THE people

Mary Klemp

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

STATUS: 
Survivor
DATE OF Birth:
City of Birth:
Year OF DEATH:
City of Death:
GENDER:
F
OTHER KNOWN NAMES:
MAIDEN NAME:
ETHNICITY:
KNOWN ADDRESS:
RELATED TO:

At the time of the tragedy.

AGE:
22
MARITAL STATUS:
Single
ROLE:
passenger

other information

CEMETERY:
OTHER NOTES:

...clung for life to deck chairs...

Ted Lawson began working for Western Electric in Brooklyn, New York, and was later transferred to the Hawthorne Works facility in Cicero. He was engaged to be married to Mary Klemp, who also worked for Western Electric. They both woke up very early the morning of the picnic, as Ted was anxious to ride aboard the Eastland. Once on board, they noticed the ship shift from side to side, but they were reassured by the crew that this was not unusual for the ship.

When the Eastland rolled into the river, Ted and Mary were both thrown into the water. They clung for life to deck chairs -- neither being able to swim -- and were in the water for several hours before being rescued. Taken later to some nearby shops, Ted and Mary were given blankets to dry themselves and keep themselves warm. They quickly took a train home to let their families know that they were okay.

Ted and Mary were married two months later on September 29, 1915.

Help tell the story...
If you have more information about this person or the Eastland Disaster, we'd love to hear from you. We're constantly adding new information to our collection to help tell the whole story of the Eastland Disaster and the thousands of lives affected by the tragedy of July 24, 1915.
CONTACT EDHS