Minerd.com Biography of Edward Murdock and Susan Jane (Jobes) Gribble of Grindstone, PA

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Edward Murdock Gribble
(1870-1954)

Edward and Susan Gribble

Edward Murdock Gribble was born in 1870 near Uniontown, Fayette County, PA, the son of James and Susan (Murdock) Gribble.

At the age of 31, Edward married 22-year-old Susan Jane Jobes (June 13, 1879-1967) on April 3, 1901, the daughter of Winfield S. and and Mary (Inks) Jobes.

The Gribbles bore nine known children -- among them Cecil Gribble, Kenneth Gribble, Kathleen Cramer, Robert M. Gribble, Chester A. Gribble, Wilma Cook and Eugene Gribble.

They lost infant son Winfield James Gribble at age one month, 13 days of intestinal problems on Sept. 3, 1911; and an unnamed son at birth on Jan. 13, 1913. The babies's remains were laid to rest in the Presbyterian Cemetery in or around New Salem.

They resided in North Union Township and Colonial No. 3, both near Uniontown. Edward and Susan were members of the Grindstone Christian church.

When the federal census was taken in 1910, the Gribbles were farmers and lived next door to Edward's brother Thomas "Ira" Gribble and family. Just a few houses away was their married sister and brother in law, Lola and John W. Jeffries.

By 1920, Edward and Susan and their brood of seven children resided along the New Salem and Searights Road, with Edward employed as a "top man" in a coal mine. The Oct. 8, 1929 issue of the Uniontown Daily News Standard reported that "Mrs. E.M. Gribble and Mr. and Mrs. Russell Cramer and children of Rowes Run accompanied by Mrs. W.B. McClelland and children and Mrs. George Dowlin and daughter Jean of Uniontown motored Sunday to Washington, Pa., where they called on Mr. and Mrs. Harold Mowl."

Uniontown skyline, circa 1920s

The 1930 shows the family in Redstone Township, with six children and two grandchildren living under their roof. That year, in 1930, Edward worked as a teamster in a coal mine, while son Kenneth and Robert were laborers and miners in local coal mines. In October 1930, they drove to Toledo, OH with Mildred Renninger to stay as guests of Miss Renninger's uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Renninger, former residents of Race Street in Uniontown.

In their final years, the Gribbles made their home with their married son Robert and family at Continental No. 3, House 464, near Grindstone, Fayette County.

Having suffered from kidney disease, Edward died at home at the age of 84 on March 29, 1954, "following a lingering illness," said the Uniontown Evening Standard. He was "a retired Frick employee [and] resided at Colonial for the past 24 years."

Suffering from heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver and esophagus issues, Susan died at the age of 88 years at Uniontown Hospital on March 25, 1967. At her death, she was survived by 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was laid to rest in Salem View Cemetery.

~ Son Cecil V. Gribble ~

Son Cecil V. Gribble (1904-1955) was born in 1904.

He married Marie Blake ( ? - ? ), daughter of Harry S. Blake of Fayette County.

The couple produced two known sons, Harry W. Gribble and Lawrence Vernon Gribble.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1930, the Gribbles made their home with Marie's widowed father in Colonial No. 3 in Menallen Township. Cecil earned a living at that time in an electric shop. The couple divorced, apparently in the early 1930s.

Circa March 1934, Cecil boarded in the home of Harry Wells in Uniontown, and worked on a CWA state highway road construction project. That month, he had a paycheck stolen from his private mailbox, making headline news in the Uniontown Daily News Standard.

Marie apparently did not remarry. In 1956, she dwelled at 17 West Berkeley Street and in 1960, she lived at 127 West Fayette Street in Uniontown. She was active with the Golden Age Club of Uniontown, helping serve as hostess for the organization's events. She was included in a group photograph printed in the Uniontown Morning Herald - Evening Standard on Aug. 6, 1975 in connection with the golden anniversary of the Uniontown High School Class of 1925.

Eventually, by 1938, Cecil relocated to Washington, DC and remained there until his death. Cecil died in Prince George Hospital in Washington at the age of 51 on Oct. 1, 1955. His widowed mother and brother Robert traveled to the nation's capitol for the funeral service. A brief obituary was printed in the Uniontown Evening Standard.

Son Harry W. Gribble (1929- ? ) was born in about 1929 in Menallen Township, Fayette County. Circa 1950, he was employed with Menallen American Gas and Oil Company. At the age of 21, in about 1951, Harry married Ada Blanche Doyle ( ? - ? ), daughter of Charles E. Doyle of Uniontown. They made their home on New Salem road and had four known children, among them Larry Gribble and David Harry Gribble. By 1972, they had relocated to Phoenix, MD, living on Dulaney Valley Road.

Grandson Larry Gribble joined the Baltimore County Police Department in December 1972.

