Contralto

My great-grandfather Thomas Steven Quaid emigrated from Limerick, Ireland in the 1880s. Ultimately three of his siblings would make similar journeys. Or let's say analogous journeys -- none of them were at all similar. After Thomas came his sister Anna Bridget Quaid, then later John Pier Quaid, and the last of them was the youngest sister Esther Quaid.

Esther Quaid (1882-1913)

Esther was born April 8th, 1882 to Mary Nealon and Charles Quaid. The family called her Essie. Charles was a pig buyer, and the family was then living in the house on Nelson Street that would house Quaids for another 70 years. Thomas was 16 and already had a foot out the door.

As a child Esther most likely attended the Presentation School, the girls' school down the block on Sexton Street, like her sister Anna Bridget. Her brothers definitely attended the boys' school next door, but the records of the Presentation School aren't available online.

Esther, seated, in Limerick. The back says: "This is an enlargement from a snap that [was] taken sometime before Poor Essie thought of getting married."

The 1901 Census finds Esther living at home with her newly-widowed mother. Esther was an 18-year-old teacher. She was able to speak Irish, like her mother and brothers but unlike her older sister Catherine.

The Musical Career

From the stories people told about Esther later, the next five years must have been thrilling and eventful. According to her sister Anna, for example, Esther studied at the Conservatory of London; I'm not sure what that is, but The Royal College of Music fits the description. Long after her death, a newspaper article claimed that Esther turned down a scholarship at La Scala opera house in Milan when she married.

Anna also said that Esther toured Europe and America as a singer. On a tour of Ireland, as Anna tells the story, Esther was introduced to a young and unknown John McCormack, who would go on to become possibly the preeminent Irish tenor of his time (here's a film clip of him singing "The Rose of Tralee"). Upon hearing him sing she introduced him to mentors in the world of music, and his fame grew quickly. When McCormack first toured the United States he visited Esther to thank her for her role in his career, Anna tells us.

Esther was just two years older than McCormack, so this veteran helping the young kid scenario seems off. McCormack's multiple biographies don't mention any of this, and since he and his family moved to Dublin well before he was famous, the notion of Esther uncovering this unknown talent in some village doesn't exactly hold water. But keep in mind that Anna was at one point a nun, so maybe we shouldn't question her. These stories all showed up in midwestern newspapers in 1920, when McCormack was coming to St. Louis for a concert. Anna hoped to meet him, but we don't know whether she got the chance.

It's certainly possible that Esther, undoubtedly a talented singer who made numerous public performances, knew McCormack in the early stages of his career, regardless of whether she discovered him. Another acquaintance of McCormack was a then-unknown James Joyce, who briefly considered a musical career. A family story (a story I've only heard summarized, as it is here) says that the three of them performed together in a salon in Limerick. Based on Joyce's biography this must have been in 1904, and much more likely in Dublin than Limerick.

Stories about Esther's musical life frequently note that she was a contralto. So what is a "contralto", anyway? In classical vocal terms, the contralto is the lowest range of female singing voice. Karen Carpenter, Patsy Cline and Annie Lennox are all considered contraltos.

St. Ita's House

Esther was associated with an institution called St. Ita's House, located not far from the Quaid home at 18 Thomas Street in Limerick (street view). The building is now part of Halla Íde, the Limerick branch of the Conradh na Gaeilge (A.K.A. The Gaelic League).

St. Ita's House was organized by Father James Cregan as a sort of a school dedicated to young working women, operating from 1901 to perhaps 1926. It offered lessons in domestic skills like dressmaking, cookery, and needlework, academic subjects like reading and writing, arithmetic, and history, and commercial subjects like shorthand and typewriting. But it also offered instruction in music and singing, which "do so much to refine and brighten life." These classes were often held between 8 and 10 PM to accommodate the young women's work schedules.

From what I can tell, education was important at St. Ida's House, but the mission was more broadly the enrichment of these working women and their lives. St. Ida's put on annual benefit shows, as we'll see, and organized day trips for its membership. And indeed the young women involved with St. Ita's House were always referred to as "members" rather than students, as if the institution was more like a club. But it nonetheless benefitted from educational funds from the local council.

