James Francis Conlan
Birth: 29 Nov 1903, San Francisco, California
Death: 6 Mar 1969, San Francisco, California
The Conlans’ fifth child, James Francis was born on November 29, 1903. Like his brothers, he stopped schooling after the 8th grade and went into the work force. Initially, he apprenticed in the iron works industry with his brother Walter and became a machinist. By 1925, Jim had switched jobs and become a teamster and chauffer.
On November 28, 1942, James enlisted in the Army. His induction papers listed him as 5’ 9” and 191 lbs. His civil occupation was listed as “semiskilled chauffeurs and drivers, bus, taxi, truck, and tractor.” Like his father Patrick and brother John, Jim was a member of the Teamsters Union Local 85. He was placed in the 333rd Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, the 84th "Railsplitter" Infantry Division, HQ Company, under Major RC Ewbank. He served in Fort House near Waco, Texas, until March 23, 1943, when he was mustered out with an honorable discharge. The reason given for discharge was “convenience of the government, to accept employment in the War Industry, Section 2, Circular #39.” Under Circular #39, soldiers over 38 years old were not considered viable candidates for combat and were returned to civilian life. Jim was given $96 travel pay with which to make his way back to San Francisco. The 333rd would later see action during the Battle of the Bulge without him.
Jim came home to 19th Street and resumed his life, living with his mother and siblings. He returned to work as a trucker at the docks, serving in the War Effort on the Home Front by driving a truck for various warehouses. In 1960, The Crocker City Directory listed his employer as SF Drayage, and, sometime in the next few years, he went to work for Pacific Motor Transport.
Death: 6 Mar 1969, San Francisco, California
The Conlans’ fifth child, James Francis was born on November 29, 1903. Like his brothers, he stopped schooling after the 8th grade and went into the work force. Initially, he apprenticed in the iron works industry with his brother Walter and became a machinist. By 1925, Jim had switched jobs and become a teamster and chauffer.
On November 28, 1942, James enlisted in the Army. His induction papers listed him as 5’ 9” and 191 lbs. His civil occupation was listed as “semiskilled chauffeurs and drivers, bus, taxi, truck, and tractor.” Like his father Patrick and brother John, Jim was a member of the Teamsters Union Local 85. He was placed in the 333rd Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, the 84th "Railsplitter" Infantry Division, HQ Company, under Major RC Ewbank. He served in Fort House near Waco, Texas, until March 23, 1943, when he was mustered out with an honorable discharge. The reason given for discharge was “convenience of the government, to accept employment in the War Industry, Section 2, Circular #39.” Under Circular #39, soldiers over 38 years old were not considered viable candidates for combat and were returned to civilian life. Jim was given $96 travel pay with which to make his way back to San Francisco. The 333rd would later see action during the Battle of the Bulge without him.
Jim came home to 19th Street and resumed his life, living with his mother and siblings. He returned to work as a trucker at the docks, serving in the War Effort on the Home Front by driving a truck for various warehouses. In 1960, The Crocker City Directory listed his employer as SF Drayage, and, sometime in the next few years, he went to work for Pacific Motor Transport.
On March 6, 1969, James went to work as usual. At lunchtime, he was not feeling well, collapsed, and was rushed to the Harbor Emergency Hospital. He was pronounced dead on arrival at 12:45. A coroners’ inquest determined that he had suffered an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) brought on by a coronary thrombosis and arteriosclerosis. He was 66 years old.
After a requiem mass at Mission Dolores Basilica, Jim was buried in Section L2 of Holy Cross Cemetery. He would be joined there by Walter eight years later. Lillian would be in the plot next to them.
Very little is known about James. He left a very small footprint. Most newspaper references to James Conlan were about Judge James G. Conlan, no relation but a good friend of Jim’s cousin Hazel Coogan. Jim never married nor moved out of his mother’s (later Lil’s) house. The people who knew him best—his siblings—are all gone and did not leave any memories behind about him. His nephew Rich remembered Jim as the uncle that no one really talked about. Jim rarely came to family dinners. When Annie was still alive and the dinners were at her house, he often did not come down from his room. He was something of drinker and seemed to have demons, as did many of the Silks of his generation. His siblings, especially Peg, Walter and Lillian, provided a safe harbor for him. He was devoted to them in return, but remained something of an enigma to the next generation of the family.
After a requiem mass at Mission Dolores Basilica, Jim was buried in Section L2 of Holy Cross Cemetery. He would be joined there by Walter eight years later. Lillian would be in the plot next to them.
Very little is known about James. He left a very small footprint. Most newspaper references to James Conlan were about Judge James G. Conlan, no relation but a good friend of Jim’s cousin Hazel Coogan. Jim never married nor moved out of his mother’s (later Lil’s) house. The people who knew him best—his siblings—are all gone and did not leave any memories behind about him. His nephew Rich remembered Jim as the uncle that no one really talked about. Jim rarely came to family dinners. When Annie was still alive and the dinners were at her house, he often did not come down from his room. He was something of drinker and seemed to have demons, as did many of the Silks of his generation. His siblings, especially Peg, Walter and Lillian, provided a safe harbor for him. He was devoted to them in return, but remained something of an enigma to the next generation of the family.