Son Lawrence V. Gribble ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). During the Korean War, he served two terms of duty in Europe as a member of the U.S. Army. Upon his honorary discharge and arrival back home, he enrolled in West Virginia University where he obtained a degree in electrical engineering. He was joined in wedlock with Norita Rose Mulligan ( ? - ? ), daughter of Leo Mulligan of Uniontown and Hagerstown, MD. The ceremony was held on Jan. 25, 1959 in the Central Christian Church, with Rev. Earl P. Confer officiating. The couple was pictured in a wedding notice in the Feb. 5, 1959 edition of the Uniontown Evening Standard. A graduate of the Uniontown Hospital School of Nursing, Norita was employed by the hospital as a nurse at the time of marriage. In 1962, they lived in Poughkeepsie, NY. The Gribbles had one known daughter, Meriellebeth Gribble.

Granddaughter Meriellebeth Gribble

~ Son Kenneth Gribble ~

Son Kenneth Gribble (1906 -1961) lived in or near Brownsville, Fayette County.

He married Ruth Bradmon (1912- ? ). They did not reproduce.

Circa 1940, the Gribbles resided in Luzerne Township, Fayette County, where Kenneth worked as a loader in a local coal mine.

Kenneth was a veteran of World War II, and belonged to the Kramer-Axton American Legion Post in Brownsville, and to the First Christian Church of New Salem. He resided in Hiller, Fayette County for 14 years and then moved to Virginia toward the end of his life.

He died in Winchester, Frederick County, VA at the age of 55 on Dec. 18, 1961. His remains were returned to Fayette County for interment at Lafayette Memorial Park.

~ Daughter Kathleen (Gribble) Cramer ~

Daughter Kathleen Gribble (1908- ? ) was born in 1908.

In 1927, at the age of 19, she married Russell Cramer ( ? - ? ).

The couple bore eight known children -- Charles Cramer, Russell Cramer Jr., Jerry Cramer, Lois Perry, Richard Allen Cramer Sr., Louis Cramer, Marlene Haviland and Lydia Cramer. They also endured the heartbreak of a stillborn daughter in January 1940.

In 1930, when the census was enumerated, 22-year-old Kathleen and her eldest two sons made their home with her father in Menallen Township, Fayette County. Russell's whereabouts that year are not yet known. By 1940, their home was at 487 Colonial No. 3 near Brownsville.

Kathleen lived in Brownsville, Fayette County circa 1954 and in Hiller, Fayette County in 1972.

Son Charles E. Cramer was deceased by 2014.

Son M. Russell "Russ" Cramer Jr. (1928-2018) was born on Nov. 20, 1928 in Rowes Run, Fayette County. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Russell entered into marriage with Betty Hall ( ? - ? ), daughter of Abel and Sarah Hall. Their union endured for half a century until cleaved apart by death. The family resided in Louisville near Canton, Stark County, OH. Two children born into this marriage were Jeffrey Cramer and Lisa Withers. Russell earned a living through employment with Union Metal. The family held a membershiop in the Canton Baptist Temple. Russell surrendered to death at the age of 90 on Dec. 13, 2018. Rev. Jake Tovissi led the funeral service. The remains were lowered into the sacred soil of Sunset Hills Burial Park. An obituary appeared in the Canton Repository.

Grandson Jeffrey Cramer was deceased by 2018.

Granddaughter Lisa Cramer was married to Donald Withers. The couple's two children were Caleb Withers and Jared Withers.

Son Jerry Cramer made his residence in 2014 in Monessen, PA.

Daughter Lois W. Cramer (1931-2014) was born on Aug. 10, 1931. She was a graduate of the Redstone High School class of 1950. Lois wedded (?) Perry ( ? - ? ). The couple appears not to have reproduced. Lois spent her 35-year career with Baptist Homes and Baptist Manor in the Mount Lebanon community near Pittsburgh. Her final position there was as manager of senior living, and she retired in 1996. For decades, she belonged to Peters Creek Baptist Church, and liked to sing and play piano. She enjoyed traveling and is known to have been to each of the 50 states. At the age of 82, she died on March 9, 2014. Funeral services were held in her church, with burial following in LaFayette Memorial Park.

Richard Cramer's workplace, the Clairton plant of U.S. Steel
Painting by Howard Fogg, Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Co., New York Central System

Son Richard Allen Cramer Sr. ( ? -2019) was born in (?). Circa 1963, he entered into marital union with Betty Kay ( ? -living). They stayed together for a remarkable 56 years. The Cramers made their residence in Grindstone and Merrittstown, Fayette County. Their brood of offspring included Lynn Dee Thayer, Richard Allen Cramer Jr. and Scott Cramer. Richard served in the U.S. Air Force for seven years and as an aviation technician with the Coast guard for 21 years. For his service, he received a Coast Guard Medal for Bravery. He also was employed for 18 years as a driver for Mayflower Trucking and as an electrician for the Monongahela Railroad and the Clairton works of U.S. Steel. The family attended the Bible Baptist Church of Brownsville. In his free time, Richard liked to ride his bicycle, garden and help those in need. Sadly, with his health failing, Richard was admitted to the Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown, WV. There, he died at the age of 85 on Aug. 27, 2019. Funeral services were presided over by Pastor Tommy Dallas in the family church. Interment of the remains was in LaFayette Memorial Park.