St. Ita's Shirt Factory, St. Patrick's Day 1906

Father Cregan established several other initiatives to improve the lives of Limerick's working class. In 1905 he created St. Ita's Shirt Factory, offering employment to young women. And he led the St. Michael's Women's Total Abstinence Society, which demonstrated upstanding behavior by putting on all-night raves at St. Ita's House, starting at 10 PM and ending at 6:30 AM.

It is not clear what Esther's role in St. Ita's House was, but since she had listed her occupation as "teacher" as early as 1901, it seems likely she was an instructor rather than a student.

The annual St. Ita's House concert for 1906 was held in the Theatre Royal in Limerick, also known as the Atheneum. It ran for three nights, and was extended to a fourth. It was a mostly musical show that included students at St. Ita's along with many other performers. The centerpiece of the evening was a pantomime of The Sleeping Beauty, performed by St. Ita's Choral Class.

The extensive review in the Limerick Echo on February 20, 1906 says, about Esther:

It would be difficult to appraise at true worth the acting and singing of Miss Quaid, as "Kindheart" (Fairy Godmother). Miss Quaid has won before now praise on her merits as a vocalist, and is ever a warm favorite at local entertainments. The role of the good-hearted fairy suited her to a nicety, and she was frequently and deservedly applauded. She sang in fine voice "Irish Molly," which had to be repeated, and in the topical song introduced before the final scene, her efforts proved equally happy. The "Corporation mud industry," the Footballers, the Shannon Rowing Club, and last, though not least, the surety of unmarried men securing good wives at St. Ita's, were humorously pictured in the topical verses, and the allusions were vociferously applauded.

The Limerick Echo liked the topical song so much that they also separately printed the entire lyrics, repeated here for posterity:

As the world goes round many things occur
    That we like to talk about, 'tis true.
There are just a few, as you may infer,
    That I would mention now to you,
We in Limerick long have famous been
    For our lovely lace and bacon good,
But the Corporation has a new industry started
    Making patent steam-rolled mud.

    Some things trouble me a lot of times --
        I don't know what to think or do;
            Will there be a second flood
            If they pave the streets with mud?
        I should really like to know, wouldn't you?

Down at Sarsfield Bridge there is a new club house,
    'Tis a credit to the Shannon boys.
They are sporting chaps, but I think perhaps
    The ladies too may share their joys.
On a summer's eve they will row us up
    To Corbally -- won't that be grand --
Home again we'll have some tea on the pretty balcony
    And listen to the music of the band

Some things puzzle me a lot of times --
    I don't know what to say or do;
        If he wants to marry me
        What will my answer be?
    I would really like to know, wouldn't you?

From across the sea came a football team
    What a treat it was to see them play.
And their splendid form, made our hearts feel warm --
    We cheered their victories day by day.
But each long lane has a turn at last,
    And although I won't tell any tales,
I can say that big New Zealand got a great surprise
    When knocked clean out by gallant little Wales.

Some things puzzle me a lot of times --
    I don't know what to think or do;
        Did they sing "Kamati Kiora"
        When the match was o'er?
    I should really like to know wouldn't you?

I would like to say just a word to you,
    About our Limerick girls so fair,
They are good and true, make the best of wives,
    And save their husbands many a care.
Now, I think I see some nice young men
    Who should settle down and take a wife;
At St. Ita's you will find just the girl to suit your mind,
    And happy you will be for life.

Some things puzzle me a lot of times --
    I don't know what to think or do;
        If he wants to name the day
        What will Father Cregan say?
    I should really like to know wouldn't you?

I am told we will soon have electric trams
    Running through the city every day.
They would put some stir in our quiet streets
    But many wonder would they pay.
All the jarveys shake their heads and smile
    When they think of the drives to Killaloe.
If the trams charge only one penny for a mile
    What will the Limerick jarveys do?

Some things puzzle me a lot of times --
    I don't know what to think or do;
        Will they vow by all the stars
        That they'll all start motor cars?
    I should really like to know wouldn't you?

In this era before movies, there seems to have been a sort of event in which a serious lecture would be combined with a musical performance. I'm sure it helped draw an audience. One example was a few months after The Sleeping Beauty, when the newspaper Kerry People reported:

On Sunday night week an able, eloquent and instructive lecture, entitled "The Ireland of the Future and what shall determine it," dealing principally with the emigration problem was delivered in Bannatyne's store, Ballylongford, by the Rev. J. J. Enright, Sacramento. The brilliant address was followed from start to finish with the closest interest by an extremely large and appreciative audience.

