Time to Hear About the Boys

Agnes Bettie Kenney Burgan had a total of five children, but only three survived to become adults. This is known because it was a question on Census Records. A scribbled note tells me one of them was named Harry, who died as a young boy. He is buried in an unmarked grave at Baltimore Cemetery, with some other relatives. The Irish Matriarch raised Annie Jane, John Jr. and William E. to adulthood, and each was particularly good at something.

William was born on June 4, 1875. The only record I have of his early life is a gracious Christmas card he gave to his parents, at the age of ten. It sounds as if he was properly religious, which undoubtedly pleased his Mom. Baltimore's City Directory of 1895 includes him , living at home, and earning his living as a stonecutter.
A few years earlier, another stonecutter was listed as living with the Burgans at 426 Madison Street. He was a William Bamberger, most likely a brother to Annie Jane's husband, Charles. Perhaps this is where William E. got the idea for entering the marble cutting trade.

William E.'s older brother, John Jr., followed his Dad into the grocery business. John Sr. ran a store in Homestead, and his oldest son is listed as his clerk by 1885. After that, John Jr. had a series of jobs, including expressman (see http://rmhh.co.uk/occup/e.html), canmaker, driver, and lamplighter. However, what he did best was yet to come.