Granddaughter Lynn Dee Cramer married Robert Thayer. The couple relocated to Flat Rock, MI.

Grandson Richard Allen Cramer Jr. wedded Kathy. They put down roots in Brownsville, Fayette County.

Grandson Scott Cramer was united in wedlock with LeeAnn. He migrated to Indiana, Indiana County, PA and was there in 2019.

Son Louis Cramer was united in matrimony with Rosemary. They have dwelled in Canton, OH.

Daughter Marlene Cramer was joined in wedlock with (?) Haviland. The couple has lived in Ecuador (2014) and in Kentucky (2019).

Daughter Lydia Cramer relocated to Canton, OH.

~ Son Robert Miller Gribble ~

Son Robert Miller Gribble (1909- ? ) was born in 1909.

He was united in marriage with Virginia Floe Emerson ( ? - ? ).

Their four children were Sandra Jean Theis, Wilma Davis, Susan Ryberg and Robert Gribble Jr.

The Gribbles made their home in Grindstone and Colonial No. 3 for many years, at least as recently as 1972. In 1940, census records show Robert employed as a coal loader at a local mine.

In July 1974, Robert served as president of the annual basket picnic reunion of the Winfield Scott Jobes family, held at Rainbow Park in Haydentown, Fayette County. The Uniontown Morning Herald reported that Jean Bowlin Schuety was secretary of the reunion.

Daughter Sandra Jean Gribble (1939-2015) was born on Nov. 19, 1939 in Grindstone, Fayette County. She was married twice. Her second husband was Henry William Theis Jr. (1929-2011). They resided in Greensboro and Dilliner, Greene County. In all, Sandra produced three daughters -- Denice Davis, Diane Rue and Lisa Jacob. Sandra was a longtime member of Sugar Grove Baptist Church of Greensboro. She obtained a master's degree in social work in 1988 from Rutgers University. Circa 2006-2007, she served as the first woman president in the history of Southeastern Greene School District, Greene County. Said the Washington (PA) Observer-Reporter, she belonged to the "Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 263, Uniontown, Daughters of the American Revolution Colonel Zackquill Morgan Chapter, Daughters of the American Colonists, Carmichaels Grange No. 1389 and Cass CEOs." Interested in her family roots, Sandra came to our 2007 national reunion, the first of the Murdock-Gribble family to ever attend. Henry passed away on Dec. 21, 2011. Sandra outlived him by three and a half years, and went to reside near her married daughters in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. She died in Shenandoah Center in Charles Town, WV at the age of 75 on July 10, 2015.

Granddaughter Denice Davis

Granddaughter Diane Rue

Granddaughter Lisa Jacob

Daughter Wilma Gribble ( ? - ? ) wedded Howard Davis ( ? - ? ). In 2016, they dwelled in Mt. Airy, MA.

Daughter Susan Mae Gribble ( ? -2016) was born in (?). She was a member of the Brownsville High School Class of 1967. She received a journalism degree from Point Park College in Pittsburgh, which included a full presidential scholarship during her senior year. Her education was followed by a master's degree in library and information science from the University of Pittsburgh. Susan was twice-wed. Her first spouse was Anthony Kushon ( ? - ? ), son of Donald Kushon of Carmichaels. Their only son was Stuart Anthony Kushon. Their home was on Princeton Drive in the Penn Hills suburb of Pittsburgh. Anthony was employed circa 1975 as a chemist at the Springdale facility of PPG Industries. Later, she entered into marriage with Point Park graduate Allen E. Ryberg ( ? - ? ). She went on to serve as technical services librarian at Point Park for 26 years, and then for another 24 years as reference and extended services librarian at the Moye Library of the University of Mount Olive in Goldsboro, NC. She authored the 2011 book Mama Counts to Sleep, illustrated by Christopher K. Allen. Circa the 2010s, the family made a home in the College Heights section of Mount Olive, NC. As her health failed, she was admitted to Goldsboro's Willow Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She died at the age of 66 on May 26, 2016.

Grandson Stuart Anthony Kushon (1975-living) was born in 1975. News of his birth was announced in the Uniontown Evening Standard. Stuart attended Point Park University in Pittsburgh.

Son Robert Gribble Jr. ( ? - ? ) resided in Carmichaels, PA.

~ Son Chester A. Gribble ~

Son Chester Allen Gribble (1915-1998) was born on Feb. 5, 1915 in Uniontown, Fayette County.