A grand concert of Irish vocal and instrumental music and dance was help in connection with the lecture...

[very long description of the lecture omitted]

Miss Quaid, Limerick, who is the happy possessor of a beautiful contralto voice, afforded the audience a rare vocal treat by her magnificent rendering of 'Ireland, I Love You," "Come Back to Erin" (a different version from that sung by school girls), and "The Kerry Dance."

Off to Bridgeport

Across the street from the Presentation School, down the block from the Quaid house, lived the O'Neill family. Esther likely knew Lillie O'Neill, their youngest daughter, who was about the same age. Lillie's oldest brother was Edward John O'Neill, who emigrated to Bridgeport, Connecticut in about 1895.

In Bridgeport, E. J. O'Neill opened a store selling all sorts of rubber goods. Rubber at the time was still an agricultural product, dependent on natural rubber latex. E. J.'s brother Michael had represented a British firm in China, possibly developing connections in the newly-established rubber plantations in Southeast Asia, or perhaps more likely with manufacturers.

O'Neill's sold Iver Johnson, Dayton and Racycle brand
bicycles, among others.

O'Neill's Rubber Store sold anything made with rubber -- raincoats, boots, hot water bottles, tubing and garden hoses, and most prominently bicycles. These were early days for bicycles, only a few years after the preposterously giant-wheeled penny-farthings had been replaced by the familiar form of bicycle we know today. The first Tour de France had yet to be run. This was very much the same time period as the bicycle scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and if raindrops fell on anyone's head, O'Neill's sold waterproof hats, too.

O'Neill's manifesto (just the beginning of it) from the May 7, 1909 issue of the Bridgeport Evening Farmer.

E. J. O'Neill was known for his light-hearted and personal style of advertising. In addition to ordinary weekly advertisements, he published an annual "manifesto" for the store. The manifestos espoused the freedom and health offered by bicycles, the benefits of his honest local store compared to mail order houses and larger department stores, and the variety of high-quality rubber goods available at O'Neill's. The manifestos are a treat; someday I'll post them all.

On a visit back home in Limerick, Edward John O'Neill, 39, married Esther Quaid, 24, on September 5th, 1906 in St. Joseph's church (map). The witnesses were E. J.'s brother Michael and Mary Quaid, the daughter of Michael Francis Quaid, and therefore Esther's niece. The couple reportedly toured Ireland, then sailed for New York and continued their honeymoon there, until finally returning to Bridgeport.

The O'Neill's had three children in Bridgeport: Edward Charles was born in 1907, Charles Kendall followed in 1909, and Mary Esther was born in 1912.

Esther's sister Anna also lived in Bridgeport in this period, living and working at the hospital. She had previously lived in a convent in St. Louis, and returned to Missouri in 1909 to marry Joseph Aiken Rigdon (more about Anna). E. J.'s brother Michael also left in 1909, first for an indefinite period in Paris combining business with pleasure, and then potentially returning to his former post in Asia.

Esther must have continued performing when she lived in Bridgeport. A story about her son Charles would later say that she toured with John McCormack and "oft had Billy Weidenhammer (related to WOR's Carlton Warren) as her pianist." I don't know who Billy and Carlton were, but based on their names it must have been in the U.S.

Mary Esther's birth in late 1912 must have been difficult, and led to complications that took Esther's life six weeks later. She was just 30 years old. On January 18, 1913 The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer reported:

Mrs. E. J. O'Neill Dead

Vocalist and Teacher of Voice Culture, Wife of Local Merchant Succumbs

Esther Angelia Quaid, wife of Edward J. O'Neill the Main street rubber goods merchant died this morning at St. Vincent's hospital at 1:35, following an illness of several weeks. Death was due to an ailment of the kidneys which manifested itself shortly after the birth of an infant daughter. Prior to that time the deceased had scarcely known what a sick day was and the announcement of her demise came as a shock to her legion of acquaintances and admirers. Surviving her besides her husband are three children, Edward aged 5; Charles aged 3, and the infant baby, Mary Esther six weeks old. Her mother, three sisters and and six brothers also survive. Two of her sisters and four of her brothers reside with their mother in the family home in Limerick Ireland, while the other members of the family are residents of this country being located in the west.

