| Notes |
- She worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Philadelphia PA. According to several different individuals she performed during WWI as a "Whistler" entertaining the troops. She visited with cousins, Della Phillipine Glunt and possibly the Bortners, in Kansas. Claire was talented and worked with her hands at painting statues and pictures. She was elected as the daughter of the Regiment by the veterans of the 7th PA Cavalry in 1910 and entertained them at their reunions by whistling military songs.
Thanks to the wonderful research of descendant association member, Mary Weigley, more has come to light on the yearly reunions held by the 7th all over the State of Pennsylvania. Mary researched the newspapers of all known reunions and graciously sent Larry and myself an extensive collection of articles pertaining to these reunions!
These articles became wonderful and enlightening windows into these events and the people who attended them. One person who came to light was Claire Drollinger. Through study of these articles I believe that Claire attended her first reunion of the 7th when it was held in Pittsburgh in 1909. Though Claire was not a descendant of a 7th soldier she was a descendant of, Adolph Drollinger, a Pennsylvania artilleryman.
I believe that Claire became known to the "Boys" of the 7th when they held their 1909 reunion in Pittsburgh and Claire was invited to deliver some of her musical talent during the festivities. The "Boys" must have been so impressed by her talent that they adopted her as "The Daughter of the Regiment" at the 1910 reunion in Connellsville, Pa. Now Miss Drollinger was no ordinary musician, she was "The Whistler"!
Her talent was whistling "Military Airs" and the old soldiers of the regiment loved her. It is believed that she was the first "Daughter of a Regiment" in the country. There had been daughters of companies but never a daughter of a regiment! The motion to adopt her was unanimously carried by all the members on October 26, 1910!
At the 1910 reunion she whistled "Tramp, Tramp the boys are marching" and "Marching through Georgia". In the 1910 newspaper account it is learned the Miss Drollinger always attends the reunions and her whistling is looked forward to with eager delight by the veterans. She is a member of the Pittsburgh Mozart Club and of the Christ Episcopal Church Choir. It was also noted that Col. Barnhart said, "If I could whistle as well as Miss Drollinger I would do nothing but whistle!"
Miss Drollinger attended every reunion and at the 1917 reunion in Connellsville, Pa she was given a pin bearing her name and the date of her adoption, with a GAR insignia. After the pin was made the die was destroyed so that no others could be made! The 1917 reunion opened with Miss Drollinger whistling
"The Star Spangled Banner."
The 1919 reunion in Milton, Pa once again found Miss Drollinger a special guest of the "Boys." Miss Drollinger exhibited wonderful ability as a musician and as an expert "Whistler," much to the amusement of the vast audience which had congregated in the Post Hall. At this reunion she was once again unanimously re-elected as "Daughter of the Regiment!"
After enjoying these wonderful articles I thought how nice it would be to do a follow-up on our newly rediscovered "Daughter of the 7th Pa Cavalry." I wanted to learn more of this most amazing woman. What had become of Miss Drollinger after all the "Boys" had attended their last reunion? I decided to simply try the phone! I signed onto the Internet and searched the Pittsburgh white pages for any Drollingers! To my surprise it returned one hit, Mr. Gordon Drollinger. I dialed the number and introduced myself and began to explain my mission. To my amazement I discovered that Miss Drollinger was Gordons Great Aunt! He explained to me that she had been a whistler on Vaudeville! Her full name was Claire Josephine Drollinger; she was born on November 15, 1880. She was the daughter of Aldoph and Francis Drollinger. She had two brothers, Charles Augustus and Adolph William. Claire never married and worked for the railroad company in Philadelphia most of her life. After retiring she moved back to Pittsburgh where she died on October 9, 1958, just 5 years before I was born!
During my research I discovered a 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry reunion ribbon. It was from the 1909 reunion and was in pristine condition. To my amazement I discovered another ribbon attached to the back! A beautiful "pink" ribbon made especially for an "Honorary Member" of the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry Association!!
Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records
Name: Claire J Drollinger
Event Type: Other
Other Event Date: 14 Nov 1933
Other Event Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Organization Name: St Luke's Church
transfer from Christ Church
1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Clarie Drollinger
Age: 19
Birth Date: Nov 1880
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1900: Allegheny Ward 3, Allegheny, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Adolph W Drollinger
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's name: Josephine Drollinger
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Clara J Drolling
[Clara J Drollinger]
Age in 1910: 28
Birth Year: abt 1882
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1910: Pittsburgh Ward 25, Allegheny, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's name: Francis J Drolling
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Francis J Drolling 56
Clara J Drolling 28
Adolph Drolling 15
Emerich Mcgennis 52
1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Claira J Drollinger
[Claika J Drollinger]
Age: 35
Birth Year: abt 1885
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1920: Pittsburgh Ward 23, Allegheny, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's name: Frances J Drollinger
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
|
1880 - 1958 (77 years)