He was first married to Alvira M. (or "Alvenia") (1914- ? ).

They separated in October 1939, with Chester running an advertisement in the Uniontown Morning Herald, stating that she had "left her bed and board without just cause" and that he would "not be responsible for any debts contracted by her."

The couple must have reconciled, because the federal census of 1940 shows them together in Redstone Township. His occupation in 1940 was as a driver in a coal mine. In July 1941, they attended the annual Jobes family reunion, held at Flatwoods near Uniontown.

In time, Chester relocated to Michigan. He is known to have resided in Detroit in the 1950s and in Traverse City, MI in 1972-1998.

On Oct. 26, 1962, he wedded a second time to Mae Nyland (Dec. 10, 1929-2019), daughter of Harold and Alice Nyland.

The couple together produced two sons, Edward Gribble and Glen Gribble.

Mae was an alumna of the Butterworth School of Nursing. She spent her long career as a registered nurse, employed at Traverse City State Hospital for 34 years. She finally retired in 1984. In an obituary, the family said that Mae "was a woman who seemed to have never met a stranger and would know your ancestors back to the Mayflower in just a 20 minute conversation. She was so frugal she could make Abraham Lincoln scream. If she had had control of our country's finances, there would be a national surplus that would last an eternity."

She gave of her time to the baby pantry at her home church, West Bay Covenant Church, and for blood drives.At Christmas, she baked large amounts of cookies for friends and relatives.

Death swept Chester away into eternity at the age of 83 on April 20, 1998. Interment of the remains was in Southern Cemetery in Central Lake, Antrim County, MI.

Mae lived for another two-plus decades as a widow. She succumbed to death on May 31, 2019. She was survived by four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Son Edward Gribble was joined in wedlock with Koneta.

Son Glen Gribble was united in matrimony with Nancy.

~ Daughter Wilma Ruth (Gribble) Cook ~

Daughter Wilma Ruth Gribble (1916-1938) was born on June 17, 1916 in New Salem, near Uniontown.

She married Ira Curtis Cook Jr. (Nov. 6, 1914-1976).

They made their home at 152 Colonial No. 3 (Rowes Run), Fayette County.

The Cooks had one son, Ira Curtis Cook III.

Sadly, after becoming pregnant again, Wilma became violently ill. Diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, she suffered with severe nausea and vomiting. Her body gave out, and she died at the age of 22, on Aug. 30, 1938. The Uniontown Morning Herald reported that her death occurred in the Brownsville Hospital "after a month's illness of a complication of diseases." The funeral was led by Rev. Richard Purnell of the Rowes Run Primitive Methodist Church, with burial in the family lot in Fairview Cemetery.

Ira outlived his wife by nearly four decades. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army.

He apparently married again, to (?) VanMeter, and maintained a home at Colonial No. 3. He died at the age of 61 on Jan. 17, 1976. Burial of the remains was in LaFayette Memorial Park.

Son Ira Curtis Cook III (1937-1954) was born in 1937, and was only one year old when his mother died. The specter of death visited when he was age 17. A junior at Redstone Township High School, he was stricken with a brain hemorrhage and died suddenly in Brownsville Hospital on Dec. 3, 1954. He was laid to rest near his mother at Fairview Cemetery.

~ Son Eugene Gribble ~

Son Eugene Gribble (1919-1972) was born in about 1919.

He moved to the Detroit area following World War II, and made his home in Romulus, MI for more than two decades.

He married Marilynn (?).

Together, the couple bore two children -- Donna Kay Motley and Thomas Gribble.

Eugene was employed by the White Star Trucking Co., Inc., and was a president of the Michigan Travel Trail Club. With a large white beard, he gained fame playing Santa Claus, having entertained an estimated 200,000 children on his knee over the years.

Eugene passed away of cancer at the age of 53, on Aug. 10, 1972, at Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was laid to rest in the Michigan Memorial Cemetery. A front page obituary, with photo, ran in his old hometown newspaper, the Uniontown Morning Herald. Said the Herald:

The man on whose knee sat hundreds of thousands of wide-eyed youngsters gained national acclaim recently when he was the subject of stories carried on the Associated Press and United Press International wires. Receiving no other compensation other than the knowledge that he had warmed the hearts of and brought smiles to the faces of so many children, Mr. Gribble has played the role for the past 13 years. He set up his own 'Christmas Fantasy Trailer' during each Yule season in Romulus and it was later moved to Belleville. The trailer reportedly was the most elaborate display by a private citizen in Michigan... Last year alone, Gribble estimated that 8,000 children enjoyed the pleasures of his Christmas display.

Daughter Donna Kay Gribble married Michael Motley. In 1972, their home was in Kentucky.

Son Thomas Gribble made his home in 1972 in Dearborn Heights, MI.