The deceased was the daughter of Mary Nealon and the late Charles Quaid one of the prominent families of Limerick. It was in Sept. 1906 that she became the bride of Mr. O'Neill the nuptial knot being tied in the parish church of the bride's native city. Miss Quaid had been favored with a fine education particularly in the line of music and she was recognized as one of the finest contraltos in her home city. Following their marriage after a tour of Ireland Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill sailed for New York where they continued their honeymoon until they left for their future home in this city.

Here they went to live in a handsome home at 2785 North Main street which the groom had fitted up for his bride. Mrs. O'Neill soon became a favorite in local musical circles her rich contralto voice winning her many encomiums from press and public. Gifted with the most pleasing personality she made and retained friends. Although devoted to her husband and children she found time to further her musical work and became a vocal teacher. Her pupils found her methods exceedingly helpful and many promising young singers in these parts will share the grief of near friends in her untimely passing.

It is only two months ago that Mr. O'Neill was called upon to bear the loss of his mother who died in Ireland and his numerous friends hereabouts extend to him their sincerest sympathy in the irreparable loss which he has now sustained. Miss Mollie O'Neill of Danbury a sister of the bereaved husband is looking after the motherless children. Funeral services will be held Monday morning at St. Patrick's church with a solemn high mass of requiem.

Note how the author treats women's names here. Esther as an individual is identified by her maiden name, but simultaneously as Mrs. O'Neill. Even Esther's mother is identified by her maiden name, with no gloss. Irish church records are similar -- both parents are identified by their birth names.

Two days later the same newspaper described her funeral, which fittingly was in part a musical production:

St. Patrick's church was thronged with sorrowing relatives and friends this morning when the funeral of Esther Angelia Quaid, wife of Edward J. O'Neill, was held. A solemn high mass of requiem was sung with Rev. Father J. B. Nihill, a celebrant; Rev. Father T. J. Picker, deacon; and Rev. Father Edward P. Curran, as sub-deacon. A special programme of appropriate music was arranged by the organist, Miss Sarah Lee. As the procession entered the church, "Thy Will Be Done," was sung by a quartet consisting of Miss Sadie Dillon, Mrs. John Casserly, James Keegan and William Clampett. At the offertory, the quartet sang "Veni, Jesu" and at the conclusion of the services, William Clampett sand "There's a Beautiful Land on High."  As the procession was leaving the edifice, "Nearer, My God, To Thee" was sung by the quartet. Pupils and friends of Mrs. O'Neill in the musical world were prominent in the congregation that came to pay their last tribute of esteem. Her prominence in local musical circles where she was voice culturist of marked talent and ability was such that she will be sadly missed. There was a wealth of beautiful floral tokens. The bearers were John F. Keane, Thomas V. Devitt, Dennis E. O'Neill, William Fagin, Charles Byrne and E. J. Naylor. Rev. Father Nihill conducted brief committal services at the grave in St. Michael's cemetery.

Young Mary Esther O'Neill died just a year later; in just 16 months E. J. had lost his mother, his wife and his daughter. His sister Mollie stepped in to help take care of the two boys, despite carrying on her own career as a milliner and a buyer with Wanamaker's in New York City.

The O'Neill family headstone in St. Michael's Cemetery.
From FindAGrave.

E. J. soldiered on in Bridgeport. A few years after Esther's death he closed the Rubber Goods store and turned his attention to real estate. In 1925 he made an unsuccessful run for the local council, including running a trademark "political manifesto" in the The Bridgeport Telegram.

In 1956 E. J. celebrated his 90th birthday with "easily the year's grandest party of its kind". E. J. had served on the draft board for World War II, and his former colleagues reported "We of Board 22A announce that because E. J. O'Neill is in fine health we cannot place him in 4F. We therefore give him a deferment until 1966." The article names many of the local luminaries at the party -- religious, political, military, athletic and industry figures. "But most simply love this man, enjoy meeting him downtown, and gazing into his steady blue eyes as they twinkle off into crisp anecdotes."

Edward John O'Neill died on July 29th, 1959 at the age of 92.

The O'Neill boys and their children went on to have their own very interesting lives. I'll probably write something about them later, particularly if the person ideally, uniquely suited to the task by both familiarity and talent doesn't take up the subject. Yes, Denis, that's you!