Charles Joseph McHugh [1887-1954]: My maternal grandfather was born in Shullsburg, WI. His father died in 1898 and his mother moved most of the family to Chicago in 1904. Charles pitched for a semi-pro baseball team, the Chicago Porters. He and brother, Frank worked for Western Electric. Charles married Bess Crail in 1910. They moved to Indianapolis in 1911. In 1912, he bought Universal Tool and Die at auction and ran the business until the Depression. Universal produced tools, dies, auto parts and toys. Charles was granted a patent for the putt-putt boat in 1915. The toy boat became immensely popular, A second patent in 1926 called for modifications and improvements in the steam-powered toy boat. The family moved to Vermont for a short time, joining Bess' sister and brother-in-law there. Back in Indy, Charles started Indianapolis Tool and Die [1937-42] and then Craftsman Tool and Engineering until the end of WWII. After that, Charles ran a shop behind the family home on S. Belmont. He employed his sons, daughter and son-in-law in the business. Grandpa had some interesting run-ins over the years. Twice he ran afoul of the KKK and broke up services at a church near the house to complain about parishioners' cars blocking the driveway. He died about a month before my 3rd birthday.
Bess Catherine Crail [1891-1952]: Bess was born in Kokomo, IN. Her father's travels would take the family to Ontario, Canada, Shelbyville, IN, Chicago, Vermont and Indianapolis. Bess was the mother of three sons and a daughter. Memories of Bess are few, as she died when I was about 17 months old.
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