Notes for Paul Louis Chevalley and Milca Zélina L'Eplattenier

1908 Paul arrived in New York on October 17, 1908, sailing on the ship La Savoie from Le Havre on October 10, 1908, on the same ship with Elihu, Emma, and Milca L'Eplattenier. [Ellis Island passenger records and ship manifest]

1912 “Milca was active in the Cherry Street Baptist Church. She initially refused Paul's marriage proposal because she wanted to become a missionary, but when he said he would jump from the Lewis and Clark Bridge, she agreed that she would marry him if he went to Switzerland and obtained her mother's permission for the marriage.” Paul Chevalley visited Switzerland in the summer of 1912. On his return, he sailed from Bologne on the ship Konigen Luise and arrived in New York on September 22, 1912. Apparently he returned from Switzerland with Milca's mother's permission as Paul and Milca were married on November 20, 1912. [Conversation with Irma Chevalley Niedernhofer, 2005]

1912 "Chevalley-L'Epplattenier. Last night at nine thirty at the Cherry Street Baptist church the Rev. S.D. McKenny officiating, occurred of Paul Chevalley and Miss Milca L'Epplattenier, niece of Mr. and Mrs. Elihu L'Epplattenier. The young couple were preceded down the left aisle of the church by their attendants, Mr. Leon Migot and Miss Ida Chanel, to the strains of the Lohengrin wedding march, played by Miss Harriet Bilderbeck. The ring ceremony was used and the bridal pair knelt to receive the final prayer. Leaving the church as Mendelsohn's wedding march peeled out, they proceeded to the parsonage where their many friends extended hearty good wishes and congratulations, and as a final token of their good will showered them with rice as the[y] entered the carriage. The bride was more than usually charming in a gown of white chiffon over white satin, exqui[si]tely made. The bridesmaid wore a beautiful cashmere imported from Switzerland. Mr. and Mrs. Chevalley went to their own home last night, a cottage on Spruce street." [Alton Evening Telegraph, Alton, Illinois, Thursday, November 21, 1912, p. 1]

1920 U.S. census for Ward 6 of Alton, Madison County, Illinois (820 Spruce Street): Paul L. (age 29) and Milca Z. (age 34) Chevalley, both born in Switzerland, with children Louis P. (age 5 11/12), Robert E. (age 3 0/12), and Erma M. (age 10/12), all born in Illinois. Paul is the manager of a wholesale fruit company, immigrated to the U.S. in 1908 and was naturalized in 1910.

1930 U.S. census for District 5 of Alton, Madison County, Illinois (824 McKinley Blvd): Paul L. (age 39) and Milca (age 43) Chevalley. Their house was owned and was worth $6,500. Paul was married at age 21 to Milca at age 25. They and their parents were born in Switzerland. Their language before coming to the United States was French. Their children Louis D. (age 16), Robert E. (age 13), and Irma M. (age 11), were all born in Illinois . Also living with them is Edward Chevalley (age 13), Paul's nephew. Paul is a proprietor in the wholesale produce industry.

Ship Notes:
The ship La Savoie was built in 1901 by Chantiers de Penhoet, St. Nazaire, France. Description: 11,168 gross tons, 580 (bp) feet long, 60 feet wide, steam triple expansion engines, twin screw, 1,055 passengers (437 first class, 118 second class, 500 third class). Built for French Line, French flag, in 1901 and named La Savoie. Le Havre-New York service. Refitted as a French Navy auxiliary cruiser in 1914. Resumed Le Harve-New York service 1919-27. Scrapped at Dunkirk in 1927.

The ship Konigen Luise was built in 1897 by A/G Vulcan Shipyard, Stettin, Germany. Description: 10,566 gross tons, 552 (bp) feet long, 60 feet wide, steam quadruple expansion engines, twin screw, service speed 14.5 knots, 2,400 passengers (225 first class, 235 second class, 1,940 third class). Built for North German Lloyd, German flag, in 1897 and named Konigen Luise. Bremerhaven-New York and Australia, also Mediterranean-New York service. Laid-up throughout World War I, 1914-18. Given as reparations to Orient Line, British flag, in 1919 and renamed Omar. UK-Australia and Mediterranean-New York service. Sold to Byron Steamship Company, British flag, in 1924 and renamed Edison. Piraeus-Mediterranean ports-New York service. Transferred to Greek registry in 1929. Scrapped in Italy in 1935.