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In a 1940's copy of a letter from my dad (Edward F. Jenkins) to several New York newspapers, in an attempt to locate his birth certificate, he noted that his grandfather (Peter McGeough), with whom he lived, was a popular and respected businessman in the Rochester area. He wrote that Peter McGeough was a member of several clubs and associations, including R.A.T.S.. After searching in vain for any reference to R.A.T.S., I began to think that this was some pseudo-acronym that my father had confused with something else over the years. A trip to the Lynn Historical Society led me to an old book "Recollections of Sixty Years in the Shoe Trade" by Joel C. Page. To my great excitement this book had several references to R.A.T.S. along with pictures. In this book I found a brief write-up about my great-grandfather along with a picture! Research in "The Shoe Retailer & Boots & Shoes Weekly" also led to another article.

I thought it would be fun to develop this page and hope it will be of interest to others researching their Rochester ancestors. Sources include: "Recollections of Sixty Years in the Shoe Trade" by Joel C. Page and "The Shoe Retailer & Boots & Shoes Weekly", both of which include articles originally published in "The Shoeman".

The Passing of Peter McGeough The Shoe Retailer & Boots & Shoes Weekly, Boys on the Road, May 1917
Former Salesman for The Piehler Shoe Co., Rochester, N.Y., and Well Known Among the Trade in the South, Who Died Last Week.
Peter McGeough for more than 30 years a well-known traveling shoe salesman, with an acquaintance among shoe merchants all over the United States and who was especially well known in the South, died on Friday, April 27 (note death certificate states April 17), at his home in Rockland, Mass. Mr. McGeough had lived in Rochester, N.Y. for about 15 years, traveling for The Piehler Shoe Co., and retired from active business last fall. He had been in fairly good health right up to the end and on the day previous to his death had only returned from a visit to his mother and relatives in Lynn.
Mr. McGeough was a member of the Rochester Association of Traveling Shoe       Salesmen and the National Shoe Travelers' Association. He was also affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. He was 61 years old.
He had not intended to retire permanently from the shoe business but as he had frequently it, had decided to take a rest for a year.
Besides his mother he is survived by two daughters, Maizie McGeough and Mrs. Charles Jenkins, a grandson, Edward Jenkins, four brothers and two sisters residing in Lynn.

                                                                       R.A.T.S.S.' TALES



John McGeough, manager for John Sullivan, recently resigned from his position. The Shoe Retailer & Boots & Shoes Weekly, Boys on the Road, February 19, 1902, under the heading "San Francisco. Contemplates a change."

John McGeough, for many years manager for John T. Sullivan, has decided not to return direct to the retail store business, but instead will endeavor to build up a country trade. He is now preparing an elaborate catalogue which will shortly be mailed to his many country customers. The Shoe Retailer & Boots & Shoes Weekly, Boys on the Road, February 26, 1902, under the heading "San Francisco. Here Buying Goods."

Lynn, Mass. P. P. Sherry and C. Farrell. The Shoe Retailer & Boots & Shoes Weekly, Boys on the Road, March 12, 1902
One more pioneer has stepped aside, leaving the center of the stage to a member of a younger generation of his own family. P.P. Sherry has ceased the active management of the business of the Sherry Shoe Company, of Lynn, Mass., and his genial son-in-law, Charles Farrell, has taken up the reins in his stead. It is doubtful if there is any man in the city of Lynn more favorably known or more highly esteemed than Mr. Sherry. He has been a stalwart figure for years and years, and his successor bids fair to follow in his footsteps.
Mr. Farrell is one of the younger generation-a man whose mind has not been turned into one channel, a man big enough to grasp existing conditions, and one who is willing to acknowledge the fact that "the world does move".
We predict a long and successful business for the firm under Mr. Farrell's administration, and it is the general sentiment of the trade that the position he now holds is one that he well merits through his indefatigable energy in promoting the best interests of the firm he represents.

Where He Is. The Shoe Retailer & Boots & Shoes Weekly, Boys on the Road, April 2, 1902
Only this week we had an inquiry from a shoe dealer as to the whereabouts of R.B. McCarthy, and perhaps it might be interesting to those who are anxious to know where Mac is at the present time to tell them of his good fortune. He is now the President of the Sherry Shoe Co., of Lynn, Mass. He is one of the younger element who has had sufficient balance and ability of character to work manfully and conscientiously as a salesman until at last he now attains a position on the top of the heap.
The Sherry Shoe Company. The Sherry Shoe Co. is well known, and the president as well as the treasurer, Charley Farrell, and the secretary, C. E. McManus, make a trio of young old-timers which is capable of carrying on the work of this Co. Even at that they are going to have their own troubles to keep up with the pace set by P. P. Sherry.
What He Was. He was originally a farmer's boy in the old country. He immigrated to America, and commenced making shoes in South Reading, now Wakefield. He began manufacturing in '68 in the basement of his house, which of necessity was in a modest way. In '78 he erected a six-story brick structure in the city of Lynn, which by the way was the first brick shop put up in that most interesting shoe town. He is a self-made man, and the boys who are following in his footsteps and attempt to emulate the ever genial P.P.S. have a harder job that most people might imagine. Be that they are equal to which there is no doubt, and with the brains and ability nestling within the personnel of brothers McCarthy, Farrell, and McManus, they may be relied upon to give a good account of themselves.

