Ada May Rannels

   Cause of her death was Congestive Heart Failure.

  General Notes:

Ada signed her mother's widow's pension application as Ada M. Helms. She indicated that she has been an "aquaintance" to her for 15 years. If this "Ada" is indeed her daughter, she would be 21. This discrepancy is possibly explained by the legal notion of "an age of awareness" of 6 years. It should be noted that a cosigner of the application is Ella M. Schneider, another daughter and twin sister of Ella.

The 1910 Federal Census for Ward 40, Philadelphia, Pa., ED 1017, page 154B,visit 0155, dated April 20, 1910 lists an Ada M. Gallagher (32) married to John J. Gallagher (36) married 5 years living at 6326 Reedland Street. John is a Barber. The record indicates a 2nd marriage for each. They have children John J. (4) and Mildred M. (2) Gallagher and stepchildren Ella (13), Emma (11), and Charles (8) Helms [Ada's children with Charles Helms]. Ada is the sister of Mary Elizabeth Rannels Hagen. Note that Ada's first daughter, Ella, has the same name as Ada's twin sister and her second daughter has the name of Ada's mother, Emma.

The 1920 Federal Census for Philadelphia, Pa. (ED# 1675, page 118B) records Ada Gallagher (41) as a widow living at 5123 Ogden Street. She has 4 children by John Gallagher: John (14), Mildred (12), Francis (10), and William (4) Gallagher. Ella (23) and Charles (18) Helms, children by her first marriage, are living there as well. Ada is a Cashier in a Store. See general notes on Ella and Charles for 1930 census facts ... they are married and no longer with their mother.

By 1930 Ada has remarried to a Mr. Heckman:
The 1930 Federal Census for Darby, 2nd Ward, Delaware Co., PA, District 56, page 131B / 132A, dated April 16, 1930 records Ada Heckman (52 - PA/PA/PA) with her children John Gallagher (24 - PA), Francis Gallagher (18 - PA), and William Gallagher (16 - PA) renting a place at 303 North Seventh Street for $35 / month. Ada reports being first married at age 18. John is working as a Salesman for a Department Store, Francis as Clerk in a Publishing Company, and William as a Messanger Boy for a Radio Company. Ada is married but there is no husband present.

The 1940 Federal Census for Philadelphia, PA, District 51-1171, page 14361A, dated April 12, 1940 records the widow Ada Gallagher (61 - PA) with her children John Gallagher (33 - PA) and Frances (30 - PA) renting a place at 5521 Landsdowne Avenue for $25 / month. Ada has completed 7 years of schooling while John 8 years and Frances 2 years of high school. Ada is employed as a Cashier in a Department Store earning $90 while working 6 weeks during the last 52 weeks, John is employed as a Salesman in a Retail Clothes Shop earning $0 while working 0 weeks during the last 52 weeks, and Frances is employed as a Clerk for a Publishing House earning $750 while working 52 weeks during the last 52 weeks.
Nearby is Ada's son, William Gallagher (26 - PA) with his wife Dorothy (25 - PA) and children Dorothy (7) and William (2). William is employed by the Railroad earning $800 working 36 weeks during the last year.

  Medical Notes:

Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963
Name: Ada M Heckman [Ada M Rannels] (widowed)
Residence: 937 Belmont Ave., Philadelphia
Occupation: Retired Cashier
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age: 79
Birth Date: 16 Sep 1878
Birth Place: Pennsylvania
Death Date: 18 Jul 1958
Death Place: 269 Drexel Ave., Lansdowne, Delaware Co., Pennsylvania
Burial: July 22, 1958 at Arlington, Upper Darby, Delaware Co., PA
Father Name: Sylvester Rannels
Mother Name: Emma
Certificate Number: 64229
Informant: Ella M. Scanlon [daughter] of 2223 S. Bonsall [Philadelphia, PA]

  Noted events in her life were:

• Occupation: Store Cashier (1920).

Ada married Charles Abraham Helms, son of Charles A. Helms and Mary R., in 1896 in Philadelphia, PA. (Charles Abraham Helms was born in May 1873 in Pennsylvania, died on 22 Jun 1903 in Philadelphia, PA. and was buried on 25 Jun 1903 in Fernwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA.) The cause of his death was Acute Pulmonary Tuberculosis / Influenza.

  Marriage Notes:

Philadelphia Orphans Court Marriage Records from familysearch.org:
Ada May Reynolds married to Helms in 1896 #83583

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Marriage Index, 1885-1951
Name: Charles Abraham Helms
Gender: Male
Spouse Surname: Reynolds
Spouse Gender: Female
Marriage Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Marriage Year: 1896
Marriage License Number: 83583
Digital GSU Number: 4140435

Ada next married John J. Gallagher in 1905 in Philadalphia, PA. (John J. Gallagher was born about 1874 in Pennsylvania, died on 14 Oct 1913 in Philadelphia, PA and was buried on 16 Oct 1913 in Old Cathedral Cemetery.) The cause of his death was Acute Dilatation of the Heart.

  Marriage Notes:

Philadelphia Orphans Court Marriage Records from familysearch.org:
https://www.familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11397-72683-46?cc=1388247&wc=1221386
John J. Gallagher married to Ada Helms in 1905 #184016

Ada next married Living