeles, California. His mother's maiden name is given as "Maragos".
George's wife Leona was born 1898-Feb-17 in Chicago, Illinois, and died 1969-Oct-24, in Los Angeles, California.
George and Leona are buried together in Evergreen Cemetery and Mausoleum, Evergreen Park, Cook County, Illinois, USA
Their large headstone says their surname is "Dellahanis". That's probably the three brother's original surname in Greece, and was shortened when they came to US and Canada.