Peter McGeough and Fred Mock are home from their trips for Moloney Bros. Company. Both are enthusiastic over the "Moloney Welt" for women, which was put on the market for the first time this season, and they declare it will have over double the present sale another season. The Shoe Retailer & Boots & Shoes Weekly, Boys on the Road, June 24, 1903

Death of Steve F. Dougherty The Shoe Retailer & Boots & Shoes Weekly, Boys on the Road, May 1917

The wires Monday morning flashed to the office of Utz & Dunn Co., Rochester, the sad new of the death, early Sunday morning, at Enid, Okla., of Steve F. Dougherty, one of the most popular and diligent members of the salesstaff of that company. Mr. Dougherty was taken ill at Enid and a few days before his death wired the house that he was going to the University Hospital for treatment. Death was the result of pneumonia and resulting complications. Steve Dougherty had been in the employ of Utz & Dunn Co. over three years, covering the states of Kansas, Nebraska and parts of Missouri and Oklahoma. He had put in six seasons of hard work and results were accruing fast when the final summons came. He was a most popular man both in the factory and on the road, possessing a nature that made him well and quickly liked by everyone with whom he came into contact.
In Rochester, Mr. Dougherty was a member of the Rochester Association of Traveling Shoe Salesman. His home was in Ft. Dodge, Ia., to which city his remains were taken by Charles K. Wheeler, of Dallas Tex.
Mr. Wheeler, who travels in Texas for Utz & Dunn Co., took charge of affairs at the direction of Utz & Dunn Co., hastening to Enid on Monday. Mrs. Dougherty and a young daughter survive. Southwestern Salesman for UTE & Dunn Co., Who Died Last Sunday at Enid, Okla.

Bennie St. John traveled for Moore-Shafer Shoe Company, Brockport, N.Y., for twenty years but, a year or
so ago, surprised his many friends by going with the Menihan Company, with which house he is keeping up
his record.
I do not know when this photo was taken, however it appears to be an earlier photo than the one that appears in my grandmother's photo album. Recollections of Sixty Years in the Shoe Trade, Joel C. Page

                                              Bennie St. John as he appears in my grandmother's photo album
                                                                         c.1912. I do not know of any family connection to Bennie St. John.

R.A.T.S.S. Holds First Meeting The Shoe Retailer & Boots & Shoes Weekly, June 16, 1917
Important Business Regarding Style Show, Liberty Loan and Red Cross Work Considered
Rochester, N.Y., June 13.-The first meeting of the season of the Rochester Association of Traveling Shoe Salesmen was held at Powers hotel, yesterday afternoon, with a good attendance and President Joe P. Byrne in the chair. Treasurer P. F. Schneider, who has not finished trip, was the only officer absent.
The coming Style Show was discussed enthusiastically and it was the opinion of the salesmen that the attendance will be record breaking. "Not only are buyers coming on to get a line of the market and next season's styles, but to buy shoes," declared one of the members.
Chairman LePine of the Style Show Committee reported that there will be more exhibits than at any past style show and that applications are being received daily.
Memorials on the death of Peter McGeough and Steve F. Dougherty, who died in April, were adopted. The estate of each was presented with a gift of $100.
President Byrne urged every member to stand back of the government and participate in the Liberty Bond issue. A letter will be sent to all members so that National Secretary Stanton may be informed of the total subscription of the Rochester Association. The Rochester Association decided to do its part in the purchase of an ambulance as proposed by Secretary Stanton.
Letters will be sent to all Rochester members asking their aid in the movement to raise $1,000,000 in the city next week for the Red Cross.
President Byrne named the following committee to have charge of the annual outing, to be held Saturday, July 14th, the day following the close of the Rochester Shoe Style Show: J. P. Beatty, chairman; Frank W. Rice, Harry M. Joy, Harry J. Beatty, Clark Rowley, George Crane, Gene Connors, Ralph Clauser, Ben B. Blythe, and Sam Valsey.
Every meeting hereafter, instead of those falling on the second and fourth Tuesday, will be a business meeting, as provided by the revised constitution.