More About the Children of
Narcisse and Edesse.

Edwin Dolor Petelle (1867-1955).

The record of his baptism was found by our cousins just across the Canadian border at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Rouses Point, Champagne, New York. As "Joseph Edouin," he was born on the 13th and baptized on the 15th. The godparents were Julie Mondou and François Faille, his aunt and her husband. His brothers were baptized in Montréal in 1864 and in 1870 so the family's tenure in the area was brief.

The Petelle's moved to Wisconsin prior to Edwin's 4th birthday. He was a 12 year old at school in the 1880 census in Bay View, Milwaukee. But his father died shortly after, and it was not long before he began work as a nail feeder. In 1889, "Edward" went to Ashland with his brother Joseph and his new wife, Lulu. There they joined their sister Hermine Gervais. As a wiper for the Milwaukee, Lake Shore, and Wisconsin (MLS & W) railroad his job was to wipe the excess grease off of the locomotives. He did not stay in the north for long, returning to Milwaukee in time to be a sponsor at the baptism of his niece Henrietta Odenbrett in 1890 in Chicago.

Edwin appears in the Milwaukee Journal's social column at a masquerade party with his brothers Rocque, Charles and Paul in January 1893. He married Adeline Rutschke on July 6, 1893 just three days after his brother Charles wed Corrine. Youngest brother Paul was the best man at both ceremonies. The newlyweds lived together at 278 Lenox with their widowed mother Edesse, though she left for Chicago three years later to marry.

This announcement was in the 1894 Milwaukee Journal:

"Mr. and Mrs. Edward Petelle and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Petelle are each rejoicing over the advent of a son." [Dolor N. born April 11; Paul Henry born March 31]

Four other children were born to the marriage: Bertha in October 1896, Elsmere in June 1898, Evelyn in 1906 and Dolores in 1917.

Edwin and Adeline moved to a new home by the 1900 census, but still had plenty of family around. The two boarders living with them at 299 Logan may be Adeline's sisters: Bertha and Annie. His brother Joseph was also at this address in 1902 for a short period of time, working as a confectioner. The Rutschke sisters, both seamstresses, were still with them in the 1905 Wisconsin State census. On his 1918 draft registration card the twenty year old Elsmere described himself as tall, slender, with blue eyes and blond hair. He was a clerk for the Wisconsin Gun Company. Dolor must have served in the Great War, for his name appears on a report from the state listing a bonus of $219.33 as part of a Service Recognition Bond. He resumed his occupation as a machinist after the war.

Although the rest of his family had left Milwaukee, the Edwin Petelle's remained. Children enumerated in the 1920 census included: Dolor 25, Bertha 20, Elsmere 21, Evelyn 14, Dolores 3. Edwin worked as an oiler in a steel mill. In the records at Immaculate Conception church we see Dolor (a toolmaker) married Alma Schumake the same day his sister Bertha married John R. Burke, July 2, 1921; Evelyn married William H. Corbett on December 1, 1928.

In 1930, he was in trucking for a steam railroad. He and Adeline lived at 4625 Russell Avenue with their daughters, 13-year-old Dolores, and 24-year-old Evelyn with her husband, Harvey Corbett and 5-year-old daughter, Natalie. Dolores married Quirun "Corky" Braam on May 2, 1942.

They were residing at 3227 South Kinnickinnic when Adeline died in 1952. Edwin moved back to the family home he grew up in at 1228 East Russell Avenue. He passed away in 1955. Both are interred in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Milwaukee.