Francis Benedict Meraw

     Francis Benedict was born on Saturday, 18 March 1899 in Hungerford Township, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada. Francis married Julia Ann Cassibault on 7 April 1920 in Village of Tweed, Hungerford Twp. at St. Carthagh Church. They were married by banns by Father J. S. Quinn.¹ On 15 April 1920, Francis crossed over to the United States at Port Niagara Falls.² 9 April 1930, Francis and Julia listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Niagara Falls, Niagara Ciounty, New York, at 241 74th Street. Enumerated in this household were Francis B. Mereau [31 Canada French], Julia [29 Canada French], Donald [8 Canada French], Pauline [3 7/12 New York] & Brother: Joseph [21 Canada French]. They owned their home valued at $6000. Francis was 21 when married and Julia was 19. Francis and his family immigrated in 1923, Joseph in 1925. Francis and Joseph are naturalized citizens. Francis is a motorman for the Street Railway, and Joseph is a nichel plater at an adding machine manufactory.³ 5 April 1940, Francis and Julia listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Niagara Falls, Niagara Ciounty, New York, at 420 N. 2nd Street. Enumerated in this household were Francis Meraw [41 Canada], Julia [39 Canada], Donald [18 Canada] & Pauline [13 New York]. Francis had 1 year of high school, Julia finished 6th grade. Francis was a bus driver for a railway car. They rented a duplex for $35 a month.⁴ Francis registered for the draft on 15 February 1942. He was discribed as being 5' 9" 200 pounds; Brown eyes, black hair bald, light complexion, tatoo on left arm, birth mark on arm.⁵ Francis died on Wednesday, 27 July 1955 at Fort Niagara, Niagara County, New York, at age 56 years, 4 months and 9 days of a heart attack.

Obituary: Francis B. Meraw Stricken Fatally – Francis B. Meraw, of 8431 Homestead Ave; was stricken with a heart attack and died yesterday [July 27,1955] while he was on duty at Fort Niagara where he worked as a fireman. A native of Tweed, Ont., Mr. Meraw had lived in this city for the last 35 years.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Julia Meraw; a son, Joseph Meraw and a daughter, Mrs. John Hartman, both of this city; two brothers, Leonard Meraw, Pontiac, MIch. And Joe Meraw, Vancouver, B.C., four sisters, Miss Mary Meraw, New York City; Mrs. Lillian Dion, Tweed; Mrs. James Donnelly, Birmingham, Mich., Miss Peggy Meraw, Birmingham.
Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Lane Funeral Home followed by Mass of Requiem at 10:00 at the Prince of Peace Church. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

He was buried at Lewiston, Niagra County, New York, in Gate of Heaven Cemtery.⁶