Word Celebrity Blog

This is a picture of the five McDonnell brothers. It was taken in 1915. (L-R) great-uncle Daniel, great-uncle John, my grandfather Martin, great-uncle Aaron, (sitting) great-uncle Joseph McDonnell.This picture was taken in front of Joseph's home.

They grew into manhood around the time of the American Civil War. They did not agree on the politics of that time. Dan joined Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. John and Martin joined different units of the Union Army, Aaron went to Canada for the duration of the war, and Joseph stayed home to take care of the farm. After the Civil war ended, they remained friends and had close family ties.

Daniel lost a leg in the battle of Antietam and spent the rest of his life with a wooden pegged leg.

Joseph died shortly after this picture was taken, and my grandfather Martin died during the flu epidemic in 1917, when my father was 12 years old.

In 1936, at the age of 4, I attended a family reunion near Altoona, Pennsylvania. There was over 400 relatives there. My great-uncle Dan was playing the fiddle and keeping time to the music with his pegged leg. Later in the day, my father introduced me to him. He made a great impression on me.

This picture is a representation of four generations of my family. (L-R) Me, grandson Martin III, great-grandson Tyler, and my oldest son Martin. There is very little political agreement, but there is love and friendship.