Coal miner’s (great-grand) daughter
"He shoveled coal to make a poor man's dollar"
In the words of Loretta Lynn, I’m proud to be a coal miner’s [great-grand] daughter.
George Andrew Palsa Jr., my paternal great-grandfather, worked in the coal mines of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania along with his father, George John Palsha Sr.
At just 16 years old, George Jr. was already sustaining injuries from his work. On 28 December 1928, The Plain Speaker newspaper in Hazleton, Pennsylvania reported: “Recovering From Injury - George Palsh, of McAdoo, injured a few weeks ago at the Honey Brook strippings, is recovering from the effects. George Palsha, Jr., is being treated for similar injuries sustained yesterday.”
In a box of mementos that were passed down to me, I found two of George’s pay stubs from 1929. He worked for Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. at Colliery No. 4 and was paid just 35.5 cents per hour.
In the 1930 census, George Palsha Jr.’s occupation was listed as a “slate picker” at a coal breaker.1 And the injuries continued. On 15 March 1930, The Plain Speaker reported: “Hurt at Audenried - George Palsha, employed at the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre operations, sustained a severe abrasion of the chin in the course of his duties.”
Ten years later, George Jr.’s occupation in the 1940 census is listed as “laborer” in the coal mines industry, earning $650 during the previous 12 months.2
He became a father in 1941 and decided to change careers during the next decade. In the 1950 census, George Jr. was listed as a car repairman at a car shop.3
George’s career in the coal mines made him eligible for the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation, Black Lung Benefits. I found his ID card among his belongings that were passed down to me.
In spite of being exposed to hazardous working conditions for many years, George lived a long life and passed away at the age of 85.
I was blessed to know him during my childhood and will always remember him fondly.
This post was inspired by 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.
Year: 1930; Census Place: Kline, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania; Roll: 2145; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0043; Image: 300.0; FHL microfilm: 2341879
Year: 1940; Census Place: Banks, Carbon, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3460; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 13-2
United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Tresckow, Carbon, Pe