Dr. William Whelan Jr.1

#18334, (4 September 1808 - 11 June 1865)
Relationship1st cousin 2 times removed of Estelle Rose Roche
Father*William Whelan1 (1784 - 1863)
Mother*Catherine Carney2 (c 1780 - 1858)
The Military Surgeon, Feb 1942, 90:196-199

Family

Adeline Smith b. 1815, d. 1900
Children 1.Ellen Whelan12 (1838 - 1904)
 2.William Whelan III12 (1841 - 1905)
 3.Mary Whelan12 (1843 - )
 4.Frances Whelan13 (1846 - 1920)
 5.Albert J Whelan12 (c 1848 - 1884)
11 Jun 1865. "Dr. William Whelan, U. S. N., surgeon and chief of bureau of medicine and surgery in the Navy Department, died at Washington, D. C. He was born in Philadelphia, Sept. 4, 1808. He graduated at Mount St. Mary's College, Emmittsburg, with the highest honors of his class, though quite young, and studied medicine under Dr. Samuel Jackson, of of Philadelphia, graduating M. D. at the University of Pennsylvania in 1828. He at once entered the navy as an assistant surgeon, and continued in it till his death. His first sea service was a cruise of over five years in the West Indies. On his return he was ordered to Boston, where he assiduously prepared himself for his second examination, and was assigned the first place in his class. He was promoted to be surgeon in 1837. He then made a cruise to the Pacific in the Falmouth, and was twice fleet surgeon to the Mediterranean squadron each time at the request of the commander of the fleet. In October, 1853, Dr. Whelan was appointed to the Medical Bureau by President Pierce, as successor to Dr. Thomas Harris. In 1862, under the four years rule, he was again nominated to the Senate by the President, and confirmed. In 1855, when on a tour of duty, he received a severe injury from a railroad accident, from which he never entirely recovered. As an executive officer, as well as a surgeon, he had won a high reputation for clearness of comprehension, decision, skill, and gentleness." W. J. Tenney, The Military and Naval History of the Rebellion in the United States (New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1865), p. 804. 
Birth*4 September 1808He was born on 4 September 1808 at PennsylvaniaG.3 
1810He appeared on the census of 1810 in the household of William Whelan and Catherine Carney at Middle Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, age10; (also 2 unknown Males, age 26-44; nei. Joseph Kite, six lines above Whelan.)4 
Marriage*3 February 1835He married Adeline Smith, daughter of Albert Smith, on 3 February 1835 at Portland, Maine.5,6 
31 August 1855He was admitted to the U. S. Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 31 August 1855.7 
21 August 1860He and Adeline Smith appeared on the census of 21 August 1860 at Washington, District of Columbia.8 
1863He and Adeline Smith lived in 1863 at 254 G North, Washington, District of Columbia.9 
24 March 1863In William Whelan's will dated 24 March 1863, Dr. William Whelan Jr. was named as executor and an heir.10 
1 March 1865He left a will on 1 March 1865 at Washington, District of Columbia.11 
Death*11 June 1865He died on 11 June 1865 at age 56.3 
Probate*17 June 1865His estate was probated on 17 June 1865 at District of Columbia.11 

