Mae Brennan Wheeler
My paternal grandmother, Mary Agnes “Mae” Brennan Wheeler (1904-1997), grew up in Augusta, Georgia.
November 18, 2022
About 1909
Mae, far left, with her older half-brother Harry McGuinn, her mother Lula, brother Thomas, and sister Talu. Mae’s brother Pat was born in August 1909, so this photo most likely was taken before his birth.
Mae’s parents: Lula and Thomas Brennan
Mae was the second child of Martha Tallulah “Lula” Swindler McGuinn Brennan Bradshaw (1879-1952) and Thomas Joseph Brennan (1873-1926). Lula grew up in Edgefield County, South Carolina in an area that became Saluda County in 1895. Her family was of Protestant Scottish-English ancestry. Thomas was the son of Irish Catholic immigrants in Augusta, Georgia. Lula and Thomas married in Augusta on February 16, 1901. Mae’s older half-brother, Harry McGuinn (1895-1967), was from Lula’s previous marriage to Wiley McGuinn (1867-abt. 1901).
About 1913
Mae around age 8 with Mr. Morris
If I remember correctly, Granny Mae told me that Mr. Morris was a neighbor.
Little Thomas
Mae’s younger brother Thomas, age 6, died in February 1914 of a ruptured appendix. Decades later, Mae would recall that her mother, Lula, had a breakdown after Thomas died. In the evening around dusk, Lula would go out into the yard and call for him to come home. Someone in the family would have to go out into the yard and gently bring her back into the house.
February 1914
Mae, on right, age 9, and her older sister Talu, age 13, at the grave of their younger brother Thomas Brennan (1907-1914) in Magnolia Cemetery in Augusta, Georgia. Thomas died of a ruptured appendix on February 3, 1914, nine days before his seventh birthday.
About 1919 or 1920
Mae Brennan, around age 15, is in the front row, second from the right, with her hands clasped together. In the back row, on the left, is her younger brother, Pat Brennan, face obscured, and two of his friends. In the front row, from the left, is Mae’s first cousin, Becky O’Hara, and Sarah Ross, who may have been a friend. Talu Brennan, in the middle of the front row, is holding Bennie Brennan and Helen Brennan is sitting to the right of Mae.
Everyone is dressed in their Sunday best here, but the location, date, and occasion are all unknown. Baby brother James Brennan was born in May 1920. It’s possible this was taken at his christening. James was the youngest child of Thomas and Lula Swindler Brennan.
1924
Mae married Ellis Levi Wheeler (1896-1944) on Wednesday, October 15, 1924 in Augusta.