Citations

  1. [S1664] William Whelan (March 1863), Will and Probate of William Whelan, Philadelphia Court (1863) No. 536, online Ancestry.com. 1. Names daughters Susan C. Whelan and Amelia A. Brady as Executors and Administrators, and assigns his house at 623 Spruce Street to the family residing there, viz. Susan, Frances and Amelia, the children of Amelia, and niece Nancy. 2. Annuity of $300 to niece Nancy Whelan. 3. Income from the estate for one year to daughters Susan and Amelia. 4. Residual of estate, one-eighth to each of four children, viz. son William Whelan and daughters Elizabeth R. Edwards, Susan C. Whelan and Amelia A. Brady; one-eighth part in trust for dau. Lucy G. Scravendyke; one-eighth part in trust for daughter Frances J. Whelan; one-eighth part to Catherine Feran, daughter of deceased wife; one-eighth part, in equal parts, in trust for Catharine Smith and Ellen A. Sheaff, grand daughters of deceased wife. 5. Appoints as Executors son William, son-in-law John Scravendyke, daughters Susan and Amelia, and friend Thomas Feran. Witnesses John C. Mitchell and George W. Shepherd.
  2. [S520] VWH.
  3. [S1667] Capt. Louis H Roddis, "William Whelan—Third Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (1853–1865)", The Military Surgeon Volume 90 (Feb 1942): William Whelan, b. PA 4 Sep 1808, d. 11 Jun 1865.
  4. [S238] 1810 U.S. Federal Census. William (16-25); F (26-44) [Catherine]; m (<10) [William Jr]; 3 f (<10) [Elizabeth, Catherine (from Catherine's first marriage), ____ (from Catherine's first marriage); 2 M (26-44) [unknown, poss. brothers of William or Catherine].
  5. [S1766] U.S., Newspaper Extractions from the Northeast, 1704-1930, online Ancestry.com, Massachusetts > Columbian Centinel > Marriage > Sabin-Tyson, img. 313/1152, p. 3318. Adeline R Smith, dau. of Albert Smith, Marshall of Maine, marr. Dr. William Whelan of U.S. Navy in Portland, edition of 11 Mar 1835.
  6. [S137] Ancestry.com, Maine Marriage Records 1713-1922. Original Data, Maine Marriage Records, 1705-1922, Maine State Archives, 84 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, Cumberland > 1791 > W, img. 7/20. Copy of an Old Record of a Marriage. William Whelan, U.S. Navy, and Adeline R Smith, res. Portland, intention filed 3 Feb 1835.
  7. [S1784] Registers of Patients at Naval Hospitals, 1812-1934, online Ancestry.com, Vol. 15, img. 203/380, line 29. William Whelan, surgeon, age 47, b. PA, admission to U S Nay Yard Hospital, Philadelphia, 31 Aug 1855, injured on duty, contused wounds; released 24 Sep 1855.
  8. [S19] 1860 U.S. Federal Census. Wm (48), b. PA, surgeon in army; Adeline (45), b. MA.
  9. [S1783] Hutchinson's Washington and Georgetown Directory (Washington, D. C.: Hutchinson & Sons), 1863 edition, p. 209, img. 121/179. Wm Whelan, surgeon U S N, res. 254 G North.
  10. [S1664] Will and Probate of William Whelan, Philadelphia Court (1863) No. 536: 1. Names daughters Susan C. Whelan and Amelia A. Brady as Executors and Administrators, and assigns his house at 623 Spruce Street to the family residing there, viz. Susan, Frances and Amelia; the children of Amelia; and niece Nancy. 2. Annuity of $300 to niece Nancy Whelan. 3. Income from the estate for one year to daughters Susan and Amelia. 4. Residual of estate, one-eighth to each of four children, viz. son William Whelan and daughters Elizabeth R. Edwards, Susan C. Whelan and Amelia A. Brady; one-eighth part in trust for dau. Lucy G. Scravendyke; one-eighth part in trust for daughter Frances J. Whelan; one-eighth part to Catherine Feran, daughter of deceased wife; one-eighth part, in equal parts, in trust for Catharine Smith and Ellen A. Sheaff, grand daughters of deceased wife. 5. Appoints as Executors son William, son-in-law John Scravendyke, daughters Susan and Amelia, and friend Thomas Feran. Witnesses John C. Mitchell and George W. Shepherd.
  11. [S1666] Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993, index and images, online Ancestry.com, Philadelphia, Will 44, Year 1866, Book 56, p. 571. Last will of Dr. William Whelan, gives all to wife Adeline Whelan, who is also named executrix. Washington DC, 1 Mar 1865; witn. T J D Fuller, H J Anderson and W D Beall. Proved 17 Jun 1865, letters of administration signed by Adeline Whelan, 21 Sep 1865.
  12. [S19] 1860 U.S. Federal Census.
  13. [S1669] District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961, online FamilySearch.com, Frances Whelan, dau. of Wm. Whelan and Adeline Smith, d. District of Columbia, 14 Apr 1920, age 72, single, res. 415 Michigan Ave. N. E.; bur. Mt. Olivet 16 Apr 1920. Death Cert. 259049, GS Film 2115939, img. 60, Dig. Folder 4025347.